Ultrasonic Hairstyling Device

Abstract

A device for styling hair includes a wand defining a handle grip surface and a first styling surface spaced from the handle grip surface and a plate defining a second styling surface, the plate being pivotally coupled to the wand to clamp the hair between the first styling surface and the second styling surface. The device further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the first styling surface or the second styling surface to transfer heat to the hair via the first styling surface or the second styling surface, respectively, and an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducer includes a horn in contact with the wand or the plate to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair via the first styling surface or the second styling surface, respectively.

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