U.S. patent application number 10/433716 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for hair dryer assembly.
Invention is credited to Ruben, David A..
Application Number | 20040047620 10/433716 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22954217 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040047620 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruben, David A. |
March 11, 2004 |
Hair dryer assembly
Abstract
A hair dryer assembly provides an additional amount of heat to
the air exiting the dryer (2). The assembly includes a hand-held
hair dryer (2) and a diffuser (22) attachable to the air outlet end
(18) of the hair dryer (2). The diffuser comprises a heating
element (28) to add heat directly to a user's hair or to air
passing out of the hair dryer (2) and through the diffuser (22).
This additional measure of heat is used to facilitate drying and/or
styling of hair.
Inventors: |
Ruben, David A.; (Weston,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP
TWIN OAKS ESTATE
1225 W. MARKET STREET
AKRON
OH
44313
US
|
Family ID: |
22954217 |
Appl. No.: |
10/433716 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
December 7, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US01/48195 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/385 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 20/122 20130101;
A45D 20/50 20130101; A45D 20/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/385 |
International
Class: |
A45D 020/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 7, 2000 |
US |
60251994 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An attachment for a hair dryer comprising: a diffuser adapted to
be removably attached to a hot air outlet end of a hair dryer; a
resistance heater positioned within said diffuser.
2. The attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 1 wherein
said diffuser is bowl-shaped.
3. The attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 1 further
comprising: a plastic insert positioned within said diffuser.
4. The attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 3 wherein
said plastic insert has a plurality of holes therein.
5. The attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 3 wherein
said resistance heater is positioned on said plastic insert.
6. The attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 3 wherein
said plastic insert has a plurality of projections extending
outwardly therefrom.
7. The attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 1 further
comprising: means for electrically connecting said resistance
heater to a power supply circuit of said hair dryer.
8. The attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 1 wherein
said resistance heater is selected from the group consisting of a
rope heater, a ceramic heater and a PTC heater.
9. A diffuser attachment for a hair dryer comprising: a diffuser
housing; a insert, having a plurality of holes therein, wherein
said insert has a diameter at least slightly smaller than an inner
diameter of said diffuser housing; a resistance heater positioned
on said plastic insert; means for fastening said concave plastic
insert into said diffuser housing; and means for electrically
connecting said resistance heater to a power supply circuit of a
hair dryer.
10. The diffuser attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 9
wherein said diffuser housing is bowl-shaped.
11. The diffuser attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 9
wherein said plastic insert is comprised of a circular piece of
plastic.
12. The diffuser attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 11
wherein said plastic insert has a concave curvature.
13. The diffuser attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 9
wherein said insert is comprised of metal.
14. The diffuser attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 9
wherein said resistance heater is selected from the group
consisting of rope heaters, ceramic heaters and PTC heaters.
15. The diffuser attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 9
wherein said resistance heater is positioned around a circumference
of said insert.
16. The diffuser attachment for a hair dryer as recited in claim 9
wherein said plastic insert has a plurality of projection is
extending outwardly therefrom.
17. A hair drying assembly comprising: a hair dryer; a diffuser
comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of
said diffuser is adapted to be attached to a hot air outlet of said
hair dryer; a resistance heater positioned within said diffuser;
means for electrically connecting said resistance heater to a power
supply circuit of said hair dryer.
18. The hair drying assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said
means for electrically connecting said diffuser to said power
supply circuit of said hair dryer comprises: an electrical socket
positioned within a hot air outlet of said hair dryer, and an
electrical terminal on said first end of said diffuser, wherein
said electrical terminal on said diffuser is received in said
socket when said diffuser is attached to the hot air outlet of said
hair dryer.
19. A method of drying hair comprising: providing a hair dryer
assembly comprising a hair dryer and a diffuser positioned on an
air outlet end of said hair dryer, wherein said diffuser comprises
a resistance heater positioned therein; positioning a section of
hair within said diffuser; starting power flow to said hair dryer;
and holding said section of hair within said diffuser until a
desired style or condition is achieved.
20. The method as recited in claim 19 further comprising: starting
power flow to said resistance heater.
21. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said section of hair
positioned within said diffuser is wet hair.
22. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein said step of holding
said section of hair within said diffuser comprises: holding said
section of hair within said diffuser until said section of hair is
substantially dry.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is directed to a hair dryer assembly
which includes a diffuser portion. The diffuser portion contains a
heating element to assist in drying and/or styling hair. The
operation of the diffuser heating element may be controlled by an
additional switch on the hair dryer, a switch on the diffuser
itself or by the same power switch as the hair dryer.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Portable hair dryers are extremely popular in today's world.
Typically, hair dryers include an air intake portion and a fan
which draws outside air into the air intake. The fan blows the air
over an electrical heating element. The air is warmed and is then
blown out of the hair dryer through an opening.
[0003] Most portable hair dryers have a gun-type shape comprised of
a handle portion and a barrel portion. The user holds the hair
dryer at the handle portion. The opening through which the warm air
is expelled is located at the end of the barrel portion. In use,
the user generally holds the hair dryer by the handle such that the
opening at the end of the barrel is substantially adjacent to wet
hair that the user hopes to dry using the hair dryer.
[0004] Recently, hair dryers have not only been used to dry hair
but also to assist with curling or styling hair. Generally, this is
accomplished by the user using a type of brush or other implement
in conjunction with the hair dryer. In some cases it is desirable
to decrease the volume of air and/or the speed of the air blowing
on the hair to facilitate the styling of the hair while drying.
Implements, referred to as diffusers, are often attached to hair
dryers to facilitate this. The diffusers essentially diffuse or
divert a portion of the air coming from the hair dryer so that less
air is blowing on the hair. SUMMARY
[0005] Several reasons exists for providing an additional heating
element on a diffuser. For instance, diffusers create additional
distance between the hair dryer's heat source and the hair.
Therefore when the air passes through the diffuser, heat is lost in
the process. In addition, heat is lost due to the spreading of the
air from the hair dryer over a greater area with the diffuser. In
addition, sometimes additional heat is required to assist the user
with achieving a desired hairstyle while drying the hair. In
conventional hair dryers additional heat is oftentimes combined
with increased air flow through the hair dryer for faster drying.
However, in instances where a user desires to style the hair while
drying, it is desirable to have extra heat without additional air
volume or air speed blowing on the hair. It also may be desirable
to have the heat in closer proximity to the hair to assist with
drying or styling or to make up for heat lost due to the distance
between the hair dryer heater and the hair which is caused by the
diffuser. Further, placing a heated device in close proximity to
the hair can assist with styling.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair
dryer assembly comprising a hair dryer portion and a diffuser
portion which includes a heating element.
[0007] The hair dryer element provides an implement to blow warm
air over hair. The diffuser portion limits the amount of air that
is blown directly onto the hair. The heating element is added to
the diffuser to provide extra heat to the air used in drying hair
and to assist with drying and styling of the hair while drying.
[0008] The diffuser attachment of the present invention may
comprise a diffuser housing having a resistance heater positioned
therein. An insert may be positioned within the diffuser housing.
The insert may have one or more holes or spaces therein for
allowing air flow through the insert. The resistance heater may be
positioned around the insert. The diffuser further comprises a
means for electrically connecting the resistance heater on the
insert to a power supply circuit of a hair dryer.
[0009] The invention is disclosed further through the following
drawings and the detailed description presented herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates elements of a conventional hair
dryer.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of a hair dryer/diffuser assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a hair dryer assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a diffuser in accordance with the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of a diffuser in accordance with the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of a diffuser in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which, in conjunction with this detailed
description, illustrate and describe a hair dryer assembly. The
invention may also be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to only the disclosed embodiments. The
provided embodiments are included so the disclosure will be
thorough, complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention
to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
[0017] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a typical electric
portable hair dryer, generally designated 2. A hair dryer 2 as used
with the present invention may be comprised of a handle 10 and a
barrel 12; however, other configurations are within the scope of
this invention. The outer shell portion of the hair dryer may be
fabricated of a substantially non heat conducting, and/or
electrically insulated material such as plastic. In typical hair
dryers, a motor rotates a fan 48 to achieve air flow through the
hair dryer. Power may be supplied to the motor by line voltage,
batteries, butane or other fuel containing cartridges, or any other
suitable energy source. For instance, the handle of the hair dryer
may be configured to receive a conventional electric power supply
cord 16.
[0018] When power is supplied to the motor and the fan rotates, air
is drawn into the hair dryer 2 through air inlets 14. Any number of
alternate placements of air inlets are contemplated by the present
invention. The air drawn into the hair dryer through air inlets 14
passes over a heating element 20. The heating element may be a
conventional type heating element such as a resistance wire that is
powered by the same energy source as the fan and motor 48. The
heating element warms the air as it passes over the heating element
before it is expelled from the hair dryer 2 through an outlet 18 in
the end of the barrel portion 12. The outlet 12 does not need to be
completely open to accomplish the hair dryer's purpose. For the
purposes of this invention, any means which will allow air to pass
out of the air outlet of the hair dryer is considered an opening.
For instance, the outlet end 18 of the barrel may comprise slits or
holes through which the air flows (as illustrated in FIG. 3).
[0019] FIGS. 2-7 illustrate a diffuser, generally designated 22,
for use in a hair dryer assembly in accordance with the present
invention. In a preferred embodiment, the diffuser 22 of the
present invention is comprised of a heat resistant rigid plastic
material which can withstand elevated temperatures without
softening, melting and/or deforming. In one embodiment, the
diffuser comprises a housing 19 having a bowl shape. It should be
understood that various shapes and materials for diffusers may be
employed and still be within the scope of the present invention.
The housing 19 comprises a first end 21 for removably attaching the
diffuser 22 to the hair dryer 12 and an opposite second end 23
through which air is expelled. These features are best seen in FIG.
5. The first end of the diffuser which attaches to the hair dryer
21 is configured to be removably attached to the air outlet end of
the hair dryer. The first end 21 of the diffuser may have a
diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the air
outlet of the hair dryer, so that the first end 21 of the diffuser
22 fits into the air outlet end of the barrel of the hair dryer. In
another embodiment, the first end 21 of the diffuser 22 may have a
diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the air
outlet of the hair dryer so that the first end of the diffuser may
be positioned around the hot air outlet end of the barrel of the
hair dryer. In either of these embodiments, the diffuser may be
held in place on the end of the barrel of the hair dryer by a
variety of means including but not limited to frictional engagement
with the end of the hair dryer, by a combination of corresponding
slots and projections or ridges and grooves on the hair dryer
barrel and/or the first end of the diffuser and/or by a means for
electrically connecting the diffuser to the power supply circuit of
the hair dryer.
[0020] One of the ways that a diffuser decreases the volume of air
flow from a hair dryer is by spreading the air flowing from the
hair dryer through the diffuser over a larger surface area. Another
way that a diffuser decreases air flow from the hair dryer is by
covering at least a portion of the the air outlet end 23 of the
diffuser. In a preferred embodiment, the structure of the diffuser
in accordance with the present invention facilitates these
purposes. This diffuses or blocks some of the air coming from the
hair dryer from blowing onto the hair.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the diffuser
comprises a bowl shaped diffuser housing 19. Positioned inside the
diffuser housing 19 is a diffuser insert 40. The insert 40 serves
to both diffuse the air flowing out from the hair dryer and it
includes an additional heating element. In one embodiment, the
insert 40 may be comprised of a circular piece of plastic. In a
second embodiment, a diffuser insert may be comprised of a piece of
metal secured inside the diffuser housing. It is contemplated by
the present invention that diffuser inserts may be flat, have
concave or convex curvatures or other shaped surfaces. It is
contemplated by the present invention that an insert as described
herein could be made of various materials. An insert 40 in
accordance with the present invention may have one or more holes 41
therein for allowing air to flow from the outlet 18 of the hair
dryer 2 through the insert 40. In one embodiment, a heating element
28 is secured around the outer circumference of the insert 40. The
heating element 28 may be secured to the insert 40 by any number of
means, including but not limited to clips or prongs 28 as shown in
FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element comprises a
resistance wire enclosed in an electrically insulating sleeve. This
type of heater is commonly known as a rope heater. In other
embodiments, the heating element may be ceramic heater comprised of
a resistance wire encapsulated in a ceramic material, a positive
temperature coefficient thermistor heater ("PTC heater"), or any
other suitable heating element. In a preferred embodiment, the
heating element is at least partially insulated for the safety of
the user and to avoid melting or softening of the plastic material
which makes up the diffuser housing and the insert. It should be
understood that the heating element may be positioned on the insert
or within the diffuser housing in a variety of configurations, all
of which are contemplated by the present invention.
