Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a hair styling apparatus for applying heat to a user’s hair to form the hair into a desired shape.

Background

Hair styling apparatuses, such as hair straightening devices, curlers, heated brushes, and hair dryers, can be used to form hair into a desired shape or style. In some devices, this styling is achieved by application of heat to a user’s hair. This breaks chemical bonds in the hair, which allows the hair to be reshaped (i.e. into a shape other than its natural shape). The heat required to break these bonds is commonly provided by hot plates. For example, hair straightening devices often include two hot plates that can be used to clamp a tress of hair and can then be moved along the tress of hair to straighten it.

Hot plates rely on conduction to provide heat to a tress of hair. However, because hair is an insulator, heat transfer to the centre of a tress of hair is not particularly efficient. To ensure that heat is transferred to the centre of the tress of hair it is necessary to operate the hot plates at high temperatures (e.g. above 150°C). Hair coming into direct contact with such high temperature hot plates can experience hair damage.

An alternative to styling by way of hot plates is to use steam to apply heat to a user’s hair. Steam relies on convection to transfer heat throughout the tress of hair, and is better at ensuring uniform heat application than conduction. The more efficient heat transfer means steam, which is at a lower temperature (100°C) than a typical hot plate, can provide the same effect as (and in some cases a better effect than) a hot plate. Further, steam adds moisture to the hair which aids in style creation.

The lower temperature of steam reduces or eliminates the risk of hair damage but presents other problems. One problem with the use of steam is that it increases the moisture content of a user’s hair and this can be undesirable as it can cause style to drop out, requiring significant time to subsequently dry the hair. Hence, such devices rely on the user to use the device in a particular manner to manage the application of moisture (in order to achieve the desired result).

Another problem is that, because the steam must be expelled outwardly from these devices, when such a device is held close to a user’s scalp the steam may be expelled onto the scalp. This can cause discomfort to a user, and in some cases presents a risk of injury. As should be appreciated, this problem can be especially relevant to devices in which the hair is not clamped (which can allow for containment of the steam), such as heated brushes, curlers and hair dryers. An alternative to using steam for styling, is to use a device that applies air (e.g. heated air) to a user’s hair. This does not necessarily face the same moisture problem as steam, but achieving an optimum result still relies on the user to use the device in a particular manner (for example, to ensure consistent application of air to the hair). Further, this alternative (when the air is heated) faces the same issue of the application of a hot fluid to a user’s scalp.

The present disclosure has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Summary

In a first aspect, there is provided a hair styling apparatus comprising: a fluid outlet arranged to discharge fluid from the apparatus; a fluid control device in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, the fluid control device configured to control the flow rate and/or temperature of the fluid discharged from the fluid outlet; a movement sensing module configured to sense movement of the apparatus and generate a movement signal in response to the sensed movement; and a controller configured to control the fluid control device to control the flow rate and/or temperature of the fluid discharged from the outlet in response to the movement signal generated by the movement sensing module.

The use of a movement signal (indicative of sensed movement) to dictate control of the apparatus can provide automatic control of the application of fluid to a user’s hair. This means a user does not have to manually alter the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid discharged from the apparatus. Instead, the apparatus is capable of responding to movement of the apparatus by a user to ensure a desired amount of fluid and/or fluid at a desired temperature is applied to the user’s hair.

In particular, the ability of the apparatus to adjust the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid discharged therefrom provides control of the heat and/or the amount of fluid applied to a user’s hair. As will be discussed further below, this control can provide improved styling by allowing consistent application of fl uid/heat or by providing a desired amount of fluid/heat for a particular style. Control of the application of fluid can also provide improved comfort for a user of the apparatus by, for example, avoiding high temperatures close to a user’s scalp when the fluid is a heated fluid.

Optional features of the first aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

The movement sensing module may be configured to determine a speed of movement (e.g. a speed of translational movement) of the apparatus. This may be determined by directly sensing the speed of movement or can be determined indirectly by e.g. sensing acceleration or position of the apparatus. The movement signal may be indicative of a speed of movement of the apparatus (e.g. the speed of a translational movement of the apparatus). The movement signal may be indicative of a speed of movement of the apparatus in a predetermined direction, or a predetermined set of directions (e.g. in a substantially downward direction).

