PCT/USOl/01253

WO 01/52689

14

surfaces of the comb elements 18 reach a maximum temperature of not more

than about 60 degreed Celsius.
Apparatus 10 further includes a user interface 32 which includes
speed and frequency controls for hair combing assembly 14 and temperature
5

controls for hair drying mechanism 24.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of FIG. 2 taken along line (ii)-(ii). It
illustrates heating element 28 and also shows elliptic actuator 46 in relationship
to extensions 30 and spring 29. Heating element 28 may be in one of many
positions in proximity to comb member 18.

10

It will be appreciated that assembly 14 of apparatus 10 which is

described hereinabove can be of any configuration previously described in the
art including configurations disclosed in the patents described in the
background section hereinabove.

These patents are therefore incorporated

herein by reference.
15

Preferably, assembly 14 of apparatus 10 of the present invention is

identical to that previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,607 and which is
described in detail hereinbelow. U.S. Pat. No. 5.918.607 is incorporated herein
by reference. In order to facilitate incorporation of U.S. Pat. No. 5.918,607 into
a bush form. a number of variations could be made such as turning the axis of

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the motor by 90 degrees so that it could be housed conveniently in a handle in

this invention.
Thus. according to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention and as specifically shown in Figures 5-7 assembly 14 includes two
comb members 36. Each of comb members 36 features a longitudinal axis 37

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(shown in Figure 6) and is formed with teeth 38. which are set connected to, or
integrally formed with. a base portion 40 of each of comb members 36. As
further detailed hereinunder, each of two comb members 36 is directly or
indirectly movably engaged by housing 12.
Assembly 14 further includes a mechanism 42 which is engaged by

30

housing 12. Mechanism 42 serve for operatively connecting between each of

two comb members 36 and motor 16. so as to force each of two comb members
36 to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis 37. so as