[0022] In addition, it is contemplated by the present invention
that a metal insert could be used without an additional heating
element, if used with a hot air producing hair dryer. The hot air
from the hair dryer could be used to heat up the metal insert. The
heat from the metal insert would impart an additional measure of
heat to the hair of a user.
[0023] The insert may be held inside the diffuser housing by a
variety of means. For instance, the insert may be held inside the
bowl shaped diffuser housing by means of screws or pins. However,
it should be understood that the insert may be held inside the
diffuser by many different means all of which are within the scope
of the present invention.
[0024] The insert is positioned inside the diffuser so that the air
expelled from the hair dryer through the diffuser receives
additional warming before flowing onto the hair of the user. In
addition, the heating element 28 in the diffuser can be used to
provide additional heat directly to the person's hair as it is
being dried. This provides beneficial drying and styling effects to
the user.
[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the insert
may be comprised of any type of heat resistant porous material such
as a sheet of foam or fabric. In another embodiment, the outlet end
portion 23 of the diffuser 19 housing may be covered with a heat
resistant porous material which can block some of the air exiting
from the hair dryer. A heating element as described above may be
encased in a similar porous material and placed around the
circumference of the diffuser housing. In other embodiments of the
present invention, the heating element may be positioned around an
inner circumference of the diffuser housing or be placed in varying
patterns in the diffuser housing or on the insert. It is
contemplated by the present invention that the heating element 28
could be located in any position on or within the diffuser such
that it will provide additional heat directly to the hair as it is
being dried or to the air exiting through the outlet end 23 of the
diffuser 22.
[0026] In another embodiment, the diffuser may be additionally
equipped with styling implements such as those represented by 26 in
FIGS. 3 and 6. The styling implements may be used for various
purposes such as to lift the hair while drying, to comb or detangle
the hair while drying.
[0027] It should be understood that the features of the diffuser
shown in the drawings and described herein are interchangeable and
the scope of the invention should not be limited only to the
embodiments shown in the drawings. For instance, the heating
element may be a part of an insert or attached directly to the
diffuser housing. As another example, porous material as described
above could be used with a heating element on the outside of the
diffuser. The styling implements 26 (FIG. 2) could also be used in
conjunction with or as an alternative to both of these
embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates how the diffuser 22 and the hair dryer 2
are electrically coupled together to form a hair dryer assembly in
accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the
barrel end of the hair dryer will be equipped with a means for
connecting 30 the diffuser 22 to the dryer 2 such that there is an
electrical connection between the diffuser and the hair dryer. In
this embodiment, an electrical connection terminal 24 is attached
at the first end 21 of the diffuser that attaches to the hair
dryer. The terminals may be of a conventional "pin" type 24 or of
any other known type. In one preferred version, the air outlet of
the hair dryer there is positioned a socket adapter 30 configured
to accept the electrical connection terminal of the diffuser.
Conventionally known leads connect the socket adaptor to the power
supply circuit of the hair dryer. The diffuser's electrical
attachment means 24 and the connecting means 30 of the hair dryer
can be connected to form the assembly of the present invention. The
power supply distribution may be controlled by one or more on-off
switches which correspond to the hair dryer, the diffuser or both,
such as switch 46 shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] The power level from the energy source should be sufficient
to maintain a temperature which is sufficient for drying or curling
hair. It should be understood that any range of temperatures could
be used so long as they are comfortable for users of the hair dryer
and do not scorch or burn the hair when used for drying and/or
styling.
[0030] As an example of the present invention, in an embodiment
where the hair dryer uses line voltage as a power source, there
will typically be a single electric power supply cord (e.g. 16,
FIG. 1) which can be connected to a typical wall outlet. Inside the
hair dryer, the power cord provides power to two separate lines in
the hair dryer. A first line will provide power to the motor and
heating element in the hair dryer while the second line will
provide power to the heating element of the diffuser.
[0031] Switches to control electrical functions are known. Any
combination of switches to control single or multiple electrical
functions are within the scope of the present invention.
