Abstract:
A hair iron includes a first arm, a second arm and at least one cover removably mounted on at least one of the first arm and the second arm. In one embodiment, removable or interchangeable covers are mounted on both arms. The arm(s) may include guide recesses or channels to accommodate projections on the cover(s) to allow the cover(s) to be slid onto the arm(s). Alternatively, the cover(s) may include the guide recesses or channels and the arm(s) may include the projections. Still further, other means for receiving the interchangeable cover(s) may be incorporated into the cover(s) and/or the arm(s). The arms are preferably pivotally connected and include opposing heated plates on the inside surfaces thereof. The hair iron may form part of a kit containing the hair iron in combination with one or more replacement covers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) upon U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/994,793, which is entitled “Hair Iron,” was filed on Sep. 21, 2007, and is incorporated herein by this reference. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) upon United Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. 0718423.7, which is entitled “Hair Iron,” was filed with the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 21, 2007, and is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a hair iron. A particular application of the invention is a hair straightener. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Conventional hair irons have first and second pivotally connected arms carrying heated metal or ceramic plates. Heating elements, either electrical or gas powered, heats the plates ready for use. A section of hair is placed between the heated plates for treatment. In the case of hair straighteners, the plates are fiat and the hair straighteners are drawn from the root to the tip of the hair during treatment. 
         [0004]    The arms typically comprise a molded casing onto which the other components, such as the metal or ceramic plates and the heating elements, are mounted. It may be desirable to alter the appearance of the hair irons to reflect a particular style or to enable them to be sold under different brand or model names. However, molding different casings may complicate the production cycle and is likely to increase production costs. Thus, it may not be economically viable to produce a range of hair irons. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, even if a range of hair irons is produced, the inventor(s) have recognised that a user may wish to customise or personalize them. There are limited options available for a user to distinguish conventional hair irons from those of their friends or colleagues. 
         [0006]    The present invention, at least in preferred embodiments, attempts to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the shortcomings outlined above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Viewed from a first aspect, the present invention relates to a hair iron comprising a first arm, a second arm and at least a first cover; wherein the first cover is removably mounted on the first arm. 
         [0008]    Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a hair iron comprising first and second arms, having means for receiving at least one interchangeable cover on said first arm and/or said second arm. The means for receiving the at least one interchangeable cover may be any or all of the appropriate features of the first and second arms described herein. 
         [0009]    Viewed from a still further aspect, the present invention relates to a cover for a hair iron as described herein. 
         [0010]    Viewed from a yet further aspect, the present invention relates to a kit comprising a hair iron as described herein in combination with one or more replacement covers. 
         [0011]    It will be appreciated that, at least in preferred embodiments, the first cover and/or second cover may provide a replaceable skin enabling a hair straightener to be personalized by a user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a hair iron having removable covers in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the hair iron of  FIG. 1  in a closed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section through the arms of the hair iron along the line A-A shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate the steps in removing the covers from the hair iron and fitting replacement covers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    A hair iron comprises a first arm, a second arm and at least a first cover; wherein the first cover is removably mounted on the first arm. Advantageously, the first cover may readily be removed to allow a replacement cover to be mounted in its place. The replacement cover may have a different appearance thereby enabling a user to change the appearance of the hair iron. For example, a user may remove the original cover fitted on the hair iron and fit a replacement cover which is a different color or has a stylized design printed on it. It will be appreciated also that, in the event of damage, the first cover may be removed and a replacement fitted. Equally, at least in preferred embodiments, different covers may readily be fitted during the manufacturing process, for example to allow different brand and/or model names to be displayed. 
         [0018]    The hair iron preferably comprises a second cover which is removably mounted on the second arm. 
         [0019]    The hair iron preferably has one or more heating elements for heating plates mounted on the first and second arms. The plates are typically mounted on the inside of the first and second arms. Preferably, the plates are opposable. The plates may be made of metal, ceramic or any other suitable material. The plates may be tourmaline plates. 
