Patent Publication Number: US-2019183224-A1

Title: Apparatus for Curling Hair

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to apparatus and method for curling hair. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Known apparatus for imparting curls to lengths of hair include heated curling irons, curling tongs and wands, most of which comprise a cylindrical heated element attached to a handle. To use these devices each length of hair to be curled is wound around the heated element and then removed, repeating the action on different length of hair around the head. 
     Rollers are also commonly used for curling hair. Rollers may be unheated or can be pre-heated before use. Heated rollers comprise a hollow cylindrical roller body which is heated before use. A length of hair is wrapped around the roller from starting at the end of the hair and rolling towards the scalp. The roller is then secured at the scalp and heat from the roller transfers to the hair wrapped around it as the roller cools. Heated rollers are typically quite heavy and there is always a risk that the user may burn their fingers when putting the rollers into the hair. In addition, rollers can generally only be used to wrap hair in one direction, that is from the end of the hair to the scalp, thereby producing only one type of curl. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,671,957 describes a hair curling device having a flexible flat base portion, a stem secured to the base portion and a bowl portion which comprises a frusto-conical portion extending from the stem and having a flange extending from its top edge. With hair wrapped around the stem the frusto-conical portion is folded over so that the flange aligns with the base. The frusto-conical wall decreases in thickness from the stem to the flange where the thickness is smallest. 
     It would be desirable to provide an improved apparatus for curling hair for use both in salon and home environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention there is provided apparatus for curling hair comprising first and second side portions which are secured together in a spaced apart relationship via a connector portion, the connector portion being positioned substantially centrally with respect to each side portion; wherein the connector portion has a length of not more than 20 mm and wherein the side portions are fabricated from a material which is both resilient and thermally conductive. 
     Preferably the connector portion is substantially cylindrical in shape. In use, hair to be curled is wound around the connector portion of the apparatus. 
     Preferably the connector portion has a length not more than 15 mm. Advantageously, the connector portion is between 10 mm and 15 mm and more advantageously, 13 mm. 
     Preferably the side portions each have a width that is substantially larger than the length of the connector portion. More preferably, the side portions each have a width that is at least three times larger than the length of the connector portion, still more preferably, the side portions have a width that is six time larger than the length of the connector portion. The ratio of width of the side portions to the length of the connector helps to ensure that all of the hair to be curled is covered by the side portions and helps ensure even delivery of heat to the hair during heating and from the hair during cooling. 
     The side portions may be between 60 and 80 mm wide and preferably between 70 and 80 mm wide and more preferably between 73 and 78 mm wide. 
     Preferably, at least one of the side portions is provided with means for securing a part, such as an end, of a section of hair to the apparatus. More preferably, the means for securing a part, such as an end, of a section of hair to the apparatus comprises a slot with an opening at an edge of the at least one side portion. The slot may be V shaped, the opening of the slot being widest at the edge of the side portion and narrowing towards the connector portion. Alternatively, the slot may have parallel sides. 
     Each of the first and second side portions may be circular in shape. 
     Each of the first and second side portions may be substantially flat. 
     Alternatively, the first side portion may be configured such that it is provided with two fixed states: a first state in which the first side portion is convex in shape and curves away from the second plate; and a second fixed state in which the first side portion is concave in shape and folds over to cover both the connector portion and the second side portion. 
     In this embodiment of the invention the first side portion is folded over the second side portion after the hair has been wound around the connection portion. This helps to hold the hair in place, to heat the hair rapidly and to secure the apparatus in the user&#39;s hair. Typically, in this embodiment the side portion that is curved is slightly wider than the side portion that is flat. 
     Each of the first and second side portions have an outer circumference and at least one of the first and second side portions may be provided with a plurality of protrusions located on the outer circumference, oriented towards the other side portion. 
     Alternatively, both of the first and second side portions are provided with a plurality of protrusions located on the outer circumference of each side portion and the protrusions on each side portion are oriented towards the other side portion. Preferably, the protrusions are arranged such that the protrusions of first side portion are located in between the protrusions of the second side portion when the first side portion is folded over to cover both the connector portion and the second side portion. The advantage of such an arrangement of protrusions is that it helps to grip the hair within the apparatus. 
