U.S. patent application number 11/803929 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for hair styling device.
Invention is credited to Masood Habibi.
Application Number | 20080283081 11/803929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40026276 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080283081 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Habibi; Masood |
November 20, 2008 |
Hair styling device
Abstract
In one embodiment a device for styling hair includes a first
housing having a first face, a second housing having a second face,
a hinged frame coupled to the first and second housings and hinged
to permit a user to bring the first face and the second face
together into a closed position where the hair is engaged between
the first and second faces. A first plate coupled to a first
section of the first face defines a first covered zone and the
remaining area left uncovered by the first plate is referred to as
a first uncovered zone. A second plate coupled to a first section
of the second face defines a second covered zone and the remaining
area left uncovered by the second plate is referred to as the
second uncovered zone. Pins extend from the first uncovered zone to
engage holes in the second uncovered zone.
Inventors: |
Habibi; Masood; (Beverly
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THELEN LLP
P. O. BOX 640640
SAN JOSE
CA
95164-0640
US
|
Family ID: |
40026276 |
Appl. No.: |
11/803929 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2001/008 20130101;
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 2/40 20130101; A45D 2001/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/224 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/40 20060101
A45D002/40 |
Claims
1. A device for styling hair, comprising: a first housing having a
first face; a second housing having a second face; a hinged frame
coupled to the first housing and the second housing and hinged to
permit a user to bring the first face and the second face into
opposed relationship with one another; a first plate coupled to a
first section of the first face to define a first covered zone of
the first face covered by the first plate and a first uncovered
zone of the first face, which is not covered by the first plate; a
second plate coupled to a first section of the second face to
define a second covered zone of the second face covered by the
second plate and a second uncovered zone of the second face, which
is not covered by the second plate; a plurality of first pins
extending from the first uncovered zone; a plurality of first holes
formed in the second uncovered zone and disposed to engage the
plurality of first pins when the first face and the second face are
disposed in opposed relationship with one another; and, a heater
configured to heat at least one of the first plate and the second
plate.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of second
pins extending from at least one of the first plate and the second
plate; and a plurality of corresponding second holes formed in at
least one of the second plate and the first plate and disposed to
engage the plurality of second pins when the first face and the
second face are disposed in opposed relationship with one
another.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of fins
coupled to at least one of the first and second housings, the
members of the plurality of fins being spaced apart from one
another a distance less than about the width of a human finger.
4. The device of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of fins
coupled to at least one of the first and second housings, the
members of the plurality of fins being spaced apart from one
another a distance less than about the width of a human finger.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a vapor generator
coupled to at least one of the first and second housings, the vapor
generator configured to heat aqueous fluid to vaporization; a
refillable reservoir for containing fluid coupled in fluid flow
communication with the vapor generator; a pump coupled in fluid
flow communication with the refillable reservoir and the vapor
generator, the pump configured to withdraw a metered volume of
fluid from the reservoir and place the metered volume of fluid in
contact with the vapor generator; and a passage coupling the vapor
generator and a plurality of holes in at least one of the first and
second faces so that vaporized fluid can pass from these holes.
6. The device of claim 2, further comprising: a vapor generator
coupled to at least one of the first and second housings, the vapor
generator configured to heat aqueous fluid to vaporization; a
refillable reservoir for containing fluid coupled in fluid flow
communication with the vapor generator; a pump coupled in fluid
flow communication with the refillable reservoir and the vapor
generator, the pump configured to withdraw a metered volume of
fluid from the reservoir and place the metered volume of fluid in
contact with the vapor generator; and a passage coupling the vapor
generator and a plurality of holes in at least one of the first and
second faces so that vaporized fluid can pass from these holes.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein: a plurality of the first pins
are disposed in at least two rows, each row being substantially
parallel to an edge of the first plate.
