CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/392,712, filed July 27, 2022.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a head for hair tools, and more specifically to a hair tool head having an oval cross section where a portion of the back of the hair tool head is open. The hair tool head may be used with heated and non-heated hair tools, including but not limited to traditional hair brushes, hot air brushes, hair dryers, diffusers for hair dryers, curling irons, straightening irons, and hair rollers. The present disclosure further relates to methods of using the disclosed hair tool head to reduce drying time for hair, reduce hair frizz, reduce damage to hair occurring during hairstyling and/or hair drying, increase the length of time that hair keeps a curl and/or a flip (the “set” of the curl or flip), and lessen user fatigue during the hairstyling process.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventionally, the head of hair brushes and other hair styling tools have either a flat surface that interacts with the hair, such as that associated with a paddle brush, or the heads are cylindrical in shape. Typically, hair tool heads that are cylindrical are right circular cylinders having normally circular cross sections of equal area. The term “normally” used herein means “in a direction normal to a tangent at a specified point.” An example of a hair tool that has a right circular cylindrical head is a traditional curling iron or a hair roller. Another example is a “round brush,” which is a manual brush that is known in the art and is typically used during the process of blowing hair dry. Conventionally, the “round brush” has a hollow, cylindrical head with a round (circular) cross section that is the same diameter throughout the length of the head. Right circular cylindrical heads are also commonly used for hot air brushes. Hot air brushes are hair appliances that force hot air through a brush head that is vented. [0004] In addition to right circular cylindrical hair tool heads, some hair tools that are known in the art have a head that is in the shape of an oval cylinder having normally oval cross-sections of equal area. As examples, ovular hot air brushes and ovular (manual) hair brushes are available commercially.

[0005] One common use of cylindrical brush heads, whether they are round or ovular, is to create curls or flips during the hairstyling and/or hair drying process. To create these effects, the user winds a portion of hair around the perimeter of the brush head by turning the tool, typically at least one full rotation (and often several rotations depending on the length of the hair). The user then releases the tension on the wound hair and removes the brush head from the hair. Because the hair is typically heated during this styling process, the winding of the hair can create curls or, if used only primarily on the ends of the hair, a flip.

[0006] Cylindrical brush heads typically have bristles that cover the full surface of the brush head, i.e., the bristles surround the entire perimeter of the hair tool head. During styling with such tools, the bristles are thus continually in contact with the hair. The use of hair tools have cylindrical brush heads often creates tangles, which can sometimes be intractable. Tangling can occur for many reasons, including but not limited to situations where the hair is wound too tightly around the brush head, where each layer of hair wound around the brush head is not uniformly taut, where the hair wound around the brush hair is distributed unevenly along the length of the brush head, and/or where the hair becomes otherwise snagged in the bristles. The tangling from typical cylindrical brushes can cause discomfort during the hairstyling process as well as broken hair strands. Tangling further also can affect the shape and “setting” of the curl and flips as well as slowing down the hair drying and hair styling process.

[0007] Use of the typical cylindrical brush head also is known to cause fatigue. Significant effort is required to wind the hair onto the head, particularly when the hair is wound multiple times around the hair tool head. Removing the hair tool head from the wound hair also puts strain on the user as the hair must be tugged free of the head surface and/or its bristles.

[0008] There is a need for a hair tool head that has a reduced likelihood of tangling during the hairstyling process There is also always a need for a hair tool head that will speed hair drying time and/or more quickly dissipate heat into the hair during hairstyling, either of which will reduce the amount of heat damage associated with the hair drying and hairstyling process. Further, there is a need for a hair tool head that can lessen the fatigue associated with using hair tools having traditional cylindrical brush heads.

SUMMARY

[0009] In general, the embodiments of the present application relating to a hair tool head comprising a head body that has an oval cross-section and a back surface that is open in whole or in part.