[0032] In one embodiment, two separate switches can be connected to
the hair dryer to control the power of each of the hair dryer motor
and heater and the diffuser heating element. One example switch is
designated as 46 in FIG. 1. Thus, the hair dryer can be used with
or without the diffuser and heating element. In this embodiment,
one switch will be connected to the power line connected to the
hair dryer motor and heater and will turn on the hair dryer for
drying of the hair. The other switch controls the power line
leading to the diffuser attachment of the hair dryer. The diffuser
is essentially "plugged in" to the hair dryer. When the second
switch is turned on, power is supplied to the heating element of
the diffuser by the second line. When the heating element of the
diffuser is warmed, additional heat is transmitted to the air
passing through the hair dryer and diffuser to facilitate drying
and styling of the hair. Alternatively, the switch which controls
the power to the diffuser heating element may be on the diffuser
rather than the hair dryer.
[0033] In another embodiment, the same power line may provide power
to both the motor, hair dryer heater, and the diffuser heating
element. In this embodiment, only one switch will be required. When
the switch is turned to it's "ON" position, both the motor, the
hair dryer heater and the diffuser heater will operate. It should
be understood that a diffuser as described herein could also be
used with a hair dryer which does not have a heating element or has
an inoperable heating element.
[0034] In still another embodiment, no electrical connection is
required between the diffuser and the hair dryer. In this
embodiment, the diffuser will have an opening at the narrow end for
attaching to the barrel of the hair dryer. The diffuser can be
attached to the barrel of the hair dryer through known mechanical
means. For instance, the opening in the narrow end of the diffuser
can be just slightly larger than the end of the hair dryer barrel
and narrow slightly inward so that the diffuser can slide a short
distance on to the barrel of the hair dryer. Other mechanical means
for holding the diffuser to the barrel of the hair dryer include
cam action, clips, set screws and any other known means. In this
embodiment, the diffuser heating element will have its own power
supply such as a power supply cord, batteries a butane or other
fuel containing cartridge or other suitable power source. The
diffuser will be equipped with a switch for turning on the power of
the heating element.
[0035] Further, the diffuser may be provided as a part of the hair
dryer and be turned on/off by its own power switch or by the same
power switch as the hair dryer as described above. In this
embodiment, the hair dryer and diffuser form a single,
non-separable unit.
[0036] In addition, the diffuser described above could be provided
as a retro-fit kit for existing hair dryers. The diffuser in this
embodiment may have its own power source or may comprise a means to
connect it to the power source of existing hair dryers. For
instance, the diffuser may have its own power supply cord, be
equipped for battery or fuel cartridge power or could be spliced
into the power supply of existing hair dryers.
[0037] It is contemplated by the present invention that the hair
dryer may have a range of temperature and/or air speed settings and
that the heating element of the diffuser may have a range of
temperature settings. For instance the switch which controls the
motor and/or heating element of the hair dryer may have HIGH,
MEDIUM and LOW settings which refer to the temperature of the hair
dryer heating element and the speed of the motor. Similarly, the
switch which controls the diffuser may have a range of settings
such as HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW which refer to the temperature of the
heater in the diffuser. The switch may control the temperature of
the diffuser heater by controlling the power supplied to the
heating element.
[0038] The invention described above can be used in several
fashions to dry hair. For instance, sections of wet, damp or dry
hair can be positioned into the diffuser. When the hair dryer
portion is powered on, air will begin to flow onto the hair. The
heating element of the diffuser can further be powered on either
before or after the hair dryer is turned on. Alternatively, the
heating element of the diffuser or the hair dryer could be used
alone to assist with styling of the hair. The hair dryer could be
utilized with or without having the diffuser attached thereto or
with or without turning on the diffuser heating element. It is
contemplated that the hair dryer assembly of the present invention
could be used on wet, damp or dry hair.
[0039] The foregoing disclosure is illustrative of the present
invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although
one or more embodiments of the invention have been described,
persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that
numerous modifications could be made without departing from the
scope and spirit of the disclosed invention. As such, it should be
understood that all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of this invention as described. The written
description and drawings illustrate the present invention and are
not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed. Modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as
other embodiments, are included within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *