Dyson to reinvent hairbrush, files patent of high-tech device

The humble hairbrush could go high-tech, as a patent application by Dyson Technologies revealed designs of a "high velocity" mains-powered device that dried hair as one brushed.

Thanks to its expertise in vacuum cleaner and hand dryer technology, Dyson claims to have obviated the need to use both a hairdryer and brush at the same time, thus freeing-up one hand.

According to the patent filed with the UK Intellectual Property Office, the "high velocity has a drying effect" causing fluid from wet hair to drain away along the tubular walls of the "baton" shaped device.

If a user needed a blast of hot air, the hair brush had the ability to blow hot and cold air through its interchangeable styling heads. The patent also detailed how small apertures in the unit would help prevent it clogging if an owner was using styling products such as hair mousse.

It was also revealed in another patent that the company had a toothbrush design in the works that would banish the need to floss ever again thanks to built-in water jets.

Dyson's patent was the follow-up to last year's Supersonic hairdryer, a $400 appliance.

According to the patent, the appliance ''can be used with or without a heater'' and creates a ''drying effect'' due to ''the action of the outflow of fluid at high velocity.''

The patent also gave some insight into the working of the device noting, ''Hair is wrapped around the head whilst air or fluid exits through the slots, drying the hair and/or styling the hair into curls and waves.''

Thanks to the rows of single and double brushes, as also a number of ''small apertures,'' users would be able to detangle their hair and also prevent their brush from getting bogged down with mousse or hairspray.