Apparatus and method for drying and styling hair

Abstract

An apparatus is used for drying and/or styling hair. The apparatus provides improved mixing of air from a heater using an impeller. A hinge is ergonomically positioned relative to the center of mass of the device. Sealing of the housing prevents the ingress of water into the housing.

1 . A hair styling device comprising:
 an elongate first arm having a distal end with at least one plate and a proximal end; and   an elongate second arm having a distal end with at least one plate and a proximal end;   wherein the proximal end of the second arm is coupled to the first arm by a hinge so that the first and second arms are moveable between an open position in which hair can be introduced between the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm and a closed position in which hair is clamped between the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm;   wherein the hinge is coupled to the first arm at a position that is offset from the proximal end of the first arm and wherein a ratio of a distance between the hinge and the at least one plate at the distal end of the first arm and a distance between a centre of gravity of the hair styling device and the at least one plate at the distal end of the first arm lies within the range 0.25 and 0.4.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the distance between the hinge and the at least one plate at the distal end of the first arm and the distance between the centre of gravity of the hair styling device and the at least one plate at the distal end of the first arm lies within the range 0.28 and 0.35. 
     
     
         3 . A hair styling and drying 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 the arms form an inter-arm chamber across which the hair passes;   wherein the first arm comprises:   a housing having an air inlet through which air can be drawn and an air outlet through which air can be output into said inter-arm-chamber; and   a fan mounted within the housing and configured to draw air into the housing through the air inlet and to blow the air towards the air outlet;   wherein the housing comprises first and second housing parts that are coupled together and wherein a sealing member is provided to prevent the ingress of water into the housing at a joint between the first and second housing parts.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first arm further comprises a heater for heating air from the fan before the air is output into said inter-arm chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 -or  4 , further comprising mutually-opposing plates disposed on the first and second arms, the mutually-opposing plates being arranged to come together when the first and second arms are in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein first and second plates are disposed on the first arm, and respective opposing first and second plates are disposed on the second arm. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said plates comprises means for applying heat to said length of hair in use, when the first and second arms are in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the sealing member comprises a seal that extends around and is sandwiched between a rim of the first housing part and a rim of the second housing part. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the sealing member comprises a water resistant or waterproof overmold that covers the joint between the first and second housing parts when coupled together. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the sealing member comprises a water resistant or waterproof sleeve that fits over the first and second housing parts when coupled together. 
     
     
         11 . A hair styling device comprising:
 a housing having an air inlet through which air can be drawn and an air outlet through which air can be output;   a fan mounted within the housing and configured to draw air into the housing through the air inlet and to blow the air towards the air outlet;   a heater mounted within the housing downstream of the fan; and   an impeller mounted within the housing downstream of the heater for mixing the air prior to being output from the air outlet.   
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the impeller is passive and rotates due to the flow of air passing through the housing from the air inlet to the air outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein a motor is provided to rotate the impeller. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the motor rotates the fan used to draw air into the housing through the air inlet. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the motor operates independently of the fan. 
     
     
         16 . A hair styling device according to  claim 3 , wherein the air inlet is annular in shape and is defined by a gap between a spigot that protrudes through the air inlet beyond a distal end of the air inlet and the housing of the hair styling device. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the air inlet comprises a filter that connects between the housing and the spigot and that tapers from the a connection with the housing to a connection with the spigot. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing is elongate having a longitudinal axis and wherein the air inlet is oblique to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         19 . A method of styling hair using the device of  claim 1 .