Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
HAIR ROLLERS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/097132
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A hair roller comprising a rigid roller body and resilient end members, wherein the resilient end members are movable between a folded configuration to trap hair on the roller body and an un-folded configuration to release the trapped hair.

Inventors:
CHAN CHIN SUN (CN)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2013/061015
Publication Date:
June 26, 2014
Filing Date:
December 17, 2013
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
DICKSON INDUSTRIAL CO LTD (CN)
Foreign References:
CN1046843A1990-11-14
CN102370311A2012-03-14
US20040149304A12004-08-05
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CWL PARTNERS (Tesbury Centre,28 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, CN)
Download PDF:
Claims:
A hair roller comprising a rigid roller body and at least one resilient end member, wherein the rigid roller body comprises a first axial end and a second axial end, the first and second axial ends being on opposite axial ends of the rigid roller body; and wherein the resilient end member is movable between a folded configuration to trap hair on the roller body and an un-folded configuration to release the trapped hair.

A hair roller according to Claim 1 , wherein the rigid roller body is elongate and extends axially along a longitudinal axis, and the resilient end member is hollow.

A hair roller according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the resilient end member extends axially away from both the first and the second axial ends when in the unfolded configuration; and wherein the resilient end member extends from the first axial end towards the second axial end when in the folded configuration such that at least an axial portion of the rigid roller body is surrounded by the portion of the resilient end member extending between the first and second axial ends.

A hair roller according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the resilient end member flares as it extends away from the rigid roller body.

A hair roller according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein a circular collar is defined on an axial end of the resilient end member most distal from the rigid roller body when in the unfolded configuration and the circular collar surrounds the rigid roller body when the resilient end member is in the folded configuration; and/or wherein the circular collar includes a solid rim, and the solid rim has a circular cross-section..

6. A hair roller according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the resilient end member is integrally molded of a resilient material such as rubber or silicone rubber.

7. A hair roller according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the rigid roller boy is tubular, and/or wherein the rigid roller boy is metallic, ceramic, or plastic.

8. A hair roller according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein a circumferential projection is formed on and around the second axial end of the rigid roller body and the resilient end member cooperates with the circumferential projection when in the folded configuration to define a heat trapping compartment for hair retention and styling.

9. A hair roller according to any of Claims 1 -8, wherein a first resilient end member is formed on the first axial end of the rigid roller body and a second resilient end member is formed on the second axial end of the rigid roller body, and wherein the first and second resilient end members extend axially away from the rigid roller body and away from each other when in the unfolded configuration.

10. A hair roller according to Claim 9, wherein the free ends of the first and second resilient end members cooperate to define a heat trapping compartment in which hair is to be held when in the folded configuration during use.

1 1 . A hair roller according to Claims 9 or 10, wherein a circular collar is defined on an axial end of the resilient end member most distal from the rigid roller body when in the unfolded configuration, and the circular collars of the first and the second resilient end members surround the rigid roller body when the resilient end members are in the folded configuration.

12. A hair roller according to Claim 1 1 , wherein the circular collar includes a solid rim, and the solid rim has a circular cross-section.

13. A hair roller according to Claims 1 1 or 12, wherein the circular collars of the first and the second resilient end members are in urging contact to cooperate to form the heat trapping compartment when in the folded configuration during use.

14. A hair roller according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the first and the second resilient end members are to urge against each other to remain folded when in the folded configuration.

15. An electric hair curling iron comprising a hair roller according to any of the preceding Claims and a handle portion, wherein the rigid hair roller body extends from the handle portion and the resilient end member extends from an axial end of the handle portion not connected to the handle portion; and wherein electric heating elements are mounted inside the rigid hair roller body to supply hair curling heat.

Description:
HAIR ROLLERS

HbtD

[001] The present disclosure relates to hair styling devices such as hair rollers.

BACKGROUND [002] Hair rollers are hair styling devices that are used for hair curling. A hair roller typically comprises a hollow cylindrical roller body. In use, the roller body is heated and hair is then wrapped on the heated roller to bring about curling by heat transfer from the roller body to the wrapped hair while in contact with the roller body. [003] Hair retention mechanisms such as clamps are usually provided to hold the hair onto the roller during use. Known retention mechanisms of hair rollers are not entirely satisfactory as they tend to get tangled with hair during the hair wrapping process.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES [004] The disclosure will be described by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hair roller according to the disclosure,

Figure 1 A is an exploded view of the hair roller of Figure 1 ,

Figure 1 B is an electric hair curling iron comprising a hair roller according to the disclosure,

Figure 2 is the hair roller of Figure 1 in a folded configuration,

Figure 3 is the hair roller of Figure 1 in a configuration intermediate the folded and unfolded configurations, Figure 4 is a perspective view of another hair roller in a folded configuration, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the hair roller of Figure 4 in an unfolded configuration. DESCRIPTION

[005] A hair roller comprising a rigid roller body and at least one resilient end member is disclosed. The rigid roller body comprises a first axial end and a second axial end. The first and second axial ends are on opposite axial ends of the rigid roller body. The at least on resilient end member may be on the first axial end or the second axial end. The resilient end member is movable between a folded configuration to trap hair on the roller body and an un-folded configuration to release the trapped hair.

[006] In use, the hair roller is heated and hair is wrapped on the outer periphery of the heated roller. The resilient end member is then moved into the folded configuration to define a hair trap such that hair is trapped in a space between the rigid roller body and the folded resilient end member to bring about curling by heat transfer from the roller body to the wrapped hair while in thermal contact with the roller body. After use, the resilient end member is returned to its unfolded configuration, for example, by finger push or pull coupled with resilient of the resilient member, to release trapped hair.

[007] The projecting portion of the resilient end member that projects away from or beyond the rigid roller body is hollow so that the projecting portion is foldable in a reverse axial direction to form a hair trap in the folded configuration. The reverse axial direction is opposite to the forward axial direction which is the direction along which the resilient end member projects when in the unfolded configuration. [008] The resilient end member is made of thermal insulating materials such as rubber, for example synthetic rubber or silicone rubber, so that heat for curling hair is better kept within the hair trap. The folded resilient end member is to form a compressive trap to hold hair compressively on the heated roller body while in the folded configuration.

[009] In general, the rigid roller body is elongate and extends axially along a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the roller body may have a concave, convex or bulged, or partial spherical shape between the two axial ends. In some embodiments, the roller body may have a wavy and or serrated profile along its length between the two axial ends.

[0010] In some embodiments, the resilient end member flares in the forward axial direction as it extends away from the rigid roller body.

[001 1 ] In some embodiments, a circular collar is defined on an axial end of the resilient end member most distal from the rigid roller body when in the unfolded configuration and the circular collar surrounds the rigid roller body when the resilient end member is in the folded configuration. The circular collar may include a solid rim, and the solid rim has a circular cross-section. A solid vim provides enhanced tightening strength on the roller body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the resilient end member is integrally molded of a resilient material such as rubber or silicone rubber.

[0013] The resilient member may be detachable from the rigid roller body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the rigid roller boy is tubular. In some embodiments, electric heating elements are mounted inside the rigid roller body.

[0015] The rigid roller boy may be metallic, ceramic, or plastic, or any materials suitable for use as hair rollers.

[0016] In some embodiments, a circumferential projection is formed on and around an axial end of the rigid roller body. The circumferential projection defines an orthogonally extending wall projecting orthogonally from the roller body. The resilient end member is to cooperate with the circumferential projection when in the folded configuration to define a heat trapping compartment for hair retention and styling. [0017] In some embodiments, a first resilient end member is formed on the first axial end of the rigid roller body and a second resilient end member is formed on the second axial end of the rigid roller body. Each of the first and second resilient end members extends axially away from the rigid roller body and away from each other when in the unfolded configuration. The first and second resilient end members extend axially towards each other in the reverse axial direction when in the folded configuration.

[0018] The free ends of the first and second resilient end members are to cooperate to define a heat trapping compartment or 'hair trap' in which hair is to be held when in the folded configuration during use. [0019] In some embodiments, the circular collars of the first and the second resilient end members are in urging contact to cooperate to form the heat trapping compartment when in the folded configuration during use.

[0020] The first and the second resilient end members may be urging against each other to remain folded when in the folded configuration. [0021 ] In some embodiments, the resilient end member has a folded length which extends across the entire or nearly the entire length of the roller body such that a single resilient end member is sufficient.

