U.S. patent application number 10/084461 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-28 for hair dryer.
Invention is credited to Yeung, Ki Cheong.
Application Number | 20030159306 10/084461 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22185099 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030159306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yeung, Ki Cheong |
August 28, 2003 |
Hair dryer
Abstract
An accessory adapted for use with a hair dryer comprising a body
defining a passageway with at least first and second openings, a
connector for connecting the accessory to the hair dryer and at
least one retainer adapted to retain a substrate in the
passageway.
Inventors: |
Yeung, Ki Cheong; (Sai Ying
Poon, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James A. LaBarre
BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS, L.L.P.
P.O. Box 1404
Alexandria
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
22185099 |
Appl. No.: |
10/084461 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/96 ; 132/271;
34/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 20/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
34/96 ; 34/97;
132/271 |
International
Class: |
A45D 001/00; A45D
020/08 |
Claims
1. An accessory adapted for use with a hair dryer comprising a body
defining a passageway with at least first and second openings, a
connector for connecting said accessory to said hair dryer and at
least one retainer adapted to retain a substrate in said
passageway.
2. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and
second openings is at a respective longitudinal end of said
body.
3. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein said connector is
arranged at or adjacent to said first opening of said body.
4. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein said retainer is
arranged at or adjacent to said second opening of said body.
5. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein said body is
connectable to a front end of said hair dryer.
6. An accessory according to claim 5 wherein said body is adapted
to be removably connectable to said hair dryer by clipping,
snapping or screw-fitting.
7. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein mad Substrate is made
of a material selected from a group including ceramics and
sponge.
8. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is
adapted to withstand a temperature of at least 45.degree. C.
9. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is
adapted to receive a scented medium.
10. An accessory according to claim 1 comprising said
substrate.
11. An accessory according to claim 9 wherein said scented medium
is evaporable at an elevated temperature.
12. An accessory according to claim 9 wherein said scented medium
is an aromatic oil.
13. A hair dryer comprising an accessory as claimed in any one of
claims 1 to 12.
14. A hair dryer assembly comprising a hair dryer and an accessory
adapted for use therewith, wherein said accessory comprises a body
defining a passageway with at least first and second openings, a
connector for connecting said accessory to said hair dryer and at
least one retainer adapted to retain a substrate in said
passageway.
15. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 14 wherein each of
said first and second openings is at a respective longitudinal end
of said body.
16. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 14 wherein said
connector is arranged at or adjacent to said first opening of said
body.
17. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 14 wherein said
retainer is arranged at or adjacent to said second opening of said
body.
18. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 14 wherein said body
is connectable to a front end of said hair dryer.
19. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 18 wherein said body
of said accessory is removably connectable to avid hair dryer by
clipping, snapping or screw-fitting.
20. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 14 wherein said
substrate is selected from a group including ceramics and
sponge.
21. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 14 wherein said
substrate is adapted to receive a scented medium.
22. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 14 comprising said
substrate.
23. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 21 wherein said
scented medium is evaporable when air heated by heating means of
said hair dryer passes through said passageway.
24. A hair dryer assembly according to claim 21 wherein said
scented medium is an aromatic oil.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory adapted for
use with a hair dryer. The present invention also relates to an
improvement on a hair dryer or hair dryer assembly.
[0002] There are a variety of accessories for use with hair dryers.
For example, an adapter in the form of a concentrator or diffuser
may be installed onto a hair dyer to regulate the air now pattern
from the hair dryer to suit a particular hair styling requirement.
Nevertheless, it is desirable to have a hair dryer which when
equipped with such type of accessories, can not only manipulate air
flowing therefrom but also condition hair to be dried or styled by
the air flowing from the hair dryer.
[0003] The present invention seeks to provide an accessory for a
hair dryer having a novel function. The present invention also
seeks to provide a hair dryer assembly incorporating such an
accessory; or at least to provide a useful alternative to the
public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an accessory adapted for use with a hair dryer
comprising a body defining a passageway with at least first and
second openings, a connector for connecting said accessory to the
hair dryer and at least one retainer adapted to retain a substrate
in the passageway.
[0005] Preferably, each of the first and second openings may be at
a respective longitudinal end of the body. In particular, the
connector may be arranged at or adjacent to the first opening of
the body. The retainer may be arranged at or adjacent to the second
opening of the body. Such arrangement allows air to pass through
the passageway from the first opening to the second opening of the
body.
