U.S. patent application number 13/828909 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-10 for curling iron.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dana Story. Invention is credited to Dana Story.
Application Number | 20130263883 13/828909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49291334 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130263883 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Story; Dana |
October 10, 2013 |
CURLING IRON
Abstract
A hair curling iron for curling, styling or making wavy hair can
include a handle and a barrel portion. The barrel portion can have
various shapes, such as a conical, cone, or corrugated shape. The
surface of the barrel portion can be textured. Features or
protrusions can be integrally formed as part or within the surface
of the barrel. The features can be diamond-shaped dimples. The
barrel portion can also include different sections configured to be
heated to different temperatures.
Inventors: |
Story; Dana; (Westlake
Village, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Story; Dana |
Westlake Village |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49291334 |
Appl. No.: |
13/828909 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61612869 |
Mar 19, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D
2/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/229 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/02 20060101
A45D002/02 |
Claims
1. A curling iron comprising: a handle; a barrel portion having a
first and second end, the second end being connected to the handle,
the barrel portion configured to be heated and having a textured
surface; and a heating circuit configured to heat the barrel
portion.
2. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the barrel portion further
comprises a conical shape having a diameter at the second end
smaller than a diameter at the first end such that the barrel
portion gradually tapers down in diameter from the first end to the
second end.
3. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein the textured surface
further comprises a plurality of integrally formed protrusions.
4. The curling iron of claim 3, wherein the integrally formed
protrusions are diamond-shaped dimples.
5. The curling iron of claim 4, wherein the diamond-shaped dimples
are raised from a smooth portion of the surface of the barrel
portion a height of 1/4 mm and have a dimension of 3 mm in a
longitudinal direction that extends between the first end and
second end and a dimension of 4 mm in a direction that extends
transverse to the longitudinal direction.
6. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein the barrel portion further
comprises at least a first and second section, the first section
extending from the second end to a first location between the
second end and first end, the second section extending between the
first end and a second location between the first end and second
end, such that the first section is configured to be heated to a
higher temperature than the second section.
7. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the barrel portion further
comprises a conical shape having a diameter at the first end
smaller than a diameter at the second end such that the barrel
portion gradually tapers down in diameter from the second end to
the first end.
8. The curling iron of claim 7, wherein the textured surface
further comprises a plurality of integrally formed protrusions.
9. The curling iron of claim 8, wherein the integrally formed
protrusions are diamond-shaped dimples.
10. The curling iron of claim 7, wherein the barrel portion further
comprises at least a first and second section, the first section
extending from the second end to a first location between the
second end and first end, the second section extending between the
first end and a second location between the first end and second
end, such that the first section is configured to be heated to a
lower temperature than the second section.
11. The curling iron of claim 9, wherein the diamond-shaped dimples
are sized such that hair can be rolled around and maintained on the
barrel portion without a separate clamping mechanism.
12. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the barrel portion has a
corrugated or sinusoidal shape.
13. The curling iron of claim 12, wherein the textured surface
further comprises a plurality of integrally formed protrusions.
14. The curling iron of claim 13, wherein the integrally formed
protrusions are diamond-shaped dimples.
15. The curling iron of claim 12, wherein the barrel portion
further comprises at least a first and second section, the first
section extending from the second end to a first location between
the second end and first end, the second section extending between
the first end and a second location between the first end and
second end, such that the first section is configured to be heated
to a different temperature than the second section.
16. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the heating circuit
comprises a heat source disposed within the barrel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/612,869, filed on Mar. 19, 2012, the entirety of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Some of the present embodiments disclosed herein relate to
hair styling curling irons, for example, a rod for curling
hair.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A variety of apparatuses or curling irons are available for
treating, drying and styling hair, such as, curling irons, curlers,
flat irons, hair straighteners, and blow dryers. Many of these
curling irons function by incorporating an internal or external
heating source to heat a surface or surfaces of the curling iron
that contacts the hair to curl, treat, dry or style it. Other
curling irons, such as blow dryers, heat and blow a stream of air
onto the hair.
SUMMARY
[0006] An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed
herein is a curling iron that has a handle and a barrel portion. In
some embodiments the barrel portion includes a first and second
end. The second end is connected to the handle and the barrel
portion can be heated and have a textured surface. The curling iron
further includes a heating circuit that can heat the barrel
portion.
