U.S. patent application number 12/572164 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for hair curler system.
Invention is credited to Michael John O'Rourke.
Application Number | 20100116286 12/572164 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42164060 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100116286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Rourke; Michael John |
May 13, 2010 |
HAIR CURLER SYSTEM
Abstract
A hair curler system is formed of unique hair rollers that are
stored in a hair curler station. In one aspect, the hair rollers
are at least partially conical in shape. The conically-shaped
rollers broaden the ability of the rollers to curl and style the
hair over non-conical rollers. The conically-shaped hot rollers
also provide curl and wave dimension to the hair. The hair curler
station is adapted to selectively control heating of the curlers or
clips that secure curlers to hair.
Inventors: |
O'Rourke; Michael John;
(Topanga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO, P.C
ONE FINANCIAL CENTER
BOSTON
MA
02111
US
|
Family ID: |
42164060 |
Appl. No.: |
12/572164 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61102314 |
Oct 2, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/254 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 4/16 20130101; A45D
2/122 20130101; A45D 2/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/254 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00 |
Claims
1. A hair curler system, comprising: at least one hair roller; at
least one hair clamp sized and shaped to be clamped over the hair
roller; a tower having: (a) a hair roller receptacle adapted to
store the hair roller in a manner that the hair roller is
accessible from the tower; (b) a hair clamp receptacle adapted to
store the hair clamp in a manner that the hair clamp is accessible
from the tower; (c) a heating element that transmits heat to at
least one of the hair roller and hair clamp when stored in a
respective receptacle.
2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair roller comprises a
frusto-conical hair roller.
3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality
of hair rollers.
4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair roller receptacle
comprises a cavity positioned on the outer surface of the tower,
the cavity being sized and shaped to receive a respective hair
roller.
5. A system as in claim 4, wherein the cavity is sized and shaped
to receive at least one hair roller such that the hair roller is
inserted into the cavity lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of
the hair roller.
6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the tower includes at least one
column that includes a plurality of hair roller receptacles, each
hair roller receptacle configured to store a single hair
roller.
7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair roller receptacle
includes a post that receives a hair roller.
8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair clamp includes an
internal shaft that is sized to receive the hair roller.
9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the internal shaft is
frusto-conical.
10. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair clamp is adapted to
clamp onto hair.
11. A system as in claim 1, wherein the tower further includes a
display that displays a temperature of the tower.
12. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair clamp receptacle an
elongated, vertically-extending slot that is sized and shaped to
receive one or more hair clamps in a stacked fashion.
13. A system as in claim 12, wherein the tower includes a plurality
of hair clamp receptacles.
14. A system as in claim 1, wherein the heating elements are
adapted to transmit heat to a first roller independent of another
roller.
15. A system as in claim 1, wherein the heating elements are
adapted to transmit heat to a first clamp independent of another
clamp.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT
[0001] This application claims priority of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/102,314, filed Oct. 2,
2008. Priority of the aforementioned filing date is hereby claimed
and the disclosure of the Provisional Patent Application is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A popular method for the curling and setting of a person's
hair is to use hair curlers formed of plastic rollers that have
been heated. Hot rollers are used on dry hair to create long
lasting curl and to minimize frizz in the hair. Hot rollers
generally work by rolling the hair over a pre-heated roller. The
heat in the roller interacts with the hair to cause temporary
reformation of straight hair to rolled or curled hair. A curling
iron is another means of curling a person's hair. One advantage of
hot rollers over a hot curling iron is that rollers are less
damaging to hair than hot irons.
[0003] Based on the heat transfer characteristics of the roller,
the hair closest to the hot roller rapidly forms a tight curl. Hair
that is further from the hot surface of the roller takes much
longer to form a curl as this hair receives less heat due to the
relatively large distance from the roller. Moreover, hair that is
further from the hot surface of the roller also forms into less of
a curl than hair that is closer to the hot roller. This is because
the hair that is rolled over and over the roller is farther from
the heat source (i.e., the hot roller) so the hair that is rolled
over and over receives less heat. Moreover, hot rollers produce
curl based on size; a wide diameter gives a full, smooth curl,
while a thin roller gives a tight, spiral-type curl. Currently, all
hot rollers vary in length and width, but are the same diameter
from stem to stern.
