Patent Publication Number: US-6668840-B1

Title: Apparatus for hairstyling by means of steam

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for hairstyling by means of steam with a winding part extending in a longitudinal direction around which the hair can be wound, which winding part comprises: 
     a heating element extending in the longitudinal direction; 
     an evaporation channel for generating steam, extending in the longitudinal direction, having an exit, and being in thermal contact with the heating element; 
     a steam outlet extending in the longitudinal direction; and 
     a distribution space which connects the exit of the evaporation channel to the steam outlet. 
     Such an apparatus is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,473. 
     The known apparatus comprises an evaporation channel formed as a helically curved channel around an elongate heating element in the winding part. The exit of the evaporation channel is in communication with the distribution space. The distribution space is formed by an annular chamber which is bounded by an inner wall of the winding part and an outer wall of the heating element. This annular chamber forms a connection between the exit of the evaporation channel and the steam outlet, the latter being formed by a number of openings in a wall of the winding part arranged in the longitudinal direction. These openings are in contact with the hair wound around the winding part during operation. 
     A quantity of steam is generated through heating of a quantity of water in the evaporation channel which is in thermal contact with the heating element when a user introduces this quantity of water through an input of said helically curved evaporation channel during operation. Said quantity of steam enters the annular chamber through the exit of the evaporation channel and subsequently passes through openings in the wall of the winding part, thus coming into contact with the hair wound around the winding part. This known apparatus realizes the hairstyling operation by means of steam which is applied to the hair in a pulsatory manner. 
     It is a disadvantage of the known apparatus that drops of water can leak along with the steam from the winding part through the openings to the exterior during operation. Water drops leaking from the winding part during hairstyling may drop onto the skull through the wound lock of hair and thus be unpleasant for the user, indeed, drops of a certain temperature may even be dangerous for the user. In addition, water drops may adversely affect an optimized, homogeneous application of steam to the lock of hair which is necessary for a satisfactory hairstyling result. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which is improved as regards its comfort of use, safety, and hairstyling result. 
     The above object is achieved with the apparatus according to the invention which is characterized in that the distribution space comprises a distribution channel which extends in the longitudinal direction, which is manufactured from a thermally conducting material, and which is in thermal contact with the heating element over substantially its entire length. 
     The fact that the distribution channel is manufactured from a thermally conducting material and is in thermal contact with the heating element over substantially its entire length means that the distribution channel is at a comparatively high temperature during operation. Condensation of the steam in the distribution channel is counteracted thereby. Leaking of water drops from the winding part onto the user&#39;s head is counteracted in this manner in various operational positions of the apparatus, which benefits the safety of the apparatus. It is furthermore counteracted that drops could interfere with the desired homogeneous application of steam to the lock of hair wound around the winding part. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the evaporation channel extends from adjacent a base of the winding part to adjacent an end of the winding part, and the distribution channel extends from adjacent said end to adjacent said base. The apparatus thus has a compact shape, while the evaporation channel and the distribution channel are nevertheless both in thermal contact with the heating element. A compact shape offers the possibility of achieving a comparatively low weight of the apparatus. A compact shape and a comparatively low weight promote the comfort of use because a user can then easily maneuver the apparatus around his/her head him/herself. An additional advantage of this embodiment is that substantially the entire length of the winding part is utilized for heat transfer to both the evaporation channel and the distribution channel. 
     It is favorable when the heating element is a heat source in a rod-shaped heat conductor which has grooves provided in the longitudinal direction, which grooves each bound an evaporation channel. The rod-shaped heat conductor has a high heat capacity, so that much heat can be transmitted in a short time while a heat source of low power is used. This renders a comparatively fast and high heat transmission possible during operation, which is advantageous for a comparatively fast generation of steam in the evaporation channels and is thus favorable for applying steam to the lock of hair in pulses. The heating element is efficiently utilized for forming evaporation channels, for heating of water to generate steam in these evaporation channels, and for keeping the distribution channel at a comparatively high temperature. This integration of functions in one component offers the possibility of dispensing with alternative components, facilitating the manufacture and assembly, and achieving a low cost price. 
     It is furthermore favorable when a number of distribution channels are present which are provided at substantially equal mutual interspacings as viewed in a circumferential direction of the winding part. In this manner, the steam is evenly distributed over the circumference of the winding part, and accordingly over the lock of hair wound around the winding part, through the distribution channels during operation, which contributes to a good hairstyling result. 
     There are various possibilities for covering the grooves so as to delimit the evaporation channels. Thus an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the heating element has covering elements around the rod-shaped heat conductor, which elements each cover two grooves and have a fold between the two grooves with openings belonging to the steam outlet, said fold delimiting a distribution channel. Such an embodiment of the apparatus offers the possibility of a ready manufacture and assembly and a low cost price. 
     An alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the heating element comprises a tubular covering element which is in thermal contact with the heat conductor, which covers the grooves, which extends in the longitudinal direction around the rod-shaped heat conductor, and which has pairs of walls projecting outwards and extending in the longitudinal direction, which pairs each delimit a distribution channel. The distribution channels are thus integrated into one component, which integration offers the possibility of a ready manufacture and assembly and a low cost price. 
