PCT/USOl/01253

WO 01/52689

diamond shape in the patent to Bachrach et al. and a triangle shape in the patent
to Bachrach. The cross-sectional dimensions of each tooth enlarge from the
free end thereof toward the base so that the spacing between adjacent teeth
narrows toward the base. The facing edges of adjacent teeth interact with each

other to capture, in a scissors-like manner, lice and nits therebetween.

Among disadvantages of the recommended conventional combing and
use of the comb to Bachrach et al. and to Bachrach, is that individual hairs tend
to become tightly knotted together or stuck together and thorough combing of
the hair may, therefore, be extremely painful and, consequently. difficult to

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carry out efficiently.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,607 to the present inventor describes an apparatus
and method useful for hair treatment.

The apparatus employs two comb

members each having a longitudinal axis and being formed with teeth which
when the apparatus is employed reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the
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longitudinal axis thereof and as such cause the teeth of each of the two comb
members to reciprocally cross back and forth over and between the teeth of the
other comb member.
The apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,607 serves for treating
hair and/or scalp conditions, such as removal of lice and dandruff.

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Surprisingly. it was discovered that when employed on dry hair, the

apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5.918.607. substantially increases hair
"body" and therefore can be utilized for hair grooming and styling. However,
when employed on wet hair, the same effect was not achieved.
As such, the present invention describes an apparatus which employs

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movable comb teeth and a drying mechanism. such as an air blower. and which
can be utilized for grooming and styling hair. especially when wet and tangled.

SUMMARY OF THE fNVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an
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apparatus for grooming and/or styling hair comprising (a) a hair combing
assembly including a motor and at least one comb member being formed with
teeth. the at least one comb member being reciprocally movable by the motor: