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Title:
FLAT HEAT BRUSH
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2004/045338
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A hair styling brush is provided having one or more brush handle/brush tip segments (110, 160). Each handle has a handle internal air passage (112, 162) in open communication on one end with a coupling (140) for connecting the handle to a source of forced air, and in open communication on the other end with a brush tip air passage. The brush tip air passage is in open communication with air passages of hair engaging brush bristles (120, 170) extending away from the brush tip. The air passages of the hair engaging brush bristles are configured to direct air streams from the brush tip air passage and out of distal ends of the bristles. The brush tip also has air openings (116) configured to direct streams of air from the brush tip air passage and out of the brush tip air openings. A hinge (150) may be used to pivotally couple brush handles.

Inventors:
SAVONE UMBERTO (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2003/025030
Publication Date:
June 03, 2004
Filing Date:
August 08, 2003
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SAVONE UMBERTO (US)
International Classes:
A45D1/04; A45D20/08; A45D20/52; A45D24/10; A45D1/06; A45D20/50; A46B; (IPC1-7): A46B/
Foreign References:
US4570651A1986-02-18
US4217915A1980-08-19
US5738121A1998-04-14
US20040003824A12004-01-08
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Hyman, Eric S. (Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman, 12400 Wilshire Boulevard, 7th Floo, Los Angeles CA, US)
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Claims:
5. The hair styling brush of claim
1. 4, wherein the bristle distal end surface comprises one of a cylinder shape intersected with a plane shape, a dome shape, a triangular shape, a curvilinear shape, and a polyhedron shape.
2. 6 The hair styling brush of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hair engaging bristles comprise a plurality of hollow bristles having a bristle distal end extending substantially perpendicular to and away from the tip surface and having a bristle proximate end coupled to the tip surface.
3. 7 The hair styling brush of claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises a demountable coupling to couple to one of a forced air source, a heated air stream source, a forced air hair dryer, and a hair blow dryer.
4. 8 The hair styling brush of claim 1, wherein the distal end coupling comprises at least one adapter to adapt one of a shape and a size of the distal end coupling for coupling to a of forced air source having one of a different shaped forced air output opening and a different sized forced air output opening.
5. 9 The hair styling brush of claim 1, further comprising: a second handle having a second handle internal air passage in open communication with the distal end coupling; a second tip comprising: a second tip internal air passage; a second tip proximate end coupled to a second handle proximate end such that the second handle air passage is in open communication with the second tip air passage; and a second plurality of hair engaging bristles comprising: a second bristle distal end extending away from a second tip surface; and at least one second bristle air passage in open communication with the second tip air passage and configured to direct an air stream from the second tip air passage and out of the second bristle distal end; and a hinge pivotally coupling a handle distal end to a second handle distal end to define an open position when the plurality of bristles and the tip is separated from the second tip and the second plurality of bristles, and a closed position when one of the plurality of bristles and the tip contacts one of the second tip and the second plurality of bristles along at least one contact surface.
6. 10 The hair styling brush of claim 9, wherein the second tip further comprises a second plurality of tip air openings through the second tip surface and in open communication with the second tip air passage, wherein the second tip air openings are configured to direct an air stream from the second tip air passage and out of the second tip air openings in a direction substantially away from the second tip surface.
7. 11 The hair styling brush of claim 9, wherein at least one second bristle air passage is configured to direct an air stream out of the second bristle distal end and in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the second tip surface.
8. 12 The hair styling brush of claim 9, wherein the second bristle distal end comprises at least one second bristle distal end air opening configured to direct an air stream from the at least one second bristle air passage and out of the second bristle distal end air opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from a second bristle distal end surface.
9. 13 The hair styling brush of claim 9, wherein the distal end coupling is disposed adjacent to the hinge and is configured to direct forced air from a source of forced air towards the handle internal air passage and the second handle internal air passage.
10. 14 The hair styling brush of claim 9, wherein the hinge allows the second handle and the second tip to pivot away from the handle and the tip to form an angle between a tip longitudinal axis and a second tip longitudinal axis, wherein the angle is an angle in a range between 0 degrees and 25 degrees.
11. 15 The hair styling brush of claim 9, wherein the tip further comprises a generally semicircular shaped crosssection formed by a generally convex curve intersected with a generally flat crosssectional shape, and wherein the second tip further comprises a second generally semicircular shaped cross section formed by a second generally convex curved crosssectional shape intersected with a second generally flat crosssectional shape.
12. 16 The hair styling brush of claim 15, wherein the at least one contact surface comprises a surface defined by contact between one of the plurality of bristles and the generally flat crosssectional shape, and one of the second generally flat crosssectional shape and the second plurality of bristles.
13. 17 The hair styling brush of claim 9, wherein the tip further comprises a generally rectangular shaped crosssection, and wherein the second tip further comprises a second generally rectangular shaped crosssection.
14. 18 The hair styling brush of claim 17, wherein the at least one contact surface comprises a surface defined by contact between one of the plurality of bristles and a generally flat crosssectional shaped surface of the generally rectangular shaped crosssection, and one of a second generally flat cross sectional shaped surface of the second generally rectangular shaped cross section and the second plurality of bristles.
15. 19 The hair styling brush of claim 9, further comprising a lever at one of the handle and the second handle to detachably couple the handle to the second handle to define a locking position when the handle is coupled to the second handle, and an unlocking position when the handle is detached from the second handle.
16. 20 The hair styling brush of claim 19, wherein the lever further comprises: an adjuster to adjust between the locking position and the unlocking position; a cutout to allow the adjuster to adjust between the locking position and the unlocked position, and a detachable coupling to detachably couple the handle to the second handle; and a linkage to translate the adjuster adjustment to the detachable coupling.
17. 21 A method comprising: coupling a handle to a source of forced air; forcing air into an internal air passage of a tip; directing a stream of air from the internal air passage and into a plurality of hair engaging bristles, each bristle having a bristle distal end extending away from a tip surface; and directing the stream of air from the plurality of bristles and out of at least one bristle distal end opening and in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the tip surface.
18. 22 The method of claim 21, further comprising : directing a second stream of air from the tip internal air passage and out of a plurality of tip air openings in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the tip surface.
19. 23 The method of claim 21, further comprising: forcing air into a second internal air passage of a second tip; separating the tip from the second tip; contacting a portion of hair between the tip and the second tip; directing a third stream of air from the second internal air passage and into a second plurality of hair engaging bristles, each second bristle having a second bristle distal end extending away from a second tip surface; and directing the third stream of air from the second plurality of bristles and out of at least one second bristle distal end opening and in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the second tip surface.
20. 24 The method of claim 23, wherein the contacting a portion of hair further comprises: forming at least one contact surface comprising a surface defined by contact between one of the plurality of bristles and the tip surface, and one of the second tip surface and the second plurality of bristles.
21. 25 The method of claim 23, further comprising: directing a fourth stream of air from the second tip internal air passage and out of a second plurality of tip air openings in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the second tip surface.
22. 26 A system for styling hair comprising: a means for coupling a handle to a source of forced air; a means for directing forced air from the source of forced air, through the handle and into a brush tip having a plurality of bristles; and a means for directing at least one stream of air from the forced air in the brush tip and out of at least one bristle distal end opening in a plurality of bristles.
23. 27 The system of claim 26 further comprising: a means for directing at least one second stream of air from the forced air in the brush tip and out of a plurality of openings in the brush tip surface.
24. 28 The system of claim 26 further comprising: a means for coupling a second handle to the source of forced air; a means for directing a portion of the forced air from the source of forced air, through the second handle and into a second brush tip having a plurality of bristles; a means for directing at least one third stream of air from the portion of forced air in the second brush tip and out of at least one second bristle distal end opening in a second plurality of bristles; and a means for pivotally coupling the handle to the second handle to define an open position and a closed position.
25. 29 The system of claim 28 further comprising: a means for directing at least one fourth stream of air from the portion of forced air in the second brush tip and out of a plurality of openings in the second brush tip surface.
Description:
FLAT HEAT BRUSH BACKGROUND Field The invention relates to hair styling brushes, and in particular, to an improve hair styling brush having openings in the brush tip surface and bristle ends to direct streams of air into hair engaged by the brush.

