Dual mode flat iron

Abstract

A styling iron 1 comprises a first section 2, a second section 3 and a third section 4. The first section 1 comprises a handle end 5 and a distal end 6 that includes a heated plate 7 having a hair contact surface 8 of a flat configuration. The second section 3 comprises a proximal end 9 and a distal end 10 that includes a heated plate 11 having two hair contact surfaces 12 and 13, each facing opposite directions. The first of these hair contact surfaces 12 is of a flat configuration. The second of these hair contact surfaces 13 is of a concave configuration. The third section 4 comprises a handle end 14 and a distal end 15 that includes a heated plate 16 having a hair contact surface 17 of a convex configuration. A conventional, electrically powered heat element (not shown) of the type generally known in the art for flat irons and hair styling irons is located internally in each of the first section 2, the second section 3 and the third section 4.

1 . A hair styling appliance comprising
 a first member having a proximal section and a distal section;   a second member having a proximal section and a distal section;   a third member having a proximal section and a distal section;   a hinged section at which each of said first, second and third members are pivotally attached to each other and each being rotatable with respect to the others, such that the second member is positioned between the first member and the third member;   a first hair contact surface adapted to contact a user's hair, said first hair contact surface being mounted to the distal end of said first member and said first hair contact surface is a flat plane;   a second hair contact surface adapted to contact a user's hair, said second hair contact surface being mounted to the distal end of said second member on a first side of said second member such that it faces the first hair contact surface, and said second hair contact surface is a flat plane;   a third hair contact surface adapted to contact a user's hair, said third hair contact surface being mounted to the distal end of said third member and said third hair contact surface is convex from an end view perspective; and   a fourth hair contact surface adapted to contact a user's hair, said fourth hair contact surface being mounted to the distal end of said second member on a second side of said second member such that it faces the third hair contact surface, and said fourth hair contact surface is a concave from an end view perspective and configured to mate with said third hair contact surface when said second member and said third member are closed together.   
   
   
       2 . A hair styling appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 an electrical cord attached to said appliance for delivering electrical energy to said appliance;   an electrically-powered heat element adapted to provide heat to at least one of said first, second, third or fourth hair contact surfaces.   
   
   
       3 . A hair styling appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 an electrical cord attached to said appliance for delivering electrical energy to said appliance;   a plurality of electrically-powered heat elements, each one corresponding to and adapted to provide heat to one of said first, second, third or fourth hair contact surfaces.   
   
   
       4 . A hair styling appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a locking mechanism for selectively locking said first member to said second member or for selectively locking said second member to said first member.   
   
   
       5 . A hair styling appliance according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 an electrically-powered ion emitter for emitting ions from said appliance.   
   
   
       6 . A hair styling appliance according to  claim 3 , further comprising
 a pair of electrically-powered ion emitters for emitting ions from said appliance.   
   
   
       7 . A hair styling appliance according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 a set of control buttons for turning said appliance on and off and for controlling temperature of said heat element; and   a display for displaying information relative to operation of said appliance.   
   
   
       8 . A hair styling appliance according to  claim 3 , further comprising
 a set of control buttons for turning said appliance on and off and for controlling temperature of said heat elements; and   a display for displaying information relative to operation of said appliance.