[0007] In certain embodiments, the barrel portion can have a
conical shape having a diameter at the second end smaller than a
diameter at the first end such that the barrel portion gradually
tapers down in diameter from the first end to the second end.
[0008] In other embodiments, the textured surface can include a
plurality of integrally formed protrusions. In some embodiments the
integrally formed protrusions are diamond-shaped dimples. In other
embodiments, the diamond-shaped dimples are raised from a smooth
portion of the surface of the barrel portion by a height of 1/4 mm,
have a dimension of 3 mm in a longitudinal direction that extends
between the first end and second end and a dimension of 4 mm in a
direction that extends transverse to the longitudinal
direction.
[0009] In certain implementations, the barrel portion includes a
first and second section. The first section extends from the second
end to a first location between the second end and first end. The
second section extends between the first end and a second location
between the first end and second end, such that the first section
can be heated to a higher temperature than the second section.
[0010] In some embodiments, the barrel portion can have a conical
shape having a diameter at the first end smaller than a diameter at
the second end such that the barrel portion gradually tapers down
in diameter from the second end to the first end.
[0011] In other embodiments, the textured surface can include a
plurality of integrally formed protrusions. In some embodiments the
integrally formed protrusions are diamond-shaped dimples.
[0012] In certain implementations the barrel portion can include at
least a first and second section with the first section extending
from the second end to a first location between the second end and
first end and the second section extending between the first end
and a second location between the first end and second end. The
first section is configured to be heated to a lower temperature
than the second section.
[0013] In some embodiments, the diamond-shaped dimples are sized
such that hair can be rolled around and maintained on the barrel
portion without a separate clamping mechanism.
[0014] In other embodiments the barrel portion has a corrugated or
sinusoidal shape. The textured surface can have a plurality of
integrally formed protrusions. In some embodiments, the integrally
formed protrusions are diamond-shaped dimples.
[0015] In some embodiments the barrel portion further includes at
least a first and second section, the first section extending from
the second end to a first location between the second end and first
end and the second section extending between the first end and a
second location between the first end and second end. The first
section is configured to be heated to a different temperature than
the second section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above-mentioned and other features of the hair styling
apparatus disclosed herein are described below with reference to
the drawings of certain embodiments. The illustrated embodiments
are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the disclosure. The
drawings contain the following Figures:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a hair curling
iron.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of a hair
curling iron.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of a hair
curling iron.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The various embodiments of a curling iron for curling,
styling or making wavy hair, is disclosed in the context of a
curling iron. However, at least some of the present inventions can
be used in many other contexts as well, including, for example
animal fur, wigs, or in the arts and crafts context.
[0021] A variety of examples of a curling iron, as well as systems
and methods thereof, are described below to illustrate various
examples that may be employed to achieve the desired improvements.
These examples are only illustrative and not intended in any way to
restrict the inventions presented and the various aspects and
features of these inventions. For example, although embodiments and
examples are provided herein in the hair styling field, the
inventions are not confined exclusively to the hair styling field
and can be used in other fields. Furthermore, the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. No feature, structure, or step
disclosed herein is essential or indispensible. It is also
contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the
specific features and aspects of the embodiments can be made and
still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a curling iron,
rod or barrel is illustrated. In some embodiments, the 2 can
include a handle 4 for the user to hold while curling their hair
and a barrel, iron or rod 6 that extends coaxially from the handle
4. In some embodiments, the barrel 6 has a constant diameter over
its length.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the barrel 6
has a tapered or conical shape with a diameter at a front end 16 of
the barrel that is larger than a diameter of the barrel at a rear
end 18 of the barrel. The barrel 6 can gradually taper down in
diameter from the front end 16 to the rear end 18 of the barrel 6
to form the conical or cone shaped barrel. The rear end 18 of the
barrel 6 is attached to the handle 4. In some embodiments, the
barrel 6 can be detachably removed from the handle 4. In different
embodiments, the diameter of the barrel 6 can vary. For example,
the diameter of the barrel 6 can be 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inches,
values in between or otherwise. The barrel 6 can include an end cap
(not shown) attached to the front end 16.
[0024] In some embodiments, a surface of the barrel 6 can include,
be formed with or incorporate features 14. These features 14 can
include a plurality of protrusions, projections, dimples, grooves,
teeth, bristles, spines, ribs or pins. In certain embodiments, the
barrel 6 can have separate features that project or extend outward
from the surface. The features are separate from the surface of the
barrel 6.