The speed of movement may be the speed of a rotational movement of the apparatus. The movement signal may be indicative of the speed of rotation of the apparatus about a predetermined rotational axis.

The controller may be configured to control the fluid device such that the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet is proportional to the speed of movement of the apparatus.

The controller may be configured to control the fluid control device to increase the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to an increase in the speed of movement determined by the movement sensing module (and indicated by the movement signal). This may help to maintain consistency of the amount of fluid and/or heat (when the fluid is heated) applied to a user’s hair as the apparatus is moved across or along the hair. As may be appreciated, when the speed of movement is increased, a higher flow rate and/or temperature of discharged fluid may be required to maintain the same fluid/heat input per unit distance travelled.

The controller may be configured to control the fluid control device to decrease the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to a decrease in the speed of movement indicated by the movement signal. Again, this may help to maintain a consistent application of fluid/heat to a tress of hair as the apparatus is moved across or along the tress of hair. When the speed of movement of the apparatus is decreased, a lower flow rate and/or lower temperature may be required to maintain the same heat input per unit distance travelled.

In some embodiments the movement sensing module may be configured to receive an input signal, determine an initial position of the apparatus upon receipt of the input signal, and subsequently generate a distance signal indicative of the distance of the apparatus from the initial position. Thus, the movement sensing module may be configured to determine a distance of the apparatus from the initial position. This may be determined by sensing the location of the apparatus (e.g. relative to the initial position). Thus, the movement sensing module may be configured to sense the location of the apparatus. Alternatively, the distance may be determined (e.g. approximated) by indirect means, such as by sensing speed and/or acceleration of the apparatus. The controller may be further configured to control the fluid control device to alter the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to the distance signal.

This may, in effect, allow the flow rate and/or temperature to be controlled based on the position of the apparatus along a tress of hair. As set forth above, a user of e.g. hair straighteners or a heated brush will typically move the apparatus along a tress of hair from the scalp to the free end of the tress. Thus, the initial position may be at or proximate to a user’s scalp and the distance may be representative of a distance of the apparatus from the scalp.

Accordingly, the movement sensing module may be configured to repeatedly/continuously sense/determine the distance of the apparatus from the initial position (and generate a movement signal accordingly).

The movement sensing module may be configured to determine a straight-line distance between the apparatus and the initial position. Alternatively, the movement sensing module may be configured to determine a distance along a path of movement of the apparatus from the initial position (i.e. the distance the apparatus has travelled from the initial position).

The apparatus may comprise a user input device configured to generate the input signal in response to receipt of a user input. The user input device may comprise e.g. a touch screen, button, switch, microphone, accelerometer, etc. As is described further below, where the apparatus is in a form in which it is able to clamp a tress of hair, the user input device may comprise a sensor for detecting that the apparatus has moved to (or is moving to) a clamping position.

In general, the provision of such a user input device provides means for a user to set the initial position from which the distance is then determined by the movement sensing module. As may be appreciated, where the user input device comprises a sensor for determining that the apparatus is in a clamped position, the setting of the initial position is automatic (to set the initial position, the user is not required to perform any action in addition to those performed in the normal hair styling process).

The controller may be configured to control the fluid control device to increase the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to an increase in distance indicated by the distance signal.

Such control may be desirable when the initial position is at or proximate to a user’s scalp because it may be desirable to provide less heat (i.e. lower flow rate and/or lower temperature) when close to a user’s scalp and then increase the heat input when further away from the user’s scalp. This may increase a user’s comfort when using the device because it may avoid the application of too much heat to a user’s skin. Likewise, this may improve the safety of the device (e.g. by reducing the possibility of the user burning their skin). This may be particularly applicable where the apparatus is in the form of a heated brush or a hair dryer (i.e. where it is not possible to capture/contain the discharged fluid as may otherwise be the case with devices that clamp a tress of hair).