Background Hair styling brushes are commonly used to style hair to a wide variety of styles, such as by brushing hair to untangle the hair, straighten the hair, or impart a curl in the hair. In addition, hair styling brushes are often used in cooperation with a hair dryer, blow dryer, or other hair styling devices, chemicals and products to style hair, such as by curling hair to impart a curl that does not occur naturally in the hair, and by straightening hair to remove a kink or curl that does naturally occur in that hair. For example, a circular or semicircular shaped curl can be created by wrapping a portion of hair about the outer surface of a hair brush and then treating the portion of hair with a stream of air, such as heated air. In addition, to straighten hair, a portion of hair can be engaged with the flat surface of a brush or pulled by the brush to provide a straightened section of hair that can then be treated with a stream of air, such as a stream of heated air from a blow dryer. Moreover, it is often desirable when styling hair to both add curl to certain portions of hair, and straighten other portions of hair. In addition, it is also sometimes desirable when styling hair to first straighten a portion of hair to remove that portion of hair's natural curl and then to re-curl the straightened portion of hair to a desired curl shape.

However, in order to style hair as described above, at least two devices are usually required. A brush is usually necessary for engaging the hair, and a source of forced air is usually necessary to provide the stream of air for treating or drying the hair. In many cases, more than two devices are necessary because it takes more than one brush and/or more than one forced air hair dryer to provide the style desired. In addition, styling hair as described above provides the treating stream of drying air, predominantly to the outer surface of the hair, which is away from the engaging surface of the brush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that the references to"an"or "one"embodiment of this disclosures are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a hair styling brush having handles for coupling to a source of forced air and tips with bristles configured to direct streams of air out from the bristle ends, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of hair styling brush tips showing brush tip cross-sections, contact surfaces, and bristles, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a hair styling brush showing the passage of forced air through the brush handles, into the brush tips, and out of the bristle ends.

