Patent Application
20220047056
The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to a hair dryer/fan attachment designed to facilitate drying of the groin area. More specifically, the hair dryer/fan attachment is designed to facilitate drying of the genitals and, optionally, the anal area. And, even more specifically, drying of men' genitals and, optionally, anal area.
BACKGROUND
The groin area requires careful cleaning to prevent or help reduce the risk of skin rashes/infections. Common causes of rashes are yeast or fungal infections. It is well known that rashes are most likely to form in moist areas where skin touches skin, such as the folds of the groin. To prevent development of a rash/infection, or to treat an existing condition, it is important to clean the groin area often, and—no less importantly, keep it dry.
Most people simply use a towel to dry the groin area prior to getting dressed. However, this often leaves the skin in the area moist as it is very hard to absorb every bit of moisture just by toweling. It is therefore suggested to allow the groin area to air-dry for a period of time after toweling and before getting dressed. However, such air-drying may require more time than most people, and especially care givers, can afford. Thus unfortunately, because of time constraints many people simply give up on this simple and affective measure of a thorough drying of the groin even though in doing they may have to endure discomfort and/or unpleasant and painful health conditions.
The presently disclosed hair dryer/fan attachment (also referred to herein as HDFA) presents a much-needed solution. The HDFA is designed to be comfortably positioned on the groin area, effectively covering and enclosing the genitals, and to be easily connected to a standard hair dryer/fan. By operating the hair dryer/fan a user can quickly and effectively dry his/her genital area.
In accordance with the present invention, various embodiments are disclosed of a hair dryer/fan attachment for drying the groin area, the hair dryer/fan attachment comprising: a body generally shaped as a triangle or a heart, the body comprising a top part, a bottom part, three rounded sides, and three rounded corners, wherein the bottom part comprises a body opening, and one side of the three rounded sides, or one corner of the three rounded corners, or the top part, comprises a funnel opening. The hair dryer/fan attachment also comprises a funnel, the funnel generally having the shape of a tube, and one end of the funnel, the proximal end, can be releasably attached to the funnel opening of the body.
In some embodiments, the distal end of the funnel is wider than its proximal end, and the funnel's diameter gradually tapers from the distal end to the proximal end.
In some embodiments, the body further comprises a ring-shaped funnel connector, and the circumference of the funnel connector defines therebetween the funnel opening.
In some embodiments, the funnel's proximal end comprises a body connector, and the body connector can be releasably attached to the funnel connector.
In some embodiments, the funnel connector and the body connector comprise a securing mean to releasably secure the body and the funnel together when they are attached to each other.
In some embodiments, the securing means is selected from a group comprising threaded fitting (including continuous or discontinuous threads), snap fit, magnets, friction fit, lip and groove, thread and lug, and twist-on.
In some embodiments, the distal end of the funnel may be removably attached to a hair dryer barrel, the attachment comprises the distal part of the funnel being wrapped around a part of the hair dryer barrel, and when the funnel is removably attached to the hair dryer barrel the hair dryer's air outlet is inside the funnel.
In some embodiments, the inside of the funnel comprises a sealing mean, the sealing mean removably secures the attachment of the distal part of the funnel and the part of the hair dryer barrel.
In some embodiments, the sealing mean is selected from a group comprising elastic coat, rubber coat, silicon coat, structural ribs, and coated structural ribs (the coat may be elastic material, rubber, or silicon).
In some embodiments, the removable attachment of the funnel and the hair dryer barrel is substantially air-tight.
In some embodiments, a silicon band may be wrapped around the distal edge of the funnel and part of the hair dryer barrel when the funnel and hair dryer barrel are removably attached, in order to achieve a substantially air-tight attachment.
In some embodiments, the funnel is fashioned of an elastic material.
In some embodiments, the top part of the body is convex.
In some embodiments, the bottom part of the body is concave.
In some embodiments, the top part of the body comprises a cartridge opening, and a cartridge may be removably fitted in the cartridge opening.
In some embodiments, the cartridge is a releasable holding case having a top side and a bottom side, and the bottom side comprises a scenting opening.
In some embodiments, the cartridge may be removably fitted in the cartridge opening, and when the cartridge is removably fitted in the cartridge opening the cartridge bottom side is facing the body opening.
In some embodiments, the cartridge may removably hold a scenting mean, and the scenting mean is selected from a group comprising a pad comprising essential oil or perfume/fragrance, or an essential oil or perfume/fragrance diffuser cartridge.
In some embodiments, a method for using the hair dryer/fan attachment for drying the groin area comprises the steps of:
Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a hair dryer/fan attachment (HDFA). The HDFA comprises a body (also referred to as vessel) comprising an opening and a funnel. The funnel may be releasably secured to the body on one end and removably attached to a hair dryer barrel, or a fan, on its other end. The HDFA opening may be placed comfortably on a user's groin area, effectively covering the genitals. The user may than operate the hair dryer/fan to cause air flow through the funnel and into the body where the air circulates, thus enabling the user to time-effectively and efficiently dry his/her genital area. The HDFA also provides the user with a possibility of scenting of the groin area during the drying process.
By enabling an efficient drying of the groin, the HDFA helps prevent potential bacterial and viral infections such as jock itch. The HDFA shortens the time needed to dry the groin area, and specifically, the genitals and the areas proximal to the genitals. For example, the HDFA helps dry the penis and testicles, but also may help in drying the pubic area, or part of the pubic area, and the anal area. By drying the groin area, it also helps in reducing any smell. Optionally, the HDFA provides scenting of the groin area during the drying process.