[0006] Suitably, the body may be connectable to a front end of the
hair dryer. Advantageously, the body may be removably connectable
to the hair dryer by clipping, snapping or screw-fitting.
[0007] Preferably, the substrate may be made of a material selected
from a group including ceramics and sponge. The use of ceramics may
in particular be desirable because of its inherent durability under
the condition of repeated heating and cooling. However, other
suitable materials that may withstand a high temperature may also
be used in making the substrate. Specifically, the substrate may be
adapted to receive a scented medium. The accessory may comprise the
substrate for convenience.
[0008] Suitably, the scented medium may be evaporable at an
elevated temperature. Preferably, the scented medium may be an
aromatic oil.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a hair dryer comprising an accessory as described
above. The accessory may be built in with the hair dryer.
[0010] According to a third embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a hair dryer assembly comprising a hair dryer and
an accessory adapted for use therewith, wherein the accessory
comprises a body defining a passageway with at least first and
second openings, at least one connector for connecting the
accessory to the hair dryer and at least one retainer adapted to
retain a substrate in the passageway. Preferably, the hair dryer
may comprise the substrate for convenience. Suitably, the substrate
may be adapted to receive a scented medium. The scented medium may
also be included in the substrate for convenience. In particular,
the scented medium may be evaporable when air heated by heating
means of the hair dryer passes through the passageway. Air leaving
the hair dryer assembly may be enhanced with the aroma of the
scented medium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention is now described, by way of examples
only, with reference to the following drawings in which;
[0012] FIG. 1 is a, perspective view of an accessory in the form of
an adapter according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the accessory shown in FIG.1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view the accessory shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the accessory shown in
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of an accessory in the form of an
adapter according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the accessory shown in
FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross section view an accessory in the form of
an adapter according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of the accessory shown in FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a front view of a substrate for use in one of the
accessories shown in FIGS. 1, 5 or 7; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross section view of a hair dryer according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Turning to a first embodiment of the invention, as can be
seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, there is provided an accessory generally
designated as 2. The accessory 2 is in the form of an adapter for
use with a hair dryer.
[0023] The accessory 2 comprises a body 4 generally formed of a
housing 6 defining a cavity 8 therein (see FIG. 4). A rear opening
10 and a plurality of front openings 12 are provided in the housing
whereby air may flow from the rear opening 10 to the front openings
12 via the cavity 8 of the housing 6. A retainer 14 is disposed at
the center and in a front region of the body 4. A slot 16, which is
circular in shape in this embodiment, is defined by the retainer 14
in which a substrate 18 may be retained. The retainer 14 comprises
a circular collar 20 which is closed with a mesh 22 at its front
end. A narrower neck region 24 having a number of lugs 26 is
provided at a rear end of the retainer 14. The lugs 26 are
resilient and can deform slightly when the substrate 18 is inserted
to the slot 16 of the retainer 14. Once the substrate 18 is
inserted in the slot 16, the lugs 26 will return to their normal
position and the substrate 18 is securely held in the retainer
14.
[0024] The substrate 18 may be in the form of a tablet sized and
shaped to fit tightly in the slot 16. The substrate 18 is made of a
material adapted to absorb and be refilled with a scented medium,
and preferably comprises cavities 27 for accommodating and
retaining a suitable amount of the scented medium. Alternatively,
the substrate 14 may be made with the scented medium. It is
preferable that the substrate 14 can withstand repeated heating and
cooling. One such suitable material of the substrate 14 is ceramic
[i.e. Silicon oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3)] because it can withstand a
high temperature although ocher suitable materials such as a
sponge-type material may be used. The scented medium may preferably
be aromatic oil (such as lemon or lavender aromatic oil) which is
evaporable at an elevated temperature relative to an ambient
temperature (i.e. room temperature]. The elevated temperature of
heated air from a hair dryer is normally 45.degree. C. or higher at
which level an aromatic oil will usually evaporate. Yet another
alternative is that the substrate 14 may be in the form of a
disposable scented tablet which can be replaced when its aroma is
exhausted.
