U.S. patent number RE41,321 [Application Number 10/342,306] was granted by the patent office on 2010-05-11 for hair styling iron.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Milbon Company Ltd. Invention is credited to Kazuki Fujii, Katsumi Kaneyama, Atsuo Niwa, Satoshi Ogawa, Masataka Okumoto, Yasufumi Takeda.
United States Patent |
RE41,321 |
Okumoto , et al. |
May 11, 2010 |
Hair styling iron
Abstract
A hair styling iron A is provided comprising: a body 1 which
includes a grip portion 4, a plate portion 6 including a heater H
and a plate 8, and a fulcrum portion 5; and a sandwiching member 2
which includes a lever portion 15 opposed to said grip portion 4, a
plate portion 17 equipped with a heater H and a plate 18 and
opposed to the plate portion 6 of the body 1, and a fulcrum portion
16 located between the lever portion 15 and the plate portion 17
and pivotally supported by the fulcrum portion 16 of the body 1.
Between the rearward portions of the fulcrum portions of the body 1
and the sandwiching member 2 is interposed a spring 12 which biases
the plate portions 6 and 17 normally in the direction away from
each other. Each of the plate portions 6 and 17 is provided with
ridges 14 along the perimeter, and has been subjected to a flocking
treatment from its perimeter to the outer surface.
Inventors: |
Okumoto; Masataka (Osaka,
JP), Ogawa; Satoshi (Osaka, JP), Niwa;
Atsuo (Osaka, JP), Takeda; Yasufumi (Osaka,
JP), Fujii; Kazuki (Osaka, JP), Kaneyama;
Katsumi (Osaka, JP) |
Assignee: |
Milbon Company Ltd (Osaka,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
26375636 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/342,306 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
09327382 |
Jun 8, 1999 |
06173718 |
Jan 16, 2001 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 29, 1998 [JP] |
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98/182800 |
Feb 15, 1999 [JP] |
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99/036564 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/224; 219/222;
132/229; 132/225 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D
1/04 (20130101); A45D 2/001 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45D
1/00 (20060101); A45D 1/04 (20060101); A45D
2/40 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;132/224,225,229,232,234
;219/222,225 ;16/431,436 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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910197 |
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Apr 1954 |
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910197 |
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Apr 1954 |
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DE |
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2615267 |
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Oct 1977 |
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DE |
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2615267 |
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Oct 1977 |
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DE |
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59-95006 |
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May 1984 |
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JP |
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62-189007 |
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Aug 1987 |
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JP |
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62-299207 |
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Dec 1987 |
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JP |
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63-19104 |
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Jan 1988 |
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JP |
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63-65806 |
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Mar 1988 |
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JP |
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02-71401 |
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May 1990 |
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JP |
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05-095813 |
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Apr 1993 |
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JP |
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05309011 |
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Nov 1993 |
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JP |
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06-209815 |
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Aug 1994 |
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JP |
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07-243703 |
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Sep 1995 |
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JP |
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09191920 |
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Jul 1997 |
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JP |
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09-308517 |
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Dec 1997 |
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JP |
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WO 98/35578 |
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Aug 1998 |
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WO |
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Other References
JPO Office Action published May 20, 2008. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Doan; Robyn
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Browdy and Neimark, PLLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hair styling iron comprising: a first lever including a first
grip portion, a first plate portion equipped with an electric
heater, and a first fulcrum portion, and a second lever including a
second grip portion opposed to said first grip portion, a second
plate portion equipped with an electric heater and opposed to said
.Iadd.first plate .Iaddend.portion of said first lever, and a
second fulcrum portion pivotally supported by said first fulcrum
portion of said first lever, wherein at least one of said first
plate portion or said second plate portion has ridges along
substantially a full length of three sides of the corresponding
plate portion, wherein said first fulcrum portion and said second
fulcrum .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.are located between a respective
grip and plate portion, and wherein said first lever is provided in
two separate parts divided by a median plane, the two separate
parts then are assembled and integrally connected after pivotally
sandwiching said second fulcrum portion between bilateral halves of
said first fulcrum portion of said first lever.
2. The hair styling iron of claim 1, wherein a spring is interposed
between said first lever and said second lever, said spring biasing
said first plate portion and said second plate portion in a
direction away from each other.
3. The hair styling iron of claim 1, .Iadd.further comprising
.Iaddend.a pilot lamp, the pilot lamp having means to blink the
lamp on and off at predetermined intervals while said electric
heater is energized.
.[.4. The hair styling iron of claim 1, wherein said first fulcrum
portion and said second fulcrum portion are located at a rear end
of a respective grip portion, and a finger resting portion is
provided on an outer side of each of said first plate portion and
said second plate portion with an intervening space for heat
insulation being positioned between each said finger resting
portion and a corresponding plate portion..].
