Patent Description:
A hair styling device is described in <CIT>, by one of the present inventors. <CIT> discloses a method of styling a section (or length) of hair by inserting the section of hair into a resilient tube of latex or the like, the tube being stretched lengthwise and the ends of the tube being secured to respective parts of the section of hair. The resilient tube is allowed to contract whereupon the contained section of hair is forced into a wavy form. The hair can be treated before or after insertion into the tube so that the wavy form is maintained after the hair has been removed from the tube.

<CIT> also describes a device for use in the method. Improved devices for use in similar hair styling methods are described in the later applications <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The published application <CIT> describes a further improved hair styling device in which a section of hair is drawn into a styling chamber by the relative movement of driving members and forming members in the chamber. One or more driving members press the section of hair into a hair-receiving region between neighbouring forming members to create the desired wave. Heat and/or treatment products can be applied to the section of hair to set the wave. It is a particular advantage of <CIT> that the driving members can be moved sequentially so that the tension applied to the section of hair is minimised.

All of the above-described documents drive a section of hair into a wavy form and can be described as hair waving devices. The present invention similarly drives a section of hair into a wavy form, and can be considered to be a further improvement upon these known hair waving devices.

Another type of hair styling device is described in each of <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. These documents describe devices in which a section of hair is wound around an elongate member so that the section of hair is formed into curls rather than waves.

Hair crimpers also force a section of hair into a wavy form, the crimpers comprising a pair of plates each having a series of corrugations of substantially triangular form. The plates are designed to fit together with the peaks of the corrugations of one plate fitting into the troughs of the corrugations of the other plate, and vice versa. The plates are usually heated so as to style the hair into the desired crimped form. The waves which are created by hair crimpers are typically much smaller in amplitude and wavelength than those created by the methods and apparatus of the patent documents listed above.

A "hair waver" is a product which is similar to hair crimpers in that the hair is clamped between two complementary heated surfaces. In hair wavers the complementary surfaces are usually curved with a relatively large radius of curvature so that the waves in the user's hair are considerably larger than those formed by crimpers. Particular products of this type are referred to as a "jumbo waver" or "deep waver" to emphasise the relatively large size of the waves which are produced in the section of hair.

<CIT> describes a hair waver comprising a pair of corrugated plates which are pivoted together, the peaks of the corrugations of one plate fitting into the troughs of the corrugations of the other plate whereby to clamp the hair between the plates and form the hair into waves in a first direction. Alternate corrugations of one plate are moveable longitudinally in a second direction relative to their neighbouring corrugations, and also relative to the corrugations of the other plate, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction whereby to seek to form a more complex wave.

<CIT> discloses another hair waver with a base having three elongate hair-receiving regions or channels, each hair-receiving channel being located between a pair of peaks (or forming members). The device also has a closable lid carrying a number of elongate projections (or driving members) each of which enters into a respective hair-receiving channel when the lid is closed. Seven combs are mounted to the base, a section of hair in use being separated by the teeth of each of the combs. A fixed comb is located at each of the four peaks and a movable comb is located at the bottom of each of the three hair-receiving channels. The central movable comb is movable along the central hair-receiving channel in the opposite direction to the movement of the outer movable combs along the outer hair-receiving channels.

The inventors have conceived an alternative apparatus and method for creating waves in a section of hair, and the present invention is directed to this apparatus, and to the method of use. The apparatus and method have advantages over the known apparatus and methods as set out below.

According to the present invention there is provided a hair styling device for imparting a wave to a section of hair, the device having a first forming member and a second forming member, a hair-receiving region between the first forming member and the second forming member, and a primary driving element which is movable relative to the first forming member and the second forming member and which is adapted to move a part of the section of hair in the hair-receiving region in a hair-deforming direction, the device having a secondary driving element which is movable relative to the first forming member and the second forming member and which is adapted to move the part of the section of hair in the hair-receiving region in a direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction.

<CIT> discloses arrangements in which driving elements move into the hair-receiving regions in a hair-deforming direction; there are, however, no secondary driving elements adapted to drive the section of hair in a direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction. In the arrangements of Figs. <NUM>-<NUM> and Figs. <NUM>-<NUM> in particular, the driving elements enter into and then reverse out from the hair-receiving regions and that permits the section of hair to relax in the hair-receiving regions. The inventors have found, however, that it is preferable to positively drive the section of hair into a more relaxed position so as to make the softening of the wave more reliable and repeatable (and more uniform if multiple waves are formed along a section of hair).

The inventors have found that crimpers and hair wavers do not create the most natural looking and aesthetically pleasing waves because the hair is clamped as it is being styled. On the contrary, the appearance of the wave created by the present invention is enhanced by allowing the section of hair to relax into a space in which it can adopt its most natural curvature, ideally free of any tension or clamping. Accordingly, whilst the part of the section of hair is initially driven by the secondary driving element to a more relaxed position, it can be arranged that the secondary driving element releases the hair in that more relaxed position, so that the final curvature of the section of hair is determined primarily by the hair itself rather than by surfaces of the device.

There is also provided a method of styling a section of hair with a hair styling device having a first forming member and a second forming member, a hair-receiving region between the first forming member and the second forming member, a primary driving element which is movable relative to the first forming member and the second forming member, and a secondary driving element which is movable relative to the first forming member and the second forming member, the method comprising the steps of:.

The primary and secondary driving elements may move together relative to the first and second forming members. In step {i} the primary driving element may move in the hair-deforming direction to a limit position; in step {ii} the secondary driving element may move in the reverse direction to a retracted position, or alternatively back to the start position.

It is preferably arranged that the wave is not set in the section of hair until the secondary driving element has undertaken the (reverse) movement and the wave has been driven into the more relaxed position. In embodiments in which the wave is set by the application of heat it can be arranged that the desired operating temperature is not reached until after the secondary driving element has completed the reverse movement. The preferred sequence of operations is therefore to drive the part of the section of hair in the hair-receiving region in the hair-deforming direction, to drive the part of the section of hair in the hair-receiving region in the reverse direction into a more relaxed position, and then to set the wave.

Ideally, the part of the section of hair is released from the secondary driving element (and also from the primary driving element) before the wave is set.

The secondary driving element can itself move in the reverse direction, or it can move along a more complex path with a component of movement in the direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction. Similarly, the part of the section of hair can be driven by the secondary driving element along a path with a component of movement in the direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction. Accordingly, it is recognised that the invention does not require the part of the section of hair to be driven directly in the direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction; provided that the secondary driving element has at least a component of movement in the direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction it will permit the part of the section of hair to move at least partly in that direction and thereby relax into a more natural looking wave.

Preferably the primary and secondary driving elements are connected to move together, ideally being parts of a unitary component. In embodiments in which the primary and secondary driving elements move together in the reverse direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction, movement of the primary driving element in the reverse direction releases the part of the section of hair allowing it to relax, and movement of the secondary driving element in the reverse direction drives the part of the section of hair to a more relaxed position.

In some embodiments the device has a defined (retracted) position to which the secondary driving element is reversed in the direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction. Preferably, however, the secondary driving element reverses fully, i.e. it moves all the way back to the start position, before the wave is set. In embodiments having multiple primary driving elements and multiple secondary driving elements, ideally all of the secondary driving elements move together to the retracted or start position, it being recognised that there is little or no tension upon the section of hair during this part of the driving elements' movement.

In common with <CIT> the hair is not clamped between heated plates in the present invention. As above described, the inventors have found that avoiding any clamping of the hair allows the hair to form waves with a more natural curve which can produce a more aesthetically pleasing wave. Also, the likelihood of damage to hair is known to increase if the hair is heated to a styling temperature and clamped at the same time, so the avoidance of any clamping significantly reduces the likelihood of damage.

The primary and secondary driving elements can be carried by a driving member.

Preferably, the hair-receiving region is in the form of an elongate channel or slot and the first and second forming members are elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the channel (the forming members being in the form of rails or beams for example). The driving member can also be of elongate form, e.g. a rail or beam.

In its simplest form the device comprises only two forming members and a single driving member and can impart a single wave into the section of hair. In a preferred embodiment, however, there are multiple forming members defining multiple hair-receiving regions, and multiple driving members, so as to impart multiple waves into the section of hair. Preferably, a hair-receiving channel is provided between each pair of neighbouring forming members.