Figure 4 is a top perspective view and corresponding side perspective cross-section of a section of a hair styling brush tip showing tip surface air openings and bristle end air openings, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a top perspective view and a side perspective view of a hair styling brush showing a lever to detachably couple the handles into locking and unlocking positions, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a side perspective view of a hair styling brush showing a distal end coupling, hose, adapter, and inserts for coupling the brush to sources of forced air having different shaped and/or sized air output openings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to embodiments of the invention, a hair styling brush is provided having one or more handle/tip segments. For example, a brush with two handle tip segments can be configured with the two handles attached by a hinge. Each handle has a handle internal air passage in open communication with a distal end coupling for connecting the handle to a source of forced air.

The proximate end of the handle is coupled to a brush tip so that the handle air passage is in open communication with a brush tip air passage which is in open communication with air passages of hair-engaging brush bristles located in and extending away from the brush tip. The air passages of the hair- engaging brush bristles are configured to direct air streams from the brush-tip air passage and out of distal ends of the bristles. In addition, the brush includes a number of brush-tip air openings on the surface of the brush tip configured to direct air streams from the brush tip air passage and out of the brush tip air opening on the surface and in a direction substantially away from the brush tip surface. For example, the bristle distal end air openings in the bristle tips and the air openings along the brush tip surfaces can be configured to direct streams of air in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the brush tip surface.

Moreover, the handle distal end coupling can use adapters to adapt the shape and size of the coupling for coupling to a number of forced air sources having various sized and shaped air output openings. Furthermore, a hinge may pivotally couple two brush handle distal ends so that two brush handle/tip segments may be opened, and closed to engage a portion of hair between two brush-tipped flat surfaces having tip surface air openings and having bristles with openings for directing air streams as described above.

Furthermore, a lever on one of the handles can be used to detachably couple the handles together in a locking position to secure or press a portion of hair between the brush tips, and an unlocking position so that the handle/tip segments may be swung away from each other about the hinge and into an open position. Thus, the invention provides an adequate, effective, and efficient hair styling brush for sufficiently styling hair, such as by straightening or curling, while drying hair.

Embodiments of the hair styling brush technology described herein may be applied to various other hair styling or treating devices for shaping hair, such as, curlers, irons, clamp curling brushes, steam curlers, steam brushes, hair rollers, hot hair rollers, hair straighteners, hair flatteners, curling wands, and brushes having one or more handles and or one or more brush tips and bristle configurations. For example, Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a hair styling brush having handles for coupling to a source of forced air and tips with bristles configured to direct streams of air out from the bristle ends, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 1, a hair styling brush, generally denoted 100, includes adapter 158 for receiving air from forced air source 104, adapter cap 159 for coupling adapter 158 to flex hose 156, and hose coupling attachment 157 for coupling flex hose 156 to coupling 140.

Although as shown in Figure 1, flex hose 156 appears less than a foot long, the invention contemplates various lengths, diameters, and types of hose for connecting forced air sources to coupling 140. For example, a hose for use with the invention may be a flexible plastic ribbed flex hose approximately five to six feet long. Alternatively, according to embodiments, a source of forced air having an appropriately sized output may be directly coupled to coupling 140 or hose 156 without an adapter. Moreover, a source of forced air may be coupled via adapter 158 directly to coupling 140. Also, coupling 140 may be a removable, detachable, or demountable coupling, attachment, or connection designed to be permanently connected or releasably connected to a hose, adapter, or source of forced air.

As shown in Figure 1, coupling 140 is attached to hinge 150 which engages a distal end of handle 130 and second handle 180. Lever 136 is shown detachably coupling handle 132 second handle 180 to define locking position 190, and can define an unlocking position when the lever is adjusted so that the handles are detached.

Handle 130 includes handle internal air passage 132 in open communication with distal end coupling 140. The proximate end of brush tip 110 is coupled to the proximate end of handle 130 so that brush tip internal air passage 112 is in open communication with handle air passage 132.

Brush tip 110 includes a plurality of hair engaging bristles which may be of the same type and size or of various sizes, widths, heights, shapes, and types. For example, the hair engaging bristles may be hollow bristles having bristle distal ends extending away from the brush tip surface, and may have bristle proximate ends coupled to the brush tip surface. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, longer bristle 120 and shorter bristle 124 may be coupled to tip surface 116 and extend substantially perpendicular to and away form the tip surface. Tip surface 116 includes tip inner surface 114. Alternating rows of longer and shorter bristles, are shown in Figure 1. However, embodiments of the invention include, various other arrangements, rows, patterns, and spacings of similar or differently shaped and/or sized bristles, as well as designs where all bristles are the same height and shape.

Bristles 120 and 124 each have at least one bristle air passage in open communication with brush tip air passage 112. Thus, a bristle may have one or more internal air passages connected to tip air passage 112 and configured to direct one or more air streams from tip air passage 112 and out of a distal end of the bristle. For example, as shown in Figure 1, bristle 120 has at least one bristle air passage to direct an air stream out of bristle distal end 122, and shorter bristle 124 includes at least one bristle air passage to direct an air stream out of shorter bristle distal end 126.

Furthermore, brush tip 110 may include a plurality of brush tip air openings though tip surface 116 (e. g., including air openings in tip inner surface 114) that are in open communication with tip air passage 112 so that air streams can be directed from tip air passage 112 and out of the tip surface air opening in a direction substantially away from tip surface 116 (e. g., including tip inner surface 114).