[0004] Numerous hair curler constructions and configurations have
been developed over the years in an attempt to meet a wide variety
of consumer demands for ease of use and styling alternatives.
However, in spite of these numerous constructions, all of the
requirements sought by consumers have not been satisfied.
SUMMARY
[0005] In view of the foregoing, there is disclosed an improved
hair curler system that is formed of unique hair rollers that are
stored in a hair curler station. In one aspect, the hair rollers
are at least partially conical (or frusto-conical) in shape. The
conically-shaped rollers broaden the ability of the rollers to curl
and style the hair over non-conical rollers. The conically-shaped
hot rollers also provide curl and wave dimension to the hair. The
conically-shaped rollers have a wide end and a more narrow end. The
variation in size of the rollers can be used to achieve variation
in curling style for the hair. When placing the wider end of the
conical rollers closer to the scalp, the result is a wavier,
fuller, more voluminous look in the hair. When placing the thinner
end of the roller closer to the scalp, the result is a tighter
formed, textural curl. The curl and style effect can be broadened
further by alternating wide end roller and thin end roller next to
each other on the hair.
[0006] In another aspect, during heating of the roller, heat is
applied to the outer surface of the roller as well as to the inner
surface of the roller. In conventional roller systems, hot rollers
affix to the head by the use of a u-shaped pin or non-heated
plastic clamp to secure the rollers to the head. In the system
disclosed herein, the roller system use a heated clamping element,
such as a heated ceramic clamp. The heated clamping element is
positioned over the hot rollers to not only secure the roller to
the hair, but to also expedite curl formation by adding heat to a
location outside of the curl.
[0007] In another aspect, the heated clamping elements can be
selectively used with or without the rollers on the hair. Thus, in
addition to affixing the heated rollers to the head, the hot
ceramic clamps can be used without the rollers to simply create
wave dimension or erratic texture when curl isn't wanted or needed.
The clamps can be used in a manner where the hair is twisted or
rolled with one's fingers while the heated clamp are affixed to the
hair. This achieves a new dimension in hair styling.
[0008] The rollers and clamps can be stored and heated in a hair
curler station comprised of a tower that has storage and heating
areas for the rollers and clamps. The tower provides a means of
storing the rollers and clamps in an easily accessible location.
The tower also provides a means of heating the rollers and
clamps.
[0009] Various embodiments of the roller system are described
below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the
following description of various embodiments, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the disclosed devices and
methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair curler station
that includes a tower that is used to store, heat and access a
collection of hair curler elements, such as heated rollers and
roller clamps.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tower without the
rollers and the clamps.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows the tower with a view of a display screen on
the tower.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller that
can be used with the system.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a side view of an exemplary roller that can be
used with the system.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller
clamp.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a lengthwise view of the exemplary roller
clamp.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows the roller clamp in an exploded state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Before the present subject matter is further described, it
is to be understood that this subject matter described herein is
not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may of
course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used
here in is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise,
all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one skilled in the art to which this subject matter
belongs.
[0019] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments
described and illustrated herein has discrete components and
features which may be readily separated from or combined with the
features of any of the other several embodiments without departing
from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Any recited
method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any
other order which is logically possible.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair curler station 105
that includes a tower 110 that is used to store, heat and access a
collection of hair curler elements, such as heated rollers 115 and
roller clamps 120. The tower 110 is adapted to heat the rollers 115
and the clamps 120 so that they can be applied individually or in
combination to a user's hair for achieving curls in the hair. The
tower 110 can be also be used as a means of storing the rollers 115
and clamps 120 when not in use. The tower 110 includes means for
holding the rollers 115 and clamps 120 in positions that are easily
viewable and easily accessible by a user. Each of the components of
the hair curler station 105 are described in detail below.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tower 110 without the
rollers 115 and the clamps 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the
tower 110 is a frusto-conically shaped body having a base that can
be rested on a horizontal surface such as a table or countertop.
The tower 110 extends upwardly from the base in a manner that
prominently displays the rollers 115 and clamps 120 (as shown in
FIG. 1) and provides easy access to the rollers and clamps for a
user. It should be appreciated that the tower 110 can have any of a
variety of shapes not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2.
Moreover, the tower 110 can be arranged so that it is mounted on a
wall such that the tower 110 extends horizontally from a vertical
wall surface rather than vertically from a horizontal surface.