.[.5. The hair styling iron of claim 4, wherein said finger resting
portion is a board-like or bar-like element that is continuous, at
the forward region thereof, to the surface of said plate portion
and, at the rearward region thereof, to said grip portion..].
.[.6. The styling iron of claim 1, wherein said first plate portion
and said second plate portion have ridges..].
7. A hair styling iron comprising: a first lever including a first
grip portion, a first plate portion equipped with an electric
heater, and a first fulcrum portion, and a second lever including a
second grip portion opposed to said first grip portion, a second
plate portion equipped with an electric heater and opposed to said
.Iadd.first plate .Iaddend.portion of said first lever, and a
second fulcrum portion .[.pivotally supported by.]. .Iadd.abutting
against .Iaddend.said first fulcrum portion of said first lever
.Iadd.to permit the first lever and the second lever to rotate
relative to each other.Iaddend., wherein at least one of said first
plate portion or said second plate portion has been subjected to a
flocking treatment from a perimeter to an outside surface thereof,
wherein a spring is interposed between said first lever and said
second lever, said spring biasing said first plate portion and said
second plate portion in a direction away from each other, and
wherein said first fulcrum portion and said second fulcrum are
located between a respective grip and plate portion.
8. The hair styling iron of claim 7, wherein said first lever is
provided in two separate parts divided by a median plane, the two
separate parts then being assembled and integrally connected after
pivotally sandwiching said second fulcrum portion between the
bilateral halves of said first fulcrum portion of said first
lever.
9. The hair styling iron of claim 7, further comprising a pilot
lamp, the pilot lamp having means to blink the lamp on and off at
predetermined intervals while said electric heater is
energized.
.[.10. The hair styling iron of claim 7, wherein said first fulcrum
portion and said second fulcrum portion are located at a rear end
of a respective grip portion, and a finger resting portion is
provided on an outer side of each of said first plate portion and
said second plate portion with an intervening space for heat
insulation being positioned between each said finger resting
portion and a corresponding plate portion..].
.[.11. The hair styling iron of claim 10, wherein said finger
resting portion is a board-like or bar-like element that is
continuous, at the forward region thereof, to the surface of said
plate portion and, at the rearward region thereof, to said grip
portion..].
12. The styling iron of claim 7, wherein said first plate portion
and said second plate portion have been subjected to the flocking
treatment.
.Iadd.13. A hair styling iron comprising: a first lever including a
first grip portion, a first plate portion equipped with an electric
heater, and a first fulcrum portion, and a second lever including a
second grip portion opposed to said first grip portion, a second
plate portion equipped with an electric heater and opposed to said
first plate portion of said first lever, and a second fulcrum
portion pivotally supported by said first fulcrum portion of said
first lever, wherein said first fulcrum portion and said second
fulcrum portion are located at a rear end of a respective grip
portion, wherein at least one of said first plate portion or said
second plate portion has ridges along substantially a full length
of three sides of the corresponding plate portion, and a finger
resting portion is provided on an outer side of each of said first
grip portion and said second grip portion which extend over an
intervening space for heat insulation positioned between each said
finger resting portion and a corresponding plate
portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The hair styling iron of claim 13, wherein said finger
resting portion is a board-like or bar-like element that is
continuous, at the forward region thereof, to the surface of said
plate portion and, at the rearward region thereof, to said grip
portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The styling iron of claim 13, wherein said first plate
portion and said second plate portion have ridges..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. A hair styling iron comprising: a first lever including a
first grip portion, a first plate portion equipped with an electric
heater, and a first fulcrum portion, and a second lever including a
second grip portion opposed to said first grip portion, a second
plate portion equipped with an electric heater and opposed to said
first plate portion of said first lever, and a second fulcrum
portion pivotally supported by said first fulcrum portion of said
first lever, wherein at least one of said first plate portion or
said second plate portion has been subjected to a flocking
treatment from a perimeter to an outside surface thereof, wherein
said first fulcrum portion and said second fulcrum portion are
located at a rear end of a respective grip portion, and a finger
resting portion is provided on an outer side of each of said first
grip portion and said second grip portion which extend over an
intervening space for heat insulation positioned between each said
finger resting portion and a corresponding plate
portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. A hair styling iron of claim 16, wherein said first plate
portion and said second plate portion have ridges..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The hair styling iron of claim 17, wherein said finger
resting portion is a board-like or bar-like element that is
continuous, at the forward region thereof, to the surface of said
plate portion and, at the rearward region thereof, to said grip
portion..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hair styling iron, and more
specifically to a hair styling iron used for giving a press
treatment in which the hair is exposed to heat and pressure.