In embodiments having multiple driving members, it is preferably arranged that the driving members move sequentially so as to minimise the tension applied to the section of hair as it is deformed by the driving members. The absence of clamping of the section of hair enables the hair to move in the hair-receiving regions with a minimum of resistance as successive driving members cause the section of hair to deform.

Preferably, one or more parts of the device are heated whereby to heat the section of hair during the waving process. Whilst the use of an external hair dryer is not excluded, the direct heating by way of electrical heating elements or the like mounted to the device is preferred. For example, some or all of the forming members (and also some or all of the driving members, as applicable) can contain electrical heating elements.

Desirably, a chamber is provided to contain the section of hair during the waving process. In such embodiments the forming members and driving elements are located in the chamber. Also in such embodiments one or more of the walls of the chamber may be heated by way of respective electrical heating elements.

One embodiment of the device has a body and a closure part or lid, the closure part being movable relative to the body between an open position in which a section of hair can be introduced into the device, and a closed position in which the chamber is substantially closed. It can be arranged that the proximal (or scalp) end of the section of hair is clamped when the closure part is in its closed position, this being possible since the proximal end of the section of hair does not usually need to move relative to the device during the styling operation. Nevertheless, it is preferred that the proximal end (as well as other parts of the section of hair which are not to be styled) will not be clamped by the device. Preferably, the (movable) driving elements are mounted to the body and the (fixed) forming members are mounted to the closure part. Preferably also, the control mechanism for the driving elements is mounted in the body.

Preferably, in embodiments having multiple driving members, a hair-receiving region is also provided between each pair of adjacent driving members, and the forming members therefore effectively act also to drive or press the section of hair into the hair-receiving region(s) between adjacent driving members. The term "driving member" is used herein to describe the movable hair-deforming component and the term "forming member" is used to describe the non-movable or fixed hair-deforming component (where movement is considered relative to the body of the device). This does not preclude the possibility that both of the driving member(s) and forming members are movable relative to a body of the device, although such embodiments are likely to be significantly more mechanically complex.

In common with <CIT>, the provision of a chamber with a closure part serves four main purposes. Firstly, in embodiments in which the chamber is heated the closure part can reduce the loss of heat by way of convection through the hair-entry opening. Secondly, in those embodiments in which the chamber is heated, the closure part can reduce the likelihood of the user touching a heated surface of the device. Thirdly, the closure part can reduce the likelihood of extraneous hair being engaged by the moving components in the chamber which might otherwise cause entanglement and/or discomfort to the user. Fourthly, if a hair-treatment product is used to help style a section of hair, a substantially closed chamber can reduce the amount of (vaporised) product which escapes into the environment.

Desirably, the forming members have a curved surface around which the section of hair bends as it is deformed during operation of the device. Desirably also, the driving elements have a curved surface which is engageable with the section of hair during use. The provision of curved surfaces assists the sliding of the hair past the forming members and driving elements as the wave is formed, and thereby minimises the tension in the section of hair as it is being deformed by the driving elements.

In some embodiments there are between three and ten forming members and one fewer driving member. In a preferred embodiment there are five driving members and six forming members, each neighbouring pair of forming members providing a hair-receiving region into which (and along which) a respective driving member can move.

In some embodiments the length of the section of hair in each wave can be varied by allowing adjustment (by the user) of a limit position for the driving elements, for example adjustment of the distance by which the driving elements move in the hair-deforming direction.

It will be understood that the natural resilience of hair will cause the section of hair to tend to relax after the driving elements have stopped moving upon reaching their limit position, i.e. the individual hairs in the section of hair will seek to straighten out and thereby soften any sharp corners through which the hairs have been bent. The degree to which the section of hair will relax is determined partly by the user's hair type, partly by the temperature to which the section of hair is heated, and partly by whether the user's hair is wet or dry (amongst other factors). The inventors have realised that it is desirable to permit the hair to relax as that creates softer curves in the section of hair and a more natural looking wave. Thus, whilst the wave could be set with the driving elements in the limit position, that is likely to create a wave with sharp curves and a less-aesthetically pleasing appearance. The inventors do not rely upon the (unreliable and variable) tendency of the hair to relax, and instead assist the relaxation of the hair by retracting the driving elements away from the limit position before the wave is set.

Alternatively stated, it will be understood that in addition to the above factors, the ability of the hair to relax into a more natural looking wave is in part limited by the resistance to movement of the section of hair relative to the driving elements and forming members; by retracting the driving elements away from the limit position the engagement between the driving elements and the section of hair is reduced (or perhaps eliminated), and the tension in the section of hair is reduced, both of which increase the ability of the section of hair to relax into a more natural looking wave in the hair-receiving region.

Preferably, the device has a first forming rail and a second forming rail, with a hair-receiving channel between the first forming rail and the second forming rail, and with the driving elements mounted to a driving rail which is movable in the hair-receiving channel.

The terms "channel" and "rail" are used to clarify the elongate form of the respective components but are otherwise not limiting to the form of those components.

Whilst the embodiments of <CIT> are shown and described imparting a wave to a section of hair comprising a small bundle, the present invention can impart a wave into a ribbon-like section of hair. Whilst the terms "bundle" and "ribbon" are not precisely defined, they are distinguished herein in that a bundle has a similar width and depth whereas a ribbon has a much greater width than depth. In particular, the provision of an elongate channel and elongate forming rails and driving rail(s) allows the user to style a greater volume of hair by spreading the hair into a ribbon along and across the rails.

Preferably, the driving rail(s) has a number of upstanding driving elements. The driving elements separate the section (ribbon) of hair along the rails and help to ensure that the individual hairs remain in position between adjacent driving elements as the driving rail moves along the hair-receiving channel. Otherwise, the individual hairs in the section of hair might slide along the rails as the driving rail is moved, reducing the length of hair in each wave created by the device. The provision of upstanding driving elements helps to ensure that the length of hair in each of the waves is more reliable and controlled. In addition, the driving elements help to ensure that all of the individual hairs in the section of hair are deformed into a similar wave form (otherwise the individual hairs in a less densely packed part of the ribbon might slide along the rails more than the individual hairs in a more densely packed part of the ribbon, resulting in a non-uniform wave across the ribbon).

Desirably, at least one of the forming rails has a number of upstanding forming elements or pegs, which provide similar benefits to the upstanding driving elements set out above. Desirably also, the driving elements overlap the forming elements or pegs of the forming rail(s) when the closure part of the device is closed. Accordingly, as the closure part is closed the overlapping pegs cause the section or ribbon of hair to be separated into smaller sections prior to movement of the driving elements, the subsequent position of each smaller section of hair being largely controlled during movement by the driving elements.

Unlike <CIT> the hair is not clamped in the wave form. Also, in the preferred embodiments having multiple forming members and multiple driving members, all of the driving members of the device are moved along the respective hair-receiving channel.

It will be understood that all of the driving elements of a particular driving rail move together. In some embodiments one driving element can be the primary driving element and an adjacent driving elements can be the secondary driving element for a particular part of the section of hair.

Preferably, the device has a chamber for retaining the section of hair, the chamber being heated by way of at least one electrical heating element, the device having an airflow generator configured to drive ambient air into the chamber, the device having a controller to control the operation of the heating element(s) and the airflow generator, the controller being configured to heat the section of hair to a first temperature and then to cool the section of hair to a second temperature during operation of the device, the second temperature being above ambient temperature and below the first temperature.

The device can therefore provide a dual temperature regime for the section of hair, the first (high) temperature being at a level suitable for the creation of waves in the section of hair, the second (low) temperature being at a level substantially to set the created waves and also to reduce the likelihood of the user being burned if heated surfaces are touched.

Thus, it is recognised that the section of hair will more quickly be styled into the desired wave with the application of heat, typically around <NUM>. It is also recognised that some of the wave will be lost if the section of hair remains at such an elevated temperature when it is removed from the device. Cooling the section of hair before it leaves the device will reduce the loss of wave which might occur. Cooling the section of hair will also reduce the temperature of the components of the device which might inadvertently be touched by the user, thereby reducing the likelihood of burns. The second temperature can still be relatively hot, however, for example around <NUM>, so that the time taken (and energy required) to subsequently re-heat the components and the next section of hair is significantly reduced.