The controlled increase in flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid may be continuous (e.g. proportional) in response to increasing distance. Alternatively, the increase in flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid may be a single event in response to the distance exceeding a predetermined threshold distance. That is, the controller may be configured to control the fluid control device to increase the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet when the distance indicated by the distance signal exceeds a predetermined threshold distance. Thus, the flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid may be increased only once the apparatus has moved a given distance from a user’s scalp (i.e. as indicated by the set initial position).

As may be appreciated, the controller may make the determination of whether the distance exceeds the predetermined threshold, or this may be performed by the movement sensing module (in which case the distance signal will be indicative of whether the distance is such that it does or does not exceed the threshold).

The controller may be configured to decrease the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to a decrease in distance indicated by the distance signal. The controller may be configured to control the fluid control device to decrease the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet when the distance indicated by the distance signal falls below a predetermined threshold distance. Thus, movement of the apparatus within a given distance of the user’s scalp (as indicated by the set initial position) may cause a decrease in flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid. In some embodiments, the flow rate may be decreased to zero (i.e. discharge of fluid may be prevented entirely).

In some embodiments the movement sensing module may be configured to detect a predetermined motion of the apparatus and generate a motion signal indicative of the occurrence of the predetermined motion (i.e. the movement signal may comprise or be in the form of the motion signal). The controller may be configured to control the fluid control device to alter the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to the motion signal.

In this way, the flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid may be altered in response to a particular motion of the apparatus. Such motion may be indicative of a particular use of the apparatus.

For example, in the case of a hair straightening/styling device or a heated brush device, a user may rotate the apparatus to wrap a tress of hair about the apparatus and subsequently move the device along a tress of hair. This may be done to form a curls in the tress of hair. As may be appreciated, it can be beneficial to control the flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid when such a wrapping/curling motion is performed. For example, it may be desirable to adjust the flow rate and/or temperature to be suited to forming a curl.

Accordingly, the predetermined motion may comprise a rotation of the apparatus about a rotational axis. In this way, the predetermined motion may be indicative of a user wrapping a tress about the apparatus to form a curl, and the apparatus may be controlled accordingly.

The apparatus may comprise an elongate body. The rotational axis may be an elongate axis of the elongate body (i.e. the elongate axis extending in the direction of elongation of the body).

The movement sensing module may comprise one or more of an accelerometer, gyroscope, inertial measurement unit (IMU), rotating wheel sensor and an optical sensor.

The movement sensing module may comprise a processor for determining the various characteristics of the movement of the device discussed above. The processor may, likewise, be configured to generate the movement signal. Thus, for example, the processor may be configured to determine (e.g. approximate) a speed of the apparatus from acceleration detected by the accelerometer.

The fluid control device may comprise a fluid heater configured to control the temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet. The fluid heater may thus be arranged to heat a portion of a fluid flow path in fluid communication with the fluid outlet.

The fluid heater may be a steam generator (e.g. boiler) and the fluid outlet may be a steam outlet (i.e. the fluid discharged from the outlet may be steam). In such embodiments, control of the flow rate of the steam as discussed above may help to reduce subsequent drying time.

The fluid heater may be an air heater and the fluid outlet may be an air outlet (i.e. the fluid discharged from the outlet may be air).

The fluid heater may comprise a heating element, such as a resistive heating element (i.e. heated by way of electrical resistance). The apparatus may comprise a power source for supplying power to the heating element.

The fluid control device may comprise a fluid mover for moving fluid through the fluid outlet. The fluid mover may be a pump or a fan. The fluid mover may be controllable to control the flow rate of the fluid moved by the fluid mover. Thus, the fluid mover may be controllable to control the flow rate of the fluid discharged from the fluid outlet.

In embodiments where the fluid is steam, the fluid mover may be a water pump for moving fluid from a reservoir of the apparatus to the steam generator. In this way, the generation of steam may be controlled by control of the water pump.

Additionally or alternatively the fluid control device may comprise one or more valves for controlling fluid flow. The apparatus may comprise an in-use hair-facing surface. The hair-facing surface may be substantially planar. In other embodiments the hair-facing surface may be arcuate (along one axis or more than one axis). The fluid outlet may be disposed on the hair-facing surface.