         [0020]    The first cover is preferably removably mounted on an outside of the first arm. The second cover is preferably removably mounted on an outside of the second arm. The first arm is preferably an enclosed component in itself, without the first cover. In other words, the first arm may comprise a first housing or the like. The first cover may then be fitted over the first housing. Indeed, an inside surface of the first cover may conform to an outside surface of the first arm (or the first housing of the first arm). The same applies to the second arm, which may comprise a second housing. Likewise, an outside surface of the second cover may conform to an outside surface of the second arm (or the second housing of the second arm). So, the hair iron can be usable without the covers in place. The housings may provide sufficient heat insulation. Fitting the covers may nonetheless improve heat insulation and allow the hair iron to be used for longer periods or with less discomfort to the user. 
         [0021]    At least in preferred embodiments, the first cover may be removed without using tools or specialist equipment. The first cover and/or the second cover may be clipped onto the first arm and/or second arm. Preferably, the first cover and/or the second cover may be a push-fit or a press-fit. Cooperating male and female members are preferably provided for mounting the first cover and/or the second cover. For example, the first arm and/or the second arm may have at least one recess or channel for receiving at least one projection provided on the first cover and/or the second cover. In other words, the first cover and/or the second cover may comprise at least one projection locatable in one or more recesses provided in the first arm and/or the second arm. The at least one projection may be a lug or an elongate member such as a rail or track. When the hair iron is assembled, the or each projection is preferably seated in a recess provided in the first arm and/or the second arm. The at least one projection may be a restricted fit in said recess. The recess may be a slot or channel. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, or in addition, the first arm and/or the second arm may be provided with at least one projection which locales in one or more recesses provided in the first cover and/or the second cover. 
         [0023]    The first cover may be adapted so that it can only be mounted on the first arm. Similarly, the second cover may be adapted so that it can only be mounted on the second arm. Thus, the first and second covers may be handed. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the first cover and/or the second cover may be displaced axially relative to the first arm and/or the second arm to seat or unseat said at least one projection in said at least one recess. The cover may be mounted by locating it on the arm such that said at least one projection is aligned with the corresponding recess or recesses before displacing the cover axially to seat said at least one projection. Conversely, the cover may be removed by displacing it axially to unseat said at least one projection. It will be appreciated that the steps of mounting and removing the cover are the same for both the first cover and the second cover. Alternatively, the first cover and/or the second cover may be clipped onto the first arm and/or the second arm. 
         [0025]    The first cover and/or the second cover preferably comprise retaining means. The retaining means may comprise a clip for cooperating with the first arm and/or the second arm. 
         [0026]    A design may be printed on said first cover and/or said second cover. The design may incorporate characters, symbols, text, images or a combination thereof. The design may be printed directly onto the first cover and/or the second cover or may be printed on an adhesive label which is then attached to the first cover and/or the second cover. The first cover and/or the second cover may be colored. 
         [0027]    A first flange or rib may be provided at an end of the first cover to locate in a recess provided at a tip of the first arm. A second flange or rib may be provided at an end of the second cover to locate in a recess provided at a tip of the second arm. 
         [0028]    The first and second arms are preferably pivotally connected. A pivot arrangement, pin or hinge may be provided to connect the first and second arms. At least one aperture is preferably provided in a sidewall of said first cover and/or said second cover. The at least one aperture is preferably provided to accommodate the pivot arrangement, pin or hinge connecting the first and second arms. The aperture is preferably substantially semicircular. The location of the pivot pin in said recess may retain the respective cover in position. 
         [0029]    A hair iron  1  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The hair iron  1  comprises first and second arms  2 ,  3  pivotally connected to each other by a pivot arrangement  4 . First and second covers  5 ,  6  are removably mounted on the first and second arms  2 ,  3 . The first and second covers  5 ,  6  are molded from a plastics material and have segment shaped or roughly semicircular recesses  7  formed in their sidewalls to accommodate the pivot arrangement  4 . 