Moreover, embodiments of the invention include a second handle and brush tip segment. For example, as shown in Figure 1, second brush handle 180 having second handle air passage 182 in open communication with distal end coupling 140 may have its proximate and coupled to the proximate end of second tip 160, such that second handle air passage 182 is in open communication with second tip air passage 162. Furthermore, second brush tip 160 has brush tip surface 166 and second longer hair engaging bristle 170 with second longer bristle distal end 172 extending away from second tip surface 166, as well as second shorter hair engaging bristle 174 having second shorter bristle distal end 176 extending away from second tip surface 166.

Second tip surface 166 includes second tip inner surface 164. Thus, as described above with respect to bristles 120 and 124 having ends 122 and 126, bristles 170 and 174 may each have at least one second bristle air passage in open communication with second tip air passage 162 and be configured to direct an air stream from second tip air passage 162 and out of second bristle distal ends 172 and 176.

Moreover, embodiments including more than one brush handle/tip segment may have hinge 150 to pivotally couple the multiple handles together.

For example, as shown in Figure 1, hinge 150 pivotally couples the distal end of handle 130 to the distal end of second handle 180 to define a closed 190 position when a contact surface is formed. The contact surface may include contact between any of the bristles from one brush tip and the inner surface of the other brush tip, contact between the inner surfaces of the two brush tips, contact between bristles of the two brush tips, and/or contact of any of the proceeding with a portion of hair. Hence, for instance, as shown in Figure 1, hinge 150 pivotally couples handle 130 to handle 180 to define closed position 190 when bristles on the tip inner surface come into contact with second brush tip inner surface 164 (and/or press or secure a portion of hair therebetween), or when bristles on the second tip inner surface come into contact with brush tip inner surface 114 (and/or press or secure a portion of hair therebetween).

Furthermore, embodiments where rows of brush tip bristles are located directly across from each other is within the scope and contemplation of the invention. For instance, in such an embodiment, bristles on rows of one brush tip, such as bristles in the row of bristle 120 would be lined up so that rows at brush tip inner surface 114 are located directly across from bristles on the second brush tip, such as those in the row of bristle 170 located along second brush tip inner surface 164. Accordingly, contact may occur between the bristles and/or bristle tips of brush tip 110 and brush tip 160. In this manner, a contact surface may include contact between the bristles and/or bristle tips of one handle and the bristles and/or bristle tips of the opposing handle, and/or a portion of hair secured or pressed therebetween. As a result, a hinge may pivotally couple distal ends of the brush handles to define an open position when one brush handle/tip segment is pivoted away from the other brush handle tip segment such that contact surfaces as described above no longer exist. For example, according to Figure 1, an open position is defined when none of bristle 120, bristle 124, bristle tip 122, bristle tip 126, or brush tip inner surface 114 contact any of bristle 170, bristle 174, bristle tip 172, bristle tip 176, or second brush tip inner surface 164 (e. g., see open position 502 of Figure 5).

Furthermore, second brush tip 160 may include a second plurality of brush tip air openings though second tip surface 166 (e. g., including air openings in second tip inner surface 164) that are in open communication with second tip air passage 162 so that air streams can be directed from second tip air passage 162 and out of the second tip surface air opening in a direction substantially away from second tip surface 166 (e. g., including second tip inner surface 164), as described above with respect to brush tip surface air openings for brush tip 110. Specifically, brush tip surface air openings located on tip surfaces 114,116, 164 and/or 166 can be configured to direct streams of air substantially perpendicularly to and away from brush tip surfaces which the openings are on.

Embodiments of the invention include brush tips having symmetrical and non-symmetrical cross-sectional shapes with respect to a longitudinal access running lengthwise along the brush tips. For example, Figure 2 is a front perspective view of hair styling brush tips showing brush tip cross- sections, contact surfaces, and bristles, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 2, section'A', brush tip 110 includes generally semicircular shaped cross-section 210 formed by generally convex curve 212 intersected with a generally flat cross-sectional shape 214. Secondly, section 'A'shows second brush tip 160 having second generally semicircular shaped cross-section 230 formed by second generally convex curve cross-sectional shape 232 intersected with generally flat cross-sectional shape 234. Generally convex curves shaped as an arc, bow, semicircle or other curvilinear shape are within the scope and contemplation of the invention. Section'A'also shows rows of equal length bristles on tip 110 and second tip 160, such as bristle 120 having bristle distal end 122 on the tip inner surface 202 extending away from second generally flat cross-sectional shape 214, and such as bristle 170 with bristle distal end 172 on second tip inner surface 204 extending away from second generally flat cross-sectional shape 234. Figure 2 also shows bristle 220 having bristle distal end 222 extending substantially perpendicular to and away from the second brush tip surface at 216 near the intersection of generally convex curve cross-sectional shape 232 and generally flat cross-sectional shape 234.

Note that, according to embodiments, bristles (e. g., bristle 120,170 and 220) may be coupled to a brush tip surface and/or coupled to another structure within the brush tip. For instance, a bristle extending through the brush tip surface, with or without contacting that surface, and attached to another supportive structure within the brush tip, is within the scope and contemplation of the invention. Likewise, as shown in section'A', bristle distal ends 122,172 and 222 may have bristle distal open ends disposed substantially perpendicular to and away from the brush tip surface from which they extend, thus providing a configuration for directing an air stream in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the brush tip surface on which they are mounted.

