Open-Backed Hair Tool Head With Oval Cross Section

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a head for hair tool having an oval cross section where a portion of the back of the hair tool head is open. The hair tool head of the present invention may be used with heated and non-heated hair tools and appliances. The invention further provides methods of using the disclosed hair tool head to reduce drying time for hair, reduce hair frizz, reduce damage to hair occurring during hairstyling and/or hair drying, increase the length of time that hair keeps a curl and/or a flip (the “set” of the curl or flip), and lessen user fatigue during the hairstyling process.

1 . A hair tool head, comprising a head body in the shape of a hollow oval cylinder having normally oval cross-sections of equal area,
 wherein the oval cross-section has a major axis that is longer than the minor axis of the oval;   wherein the head body has a front surface, two side surfaces, and a back surface;   wherein the head body has a length l defined as the distance from the bottom of the front surface of the head body to the top of the front surface of the head body; and   wherein at least a portion of the back surface of the head body is missing.   
     
     
         2 . The hair tool head according to  claim 1 , wherein the missing portion of the back surface of the head body extends substantially the entire length l of the back surface of the head body. 
     
     
         3 . The hair tool head according to  claim 1 , wherein the missing portion of the back surface of the head body is substantially the entirety of the back surface of the head body. 
     
     
         4 . The hair tool head according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more bristles, a carpet structure comprised of hooks and/or loops, or a combination of the one or more bristles and the carpet structure, wherein the bristles and/or carpet structure are attached to at least a portion of one surface of the head body. 
     
     
         5 . The hair tool head according to  claim 4 , wherein the bristles and/or carpet structure are attached to at least a portion of the front surface of the head body and a portion of both side surfaces of the head body. 
     
     
         6 . The hair tool head according to  claim 4 , wherein the bristles and/or carpet structure is attached to at least a portion of one or both side surfaces of the head body but is not attached to the front surface of the head body. 
     
     
         7 . A hair tool head, comprising a head body in the shape of a hollow, oval concave cylinder,
 wherein the head body has a front surface, two side surfaces, and a back surface;   wherein the head body has a length l defined as the distance from the bottom of the front surface of the head body to the top of the front surface of the head body;   wherein in head body has a normally oval cross section at the bottom and top edges of the front surface of the head body that is larger than a normally oval cross section at the midpoint thereof; and   wherein at least a portion of the back surface of the head body is missing.   
     
     
         8 . The hair tool head according to  claim 7 , wherein the missing portion of the back surface of the head body extends substantially the entire length l of the back surface of the head body. 
     
     
         9 . The hair tool head according to  claim 7 , wherein the missing portion of the back surface of the head body is substantially the entirety of the back surface of the head body. 
     
     
         10 . The hair tool head according to  claim 7 , further comprising one or more bristles, a carpet structure comprised of hooks and/or loops, or a combination of the one or more bristles and the carpet structure, wherein the bristles and/or carpet structure is attached to at least a portion of one surface of the head body. 
     
     
         11 . The hair tool head according to  claim 10 , wherein the bristles and/or carpet structure are attached to at least a portion of the front surface of the head body and a portion of both side surfaces of the head body. 
     
     
         12 . The hair tool head according to  claim 10 , wherein the bristles and/or carpet structure is attached to at least a portion of one or both side surfaces of the head body but is not attached to the front surface of the head body. 
     
     
         13 . A hair tool comprising the hair tool head of  claim 1 , wherein the hair tool is a manual hair brush. 
     
     
         14 . A hair tool comprising the hair tool head of  claim 1 , wherein the hair tool is a hot air brush, a hair dryer, a diffuser for a hair dryer, a curling iron, a straightening iron, hair rollers, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A hair tool comprising the hair tool head of  claim 7 , wherein the hair tool is a manual hair brush. 
     
     
         16 . A hair tool comprising the hair tool head of  claim 7 , wherein the hair tool is a hot air brush, a hair dryer, a diffuser for a hair dryer, a curling iron, a straightening iron, hair rollers, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of improving the drying speed of hair, the method comprising using any of the hair tools of  claim 15  on wet or damp hair. 
     
     
         18 . A method of improving the drying speed of hair, the method comprising using any of the hair tools of  claim 17  on wet or damp hair. 
     
     
         19 . A method reducing user fatigue during hair drying or hair styling, the method comprising using any of the hair tools of  claim 15  during the hair drying or hair styling process. 
     
     
         20 . A method reducing user fatigue during hair drying or hair styling, the method comprising using any of the hair tools of  claim 17  during the hair drying or hair styling process.