The use of a dual temperature regime takes advantage of the fact that hair is relatively resilient at ambient and low temperatures, but becomes softer and more malleable at higher temperatures. For many hair types the hair will become soft enough to deform into a wave at around <NUM>, but it is recognised that different hair types will require different temperatures. Also, there is a trade-off between temperature and styling duration, and typically a lower styling temperature can be used with the hair held in its deformed position for longer, or a higher styling temperature can be used and the hair held for a shorter period, as desired. Heating the hair to a first temperature of around <NUM> can enable relatively quick styling of the section of hair. Subsequently cooling the hair to a second temperature well below <NUM>, before the hair is released from the device, will reduce the loss of curvature which might otherwise occur.

It is preferably arranged that the driving elements/rail(s) are reversed to their retracted or start positions before the first temperature is reached. Maintaining the section of hair at a cooler temperature as it is being deformed by the moving driving elements is desirable so that the hair has greater resilience and will more readily relax into a natural looking wave when released from the driving elements.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The hair styling device <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> with an integral handle <NUM>. Connected to the body <NUM> is a closure part or lid <NUM>. In this embodiment the closure part <NUM> is pivotably mounted to the body <NUM>, but in other embodiments other mounting means for the closure part are used. Also, in this embodiment the closure part <NUM> is moved automatically, i.e. by way of a motor (not shown) as part of the sequence of operations of the device <NUM>. In another embodiment the closure part is biased to its open position by a spring and is closed manually by the user, the closure part being held in its closed position by a latch which is automatically released at the end of the styling operation.

The body <NUM> carries a number of movable driving members or rails <NUM> (as better seen in <FIG>). In this embodiment there are six driving rails <NUM> but in other embodiments there are more or fewer driving rails as desired. Each of the driving rails <NUM> has a series of raised driving elements or pegs <NUM> (as better seen in <FIG> and <FIG>). The driving rails <NUM> are in their start or rest positions in <FIG> and only the tips of the pegs <NUM> are visible.

The closure part <NUM> carries a number of forming members or rails <NUM>. In this embodiment there are seven forming rails <NUM>, i.e. one more than the number of driving rails <NUM>. Each of the forming rails <NUM> has a series of raised forming elements or pegs <NUM>, some of which are better seen in <FIG>.

A fixed guard rail <NUM> is located to each side of each of the driving rails <NUM>. The guard rails <NUM> are separated by a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of the driving rails <NUM> so that the driving rails <NUM> can slide between the neighbouring guard rails <NUM> whilst minimising the likelihood of hair entering between a guard rail <NUM> and a driving rail <NUM> where it might become trapped. As shown in the representation of <FIG>, the forming rails <NUM> are aligned with the guard rails <NUM>, so that the driving rails <NUM> are offset from the forming rails <NUM>. As is also shown in the representation of <FIG>, the forming rails <NUM> are significantly narrower than the guard rails <NUM> so that the section of hair <NUM> can readily slide between the driving rails <NUM> and forming rails <NUM> when the driving rails have moved into the hair-receiving regions <NUM> between the forming rails <NUM> as explained below.

The body <NUM> has an end guide <NUM> and two side guides <NUM>. It will be understood that when the closure part <NUM> is moved (pivoted) to its closed position only a small hair entry gap remains at each side of the device <NUM>, with the closure part <NUM> defining the top of the gap, the body <NUM> defining the bottom of the gap, and the guides <NUM> and <NUM> defining the opposing sides of the gap. The closure panel <NUM> can therefore largely enclose a chamber within which the driving rails <NUM> and forming rails <NUM> are located and within which a section of hair can be styled as described below. The hair entry gap is large enough to permit hair to pass therethrough and the closure part <NUM> does not clamp any part of the hair against any part of the body <NUM> during use.

The section of hair <NUM> which is to be styled is shown schematically in <FIG> approximately in the orientation in which it will be introduced into the device <NUM>. Thus, the chosen section of hair <NUM> is oriented across the device as shown, and positioned between the body <NUM> and the closure part <NUM>, and also between the opposing guides <NUM> and <NUM>. It will be seen that the guides <NUM> and <NUM> are tapered to assist the user in correctly positioning the section of hair <NUM> between the guides.

The device could have movable guide parts such as those described in <CIT> in order to prevent the user from inadvertently positioning the section of hair <NUM> beyond the gap between the guides <NUM> and <NUM> (see also the movable guide parts of the second embodiment <NUM> described below).

The section of hair <NUM> shown in <FIG> is in the form of a "ribbon", i.e. it has a much greater width w than its depth d. Such a section of hair maximises the utility of the device <NUM>, but the device can if desired be used to style a "bundle" of hair, i.e. a section having a similar depth and width (or perhaps being approximately circular with a diameter somewhat less than the dimension w). Whilst it is desirable that the user spreads the chosen section of hair into a ribbon form as shown in <FIG>, it will be understood that a bundle of hair will in any event be driven to spread out along the rails <NUM>, <NUM> as the closure part <NUM> is moved to its closed position, so that significant latitude in the configuration of the section of hair presented to the device <NUM> is available to the user.

<FIG> represents a cross-section through a part of the device <NUM>, and is provided to show the array of seven forming rails <NUM> and six driving rails <NUM>, in the condition in which the closure part <NUM> has been moved to its closed position. <FIG> does not show the pegs <NUM>, <NUM> so as to distinguish from the representations of <FIG>, i.e. <FIG> represents a cross-section between adjacent pegs for the driving rails <NUM> and the forming rails <NUM>.

<FIG> represents the start position of the driving rails <NUM>, as is also seen in <FIG>. In that position the tips of the pegs <NUM> lie close to the top surface of the guard rails <NUM>, and the linear edges <NUM> of the driving rails <NUM> which lie between neighbouring pegs <NUM> (and which linear edges are shown in <FIG> and also in <FIG>) are located some distance below the top surface of the guard rails <NUM>. The spacing between the guard rails <NUM> and driving rails <NUM> is exaggerated in <FIG> for clarity, and as stated above in practice each driving rail <NUM> is a close sliding fit between the neighbouring guard rails <NUM> so as to minimise the likelihood that hair will enter between a driving rail and a guard rail.

<FIG> also shows the driving rails <NUM> and forming rails <NUM> as being square-cornered, primarily to distinguish from the rounded pegs which are shown in <FIG>. In practice the corners of the driving rails <NUM> and forming rails <NUM> will preferably be rounded so as to avoid the hair being forced to bend around a sharp corner as it is deformed into a wave.

Whilst the pegs <NUM> of the forming rails <NUM> are not shown in <FIG>, it will be understood that they project (downwardly as drawn) towards the guard rails <NUM>. It can be arranged that there is a small gap between the tips of the pegs <NUM> and the guard rails <NUM> when the closure part <NUM> is in its closed position, and this is preferred so as to avoid the possibility that hair can become inadvertently trapped between a peg and guard rail, notwithstanding that the tips of the pegs <NUM> are rounded so as to minimise the likelihood that hair will become trapped.

The pegs <NUM> of the driving rails <NUM> are also not shown in <FIG>, and it will be understood that the pegs <NUM> project (upwardly as drawn) towards the hair-receiving regions <NUM> between adjacent forming rails <NUM>. It is preferably arranged that when the closure part <NUM> is in its closed position, the pegs <NUM> overlap slightly with the pegs <NUM>, and both sets of pegs engage the length of hair <NUM>.

This has the effect of separating the ribbon or section of hair <NUM> into separate smaller sections (such as the separate smaller section 36a represented in <FIG>) as the closure part <NUM> is closed. Because the driving members <NUM> are out of alignment with the forming members <NUM>, there is no danger of the hair becoming clamped or trapped between the overlapping pegs.

It will be understood that the section of hair <NUM> is laid between the driving rails <NUM> and forming rails <NUM> in the same manner as described in <CIT>, i.e. across the page from left to right as drawn in <FIG>. When the device is operated, the driving rails <NUM> move in a first direction D1, i.e. upwardly as drawn in <FIG>, each driving rail <NUM> moving into a hair-receiving channel <NUM>, and driving the section of hair <NUM> into the respective hair-receiving channels <NUM> to adopt a wavy form.

<FIG> represent a part of a single driving rail <NUM> and a corresponding part of a single forming rail <NUM>, in side view, i.e. perpendicular to the end view of <FIG>. In particular, the direction of view for <FIG> is from the right-hand side of <FIG>, looking substantially along the length of the individual hairs in the section of hair <NUM>.

