Hair styling apparatus

Abstract

A hair styling apparatus comprising a body from which a plurality of spaced projections project. The projections are in the form of comb teeth or brush bristles for passing through a user's hair to style the hair. The apparatus further comprises a steam generator for generating steam and one or more steam outlets in fluid communication with the steam generator for receipt of steam therefrom. The one or more steam outlets are arranged to discharge steam onto hair through which the projections are passed in use. The apparatus further comprises an air mover for moving an airflow through the apparatus, and one or more airflow outlets in fluid communication with the air mover for receipt of an airflow therefrom. The one or more airflow outlets are arranged to discharge air at or proximate to the discharged steam so as to provide a barrier to the passage of the steam.

1 . A hair styling apparatus comprising:
 a body from which a plurality of spaced projections project, the projections in the form of comb teeth or brush bristles for passing through a user's hair to style the hair;   a steam generator for generating steam;   one or more steam outlets in fluid communication with the steam generator for receipt of steam therefrom, the one or more steam outlets arranged to discharge steam onto hair through which the projections are passed in use;   an air mover for moving an airflow through the apparatus; and   one or more airflow outlets in fluid communication with the air mover for receipt of an airflow therefrom, the one or more airflow outlets arranged to discharge air at or proximate to the discharged steam so as to provide a barrier to the passage of the steam.   
     
     
         2 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more steam outlets are provided on the body. 
     
     
         3 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more steam outlets are arranged to discharge steam in the direction of extension of the plurality of projections from the body. 
     
     
         4 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the one or more steam outlets are arranged to discharge steam into spaces formed between the projections. 
     
     
         5 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the one or more airflow outlets are arranged to discharge air in a direction across distal ends of the projections. 
     
     
         6 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the one or more airflow outlets are arranged to discharge air in the direction of extension of the plurality of projections from the body, and wherein the one or more airflow outlets are disposed so as to extend substantially about a periphery of the one or more steam outlets. 
     
     
         7 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein each airflow outlet is provided at or proximate to a distal end of a respective projection of the plurality of projections. 
     
     
         8 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the projections are in the form of a row of spaced comb teeth, each tooth extending from the body in a longitudinal direction and comprising laterally spaced and longitudinally extending leading and trailing edges that respectively lead and trail in movement through a user's hair in use. 
     
     
         9 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein each steam outlet is provided on a tooth of the row of comb teeth. 
     
     
         10 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each steam outlet is provided on the leading edge of a tooth of the row of comb teeth. 
     
     
         11 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein each steam outlet is arranged to discharge steam in a lateral direction away from the leading edge on which it is disposed. 
     
     
         12 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more airflow outlets is provided on a leading edge of a tooth of the row of comb teeth on which one of the steam outlets is provided, the airflow outlet disposed distally of the steam outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein each airflow outlet is arranged to discharge airflow laterally and away from the leading edge of the tooth on which it is provided. 
     
     
         14 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein each airflow outlet is arranged to discharge air towards the body. 
     
     
         15 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 1 , configured such that the airflow discharged from the one or more airflow outlets is provided substantially at or below ambient temperature. 
     
     
         16 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 1 , configured to discharge steam from the one or more steam outlets and air from the one or more airflow outlets concurrently. 
     
     
         17 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a flow diverter moveable between:
 a first position in which the flow diverter directs airflow to the one or more airflow outlets; and   a second position in which the flow diverter directs airflow to the one or more steam outlets or to one or more further airflow outlets arranged to discharge airflow onto hair being styled by the apparatus in use.   
     
     
         18 . The hair styling apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in:
 a first mode in which steam is discharged from the one or more steam outlets and air is discharged from the one or more airflow outlets; and   a second mode in which steam is not discharged from the one or more steam outlets and airflow is discharged from the steam outlets or from the one or more further airflow outlets.