8. The device of claim 2, wherein: a plurality of the first pins
are disposed in at least two rows, each row being substantially
parallel to an edge of the first plate.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein: a plurality of the second pins
are disposed in at least two rows, each row being substantially
parallel to an edge of at least one of the first and second plates,
and the first row of the second pins being spaced apart from the
edge by a first distance, the second row of the pins being spaced
apart from the first row by a second distance, wherein each pin in
the first row of pins is spaced apart from adjacent pins in the
first row of pins by a first Y distance, each pin in the second row
of pins is spaced apart from adjacent pins in the second row of
pins by a second Y distance, and the first Y distance is less than
the second Y distance.
10. The device of claim 2, wherein: a plurality of the second pins
are disposed in at least two rows, each row is substantially
parallel to an edge of at least one of the first and second plates,
the first row of second pins is spaced apart from the edge by a
first distance, the second row of second pins is spaced apart from
the first row by a second distance, each pin in the first row of
pins is spaced apart from adjacent pins in the first row of pins by
a first Y distance, each pin in the second row of pins is spaced
apart from adjacent pins in the second row of pins by a second Y
distance, and the first Y distance is less than the second Y
distance.
11. The device of claim 9, further comprising: at least a third row
and a fourth row of second pins, wherein the third row of second
pins is spaced apart from the second row by a third distance, the
fourth row of second pins is spaced apart from the third row by a
fourth distance, the second distance is greater than the first
distance, and the third and fourth distances are each substantially
equal to each other.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein: the hinged frame comprises a
handle including a first handle member wherein a distal end of the
first handle member is coupled to the first housing, the handle
further including a second handle member wherein a distal end of
the second handle member is coupled to the second housing, a
proximal end of the first handle member being coupled to a proximal
end of the second handle member by a hinge, whereby the handle is
pivotally operable between an open position and a closed position,
the handle including a proximal guide member and a distal guide
member affixed to the first handle member and the second handle
member, the proximal guide member comprising a proximal male
alignment part coupled to the first handle member and a proximal
female alignment part coupled to the second handle member, the
proximal male alignment part and the proximal female alignment part
being constructed and arranged so that when the handle is in the
open position the alignment parts are not engaged with one another,
and when a user moves the handle from a first partially closed
position to a second partially closed position and from the second
partially closed position to the closed position the proximal
alignment parts engage one another to cause initial alignment of
the first face and the second face, and the distal guide member
comprising a distal male alignment part coupled to the first handle
member and a distal female alignment part coupled to the second
handle member, the distal male alignment part and the distal female
alignment part being constructed and arranged so that when the
handle is in the open position and when the handle is between the
first partially closed position and the second partially closed
position, the distal alignment parts are not engaged with one
another, and when a user moves the handle from the second partially
closed position to the closed position the distal alignment parts
engage one another to cause final alignment of the first face and
the second face.
13. A device for styling hair, comprising: a first housing having a
first face; a second housing having a second face; a hinged frame
holding the first housing and the second housing and hinged to
permit a user to bring the first face and the second face into
opposed relationship with one another; a first plate coupled to a
first section of the first face defining a first covered zone
comprising an area of the first face covered by the first plate and
a first uncovered zone comprising an area of the first face not
covered by the first plate; a plurality of first pins extending
from the first plate; a plurality of second pins extending from the
first uncovered zone; a plurality of holes formed in the second
face and disposed to engage the first and second pins when the
first face and the second face are disposed in opposed relationship
with one another; and a heater configured to heat at least one of
the first plate and the second plate.
14. A device for styling hair, comprising: a first housing having a
first face; a second housing having a second face; a hinged frame
holding the first housing and the second housing and hinged to
permit a user to bring the first face and the second face into
opposed relationship with one another; a first plate coupled to a
first section of the first face defining a first covered zone
comprising an area of the first face covered by the first plate and
a first uncovered zone comprising an area of the first face not
covered by the first plate; a plurality of first pins extending
from the first plate; a plurality of second pins extending from the
second face; a plurality of first holes formed in the second plate
and disposed to engage the plurality of first pins when the first
face and the second face are disposed in opposed relationship with
one another; a plurality of second holes formed in the first
uncovered zone and disposed to engage the plurality of second pins
when the first face and the second face are disposed in opposed
relationship with one another; and a heater configured to heat at
least one of the first plate and the second plate.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
hair care and styling.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many devices have been devised over the ages to aid in
styling hair. Hair curlers, for example, are used to impart curls
into hair. They may be used on dry hair but work best on wet hair.
