Patent Publication Number: US-2023137316-A1

Title: Hair styling device comprising a hair wetness control mechanism

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a hair styling device comprising a jaw assembly including a first jaw having a first plate and a second jaw having a second plate, and a hair wetness control mechanism configured to supply a mist of liquid between the first plate and the second plate in the closed position of the jaw assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     CN 205682727 U discloses a manual hair straightener comprising a jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw which are hingably connected to each other. The first jaw includes a housing, a water tank, and an atomizing device. One part of the housing of the first jaw includes an electric heating plate and a spray nozzle positioned at one side of the plate, wherein the atomizing device is installed in the spray nozzle, and wherein the atomizing device is connected to the water tank through a duct. In use, water in the water tank is transferred to the atomizing device by a sponge conduit, and the atomizing device turns the water into cold water vapor and then sprinkles from the water mist nozzle to moisten the hair. The atomizing device comprises an atomizing sheet and an atomizing sheet front cover. This front cover forms a surface where water droplets may accumulate, which results in dripping problems. This prior art system can only handle water, i.e. a low-viscosity fluid. As the water has to pass the micropores in the atomizing sheet, the atomizing sheet is easily clogged as a result of impurities in the water. Further, as the sponge conduit does not reach the end of the water tank, the water flow to the atomizing sheet will stop if during use, the straightener is held in a way (i.e. in an upright position) that the sponge conduit cannot reach the water level anymore. 
     When the hair straightener is put to an activated state, the heating plate is put to a heated state. An induction switch is provided at a position between the first jaw and the second jaw, and the induction switch is used to control a switch of the atomizing device, whereby it is ensured that the atomizing device is only operated in a closed position of the jaw assembly. Carrying out a hair straightening action by means of the hair straightener in the activated state involves making sure that the jaw assembly is in the opened position, placing the hair straightener with respect to the hair such that a strand of hair is received in the jaw assembly at a position close to the scalp, putting the jaw assembly to the closed position as a result of which the atomizing device is activated to spray water on the hair that is caught between the jaws of the jaw assembly, and pulling the hair straightener downwards on the strand of hair. In this way, it is achieved that the strand of hair is subjected to both a wetting action and a heating action while the hair straightener is moved to glide along the hair, as a result of which the strand of hair is straightened. However, the amount of liquid provided to the hair cannot be controlled. 
     Hair straighteners which are only capable of subjecting hair to a heating action during a hair straightening action are also known in the art, but such hair straighteners are actually only suitable for use on damp hair, so that it is necessary to wet the hair prior to operating such hair straighteners, whereas hair straighteners which are capable of subjecting hair to both a wetting action and a heating action during a hair straightening action do not require a wetting pretreatment of the hair. Further advantages of configuring a hair straightener so as to spray water on hair during operation involve opening the hair cuticle, enabling effortless gliding of the hair straightener on the hair, and enhancing shininess of the hair. 
     Hair straighteners which are of the type that includes some kind of water spraying device normally comprise one of i) a transducer configured to generate mist and ii) an assembly of a thermoblock and a manual pump or peristaltic pump configured to generate steam. Disadvantages associated with using a transducer in hair straighteners involve the facts that it is required to use distilled water because otherwise minerals and small particles will block the micro hole on the transducer, that clogging of the micro hole is still prone to occur, and that water droplets accumulate on the transducer disc. Disadvantages associated with using an assembly that is configured to emit steam in hair straighteners involve the facts that there is a risk of clogging at one or more components of the assembly, that micro explosions of water vapor on hair take place, that there are safety issues arising from the high steam temperatures, that housing components need to be designed such as to withstand the high temperatures, and that normally some kind of heat exchange system is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved hair styling device. The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments. 