<FIG> represents the start position of the driving rail <NUM>. <FIG> represents the intermediate position after the driving rail <NUM> has completed its movement in the first direction D1. <FIG> represents the limit position after the driving rail <NUM> has completed its movement in the second direction D2.

For ease of understanding, <FIG> shows the pegs <NUM> and <NUM> as not overlapping in the start position, although as above described it is preferable for them to do so in practice. As explained above, overlapping pegs <NUM>, <NUM> have the effect of separating the section of hair <NUM> into a number of smaller sections 36a as the closure element <NUM> is moved to its closed position. Notwithstanding that the pegs <NUM>, <NUM> are shown as not overlapping in <FIG>, one of the resulting smaller sections of hair 36a is represented in that figure. It will be understood that the section of hair <NUM> will in practice be separated into several smaller sections 36a between neighbouring pairs of pegs <NUM>, <NUM>, and that the smaller sections 36a are generally kept separate by the pegs <NUM>, <NUM> during the styling operation. To explain the operation of the device it is necessary only to explain the formation of a wave in one of the smaller sections of hair 36a in one of the hair receiving regions <NUM>, it being understood that the formation of a wave in the other hair receiving regions, and in the other smaller sections of hair, is similar.

The first stage of movement of the driving rail <NUM> is upwardly (and linearly) in the first direction D1 to the position as drawn in <FIG>. During the first stage of movement, the driving rail <NUM> enters the aligned hair-receiving channel <NUM> which is behind the forming member <NUM> as drawn; the pegs <NUM> of the driving rail <NUM> move past and beyond the pegs <NUM> of the forming member <NUM>.

Between each neighbouring pair of pegs <NUM> the driving member <NUM> has a linear edge <NUM> and between each neighbouring pair of pegs <NUM> the forming member <NUM> has a linear edge <NUM>. During the first stage of movement the linear edges <NUM> move past and beyond the linear edges <NUM>.

The separate sections of hair 36a between each pair of neighbouring pegs <NUM>, <NUM> are therefore forced into a one-dimensional wave form. The portion 44a of the smaller section of hair 36a passes under the linear edge <NUM> of the forming rail <NUM> and the portion 44b of the smaller section of hair 36a passes over the linear edge <NUM> of the neighbouring driving rail <NUM>, similarly to the operation described in <CIT>. <FIG> shows the smaller section of hair 36a being pressed from the circular cross-sectional shape into a more flattened cross-sectional shape as it is deformed into a wave (although the actual shape of the smaller sections of hair 36a will likely be more complex in practice).

The second stage of movement of the driving rail <NUM> is also linear and to the right as drawn, in the second direction D2, to the limit position as represented in <FIG>. During this stage of movement, the driving rail <NUM> moves along its hair-receiving channel <NUM> between neighbouring forming members <NUM>. The separate smaller sections of hair 36a are therefore further deformed as represented in <FIG>. In particular, the smaller section of hair 36a is further deformed into a wave in the second direction D2, with the portion 44a being restrained by its engagement with the side 46a of the peg <NUM> whilst the portion 44c is driven in the direction D2 by its engagement with the side 46b of the peg 22a.

Whilst only one of the separate smaller sections of hair 36a is represented in <FIG>, it will be understood that a similar smaller section of hair is located between other (and perhaps all of the) pegs <NUM>, <NUM> along the driving and forming rails <NUM>, <NUM>; the pegs <NUM>, <NUM> thereby ensuring that each of the separate smaller sections of hair is deformed to substantially the same extent, producing a uniform wave for the whole ribbon of hair <NUM>. It will be understood that the deformation is substantially uniform regardless of the number of individual hairs in the separate smaller sections 36a, so that the user does not need to ensure that the section of hair <NUM> has a consistent depth d or width w, nor that the sections of hair which are successively styled by the device are of consistent size.

The length of hair in each of the waves which are produced in the section of hair <NUM> is determined primarily by the length of the substantially linear portions 44d between the portions 44a and 44c in the limit position of <FIG> (the length of hair in each wave being approximately double the length of the substantially linear portions 44d). The length of the substantially linear portions 44d is determined largely by the distance through which the forming members <NUM> move in the second direction D2. In the representation of <FIG> the forming member <NUM> moves in the second direction D2 by a distance slightly greater than the spacing between two adjacent pegs <NUM> but in practice the forming member <NUM> will move significantly further than represented in <FIG>, for example by a distance around five or six times the spacing between neighbouring pegs. It is expected that the movement of the driving members <NUM> in the direction D2 will far exceed the movement in the direction D1 in the commercial embodiments of the device.

The section of hair <NUM> is therefore firstly separated into smaller sections 36a, and the smaller sections of hair are then driven into a wave form in two different directions.

Whilst <FIG> represent the driving rail <NUM> as moving in two perpendicular directions D1 and D2, it will be understood that this is not necessary. Whilst it is mechanically straightforward to move the driving rail <NUM> in the second direction D2, i.e. along the hair-receiving channel <NUM> (as is explained in the drive mechanisms below), it is more mechanically difficult to move the driving rail <NUM> in the perpendicular direction D1 of <FIG>. Instead, therefore, as in the drive mechanisms described below, the driving rail <NUM> preferably moves from its start position to its intermediate position at an acute angle α. Despite the angled movement, the driving member <NUM> during its first stage of movement has a component aligned with the perpendicular direction through which it moves into the hair-receiving channel <NUM>, and that component of movement causes the section of hair to be pressed into the hair-receiving channel as required. Also, the pegs <NUM>,<NUM> can maintain the separation of the smaller sections of hair 36a despite the angled first stage of movement of the driving members <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that in embodiments according to the invention the driving member can have a single stage of movement, for example in the direction α. That is not preferred, however, as it has been found that waves of larger amplitude, and with a more pleasing appearance, can be created by a two-stage movement, and with a relatively large movement in the second direction D2.

It will be understood from <FIG> that initially only a relatively small proportion of the total length of the section of hair <NUM> lies within the device <NUM> in its start position. During the first stage of movement the relatively linear hairs shown in <FIG> are deformed into a wave form, which has the effect of drawing more of the section of hair <NUM> into the device. Yet more (or all) of the section of hair <NUM> is drawn into the device during the second stage of movement, as represented by the relatively long substantially linear portion 44d. As explained in <CIT>, the sequential movement of the driving members <NUM>, with the driving member <NUM> which is closest to the user's scalp moving first, minimises the tension applied to the section of hair <NUM> as it is drawn (progressively) into the device <NUM>.

In addition, it can be arranged that the first driving member or rail, i.e. that closest to the user's scalp, moves relatively slowly during both its first and second stages of movement. This will minimise the tension placed upon the hair and reduce the force exerted at the user's scalp. Subsequent driving members can move more rapidly, it being recognised that tension in the section of hair farther from the user's scalp will be less likely to be exerted upon the user's scalp.

The section of hair <NUM> is set in its wave form, ideally by the application of heat. It will be understood that the section of hair can be set with the driving members <NUM> in their limit positions as represented in <FIG>. That is not preferred, however, because the portions 44d are substantially linear in that limit position. Notwithstanding that the section of hair <NUM> may relax somewhat if the driving members <NUM> are held in their limit positions, any relaxation will be minor and cannot be controlled. This has the result that the device will produce relatively sharp waves with substantially linear sections separated by relatively sharp bends. A more aesthetically pleasing wave can be created by ensuring that the smaller sections of hair 36a relax into a more natural curve.

This is achieved with the present invention by moving the driving rails <NUM> away from their limit positions before the wave is set, i.e. towards the left as viewed in <FIG>. The device can have a defined retracted position such as that described below in relation to <FIG>, or the driving rails <NUM> can move back to their start position before the wave is set, as desired.

The second direction D2 can be considered to be the hair-deforming direction as most of the deformation of the section of hair <NUM> occurs in that direction. Movement of the driving rails <NUM> in the second direction D2 therefore corresponds to movement in the hair-deforming direction. It will be understood that as the driving member <NUM> moves in the hair-deforming direction the side 46b of the primary peg 22a engages the portion 44c and drives that portion in the hair-deforming direction to the limit position.