Steam may be applied to assist in setting the hair to the curl of
the curlers. Curling irons typically incorporate an electrical
heating element to heat one or both sides of a smooth but curved
pair of mating surfaces between which hair is placed to be curled.
The hair may preferably be pulled through the interface of the
mating surfaces of the curling iron to aid in curling the hair. On
the other hand, hair straighteners and smoothers operate much like
curling irons, but they have flat or curved, smooth mating surfaces
which act more like a clothes iron to straighten and/or smooth, or
curve or curl the hair when compressed against and pulled along the
hair.
[0003] Many examples of such irons and straighteners comprise a
pair of smooth untextured surfaces for engaging the hair. As a
result, the hair can become tangled, or require much additional
brushing with another apparatus such as a brush in order to achieve
the desired style. This additional brushing can undesirably disrupt
the style imparted by the irons and straighteners. Furthermore, it
would be beneficial to obviate this need for an additional
implement because the time required to style the hair could be
reduced and less heat would need to be imparted to the hair because
the styling process would take less time.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide hair styling
devices capable of use in curling, straightening, smoothing,
curving and/or waving hair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] In one embodiment a device for styling hair includes a first
housing having a first face, a second housing having a second face,
a hinged frame coupled to the first and second housings and hinged
to permit a user to bring the first face and the second face
together into a closed position where the hair is engaged between
the first and second faces. A first plate coupled to a first
section of the first face defines a first covered zone and the
remaining area left uncovered by the first plate is referred to as
a first uncovered zone. A second plate coupled to a first section
of the second face defines a second covered zone and the remaining
area left uncovered by the second plate is referred to as the
second uncovered zone. Pins extend from the first uncovered zone to
engage holes in the second uncovered zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
detailed description, serve to explain the principles and
implementations of the invention.
[0007] In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair styling device in accordance
with one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of a hair styling device in accordance
with one embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of a hair styling device in accordance
with one embodiment shown in an open position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front end view of a hair styling device in
accordance with one embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a rear end view of a hair styling device in
accordance with one embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of one face of a hair styling
device in accordance with one embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the surface shown in
FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a plan view of one face of a hair styling device
in accordance with one embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the surface shown in
FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
[0017] FIGS. 10-11 are drawings illustrating the dimensions of a
hair styling device in accordance with various embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the device shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the device shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a detailed perspective view of a heater and steam
generator of a hair styling device in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 15 is another view of the heater shown in FIG. 14.
[0022] FIGS. 16-18 are schematic illustrations showing alternative
embodiments of a hair styling device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in
the context of a hair styling device. Those of ordinary skill in
the art will realize that the following detailed description is
illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled
persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now
be made in detail to implementations of various embodiments as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described herein. The
same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and
the following detailed description to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0024] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It
will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such
actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions
must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals,
such as compliance with application- and business-related
constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one
implementation to another and from one developer to another.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort
might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0025] In one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 a first housing
10 has a first face 12 and a second housing 14 has a second face
16. Proximal ends of the housings 10 and 14 are coupled to handle
18 which includes a first handle member 20 to which first housing
10 is coupled and a second handle member 22 to which second housing
14 is coupled. These housings/handle members may each, in one
embodiment, be formed of a single piece of a material such as a
plastic capable of withstanding the operating temperatures of the
hair styling device.
[0026] The first handle member 20 and second handle member 22 are
coupled together at their proximal ends by hinge 24 and optionally
biased toward an open position as, for example, with a spring or
other biasing element (not shown). An operator may press the handle
members 20 and 22 together to locate the first face 12 and second
face 16 in opposed relationship with each other as shown in FIG. 1.