Moreover, according to embodiments, one or more contact surfaces may be defined by contact between one or more of the bristles. For example, as shown in Figure 2, section'A', a contact surface may be formed by contact between one or more bristles on the inner surface of tip 110 (e. g., such as bristle 120 having bristle end 122) and one or more bristles along second tip inner surface 234 (e. g., such as bristle 170 with bristle end 172). Contact surfaces between the inner surfaces of tips (e. g., tips 110 and 160) are also within the scope of the invention.

Figure 2 section'B'shows a brush tip having a generally rectangular shaped cross-section 250 and a second brush tip having a second generally rectangular shaped cross-section 260, embodiment. Thus, according to section 'B', a contact surface may be defined by one of the bristles along brush tip inner surface 244 (e. g., such as bristle 120 having bristle end 122) or by generally flat cross-sectional shaped 254 of generally rectangular shaped cross-section 250, contacting second generally flat cross-sectional shaped surface 264 of second generally rectangular shapes cross-section 260 or one of a plurality of bristles on second brush tip inner surface 274 (e. g., such as bristle 170 having bristle end 172).

Figure 2 section'C'is similar to Figure 2 section'B', however section'C' includes a sharper cross-sectional corner at 276 without a bristle extending therefrom. Instead, section'C'shows bristle 228 on the brush tip surface having bristle distal end 229 extending perpendicular to and away from the brush tip surface. Embodiments, include various other appropriate symmetrical and non-symmetrical shapes for brush tip cross-section shapes, such as cross-section shapes including a portion or one or more of semicircle, an ellipse intersected with a line, a circle, an oval, a curvilinear cross-sectional shape, and ellipse, a trapezoid, a square, a quadrilateral, a rectangle, a closed cure, a convex curve, a concave curve, a line, and a polygon.

Moreover, embodiments of the invention include, various systems and devices to provide forced air to the hair styling brush (e. g., to provide forced air at coupling 140). Thus, hair styling brush handles may be demountably coupled to a forced air source, a heated air stream source, a forced air hair dryer, a hair blow dryer, a heated air hair dryer, or various other appropriate forced air sources. For example, Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a hair styling brush showing the passage of forced air through the brush handles, into the brush tips, and out of the bristle ends. As shown in Figure 3, air from dryer 340 is forced through hose 156 and hose coupling attachment 157 where it enters coupling 140 (e. g., such as a demountable coupling). Coupling 140 is located behind hinge 150 and is configured to direct forced air received at the coupling 342 towards handle internal air passage 132 where air is going into the handle at 344, and towards second handle internal air passage 182 where air is going into second handle at 346. As brush tip internal air passage 112 is in open communication with handle internal air passage 132, the air may then pass into the brush tip internal air passage at 348. Similarly, second brush tip internal air passage 162 is in open communication with second handle internal air passage 182 allowing air to pass into the second brush tip internal air passage at 350.

Furthermore, since one or more of the bristles on tip 110 have at least one bristle internal air passage in open communication with brush tip air passage 112, air stream 370 may be directed from brush tip air passage 112 and out of bristle distal end 122, and air stream 374 may also be, directed from brush tip air passage 112 and out of bristle distal end 126. Likewise, since second tip 160 includes a second plurality of hair engaging bristles having at least one second bristle internal air passage in open communication with the second brush tip air passage 162, second air stream 376 may be directed from second brush tip air passage 162 and out of second bristle distal end 172, and second air stream 378 may be directed from second brush tip air passage 162 and out of second bristle distal end 176. More particularly, as shown, one or more of the air streams (e. g., such as one or more of 370,374, 376 and 378) may be directed by the at least one bristle internal air passages out of the bristle distal end and in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the brush tip surface on which the bristle is mounted. Thus, air streams 370 and 374 may be directed substantially perpendicular to and away from brush tip surface 116. Likewise, air stream directed out of distal ends of bristles located on brush tip inner surface 114 may be directed substantially perpendicular to and away from brush tip inner surface 114. Moreover, air streams 376 and 378 may be directed substantially perpendicular to and away from second brush tip surface 166, and air streams directed from distal ends of bristles located on second brush tip inner surface 164 may be directed substantially perpendicular to and away from second brush tip inner surface 164.

Embodiments also include various bristle locations, shapes, sizes, types, extension angles with respect to the tip surface, location patterns, rows, and intermixing of bristles and bristle locations. In addition, various locations, shapes, sizes, types, and angles for bristle distal end and brush tip air openings are within the scope and contemplation of the invention. For example, Figure 4 is a top perspective view and corresponding side perspective cross-section of a section of a hair styling brush tip showing tip surface air openings and bristle end air openings, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in the top view portion of Figure 4, rows of bristles and rows of brush tip air openings are located in a sequential arrangement along brush tip surface 116 spaced apart horizontally along the length of the surface. Other bristle and tip surface opening patterns, arrangements and spacing are within the scope and contemplation of the invention.