2. Relating Prior Art
Up to now, for giving straight-perm treatment to the hair, the hair
is applied with a first perming solution and then smoothed down
with a comb on a plastic plate called a "panel" while stroking the
hair with the back of the comb. Alternatively, the hair is smoothed
down with a comb only, without the help of a panel. Either of these
operations, generally called a "strainer operation", is aimed for
providing uniform rearrangement of the cuticle up to the tip of the
hair by smoothing down the hair, thereby giving the hair a glossy
smooth surface. The use of a panel, however, causes substantial
damage to the hair. On the contrary, the operation, when carried
out using a comb only, fails to provide uniform rearrangement of
the cuticle, thus suffering from uncertain finish.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide a device that
allows to carry out strainer or the like operations on the hair
which is gentler to the hair than the operation employing the
aforementioned panel, and of greater certainty than the operation
using a comb only. A further objective of the present invention is
to provide a hair styling iron which can be handled with ease even
on thick and/or long hair and enables application of sufficient
pressures. A still further objective of the present invention is to
provide a hair styling iron capable of providing simultaneous
heating and pressing treatment and yet causing less sensation of
heat even when touching the heated portion thereof. A still further
objective of the present invention is to provide a hair styling
iron that allows an easy operation even on a confined region of
short hair such as over the nape (back) or around the ears and yet
causes less sensation of heat when holding its heated portions with
fingers, thereby making it possible to carry out a delicate
operation with certainty.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The hair styling iron of the present invention is characterized in
that it comprises (A) a first lever including a grip portion, a
plate portion equipped with an electric heater, and a fulcrum
portion, and (B) a second lever including another grip portion
opposed to the grip portion of the first lever, a plate portion
equipped with an electric heater and opposed to the plate portion
of the first lever, and a fulcrum portion pivotally supported by
the fulcrum portion of the first lever.
In such a type of hair styling iron, a spring is preferably
interposed between the first and the second levers to render the
plate portions biased in the direction away from each other. Also,
it is preferable that the plate portion of the first lever and (or)
the second lever has ridges along the perimeter thereof, and it is
more preferable that the plate portion of the first lever and (or)
the second lever has been subjected to a flocking treatment from
the perimeter to the outer surface thereof. Each of the fulcrum
portions of the first lever and the second lever may be located
between the respective grip and plate portions. In this case, the
first lever is preferably provided in two separate parts divided by
a median plane along the both sides, which then is assembled and
integrally connected after pivotally sandwiching, between the
bilateral half bodies of its fulcrum portion, the fulcrum portion
of the second lever. It is further more preferable that the present
hair styling iron is provided with a pilot lamp which blinks at
predetermined intervals while the electric heater thereof is
energized.
Furthermore, the fulcrum portions of the first and the second
levers may be located at the rear end of the respective grip
portions. In this case, it is preferable that a finger resting
portion is provided on the outer side of each of the plate
portions, with an intervening space for heat insulation being
positioned therebetween.
The finger resting portion is preferably made up of a board-like or
bar-like element that is continuous at its forward region to the
surface of the plate portion, and at its rearward region to the
grip portion.
In the hair styling iron of the present invention, the plate
portions can be closed toward each other by causing a pivotal
motion of the first and the second levers relative to each other
around the fulcrum portions by gripping the grip portions of the
first and second levers. The temperature of the plate portions can
be elevated by energizing the heaters. Therefore, it is possible,
by taking a strand of hair in one hand and then sandwiching it
between the plate portions of the hair styling iron held in the
other hand, to apply to the hair an elevated temperature as well as
an evenly distributed pressure. In addition, by gently stroking the
hair with the hair styling iron in this situation, a strainer
operation can be performed.
Thus, as the hair styling iron of the present invention enables a
strainer operation with simultanoues heating, it allows an
effective strainer operation even with a perming solution at lower
concentrations. Therefore, this is more friendly to the hair than
the aforementioned operation where a strong stroke is applied with
a comb and a panel. Thus it damaging hair. Moreover, it provides a
more reliable strainer operation than the operation by means of a
comb only.
The hair styling iron which is provided with a spring to render the
plate portions biased in a direction away from each other, opening
and closing of the plate portions can be effected simply by
controlling the amount of the gripping force applied on the grip
portions. It is thus also easy to control the pressure levels. In
the hair styling iron provided with ridges formed along the
perimeter of the plate portion, the temperature of the ridges, as
cooled by surrounding air, remains lower than that of the other
part of the plate portion even while the temperature of the latter
is elevated. Therefore, an inadvertent contact with the skin would
not cause excessive sensation of heat. Further, the hair styling
iron which has been subjected to a flocking treatment from the
perimeter to the outer surface of its plate portion, due to its
lowered thermal conduction, will not cause an excessive sensation
of heat when a limited contact with the skin occurs.