     One aspect of the invention provides a hair styling device comprising a jaw assembly including a first jaw having a first plate and a second jaw having a second plate, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are hingably connected to each other to thereby be capable of realizing an opened position of the jaw assembly for receiving hair between the first plate and the second plate and a closed position for styling hair between the first plate and the second plate, a heater arrangement configured to heat at least one of the first plate and the second plate, and a hair wetness control mechanism configured to supply a mist of liquid between the first plate and the second plate in the closed position of the jaw assembly, wherein the hair wetness control mechanism includes a two-fluid nozzle having at least one outlet configured to emit the mist of liquid, an air pump, and a tank configured to contain a liquid, and wherein both the air pump and the tank are in fluid communication with the two-fluid nozzle. 
     It follows from the foregoing definition that the hair wetness control mechanism of the hair styling device according to the invention includes a two-fluid nozzle having at least one outlet configured to emit the mist of liquid, an air pump, and a tank configured to contain a liquid, and wherein both the air pump and the tank are in fluid communication with the two-fluid nozzle. As a result of this configuration of the hair wetness control mechanism, it is achieved that the disadvantages associated with known configurations of the hair wetness control mechanism of hair styling devices, particularly hair straighteners, are alleviated. In particular, when the invention is put to practice and the two-fluid nozzle is used in combination with the respective components involved in air and liquid supply to the two-fluid nozzle, the following advantages are applicable: i) it is possible to use tap water and high viscosity liquid with additive, ii) there is no surface where water droplets may otherwise accumulate, iii) micro explosion of water vapor on hair does not occur, iv) the temperature level is much lower than the temperature level associated with steam generation and emission, v) clogging phenomena at one or more components of the hair wetness control mechanism are not likely to occur, and vi) due to the fact that the two-fluid nozzle uses kinetic energy of both gas (air) and liquid to atomize the liquid and to accelerate the liquid drops, the mist that is generated can easily penetrate the hair and enhance hair shininess. 
     Preferably, the hair wetness control mechanism is arranged to suck liquid from the tank as a result from a flow of air that is generated by the air pump, without a need for a separate pump to obtain a flow of the liquid in the two-fluid nozzle. 
     In a practical embodiment of the hair styling device according to the invention, the at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle is positioned at a hinge side of the first plate and the second plate. It may particularly be so that the at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle has a position at a central level between the first plate and the second plate, seen in a height direction of the first plate and the second plate in the closed position of the jaw assembly. In that way, it is possible to have optimal coverage of a space between the first plate and the second plate with only one or a limited number of outlets of the two-fluid nozzle. According to an another optional measure aimed at realizing optimal coverage of the space as mentioned, at least one of the first plate and the second plate comprises a slot, and the at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle is positioned at an end of the slot. In such an arrangement, the slot in the at least one plate facilitates transport of a mist of liquid emitted from the at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle through the space, in a direction from the end of the slot where the at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle is positioned to the other end of the slot. 
     In the context of the option of at least one of the first plate and the second plate comprising a slot, it may be practical if the slot has a cross-sectional U-shape. Further, it may be practical if the at least one of the first plate and the second plate has an otherwise flat appearance. 
     A notable advantageous option associated with using a two-fluid nozzle in the hair styling device resides in the fact that it is possible to have pulse-width modulated release of the mist of liquid from the two-fluid nozzle. In view thereof, it is advantageous if the hair styling device comprises a controller configured to control operation of the hair styling device according to one of at least two different wet operation modes involving actuation of the hair wetness control mechanism, wherein each of the respective wet operation modes involves a different pulse rate of operation of the air pump. In this respect, it is further advantageous if the hair styling device comprises a user interface configured to enable a user to set one of the respective wet operation modes. Such a user interface may comprise a touchscreen, for example, or may be designed in a less complex manner, comprising a button to be positioned in one of at least two predefined positions. 
     An example of the at least two different wet operation modes involves three different wet operation modes, namely a first wet operation mode for realizing a high level of humidity of the hair, a second wet operation mode for realizing a medium level of humidity of the hair, and a third wet operation mode for realizing a low level of humidity of the hair. During each of the wet operation modes, the air pump is successively switched on and off, wherein a duration of on time compared to a duration of off time is the highest in the first wet operation mode and the lowest in the third wet operation mode. 