Subsequently, the forming member <NUM> is driven to reverse, i.e. to move in the direction opposed to D2. During this reverse movement, the side 46c of the neighbouring, secondary, peg 22b will engage the portion 44c of the smaller section of hair 36a. The section of hair <NUM> is not thereby forced out of the device <NUM>, but rather the portion 44c is driven to move within the hair-receiving channel <NUM>, and is for example caused to ride up the secondary peg 22b away from the linear edge <NUM>. It can be arranged that the pegs 22a,b are long enough to accommodate the complete reversal of movement along the direction opposed to D2, or it can be arranged that the hair-receiving channel <NUM> is somewhat deeper than the length of the pegs 22a,b so that the portion 44c can pass over the top of the secondary peg 22b as the driving member <NUM> moves to the left as drawn. In any event, the reverse movement is sufficient so that the smaller section of hair 36a is no longer under any tension from the primary peg 22a, and is ideally positively pressed towards an unrestrained and more relaxed position by the secondary peg 22b. It is arranged that the portions of hair 44a, 44c and 44d retain some or all of their resilience and notwithstanding the confines of the hair-receiving channels <NUM> the largely unrestrained portions of hair adopt the smoothest curl available within the hair receiving channel <NUM>. In practice, only the portions 44a passing underneath the linear sections <NUM> are relatively fixed in position along the smaller section of hair 36a, with the result that the remainder of the smaller section of hair 36a forms a series of relatively smooth loops within the hair-receiving channel <NUM>. Since there are multiple smaller sections of hair 36a within each of the hair-receiving channels <NUM>, all of which have undergone a similar wave-forming operation, in practice the loop of hair of one of the smaller sections 36a overlies the loops of other smaller sections within each of the hair-receiving channels.

The relaxation of the portions 44c,d, and the form of each of the resulting loops, is dependent upon the resilience of the section of hair <NUM>, and is therefore enhanced if the section of hair <NUM> is relatively cool during this hair-deforming stage of the operation. It is thereby arranged that the hair is set into its wavy form, ideally by the application of heat as explained below, only after the driving members <NUM> have reversed to the retracted (or start) position.

Now that the principles of operation of the device <NUM> have been described, the specific embodiments will be explained in more detail.

<FIG> shows one driving rail <NUM> in its start position and a neighbouring guard rail <NUM>. A longitudinal channel <NUM> is formed in the guard rail <NUM>, which channel locates a boss (not seen) attached to the rear side of a guide member <NUM> and a boss (not seen) attached to the rear side of the guide peg <NUM>. The respective bosses and the channel <NUM> restrain the guide member <NUM> and guide peg <NUM> to longitudinal movement along the guard rail <NUM> (parallel with the second direction D2).

The forming rail <NUM> has two inclined guide channels <NUM>, which contain the respective bosses of the guide member <NUM> and guide peg <NUM>. The guide channels <NUM> are aligned at an acute angle β to the second direction D2.

Connected to the other end of each of the bosses is a slide member or rack <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. The guide member <NUM> and guide peg <NUM>, and the rack <NUM>, are therefore fixed to move together along the longitudinal channel <NUM>, with the driving rail <NUM> and the guard rail <NUM> sandwiched therebetween.

<FIG> show a single drive mechanism, i.e. a single driving rail <NUM> and a single guard rail <NUM>, from opposing sides. It will be understood that in a preferred hair styling device there is a number of (identical) driving rails <NUM> and a number of (identical) guard rails <NUM>, with each driving rail <NUM> being located between neighbouring guard rails <NUM>. The drive mechanisms for each driving rail can be identical to that of <FIG> as described below.

In the assembled hair styling device <NUM> each drive mechanism interacts with its neighbours to produce the interconnected and sequential movement of the driving rails <NUM> as explained in detail below. In particular, the secondary pinion <NUM> shown in <FIG> lies in the same plane as (and can engage) the tertiary pegs <NUM> of the guide member <NUM> of the neighbouring drive mechanism. Similarly, the latch <NUM> lies in the same plane as (and can engage) the block <NUM> of the driving rail <NUM> of the neighbouring drive mechanism.

It will be seen that the rack <NUM> carries a number of primary pegs <NUM> which are aligned with, and can engage, a primary pinion <NUM>. The primary pinion <NUM> is the main drive pinion and is driven to rotate by a main drive motor (not shown) in the body <NUM>.

The rack <NUM> also carries a number of secondary pegs <NUM> which are aligned with, and can engage, the secondary pinion <NUM>. The secondary pinion <NUM> is passive in that it is not driven by a motor but is instead driven to rotate by the secondary pegs <NUM> of the present rack <NUM>, or by the tertiary pegs <NUM> of the guide member <NUM> of the neighbouring drive mechanism, as described below.

The latch <NUM> is mounted to the guard rail <NUM> and is spring-biased to rotate anti-clockwise as viewed in <FIG>. The latch <NUM> is engage by a cam <NUM>. The primary pinion <NUM>, a secondary pinion <NUM>, a latch <NUM> and a cam <NUM> are mounted to the (fixed) guard rail <NUM>, and a similar set of components is provided for each of the drive mechanisms.

A single main drive motor drives the primary pinion <NUM> of each of the drive mechanisms to rotate together. A single second drive motor (not shown) drives the cams <NUM> of each of the drive mechanisms to rotate together. Regardless of the number of drive mechanisms which are used in a particular hair styling device, only two motors are required to actuate all of the driving rails <NUM> to move sequentially as described in detail below.

Importantly, the cam <NUM> is not in the same plane as the primary pegs <NUM> (i.e. it is nearer the viewer than the primary pegs <NUM> in the orientation of <FIG>). The body of the cam <NUM> can therefore rotate through <NUM>° from the position shown without engaging or moving the primary pegs <NUM>.

The cam <NUM> of the first driving rail <NUM> differs from the cams of the other driving rails in having an initiating element or finger (not seen) on its rear surface. The initiating finger extends into the same plane as the primary pegs <NUM> of the first drive mechanism and is positioned to engage the primary pegs <NUM> as the cam <NUM> rotates, as described below. The cam <NUM> is therefore a latch release cam for each of the drive mechanisms, and is also an initiating mechanism for the first drive mechanism.

The sequence of operations for a hair styling device comprising a plurality of drive mechanisms as shown in <FIG> will now be described, starting from the position in which all of the driving rails <NUM> are in their start or rest position as represented in <FIG>. In that position, as seen in <FIG>, the primary pegs <NUM> do not engage the primary pinion <NUM>.

Firstly, the cam <NUM> is driven by a second drive motor to rotate through <NUM>° in the anti-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>. During this rotation, the initiating finger which is carried by the first cam <NUM> engages one of the primary pegs <NUM> of the first rack <NUM> and pushes the rack <NUM> in the direction D2. Because the cams <NUM> of the other drive mechanisms do not have an initiating finger their corresponding rotation causes no movement of the second, third etc. racks <NUM>. The initiating finger pushes the (first) rack <NUM> sufficiently far to the left as viewed in <FIG> so that the leading primary peg <NUM> engages the teeth of the primary pinion <NUM>.

The primary pinion <NUM> is then driven to rotate anti-clockwise as viewed in <FIG> whilst engaging the primary pegs <NUM>. The first rack <NUM> is therefore driven further in the direction D2.

As the rack <NUM> moves in the direction D2 the bosses which are connected to the guide member <NUM> and guide peg <NUM> move relative to the respective angled guide channels <NUM> of the driving rail <NUM>. It will be seen from <FIG> that the driving rail <NUM> has a centre slot <NUM>, and that the drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM> which interconnect all of the primary pinions <NUM> with the main drive motor, and which interconnect all of the cams <NUM> with the second drive motor, respectively, pass through the centre slot <NUM>. When viewed in the orientation of <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> limits the rightwards movement of the driving rail <NUM> and the angled edge <NUM> of the centre slot <NUM> causes the longitudinal movement of the rack <NUM> to be converted into an angled (upwards as viewed) movement of the driving member <NUM>.

It will be understood that the direction of movement D1 of the driving rail <NUM> during this first stage of movement corresponds to the angle of the edge <NUM>, which is around <NUM>° in this embodiment.

The centre slot has an extension <NUM> which is aligned with the direction D2. It will be understood that, when the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> enter the extension <NUM>, the driving rail <NUM> moves solely in the direction D2.