The HDFA provides a much-needed solution. Use of a hair dryer, fan, or simply air drying without the use of directed air flow, requires a long time to thoroughly dry the groin area. Using a standard hair dryer by itself to dry the groin area also requires the user the assume an awkward and uncomfortable position trying to direct the air dryer's air flow so that it reaches and dries the groin area. Furthermore, the use of a hair dryer by itself for drying the groin area may hurt the genital area if user is not careful. In addition, the use of a hair dryer or a fan for this purpose is very likely not to be very effective. Finally, use of topical ointments to scent the groin area may likely leave a film on the skin and may smell medicinal, or simply unpleasant. The HDFA, enables a user to assume a natural position, such as standing, while using it in combination with a hair dryer to dry the groin area. The HDFA provides means of infusing the area being dried with a scent of the user's choice.
Referring now to
In the embodiment of
The body 1 comprises a body funnel opening 15 (shown at least in
HDFA 100 does not comprise a funnel connector 6. The funnel opening 15 may be positioned on one of the sides, one the corners, or on the top part. In some embodiments, the body funnel opening 15 is positioned on one of the two corners on each end of the top side 16 of the body 1. In the embodiment featured in
The HDFA 100 comprises a funnel 2, which in some embodiments is generally a tube. In some preferred embodiments, the funnel 2, or parts of the funnel 2, has/have some elasticity/flexibility, or is/are very /elastic/flexible. In some other embodiments, the funnel 2, is substantially not flexible, or elastic. In some embodiments, the funnel 2, or parts of the funnel 2, is/are fashioned of, any type of elastomeric material (material which display rubber-like elasticity), silicon, plastic, or combinations thereof. The HDFA 100, or any part or component of the HDFA 100, may be fashioned out of a firm FDA approved heat resistant silicon, any other plastic materials, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the HDFA 100, or any part or component of the HDFA 100, may be fashioned out of heat resistant materials and/or antibacterial/fungus resistant (i.e. FDA approved material for consumer use).
The funnel 2 may be releasably attached to the body 1 on its proximal end, and removably attached to a barrel of a hair dryer 20 on its distal end/distal part. In some embodiments, the distal end of the funnel 2 is wider than its proximal end. In some embodiments, the funnel's 2 diameter gradually tapers from its distal end to its proximal end. In some other embodiments, the funnel 2 has a fixed diameter throughout its length. The funnel 2 may have any suitable length. In some embodiments, the funnel length may be in the range of 0.25-8 inches. For example, the funnel 2 length may be, without limitation, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75 or 8 inches. However, in some other embodiments the funnel 2 may be shorter or longer.
In some embodiments, the body funnel opening 15 has a diameter range of 0.5-2.5 inches. In some other embodiments, the body funnel opening 15 diameter is 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, or 2 inches. In some embodiments, the body funnel opening 15 diameter is 1.5 inches and funnels outward to 2⅜ inches. The funnel is designed for a removable attachment to most standard hair dryers 20. As the proximal part of the funnel 2 wraps around the barrel of a standard hair dryer, the range of diameters along the funnel 2 length allow for a removable attachment with different sized standard hair dryers' barrels. In some embodiments, the removable attachment of the funnel 2 to the hair dryer 20 is air-tight, or substantially air-tight.
Moving now to
An example of a rounded heart shape of the body 1 of the HDFA 100 is demonstrated in
The cartridge 4 is generally a releasable holding case having a top side and a bottom side. In some embodiments, the bottom side comprises at least one scenting opening 5. In some other embodiments, the bottom side comprises one scenting opening 5. The cartridge 4 may be removably fitted in the cartridge opening 12 in such a way that the at least one scenting opening 5 is facing the body opening 3. In some embodiments, the cartridge 4 is shaped as a disc. In some embodiments, the diameter of the cartridge is 2 inch and a depth of 1 inch. The cartridge 4 may removably hold a scenting mean 11. The scenting means 11 may be a pad/disposable membrane comprising essential oil or perfume/fragrance, or an essential oil or perfume/fragrance diffuser cartridge. The pad may be any type of absorbent material including paper and fabric (such as felt). In some embodiments, the scenting means is disposable.
It is noted herein that when the HDFA 100 is not in use, the funnel 2 may be conveniently stored inside the body 1, taking advantage of the opening 3. This is especially useful for travelling and storage purposes.
Referring to
Finally,
To use the presently disclosed HDFA 100, a user may optionally insert a scenting means 11 into the cartridge 4 and close the cartridge. It is noted that in some embodiments, the HDFA 100 does not comprise a cartridge opening 12 and/or a cartridge 4. The user than removably fits the cartridge 4 into the cartridge opening 12 so that the scenting opening 5 faces the opening 3. The user proceeds to removably attach the funnel 2 to a fan 20 or a hair dryer 20 barrel, so that the hair dryer's air outlet/fan air outlet is inside the funnel 2, and turn the fan 20 on, or turn the hair dryer 20 on to low heat, or no heat, at low or medium air flow. Next, the user places the HDFA 100 attached to the fan/hair dryer 20 between the user's legs with the opening 3 covering and enclosing the pubic area, or part of the pubic area, the genital area, and optionally the anal area. At this point, the top side of the body 1 is substantially horizontal with the lower abdomen/pubic area, and the other two sides are resting comfortably on the inside of the user's legs. In the embodiment that a cartridge 4 is present and a scenting means 11 was used, the air blown from the fan/hair dryer 20 passes over the essential oil/fragrance pad 11 to disperse scent upward, and around, toward the groin. Once the groin area is dry, the hair dryer/fan 20 can be turned off and the HDFA 100 removed from the groin area.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.
Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.
For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments, ±100% in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.
Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.
Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63064705 | Aug 2020 | US |