     When the hair styling device according to the invention comprises a controller, it is practical if the hair styling device also comprises a detecting mechanism configured to cause the controller to actuate the hair wetness control mechanism only in the closed position of the jaw assembly. Such a detecting mechanism may comprise a switching mechanism configured to be in one of at least two different conditions and to be caused to switch from one condition to another when the position of the jaw assembly is changed. 
     In a practical design, the hair wetness control mechanism includes at least one of a system configured to transport air from the air pump to the two-fluid nozzle, and a system configured to transport the liquid from the tank to the two-fluid nozzle. In any case, it is practical if the two-fluid nozzle includes a liquid inlet configured to let in liquid to the two-fluid nozzle and an air inlet configured to let in air to the two-fluid nozzle, wherein the tank is connected to the two-fluid nozzle at the position of the liquid inlet, and wherein the air pump is connected to the two-fluid nozzle at the position of the air inlet. 
     The above-described and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of a hair straightener comprising a hair wetness control mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures, in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    diagrammatically shows a side view of a hair styling device according to an embodiment of the invention, the hair styling device comprising a jaw assembly including a first jaw having a first plate and a second jaw having a second plate, with a portion of the first jaw being shown in an opened condition so that interior components of the first jaw can be seen, 
         FIG.  2    diagrammatically shows a view on the first jaw, with a top cover removed so as to show a number of the interior components of the first jaw, 
         FIG.  3    illustrates how an outlet of a two-fluid nozzle that is included in the first jaw is positioned relative to the first plate and the second plate, 
         FIG.  4    diagrammatically shows a sectional view of the two-fluid nozzle and a portion of the first jaw having the first plate and the second jaw having the second plate, and 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram of a number of components of the hair styling device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    shows a hair styling device  1  according to an embodiment of the invention. The hair styling device  1  comprises a jaw assembly  10  including a first jaw  11  having a first plate  12  and a second jaw  13  having a second plate  14 . The first jaw  11  and the second jaw  13  are hingably connected to each other to thereby be capable of realizing an opened position of the jaw assembly  10  for receiving hair between the first plate  12  and the second plate  14 , and a closed position for styling hair between the first plate  12  and the second plate  14 .  FIG.  1    shows the hair styling device  1  with the jaw assembly  10  in the opened position. The hair styling device  1  as shown is particularly suitable to be used as a manual hair straightener, which does not alter the fact that the invention is applicable to other types of hair styling device as well. 
     The hair styling device  1  further comprises a heater arrangement  20  configured to heat both the first plate  12  and the second plate  14 . The heater arrangement  20  is only diagrammatically indicated in  FIG.  1   , as two dashed boxes which are each associated with one of the plates  12 ,  14 . The present description is also applicable in the alternative case of the heater arrangement  20  being configured to heat only one of the plates  12 ,  14 . Further, the hair styling device  1  comprises a hair wetness control mechanism  30  configured to supply a mist of liquid between the first plate  12  and the second plate  14  in the closed position of the jaw assembly  10 . As is generally known from the field of manual hair straighteners, proper use of the hair styling device  1  as shown involves a user&#39;s actions of i) picking up a strand of hair at a position near the scalp, which is done with the jaw assembly  10  in the opened position, ii) putting the jaw assembly  10  to the closed position with the hair being at a position of being clamped between the first plate  12  and the second plate  14 , and iii) pulling the hair styling device  1  down on the strand of hair. Assuming that those actions are taken with the hair styling device  1  in an activated state, it is achieved that the first plate  12  and the second plate  14  are made to glide over the strand of hair while being in a heated state, wherein the strand of hair is sandwiched between the first plate  12  and the second plate  14 , and that the strand of hair is moisturized in the process. 