The apparatus may comprise an (e.g. elongate) arm extending along a longitudinal axis. The hair-facing surface may be an external surface of the arm.

The arm may be a first (e.g. elongate) arm and the apparatus may comprise a second (e.g. elongate) arm. The first and second arms may be pivotably connected. Each arm may extend from a distal end at which it is pivotably connected to the other arm, to a distal (free) end. The first hair-facing surface may be a first hair-facing surface (forming part of the first arm) and the second arm may comprise a second hair-facing surface that faces the first hair-facing surface.

The first and second arms may be movable (e.g. pivotable) between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first and second hair-facing surfaces may be spaced from one another so as to define a hair-receiving cavity therebetween. In the closed position the first and second hair-facing surfaces may be proximate one another for clamping a tress of hair therebetween.

The user input device may be configured to generate a user input signal upon movement of the clamping arm (e.g. second arm) from the open position to the closed position. As is discussed above, this may provide automatic setting of an initial position (subsequently used to determine a distance that the apparatus has travelled).

In a second aspect there is provided a method of controlling a hair styling apparatus configured to discharge a fluid, the method comprising sensing movement of the apparatus by way a movement sensing module, and controlling, with a controller, the flow rate and/or temperature of a fluid discharged from the apparatus in response to the sensed movement of the apparatus.

As is set forth above with respect to the first aspect, controlling flow rate and/or temperature of a fluid discharged by a hair styling apparatus can provide one or more of improved styling, comfort and safety.

The method may comprise sensing the speed of movement of the apparatus (e.g. a speed of translational movement and/or a speed of rotational movement). The method may further comprise controlling the flow rate and/or temperature of a fluid discharged from the apparatus in response to the sensed speed of movement of the apparatus.

As set forth above with respect to the first aspect, this can help to provide a consistent application of fluid/heat to a user’s hair in use.

The method may comprise controlling the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet so as to be proportional to the sensed speed of movement of the apparatus. The method may comprise increasing the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to an increase in the sensed speed of movement of the apparatus.

The method may comprise decreasing the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to a decrease in the sensed speed of movement of the apparatus.

As has been discussed above with respect to the first aspect, controlling flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged in this manner can help to provide consistency in amount of fluid and/or heat applied to the hair of a user in use.

The method may comprise receiving an input signal and determining an initial position of the apparatus upon receipt of the input signal. The method may comprise, subsequently, determining a distance of the apparatus from the initial position (e.g. by sensing location, acceleration, speed, etc.). The method may comprise repeatedly/continuously determining a distance of the apparatus from the initial position.

The method may comprise controlling the flow rate and/or temperature of a fluid discharged from the apparatus in response to the determined distance.

The method may comprise increasing the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to an increase in determined distance. The increase in flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid may be continuous (e.g. proportional) in response to increasing distance. Alternatively, the increase in flow rate and/or temperature of the discharged fluid may be a single event in response to the distance exceeding a predetermined threshold distance. That is, the method may comprise increasing the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet when the determined distance exceeds a predetermined threshold distance.

The method may comprise decreasing the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet in response to a decrease in the determined distance. The method may comprise decreasing the flow rate and/or temperature of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet when the determined distance falls below a predetermined threshold distance.

The method may comprise detecting the occurrence of a predetermined motion of the apparatus.

The method may comprise controlling the flow rate and/or temperature of a fluid discharged from the apparatus in response to the detection of the occurrence of the predetermined motion.

The predetermined motion may be a rotation of the apparatus.

The disclosure includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Summary of the Figures

Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hair styling apparatus;

Figure 1 B is a section view of the first embodiment of the hair styling apparatus;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustrating a first use of the apparatus of the first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating control of the apparatus of the first embodiment;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustrating a second use of the apparatus of the first embodiment; and

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a hair styling apparatus according to a second embodiment.

Detailed Description

Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a hair styling apparatus 100 in the form of a hair straightening device. The apparatus comprises two arms 101 that each have a proximal end 102 at which they are hingedly connected and an opposite distal end 103 (which is a free end of each arm). Each arm 101 comprises an elongate housing 104 (extending along a longitudinal axis) that includes an in-use hair-facing surface 105. Each hair-facing surface 105 is substantially planar and extends between a longitudinally extending leading edge 106 (lower edge as illustrated) and a longitudinally extending trailing edge 107 (upper edge as illustrated). The hair-facing surfaces 105 are inner surfaces of the arms such that they face inwardly towards one another.