[0022] The tower 110 includes a plurality of roller receptacles 205
that are configured to removably store the rollers 115 in a manner
in which a user can easily access the rollers from the tower. In an
embodiment, each roller receptacle 205 is a cavity positioned on
the outer surface of the tower 110. Each cavity is sized and shaped
to receive a respective roller 115 (as shown in FIG. 1). The roller
receptacles 205 can optionally include a post 207 that accepts a
respective roller when the roller is positioned in the receptacle.
The shape of the cavities that form the roller receptacles can
vary. In an embodiment, each roller receptacle is shaped to receive
at least one roller such that the roller is inserted into the
cavity lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the roller. The
receptacles 205 are configured so that heat can be radiated or
otherwise transferred from the receptacle to a roller positioned in
the receptacle, as described more fully below.
[0023] The roller receptacles 205 can be arranged in any of a
variety of arrangements or patterns on the tower 110. For example,
in the illustrated embodiment, the roller receptacles 205 are
arranged in a series of columns that are interspersed around the
circumference of the tower 110. This arrangement permits the
rollers 115 to be grouped and organized according to the columns.
For example, rollers of a particular size can be grouped together
in a common column. In an embodiment, there are three sizes of
rollers (e.g., small, medium, and large) and the tower 110 includes
at least one column of roller receptacles for each size of roller.
It should be appreciated that the roller receptacles can be
arranged in any of a variety of patterns and that the column
arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is merely exemplary. Moreover, the size
of each roller can vary.
[0024] With reference still to FIG. 2, the tower 110 also includes
a plurality of clamp receptacles 210 that are configured to
removably store the clamps 120. In the illustrated embodiment, each
clamp receptacle 210 is an elongated, vertically-extending slot
that is sized and shaped to receive one or more clamps 120 in a
stacked fashion (as shown in FIG. 1). Each receptacle 210 includes
a rod 215 that extends vertically through the receptacle slot. The
rod 215 is arranged such that one or more clamps 120 can be slid
down over the rod 215 so that the rod 215 maintains the stack of
clamps 120 in a secure position within the clamp receptacle 210. In
the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of clamp receptacles 210
are arranged around the circumference of the tower 110 although it
should be appreciated that other arrangements are possible.
[0025] The tower 110 includes internal heating elements that can be
activated to apply heat to the rollers 115 and the clamps 120 for
heating the rollers and clamps while they are mounted on the tower.
The heating elements are positioned inside the tower 115 such that
the rollers 115 and clamps 120 are heated internally from the tower
110. When activated, the heating elements radiate or otherwise
transfer heat to the rollers 115 and/or the clamps 120 such that
they become heated over time. The rollers 115 and clamps 120 heat
to a temperature configured to cause hair to curl when positioned
on the user's hair. The tower 110 can be made of a heat resistant
and/or insulated material such that the tower itself does not get
hot during heating of the rollers and clamps.
[0026] In embodiment, the heating elements and/or the
rollers/clamps include or are coupled to one or more detectors that
detect the temperature and adjust the temperature as needed to
achieve a desired temperature profile. For example, the detectors
can be located on the outer surface or inner surface of the rollers
and clamps for monitoring the temperature.
[0027] In an embodiment, the heating elements are coupled to the
rollers and/or clamps in a manner that permits each of the rollers
and/or clamps to be heated independently of the other rollers/and
or clamps. For example, the user can heat a single roller to a
desired temperature while heating the remaining rollers to a
different temperature. This permits the user to vary the heating
profile of the rollers/clamps individually of another set of
rollers and/or clamps.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows the tower 110 at viewpoint of 180 degrees from
the viewpoint of FIG. 2. The tower 110 includes a display screen
305 that displays information. The information on the display
screen 305 can vary and can include, for example, temperature of
the tower and temperature of the rollers and/or clamps. The display
screen 305 can also display an indicator that indicates when the
heating elements are activated, as well as an indicator that
indicates when the rollers and/or clamps are heated to a target
temperature. The display screen 305 can also include controllers,
such as knobs, buttons, dials, switches, etc. that can be used to
control the heating of the tower. For example, the controllers can
be used to raise or lower the temperature to which the rollers
and/or clamps are heated, as well as controllers for activating or
deactivating the heating elements.
[0029] With reference still to FIG. 3, in an embodiment the tower
110 also includes a region 305 in which a logo can be displayed.