As shown in Figure 4, tip surface 116 has tip surface air openings 430 and bristle air openings 422 configured to direct air streams from tip air passage 112 and out of the tip air openings and bristle distal ends. For example, bristle 120 includes bristle distal end air opening 428 configured to direct an air stream from at least one bristle air passage and out of the bristle distal end air openings in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from a surface of the bristle distal end. Specifically, in the side perspective cross-section of Figure 4, air stream 370 is shown directed out of the bristle distal end air opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from bristle distal end surface 420. Air streams directed substantially perpendicular to and away from bristle distal end surfaces may or may not also be directed substantially perpendicular to and away from the brush tip surface, according to embodiments of the invention.

In addition, embodiments of the invention include bristles having various numbers (e. g., having zero, one, or any number up to twenty); various <BR> <BR> shapes and various sizes of bristle air passages (e. g. , such as internal air tubes, a hollow bristle, or a bristle having an internal divider and external vents); and <BR> <BR> various shapes and sizes of bristle distal end air openings (e. g. , such as circular, square, triangular, curvilinear, and polygon shaped openings smaller than or in a range up to as large as the size of the bristle distal end. More particularly, Figure 4 shows a bristle distal end having a single square distal end air opening smaller in size than the total size of the bristle distal end at 426. Also shown is bristle distal end air opening 424 which is substantially the same size as the distal end of the bristle. Although bristle distal end air opening 426 shows as a single opening, bristle distal end air openings may have multiple openings (such as openings 428) on the distal end of bristle 120. Circular bristle distal end 427 is an example of an opening the same size as the bristle air passage and having the bristle walls surrounding the openings.

According to embodiments, bristle distal end surfaces include various shapes and sizes, such as, a cylinder shape intersected with a plain shape, a dome shape, a triangle shape, a curvilinear shape, and a polyhedron shape.

Also, each bristle distal end surface having various numbers, shapes and sized bristle air passages are within the scope and contemplation of the invention.

For example, as shown in Figure 4, bristle 120 has a distal end circular top shape (Figure 4, top perspective), and plurality of bristle internal air passages 490 extending a greater distance into tip internal air passage 112 than the height of the bristle above tip surface 116 (Figure 4, side perspective cross- section). Moreover, shown in Figure 4, side perspective cross-section is a bristle having single internal air passage 491 extending into brush tip air passage 112 approximately a similar distance to that which the bristle extends above brush tip surface 116. Further, shown is a bristle having plurality of air passages 492 which do not extend into brush tip air passage 112, and a bristle having single internal air passage 493 which does not extend into brush tip air passage 112. Also, shown is a bristle having plurality of bristle air passages 494 that begin where the bristle exits tip surface 116, and air stream 370 exiting plurality of bristle air passages 494 and directed substantially perpendicular to and away from bristle distal end surface 420 of that bristle. Another bristle is shown having three air passages 495 each for directing a stream of air from three bristle distal end air openings 429. Finally, a bristle is shown with single hollow internal air passage 496 directing air to two bristle distal end air openings 425 to direct a stream of air from openings 425 and substantially away from bristle distal end surface 477.

Furthermore, tip surface air openings 430 may include numerous shapes, sizes and numbers of openings at each location similar to bristle distal end air openings described above with respect to opening 422, and openings 426, 429. For instance, as shown in Figure 3, brush tip 110 includes brush tip air openings 430 on brush tip surface 116 in open communication with brush tip air passage 112 and configured to direct tip internal air passage forced air 448 (provided from handle internal air passage forced air 348) out of brush tip air openings 430 in a direction substantially away from brush tip surface 116.

More particularly, air stream 470 is shown directed out of tip air opening 430 in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from brush tip surface 116.

Moreover, it is within the scope and contemplation of the invention that tip surface air openings, bristles, bristle air passages, bristle air stream directing, bristle distal end surfaces, and bristle distal end air openings may also be applied, as described above with regard to those on surface 116 and shown in Figure 4, may also be included on other brush tip surfaces, such as, surface 114, surface 164, and surface 166.

According to embodiments of the invention, various systems and devices may be used to provide for opening and closing of the hair styling brush handle/tip segments such that the brush tips are spaced apart or separated from each other and can then be brought together to press hair with a contact surface as described above with respect to Figure 2. For example, Figure 5 is a top perspective view and a side perspective view of a hair styling brush showing a lever to detachably couple the handles into locking and unlocking positions, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 5, hinge 150 allows second handle 180 and second tip 160 to pivot away from handle 130 and tip 110 to form angle'A' (Figure 5, side perspective view) between tip longitudinal access 518 and second tip longitudinal access 568. In addition, Figure 5 shows spring 525 to pivotally push handle 130 and second handle 180 apart from a closed position (e. g., see closed position 190 of Figure 1) and to open position 502. Though angle'A'as shown in the side perspective view of Figure 5, it is approximately 6°, angle'A'may be in the range between zero degrees and 180° (e. g., such as zero degrees when in the closed position and 5°-25° when in an open position). Also, although in Figure 5 spring 525 is shown to assist in opening or pivoting the handles apart from each other, various other devices and systems may be used, such as a coil, a torsion bar, a compression device (e. g., such as a piece of rubber, a piece of foam, and/or a piece of plastic), a tension device, a plastic device, pulleys, gears, and/or various other devices and materials to provide a separating force.