[00010] In some non-limiting embodiments of the invention, the head body is in the shape of a hollow oval cylinder having normally oval cross-sections of equal area, wherein the oval cross-section has a major axis that is longer than the minor axis of the oval. In such embodiments, the head body has a front surface, two side surfaces, and a back surface, and the distance from the bottom of the front surface of the head body to the top of the front surface of the head body can be defined as having a length I. At least a portion of the back surface of the head body in these embodiments is missing or open. In certain exemplary embodiments, the missing portion of the back surface of the head body extends substantially the entire length I of the back surface of the head body. In other embodiments, the missing portion of the back surface of the head body is substantially the entirety of the back surface of the head body.

[00011] In other non-limiting embodiments of the invention, the head body is in the shape of a hollow, oval concave cylinder. In such embodiments, the head body has normally oval cross section at the bottom and top edges of the front surface of the head body that is larger than a normally oval cross section at the midpoint thereof. In addition to the front surface, the head body in these embodiments has two side surfaces, and a back surface. Additionally, the distance from the bottom of the front surface of the head body to the top of the front surface of the head body can be defined as having a length I At least a portion of the back surface of the head body is missing or open. In certain exemplary embodiments, the missing portion of the back surface of the head body extends substantially the entire length I of the back surface of the head body. In other embodiments, the missing portion of the back surface of the head body is substantially the entirety of the back surface of the head body. [00012] In some embodiments of the invention, the hair tool head further comprises one or more bristles, a carpet structure comprised of hooks and/or loops, or a combination of the one or more bristles and the carpet structure. The bristles and/or the carpet structure are attached to at least a portion of one surface of the head body. In some embodiments, the bristles and/or the carpet structure are attached to at least a portion of front surface of the heady body and a portion of both side surfaces of the head body. In other embodiments, the bristles and/or the carpet structure are attached to at least a portion of one or both side surfaces of the head body but are not attached to the front surface of the head body.

[00013] In some embodiments of the invention, the hair tool head is a component of a hair tool. As non-limiting examples, such hair tools may be manual hair brushes. In other examples, the hair tool may be a hair appliance, including but not limited to, a hot air brush, a hair dryer, a diffuser for a hair dryer, a curling iron, a straightening iron, hair rollers, or a combination thereof.

[00014] Embodiments of the present application also relate to a method of improving the drying speed of hair, wherein the method comprises using hair tools that have the hair tool head of the present invention on wet or damp hair. Other embodiments including methods for reducing user fatigue associated with the hair styling and/or hair drying process. Such a method comprises using hair tools having the hair tool head of the present invention during the hair styling and/or drying process, where the reduced weight of the hair tool head helps counter fatigue associated with the drying or styling process. Methods for reducing hair damage, reducing hair frizz, improving the “set” of curls and flips are also contemplated.

[00015] These and various other features, as well as advantages, which characterize the present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in any way as to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00016] The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when combined with the drawings in which like reference characters identify the corresponding components of the invention. It should be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope; the description may admit to other equally effective aspects.

[00017] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an example of the hair tool head of the present invention in the form of an oval cylindrical head having a portion of the back of the head that is open.

[00018] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an example of the hair tool head of the present invention in the form of a concave oval cylindrical head having a portion of the back of the head that is open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00019] The detailed description set forth below, in combination with the figures, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details.

[00020] Based on the teachings herein, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure, whether implemented independently of, or in combination with, any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus and methods of how it may be made and/or used, including apparatuses and methods using other structure, functionality known in the art other than what is herein disclosed. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

[00021] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

[00022] Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses or objectives. Rather, aspects of the disclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different technologies, structural configurations, fabrics, metals, and materials, some of which are illustrated by way of example in the figures and in the description herein. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting.

[00023] The present invention encompasses hair tool heads where the hair tool head is configured (i) as an oval cylinder having oval cross-sections of equal area, as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, or (ii) as a concave oval cylinder having oval cross sections at the top and bottom portions of the hair tool head that are larger than the oval cross sections in the middle portions of the hair tool head, as depicted in FIGS. 6-9.

[00024] The hair tool head of the present invention can be described as having a front and a back, which correspond to the longer sides of the oval cross sections of the ovular cylinder, and two sides, which correspond to the shorter sides of the oval cross sections of the ovular cylinder. In the invention, at least a portion of the back of the hair tool head is open.

[00025] As noted above, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate embodiments of the present invention where a hair tool 100 has a hair tool head 10 that is configured as an oval cylinder having oval crosssections of equal area.