In the hair styling iron in which each of the fulcrum portions of
the first and the second levers is located between the
corresponding grip and plate portions, opening and closing of the
plate portions is effected in the same manner as in handling
pliers, i.e., by gripping the grip portion of the first lever with,
for example, the thumb and the index finger and holding the grip
portion of the second lever between, for example, the ring finger
and the little finger. This type of hair styling iron is able to
generate strong pressures between the plate portions because a
sufficiently long distance may be adopted between the grip and the
fulcrum portions.
In the hair styling iron in which the first lever is provided in
two separate parts divided by a median plane along the both sides,
which parts then is assembled and integrally connected after
pivotally sandwiching the fulcrum portion of the second lever
between the bilateral halves of its fulcrum portion, it is allowed
for the second lever to be securely held by the first lever. In the
type which is provided with a pilot lamp which blinks at
predetermined intervals while the electric heaters are energized,
it is allowed for the operator to conveniently follow the time
lapse in each treatment by simply counting the blinks while
performing thermal press treatment on the sandwiched portion of the
hair.
With the hair styling iron in which each of the fulcrum portions is
located at the rear end of the corresponding grip portion, it is
possible to widely open and close the plate portions by slightly
opening and closing the grip portions. In addition, as each of the
fulcrum portions is located at the rear end, a compact
configuration is possible. In this type of hair styling iron,
moreover, when a finger resting portion is provided on the outer
side of each of the plate portions, with an intervening space for
heat insulation being positioned therebetween, less heat is
conducted from the plate portion to the finger resting portion,
thereby allowing to firmly close the plate portions using fingers
without being disturbed by heat. Also, this configuration enables
an easy operation even on a confined region of short hair, such as
over the nape or around the ears, for it allows handling with
fingers applied in close proximity to the plate portions, i.e. the
portions between which a strand of hair is actually sandwiched.
Where the finger resting portion is made up of a board-like or
bar-like element that is continuous, at its forward region, to the
surface of the plate portion and, at its rearward region to the
grip portion, it is allowed to readily mold the finger resting
portion, plate portion and grip portion as a unitary part. In
addition, as the finger resting portion is supported at its both
ends, high flexural rigidity is provided. Furthermore, the wide
surface area of the finger resting portion provides efficient
cooling.
Embodiments of the hair styling iron of the present invention are
described in greater detail below with reference to the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the hair
styling iron of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1 before assembled.
FIG. 3 is an perspective view of the sandwiching member illustrated
in FIG. 2 before assembled.
FIG. 4a illustrates a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in
FIG. 2.
FIG. 4b illustrates a rear view of the sandwiching member viewed in
the direction indicated by the arrow head b in FIG. 3.
FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a partially cross-sectional side view
and a plan view, respectively, of the hair styling iron.
FIG. 6 illustrates the hair styling iron being used.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the
hair styling iron of the present invention.
FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate a plan view and a side view of the hair
styling iron illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the hair styling
iron illustrated in FIG. 7 before assembled.
FIG. 10a illustrates a sectional view taken along the line Xa--Xa
in FIG. 8b.
FIG. 10b illustrates a sectional view taken along the line IXb--IXb
in FIG. 7b.
FIG. 10c illustrates a sectional view taken along the line IXc--IXc
in FIG. 7b.
FIG. 11a illustrates a sectional view taken along the line XIa--XIa
in FIG. 8b.
FIG. 11b illustrates a sectional view taken along the line XIb--XIb
in FIG. 8a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The hair styling iron A illustrated in FIG. 1 consists of a body 1,
which is also referred to as a first lever, and a sandwiching
member 2, which is also referred to as a second lever, pivotally
connected to the body 1. The body 1 includes a grip portion 4, a
fulcrum portion 5 which extends downwardly from the forward end of
the grip portion 4, and a plate portion 6 which extends forwardly
from the lower end of the fulcrum portion 5. In this embodiment,
the body 1 is molded as a pair of laterally separated half bodies
1a and 1b, as illustrated in FIG. 2. These half bodies then are
matched with each other and connected to form the integral body 1.
Plate portion 6 of the body 1 is formed with a rectangular recess
7, within which is nested a plate 8 including a plain heater H,
with the surface of the plate 8 being exposed. Side walls of the
recess 7 are formed with grooves 7a, which are brought into
engagement with ridges 8a on both sides of the plate 8, thereby
preventing the plate 8 from dislocation. Both the fulcrum portion 5
and the grip portion 4 are of hollow structure, and through the
cavity thus defined extends an electric cord (see FIG. 5a,
reference numeral 25) for energizing the heater H, via an on-off
switch (FIG. 5a, symbol S), and out of the rear end of the grip
portion 4.