This may be referred to as the "closed" position. The length of the
pins and the depth of the holes may be configured to leave a
minimum gap between the first and second plates in the closed
position to avoid pinching the hair. Alternatively, the hinge 24
may be so configured.
[0027] The first housing 10 includes a side member 26 and an end
member 28. Likewise the second housing 14 includes a side member 30
and an end member 32. A plurality of fins 34 are coupled to the
side member 26 and end member 28 of the first housing 10, and a
plurality of fins 34 are coupled to the side member 30 and end
member 32 of the second housing 14. Each of the fins 34 comprises
in one embodiment, a substantially flat, thin ridge of constant
height, having one edge coupled to a side member or end member and
terminating in a rounded end spaced apart from the side member or
end member. The fins on a side member may be, in one embodiment,
all substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from
each other a constant distance throughout their length. Likewise
the fins on an end member may be, in one embodiment, all
substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from each
other a constant distance throughout their length.
[0028] During normal operation of the hair styling device the side
members 26 and 30 and the end members 28 and 32 become hot.
However, the exposed ends of the fins 34 do not get significantly
hotter than ambient temperature. All of the fins 34 are spaced
apart from one another a distance less than the width of a human
finger (less than approx. 0.5 in.) so that a user of the apparatus
may grasp it or inadvertently touch it without touching the side
members 26 or 30 or the end members 28 or 32. Thus the fins 34 help
protect the user from coming into direct contact with hot side
members or end members.
[0029] The handle 18, in one embodiment, includes a proximal guide
36 and a distal guide 38 which assist in alignment of the first and
second faces 12 and 16 when a user closes the device. As best shown
in FIGS. 12 and 13, the proximal guide 36 includes a proximal male
alignment part 40 coupled to the second handle member 22 and a
proximal female alignment part 42 coupled to the first handle
member 20. Similarly, the distal guide 38 includes a distal male
alignment part 44 coupled to the second handle member 22 and a
distal female alignment part 46 coupled to the first handle member
20.
[0030] Turning now to FIGS. 6-9, the first face 12 has a plurality
of pins or tangs 48 disposed thereon. The second face 16 has a
plurality of holes 50 disposed therein. Pins 48 and holes 50 are
formed and disposed so that pins 48 enter holes 50 when first face
12 and second face 16 are in close relationship when the apparatus
is in the "closed" configuration. There is no requirement that pins
and holes correspond in a one to one fashion. A plurality of pins
can be configured to enter a single "hole" as in the case of a hole
elongated in one or both planar dimensions to form a slot or a
large aperture.
[0031] The first face 12 comprises a first plate 52 coupled to a
section of the first face to form a first covered zone 54 and a
first uncovered zone 56 which is not covered by first plate 52. In
one embodiment, pins 48 extend from both first covered zone 54 and
first uncovered zone 56 of the first face 12. A conventional
electrical heating coil 58, or ceramic heater or the like is
configured to heat first plate 52.
[0032] The second face 16 comprises a second plate 60 coupled to a
section of the second face 16 to form a second covered zone 62 and
a second uncovered zone 64 which is not covered by second plate 60.
In one embodiment, holes 50 are formed in both the second covered
zone 62 and the second uncovered zone 64 of second face 16.
Optionally, a second conventional electrical heating coil, ceramic
heater, or the like, not shown (but similar to that shown in FIG. 7
at reference number 58), may be configured to heat second plate 60.
As those of ordinary skill in the art will now realize, the plates,
faces, pins and the like may be fabricated of any suitable
heat-resistant materials such as high-temperature plastic, metal,
coated metal, ceramic, ceramic coated materials, and the like.
[0033] Those of ordinary skill in the art will now realize that the
diameter, especially the entry diameter, of holes 50, the length
and thickness of pins 48, and the length and orientation of first
face 12 and the second face 16 need to be coordinated so that pins
48 will engage holes 50. There is no requirement that each pin
engage only a corresponding hole and, for example, a plurality of
pins may engage a single "hole" if the "hole" is shaped
accordingly, e.g., as a lengthwise slot.