[0025] In other embodiments, the surface of the barrel 6 can be
formed with these features 14. As shown in FIG. 1, these features
14 and the surface of the barrel are continuous. The features 14
are integrally formed as a part of the surface of the barrel 6. In
some embodiments, the surface of the barrel 6 can be integrally
formed with raised protrusions, such as diamond-shaped dimples as
illustrated in FIG. 1. The integrally-formed dimples provide the
barrel 6 a surface with texture. These dimples can be raised above
the smooth portions of the surface of the barrel 6 by a height of
1/4 mm. The dimples may have a dimension along the length of the
barrel of 3 mm. The dimples may have a dimension in a direction
transverse to the length of the barrel of 4 mm. Different lengths,
dimensions and heights can be used for the dimples. In some
embodiments, grooves or spaces are provided or formed in the
surface of the barrel between the dimples.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the 2 can be connected to a power
cord 8 that extends out from a rear end 10 of the handle 4. In
other embodiments, the power cord can extend out from different
locations along the handle 4. The power cord 8 is configured to
provide electrical power to the 2 to heat the barrel 6 when the
cord plug 12 is plugged or inserted into an outlet. Other types of
power sources can also be used with the 2 such as batteries or
solar charging cells (not shown). A battery power source can
increase the portability of the 2 by removing the need for a cord
and outlet in order to power the curling iron. In some embodiments,
the 2 can have two modes of power such as batteries and a power
cord.
[0027] In some embodiments, the power is used to heat the surface
of the barrel 6 directly or indirectly. A user can then curl or
style their hair around the heated barrel 6 portion of the iron 2.
The barrel or surfaces of the barrel are configured to be heated
via a heating circuit or circuits connected to the power source
(described in more detail below).
[0028] In some embodiments, the 2 can include a tab, button, knob
or switch 20 located on either the first or second arm to turn the
curling iron 2 on and off. As illustrated, a user can push or slide
the switch 20 or tab to a first position to turn the iron 2 on or
to a second position to turn the iron off. Indicators can depict
"on" and "off" to show a user which direction or position to slide
the tab or button to turn the iron 2 on or off. In other
embodiments, a button can be used to power on or off the iron 2.
For example, a user can simply press a button once to turn the 2 on
and press it again to turn it off. Additionally, an indicator such
as a light source 24 can be positioned on the handle 4 and
connected to the switch 20 so as to indicate whether the iron is on
or off. For example, the light source 24 can emit light when a user
has turned or powered on the 2. The light source 24, in some
embodiments, can also indicate a specific temperature setting as
discussed below.
[0029] In other embodiments, the curling iron 2 can include another
switch, tab, button or knob (not shown) configured to allow a user
to switch or select different temperature settings at which the
barrel or surface of the barrel 6 can be heated to. In some
embodiments, the surface can be heated to at least two different
temperatures.
[0030] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, different
sections or portions of the barrel 6 or surface of the barrel 6 can
be heated to different temperatures. In some embodiments, there are
at least two sections of the barrel 6 that can be heated to two
different temperatures. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in other
embodiments, there are three different or distinct sections 22, 26,
28 of the barrel 6 positioned between the rear 18 and front 16 end
of the barrel 6. Section 22 can extend a length X along a portion
of the barrel 6, section 26 a length Y, and section 28 a length Z.
Distances, X, Y and Z can be varied to the desired proportions and
lengths. In some embodiments, section 22 can have the highest
temperature relative to sections 26 and 28. Section 26 can be
heated to a temperature between the temperatures of sections 22 and
28. Section 28 can be heated to the lowest temperature relative to
sections 22 and 26. In some embodiments, the diameters of the
different sections of the barrel 6 can be inversely proportional to
the temperatures they can be heated to such that smaller diameter
sections are heated to relatively higher temperatures than larger
diameter sections. However, this can also be the opposite in some
embodiments. In other embodiments, the temperatures of the various
diameter sections can be selectively varied.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, other embodiments of a
curling iron are provided. These embodiments can contain many
identical, corresponding and/or different elements or features that
function similarly as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The
embodiments of FIGS. 2-3 can be provided with elements with
identifying numbers or characters that correspond to the same
features in FIG. 1.