     The invention relates to the design and use of the hair wetness control mechanism  30  of the hair styling device  1 . The hair wetness control mechanism  30  includes a two-fluid nozzle  31  having at least one outlet  32  configured to emit the mist of liquid, an air pump  33 , a system  34  configured to transport air from the air pump  33  to the two-fluid nozzle  31 , a tank  35  configured to contain a liquid, and a system  36  configured to transport the liquid from the tank  35  to the two-fluid nozzle  31 . Examples of the liquid include tap water, and a high viscosity liquid with additive. 
     The various components of the hair wetness control mechanism  30  are only diagrammatically depicted in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  2    illustrates in a more realistic fashion how the two-fluid nozzle  31 , the air pump  33  and the tank  35  can be positioned in the first jaw  11 . The tank  35  is preferably removably arranged in the first jaw  11 , so that refilling the tank  35  or replacing the tank  35  by a new one is facilitated. 
     The at least one outlet  32  of the two-fluid nozzle  31  is positioned at a hinge side of the first plate  12  and the second plate  14 . As can best be seen in  FIG.  3   , which provides a view in a length direction of the plates  12 ,  14  towards the two-fluid nozzle  31  with the jaw assembly  10  being in the closed position, the two-fluid nozzle  31  has a single outlet  32  in the shown example, which outlet  32  has a position relative to the first plate  12  and the second plate  14  that is central in both a height direction of the plates  12 ,  14  and a width direction of the plates  12 ,  14 . 
     For the purpose of transporting a mist of liquid emitted from the two-fluid nozzle  31  during operation, it is advantageous if at least one of the first plate  12  and the second plate  14  comprises a slot  15  while having an otherwise flat appearance.  FIG.  2    shows that the outlet  32  of the two-fluid nozzle  31  is positioned at an end of the slot  15 .  FIG.  3    shows that both the first place  12  and the second plate  14  may be provided with the slot  15 , and that it may be practical if the slot has a cross-sectional U-shape. 
       FIG.  4    serves to show further details of the two-fluid nozzle  31  and to illustrate the way in which the hair wetness control mechanism  30  functions to supply a mist of liquid between the first plate  12  and the second plate  14  in the closed position of the jaw assembly  10 . During operation, the liquid is supplied to the two-fluid nozzle  31 , through a liquid inlet  37  of the two-fluid nozzle  31 , and air is supplied to the two-fluid nozzle  31  as well, through an air inlet  38  of the two-fluid nozzle  31 . The respective ingoing flows of liquid and air are indicated by means of arrows in  FIG.  4   . The respective systems  34 ,  36  for transporting the air and the liquid to the two-fluid nozzle  31  may comprise any suitable type of conduit or the like, connecting the liquid inlet  37  to the tank  35 , and connecting the air inlet  38  to the air pump  33 . The air is used as an atomizing gas, and kinetic energy of both the air and the liquid is used to break the liquid down to drops and to accelerate the liquid drops. The two-fluid nozzle  31  may be designed such that a Venturi effect occurs in respect of the liquid, so that under the influence of the flow of air that is generated by the air pump  33 , liquid is sucked from the tank  35  and a flow of the liquid is obtained in the two-fluid nozzle  31 , without a need for a separate pump. The mist  16  of liquid that is emitted from the outlet  32  of the two-fluid nozzle  31  and that flows from the two-fluid nozzle  31  in the direction of the plates  12 ,  14 , particularly a space at the position where the plates  12 ,  14  are provided with the slot  15 , is diagrammatically depicted as a row of individual drops in  FIG.  4   . 
     On the basis of  FIG.  5   , a practical option of controlling operation of the hair styling device  1  will now be explained. 
