Ultrasonic Hairstyling Device

Abstract

A device for styling hair includes a handle and a barrel extending from the handle. The barrel has a styling surface spaced from the handle, and the styling surface is configured for winding the hair around the barrel. The device further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the barrel to transfer heat to the hair via the styling surface of the barrel, and an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the barrel to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair via the styling surface of the barrel.

1 . A device for styling hair comprising:
 a handle;   a barrel extending from the handle and having a styling surface spaced from the handle, the styling surface being configured for winding the hair around the barrel;   a heating element in thermal communication with the barrel to transfer heat to the hair via the styling surface of the barrel; and   an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the barrel to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair via the styling surface of the barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle and the barrel are oriented along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer is oriented along the longitudinal axis such that the ultrasonic vibrations are generated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer includes a horn with a rim in contact with an interior surface of the barrel that defines an annular interface through which the ultrasonic vibrations travel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer includes a horn in contact with the barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel terminates at an end cap, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer includes a horn in contact with the end cap. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel has a length equal to a wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations or a multiple of the wavelength. 
     
     
         7 . A device for styling hair comprising:
 an elongate housing defining a handle grip surface and a styling surface spaced from the handle grip surface;   a plate pivotally coupled to the elongate housing to clamp the hair between the plate and the styling surface;   a heating element in thermal communication with the styling surface or the plate to transfer heat to the hair; and   an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the elongate housing to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair via the styling surface.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate housing is oriented along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer is oriented along the longitudinal axis such that the ultrasonic vibrations are generated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer includes a horn with a rim in contact with an interior surface of the elongate housing that defines an annular interface through which the ultrasonic vibrations travel. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer includes a horn in contact with the elongate housing. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate housing includes a barrel that terminates at an end cap, wherein the plate is curved to match a curvature of the barrel, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer includes a horn in contact with the end cap. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the barrel has a length equal to a wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations or a multiple of the wavelength. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a wand pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the plate is mounted on the wand, and wherein the plate and the styling surface are flat. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a flat plate mounted on the elongate housing, the flat plate having a first side that defines the styling surface and a second side in contact with the ultrasonic transducer. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer is oriented in alignment with the elongate housing, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer includes a horn adapter to direct the ultrasonic vibrations laterally toward the flat plate. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the flat plate has a length equal to a wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations or a multiple of the wavelength. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate housing includes a handle that defines the handle grip surface and further includes a barrel extending from the handle and defining the styling surface.