[0034] In one embodiment the location of the pins 48 relative to
one another and similarly the relationship of the holes 50 relative
to one another can be configured to improve operation of the
device. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the relative location of the
holes 50 in accordance with one such embodiment, and it should be
understood that the location of the pins in this embodiment is in
mirror image to the location of the holes, so that they will engage
in the closed position. Accordingly, the relative location of the
pins will not be shown in another figure. The holes are disposed in
8 rows, labeled R1 through R8, which are parallel to first edge 66
and second edge 68 of the second face 16. Also, the rows R1 through
R8 extend between the distal end of second face 16, which is
labeled 70, and the proximal end of second face 16, which is
labeled 72.
[0035] In FIG. 11 the location of the holes is shown. The following
dimensions are in millimeters and are to the centers of the holes
in accordance with this embodiment. A=10.10, B=8.80, C=6.10,
D=4.80, E=6.40, F=8.80, G=7.90, H=21.20, I=15.40, J=9.60, K=3.20,
and L=3.95. Two of these dimensions should be emphasized. Distance
L is the distance between the centers of each of the holes in rows
R1 and R8, namely 3.95 mm, and distance G is the distance between
the centers of each of the holes in all other rows, i.e. rows R2
through R7, namely 7.90 mm. An important point to note is that the
distances between the holes in rows R1 and R8 are significantly
less than the distances between the holes in the other rows. It is
believed that this spacing is helpful to detangling curly or wavy
hair and that drawing curly or wavy hair through the device is
facilitated by this spacing. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will now realize that other pin/hole arrangements may also be
usefully employed.
[0036] It should be understood that the holes are spaced as
described below. The first row of holes R1 is spaced apart from the
nearest edge of the second face 14 by a first distance. The second
row of holes R2 is spaced apart from the first row R1 by a second
distance. The third row of holes R3 is spaced apart from the second
row R2 by a third distance, and the fourth row of holes R4 is
spaced apart from the third row R3 by a fourth distance. The second
distance is greater than the first distance and the third distance
is substantially equal to the fourth distance.
[0037] The eighth row of holes R8 is spaced apart from the nearest
edge of the second face 14 by an ninth distance. The seventh row of
holes R7 is spaced apart from the eighth row R8 by an eighth
distance. The sixth row of holes R6 is spaced apart from the
seventh row by a seventh distance, and the fifth row of holes R5 is
spaced apart from the sixth row R6 by a sixth distance. The eighth
distance is greater than the ninth distance and the seventh
distance is substantially equal to the sixth distance.
[0038] The fifth row of holes R5 is spaced apart from the fourth
row R4 by a fifth distance, and the fifth distance is greater than
the fourth distance.
[0039] Each hole in the first row R1 is spaced apart from the
adjacent hole or holes in the first row R1 by a first distance in
the direction perpendicular to the direction of the row R1, i.e., a
first Y distance. Each hole in the second row of holes R2 is spaced
apart from the adjacent hole or holes in the second row of holes R2
by a second Y distance, and the first Y distance is less than the
second Y distance.
[0040] Like the holes, the pins are spaced as described below. The
first row of pins R1 is spaced apart from the nearest edge of the
first face 10 by a first distance. The second row of pins R2 is
spaced apart from the first row R1 by a second distance. The third
row of pins R3 is spaced apart from the second row R2 by a third
distance, and the fourth row of pins R4 is spaced apart from the
third row R3 by a fourth distance. The second distance is greater
than the first distance and the third distance is substantially
equal to the fourth distance.
[0041] The eighth row of pins R8 is spaced apart from the nearest
edge of the second face 14 by an ninth distance. The seventh row of
pins R7 is spaced apart from the eighth row R8 by an eighth
distance. The sixth row of pins R6 is spaced apart from the seventh
row by a seventh distance, and the fifth row of pins R5 is spaced
apart from the sixth row R6 by a sixth distance. The eighth
distance is greater than the ninth distance and the seventh
distance is substantially equal to the sixth distance.