In addition, rectangular openings 9 and 10 are defined in the front
face of the fulcrum portion 5 and in the region from the rear end
of the fulcrum portion 5 to the lower portion of the forward end of
the grip portion 4, respectively, to pass the sandwiching member 2
through them. On the inner walls of the fulcrum portion 5, a
protruding cylindrical bearing portion 11 is formed for providing
pivotal support to the sandwiching member 2, as well as a spring
receptacle 13 for receiving the upper end of a spring 12 is also
defined. The spring 12 serves to pivotally bias the sandwiching
member 2 so that, as illustrated in FIG. 5a, the forward end
thereof is normally placed in open position. Around the perimeter
of the plate portion 6 are formed ridges 14 of a semicircular
cross-section. The body 1 may be, for example, a molded article of
a heat-resistant plastic. Also, as desired, it may be produced
through die casting of metals such as aluminum or zinc.
On the other hand, the sandwiching member 2 includes a lever
portion 15, a fulcrum portion 16 which extends forwardly from the
upper portion of the forward end of the lever portion 15, and a
plate portion 17 which extends forwardly from the forward end of
the fulcrum portion 16. The lever portion 15, when assembled as
illustrated in FIG. 1, is located beneath the grip portion 4 of the
body 1. In the sandwiching member 2 of this embodiment, plate
portion 17 is provided in the form of two bilaterally divided
parts. One of the half bodies, 17a, of plate portion 17, is molded
integral to the forward end of the fulcrum portion 16. The other
half body 17b is matched with and connected to the first half body
17a after nesting the separately prepared heater H and the plate
18. Also with the plate portion 17 of the sandwiching member 2,
ridges 14 are formed around its perimeter. The plate portion 17 is
formed with a recess 19 for nesting the plate 18, and side walls of
the recess 19 are formed with grooves 20 to be brought into
engagement with the ridges 18a of the plate 18 (see FIG. 4b).
The fulcrum portion 16 is of a shape such that the rearward part
16b thereof has undergone a downward translational shift relative
to the forward part 16a. As illustrated in FIG. 4b, the forward
part 16a is of a bracket-like shape, which is brought into
engagement with and then connected, e.g. with bolts, to a support
piece 16c extending from the rearward portion of the other half
body 17b. The rearward part 16b of the fulcrum portion 16 is formed
with a horizontal bore 21. The bore 21 is for accommodation of a
pivot pin 22 which serves to pivotally connect the sandwiching
member 2 to the body 1. A vertical blind bore 23 is also defined to
rearward of the bore 21. The bore 23 is aimed for receiving and
holding the lower end of the spring 12.
The lever portion 15 of the sandwiching member 2 is angled in its
middle, with the rearward part extending obliquely downwardly. This
allows secure engagement with the ring finger and the little
finger. As is the case of the body 1, also the sandwiching member 2
may be, for example, a molded article of a heat-resistant plastic.
As desired, it may also be produced through die casting of metals
such as aluminum or zinc.
The plate portions 6 and 17 of the body 1 and the sandwiching
member 2, respectively, have been subjected to an electrostatic
flocking treatment from the perimeter to the outer surface thereof
so as to lessen the sensation of heat when they come into contact
with the skin. Flocking treatment may be carried out by embedding
nylon pile fibers vertically in the surface layer of the plate
portions which has been dissolved with naphtha. In addition, the
surface of the plates 8 and 18 has been subjected to a treatment
that serves to reduce friction, e.g. Teflon coating, thereby
allowing easy slide of the hair therebetween. Teflon coating
further improves non-tackiness, heat resistance and erosion
resistance.
The body 1 and the sandwiching member 2 thus provided are assembled
as follows: First, the sandwiching member 2 is assembled by nesting
the heater 18 within the half body 17a of the plate portion 17 of
the sandwiching member 2, and then matching and securing therewith
the other half body 17b (see FIG. 3). Preferably, one of the half
bodies is provided with pin-like projections, which are mated with
corresponding bores formed in the other half body, in order to
assist positioning and reinforce connection (see FIGS. 4a and 4b).
As desired, an adhesive may be applied. Then, the pivot pin 22 is
inserted in the bore 21 of the fulcrum portion 16 of the
sandwiching member 2. The heater 8 is then nested within the plate
portion 6 of the half body 1a of the body 1, the spring 12 is
inserted into the bore 23, and then the end of the pivot pin 22 are
mated with the bearing portions 11 of the fulcrum portion 5 of the
body 1. Finally, the other half body 1b of body 1 is integrally
connected, with the fulcrum portion 16 passing through the openings
9 and 10. Thus, the hair styling iron as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5a
and 5b is obtained.
