Hair styling device

Abstract

A hair styling device (10) comprises first and second arms ((12), (14)), each arm having a handle portion ((18), (20)) coupled to a clamping portion ((22), (24)). The arms are coupled to each other at a first end adjacent the handle portions, allowing the clamping portions to be moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position in which a curl forming apparatus may be held between the clamping portions. The clamping portion (22) of the first arm (12) houses a heater element and includes a concave shaped surface heatable by the heater element. The clamping portion (24) of the second arm (14) includes a convex shaped clamping surface. When the clamping portions are in a closed position, the heatable surface of the first arm and the clamping surface of the second arm are spaced apart by a separation distance.

1 . A hair styling device comprising first and second arms, each arm having a handle portion coupled to a clamping portion, the arms being coupled to each other at a first end adjacent the handle portions, allowing the clamping portions to be moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position in which a curl forming apparatus may be held between the clamping portions;
 wherein the clamping portion of the first arm houses a heater element and includes a concave shaped surface heatable by the heater element and the clamping portion of the second arm includes a convex shaped clamping surface, and wherein when the clamping portions are in a closed position, the heatable surface of the first arm and the clamping surface of the second arm are spaced apart by a separation distance.   
     
     
         2 . A hair styling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the separation distance is at least 5 mm. 
     
     
         3 . A hair styling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the convex shaped clamping surface of the second arm is a heatable surface. 
     
     
         4 . A hair styling device according to  claim 3 , wherein the clamping portion of the second arm houses a heater element. 
     
     
         5 . A hair styling device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a controller to control the temperature of the convex shaped clamping surface of the second arm. 
     
     
         6 . A hair styling device according to  claim 5 , wherein the temperature of the convex shaped clamping surface of the second arm can be heated to a temperature selected from the group comprising: 0° C., 70° C., 100° C. and 220° C. 
     
     
         7 . A hair styling device according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller controls the temperature of each heatable surface. 
     
     
         8 . A hair styling device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the heatable surface. 
     
     
         9 . A hair styling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heatable surface may be heated to a temperature of up to 220° C. 
     
     
         10 . A hair styling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heatable surface is fabricated from a material selected from the group comprising: aluminium, steel, titanium and ceramic. 
     
     
         11 . A hair styling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heatable surface is coated with a material selected from the group comprising: ceramic, tourmaline and teflon. 
     
     
         12 . A method for forming a curl in hair using the hair styling device of any of  claims 1  to  11  comprising the steps of:
 (a) winding a section of hair around a curl forming apparatus; 
 (b) heating the heatable surface(s) of the hair styling device; 
 (c) grasping the curl forming apparatus between the clamping portions of the hair styling device; 
 (d) compressing the curl forming apparatus between the clamping surfaces of the hair styling device for a predetermined length of time; and 
 (e) releasing the curl forming apparatus from the hair styling device. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined length of time is in the range 10 to 40 seconds. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined length of time is in the range 10 to 30 seconds. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined length of time is in the range 10 to 20 seconds. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined length of time is in the range 10 to 15 seconds. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined length of time is in the range 15 to 20 seconds. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined length of time is 18 seconds. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising an additional step of applying a heat protection and setting hair product to the section of hair prior to step (a). 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising an additional step of applying a heat protection and setting hair product to the section of hair after step (a) and before step (b).