Apparatus and method for straightening hair

Abstract

A straightening device and a method for using a straightening device for treating coarse, thick, ethnic, or curly hair. The straightening device includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled at proximal ends. The arms have opposing surfaces that may be heated or contain features that are specifically dimensioned and aligned.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair device, comprising:
 a first arm extending along a first longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the first arm further comprising a convex styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the first arm;   a second arm extending along a second longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second arm pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the first arm, the second arm further comprising a concave styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the second arm; and   a first series of features on the convex styling surface of the first arm, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second series of features on the outside surface of the first arm, wherein the second series of features are larger compared to the first series of features. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first series of features and the second series of features are comprised of ridges, wherein a middle portion of each ridge is greater in height than a side portion of each ridge. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first series of features and the second series of features have rounded tops. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the second series of features is positioned in the direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first series of features completely spans the convex styling surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein each ridge on the convex styling surface is about 1 mm in width and about 1 mm between each ridge. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein each ridge on the outside surface of the first arm is about 1.5 mm in width and about 2 mm between each ridge. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position aligns the convex styling surface of the first arm to contact the concave styling surface of the second arm. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one heating element configured to heat the convex styling surface and the concave styling surface to at least one programmed temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a first, a second, and a third programmable temperature, wherein the first temperature is the highest temperature and the third temperature is the lowest temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a switch configured to set the at least one heating element to the at least one programmed temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface are sealed from moisture. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface are ceramic. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of features covers less length than the first plurality of features. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using a hair device to straighten hair, the method comprising:
 providing a hair device, the hair device comprising:
 a first arm extending along a first longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the first arm further comprising a convex styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the first arm, 
 a second arm extending along a second longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second arm pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the first arm, the second arm further comprising a concave styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the second arm, 
 a first plurality of features on the convex styling surface of the first arm, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis, and 
 a second plurality of features on the outside surface of the first arm positioned in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis; 
   heating the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface to a programmed temperature;   providing a section of hair having a first end, a second end, an underside, and a topside;   positioning, in an open position, the first arm on the underside of the section of hair at the first end;   positioning the second arm on the topside of the section of hair at the first end;   pivoting the first arm and the second arm to a closed position with the section of hair between the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface; and   sliding the hair device from the first end of the section of hair to the second end of the section of hair.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first end of the section of hair is located closest to a user's head and the second end of the section of hair is farthest from the user's head. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the programmed temperature may be between approximately 240 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 heating the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface to a second programmed temperature;   positioning, in an open position, the first arm on the underside of the section of hair at the first end;   positioning the second arm on the topside of the section of hair at the first end;   pivoting the first arm and the second arm to a closed position with the section of hair between the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface; and   sliding the hair device from the first end of the section of hair to the second end of the section of hair.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 heating the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface to a third programmed temperature;   positioning, in an open position, the first arm on the underside of the section of hair at the first end;   positioning the second arm on the topside of the section of hair at the first end;   pivoting the first arm and the second arm to a closed position with the section of hair between the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface; and   sliding the hair device from the first end of the section of hair to the second end of the section of hair.