     In the first place, it is advantageous if the hair styling device  1  is provided with a controller  40  configured to control operation of the hair styling device  1  according to one of at least two different wet operation modes involving actuation of the hair wetness control mechanism  30 , and a user interface  41  configured to enable a user to set one of the respective wet operation modes. The wet operation modes differ in that each of them involves a different pulse rate of operation of the air pump  33 , so that the extent to which the hair is wetted as a result of the wetting action performed by the hair wetting mechanism  30  on the hair can be varied. It is a feasible option for the number of different wet operation modes to be three, in which case it is possible to allow a user to choose from a first wet operation mode for realizing a high level of humidity of the hair, a second wet operation mode for realizing a medium level of humidity of the hair, and a third wet operation mode for realizing a low level of humidity of the hair. As an arbitrary example, in order to illustrate how the different wet operation modes may actually be realized, it is mentioned here that the first wet operation mode may involve a pulse rate of operation of the air pump  33  of 0.2 milliseconds on and 0.1 milliseconds off, the second wet operation mode may involve a pulse rate of operation of the air pump  33  of 0.2 milliseconds on and 0.2 milliseconds off, and the third wet operation mode may involve a pulse rate of operation of the air pump  33  of 0.1 milliseconds on and 0.2 milliseconds off. The user interface  41  may comprise a button  42  or another suitable switching device configured to be positioned in one of a number of predefined positions, wherein each of those positions is associated with one of the respective wet operation modes. 
     In the second place, it is noted that it is useful if the hair styling device  1  is equipped with a detecting mechanism configured to cause the controller  40  to actuate the hair wetness control mechanism  30  only in the closed position of the jaw assembly  10 . Such a detecting mechanism may be equipped with some kind of switching mechanism  43 , for example, being arranged and configured to respond to the position of the jaw assembly  10 , and being configured to cause the hair wetness control mechanism  30  to be operated for emitting a mist  16  of liquid only when the jaw assembly  10  is in the closed position. In  FIGS.  1  and  2   , it can be seen that a practical position of such a switching mechanism  43  is a position near the hinge axis  17  of the jaw assembly  10 . 
     It follows from the foregoing that in the shown embodiment of the hair styling device  1  according to the invention, the hair wetness control mechanism  30  is automatically activated when the jaw assembly  10  is closed and deactivated when the jaw assembly  10  is opened. The functioning of the hair wetness control mechanism  30  relies on applying a two-fluid nozzle  31 , as a result a mist  16  of liquid as desired is generated in an effective, reliable and safe way, wherein it is further possible to offer a user a possibility of choosing from various wet operation modes because the pulse width of the release of liquid drops from the two-fluid nozzle  31  can be modulated by varying the pulse rate of the air pump  33  that is used for supplying air to the two-fluid nozzle  31 . 
     By adding a valve in the liquid transport system  36 , the hair styling device can also operate in a drying mode in which just air is supplied, for use when the hair is already wet. By adding a heater in the air transport system  34 , hot air can be generated to lower the hair humidity. In this way, the hair wetness can be controlled both ways: dry hair can be made wetter, and wet hair can be made dryer. 
     It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such amendments and modifications insofar they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, wherein details which are not required for understanding the invention may have been omitted, and not necessarily to scale. 
     Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Thus, measures recited in mutually different dependent claims may advantageously be combined. 
     The terms “comprise” and “include” as used in this text will be understood by a person skilled in the art as covering the term “consist of”. Hence, the term “comprise” or “include” may in respect of an embodiment mean “consist of”, but may in another embodiment mean “contain/have/be equipped with at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”. 
     Notable aspects of the invention are summarized as follows. A hair styling device  1  comprises a hinge jaw assembly  10  including a first jaw  11  having a first plate  12  and a second jaw  13  having a second plate  14 . In an opened position of the jaw assembly  10 , hair can be received between the plates  12 ,  14 , and in a closed position of the jaw assembly  10 , hair can be hair styled between the plates  12 ,  14 . The hair styling device  1  further comprises a heater arrangement  20  configured to heat at least one of the plates  12 ,  14 , and a hair wetness control mechanism  30  configured to supply a mist  16  of liquid between the plates  12 ,  14  in the closed position of the jaw assembly  10 , wherein the hair wetness control mechanism  30  includes a two-fluid nozzle  31  having at least one outlet  32  configured to emit the mist  16  of liquid, and further includes an air pump  33  and a liquid tank  35  connected to respective inlets  37 ,  38  of the two-fluid nozzle  31 .