The figures depict the apparatus 100 in an open position in which the arms 101 are pivoted/hinged open and away from one another and the hair-facing surfaces 105 are both spaced and angled with respect to one another. In this position an acute angle is formed between the hair-facing surfaces 105 and, likewise, between the longitudinal axes of the arms 101. In this way, a cavity is defined between the arms 101 (i.e. between the hair-facing surfaces 105 of the arms) for receipt of a tress of hair to be styled.

The arms 101 can be moved from the depicted open position to a closed position. This is performed by pivoting movement of the arms 101 about their hinged connection at their proximal ends 103. In the closed position (which is not depicted) the hair-facing surfaces 105 of the arms 101 are brought together (so as to either be in contact or at least proximate to one another). In this position the longitudinal axes of the arms 101 are substantially parallel and are likewise parallel with the longitudinal (i.e. elongate) axis of the apparatus 100. In use, a tress of hair received between the hair-facing surfaces 105 can be clamped between the arms 101 (and hair-facing surfaces) by movement of the apparatus 100 from the open position to the closed position. Accordingly, one or both arms 101 could be considered a “clamping arm”.

Figure 1 B depicts the internal structure of the apparatus 100 in a schematic manner. As is apparent from this figure, the apparatus 100 comprises a component housing 108 disposed between the arms 101 and positioned towards their proximal ends 102. Together, the component housing 108 and the arms 101 house several components of the apparatus 100 that form part of a steam supply system of the apparatus 100.

The steam supply system comprises a water reservoir 109 for storing water, two steam generators 110 for generating steam and a fluid control device in the form of a water pump 111 for moving water from the reservoir 109 to the steam generators 110. Two steam outlets 112 are disposed downstream of the steam generators 110 for discharging steam that is generated by the steam generators 110 from the apparatus 100.

The water reservoir 109 is positioned towards the proximal ends 102 of the arms 101 and includes an inlet 113, closable by a closure (e.g. cap), for filing thereof. In other embodiments, the entire water reservoir 109 may be removable from the apparatus for filling.

The water pump 111 is disposed downstream of the water reservoir 109 at an outlet of the water reservoir 109 so as to be able to draw water from the reservoir 109 and move it towards the steam generators 110 along a water flow path 114. The water flow path 114 extends through the component housing 108 from the water pump 111 and splits into two branches, each branch passing along a respective arm 101 to a corresponding steam generator 110 (flow of water along one of these branches is illustrated using arrows in Figure 1B). In this way, the rate of steam generation provided by the steam generators 110 (and thus the flow rate of steam discharged through the steam outlets 112) can be controlled by controlling the flow rate of the pump 111.

In the illustrated embodiment, the water pump 111 is powered by a wired connection to an external power source, but in other embodiments it could be powered by a battery disposed in the component housing (not shown).

Each steam generator 110 comprises a body defining a passage 115 for water flow therethrough and a heating element 116 disposed adjacent to the passage 115. Each heating element 116 heats water in the respective passage 115 to form steam that flows to the corresponding steam outlet 112 via the passage 115 for discharge from the steam outlet 112. The heating elements 116 are resistive heating elements powered by a wired connection to the external power source, but in other embodiments could be powered by a battery disposed in the component housing (not shown). As is particularly apparent from Figure 1 A, each steam outlet 112 is in the form of an elongate slot that extends along a respective hair-facing surface 105 of the arm 101 (i.e. the arm housing 104) in a longitudinal direction (i.e. an elongate direction of the respective arm 101). The elongate nature of the steam outlet 112 means that steam can be applied across the width of a tress of hair in use.

The apparatus 100 further comprises a controller 117 configured to control both heating elements and the water pump 111. A movement sensing module 118 is operatively connected to the controller 117 and is configured to generate a movement signal (for receipt by the controller) in response to sensed movement of the apparatus 100. The movement sensing module 118 in the present embodiment includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a processor for processing measurements made by the accelerometer, gyroscope and IMU.