Figure 5 also shows adjuster 522 to adjust between locking position 540 and unlocking position 542, and cutout 534 to allow adjuster 522 to move or adjust between the locking position and unlocking position. Additionally, Figure 5 shows detachable coupling 536 to detachably couple brush handle 130 to second brush handle 180 such as via a linkage for translating adjustment of adjuster 522 to detachable coupling 536. Thus, a portion of hair can be pressed, locked or secured between tip 110 and 160 by pressing handles 130 and 180 toward each other and into a closed position and then adjusting adjuster 522 to locking position 540 so that detachable coupling 536 couples handle 130 to second handle 180 in the locking position. Otherwise, adjuster 522 can be adjusted to unlocking position 542 to allow handle 130 to be detached from handle 180 thus be moved to define open position 502. Moreover, alternate hinge positions, lever positions, adjuster positions, and detachable coupling positions may be used to allow second handle 180 and second tip 160 to pivot away from first handle 130 and first tip 110. For instance, a hinge cab be located off axis with respect to the plane dividing handle 130 from second handle 180 when the handles are closed, so that only one of the handles pivots and the other handle is in a fixed position with respect to that plane. Similarly, various levers, and detachable coupling locations, positions and orientations can be used as appropriate. For instance, demountable couplings may include technology having various connectors or systems such as those including a hole, a shaft, a flanged enclosure, a flange, a sleeve, threads, a clamp, a keeper, a key, a lock, a latch, a snap and fastener, and other various other locking and/or releasable attachments or couplings for attaching and releasing one handle from the other.

Embodiments of the invention also provide for a handle surface having a grip surface designed to be gripped with an inside of a hand, fingers and thumb that is disposed parallel to the posterior surfaces of the brush handles.

In addition, although the handle longitudinal axis and tip longitudinal axis for the handle and second handle are shown forming a slight angle with respect to each other, handles and tips having parallel axes or axes with various other angles with respect to each handle/tip segment are within the scope and contemplation of the invention.

Additionally, embodiments of the invention include one or more adapters for adapting the handle distal end coupling, hose coupling, or adapter cap to various shapes and sizes to be coupled to various forced air sources having different shaped and sized forced air output openings. For example, Figure 6 is a side perspective view of a hair styling brush showing a distal end coupling, hose, adapter, and inserts for coupling the brush to sources of forced air having different shaped and/or sized air output openings. As shown in Figure 6, coupling 140 is configured to be coupled to hose coupling attachment 157 on one end of hose 156 while adapter cap 159 couples the other end of hose 156 to adapter 158. Alternatively, adapter 158 can be directly coupled to coupling 140 or coupled to coupling 140 via a coupling attachment similar to attachment 157. Also, hose 156 may be various types diameters, and lengths of hose, such as a flexible hose between one foot and ten feet long. In addition, as shown in Figure 6, the adapter ring include a small insert 670 to attach or couple small dryer 672 to adapter 158. Alternatively, the adapter ring include a large insert 674 to attach or couple large dryer 676 to adapter 158.

In addition, embodiments of the invention provide a method for styling hair by brushing and drying the hair with various contact surfaces, bristles, and air streams provided by the hair styling brush. For example, brush handle 130 may be coupled via coupling 140 to a source of forced air 104 (e. g., the coupling may attach to the source via adapter 158, and small insert 670 or large insert 674). Air may then be forced into internal air passage 112 of brush tip 110 (e. g., such as is shown by forced air 348 of Figure 3). Forced air from internal air passage 112 may then be provided (e. g., as shown by forced air 448 of Figure 4) into a plurality of hair engaging bristles (e. g., bristles 120,124), where each bristle has a bristle distal end (e. g., ends 122,126) extending away from brush tip surface (e. g., surfaces 116,114). Then, streams of air may be directed from at least one bristle distal end opening (e. g., openings 122,126) of each bristles and in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from brush tip surfaces (e. g., surfaces 114,116). Thus, air streams may be directed, as shown by air streams 370 and 374 of Figure 3, and at openings 422,444, 446 and 448 of Figure 4. Moreover, second stream of air 470 may be directed from brush tip internal air passage 112 and out of a brush tip air opening 430 in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from brush tip surface (e. g., surfaces 114,116).

By using this system on two brush handles and tips, air can be forced into second internal air passage 162 of second brush tip 160 (e. g., as shown by forced air 350 of Figure 3). Thus, brush tip 110 can be separated from brush tip 160 to provide open position 502 and a portion of hair can be contacted between brush tip 110 and second brush tip 160 along a contact surface (e. g., such as contact surfaces described with respect to Figure 2) when the handles are in a closed position 190 (e. g., and may be locked as described with respect to locking position 540 of Figure 5). In this manner, forced air may be provided (e. g., as shown by forced air 448 of Figure 4) from second internal air passage 162 into a second plurality of hair engaging bristles (e. g., bristles 170, 174) each having second bristle distal ends (e. g., ends 172,176) extending away from second brush tip surfaces (e. g., surfaces 164,166). Then, a third stream of air may be directed out of at least one second bristle distal end opening (e. g., openings 172,176) and in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the second brush tip surface (e. g., surfaces 164, 166). Thus, third air streams may be directed, as shown at air stream 376 and 378 of Figure 3, and at bristle distal end openings 422,424, 426 and 428 of Figure 4).