     In any of the embodiments one or both of the side portions may include a plurality of holes therein. The advantage of such an arrangement is that heated hair may cool more quickly. Cooling of the hair is required to set the curl in the hair. 
     The connector portion may be provided with a plurality of holes therein. Preferably the connector portion is hollow. 
     According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for curling hair comprising first and second side portions which are secured together in a spaced apart relationship via a connector portion, the connector portion being positioned substantially centrally with respect to each side portion; wherein the side portions each have a width that is at least three times larger than the length of the connector portion and wherein the side portions are fabricated from a material which is both resilient and thermally conductive. 
     According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming curls in hair using the apparatus described above, comprising the steps of: 
     winding a section of hair around the connector of the apparatus; 
     securing the wound section of hair in place on the apparatus; 
     heating the apparatus and section of hair with a heater. 
     Advantageously, the heater is a hair straightener, which may have heating plates of a shape corresponding to the shape of the apparatus. 
     Where the apparatus includes a slot, the section of hair may be engaged in the slot prior to winding around the connector of the apparatus. Preferably, the section of hair is engaged in the slot proximate the scalp. Alternatively, the section of hair may be engaged with the slot at the free end of the section of hair, or between the free end and the scalp. 
     The step of securing the wound section of hair in place on the apparatus may comprise tucking a part of the section of hair under another part of the section of hair. Alternatively, the wound section of hair may be held in place on the apparatus by the side member in its convex configuration and/or a tie or a stretchable band may be placed over the wound section of hair. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of apparatus for curling hair, and are by way of example: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for curling hair; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 b    shows a cross section through the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , along the line A-A shown in  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 4  illustrates the apparatus of  FIG. 1  being heated using straightening irons; 
         FIG. 5 a    is a side view of an alternative embodiment of apparatus for curling hair, in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 5 a   , in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 6 a    shows a cross section through the apparatus of  FIG. 5 a   , along the line B-B, the apparatus in the open configuration; 
         FIG. 6 b    shows a cross section through the apparatus of  FIG. 5 b   , along the line C-C, with the apparatus in the closed configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a heater adapted for heating the apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6   b;    
         FIG. 8 a    is a schematic representation showing a section of hair at the commencement of winding onto the apparatus; 
         FIG. 8 b    is a schematic representation showing a section of hair at the end of winding onto the apparatus; 
         FIG. 8 c    is a schematic representation showing the section of hair at the end of the winding process with the apparatus closed; 
         FIG. 9 a    is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an apparatus for curling hair, in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 9 b    is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for curling hair, in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 11 a    is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for curling hair, in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 11 b    is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 11 a   , in a closed configuration; and 
         FIG. 11 c    shows a cross section through the apparatus of  FIG. 11 b   , along the line D-D, with the apparatus in the closed configuration; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , an embodiment of a hair curling apparatus takes the form of a curler shown generally at  1 . The curler  1  comprises two spaced apart side members  2 , 3  connected by a connector portion  4  (See  FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated embodiment the connector portion  4  is hollow but this is not essential. In this example both of the side members  2 , 3  are substantially circular in shape and substantially flat in profile, as shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 . The curler  1  is fabricated from a silicon rubber that is thermally conductive. As shown in  FIG. 3 a   , either or both of the side members  2 ,  3  may be formed with holes  8  therein. The connector portion  4  could also be provided with such holes. Where provided, the holes  8  would typically be made across the whole of one or both of the side members  2 ,  3 . 
     To use the curler  1  a section of hair is wound around the connector portion  4 . The hair can either be wound from the root to the free end, or from the free end to the root. As shown in the drawings, the curler  1  is preferably provided with a slot  5  in one of the spaced apart side members. In the illustrated example the slot  5  is a narrow ‘V’ shape. The slot  5  extends from the edge of the side member  3  and is used to secure the end of the section of hair, by simply tucking the end of the hair section into the slot  5 . Since the side members  2 , 3  are made from a resilient material the hair ends pushed into the slot  5  are gripped by the side member  3 . Alternative means of securing the hair in the curler  1  could be used. 