The apparatus 100 also includes a user input device 119 in the form of a hall sensor that detects the presence of a magnet 120 mounted to an arm 101 of the apparatus 100 when the apparatus 100 is in the closed position (i.e. so as to be able to detect movement of the apparatus 100 to the closed position). The user input device 119 is operatively connected to the movement sensing module 118 for transmitting a user input signal to the movement sensing module 118 upon detection of movement of the apparatus 100 to the closed position.

The provision of the user input device 119, movement sensing module 118 and controller 117 allows the water pump 111 to be controlled in various ways to improve the styling ability, safety and comfort provided by the apparatus 100. This will now be described in more detail with respect to Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Figure 2 illustrates a first type of use of the apparatus 100. In this example, the apparatus 100 is being moved linearly along the length of a tress of hair by a user. In particular, the apparatus 100 is oriented so that the elongate steam outlets 112 of the apparatus 100 extend transversely across the width of the tress of hair (i.e. is perpendicular to the tress of hair). This ensures that steam can be discharged from the steam outlets 112 across the entire with of the tress of hair.

As may be appreciated, when the apparatus 100 is moved in this way, if steam were provided at a constant flow rate, the speed of movement of the apparatus 100 would affect the overall amount of steam applied to the tress of hair (and the amount of steam applied per unit length of the tress of hair). For example, a faster movement along the tress of hair would mean less steam being discharged onto the tress of hair.

However, the present apparatus 100 is configured to account for changes in speed to maintain a consistent application of steam to a tress of hair (i.e. regardless of the speed of movement of the apparatus). To achieve this, the movement sensing module 118 is configured to determine (from measurements made by the accelerometer) the speed of translational movement of the apparatus 100. This determined speed is representative of the speed at which the apparatus 100 is being moved along the tress of hair. The movement sensing module generates a movement signal in response to the determined speed and transmits the movement signal to the controller 117.

The controller 117 is configured, in response to the movement signal, to control the water pump 111 to alter the flow rate provided by the water pump 111, which in turn alters the flow rate of steam discharged from the apparatus 100 via the steam outlets 112. In particular, the controller 117 is configured to increase the flow rate provided by the water pump 111 in response to an increase in speed of the apparatus 100 (as indicated by the movement signal) and decrease the flow rate provided by the water pump 111 in response to a decrease in speed of the apparatus 100 (as indicated by the movement signal). In this way, the apparatus 100 is able to maintain a consistent application of steam as it is moved along the tress of hair by the user.

The apparatus 100 is additionally configured to adjust the flow rate of the steam in response to a distance of the apparatus 100 from the user’s scalp (i.e. at the top of the tress of hair as illustrated in Figure 2).

To provide this the movement sensing module 118 is configured to determine the distance of the apparatus 100 from an initial position P and to control the flow rate of steam discharged from the apparatus 100 in response to the determined distance. This process is illustrated in the flow chart of Figure 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, when apparatus receives a user input 221 , in the form of movement of the apparatus 100 to the closed position to clamp the tress of hair, this movement is detected by the user input device 119 which generates a user input signal 222. That user input signal is provided by the user input device 119 to the movement sensing module, which sets the initial position 223 of the apparatus 100.

The user input signal is also sent to the controller 117 and, in response, the controller 117 controls both the heating elements 116 and the water pump 111 to initiate the generation of steam by the steam generators 224. Thus, steam may only be generated and discharged upon movement of the apparatus 100 to the closed position.

The movement sensing module 118 is configured such that once it receives the user input signal and sets the initial position, it begins to monitor the distance 225 of the apparatus from the initial position. The movement sensing module 118 provides information regarding the distance of the apparatus 100 from the initial position to the controller 117 in the form of a distance signal. The controller 117 compares 226 the distance indicated by the distance signal with a threshold distance D. When the distance signal is indicative of the distance exceeding a predetermined threshold distance D (as exemplified in Figure 2), the controller 117 controls the water pump to increase the flow rate 227 provided by the water pump, which in turn increases the flow rate of steam discharged from the apparatus 100.