The reference numeral 24 in FIGS. 1 and 5b indicates a pilot lamp
or indicator lamp which tells when the heater H is energized. The
pilot lamp 24 comprises a light-emitting diode. The pilot lamp 24
operates in either of the two modes, i.e., a mode in which it is
kept ON while the heater H is energized and an ON-OFF mode in which
it is turned on (or off) at predetermined intervals, e.g. once in
every second, and it can be switched between these modes. Where the
latter mode is selected, the operator can readily follow the time
lapse while a strand of hair is being press-treated. The reference
numeral 25 in FIG. 5a indicates an electric cord, the end of which
is connected with a plug, and in the middle of which is provided
with a controller including a temperature adjustment dial. A
temperature sensor is provided on or in close proximity to the
heater H. The system is arranged so that the heater H is kept at a
temperature selected with the temperature adjustment dial through
the regulation of the current (or voltage) applied to the heater H
based on the output from the sensor and by means of the controller
including the temperature adjustment dial and a controller circuit.
The temperature adjustment dial is, for example, a volume dial that
allows to select a desired temperature within the range of
60-180.degree. C. For a temperature frequently selected, the dial
is provided with a detent mechanism which temporarily locks the
dial with a snapping sensation so as to prevent the dial from
drifting. A blink control circuit for the aforementioned pilot lamp
24 is also included in the controller.
The thus assembled hair styling iron A is used as exemplified in
FIG. 6. That is, the hair styling iron A is held, with, for
example, the thumb and the index finger, with the grip portion 4 of
the body 1 facing upward, a strand of hair P sliced with the left
hand is placed between the plate portions, and then pressure is
applied by pulling the lever with, for example, the ring and the
small fingers. In this manner, a press-treatment is performed in
which the hair is subjected to a pressure while being
simultaneously heated at an appropriate temperature. The time lapse
during the press treatment, e.g. a span of several seconds, can
readily be followed based on the blinking of the pilot lamp 24. In
addition, a strainer operation can be carried out by sliding the
plate portions toward the tip of the hair, with the strand of hair
B being lightly sandwiched therebetween. For this purpose, a slice
of 1-3 cm wide is proper. While sliding the hair styling iron A,
tension is preferably applied to the strand of hair P by lightly
pulling it downwardly with the left hand.
With the above hair styling iron A, as heat and pressure can be
applied to the hair sandwiched between the plate portions 6 and 17
of the body 1 and the sandwiching member 2, a partially curled area
of the hair could be corrected with ease. In addition, as a heater
is included in each of the plate portions 6 and 17 of the body 1
and the sandwiching member 2, a simultaneous and uniform heating is
effected on both sides of the sandwiched strand of hair P.
Furthermore, as the plate portions 6 and 17 of the body 1 and the
sandwiching member 2 are biased to open by means of the spring 12,
easy control of pressure is available. Still further, each of the
plate portions 6 and 17 of the hair styling iron A has been
subjected to an electrostatic flocking treatment on its outer
surface (i. e. the surface opposite to the side nesting the heater
H and the plate 8 or 18) and perimeter, and the ridges 14 are
provided on each of the perimeters of the plate portions 6 and 17.
Thus, an inadvertent touch on the skin with the outer surface or
perimeter of the plate portions 6 or 17 would not cause excessive
sensation of heat.
A description is given below to a procedure of carrying out a
straight perm operation using the hair styling iron A:
To begin with, a first solution for straight-perming is applied to
the hair, and the hair is allowed to stand for a while so as to
assure the first solution sufficiently soaking into the hair, thus
reducing and softening the hair with the solution. Then after
conducting a softening test to confirm that a desired level of
softening is reached, the hair is subjected to an intermediate
washing with water to wash away the agent adsorbed on the hair.
Then, after removing excess water from the hair, the aforementioned
strainer treatment is started (2-3 strainer operations for a single
slice of hair). A second solution is then applied to the hair, and
the hair is allowed to stand, while keeping it extended straight,
for effecting oxidation and thereby restoration of elasticity of
the hair with the second solution to complete straight-perming.
In this straight-perming treatment, a strainer operation is
performed primarily for evenly rearranging cuticle to the tip of
the hair, thereby giving the hair a glossy smooth surface.
While in the above embodiment, the sandwiching member 2 is passed
through the openings 9 and 10 formed in the body 1, a configuration
is also allowed in which a sandwiching member and a body are simply
crossed against each other and connected with a pivot pin, as in
the manner known for usual scissors.
A hair styling iron B illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a first
lever 26 and a second lever 27, the latter being pivotally
connected at its rear portion with the rear portion of the former.
The first lever 26 includes a grip portion 4 located in the middle
of its length, a fulcrum portion 5 located in the rear, and a plate
portion 6 located in the forward portion. In this embodiment, the
second lever 27 is of the same configuration as the first lever.