The two-stage movement of the driving rail <NUM> is therefore caused by the shaping of the centre slot <NUM>, with the driving rail <NUM> following a defined path as the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> move along the respective edges of the centre slot <NUM> as the driving rail <NUM> is driven by the motion of the rack <NUM> along the longitudinal channel <NUM>. In particular, because the edge <NUM> is linear, and because the extension <NUM> is linear, the path of movement of the driving member <NUM> in this embodiment is linear during both its first and second stages of movement.

The primary pinion <NUM> continues to rotate to drive rack <NUM> in the direction D2 by driving against the primary pegs <NUM>. During this movement, the secondary pegs <NUM> are driven past the secondary pinion <NUM>. Because there are fewer secondary pegs <NUM> than primary pegs <NUM>, continued movement of the rack <NUM> causes the secondary pegs to disengage from the secondary pinion <NUM> before the rack <NUM> reaches the end of its movement in the direction D2.

As the rack <NUM> of the first driving mechanism approaches the end of its movement in the direction D2, the tertiary pegs <NUM> of the guide member <NUM> connected to that rack will engage the secondary pinion <NUM> of the neighbouring (second) drive mechanism. The second driving rail <NUM> is initially in its start position similar to that of <FIG>, so that its secondary pegs <NUM> are already engaged with its secondary pinion <NUM>. Consequently, as the primary pinion <NUM> continues to move the first rack <NUM> forwards, the rotation of the secondary pinion <NUM> of the second drive mechanism initiates the movement of the second driving rail <NUM>. The first and second racks <NUM> are temporarily driven in the direction D2 simultaneously due to their both engaging the secondary pinion <NUM> of the second drive mechanism.

Just before the first driving rail <NUM> reaches its limit position, its primary pegs <NUM> become disengaged from its primary pinion <NUM>. However, the second rack <NUM> is then moving forwards, driven by its primary pinion <NUM>, and the secondary pegs <NUM> of the second rack continue to rotate its secondary pinion <NUM>. Rotation of the secondary pinion <NUM> of the second drive mechanism drives the tertiary pegs <NUM> of the first rack <NUM>, causing the first rack <NUM> to continue to move to its limit position despite the disengagement of its primary pegs <NUM> from its primary pinion <NUM>.

The first driving rail <NUM> has at this point followed the path determined by the centre slot <NUM> to arrive at its limit position. During the final stage of forwards movement the block <NUM> of the first driving rail <NUM> passes the spring-biased latch <NUM> of the second drive mechanism. The latch <NUM> temporarily secures the first driving rail <NUM> in its limit position.

As the second rack <NUM> moves in the direction D2 its primary pegs <NUM> engage with its primary pinion <NUM> and rotation of the primary pinion <NUM> drives the second rack <NUM> to move, and consequently drives the second driving rail <NUM> to move, along a similar path to that of the first driving rail. The limit position of the first driving rail 20a is represented in <FIG>. This figure also shows the second driving rail 20b undergoing its first stage of movement in the first direction D1.

The sequence continues to move all of the driving rails <NUM> sequentially, repeating the same interaction from one driving rail to the next until all the driving rails are latched in their limit positions. <FIG> shows a subsequent stage in the operation of the device, in which all of the driving rails <NUM> have reached their limit position. Only the nearest driving rail <NUM> is visible in <FIG> because the other driving rails are identically formed and are perfectly aligned behind it. It will be understood that the maximum deformation of the section of hair <NUM> occurs when all of the driving rails <NUM> are at their limit position.

If desired, the driving rails <NUM> can all remain latched in their limit positions during the hair styling operation, i.e. they can be retained there until the wave has been set. Preferably, however, when the final driving rail has been latched into its limit position the sequence of operations continues immediately to reverse all of the driving rails together and thereby to reduce the tension in the length of hair and permit the formation of a more natural wave. In this embodiment, all of the driving rails <NUM> move together back in a direction opposed to the second (or hair-deforming) direction D2, to the retracted position as shown in <FIG>. As the tension is relieved the separate smaller sections of hair 36a relax into more natural-looking waves within the hair-receiving regions <NUM> as described above.

To reverse the movement of the driving rails, the second drive motor drives all of the cams <NUM> to rotate together in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>, releasing all the latches <NUM> from their respective blocks <NUM> simultaneously. This unlocks all of the driving rails <NUM> to allow them to reverse (in the direction opposed to D2).

As each of the cams <NUM> rotates, it also engages the block <NUM> of the neighbouring driving rail <NUM>. The cams <NUM> push against the respective block <NUM> and thereby push each of the driving rails <NUM> to reverse (together).

As the driving rails <NUM> reverse, their racks <NUM> move sufficiently in the direction opposed to D2 to engage the leading primary peg <NUM> with the respective primary pinion <NUM>. When the leading primary peg <NUM> of each rack <NUM> is fully engaged with its respective primary pinion <NUM>, the cams <NUM> return back to their rest position as shown in <FIG>.

The main drive motor then rotates the primary pinions <NUM> to drive all the racks <NUM>, and consequently all of the driving rails <NUM>, to reverse. The driving rails <NUM> move a predetermined distance in the direction opposed to D2 to control the size of the wave, i.e. the reverse rotation of the primary pinions <NUM> is paused after a chosen number of rotations (or partial-rotations) to stop all of the driving rails <NUM> in a defined retracted position.

The driving members <NUM> can remain in the retracted position of <FIG> whilst the wave is set. In an alternative arrangement, the driving rails simply pass through the retracted position of <FIG> on their way back to their start positions, the length of hair being set only after the driving rails have been retracted back to their start positions. It will be understood that the section of hair <NUM> can more freely move in the hair receiving channels <NUM> when the driving members <NUM> have been moved back to their start positions (and the pegs <NUM> are no longer projecting into the hair-receiving channels <NUM>). The degree of retraction can therefore be used to vary the wave which is formed in the length of hair, with more retraction giving more freedom to the section of hair <NUM> and generally providing a more natural looking wave.

When the driving rails <NUM> have been moved back to their desired retracted positions one or more heaters are actuated to heat the hair sufficiently to form the desired wave. When the hair has been heated sufficiently, the heaters are turned off and the heated components are allowed to cool to a lower idle temperature. Ideally the section of hair is retained in the device <NUM> as the components are cooled; this helps to form the desired wave by allowing the hair to cool whilst the wave form is maintained.

When the heating and cooling cycle is complete the primary pinions <NUM> act against the primary pegs <NUM> of each rack <NUM> simultaneously to drive all the racks, and consequently all of the driving rails <NUM>, back to their start position. It will be understood that the racks <NUM> are driven to reverse until each rotating primary pinion <NUM> becomes disengaged from the trailing primary peg <NUM>. In that position, the guide member <NUM> engages a resilient latch or clip <NUM> in order to temporarily secure the driving members <NUM> in their start position.

The drive system of the device <NUM> can therefore actuate multiple driving rails <NUM> to move along a predetermined path in a two-stage movement, with the driving members <NUM> moving sequentially to their limit positions. The drive system utilises only two motors so as to minimise the weight of the device <NUM> and has means to link the movement of one driving rail to its neighbouring driving rail. In an alternative arrangement, the movement of each driving rail <NUM> can be individually controlled, perhaps by one or more separate motors for each driving rail, if that is desired. Also, whilst the driving rails <NUM> move in the (angled) direction D1 during their first stage of movement, other drive systems may cause the driving rails to move in a direction perpendicular to the second direction D2 during the first stage of movement.

It will be understood that, when the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> reach the bottom end (as viewed) of the edge <NUM> of the centre slot <NUM>, the driving rail <NUM> has reached its intermediate position, i.e. it has reached the end of its first stage of movement and the end of its movement in the first direction D1. In that intermediate position the pegs <NUM>, and also the linear edges <NUM> between the pegs <NUM>, have moved into the hair-receiving channel <NUM> as represented in <FIG>.

It will also be understood that, as the driving rail <NUM> moves in the direction D2 during its second stage of movement, the pegs <NUM> move along their respective hair-receiving channel <NUM> as represented in <FIG>.

