Patent Application
20150201730
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating hair, and, in particular, relates to a hair dryer apparatus including an end cap having filter and noise reducing capabilities.
2. Description of Related Art
Hair treatment devices such as hairdryers and other appliances are known in the art. A hand held hair dryer or blower incorporates all of the functional components within the housing of the hair dryer, including, e.g., a motor, a blower and heating elements. The air is heated upon contact with the heating elements (generally electrical resistive elements) and then expelled at the opposite end in the form of a stream of hot air via the blower. The outlet end is shaped or may be fitted with removable adapters so as to shape the released stream of hot air.
The presence of the functional components within the housing increases the noise output of the hair dryer. The mechanical noise, in addition to the noise generated by the circulating airflow, is detracting to the user and the surrounding environment.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a hair dryer apparatus, which addresses the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional hair dryers. In accordance with one embodiment, the apparatus for styling hair includes a housing dimensioned to be held in a hand of a user, and having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan within the housing, a heater for heating air passing from the air inlet to the air outlet and an end cap mounted to the barrel adjacent the air inlet. The end cap includes an end cap frame defining an end cap axis and a reducer mounted within the end cap frame. The reducer is dimensioned to reduce acoustic energy, sound and/or vibrations associated with operation of the apparatus. The end cap may be releasably couplable to the housing.
The reducer may comprise an acoustic foam. In one embodiment, the reducer is elongated and/or may be generally frusto-conically shaped. The elongated configuration may assist in reducing the intensity of the acoustic energy, vibration and/or sound by providing a greater surface area for absorption of the energy as it propagates along the reducer. The end cap frame also may be generally frusto-conically shaped. The reducer is dimensioned to extend along a majority of an axial length of the end cap frame.
In embodiments, the end cap includes a locking ring. The locking ring is dimensioned to couple with the end cap frame to facilitate securement of the reducer. The end cap may include a filter screen, which may be mounted to the end cap frame.
Other features and advantages of the hair styling apparatus will be better appreciated by the discussion hereinbelow.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:
The handle frame 12 includes a plurality of switches or control elements for controlling the functioning of the apparatus 10. The switches or control elements may include a master switch such as a power on/off switch and/or at least one or two or more control elements or switches 26, 28. The first control element 26 may control the resistor or heater elements 30 which heat the air entering the air inlet end 18 and emitted by the air outlet end 20. For example, the first control element 26 may be in electrical communication with a rheostat or variable resistor to control the heat setting and level of heat applied to the air. Multiple heat settings, e.g. three, are contemplated. The second control element 28 may adjust the speed of the airflow leaving the blower or fan 32, e.g., by varying the rotational speed of the blower 32 between a multiple of speed settings, e.g., two settings. The hair styling apparatus 10 may include a button or switch 34, which is selectively toggled to deactivate the heater elements 30 to provide a prolonged blast of cold air to the hair, i.e., a cold shot button 34. Other switches or control elements for controlling auxiliary functioning of the apparatus 10 are also envisioned. The resistor or heater elements 30, blower or fan 32, and the motor 34 for operating the fan 32 are depicted schematically in
Referring now to
As best depicted in
The reducer 38 is dimensioned to reduce acoustic energy, sound and/or vibration associated with operation of the apparatus 10. In embodiments, the reducer 38 includes a noise and/or vibration reducing material such as an acoustic foam ring. The foam ring is adapted to remove residual sound and vibrations within the end cap frame 32. For example, the foam ring is characterized by having very low reflecting capabilities coupled with high absorption capabilities to absorb acoustic or sound energy. Suitable acoustic foam materials include any commercially-available acoustic open cell foam. In addition, the elongated axial length of the reducer 38 increases the surface area to which the acoustic, sound and/or vibration waves are exposed during propagation through the end cap 36 thereby further facilitating absorption within the foam of the reducer 38. In addition, the conical shape of the reducer 38 may further facilitate noise reduction by increasing the distance of travel of the propagating waves not absorbed by the foam of the reducer 38, including, longitudinal and radial relative components of direction, relative to the end cap axis “m”.
The reducer 38 may be mounted within the end cap frame 32 through any conventional arrangement. In one embodiment, the lock ring 40 is assembled within the end cap frame 36 in a manner securing the reducer 38 between the components. For example, the lock ring 40 may include an inner annular ledge 46 which is received within a corresponding annular locking recess 48 of the end cap frame 36 in snap relation therewith thereby securing the lock ring 40 to the end cap frame 36 with the periphery of the reducer 38 disposed therebetween. Other arrangements are envisioned including with the use of cements, adhesives or the like.
The lock ring 40 further includes at least two spacers 50 which engage the inner surface of the reducer 38 and at least three locking detents 52. The spacers maintain 50 the positioning of the reducer 38 relative to, or against, the inner wall of the end cap frame 36 to, e.g., prevent migration relative to the end cap frame 36. The locking detents 52 engage a corresponding annular recess 54 within the barrel 16 adjacent the air inlet end 18 to secure the end cap 22 to the barrel 16 in snap relation therewith.
The end cap 22 is selectively releasable relative to the barrel 16. For example, removal of the end cap 22 may be affected through engagement of the end cap frame 36, and directing an outward force away from the barrel 16 causing the locking detents 52 to temporarily be displaced in the direction of inward arrow “t” (
During use, the apparatus 10 is activated. Air is drawn within the into the air intake opening 44 of the end cap 22. As depicted in
Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.