         [0030]    Opposable ceramic plates  8 ,  9  are provided on the inner surfaces of the first and second arms  2 ,  3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plates  8 ,  9  are flat and the hair iron  1  is therefore suitable for straightening hair. In other words, the hair iron  1  is a hair straightener. In other embodiments the plates may be contoured to provide a hair curling iron or the like. The ceramic plates  8 ,  9  are heated by electrical heating elements (not shown), but in a modified arrangement gas heating elements may be used (for example, to provide a portable hair iron  1 ). 
         [0031]    A digital controller  10  for controlling the temperature of the plates  8 ,  9  is provided on a power cord  11  connected to a first end of the first arm  2 . The controller  10  is provided with an ON/OFF button  12  and temperature control buttons  13 ,  14 . The controller  10  also has a Liquid Crystal Display  15  for displaying the temperature of the ceramic plates  8 ,  9 . 
         [0032]    The first and second covers  5 ,  6  are preferably decorated with printed matter to enhance the appearance of the hair iron  1 . A brand name, logo, emblem and/or graphic design may be printed onto the first cover  5  and/or the second cover  6 . Alternatively, or in addition, a design may be embossed on the first and/or second covers  5 ,  6 . The first and second covers  5 ,  6  are preferably colored, for example by moulding them from a colored plastics material. 
         [0033]    The first and second covers  5 ,  6  may be replaced with covers having different display material printed on them thereby enabling a user to personalize the hair iron  1 . So, the first and second covers  5 ,  6  are adapted to allow them to be removed from the first and second arms  2 ,  3  by hand without using tools or specialized equipment. In more detail, first guide channels  16  extend axially along each side of the first arm  2  from the pivot arrangement  4  to the tip of the first arm  2 . A first set of inwardly projecting lugs  17  provided on the inside of the first cover  5  is located in the first guide channels  16  to retain the first cover  5  in position. Similarly, second guide channels  18  extend axially along each side of the second arm  3  from the pivot arrangement  4  to the tip of the second arm  3 . The second guide channels  18  receive a second set of inwardly projecting lugs  19  provided on the inside of the second cover  6 . 
         [0034]    By way of example, the removal of covers  5 ,  6  having a zebra pattern and the fitting of replacement covers  5 ,  6  having a spotted design will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0035]    The removal of the first and second covers  5 ,  6  from the first and second arms  2 ,  3  is illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The first cover  5  is gripped and displaced axially in a direction away from the connection for the power cord  9  (i.e., towards the tip of the first arm  2 ), as illustrated by the arrow B. The axial displacement of the first cover  5  displaces the sidewalls outwardly and unseats the pivot arrangement  4  from the semi-circular recesses  7  in the first cover  5 , as illustrated by the arrow C. The first cover  5  can then be slid off the end of the first arm  2 . These steps are repeated to remove the second cover  6  from the second arm  3 . 
         [0036]    The mounting of replacement first and second covers  5 ,  6  on the first and second arms  2 ,  3  is illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The first cover  5  is aligned with the end of the first arm  2  such that the first set of lugs  17  locate in the first guide channels  16 . The first cover  5  is then slid along the length of the first arm  2  towards the connection for the power cord  11  at the first end of the first arm  2 , as illustrated by arrow D. The pivot arrangement  4  displaces the sidewalls of the first cover  5  outwardly and the continued axial displacement of the first cover  5  seats the pivot arrangement  4  in the semi-circular recesses  7 , as illustrated by arrow E. The resilience of the sidewalls of the first cover  5  thereby retains the first cover  5  in position. These steps are repeated to mount the second cover  6  on the second arm  5 . 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated that the hair iron  1  is used in a conventional manner. However, care should be taken to ensure that the first and second covers  5 ,  6  are fitted or removed only when the hair iron  1  is cool to avoid injury. 
         [0038]    The skilled person will understand that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. 
         [0039]    For example, rather than provide a channel or recess in the first and second arms  2 ,  3 , projections or lugs may be provided on the first and second arms  2 ,  3  for location in one or more recesses provided in the first and second covers  5 ,  6 . Moreover, in place of the lugs  17 ,  19 , one or more elongate projections or rails may be provided on the covers  5 ,  6 .