The sequential movement of the driving members <NUM> results in the gradual introduction of the length of hair into the device <NUM>. In the representation of <FIG>, the end <NUM> of the section of hair <NUM> represents the scalp end of the section of hair. The free end of the section of hair <NUM> extends beyond the right-hand edge of the page. It is arranged that the device <NUM> is oriented so that the driving rail <NUM> closest to the scalp end <NUM> moves first, with the neighbouring driving member moving second and so on. The scalp end of the section of hair <NUM> is relatively fixed and so movement of the first driving rail <NUM> causes more of the section of hair to be drawn in from the free end. Yet more of the section of hair <NUM> is drawn in as each subsequent driving rail <NUM> is moved as above explained, and ideally the free end of the section of hair <NUM> is drawn into the device before the last of the driving members <NUM> has reached its limit position (so that waves are imparted along the full length of the chosen section of hair). The number of driving rails, and the distance the driving rails move (particularly in the direction D2) can be chosen to ensure that a wave can be imparted to a section of hair up to a desired length.

<FIG> show artificial positions in which the driving members <NUM> have moved whilst the closure part <NUM> is open, for the purposes of understanding. In practice, it is preferably arranged that the control system will not actuate the driving members <NUM> to move unless the closure part <NUM> is in its closed position.

As above stated, the device <NUM> includes electrical heating elements (not seen). A heating element can for example be located in each of the guard rails <NUM>, and/or in each of the forming members <NUM>. Alternatively, hot air can be blown along the hair-receiving channels to heat the section of hair and set the wave. Typically, a temperature of around <NUM> will be used to set the wave form in the section of hair, but it is recognised that different hair types will require different styling temperatures, and also a lower/higher temperature can be used together with a longer/shorter styling duration.

The closure part <NUM> can be opened (automatically) after a period of time, the period being determined by the user or preferably being predetermined as required to set the wave form. However, it is preferable to cool the section of hair <NUM> before it is removed from the device <NUM>, so as to seek to minimise the subsequent loss of the wave form and also to reduce the pain caused in the event that a user inadvertently touches a heated part of the opened device.

In the first embodiment of hair styling device <NUM>, an airflow generator (not seen, but ideally a fan or impeller) is mounted in the body <NUM> to pump ambient air into the device <NUM> to cool the (styled) section of hair <NUM> within the device. <FIG> shows grilles at the end of the body <NUM> and closure part <NUM> through which ambient air is admitted (or expelled, as desired), there being one or more corresponding grilles at the other end of the body. Desirably, the styled section of hair is cooled to a temperature of around <NUM> before the closure part <NUM> is opened and the styled section of hair is removed. It will be understood that moving the driving members <NUM> back to their start position before the airflow generator is actuated will facilitate airflow though the device, and in particular air flow along the hair-receiving channels <NUM>.

It will be understood that the use of an airflow generator is optional and alternative embodiments can simply switch off the heat and rely upon radiation or convection to cool the heated parts of the device and the styled section of hair <NUM> before it is removed.

It is a benefit of a dual temperature regime that the next section of hair <NUM> can be inserted into a relatively cool device <NUM>, the relatively cool surfaces being less likely to damage the section of hair as it is deformed, and also maintaining resilience in the section of hair as it is deformed. Accordingly, the section of hair only experiences the styling temperature (e.g. around <NUM>) when it has been deformed into a wavy form and subsequently allowed to relax in the hair-receiving channels <NUM>.

It will be understood that the styling (high) temperature can be adjusted by the user in order to vary the wave which is formed. Similarly, the duration of the styling process for each section of hair can be adjusted to vary the wave which is formed.

In the embodiment shown the movement of the driving members is controlled by the longitudinal channel <NUM>, by the guide channels <NUM>, and by the opening or central slot <NUM>, with the extent of movement in the first direction D1 in particular being determined by the length of the shorter guide channel <NUM> and the corresponding length of the edge <NUM> of the central slot <NUM>. In alternative embodiments the movement of the driving members <NUM> in both directions D1 and D2 can be controlled, separately, thereby enabling the user to adjust the distance moved in each of those directions so as to vary the form of the wave. It is nevertheless desirable that each driving member of a hair styling device move by the same distance in both of the respective directions D1 and D2 so that a uniform wave is formed along the section of hair <NUM>, even if each driving member is independently controlled and actuated.

The control system for the drive mechanisms, and in particular the control system for the main drive motor driving the primary pinions <NUM> and second drive motor driving the cams <NUM>, is mounted in the body <NUM>. The control system can measure the load upon the main drive motor and if the load exceeds a predetermined threshold it can stop the motor and open the closure part <NUM>, it being recognised that a motor overload is likely to occur either if too much hair has been inserted into the device, or if the section of hair has become entangled. Once the closure part <NUM> has been opened it is expected that the user will be able to extract the section of hair and re-start the process.

The control system can also communicate with sensors positioned to detect misplaced hair. For example, the guides <NUM> and/or <NUM> can carry sensors (perhaps optical sensors) adapted to detect the presence of hair which might become inadvertently trapped between one of those guides and the closure part <NUM>. The control system can prevent movement of the driving members <NUM> and issue a warning signal to the user if misplaced hair is detected.

Whilst the drawings show a specific embodiment having elongate driving rails <NUM> and similarly elongate forming rails <NUM>, it will be understood that the rails could be replaced by much shorter driving and forming members, each perhaps having just two pegs <NUM>,<NUM>. Such a device would be suitable for styling a bundle of hair rather than a ribbon of hair but could nevertheless benefit from some of the advantages of the invention.

A second design of drive mechanism is shown in <FIG>. This design differs structurally from the first design of drive mechanism of <FIG>, and also in terms of its method of operation, as described below. Whilst the differences are described below, it will be understood that there are many similarities (including for example the general principle of operation described in relation to <FIG>); a number of drive mechanisms according to the second design could for example be used in a hair styling device similar to that of <FIG>.

Firstly, the pegs <NUM> of the driving rails <NUM> are significantly shorter (in the direction perpendicular to the second direction D2) than the pegs <NUM> (in this design the pegs <NUM> have a height of <NUM> as compared to a height of <NUM> for the pegs <NUM>). Also, the distance which the driving rails <NUM> move perpendicular to the second direction D2 is reduced. Both of these structural modifications reduce the dimension of the drive mechanism perpendicular to the second direction D2, and thereby enable a reduction in the overall size of the hair styling device.

Secondly, the pegs <NUM> are angled in the second direction D2, and are more sharply pointed. These structural modifications help to ensure that the pegs <NUM> effectively capture all of the individual hairs in the section of hair being styled, and (further) reduce the likelihood of any individual hairs becoming trapped by parts of the hair styling device in use.

Thirdly, the side 146c of each of the pegs <NUM> is angled so as to cause the length of hair to be more positively pushed away from the linear edge <NUM> of the driving rail <NUM> when the movement of the driving rail is reversed. This structural modification encourages the length of hair to relax into a more natural wave as the driving rails are reversed.

Fourthly, the second design of drive mechanism does not include a secondary pinion, nor therefore secondary pegs or tertiary pegs. The interactions between neighbouring drive mechanisms are provided by other parts of the mechanism as described below.

Fifthly, the shape and location of the latch <NUM> has been altered, which also reduces the dimension of the drive mechanism in the direction perpendicular to the second direction D2 and enables a reduction in the size of the hair styling device.

One major similarity between the first and second designs of drive mechanism is that parts of each drive mechanism are located to opposing sides of a guard rail. In particular, the driving rail <NUM>, <NUM> with its pegs <NUM>, <NUM> is located to one side of the guard rail <NUM>, <NUM> and is connected to a rack <NUM>, <NUM> at the other side of the guard rail. The connection is made by way of bosses which pass through an elongate longitudinal channel <NUM>, <NUM> in the guard rail. The bosses slide along the channel <NUM>, <NUM> to provide support and guidance to the driving rails <NUM>, <NUM> during their movement. Also, there are multiple drive mechanisms and some of the componentry of the first drive mechanism interacts with componentry of the second drive mechanism (and so on) so that the movements of the respective driving rails can be linked. This latter commonality minimises the number of motors required in a practical device, as above explained.

Other structural differences, and the resulting changes to the operation of the drive mechanisms, are described in the sequence of operations below, again starting from the position in which all of the driving rails <NUM> are in their start position as represented in <FIG> and <FIG>. In that position, as seen in <FIG>, the primary pegs <NUM> do not engage the primary pinion <NUM>.