     Another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the heating element comprises a tubular covering element which is in thermal contact with the heat conductor, which covers the grooves, which extends in the longitudinal direction around the rod-shaped heat conductor, and which comprises folds which extend in the longitudinal direction between at least part of the grooves, which project outwards, which have openings belonging to the steam outlet, and which each delimit a distribution channel. Such an embodiment again offers the possibility of a ready manufacture and assembly and a low cost price on account of its integration. 
     It is favorable when the exit of the evaporation channel is connected to an entrance of the distribution channel via a water separator which comprises a chamber which is in thermal contact with the heating element and into which the evaporation channel issues, and which comprises a steam guide which extends to inside said chamber and to which the entrance of the distribution channel is connected. Any water drops from the evaporation channel which have still remained after the evaporation will be caught in the chamber. Since the steam guide extends into the chamber and evaporation of the drops takes place inside the chamber, it is counteracted in many operational positions of the apparatus that the drops can reach the distribution channel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The apparatus according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which 
     FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows an apparatus according to the invention, 
     FIGS. 2 a ,  2   b , and  2   c  show a first embodiment of a winding part of the apparatus according to the invention in an exploded view, a cross-sectional view taken on the line IIb—IIb in FIG. 2 a , and in a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line IIc—IIc in FIG. 2 b , respectively, 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show a second embodiment of a winding part of the apparatus according to the invention in an exploded view and a cross-sectional view taken on the line IIIb—IIIb in FIG. 3 a , respectively, and 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  show a third embodiment of a winding part of the apparatus according to the invention in an exploded view and in a cross-sectional view taken on the line IVb—IVb in FIG. 4 a , respectively. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The apparatus shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 has a winding part  1  which extends in a longitudinal direction, around which hair can be wound, and which is connected to a holder  14 . The holder  14  has a water supply unit  56  which comprises a water reservoir  52 , a water filling device  51 , and a pump  53  which may be chosen from various known types and which are depicted diagrammatically in this Figure. It is noted that steam is applied to the hair in one or several pulses by means of the apparatus according to the invention. An operational control is for this purpose present on the apparatus, for example a button  54  which, when operated by a user, injects a given quantity of water from the holder  14  into evaporation channels inside the winding part  1 . An electrical connection  55  is furthermore present for a heating element which is also arranged inside the winding part  1 . 
     The first embodiment of the winding part  1  of the apparatus according to the invention as shown in FIG. 2 a  comprises a heating element  2  which extends in the longitudinal direction. The winding part  1  further comprises evaporation channels  5  for the generation of steam, which channels extend in the longitudinal direction, each have an exit  40 , and are in thermal contact with the heating element  2 . In addition, the winding part  1  comprises distribution channels  6  which extend in the longitudinal direction, which are manufactured from a thermally conducting material, and which are in thermal contact with the heating element  2  over substantially their entire length. The distribution channels  6  indicated in FIG. 2 c  connect the exits  40  of the evaporation channels  5  to a steam outlet  10  which extends in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2 a ). As is also visible in FIG. 2 a , the winding part  1  in this embodiment has a cylindrical winding bush  60  with openings  9 . As is visible in FIG. 2 c , the evaporation channels  5  extend from adjacent a base  13  of the winding part  1 , formed by the holder  14  here, in longitudinal direction to adjacent an end  15  of the winding part  1 . The distribution channels  6  extend from the end  15  to adjacent the base  13 . The heating element  2  in this embodiment is formed by an aluminum extruded part  3  serving as the heat conductor, in which a PTC element is enclosed as the heat source. The aluminum extruded part  3  is provided with grooves  4  which run in the longitudinal direction and which bound the evaporation channels  5 . The distribution channels  6  are provided at substantially equal mutual interspacings, when viewed in a circumferential direction of the winding part  1 . The distribution channels  6  in this embodiment are formed by covering elements  7  which are present around the aluminum extruded part  3  and are in thermal contact therewith. The covering elements  7  are folded aluminum plate parts which are each clamped on a ridge between two grooves  4  and are thus in close thermal contact with the aluminum extruded part  3 . As is visible in FIG. 2 b , each folded plate part covers two grooves  4 , whereby an evaporation channel  5  is defined. In addition, each plate part forms a fold between the two grooves  4 , which folds delimits a distribution channel  6 . Distribution channel openings  8  are present in each fold and are in communication with the openings  9  in the winding part  1 , thus forming the steam outlet  10  in this embodiment. The apparatus further comprises a water separator  11  which in this embodiment is arranged between the exits  40  of the evaporation channels  5  and a distributor cap  12 . The distributor cap  12  is connected to entrances  41  of the distribution channels  6  for the distribution of steam from the water separator  11  over the various distribution channels  6 . This embodiment further comprises an end cover  16  which is present at the end  15  of the winding part  1  and which covers the distributor cap  12  and the water separator  11 . The holder  14  has a water inlet  17  for the supply of water necessary for generating steam in the winding part  1 , which water inlet connects the evaporation channels  5  via an annular channel  29  to the water supply unit  56  diagrammatically depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     As is visible in FIG. 2 c , a given quantity of water is transported from the water inlet  17  to the evaporation channels  5  during operation. The water flow is indicated with a continuous arrow in the Figure. The water is converted into steam through heating by the heating element  2  in the evaporation channels  5 , which water-steam conversion is indicated in the Figure with a partly drawn, partly broken-line arrow. Then the steam, indicated with a broken-line arrow in the Figure, reaches a chamber  18  of the water separator  11 . A steam guide  19  extends to inside the chamber  18 , with the result that any water drops remaining after the evaporation are caught in a space around the steam guide in the chamber  18  until they, too, have evaporated owing to the thermal contact between the water separator  11  and the heating element  2 . It is prevented thereby that drops enter the distribution channels  6  in various operational positions of the apparatus. The steam subsequently leaves the water separator  11  through the steam guide  19  and is distributed over the distribution channels  6  by the distributor cap  12 . Then the steam reaches the steam outlet  10  through the distribution channels  6  and penetrates the lock of hair which is wound around the winding part  1 . The distribution channels  6  are manufactured from a thermally conducting material, aluminum in this embodiment, and are in thermal contact with the heating element over substantially their entire length, so that condensation of water in the distribution channels  6  during transport of the steam from the entrances  41  of the distribution channels to the steam outlet  10  is counteracted. The distribution channel openings  9  are also in thermal contact with the heating element  2  because they form part of the distribution channels  6 , so that condensation of steam at these openings is also counteracted. It is prevented thereby that water drops can drop from the winding part through the wound lock of hair onto the skull during hairstyling, which benefits the comfort of use and the safety of the apparatus. 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in which a covering element  27  is used in a manner described below instead of the covering elements  7  of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a ,  2   b , and  2   c . The second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention further comprises substantially the same components as the first embodiment and has a similar operation. Corresponding components of the first and the second embodiment have been given the same reference numerals in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b . The tubular covering element  27  extending in the longitudinal direction and shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  is an extruded part of substantially stellar cross-section which is provided around the heating element  2  and is in thermal contact therewith. Each distribution channel  6  is bounded by a pair of (i.e. two) walls which extend in the longitudinal direction and project outwards. These walls thus define a passage  28  which extends in the longitudinal direction. The passage  28  is in communication with the openings  9  in the winding part  1  and thus forms the steam outlet  10  in this embodiment. The evaporation channels  5  and the distribution channels  6  are formed by just a single covering element manufactured as one integral part in this embodiment. This favors an easy manufacture and assembly and can thus contribute to a low cost price of the apparatus. 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  show a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in which a covering element  37  to be described below is utilized instead of the covering elements  7  of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a ,  2   b , and  2   c . The third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention further comprises substantially the same components again as the first embodiment and has a similar operation. Corresponding components of the first and the third embodiment have again been given the same reference numerals in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b . The tubular covering element  37  extending in the longitudinal direction and shown in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  is a part of substantially stellar cross-section which is provided around the heating element  2  and is in thermal contact therewith. Each distribution channel  6  is bounded by a fold which extends in the longitudinal direction, which projects to the outside, and which has distribution channel openings  8 . The distribution channel openings  8  are in communication with the openings  9  in the winding part  1  and thus form the steam outlet  10  in this embodiment. In this embodiment, again, there is only one covering element manufactured as one integral whole which forms the evaporation channels  5  and the distribution channels  6 . This benefits the ease of manufacture and assembly and can thus contribute to a favorable cost price of the apparatus. 
     It is noted that it is alternatively possible to use a combination of steam and air for the purpose of hairstyling in the apparatus according to the invention. This may be realized, for example, by means of an electrical air supply unit next to the water supply unit pictured in FIG. 1, with a control such as a second button in the holder  14 . This electrical air supply unit will then be connected to the spaces between the inner wall of the winding bush  60  and the outer wall of the covering elements  7 ,  27 ,  37  in the various embodiments, which spaces form air channels  70 , as is visible in FIGS. 2 b ,  3   b  and  4   b . Said air channels  70  are in communication with the openings  9  in the winding part  1 . A steam pulse is applied to the lock of hair wound around the winding part  1  when the button for water injection is pressed by the user. Several steam pulses are applied when the button is pressed several times. Then the user operates the second button for air supply, whereupon the lock of hair is dried with cold air. This is favorable for a good hairstyling result. In an alternative embodiment, a supply of hot air takes place to the lock of hair wound around the winding part, said air being heated by the heating element. The lock of hair is thus dried with hot air. 
     It is furthermore noted that the longitudinal direction in which certain components are said to extend in the above description and in the claims is the main direction in which these components extend. This does not exclude the possibility of components which extend in the longitudinal direction having, for example, a helical shape.