The contact surface used to press, secure, and style the hair provided includes a surface defined by the plurality of bristles of the brush tips (e. g., such as bristles 120,124, 170 and 174), and brush tip surfaces (e. g., such as surfaces 114,116, 164 and 166) and as described above with respect to Figure 2.

Finally, a fourth stream of air may be directed from second brush tip internal air passage 162 and out of second plurality of brush tip air openings 430 in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the second brush tip surface (e. g., surfaces 164,166) as shown by air stream 470. In this way, the invention provides an adequate, effective and efficient single hair styling brush with various contact surfaces for curling hair, straightening hair, and for providing air streams for drying the hair while being curled, straightened, or styled otherwise. Furthermore, various other styling devices, methods, chemicals, products, and treatments can be used in concert with the hair styling brush embodiments. For instance, the use of sprays, lotions, chemicals, products, solutions, mist, steam, treatment vapors, forced air sources, vacuum, brushes, combs, heat lamps, light, and other liquids, gases, materials and devices with the hair styling brush is within the scope and contemplation of the invention.

Additionally, embodiments of the hair styling brush may include different length, sized and shaped handles, tips, hinges, and couplings having various cross-sectional shapes, various lengths, various heating capabilities, various curling capabilities, various straightening capabilities, various flattening capabilities, various surface materials, and various functions for providing the desired curling, styling, and/or flattening. In one embodiment, for instance, the hair styling brush has a total length on the order of 210 millimeters ("mm"), brush tips on the order of 90 mm of magnitude of length, and is coupled to a hose in the range of approximately five feet in length to six feet in length. Moreover, the adapter may have a total length on the order of 60 mm in length and the small insert or large insert may have a length on the order of 15 mm in length.

Furthermore, an embodiment where both tips have a generally semi- circular shaped cross-section formed by a generally convex curve intersected with a generally flat cross-sectional shape may have a distance on the order of approximately 42 mm between the two points where the generally convex curve intersects the generally flat cross-sectional shape, and a distance of approximately 20 mm from the midpoint of the generally convex curve to the midpoint of the generally flat cross-sectional shape. Thus, the inner brush tip surface may have a dimension of approximately 90 mm in length by 42 mm in width, and may include approximately ten widthwise rows of bristles along its length, where each row has approximately five bristles spaced across the width of the inner surface at increments of approximately 8 mm. Furthermore, shorter length bristles may have a height on the order of approximately 5 mm while longer length bristles may have a height on the order of approximately 7 mm to 10 mm. Thus, a bristle configuration including widthwise rows of longer bristles and widthwise rows of shorter bristles consecutively placed along the tip length so that each widthwise row of bristles is placed 8 mm along the length way from the previous row is within the scope and contemplation of the invention.

Also in an embodiment, bristles are located at the curve cross-sectional portion where the generally convex curve joins or curves into the generally flat cross-sectional shape, as well as along the generally convex curve cross- sectional shape. Thus, a generally semicircular shaped cross-sectional tip having a total width from the distal end of bristles, may have an overall width on the order of approximately 62 mm extending widthwise from its surface on one end to those extending widthwise on its surface to the other end from bristle distal end to opposing bristle distal end. Next, according to embodiments having brush tips with generally rectangular shaped cross- sections, the tip inner surface may have a wider generally flat cross-sectional shape width on the order of approximately 42 mm, and a tip shorter side surface generally flat cross-sectional shape height of approximately 12 mm in length. Finally, when in the closed position an embodiment may have gaps between the tip inner surfaces, or generally flat cross-sectional shapes of the tips, of approximately 7 mm to 10 mm in distance.

Components, handles, grips, tips, levers, hinges, couplings, bristles, bristle ends, and other parts of the hair styling brush within the scope and contemplation of the invention include those fabricated by various methods and with various materials, such as, forging, casting, injection molding, milling, carving, fastening, shaping, depositing, etching, doping, and forming from various materials including metals, plastics, wood, cork, rubber, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, alloyed, composite, porcelain, resin, epoxy, semiconductor materials, and various other appropriate materials and methods.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

CLAIMS What is claimed: 1. A hair styling brush comprising: a handle having a handle internal air passage in open communication with a distal end coupling; a tip comprising: a tip internal air passage; a tip proximate end coupled to a handle proximate end such that the handle air passage is in open communication with the tip air passage; and a plurality of hair engaging bristles comprising: a bristle distal end extending away from a tip surface; and at least one bristle air passage in open communication with the tip air passage and configured to direct an air stream from the tip air passage and out of the bristle distal end.

2. The hair styling brush of claim 1, wherein the tip further comprises a plurality of tip air openings through the tip surface and in open communication with the tip air passage, wherein the tip air openings are configured to direct an air stream from the tip air passage and out of the tip air openings in a direction substantially away from the tip surface.

3. The hair styling brush of claim 1, wherein the at least one bristle air passage is configured to direct an air stream out of the bristle distal end and in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from the tip surface.

4. The hair styling brush of claim 1, wherein the bristle distal end comprises at least one bristle distal end air opening configured to direct an air stream from the at least one bristle air passage and out of the bristle distal end air opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to and away from a bristle distal end surface.