     Once the section of hair has been wrapped around the connector portion  4  and secured in the curler  1 , a pair of conventional hair straightening irons  6  are used to heat the curler  1 , by simply clamping the straightening irons  6  around the curler  1  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Preferably the straightening irons  6  are clamped around the ruler  1  for a period of around 30 seconds. Rather than using straightening irons  6 , a heater  16  of the type shown in  FIG. 7  having heater plates  17   a ,  17   b  of a shape that corresponds to the shape of the curler  1  may be used. The advantage of using a heater of the type shown in  FIG. 7 , which may function in the same way as hair straightening irons is that heat is distributed to the hair in the curler more evenly. 
     Typically, a user would use a number of curlers  1  during one hair styling session, sectioning the hair into groups and winding each section onto a separate curler  1 . The user would then heat each curler  1  in turn until all of the curlers have been heated. Since the side members  2 ,  3  are thermally conductive, the heat from the straightening irons is transferred to the hair. The diameter of each of the side members  2 , 3  is substantially greater than length of the connector  4 . In the illustrated example the diameter Z of the curler  1  is 73 mm and the length of the connector  4 , shown at X, is 14 mm. Having wide side members ensures that all the hair to be heated is contained within the curler  1 , no matter how thickly it is wound, and this also ensures that heat is distributed evenly to all of the air contained within the curler  1 . A hood drier could be used to heat the curlers  1  as an alternative to using hair straighteners. The curler  1  is preferably left with the hair wrapped around it until it cools. Once cooled the hair can be easily unwrapped from the curler  1 , forming perfect spiral curls that do not quickly drop out of the hair. Serial curls may be formed with the curler  1  because the section of hair can be wound around the curler rather than the curler being rolled up the section of hair, as is conventional. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the side members  1  are fabricated from a material which changes colour when heated to the optimum temperature, and then reverts to the original colour when cooled. This would help a user identify which curlers  1  had been heated sufficiently, and would also alert a user as to when the curlers were cool enough to remove. 
     The diameter, Y, of the connector portion  4  may be varied to provide different types of curl. For example, use of an curler  1  with a narrow diameter connector portion  4  will result in tight spiral curls, whereas a curler  1  with a wide diameter connector portion  4  will result in larger waves. 
     The length of the connector portion  4  is important, since the apparatus  1  needs to be able to be gripped between the plates of straightening irons. In the example shown the length of the connector portion  4  is 14 mm. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, which takes the form of a curler shown generally at  10 . Curler  10  comprises two spaced apart side members  12 ,  13  connected by a connector portion  14 . In this embodiment of the invention one of the side members  13  is substantially flat in profile and the other side member  12  is curved in shape. The side member  12  which is curved in shape is configured such that it has two fixed states. The first fixed state is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 a  and 6 a   , where the side member  12  is convex in shape and curves away from the other side member  13 . This is the open configuration of the curler  10 , and allows for hair to be wound around the connector portion  14 . The second fixed state is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 b  and 6 b   , whereby the curved side member  12  has been folded over so that it is now concave in shape and curves over the top of the connector portion  14  and the other side member  13 . This is the closed configuration of the curler  10 , and allows hair wrapped around the connector portion  14  to be secured within the curler  10 . The curler  10  is fabricated from a silicon rubber that is thermally conductive. 
     To use this embodiment of the apparatus, the hair is wound around the connector portion  14  of the curler  10  in the same manner as before, with the apparatus in the first, open configuration. 
     The steps of winding a section of hair around the connector portion  4  of the curler  1  are best shown in  FIGS. 8 a    to  8   b.    
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may also be provided with holes  18  in either or both of the side members  12 ,  13  as shown in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   . The curler  10  may also, or alternatively, be provided with holes  7  in the connector portion  14 , which is preferably hollow. In the figures, the holes  18 ,  7  are only shown applied to half of the curler  10  to illustrate different embodiments of the curler  10 . If holes  18 ,  7  are present they are preferably evenly spaced around the side members  12 ,  13  and/or the connector portion  14 . The holes  18 ,  7  are an optional feature which allow circulation of air to hair wound around the connector portion  14  which may help hasten the drying of wet hair within the curler  10 . 
     An end of the section of hair may be secured in a slot  15  in the substantially flat side member  13  as before and as shown in  FIG. 8 a   . The section of hair is wound around the connector portion  14  and upon itself to form a coil as shown in  FIG. 8 b   . The curved side member  12  is then folded over, such that the curler  10  is now in the second, closed configuration as shown in  FIG. 8 c   . The curved side member  12  now covers the other side member  13  and secures the hair inside the curler  10 . Straightening irons, or another heat source, are then used to heat the curler  10  in the same way as previously described. 
