Patent Application
20180064227
The present invention relates generally to blow-dryers for hair, which includes a scent charge for blowing a desired scent onto a user. More specifically, the present invention includes, in one embodiment, a blow-dryer for hair that includes a vented receptacle for receiving a replaceable or rechargeable scent charge, so that the use of the blow-dryer applies a scent to the user. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a removable attachment for the end of a blow-dryer air tube, wherein the attachment may be affixed to the end of a blow-dryer air tube, and wherein the attachment includes a vented receptacle for receiving a scent charge.
It would be desirable to provide a means for imparting a pleasant scent or fragrance to one's hair during the blow-drying process. Such a device could be used on a personal level by members of the general public, or may be useful to professionals, such as cosmetologists, hair stylists, barbers, and the like, as a part of their jobs. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide such a means that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.
The following references show various devices that are used together with blow-drying assemblies for imparting scent to a user. Each of these references are hereby incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,347
U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,347 discloses an attachment for a hair dryer which adds a scent or perfume to the warm air blowing out of a hair dryer. The attachment consists of a disk designed to fit onto the front end of a conventional hair dryer. The disk includes an annular ring with an outer diameter of approximately 1¾ inches and an inner diameter of approximately 1½ inches surrounding and supporting an open screen of vertical and horizontal strands of nylon or other inert plastic resin. Each intersection of the screen's strands supports a bead of volatizable scent. The screen and its beads of scent are protected during storage of the disk prior to use by two circles of foil removably mounted by means of adhesive onto the opposite sides of the disk's ring. The foils are removed just prior to fitting the disk onto a blow dryer. The disk is mounted over the mouth of the blow dryer, preferably by a cylindrical sheath of thin flexible latex, one end of which is attached to the outer surface of the disk's ring. Prior to use, the sheath is rolled up around the outside of the disk's ring.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,879
U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,879 is directed to a novel pad assembly that is provided for use with a standard hand-held hair dryer to aid in removing undesired odors from a beauty salon. The pad assembly of the present invention is provided for use with standard hand-held hair dryers which include an aperture for supplying a heated air stream and a barrier attached to the aperture for preventing objects from entering into or passing out of the hair dryer. The pad assembly includes a pad portion made of a flame retardant, liquid absorbent material which is sized to fit within the aperture of the hair dryer. The pad portion has a backing attached thereto. The backing has an outer surface on which is disposed an adhesive material for mounting the pad assembly to the barrier of the hair dryer. An oil based scented liquid material is disposed within and absorbed by the pad such that a scent is released to the heated air stream upon use of the hair dryer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,800
U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,800 discloses a fragrance dispenser attachable to the barrel of a hair dryer having a housing which is engageable to the hair dryer barrel. A replaceable fragrance-emitting element is contained within the dispenser. The warmed air flow from the dryer releases the fragrance. Various types of elements in a selection of scents may be provided. The dispenser also allows the user to attach conventional accessories to the outlet of the dispenser attachment. Another embodiment has a regulator for controlling the emission of fragrance into the air flow.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,771
U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,771 is directed to a scent charged aeration capsule assembly emplaced over the effluxive end of a hair blower whereby, during the blower's operation, a selected fragrance may directed into a subject's hair. Alternatively, a hair blower manufactured or modified to comprise a pad emplacement chamber permitting emplacement of a fragrance impregnated pad therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,672
U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,672 discusses a scenting device for use with airflow conduits. The scenting device has a porous first member enclosed at a periphery thereof by a frame. A mounting means is used to removably yet securely attach the scenting device to an air filter or ventilation cover in existing heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems in addition to use with hair dryers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,886
U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,886 is directed to an apparatus comprising a duct having a fluid outlet for fluid propelled through the duct and a container positions a substance for diffusion into the fluid through an opening. A movable valve selectively places the opening in fluid communication with the fluid in the duct and seals the opening to prevent introduction of the substance into the fluid. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the apparatus is a blow dryer in which a heating element disposed in the duct heats air flowing therethrough. The substance can be a fragrance or a conditioner introduced into the air stream. According to other aspects of the invention, the container is interchangeable with containers containing other substances, such as different fragrances, and is completely sealed when the blow dryer is not in use. In another embodiment, a container attached to the duct ejects the substance in a spray external of the duct proximate to the duct outlet. In a particularly preferred form of that embodiment, the spray cartridge is interchangeable with a diffusion cartridge.