Any of a variety of logos and/or advertisements can be positioned
on the region 305. It should be appreciated that the logo shown in
the region 305 in FIG. 3 is merely exemplary and that other logos
can be used.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller 115
that can be used with the system. The roller 115 has a
frusto-conical shape such that a first end of the roller has a
diameter that is greater than an opposed, second end of the roller.
The diameter of the roller 115 decreases gradually moving from the
first end to the second end such that the roller 115 has a
relatively smooth outer surface. A raised ridge or collar 405 is
positioned at each end of the roller 115. The collar 405 extends
around the circumference of the roller 405 to help secure hair on
the outer surface of the roller as hair is wound around the roller.
The roller 115 has an outer surface against which hair rests as it
is wound around the roller 115. The roller 115 also includes an
internal channel 415 that extends co-axially with the longitudinal
axis of the roller.
[0031] As shown the side view of FIG. 5, the channel 415 (shown in
phantom to indicate that the channel is internal to the roller)
does not necessarily extend through the entire length of the roller
115. As mentioned, the roller 115 can come in a variety of sizes
such as a small, medium, and large size. The roller has a length L,
which can vary to suit various needs. The outer surface of the
frusto-conical roller slopes at an angle A, which can vary.
[0032] The conically-shaped rollers 115 increase their ability
(over conventional, cylindrical rollers) to curl and style the
hair. The conically-shaped hot rollers provide increase ability to
curl and wave dimension the hair. The variation in diameter of the
rollers can be used to achieve variation in curling style for the
hair. When placing the wider end of the conical rollers closer to
the scalp, the result is a wavier, fuller, more voluminous look in
the hair. When placing the smaller end of the roller closer to the
scalp, the result is a tighter formed, textural curl.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller clamp
120. The clamp 120 has an outer, annular body 605 that is
frusto-conical in shape so that the clamp 605 can be positioned
snug over a respective roller 115. The body 605 is formed of two
clamping members that define an internal shaft 607 that is sized to
receive a roller. The body 605 includes a biasing member, such as a
spring that maintains the body in a closed state as shown in FIG.
6. A pair of wings 610 extend radially outward from the body 605. A
user can apply pressure to the wings 610 for urging the clamping
members away from one another to open the clamp 120. When the wings
610 are released by the user, the biasing member causes the clamp
members to close toward one another. In this manner, the clamp 120
can be opened to receive a roller 115 or to receive a portion of a
person's hair. The clamp 120 is released so that it exerts pressure
on the roller and hair to retain the roller to the hair.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a view of the clamp looking toward the
longitudinal axis of the clamp 120. FIG. 8 shows the clamp in an
exploded state. The clamp 120 can be formed and/or coated with a
heat tolerant material, such as ceramic. As shown in FIG. 8, the
clamp can have dimensions that vary. In an embodiment, the wings
610 have a length L. The clamp 120 can have a radius of curvature
R1 at a first end that is less than a radius of curvature R2 at a
second end of the clamp. The biasing member 805 is positioned
inside the clamp 120 to urge the clamp toward a closed
configuration.
[0035] In use, the rollers 115 and clamping members 120 are stored
in their respective receptacles on the tower 110, as shown in FIG.
1. The heating elements are then activated to heat the rollers 115
and clamping members 120 to a desired temperature. Advantageously,
the tower maintains the rollers and clamps in an easily accessible
location and also in a location where the heat from the rollers and
clamps will not harm or damage anything. The user can selectively
remove one or more rollers and/or clamps from the tower 110 and
position them on the user's hair. As mentioned, the rollers can be
applied to the hair such that they cause the hair to curl. The
rollers are heated such that the surface of the roller radiate heat
to the hair that is wound around the roller. The heated clamps can
be clamped over the rollers so that the clamps provide heat to the
hair that is wound further away from the roller. In this manner,
the hair close to the roller as well as the hair further from the
roller is heated.
[0036] While this specification contains many specifics, these
should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention
that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as
descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments.
Certain features that are described in this specification in the
context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in
combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features
that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also
be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any
suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be
described above as acting in certain combinations and even
initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed
combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and
the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a
variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are
depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be
understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the
particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all
illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable
results.
[0037] Although embodiments of various methods and devices are
described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it
should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of
use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the
spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to
the description of the embodiments contained herein.
* * * * *