     By forming a coil of hair that is narrow in width compared to the diameter of the coil, the hair contain in the curler may be heated and cooled both rapidly and evenly, resulting in a lasting curl. 
       FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    illustrate an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, which is similar in shape to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 a    and takes the form of a curler shown generally at  20 . Curler  20  comprises two spaced apart side members  22 ,  23  connected by a connector portion  14 . As with the previous embodiment of the invention, one of the side members  23  is substantially flat in profile and the other side member  22  is curved in shape. The side member  22  which is curved in shape is configured such that it has two fixed states. The first fixed state is illustrated in  FIG. 9 a   , where the side member  22  is convex in shape and curves away from the other side member  23 . This is the open configuration of the curler  20 , and allows for hair to be wound around the connector portion  14 . The second fixed state is the same as that illustrated in  FIG. 5 b   , whereby the curved side member  22  is folded over so that it is now concave in shape and curves over the top of the connector portion  14  and the other side member  23 . This is the closed configuration of the curler  20 , and allows hair wrapped around the connector portion  14  to be secured within the curler  20 . The curler  20  is fabricated from a silicon rubber that is thermally conductive. 
     In this embodiment the curler  20  is provided with a number of holes  18   18 ′ on either one of, or both side members  23 ,  24 . As described in relation to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , holes  7  may also be present on the connector portion  14 . The holes  18 ,  18 ′,  7 , are an optional feature which allow circulation of air to hair wound around the connector portion  14 . The substantially flat side member  23  is also provided a number of protrusions  24  spaced around the outer circumference of the side member  23  and oriented inwardly, towards the opposing side member  22 . The protrusions  24  help to grip the hair and help prevent the curler  20  from slipping off the hair when the curler  20  is in the closed configuration with hair wrapped around the connector portion  14 . The curler  20  may additionally be provided with a slot (not shown) for securing the end of a strand of hair as described in relation to the previous embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, which is similar in shape to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 a    and takes the form of a curler shown generally at  30 . Curler  30  comprises two spaced apart side members  32 ,  33  connected by a connector portion  14 . As with the previous embodiment of the invention, one of the side members  33  is substantially flat in profile and the other side member  32  is curved in shape. In this embodiment of the apparatus, the curved side member  32  is provided with a plurality of protrusions  25  spaced around the outer circumference of the side member  32 . As with the previous embodiment, the protrusions  25  help to grip the hair and help prevent the curler  30  from slipping off the hair when the curler  30  is in the closed configuration with hair wrapped around the connector portion  14 . The curler  30  may additionally be provided with a slot (not shown) for securing the end of a strand of hair as described in relation to the previous embodiments. 
       FIG. 11 a    illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, which is similar in shape to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 a    and takes the form of a curler shown generally at  40 . Curler  40  comprises two spaced apart side members  42 ,  43  connected by a connector portion  14 . As with the previous embodiment of the invention, one of the side members  43  is substantially flat in profile and the other side member  42  is curved in shape. In this embodiment of the apparatus, both of the side members  42 ,  43  are provided with a plurality of protrusions  25 ,  24  spaced around the outer circumference of each side member  42 ,  43 . As with the previous embodiment, the protrusions  25 ,  24  help to grip the hair and help prevent the curler  40  from slipping off the hair when the curler  40  is in the closed configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 11 b   , with hair wrapped around the connector portion  14 . As shown in  FIG. 11 c   , the protrusions,  25 ,  24  are preferably spaced around the circumference of each side member  42 ,  43  such that when the curler  40  is in the closed configuration of  FIG. 11 b   , one set of protrusions  25  are located in between the other set of protrusions  24 . The curler  40  may additionally be provided with a slot (not shown) for securing the end of a strand of hair as described in relation to the previous embodiments. 
     The embodiments of the apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 9 a  to 11 c    may include holes  18 ,  18 ′ on either or both of the side members. Alternatively, or additionally, the apparatus may include holes  7  on the connector member  14 . The holes  18 ,  18 ′,  7  may help heated hair to cool more quickly, and/or wet hair to dry more quickly.