Publication No. US20070137060
U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US20070137060 discloses a hair dryer air diffuser elastically fitted to the nozzle of a hand held hair dryer. The air diffuser is substantially conical in shape and is made of flexible material. The air diffuser has openings or slits in the flexible material. Preferably, hair treatment products are affixed to or embedded in the flexible material. As the hair is dried, the heat in the air emerging from the dryer, volatilizes the hair treatment products and deposits them on the hair.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a hair blow-dryer includes a handle portion, a main body portion having an electric motor or fan, a heating element and an air tube for blowing heated air therethrough. A scent charge receptacle is positioned along the air tube, preferably downstream from the heating element, and includes air holes or slits for receiving ambient air, and forcing the ambient air through the remainder of the air tube and out of the effluxive end thereof. A scent charge may be removably affixed or attached to the scent charge receptacle, so that when the scent charge is placed into the receptacle, the force of air flowing through the tube serves to suck air through the scent charge and into the tube, carrying with it a desired or pleasant fragrance.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the scent charge receptacle is attached to a removable tube extension, which may be attached to the effluxive end of an air tube on a commercially available hair blow-dryer. A first end of the removable tube extension is preferably round in shape, in order to receive the effluxive end of the blow-dryer air tube, while the other end of the removable tube extension may be formed into any desired shape, including a round cross section, a longitudinal slit, a funnel shape, or any other desired shape.
The scent charge may be of any desirable construction, and preferably is snap fit or slidable for frictional engagement into the receptacle. In one embodiment, the scent charge may be a disc made from a wicking textile material capable of soaking up a liquid composition, and a liquid based fragrance may simply be applied to the disc, as necessary. In another embodiment, the scent charge may be made from a fragrant gel pack, or the like. It is contemplated that scent charges that are commercially available for use in other devices, including night-lights and plug-in room deodorizers, may be used in conjunction with the scent receptacle, as well.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The present invention includes, in a first embodiment, a hair blow-dryer 10 having a handle portion 12, a main body portion 14 having an electric motor or fan, a heating element and an air tube 16 for blowing heated air therethrough, as shown in
In one embodiment, the receptacle 18 may be positioned on the top of the air tube 16, and includes a raised, U-shaped lip 26 having a channel 28 extending around an inner periphery thereof. Within the U-shaped lip 26 is a series of air holes 20 or slits, for allowing air to pass therethrough and into the air tube 16, thereby allowing air to pass through the receptacle 18 with the scent charge 24, and into the tube 16 for expulsion at the effluxive end 22 thereof. A generally round scent charge 24, preferably including a tab 30 extending from an outer edge thereof for insertion and removal, slides into the open end of the U-shaped lip 26, so that the edges of the scent charge 24 are disposed within the inner channel 28 within the lip 26, and are frictionally engaged therein. The scent charge 24 is infused with a fragrance, which may take the form of liquid or oil based material, or which may be infused with a solid scented composition. The scent charge 24 may be rechargeable, so that when the scent charge 24 is no longer producing a potent fragrance while the hair dryer 10 is running, liquid or oil fragrance may be applied to the scent charge 24, which tends to soak up the liquid or oil. In another embodiment, the scent charge 24 may be single use application, so that it simply needs to be replaced by a new scent charge 24 when the previously used scent charge 24 is depleted.
It is also contemplated that the size and shape of the receptacle 18 may be formed to correspond to any commercially available air freshener, which can be removably inserted into the receptacle 18 and recharged or replaced after use.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle 18 may form a closed, vented compartment, wherein a scented gel-pack may be inserted, as shown in
In another embodiment of the present invention, the scent charge receptacle 18 is attached to a removable tube extension 34, which may be attached to the effluxive end 22 of an air tube 16 on a commercially available hair blow-dryer 10. A first end of the removable tube extension 34 is preferably round in shape, in order to receive the effluxive end 22 of the blow-dryer 10 air tube 16, while the other end of the removable tube extension 34 may be formed into any desired shape, including a round cross section, an oval cross section, a longitudinal slit, a funnel shape, or any other desired shape.
This embodiment allows a user to simply attach the removable tube extension 34 on any commercially available hair blow-dryer 10, rather than having to spend additional money on a completely new one.
In yet another embodiment, the removable tube extension 34 may be formed from a flexible material, such as silicone, so that it may fit over blow dryer air tubes of various shapes and sizes, including extensions or shapes such as a concentrator 36, where the end of the tube is formed into a longitudinal slit in order to provide a venturi effect to the air flow. In this embodiment, as shown in
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