[0025] At a rear end of the accessory 2, a connector 29 in the form
of a number of slightly movable legs is provided. The connector 29
allows the accessory 2 to be connected with a front end of a hair
dryer. In use, as the rear end of the accessory 2 is positioned in
front of the hair dryer, the accessory 2 can be removably connected
thereto by pushing towards the hair dryer as the legs deform
slightly and clip to an inner rim of the front end of the hair
dryer. Alternatively, other forms of connecting or retaining
mechanisms may be provided to the accessory according to the
invention. For example, the accessory may be adapted to be
snap-fitted or screw-fitted to the hair dryer.
[0026] In use, a user before a hair drying/styling operation may
add a suitable amount of a preferred scented medium to the
substrate 18 in the retainer 14 of the accessory 2 which is then
installed to the hair dyer. Once the hair dryer is turned on, air
stream generated by a fan of the hair dryer will pass via a
passageway defined by a housing of the hair dryer. On leaving the
hair dryer, the air stream will enter the rear opening of the
accessory 2 and leave the front openings of the accessory 2,
passing through or around the substrate 18. In a situation where
the scented medium is an aromatic oil and the operating mode of the
hair dryer generates unheated air stream, minimal amount of the
aromatic coil is evaporated because aromatic oils are usually
evaporable only at an elevated temperature (i.e. usually 45.degree.
C. or above). In such case, the air stream leaving the front
opening of the accessory 2 will have little or no scent of the
aromatic oil. However, when the operating mode of the hair dryer
generate heated air stream, heated air passing through or around
the substrate will evaporate the aromatic oil and air flowing from
the front openings of the accessory 2 will carry and is enhanced
with the aroma of the oil. Hair blown, dried and styled by such air
flowing will acquire the aroma as well. The use of the hair dryer
with the accessory 2 according to the invention allows blow-drying
and fragrance acquiring on the hair in one step. The emission of
aroma by the substrate 18 is to be conveniently controlled by the
heated or non-heated mode of the hair dryer as selected by the
user. In an event that the substrate 18 is loaded with a scented
medium which is evaporate but not dependent on temperature, scented
air stream may be generated in whichever of the operation
modes.
[0027] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of an accessory 32
also in the form of an adapter for use with a hair dryer. The
accessory 32, similarly includes a retainer 34 for housing a
substrate 36 and a connector 38 for connecting the accessory 32
with a hair dryer. The main difference between this embodiment and
the first embodiment is that the accessory 32 is in the form of a
concentrating adapter to confine air flowing from the hair dryer,
while the accessory 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is in the form of an
adapter for diverging air flowing from the hair dryer.
[0028] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the invention in
that an accessory 42 also in the form of an adapter which is
similar to the accessories 2, 32 in the first and second
embodiments. However, the necessary 42 is adapted to allow
diffusing air flowing from a hair dryer. A substrate 44 is
similarly situated in a retainer 46. It can also be seen that a
rear portion 48 of the accessory 42 is sized and shaped to fit to
an outer rim of a hair dryer.
[0029] FIG. 9 shows a substrate (18, 36 or 44) which may be used in
any one of the accessories (2, 32 and 42). It can be seen that a
plurality of the cavities 27 are provided for accommodating an
aromatic oil.
[0030] FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention,
and shows a cross section view of a hair dryer assembly 52
comprising a hair dryer incorporated with an adapter 54. The
adapter 54 is generally similar to any one of the accessories (2,
32 and 42) in the first, second and third embodiments. The adapter
54 similarly comprises a retainer 56 having a substrate 58 therein
and arranged in a front portion of the hair dryer. The adapter 54
also comprises a connector 60 for connecting to a front rim of the
hair dryer.
[0031] It can be appreciated that the adapter 54, similar to the
accessories in the other three embodiments, can be adapted to be
removably and conveniently connected to the hair dryer.
Alternatively, the hair dryer can be made integrally with the
adapter 54. In the latter case, the retainer 56 can be designed
such that the substrate 58 can be inserted therein from its front
end
[0032] As clearly shown in FIG. 10, when the hair dryer assembly 52
is operational, air in drawn from its surroundings 62 into the rear
end thereof, passing through a fan and a heater 64. Heated air will
pass through or around the substrate 58 situated in the retainer
56. A scented medium received in the substrate 58, e.g. aromatic
oil, on passing of the heat air, will evaporate and air leaving the
adapter 54 will carry the aroma of the scented medium.
* * * * *