Apparatus and methods for drying or styling hair
OwnerLiam WRIGHT, Robert WEATHERLY +4inventors
InventorsLiam WRIGHT, Robert WEATHERLY, Rob MILNER, Richard GOLD, Andrew NORFOLK, Ben AYSCOUGH
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for drying or styling hair includes a heater for heating hair, to decrease a moisture level of the hair; and a controller configured to control the apparatus to take an action for controlling the moisture level of the hair based on a target moisture level.
Claims68
Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising:
- heating means for heating hair, to decrease a moisture level of the hair;
- and
- a controller configured to control the apparatus to take an action for controlling the moisture level of the hair based on a target moisture level.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to control an operating parameter of the heating means based on the target moisture level to control the moisture level of the hair.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating means to reduce a difference between the moisture level of the hair and the target moisture level.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein:
- the apparatus comprises a memory that is configured to store a plurality of operating parameters of the apparatus;
- and
- the apparatus is configured to identify, based on the moisture level of the hair or based on the target moisture level of the hair, an operating parameter to use from the stored plurality of operating parameters, to control the moisture level of the hair towards the target moisture level.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one sensor for outputting a sensor output that varies with the moisture level of the hair;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the moisture level of the hair based on the sensor output.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the apparatus comprises a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the hair;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the moisture level of the hair based on the sensed temperature of the hair.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the heating means comprises a heatable surface for transferring heat to the hair;
- wherein the apparatus comprises a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the heatable surface;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the moisture level of the hair based on the temperature of the heatable surface.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for obtaining the target moisture level.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the apparatus comprises a capacitive sensor for outputting a sensor output that varies with a current moisture level of the hair;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the current moisture level of the hair using the sensor output from the capacitive sensor that varies with a current moisture level of the hair.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the apparatus comprises an optical sensor;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the moisture level of the hair based on a light intensity of light that passes through the hair, based on a light intensity of light that is reflected from the hair, and/or based on a light intensity of light that passes through air adjacent to the hair, measured by the optical sensor.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the apparatus comprises a sensor for measuring a resistance that varies with a current moisture level of the hair;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the moisture level of the hair based on the measured resistance.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the apparatus is configured to apply an electric field across the hair;
- wherein the apparatus is configured to measure at least one dielectric property of the hair using the applied electric field;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to determine the moisture level of the hair based on the measured dielectric property.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for generating an indication to a user that the moisture level of the hair is within a threshold range of the target moisture level.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to control the apparatus to control the moisture level of the hair by outputting an indication to a user of the current moisture level of the hair.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein
- the apparatus is configured to output, to the user, an indication of an instruction for operating the apparatus, and
- the apparatus is configured to determine the instruction to output based on the moisture level of the hair or based on the target moisture level.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim,
- wherein the apparatus comprises a user interface;
- wherein the user interface is operable by a user to input an indication of the target moisture level.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a fluid dispenser for increasing the moisture level of the hair by dispensing a fluid onto the hair.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is a hair straightener, a hair dryer, a hot paddle brush, a hot round brush, a heater roller, or a hair curler.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the target moisture level is preconfigured and stored in the apparatus.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive the target moisture level from a separate device.
Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising:
- heating means for heating hair, to decrease a moisture level of the hair;
- a sensor for outputting a sensor output that varies with a current moisture level of the hair;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- i) determine the current moisture level of the hair using the sensor output;
- and
- ii) output an indication to the user that depends upon the determined current moisture level of the hair.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein:
- the heating means is configured for generating steam;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to decrease the moisture level of the hair using the steam.
Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising:
- heating means for generating steam;
- wherein the apparatus is configured to decrease a moisture level of the hair using the steam.
A method for drying or styling hair, the method comprising:
- heating hair, to decrease a moisture level of the hair;
- and
- controlling the moisture level of the hair based on a target moisture level.
A method for drying or styling hair, the method comprising:
- heating hair, to decrease a moisture level of the hair;
- and
- outputting an indication of a current moisture level of the hair to a user.
A method for drying or styling hair, the method comprising:
- heating hair, to decrease a moisture level of the hair;
- obtaining a target moisture level for the hair and a current moisture level of the hair;
- and
- outputting an indication of a difference between the target moisture level for the hair and the current moisture level of the hair to a user.
A hair drying and styling device comprising:
- first and second mutually-opposing arms adapted for movement between an open configuration for receiving a length of wet hair therebetween and a closed configuration adjacent the hair, such that, in use, when the arms are in the closed configuration they form an inter-arm chamber across which the hair passes in use, and wherein an airflow conduit is provided within and along at least one of the first and second arm of the device;
- means for delivering a flow of air along the conduit in the at least one of the first and second arms, and subsequently into the inter-arm chamber;
- a sensor for sensing whether the arms are in the open configuration or the closed configuration;
- and
- means for controlling the means for delivering to vary the flow of air depending on whether the arms are in the open configuration or the closed configuration.
A hair drying and styling device comprising:
- an airflow conduit within and along at least one first arm of the device;
- means for delivering a flow of air along the conduit;
- a conductive heater for heating hair by conduction;
- a sensor for sensing a modality of operation of the device;
- and
- means for controlling the means for delivering to vary the flow of air depending on the output of the sensor.
A hair drying and styling device comprising:
- first and second mutually-opposing arms adapted for movement between an open configuration for receiving a length of wet hair therebetween and a closed configuration adjacent the hair, such that, in use, when the arms are in the closed configuration they form an inter-arm chamber across which the hair passes in use, and wherein an airflow conduit is provided within and along at least one of the first and second arms;
- means for delivering a flow of air along the conduit in the at least one of the first and second arms, and subsequently into the inter-arm chamber;
- at least one air vent through which air from the inter-arm chamber can exit the device;
- and
- an air diffuser mounted between the air vent and the inter-arm chamber to diffuse the air that exits the device.
A hair drying and styling device comprising:
- first and second mutually-opposing arms adapted for movement between an open configuration for receiving a length of wet hair therebetween and a closed configuration adjacent the hair, such that, in use, when the arms are in the closed configuration they form an inter-arm chamber across which the hair passes in use, and wherein an airflow conduit is provided within and along at least one of the first and second arms;
- means for delivering a flow of air along the conduit in the at least one of the first and second arms, and subsequently into the inter-arm chamber;
- an air heater adapted for heating the flow of air;
- at least one air vent through which air from the inter-arm chamber can exit the device;
- at least one conductive heater configured for conductive heating of hair in use;
- control electronics for controlling the device;
- and
- a quench activator switching or sensing means for activation by a device user,
- wherein each of the means for delivering, the air heater and the at least one conductive heater is switched on in general use;
- and
- wherein, when the quench activator switching or sensing means is activated by the device user, both the means for delivering and the at least one conductive heater are switched on and the air heater is switched off.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.