Automatic hair curling appliance with fluid vapor emission

Abstract

A hair styling apparatus includes a first handle member having a first body defining an internal chamber dimensioned to receive a length of hair and a second handle member having a second body. The second handle member is adapted for movement relative to the first handle member between an open position and a closed position. An elongate member is positioned within the internal chamber of the first body of the first handle member. A rotatable component is mounted to the first body and adapted for rotatable movement to engage the length of hair within the internal chamber and wrap a segment of the hair about the elongate member. A cartridge is releasably mountable to the second handle member, and contains a hair treatment agent. A heater is in fluid communication with the cartridge for at least partially heating the treatment agent dispensed from the cartridge. At least one port in fluid communication with the heater and positioned to direct the treatment agent from the heater onto the hair disposed adjacent or within the internal chamber of the first handle member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair styling apparatus, which comprises:
 a first handle member including a first body defining an internal chamber dimensioned to receive a length of hair;   a second handle member including a second body, the second handle member adapted for adapted for movement relative to the first handle member between an open position and a closed position;   an elongate member positioned within the internal chamber of the first body of the first handle member;   a rotatable component mounted to the first body and adapted for rotatable movement to engage the length of hair within the internal chamber and wrap a segment of the hair about the elongate member; and   a cartridge mountable to one of the first and second handle members, the cartridge including a hair treatment agent for dispensing and treating hair disposed adjacent or within the internal chamber of the first handle member.   
     
     
         2 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 1  including a heater for heating the hair treatment agent. 
     
     
         3 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the cartridge is releasably mountable to the second body of the second handle member. 
     
     
         4 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the second body includes the heating element. 
     
     
         5 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the heating element is dimensioned to at least partially vaporize the hair treatment agent. 
     
     
         6 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the hair treatment agent is water which converts to steam when subjected to the heating element. 
     
     
         7 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 4  including a pump in fluid communication with the cartridge, the pump adapted to direct the fluid treatment agent from the cartridge and through the heater element. 
     
     
         8 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the pump is a pneumatic pump mounted to the second handle member, the pneumatic pump being engageable with the first body member upon relative movement of the second handle member to the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the cartridge includes a pump inlet conduit and a treatment agent outlet conduit, the pump inlet conduit and the treatment agent outlet conduit in fluid communication with the pump and the heater element respectively upon mounting of the cartridge to the second body of the second handle member. 
     
     
         10 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the second body of the second handle member defines an agent port and a pump port for respectively receiving the agent outlet conduit and the pump conduit of the cartridge upon mounting of the cartridge to the second body of the second handle member. 
     
     
         11 . A hair styling apparatus, which comprises:
 a first handle member including a first body defining an internal chamber dimensioned to receive a length of hair;   a second handle member including a second body, the second handle member adapted for adapted for movement relative to the first handle member between an open position and a closed position;   an elongate member positioned within the internal chamber of the first body of the first handle member;   a rotatable component mounted to the first body and adapted for rotatable movement to engage the length of hair within the internal chamber and wrap a segment of the hair about the elongate member;   a cartridge releasably mountable to the second handle member, the cartridge including a hair treatment agent;   a heater in fluid communication with the cartridge for at least partially heating the treatment agent dispensed from the cartridge; and   at least one port in fluid communication with the heater and positioned to direct the treatment agent from the heater onto the hair disposed adjacent or within the internal chamber of the first handle member.   
     
     
         12 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 11  including a pneumatic pump mounted to the second handle member and in fluid communication with the cartridge, the pneumatic pump being engageable with the first body member upon relative movement of the second handle member toward the closed position to direct the treatment agent under pressure from the cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the treatment agent includes water which converts to steam when subjected to the heater. 
     
     
         14 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the cartridge includes a pump inlet conduit and a treatment agent outlet conduit, the pump inlet conduit and the treatment agent outlet conduit in fluid communication with the pump and the heater element respectively upon mounting of the cartridge to the second body of the second handle member. 
     
     
         15 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the second body of the second handle member defines an agent port and a pump port for respectively receiving the agent outlet conduit and the pump conduit of the cartridge upon mounting of the cartridge to the second body of the second handle member.