[0032] In the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, the curling iron
32 is provided with a handle 34, rear end 40 of the handle, power
switch 50, light source 54 and barrel 36. The barrel 36 can be
provided with a front end 46 and rear end 48 and end cap 60. The
curling iron 32 can have a power cord 38 and plug 42 to provide
power to the curling iron 32.
[0033] In some embodiments, as in FIG. 2, the barrel 36 can have
separate sections 52, 56, 58 such that the different sections can
be heated to different temperatures. In the embodiment as
illustrated in FIG. 2, the rear end 48 has a larger diameter than
the front end 46. The barrel 36 tapers down gradually in diameter
from the rear end 48 to the front end 46 to form a conical or cone
shaped barrel 36. In some embodiments the barrel 36 tapers down in
a diameter to the smallest diameter possible, such as a point, at
the front end 46. The separate sections 52, 56, and 58 can also be
heated to different temperatures. In some embodiments, the highest
temperature section corresponds to the smallest diameter 58.
However, in some embodiments the opposite can be provided.
[0034] In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the features
44 integrally formed within the surface of the barrel 36 such as
diamond shaped dimples, will be provided with a height larger than
the embodiment in FIG. 1. For example, the height of the features
extending out from the barrel 36 can be 1 mm and/or 75% larger than
the dimples provided in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
However, many other dimensions, heights and lengths can be provided
in different embodiments. Grooves or spaced are provided or formed
between the dimples or features.
[0035] In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the curling
iron 62 can be provided with a handle 64, power cord 68, plug 72,
power switch 80, light source 84 and handle rear end 70. The
curling iron can also be provided with a barrel 66 with a front end
76 and rear end 78 and features 74 integrally formed into the
surface of the barrel 6. The barrel 76 can be configured to have a
corrugated or sinusoidal shape. For example, the barrel 6 can have
sections that alternate between larger and smaller diameters or
have "hills" 94 and "valleys" 96. In some embodiments, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, the barrel 66 can be provided with different
sections 82, 86, 88, 90 and 92 wherein sections 82, 88 and 92 have
equivalent diameters and 86 and 90 have smaller equivalent
diameters. The temperatures of the sections of the barrel 66 can be
the same and/or different.
[0036] In some embodiments a heating circuit (not shown) can be
provided with the curling iron 2, 32, or 62. The heating circuit
can include a power source providing electrical power to at least
one heat source positioned within the barrel to heat the barrel or
surface of the barrel of the curling iron. The heating circuit can
also include a switch allowing a user to turn the power on and off.
The heat sources or sources can be any type of commercially
available heat source that can be electrically connected to a power
source. Examples include resistors, thermistors, variable
resistors, or potentiometers. In certain embodiments, more than one
resistor or heat source can be connected to the circuit such that
different temperature settings can be realized or selected. In
certain embodiments, a potentiometer or variable resistor can be
used allowing a user to vary the resistance level and thus the
temperature of the heat source. Various heating circuit layouts can
be used with switches, thermostats, and heat sources in parallel
and/or in series such that the curling iron 2 allows a user to
select different temperatures to heat the section or sections of
the barrel or surface of the barrel of the curling iron 2. In some
embodiments, a single heat source can be used to heat the barrel or
surface of the barrel and/or different sections. In other
embodiments, more than one heat source can be used or connected to
the circuit. In some embodiments, one heating circuit is used to
activate a heat source or sources to heat the barrel or surface of
the barrel and/or sections of the curling iron for each respective
temperature setting. In other embodiments, more than one heating
circuit is used to activate a heat source or sources to heat the
barrel for each respective temperature setting.
[0037] One embodiment of a method of curling or styling hair using
the curling iron 2, 32, or 62 includes rotating the heated barrel
through or around a user's hair. The integrated features in the
surface of the barrel can provide a textured surface of the barrel
and assist in keeping a user's hair wrapped or rolled around the
iron 2. In some embodiments, a hair styling or heating oil, gel, or
liquid can be used in conjunction with the curling iron 2 in order
to facilitate the styling of a user's hair. This oil can be applied
to the surface of the curling iron 2 or to the user's hair directly
prior to using the curling iron.
[0038] It should be understood that various features and aspects of
the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for
one another in order to form varying modes of the hair
straightening curling iron. Thus, it is intended that the scope of
the present disclosure should not be limited by the particular
disclosed embodiments described above.
* * * * *