Initially, the cam <NUM> is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>. During this rotation, the extra lobe <NUM> which is carried by the cam <NUM> of the first drive mechanism acts as an initiating element and engages one of the primary pegs <NUM> of the first rack <NUM> and pushes the rack <NUM> in the direction D2). The cams <NUM> of the other drive mechanisms do not have an extra lobe and so their corresponding rotation causes no movement of the second, third etc. racks <NUM>. The extra lobe <NUM> pushes the (first) rack <NUM> sufficiently far in the direction D2 so that the leading primary peg <NUM> engages the teeth of the primary pinion <NUM>.

The primary pinion <NUM> is then driven by a main drive motor (not shown) to rotate clockwise as viewed in <FIG> whilst engaging the primary pegs <NUM>. The rack <NUM> is therefore driven in the direction D2.

As with the first drive mechanism described above, the two-stage movement of the driving rail <NUM> is caused by the shaping of the centre slot <NUM> (see <FIG>), i.e. the drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective main drive motor and second drive motor (not shown) are fixed in position and cause the driving rail <NUM> to move in the directions D1 and D2 following the shape of the centre slot <NUM>, and driven by the motion of the rack <NUM> along the longitudinal channel <NUM>.

The primary pinion <NUM> continues to rotate to drive rack <NUM> in the direction D2 by driving against the primary pegs <NUM>. As the rack <NUM> moves forwards, the guide member <NUM> of the first rack <NUM> will engage the edge <NUM> of a raised section of the neighbouring (second) drive mechanism. It will be understood that the raised section stands proud of the remainder of the rack <NUM>, and so is nearer to the viewer than the remainder of the rack <NUM> as viewed in <FIG>. The second driving rail <NUM> is initially in its start position similar to that of <FIG>. Consequently, as the guide member <NUM> of the first drive mechanism moves in the direction D2 it initiates the movement of the second drive mechanism by pushing the edge <NUM> and consequently the second rack <NUM> in the direction D2. The first and second racks <NUM> are temporarily driven forward simultaneously due to the interengagement of the guide member <NUM> and edge <NUM>.

The trailing end <NUM> of the rack <NUM> lies in the same plane as the latch <NUM>. As the first driving rail <NUM> moves towards its limit position, the trailing end <NUM> passes the end of the inclined edge <NUM> of the latch <NUM> (see <FIG>). The latch is spring biased anti-clockwise as viewed in <FIG>, and as the trailing end <NUM> of the rack <NUM> moves past the inclined edge <NUM> the latch rotates a few degrees anti-clockwise to move behind the trailing end <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The spring-biasing of the latch <NUM>, and the angling of the inclined edge <NUM> act to move the rack <NUM> further in the direction D2 to its limit position, notwithstanding that the primary pegs <NUM> have become disengaged from the primary pinion <NUM> as also seen in <FIG>. The latch <NUM> therefore temporarily secures the first driving rail <NUM> in its limit position as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As the second rack <NUM> moves in the direction D2 its primary pegs <NUM> engage with its primary pinion <NUM> and rotation of the primary pinion <NUM> drives the second rack <NUM> to move, and consequently drives the second driving rail <NUM> to move, along a similar path to that of the first driving rail. The sequence continues to move all of the driving rails <NUM> sequentially, repeating the same interaction from one driving rail to the next until all the driving rails are latched in their limit positions.

To reverse the movement of the driving rails, the second drive motor rotates the cams <NUM> in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>, releasing all the latches <NUM> simultaneously. This unlocks all of the driving rails <NUM> to allow them to reverse. Also, as each of the cams <NUM> rotates, it engages a peg <NUM> of the rack <NUM>. The cams <NUM> push against the respective pegs <NUM> and thereby push each of the driving rails <NUM> to reverse (together). As the driving rails <NUM> reverse, their racks <NUM> move sufficiently to engage the primary pegs <NUM> with the respective primary pinions <NUM>. The primary pinions <NUM> then rotate (anticlockwise as viewed in <FIG>) to drive all the racks <NUM>, and consequently all of the driving rails <NUM>, in the direction opposed to D2.

As with the first design, all of the driving members <NUM> may be moved to a retracted position at which heat is applied to set the wave in the section of hair; alternatively, the driving rails <NUM> can be moved directly back to the start or rest position.

At the end of the cycle, each of the racks <NUM> is driven to reverse until each rotating primary pinion <NUM> becomes disengaged from the primary pegs <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. In that position, the peg <NUM> of the rack <NUM> has passed the spring-biased projection <NUM> of the latch <NUM>, the resilience of the projection <NUM> temporarily securing the driving rail <NUM> in its start position.

Whilst both of the drive mechanisms described above incorporate two motors, it will be understood that (apart from the initiating movement of the first driving rails <NUM>, <NUM>) all of the driving rails <NUM>, <NUM> are driven from their start positions to their limit positions by a single main drive motor. Other designs can exclude the second motor of the above-described embodiments so that the drive systems include only a single motor. For example, the initiating element could comprise an extra tooth of the rack of the first driving rail so that the rack of the first drive mechanism remains engaged with its pinion in the start position (thereby avoiding the requirement of the second motor to initiate the movement of the first driving rail).

Also, the latches which temporarily secure the driving rails in their limit positions could be excluded, with the respective (rotating) pinions maintaining the driving rails in their limit positions (thereby avoiding the requirement for the second motor to actuate the latch releasing mechanisms). Even in designs in which the driving rails are latched in their limit positions, however, other means (such as one or more solenoids for example) may be provided to release the latch mechanisms and to move the driving rails away from their limit positions so as to engage the main drive motor.

In another alternative drive system incorporating only a single motor, the last drive mechanism could exclude a latch mechanism, and instead could incorporate a latch release mechanism for the latches of the other drive mechanisms. In such an arrangement, the first, second etc. up to the penultimate driving rail could be latched into its respective limit position, and the latch mechanisms could be released (and all of the driving rails driven away from their limit positions), by movement of the final driving rail as it approaches its limit position.

In yet another alternative drive system incorporating only a single motor, the single motor may be connected to separate drive systems, one of the drive systems rotating the pinions <NUM>, <NUM> and the other drive system rotating the cams <NUM>, <NUM>. Suitable control systems can be incorporated to connect/disconnect the motor from the separate drive systems during different stages of operation.

<FIG> shows a second embodiment of hair styling device <NUM> comprising a body <NUM> with an integral handle <NUM>. Connected to the body <NUM> is a closure part or lid <NUM>. This embodiment has a two-part handle <NUM>, the closure part <NUM> being connected to a second handle part 214a permitting the user to move the closure part <NUM> to its closed position by pressing the handle parts together, in known fashion. The handle parts are preferably biased apart to their open position as shown in <FIG>. The handle <NUM> of this second embodiment is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the driving rails <NUM> so that the handle has a "wand-like" orientation, as opposed to the "pistol grip" orientation of the first embodiment.

Another significant difference over the first embodiment described above is that the guides <NUM> completely span the distance between the body <NUM> and the closure part <NUM> in the open condition shown, and thereby prevent any hair being inserted into the device in a position where it may become trapped. The guide parts <NUM> are mounted to project (downwardly as viewed) from the closure part <NUM> and as the device is closed the guide parts move (further) into cooperating recesses in the body <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment the guide parts are mounted to project (upwardly) from the body and as the device is closed the guide parts move (further) into cooperating recesses in the closure part.

The hair styling device <NUM> could have a drive system incorporating the first design of drive mechanism of <FIG>, or the second design of drive mechanism of <FIG>, as desired.

The drive system is shown in <FIG> separate from the surrounding housing parts. The drive system is a slightly modified version of the second design of drive mechanism, which is preferred because of its reduced dimension perpendicular to the second direction D2.

Claim 1:
A hair styling device (<NUM>; <NUM>) for imparting a wave to a section of hair (<NUM>), the device having a first forming member (<NUM>) and a second forming member (<NUM>), a hair-receiving region (<NUM>) between the first forming member and the second forming member, and a primary driving element (22a) which is movable relative to the first forming member and the second forming member and which is adapted to move a part of the section of hair in the hair-receiving region in a hair-deforming direction (D2),
characterised in that the device having a secondary driving element (22b) which is movable relative to the first forming member and the second forming member and which is adapted to move the part of the section of hair in the hair-receiving region in a direction opposed to the hair-deforming direction.