[0042] The fifth row of pins R5 is spaced apart from the fourth row
R4 by a fifth distance, and the fifth distance is greater than the
fourth distance.
[0043] Each pin in the first row R1 is spaced apart from the
adjacent pin or pins in the first row R1 by a first distance in the
direction perpendicular to the direction of the row R1, i.e., the
first Y distance. Each pin in the second row of pins R2 is spaced
apart from the adjacent pin or pins in the second row of pins R2 by
a second Y distance, and the first Y distance is less than the
second Y distance.
[0044] Although a specific layout of pins and holes has been
described and illustrated, it should be understood that this layout
is only one embodiment, and the present invention is not intended
to be limited in any way to this specific layout.
[0045] It should be understood that when a user closes the handle
members 20 and 22 to bring the plates 52 and 60 to bear on hair, it
is critical that the pins line up with and enter corresponding
holes. In one embodiment, due to flex in the hinge 24 it is
important to provide alignment of the pins and holes to insure
correct alignment. Alignment of the pins and holes is accomplished
in one embodiment by means of two guide members 36 and 38.
[0046] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 12-13, the proximal guide member
36 includes a proximal male alignment part 40 coupled to the second
handle member 22 and a proximal female alignment part 42 coupled to
the first handle member 20. The proximal male alignment part 40 has
two faces 74 and 76 which are shaped substantially as truncated
triangles when viewed in FIG. 12. The two faces 74 and 76 are
spaced apart from one another where they are fixed to second handle
member 22, and the faces are coupled to one another at their ends
which are spaced apart from second handle member 22. Accordingly,
when viewed in FIG. 12, it can be seen that the faces 74 and 76 are
nearer to one another in the horizontal direction when they are
farther from second handle member 22 in the vertical direction. The
proximal female alignment part 42 has two faces 78 and 80. The two
faces 78 and 80 are spaced apart from one another where they are
fixed to first handle member 20, and the faces are a greater
distance from one another at their ends which are spaced apart from
first handle member 20.
[0047] The proximal male alignment part 40 and the proximal female
alignment part 42 are constructed and arranged so that when the
handle is in the open position the alignment parts are not engaged
with one another. As the user moves the handles toward the closed
position the proximal male alignment part 40 and the proximal
female alignment part 42 engage one another and tend to force the
handles into alignment to the extent that they are out of
alignment. In other words, when a user moves the handle from a
first partially closed position to second partially closed position
and from the second partially closed position to the closed
position the proximal alignment parts engage one another to cause
initial alignment of first plate 52 and second plate 60.
[0048] The distal guide member 38 comprises a distal male alignment
part 44 coupled to second handle member 22 and a distal female
alignment part 46 coupled to first handle member 20. The distal
male alignment part 44 includes a substantially cone shaped
structure 82 coupled to second handle member 22 and a substantially
cylindrical part 84 coupled to the lower end of the cone shaped
structure 82. The distal female alignment part 46 includes a
conical shaped opening 86 which is sized to fit snugly around the
cone shaped structure 82.
[0049] The distal male alignment part 44 and the distal female
alignment part 46 are constructed and arranged so that when the
handle is in the open position the alignment parts do not engage
one another. As a user moves the handles toward the closed position
the handles reach a first partially closed position and the
proximal alignment members 40 and 42 initially contact one another
to bring about partial alignment. At this time the distal alignment
members 44 and 46 do not engage one another. Thereafter, as the
user continues to close the handles, and when the handles reach a
second partially closed position, the distal alignment parts engage
one another to cause final alignment of first plate 52 and second
plate 60 as the user closes the device.
[0050] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
dry heat may be provided to one or both of plates 52 and 60 by
incorporating a conventional electrical heating coil 58, a ceramic
heater, or the like behind each respective plate. In this case it
would be desirable to form the respective heated (and non-heated)
surface of temperature resistant materials, such as aluminum and
high temperature plastics such as PTFE (also known by the trade
name Teflon.RTM.). An electrical switch 88 may be conveniently
disposed in the handle to control one or both electrical heating
coils, ceramic heaters, or the like. Conventional AC power is
provided by wires 90 to power the circuit, which is not shown.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 in accordance with one
embodiment, steam is provided through holes in the second plate 60.