[00026] FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of the hair tool 100 and the hair tool head 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the hair tool 100 has a handle 1, the hair tool head 10 of the present invention, and a cap 3. The length of the hair tool head 10 from the bottom of the hair tool head, i.e., where the handle attaches, to the top of the hair tool head, i.e., where the cap may attach, is indicated with an I. Two types of bristles, 4 and 6, are also indicated.

[00027] In FIG. 1, the cap 3 has been removed from the hair tool head 10. In some embodiments, the cap 3 is removably attached to the hair tool head 10. In other embodiments, the cap 3 may be permanently attached to the hair tool head 10. In further embodiments, the hair tool may have no cap attached to, or attachable to, the hair tool head 10.

[00028] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the hair tool 100 and the hair tool head 10. Comparisons of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 highlight that the hair tool head 10 is in the shape of an oval cylinder given that the depth d of the hair tool head 10, which is shown in FIG. 2, is less than its width w of the hair tool head 10, which is shown in FIG. 1. [00029] As noted above, in the invention at least a portion of the back of the hair tool head is open. In each of the Figures that depict the back of the hair tool heads, i.e., FIGS. 3, 5, and 8, the open portions of the hair tool head are indicated in solid black.

[00030] FIG. 3 illustrates one potential configuration of the back of the hair tool head 10. In this non-limiting example, the open portion 7 of the back of the hair tool head 10 extends the entire length I of the hair tool head 10. Another potential configuration of the back of the hair tool head 10 is shown in FIG. 5. In this non-limiting example, the open portion 9 of the back of the hair tool head 10 is less than the length I of the hair tool head 10.

[00031] FIG. 3 further illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where the open portion 7 of the back of the hair tool head 10 is relatively narrow in width compared to the full width w of the hair tool head. In other embodiments of the present invention, such as that shown in FIG. 5, the open portion 9 of the back of the hair tool head 10 may be more than half of the full width w of the hair tool head. In further non-limiting examples, the open portion may span most of the back of the hair tool head. In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the open portion of the back of the hair tool head may span the entire back of the hair tool head.

[00032] FIG. 3 also illustrates an example of the invention where the open portion 7 of the hair tool head 10 is centered width-wise along the back of the head. This positioning is only illustrative of the present invention, however. In other embodiments, the open portion of the hair tool head may be positioned off center or positioned entirely right of, or left of, the center of the back of the hair tool head. Likewise, while the open portion 9 of the back of the hair tool head 10 in FIG. 5 is depicted as being centered both width-wide and length-wise on the back surface of the hair tool head, the open portion of the hair tool head can be positioned at any location on the back of the hair tool head.

[00033] The shape of the open portion of the hair tool head also is not required to be rectangular or square; instead the opening could be of any shape, including but not limited to a shape that is a design such as a logo.

[00034] FIG. 4 provides a cross-sectional view of the hair tool head 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-4. The width of the hair tool head 10, i.e., the distance from one side of the hair tool head to the other side of the hair tool head, is the length of the major axis of the oval cross-section and is indicated with a w in FIG. 4. The depth of the hair tool head 10, i .e., the distance from the front of the hair tool head to the back of the hair tool head, is the length of the minor axis of the oval cross-section and is indicated with a d in FIG. 4. The gap in the perimeter of the oval crosssection corresponds to the open portion of the hair tool head.

[00035] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention where the hair tool head is configured as a concave oval cylinder having oval cross sections at the top and bottom portions of the hair tool head that are larger than the oval cross sections in the middle portions of the hair tool head.

[00036] FIG. 6 illustrates the front view of the hair tool 200 and the hair tool head 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the hair tool 200 has a handle 1, a hair tool head 20 of the present invention, and an optional cap 3. The length of the hair tool head 20 from the bottom of the hair tool head, i.e., where the handle attaches, to the top of the hair tool head, i.e., where the cap is attached, is indicated with a I. The hair tool head 20 is concave in shape when viewed from the front, with the widest portions w+ of the hair tool head 20 being at the top and bottom of the hair tool head 20 and the narrowest portions w- of the hair tool head 20 being midway between said top and bottom portions.

[00037] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the hair tool 200 and the hair tool head 20. Comparisons of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 highlight that the hair tool head 20 is in the shape of a concave oval. The depths d of the hair tool head 20, indicated as d+ and d- in FIG. 7, are less than the widths of the hair tool head 20, indicated as w+ and - in FIG. 6.

[00038] FIG. 8 illustrates one potential configuration of the back of the hair tool head 20. In this non-limiting example, the open portion 11 of the back of the hair tool head 20 extends the entire length I of the hair tool head 20 and is in the same shape associated with the hair tool head 20. Other potential configurations of the open portions of the hair tool head 20 are also contemplated. As non-limiting examples, the open portion could extend less than the entire length I of the hair tool head 20, the opening could be positioned at any location on the back of the hair tool head 20, and the opening could be of any shape.

[00039] FIG. 9 provides cross-sectional views of the hair tool head 20 depicted in FIGS. 6-8. For simplicity, two cross-sectional views are provided. The first view at the top left of FIG. 9 is a view of the cross-section at the top and bottom of the hair tool head 20, i.e., where the oval cylinder is at its largest width w’+ and its largest depth d+. The second view at the lower right of FIG. 9 is a view of the cross-section at the middle of the hair tool head 20, i.e., where the oval cylinder is at its smallest width w- and its smallest depth d- The gaps in the perimeter of the oval cross-sections corresponds to the open portions 11 of the hair tool head 20.

[00040] As previously noted, FIGS. 1-9 do not describe the full scope of the invention.

[00041] For example, the hair tool heads 10 and 20 are depicted as having two types of bristles, denoted 5 and 6 in FIG. 1. Bristles, however, are optional for the hair tool heads of the present invention. In some embodiments, the hair tool heads are smooth. In other embodiments, the hair tool heads may have a permanent or temporary coating.

[00042] In further embodiments, the hair tool head may have hook and/or loop structures attached to some or all of the surfaces of the hair tool head. An example of hook and/or loop structures would be that of Velcro®. The use of hook and loop structures, which are optional, for hair has been previously described in applications such as U.S. Patent App. Nos. 15/944,186 and 16/653,653. Such uses and benefits are equally applicable here; the addition of hook and hoop structures may, for example, help smooth hair cuticles, increase hair shine, and/or speed the drying time of hair.

[00043] To the extent that bristles are included as part of the hair tool heads, such bristles may be of any shape or length, may be of one bristle type or any combination of any number of bristle types, and may be placed in any configurations about the hair tool head. In certain embodiments, the hair tool head may have both bristles and hook and/or loop structures attached to the surface of the hair tool head.

[00044] Additionally, while FIGS. 1-9 illustrate the use of the hair tool heads of the present invention in conjunction with manual hair brushes, the inventive heads may be used for other hair tools, including but not limited to hair appliances that apply heat and/or hot hair to hair. As non-limited examples, the hair tool heads of the present invention may be used as part of hot air brushes, hair dryers, diffusers for hair dryers, curling irons, straightening irons, or hair rollers.

[00045] In some non-limiting embodiments, a hair tool head of the present invention may be used in lieu of the standard hair tool head of a hot air brush. In one example of this embodiment, the open portion of the hair tool head may be sufficient to permit the hot air to pass through the hair. In another example, additional vents may be added to the hair tool head of the present invention to augment the open portion of the hair tool and allow the hot air produced by the hot air brush to more broadly distribute through the hair. [00046] In other non-limiting embodiment, the hair tool head of the present invention may be included as part of a hair dryer. As used in this patent application, the term hair dryer refers to a hand-held electrical device that blows out ambient or hot air; such devices typically consist of a barrel and a handle. As examples of this hair dryer embodiment of the present invention, the hair tool head of the present invention may be used in lieu of, in addition to, or as part of the barrel associated with a such conventional hair dryer. The hair tool head of the present invention also may be used as a hair diffuser or as a part of a hair diffuser, attaching to the hair dryer and enabling the user to use the hair tool head as part of the hair drying and/or styling process.

[00047] In further embodiments, the hair tool head of the present invention may be used in lieu of all, in addition to, or as a portion of the barrel or rod of a curling iron. As used in this patent application, the term curling iron refers to a hand-held electrical device having a heated rod or barrel. The curling iron create curls by applying heat to hair that is wound around the rod or barrel.

[00048] The hair tool head of the present invention further may be used in lieu of one or both of the plates associated with a straightening iron. As used in this patent application, the term straightening iron refers to a hand-held electrical device whereby hair is pressed between two heated plates or rods to style hair.

[00049] The hair tool head of the present invention may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic, foam, rubber, silicone, metal, or cloth. Such material is present at the front and both sides of the hair tool head. Because at least a portion of the back of the hair tool head is open, the material is thus absent from the open portion of the head. As noted above, in some embodiments, most or almost all of the back of the head is open, which has the environmental advantage of reducing the amount of material required for the hair tool head.

[00050] The hair tool heads of the present invention have multiple advantages over conventional cylindrical hair tool heads. First, because a portion of the head is open at the back, the hair tool head will be lighter. The lighter weight will make it more likely that the user can execute curls and flips. When the hair is placed around the inventive head, the overall weight of the tool also will be lighter. The tool will thus be less likely to pull and deform the shape of the curls and flips, allowing these effects to last longer compared to conventional hair tool heads. The lighter weight will also help reduce fatigue during hair styling and be particularly useful for those with arthritis, carpal tunnel, and other injuries or conditions that may impact hand function. [00051 ] Additionally, the hair tool heads of the present invention will allow better air flow given the open portion of the back of the hair tool head. This will result in faster drying of hair. Similarly, the open portions of the hair tool heads of the present invention will allow heat to penetrate the hair more quickly when heat is applied as part of the styling process, enabling faster styling of the hair compared to conventional hair tool heads. The faster drying time and/or styling time associated with the present invention will mean less overall heat damage to the hair. The head of the present invention thus is likely to preserve hair strength, reduce hair frizz associated with heat damage, and create curls or flips that set better and last longer compared to using hair tool heads that do not have an open back portion.

[00052] Compared to traditional hair tool heads, the hair tool heads of the present invention also are less likely to become tangled in the hair. A portion of the hair tool head is missing; this means that are fewer surfaces and/or bristles on which hair may get caught. The head of the present invention thus is less likely to cause damage to the hair and will lessen the pulling and tugging force needed during the hair drying and/or hair styling process.

[00053] Because of its open-back, the head of the present invention will also require less movement to create the hair style required. Unlike using brush heads that have a continuous circumference or perimeter, the user working with the hair tool head of the present invention will not necessarily need to turn the tool a full rotation since the operative portion of the head is only at the front and sides of the head.

[00054] The oval cylindrical shape of the hair tool head of the present invention also has advantages. Such a head can make closer contact at the scalp given its oval cross-section, allowing the hair at the scalp to be lifted as well as heated and/or dried more easily. Additionally, the different curvatures of the oval can create diversity in the shape of the hair curls and flips, i.e., tighter or looser curls or flips may be created depending on the portions of hair tool head that are used on the hair. When the hair tool head is a concave oval cylinder, a user may also create a tighter curl at end of the hair by winding the ends hair around the middle portion of the concave cylinder, i.e., at its smallest perimeter. Because the bottom part of a curl falls out the fastest due to the hair weight, a tighter curl at this base will unfurl more slowly and thus create a longer lasting curl than that associated with a conventional hair tool head. There are thus combined advantages of a hair tool having an oval cross section and back surface having a portion that is open with respect to the setting of curls and flips, hair styling, and hair drying. [00055] As identified above, the inventive hair brush heads thus can be used as part of methods to reduce drying time for hair, reduce hair frizz, reduce damage to hair that is incurred during hairstyling and/or hair drying, increase the length of time that hair keeps a curl and/or a flip, and/or lessen user fatigue during the hairstyling process.

[00056] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of " a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "at least one of: a; b; or c" is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[00057] Also, as used, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items (for example, related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[00058] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. No element, act, or instruction used should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such.

[00059] It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configurations and components illustrated above and in the Figures. Various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the method and apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the claims.