[0022] In some embodiments, the hair roller is part of an electric hair curling iron. The electric hair curling iron comprises a handle portion, a rigid roller body extending axially from the handle portion, and a resilient end member extending from an axial end of the rigid roller body not connected to the handle portion. Electric heating elements such as ceramic heaters or PTC heaters may be mounted inside the rigid roller body to supply hair curling heat during operation. [0023] A hair roller 100 of Figures 1 to 3 comprises a rigid roller body 110 and a pair of resilient end members 120, 130. The rigid roller body 110 is tubular and a curling curvature is defined by the perimeter of its outer periphery. The tubular roller body is to be heated for use and may be made of metal, ceramic, plastics or other heat resistant materials. The tubular roller body may comprise a metallic tube, a plastic tube, a ceramic tube, or a combination thereof. The metal tube can be formed by extrusion or otherwise from anodized aluminum, steel, copper or other metallic substances.

[0024] The roller body 110 is elongate and extends axially to define a longitudinal direction. The axial length of the roller body may be between 10-15 cm for most practical applications, but variations in length to suit actual applications are of course possible without loss of generality. The curling curvature or curl setting dimension of the roller body is defined by the extent or depth of the hair roller in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The curl setting dimension may have a diameter of between 1 .5 cm and 3 cm, although other curl setting dimensions are possible.

[0025] The resilient end members 120, 130 are attached to the roller body at the opposite free axial ends. Each of the end members120, 130 comprises a hollow resilient body which is defined by a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has a circular or substantially circular cross section in a direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. In one aspect, the peripheral wall can be considered as an ensemble of circular resilient bands aggregated in the axial direction. In another aspect, the peripheral wall has an overall frusto-conical shape. The resilient end member flares as it extends axially away from the rigid roller body. In one perspective, the free axial end of the resilient member has the shape of the hollow end of a trumpet. The flared free end of the resilient end member further defines an end collar member. The end collar member has a circular cross-section filled with the resilient material to provide additional hair holding strength. The solid circular cross-section at the end of the flared portion means that the material thickness at the flared end is higher than that proximal the rigid roller body.

[0026] The resilient end member is integrally moulded of a resilient material such as rubber, silicone rubber, or other heat resistant resilient substances. The resilient end members are substantially identical in shape and dimensions and the pair of resilient end members are attached to the opposite axial ends of the roller body such that the resilient end members are of mirror symmetry about a central plane dividing the hair roller in two axial halves.

[0027] The flared or frusto-conical shape of the hollow resilient end members is to facilitate the end members to be moveable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration to be explained in more detail below. In selecting the resilient material for the resilient end member, one of the main criteria is that the resilient end members when in the folded configuration have a sufficient strength to hold a bunch of hair on the hair roller. [0028] Referring to Figure 1 A, the rigid roller body 100 comprises a tubular portion 102, a first cap member 104 and a second end cap member 106. The tubular portion comprises a tubular member 1022, a bore portion 1024 inside and coaxial with the tubular member 1022, and an internal grid structure interconnecting the bore portion and the tubular member. The grid structure comprises a plurality of radially extending fin-shaped members 1026. The fin- shaped members 1026 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the bore portion and cooperate to define a plurality of axially extending compartments between the bore portion and the tubular member. The first end cap member! 04 and the second end cap member 106 are fastened to the axial ends of the tubular member 1022 and are interconnected by a plurality of axially extending connector members 1042. The connector members 1042 are evenly distributed around the end cap members and extend through alternate compartments. As depicted in Figure 1 A, the connector members 1022 extend axially from the first end cap member 104 and a plurality of mating apertures complementary to the connector members 1022 is defined on the second end cap member 106 to facilitate mated engagement with free ends of the connector members 1022 whereby tightened fastening of the first and second end cap members 104, 106 onto the tubular member is facilitated. The first 120 and second 130 resilient end members are respectively fitted onto the first and second end cap members 104, 106 such that rotatory force applied to one resilient end member will be transmitted to the other resilient end member through the rigid internal grid structure.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the hair roller is moveable between the unfolded configuration of Figure 1 and the folded configuration of Figure 3, with the semi-folded configuration of Figure 2 intermediate the folded and unfolded configurations. In the fully unfolded configuration of Figure 1 , the hair roller is in the longest configuration with the resilient end members fully extend in the axial manner. In the fully folded configuration of Figure 3, the hair roller is at the shortest configuration with the resilient end members fully retracted towards each other in the axial or longitudinal direction. When the resilient end members are in the folded configuration, the end collars are in contact with each other to define a heat trapping compartment and/or a hair trapping compartment in cooperation with the roller body. Because of the resilience of the resilient material, the resilient end members, or more exactly the end collar members, are urging against each other by the spring resilience of the peripheral wall to maintain a closed compartment. When in the intermediate configuration of Figure 2, the resilient members are midway between the positions of Figures 1 and 3 and exposing a middle portion of the roller body. [0030] In use, the hair roller is heated, for example, by a steam heating box or curler heating elements. The heated hair roller when in its fully unfolded configuration is applied to the hair such that the length of the roller body is substantially orthogonal to the direction of hair running. After the hair is placed in the proximity of the hair to be styled, a bunch of hair is wrapped around the roller body such that the hair will follow the curvature or outline defined by the roller body. After the bunch of hair is wrapped on the hair roller, the resilient end members are pushed backwards towards each other until the end collars are in touching contact with each other to form the hair trapping compartment and/or the hair heating compartment. The resilience of the resilient end members will automatically push the resilient members to the folded configuration once a critical non-return position has passed.

