U.S. patent application number 13/278044 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for flat iron with changeable heat pads.
Invention is credited to Clifford Wright.
Application Number | 20120097182 13/278044 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45971912 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120097182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; Clifford |
April 26, 2012 |
FLAT IRON WITH CHANGEABLE HEAT PADS
Abstract
A portable hair care device comprises a first elongate arm, a
second elongate arm pivotably coupled to the second elongate arm
and adapted to be moved toward and away from the first elongate
arm, and a grasping region sized and shape to be grasped and held
by the hand of a user such that the user can carry the hair care
product. A heating element is on one of the first and second
elongate arms, the heating element configured to contact a person's
hair so as to transfer heat to the hair. An overlay pad is
removably positioned on the heating element.
Inventors: |
Wright; Clifford; (San
Diego, CA) |
Family ID: |
45971912 |
Appl. No.: |
13/278044 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61405077 |
Oct 20, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2001/002 20130101;
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 2/001 20130101; A45D 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/223 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/02 20060101
A45D001/02 |
Claims
1. A portable hair care device, comprising: a first elongate arm; a
second elongate arm pivotably coupled to the second elongate arm
and adapted to be moved toward and away from the first elongate
arm; a grasping region sized and shape to be grasped and held by
the hand of a user such that the user can carry the hair care
product; a heating element on one of the first and second elongate
arms, the heating element configured to contact a person's hair so
as to transfer heat to the hair; and an overlay pad removably
positioned on the heating element.
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the overlay pad has a shape that
conforms to a shape of the heating element.
3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the overlay pad is an
antimicrobial pad.
4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the overlay pad is embedded with
a scent.
5. A device as in claim 1, wherein the overlay pad is embedded with
a vitamin.
6. A device as in claim 1, wherein the overlay pad is configured to
receive a screen printed image.
7. A device as in claim 1, wherein the overlay pad comprises Agion
silver or copper antimicrobial.
8. A device as in claim 1, wherein the overlay pad includes
adhesive that secures the overlay pad to the heating element.
9. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a second overlay pad
removably mounted on the grasping region.
10. A device as in claim 1, wherein the device is a flat iron.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT
[0001] This application claims priority of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/405,077, entitled FLAT
IRON WITH CHANGEABLE HEAT PADS and filed on Oct. 20, 2010. The
disclosure of the Provisional Patent Application is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to beauty care products and
more particularly relates to a portable hair care product.
[0003] Flat irons are hand-held beauty care products that can be
used to apply heat to a user's hair such as to straighten the
user's hair. A flat iron typically includes a handle and a pair of
heating elements. The user positions the heating elements flat
against the user's hair and then slides the elements along the
user's hair. The heating elements provide heat to the hair, which
heat serves to straighten the hair.
[0004] The quality of the flat iron is largely based on the quality
of the heating elements. It is generally desirable to use heating
elements that are made of a material that has high tolerance to
heat and that does not wear down over time due to heat exposure.
Also, it is desirable for the heating elements to have smooth
surfaces that slide easily along the user's hair. If the heating
elements have surface imperfections, then such imperfections can
uncomfortably snag on the user's hair during use. Such
imperfections can also cause uneven heating of the user's hair,
which can result in the elements failing to straighten the hair or
can require a longer time to straighten the hair.
[0005] Due to wear and tear over time, the heating elements of a
flat iron can undergo degradation. The surfaces of the heating
elements can lose their smoothness due to repeated use. In
addition, the heat can result in damage to the heating elements.
Moreover, the heating elements can collect debris or bacteria,
which can be unhealthy. Unfortunately, there is no simple way of
replacing or maintaining the heating elements on current flat
irons.
SUMMARY
[0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved
flat iron that permits easy maintenance or repair of the heating
elements. In one aspect, there is disclosed a portable hair care
device, comprising: a first elongate arm; a second elongate arm
pivotably coupled to the second elongate arm and adapted to be
moved toward and away from the first elongate arm; a grasping
region sized and shape to be grasped and held by the hand of a user
such that the user can carry the hair care product; a heating
element one of the first and second elongate arms, the heating
element configured to contact a person's hair so as to transfer
heat to the hair; and an overlay pad removably positioned on the
heating element.
[0007] Various embodiments of the portable hair care device 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
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary flat
iron.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary tape material that can be used to
form an overlay pad.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows an overlay pad kit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable hair care
device comprised of a flat iron 105. Although described herein in
the context of being a flat iron, it should be appreciated that the
portable hair care device can be any of a variety of portable, hand
held hair care devices including, for example, hair dryers, hair
curlers, hair rods, tongs, etc. The heating element capabilities of
the flat iron 105 could be adapted for other portable hair care
products.
[0014] The flat iron 105 has a size and shape that is configured
such that a human user can grasp and hold the flat iron in his or
her hand. In this regard, the flat iron 105 has a handle region 115
that is sized and shaped to be held by a user. The flat iron 105
further includes a pair of arms 120 that are pivotably connected to
one another at a first end of the device. In this regard, the arms
120 can be pivoted toward or away from one another to grasp and
release hair positioned between the arms 120. The handle region 115
may be formed of regions on the arms 120 that are configured to be
gripped by a user's hand or hands.
[0015] With reference still to FIG. 1, one or more heating elements
125 are positioned on the arms 120, such as on opposed, internal
surfaces of the arms 120. When hair is positioned between the arms
and the arms 120 are moved toward one another to contact the hair,
the heating elements 125 heat and straighten the hair in a
well-known manner. The flat iron 105 includes a power source that
is configured to provide electrical power to the components of the
flat iron. The power source can be an alternating current source or
it may be a direct current source. The flat iron 105 can also
include a removable or permanent battery.