Therefore, the following description is given primarily with regard
to the first lever 26. Herein, symbol H indicates a heater, SW in
FIG. 8b a switch for on-off of the power supply to the heater H,
and reference numeral 24 a pilot lamp for indicating on-off of the
heater H.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, also in this embodiment, the body of the
first lever 26 is molded as two laterally divided hollow half
bodies 26a and 26b of a heat-resistant plastic or the like, which
are then matched and connected with each other to form a single
integral hollow body as shown with regard to the second lever 27.
In this embodiment, the right half body 26a of the first lever 26
and the left half body 27a of the second lever 27 are of the same
shape, and so are the left half body 26b of the first lever 26 and
the right half body 27b of the second lever 27.
The plate portion 6, as in the hair styling iron A aforementioned,
has flat and generally rectangular configuration, the inner side
(the side opposed to the second lever 27) of which is formed with a
rectangular recess 7, within which a plate 8 containing a plain
heater H is nested, with its outer surface being exposed. The plate
8 is made of a thin metal sheet. As illustrated in FIGS. 10a and
10b, side walls of the recess 7 are formed with grooves 7a, which
are brought into engagement with the ridges 8a on both sides of the
plate 8, thereby preventing the plate 8 from dislocation. A space
30 is defined between the upper face of the heater H and the upper
wall 29 of the plate portion 6. Therefore, the heater H and the
plate 8 are in contact with the first lever 26 only through their
lateral perimeters. This hinders conduction of heat to the first
lever 26.
The grip portion 4 is narrower in width than and somewhat elevated
compared with the plate portion 6. As FIG. 8b clearly illustrates,
a board-like finger resting portion 31 extends from around the
forward end of the grip portion 4 toward the middle of the plate
portion 6. The upper face of the finger resting portion 31 is flush
with the upper face of the grip portion 4, and a transverse through
slit 32 is defined between the plate portion 6 and the finger
resting portion 31 (see FIG. 10b). The slit 32 continues from
around the forward end of the finger resting portion 31 to the
middle of the grip portion 4. Thus, finger resting portion 31 is
continuous to the plate portion 6 only at its forward end 33. The
slit 32 is provided to hinder conduction of heat from the plate
portion 6 to the finger resting portion 31. Alternatively, the
finger resting portion 31 may be configured such that it is spaced
away at its forward end 33 from the plate portion 6, thus forming
the former as a cantilever. In addition, the slit 32 may be filled
with foamed plastic with high heat insulation. The "space" recited
in the attached claims is meant to include such an embodiment.
Furthermore, the slit 32 may be laterally closed. In such a case,
the space ("slit") within the finger resting portion 31 is provided
as an isolate heat insulation space separated with a plate from the
interior of the plate portion 6.
As FIG. 10c illustrates, the grip portion 4 also is of a hollow
structure, and its both sides are formed with slanted surfaces 34
in its lower portion, with the width of the grip portion 4
decreasing downwardly. These slanted surfaces 34 provide escapes
which help avoid pinching the palm of the hand holding the grip
portion 4 while the first lever 26 and the second lever 27 are
being closed toward each other. SW shown in phantom lines in FIG.
10c indicates the switch as aforementioned.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the fulcrum portion 5 of the first lever
26 includes a generally hemicylindrical blind bearing portion 36
provided on the right half body 26a, and a generally
hemicylindrical shaft portion 37 provided on the left half body
26b. The bearing portion 36 is given a central angle smaller than
180.degree. (e.g. 173.5.degree.) by half (e.g. 6.5.degree.) of the
maximal opening angle (e.g. 13.degree.) between the levers. Since
it is enough for the shaft portion 37 to be allowed a pivotal
motion within the bearing portion 36 up to a predetermined angle
(see FIG. 11b), as can be seen in the right half body 27b of the
second lever 27, the shaft portion 37 is composed only of an
opposing pair of arc-like elements, with its upper wall being cut
out by a predetermined angl. This cutout 37a is utilized to pass
through a heater cord Hc and a pilot lamp cord Lc, as illustrated
in FIG. 11b. On the base plate of the shaft portion 37 is formed a
protruding cylindrical boss 39 in which a spring shaft 38 is to be
fit (see FIGS. 11a and 11b). The spring shaft 38 is composed of a
pair of shaft members 38a and 38b which are concentrically aligned
via a gap therebetween and a torsion coil spring 38c which is
arranged around the shaft members and secured at its both ends to
the shaft members 38a and 38b. On the surface of each of the shaft
members 38a and 38b is defined a locking groove 40 extending
parallel to the axis, and on the inner surface of each of the
bosses 39 is formed a locking ridge 41 for engagement with the
locking groove 40 (see FIG. 11b).
The inner wall 42a of the rear portion 42 located to rearward of
the fulcrum portion 5 of the first lever 26, i.e. the wall opposed
to the second lever, is angled relative to the grip portion 4 by
half of the aforementioned maximal opening angle. Therefore, inner
walls 42a of the rear portions 42 provide a stopper. In the rear
end wall 42b is defined an opening 23 for an electric cord. The
upper wall 42c of the rear portion 42 is angled upwardly toward the
rear end. This angle serves as an anti-slip configuration to
prevent the hair styling iron held by the operator from slipping
off.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, also in this embodiment, the first lever
26 and the second lever 27 have been subjected to an electrostatic
flocking treatment on the plate portions 6, the finger resting
portions 31 and the forward part of the grip portions 4.
An example of assembling procedure of the hair styling iron B is
described below:
First, one of the shaft members 38a of the spring shaft 38 is fit
in the boss 39 of the left half body 26b of the first lever 26,
with the locking ridge 41 being engaged with the locking groove 40.
Then, the right half body 27b of the second lever 27 is pivoted by
180.degree. about the pivot axis S with respect to the left half
body 26b of the first lever 26. In this orientation, the other
shaft member 38b of the spring shaft 38 is fit in the boss 39, with
the locking ridge 41 being engaged with the locking groove 40.
Then, against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 38c, the
right half body 27b of the second lever 27 is pivoted back by
180.degree. for allowing it to meet the half body 26b of the first
lever 26. Then, the remaining half bodies 26a and 27a are mated
with corresponding half bodies 26b and 27b, respectively. In this
process, positioning is made by placing each bearing portion 36
over the corresponding shaft portion 37. Thus, the first lever 26
and the second lever 27, respectively, are integrally
assembled.
The heaters H and the plates 8 are inserted into the plate portion
6 of one of the half bodies either before the start of the
assembling procedure or just prior to the assembling of the half
bodies. The cord Hc of the heater H of the first lever 26 has been
connected to the output terminals of the switch SW and the cord
from the input terminals of the switch SW is directed out of an
opening 43 defined in the rear. As illustrated in FIG. 11b, the
cord Hc of the heater H of the second lever 27 extends through a
gap 44 between the shaft portion 37 and the boss 39 and is then
connected to the output terminals of the switch SW placed in the
first lever 26. In the opening 43 in the rear of the second lever
27 is fit by the aforementioned indicator lamp 24, the cord Lc of
which also extends through the gap 44 between the shaft portion 37
and the boss 39 and is then parallel connected to the output
terminals of the switch SW. In the second lever 27, as no switch is
contained in it, the opening for switch is closed with a closing
member.
The lamp 24 and the method for controlling its on-off is the same
as described with regard to the hair styling iron A.
In the hair styling iron B thus assembled, each of the first lever
26 and the second lever 27 is formed into an integral unit. As the
shaft portion 37 of each of the half bodies 26b and 27b is in
slidable contact with the inner surface of the bearing portion 36,
the first and the second levers are pivotal relative to each other
about the pivot axis S. Therefore, the plate portions 8 are brought
into abutment against each other by pinching the both finger
resting portions 31 together with the thumb and the index finger
while holding the hair styling iron on the grip portions 4 (see
phantom lines in FIG. 8b). With the switch SW put on beforehand,
the temperature of the heaters H has been elevated. Thus, press
treatment can be carried out, in which the hair is sandwiched and
then pressed between the plates 8 while heating it at an
appropriate temperature. As the plates 8 are biased away from each
other by the biasing force that the torsion coil spring 38c
generates, reduction of gripping force first causes reduction of
the pressure and then results in the plate portions 8 going apart
from each other. This motion ceases when the inner walls 42a of the
rear portions 42 abut against each other.
Also with the hair styling iron B, a strainer operation can be
carried out in the same matter as with the aforementioned hair
styling iron A. In addition, as it is made compact, the hair
styling iron B is easy to handle with one hand. Therefore, it
allows a relatively easy press treatment even on a confined region
of short hair such as over the nape or around the ears by placing
the strand of hair sliced with, for example, the left hand between
the plates 8, and appropriately adjusting the force applied to the
finger resting portions 31 with the thumb and the index finger
while holding the grip portions 4. In such a case, easy operation
is allowed as heat conduction to the finger resting portions 31 is
hindered by the slit 32 defined between the finger resting portions
31 and the plate portions 6.
In this embodiment, as the first lever 26 and the second lever 27
are given the same shape, there is provided an advantage of
lowering the costs of production and maintenance of the metal mold
required. However, it is also allowed to adopt other
configurations. In the previous embodiment, as the fulcrum portion
5 of the first lever 26 and that of the second lever are combined
in nesting fashion, a neat outlook is provided, with the shaft ends
or the like being concealed once assembled. However, it is also
allowed that the fulcrum portions are simply crossed against each
other and connected with a pivot pin, in the same manner as usual
scissors. Moreover, it is also allowed that the spring shaft 38 is
eliminated and the plate portions are opened with fingers.
* * * * *