It will now be appreciated that steam may be supplied through one
or both plates through special purpose holes provided for that
purpose alone or through some or all holes 50.
[0052] The second handle member 22 includes a water reservoir 92,
and a metered amount of water can be drawn from the reservoir 92
through tubes, not shown, by activation of a pumping mechanism by a
trigger 93. The water then flows to steam generator 94 which is
heated by a steam heating element 96. This heated water therein
forms steam, which then exits the steam emitting holes 98 disposed
along the lower surface of steam generator 94. Steam heating
element 96 is supplied electrical current via wires 90. From the
steam emitting holes 98 the steam travels, in one embodiment,
through holes 50 in second plate 60.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 14, the steam generator 94 comprises a body
100 which is substantially C-shaped in cross section and extends
substantially the length of second housing 14. Within the body 100
there is a steam chamber 102 wherein the water is vaporized and
which is substantially C-shaped in cross section and is in
communication with the steam emitting holes 98. The steam chamber
102 contains felt or a similar material 104. The purpose of the
felt 104 is to reduce or eliminate the possibility of any
condensation which forms in the steam chamber 102 from leaving the
steam generator 94 as water droplets.
[0054] As can be seen in FIG. 15, as an alternative to a plurality
of steam emitting holes 98 disposed along the bottom faces of steam
generator 94, slots 106 can be formed along the bottom of the steam
generator 94. In one embodiment, the water reservoir 92 is
removable from second handle member 22, and the handle includes a
compartment to accommodate the water reservoir. Water reservoir 92
can be removed to facilitate filling it with water.
[0055] It should be noted that while the specific layout of pins
and corresponding holes or apertures is viewed as an aspect of the
present invention, it is not critical to the entire invention and
other aspects of the invention may be used with or without this
particular aspect of the invention.
[0056] It should also be noted that while round pins and apertures
are shown and described herein, other shapes of pins/holes may also
be employed and will now be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art.
[0057] Turning now to FIGS. 16-17, alternative embodiments of first
face 12 are illustrated schematically. It should be understood that
in these embodiments, second faces are not shown since it should be
recognized that the second faces include holes 50 to accommodate
the pins 48 regardless of where the pins 48 are disposed and the
second faces may include plates in opposition to the plates
comprising the first faces.
[0058] In the FIG. 16 embodiment, first face 12 comprises a first
plate 52 which forms a first covered zone 54 and a pair of sections
not covered by first plate 52 and which are designated first
uncovered zone 56. As shown in FIG. 16 there are no pins disposed
on first plate 52, and pins 48 are disposed only in the uncovered
zone 56. There may be one or more rows of pins 48 disposed on
uncovered zone 56.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 17 there are two first plates 52a and 52b
disposed in the first covered zone 54 of first face 12. Each may
have zero, one or more sets or rows of pins 48. The first uncovered
zone comprises the three regions denoted 56 and each portion of
that zone may have zero, one or more rows of pins 48 as long as
some pins are disposed in these regions.
[0060] Turning now to FIG. 18, an alternative embodiment for second
face 16 is illustrated schematically. In the FIG. 18 embodiment, a
second plate 60 defines a second covered zone 62, areas designated
64 being uncovered zones. Holes 50 of various shapes are
illustrated on second plate 60. Holes are provided in both the
second uncovered zone 64 and the second covered zone 62.
[0061] It should be understood that the illustrated shapes of the
holes are merely examples, and other shapes may be useful in
appropriate circumstances, as can now be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0062] Other features may, of course, be incorporated such as the
vibrating feature described in more detail in co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/526,207, filed Sep. 22, 2006 in the
name of the same inventor hereof and commonly owned herewith.
[0063] While embodiments and applications of this invention have
been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure that many more
modifications than mentioned above are possible without departing
from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is
not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended
claims.
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