[0031 ] After the hair trapping compartment operates to hold the hair on the roller, heat and tension will be applied to the trapped hair by the hair roller in its folded configuration to style the hair according to the shape defined by the roller body. Since the resilient end members are to cooperate with the roller body to form a hair heating compartment, it is beneficial that the resilient end members are heat insulating. As such, it is beneficial if the resilient end members are made of a heat resistant and thermally insulating material to mitigate heat loss to the ambient during use. Silicone rubber is a good example of such materials. After styling has been done, the trapped hair will be released by pushing the resilient end members away from each other to the fully unfolded configuration.

[0032] In an example depicted in Figures 4 and 5, the hair roller 200 comprises a rigid roller body 210 and a resilient end member 220. The rigid roller body is similar to that of the rigid roller body 110 and comprises a tubular body having a first and second axial ends. Similarly, the tubular body of the rigid roller body may be made of plastics, ceramics, metal, carbon fibers composite or other materials suitable for use as hair rollers. The resilient end member 220 is similar to the resilient end members 120, 130 of the first example and the descriptions on both the rigid roller body 110 and each of the resilient end members 120, 130 are incorporated herein by reference and adapted mutatis mutandis where appropriate to describe the roller body 210 and the resilient end member 220.

[0033] Compared to the hair roller of Figures 1 to 3, only a resilient end member 220 is formed on the first axial end of the rigid roller body and a circumferential projection 240 is formed on the second axial end. The axial length of the resilient end member is about the same or slightly longer than the axial length of the rigid roller body 210 such that the hair retaining portion of the rigid roller body can be fully received by a bag or receptacle defined when the resilient end member 220 is in the folded configuration. The circumferential projection 240 at the second axial end of the rigid roller body cooperate with the resilient end member 220 to define a hair trapping compartment for heated hair styling under roller tension. In use, the resilient end member 220 is fully extended to the unfolded configuration when the free end of the resilient end member is most distal from the rigid roller body 210 and hair is rolled onto the roller body. The hair thus rolled will follow the orthogonal outline, that is, outline in direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the rigid roller body, of the rigid roller body. After hair has been rolled onto the rigid roller body, the resilient end member is fully 220 retracted to the folded direction to cooperate with the circumferential projection to define the hair trapping compartment. After hair has been styled, the resilient end member will be returned to its unfolded configuration to release hair.

[0034] An electric hair curling iron 300 is depicted in Figure 1 B. The electric hair curling iron comprises a handle portion 140, and a hair roller 100, 200 mounted on an axial end of the handle portion. Electric heating elements (not shown) are installed inside the hair roller body 110 and a power supply (not shown) is supply power to the heating elements is connected to the handle portion 140.

[0035] While the present disclosure has been explained with reference to the above examples, it should be appreciated that the examples are non-limiting illustrative examples only. For example, while the roller body of Figure 1 comprises a tubular portion defining a cylindrical curling surface, the roller body may have a non-circular hair styling outline such as polygonal, star or other shaped outlines without loss of generality.