The movement sensing module 118 continues to monitor the distance 228 from the initial position (at least until the apparatus is returned to the open position). Likewise, the controller 117 continues to compare 229 the distance indicated by the distance signal with the threshold distance D. If the determined distance falls back below the predetermined threshold, the controller 117 is configured to decrease the flow rate 230 provided by the water pump 109 to decrease the flow rate of steam discharged from the apparatus 100.

In this way, the flow rate of the steam discharged by the apparatus 100 is lower when the apparatus 100 is determined to be within a predetermined distance of the user’s scalp (as indicated by the set initial position). This reduces or eliminates the possibility of high flow rate steam being discharged onto a user’s scalp which could otherwise cause discomfort or injury.

Figure 4 illustrates a further way the apparatus 100 may be used by a user. In this example, the user is using the apparatus 100 to curl the tress of hair. This can be performed by first clamping a portion of the tress of hair near the scalp (i.e. near the top of the tress of hair as illustrated). The user then wraps the tress of hair about the apparatus 100 by rotating the apparatus (e.g. by 360 degrees) about its elongate axis (indicated by the dashed/dotted line). To perform the curling operation, the user then slides the apparatus 100 along the tress of hair so that the wrapped portion of the tress of hair is pulled through the clamped arms of the apparatus 100.

The apparatus 100 is configured to detect this styling operation and to adjust the flow rate of the steam discharged by the apparatus 100 in response to that detection. In particular, the movement sensing module 118 is configured to detect the occurrence of the rotation of the apparatus about its elongate axis. Upon detection of this motion, the movement sensing module 118 generates a motion signal indicative of the occurrence of the predetermined motion and transmits this to the controller 117. In response to the motion signal, the controller 117 adjusts the flow rate provided by the water pump 109 to provide a flow rate of discharged steam that is particularly suited to the formation of curls in a tress of hair.

Figure 5 illustrates an apparatus 300 according to an alternative embodiment. Unlike the previous embodiment, which was configured to clamp a tress of hair, this embodiment is in the form of a brush that include bristles 331 for passing through and along tress of hair.

The apparatus 300 includes a body 332 that forms a handle for holding by a user. The bristles 331 are disposed at a first end of the body 332. Also disposed at the first end are a plurality of elongate slots 333 spaced along an elongate axis of the apparatus. Together, these slots 333 define a heated air outlet 312 of the apparatus 300.

Unlike the previously described apparatus 100, the present apparatus 300 is configured to discharge heated air (rather than steam) onto a tress of hair. In this case, the apparatus 300 includes an air mover 334 in the form of a pump that is upstream of an air heater 335 (that includes a resistive heating element). The air mover 334 draws air through inlets 336 formed in the body 332 and moves the air through the air heater 335, where it is heated. The heated air then passes from the air heater 335 to (and through) the heated air outlet 312 of the apparatus 300 to be discharged onto a tress of hair held by the bristles 331.

Like the previously described apparatus, this apparatus 300 includes a controller 317 and a movement sensing module 318 that operate in substantially the same manner as previously described. However, in this case instead of the water pump being controlled by the controller 317, the air heater 335 is controlled to adjust the temperature of the air that is discharged through the heated air outlet 312.

Thus, for example, the air heater 335 is controlled to increase the temperature of the discharged air when the movement sensing module 318 determines that the speed of movement of the apparatus 300 has increased.

Likewise, the air heater 335 is controlled to increase the temperature of the discharged air when the distance of the apparatus 300 from an initial position exceeds a predetermined distance (or is controlled to decrease the temperature when the distance falls below the predetermined distance). This may be particularly desirable for this type of apparatus 300, because it is not possible to capture the heated air that is expelled from the apparatus 300. Given this apparatus 300 is not moveable to open and closes positions, in this embodiment, the initial position is set manually by a user via a user input device 337 in the form of a push button.

The exemplary embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, the illustrated embodiments make use of heated air and steam to style a user’s hair. In other embodiments the fluid may be in the form of superheated steam (of which the flow rate and/or temperature may be controlled), mist or a formulation.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.