[0016] The heating elements 125 each form an outer surface that is
configured to be positioned in juxtaposition with a user's hair
such that the heating element 125 transfers heat to the user's hair
in a well-known manner. In this regard, it is desirable that the
outer surfaces of the heating element be smooth to facilitate
sliding of the heating elements along the user's hair. Over time,
the surface of one or more of the heating elements may deteriorate
and lose its smoothness such due to repeated exposure to heat
and/or repeated use. In accordance with one aspect of this
disclosure, an overlay pad 150 is configured to be positioned over
or on top of a heating element 125 such that the overlay pad 150
covers all or a portion of the outer surface of the heating element
125. The overlay pad 150 is configured to provide the heating
element 120 with predetermined characteristics, such as smoothness,
texture, scent, etc. Advantageously, a user can easily remove and
replace the overlay pads 150 on the heating elements to vary or
maintain the characteristics of the heating elements 120.
[0017] The overlay pad 150 is sized and shaped to be positioned
atop a heating element 125. In this regard, the overlay pad 150 may
be sized to conform exactly to the shape of the outer surface of a
heating element 150. For example, the overlay pad 150 may have a
rectangular shape that corresponds to a rectangular heating
element. Or, the overlay pad may be sized to cover a portion of the
heating element 150 and a plurality of overlay pads 150 can
collectively cover all or a portion of the heating element 125.
[0018] The overlay pad 150 has physical characteristics that are
adapted to enhance the physical characteristics of the heating
element 125 on which it is placed. For example, the overlay pad 150
may have a certain level of smoothness and/or resistance to heat.
When the overlay pad is positioned on a heating element, the
smoothness and/or heat resistance of the overlay pad is used for
the heating element. The overlay pad 150 may also be embedded or
coated with additional materials that provide additional
characteristics to the heating element. Such characteristics may
include vitamin enrichments, antimicrobial enhancements, scents,
textures, or any other characteristic that is desired to be applied
to the heating element. Because the overlay pad is positioned atop
the heating element, the overlay pad provides its own
characteristics to the heating element without having to replace
the entire heating element.
[0019] Moreover, the overlay pad 150 is removably mounted on the
heating element to permit a user to replace the overlay pads and
therefore modify the characteristics of the heating elements
whenever desired. This enables easy repair and maintenance of a
heating element by simply changing the overlay pad that is
positioned atop the heating element to be repaired or maintained.
The overlay pad 150 may be removably secured to a heating element
using any of a variety of securing means, including adhesive.
[0020] In an embodiment, the overlay pad is made of a material that
is smooth and that is configured to withstand high temperatures,
such as temperatures in the range of 200 degrees F. to 2000 degrees
F. The overlay pad may be made of, embedded with, or coated with a
material that includes antimicrobial properties to resist unhealthy
formation of microbes on the heating elements. In this regard, the
overlay pad may be coated with a material such as Agion silver or
copper antimicrobial. In embodiment, the overlay pad is coated with
or embedded with an acrylic resin material mixed with Agion
silver/copper antimicrobial, which is used to control bacterial
growth as well as the growth of mold, mildew and algae on the
heating element. Because it is an inorganic antimicrobial, the use
of silver has been able to address many of the issues associated
with its organic counterparts that have been developed over the
years. These include thermal stability, environmental
compatibility, effective life expectancy, and bacterial resistance.
Silver inhibits reproduction, interrupts metabolism, and disrupts
cell wall functions of many molds, yeasts, and bacteria.
[0021] In another embodiment, or in addition to the use of an
antimicrobial, the overlay pad may be embedded or enriched with a
material that is configured to enhance the health of a user's hair.
For example, the overlay pad may be embedded, enriched, or coated
with a vitamin or other nutrient, such as Vitamin E or other
suitable vitamin. When the user contacts the overlay pad with his
or her hair, the Vitamin or other nutrient transfer to the user's
hair. Different overlay pads may have different nutrient
characteristics thereby permitting the user to tailor the nutrient
characteristics by simply selecting and using an appropriate
overlay pad.
[0022] The overlay pad may also be embedded with or coated with a
material that maintains a particular scent, such as a fruit scent.
The type of scent may vary and may include any scent desired by a
user. When the user contacts the overlay pad with his or her hair,
the scent is transferred to the hair. This also permits the overlay
pads to be used in aroma therapy such that certain aromas are
released when heat is applied to the pad.
[0023] The overlay pad can be made of any of a variety of materials
configured to provide the characteristics described herein. In an
embodiment, the overlay pad is made of a material that can be
printed with a logo, graphic, or any alphanumeric image, such as by
a screen-printing process. This permits a user or manufacturer to
personalize the flat iron to particular needs, such as for
advertisements or self-expression.
[0024] The overlay pads are not limited to being positioned on the
heating elements 125. For example, the overlay pads may be
configured to be positioned on other regions of the flat iron, such
as on the handle region 115, in addition to the heating elements.
In such an embodiment, the overlay pad may have characteristics
that are suited for whichever location the overlay pad is
positioned. For example, when used for positioning on the handle
region, the overlay pad may have characteristics that enhance
gripping of the handle region 115 or the comfort level of gripping
the handle region 115.
[0025] In an embodiment, the overlay pads 150 are manufactured from
a strip of material such as in a tape form 205, as shown in FIG. 2.
The material is stretched out and cut (such as by a die cut
process) into the desired shape of the overlay pad. With reference
to FIG. 3, a plurality of overlay pads 150 may be stored together
in a kit formed of a container 210 and a collection of pads 150.
The kit may include a plurality of pre-cut overlay pads and/or
material in tape form that permits the user to cut the overlay pad
to a desired shape. A user may easily remove overlay pad 150 from
the heater element of a flat iron and replace the previously-used
overlay pad with a new pad.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
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