Patent Application
20220087380
Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to cases that can be used to protect and carry hair styling tools.
Hair stylists use a wide array of tools to style hair. In any given styling session, a stylist may need to use, for example, a curling iron or a straightener. These tools have very hot exposed metal parts, which are heated via electric power provided by an AC power cord. This causes a situation where the tool has a very hot and exposed metal portion that is hot enough to melt plastic, but also a plastic portion which can easily melt if it comes into contact with the metal portion.
A melted power cord not only causes economic damage to the stylist, but it also creates a safety hazard to both the stylist and the stylist's client. A melted power cord will typically result in an exposed wire. To avoid injury to the stylist or the stylist's client, the stylist will need to fix this exposed wire. If the exposed wire cannot be fixed, the hair tool will need to be disposed of. Trying to fix and replace hair tools is costly to the stylist, and results in a big repair distraction.
In addition, a styling tool with an exposed wire is a safety hazard. Oftentimes, a stylist may not notice an exposed wire, and may plug it in and use the tool. The exposed wire will have a significant amount of power running through it from the AC outlet and the exposed wire becomes a significant safety hazard. If anyone touches the exposed wire during use, they risk significant injury.
Stylists frequently need to store, transport, and access their tools many times a day, and they need multiple tools to perform their job. Stylists frequently swap tools in and out of storage in any given day. Further, stylists need to travel to different locations and take their tools with them.
Prior art systems do not allow for the safe storage and transport of hair styling tools. Many stylists dump their tools in bags, but this can cause a cord to come in contact with hot metal.
Prior art systems cause damage to tools and, can oftentimes create dangerous working conditions.
This document relates to systems and methods for the safe and proper storage of hair styling tools.
In an embodiment, a hair tool is provided that comprises a first and second pad, wherein the first pad and second pad are connected to each other and are configured to be foldable onto each other. The hair tool has one or more tool sleeves that are attached to the second pad where each of the one or more tool sleeves are configured to house a hair tool. The hair tool further has a first flap and a second flap attached to the first pad, wherein the first and second flap are configured to be folded over to cover the second pad and the first pad when the second pad is folded over the first pad, wherein one end of the first flap is configured to be attached to one end of the second flap. The hair tool case further has a strap on the outside of the one or more tool sleeves and one or more cable clips attached to the second pad. The hair tool case further has one or more cable hooks attached to the first pad.
In a further embodiment, the hair tool case's strap is attached to the strap at portions in between each of the one or more tool sleeves. In a further embodiment, the one or more cable clips are attached to the second pad near an end portion of the one or more tool sleeves. In yet another embodiment, each of the one or more cable hooks are configured to accommodate a wrapped cable wire. In yet another embodiment, the first pad is made of vinyl and the second pad is made of leather. In yet another embodiment, the first flap and the second flap are made of leather. In yet another embodiment, the one end of the first flap is configured to be attached to the one end of the second flap via a leather lace and the one or more tool sleeves each have a single opening on one end, wherein the other end is closed.
As will be realized, embodiments of the disclosure are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
While embodiments of the present disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The present disclosure generally relates to a carrying case for the safe storage and stowing of hair tools. Throughout a styling session, hair stylists often use and access many various tools such as hair straighteners, hair curlers, texture irons, and other tools that require heat to work. These tools are typically heated through electric power from an AC outlet.
Hot hair tools create a both a safety hazard and a damage risk to tools. Hot hair tools can damage non-metallic portions of other hair tools, or can cause damage to the power cord that connects the hair tool to the AC outlet. Damaged power cords leave exposed wires, and these exposed wires create safety hazards. Damaged hair tools need to replaced or repaired. This results in a cost and waste of time to the stylist.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for the safe storage and stowing of hair tools. The safe storage and stowing of hair tools given by the present disclosure protects hair tools from damage. This saves time and money to the stylist, and also reduces the safety hazard that damaged wires may cause.
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The hair tool case has one or more tool sleeves 108 attached to the second pad 106. The tool sleeves are used to house one or more hair tools 110. The hair tools 110 can be one or more tools, such as hot irons, straighteners, curlers, or any tool known in the art. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the tool sleeves 108 be used to carry hot hair tools. In an embodiment, the tool sleeves 108 are designed in various sizes to accommodate other types of tools, such as brushes, clips, or any other tool known in the art. Further, although the tool sleeves 108 are depicted as being similar to each other, it should be understood that each tool sleeve 108 can be of a different size or shape. In addition, although three tool sleeves 108 are depicted, any number of tool sleeves 108 can be used.
The hair tool sleeves 108 act to house a hair tool 110 so that its metal portion, which is frequently heated through use, is covered to protect the hair tool 110's other components from heat. This further protects other hair tools 110 from heat. The hair tool sleeves 108 can be made of leather, or any other material that insulates from heat. In an embodiment, the hair tool sleeve 108 is designed to accommodate a hair tool that does not emit heat, e.g., a brush, and it is made out of material that does not insulate from heat, e.g., a canvas.
The hair tool sleeves 108 are affixed to the first pad 102. In another embodiment, the hair tool sleeves 108 are removably attachable to the first pad 102.
The hair tool sleeves 108 have a single opening, where the lower portion of the hair tool sleeve is closed to prevent the hair tools 110 from slipping through. In another embodiment, the hair tool sleeves 108 have multiple openings.
As illustrated in
To keep the power cord 112 in place, and prevent it from becoming tangled or unmanageable, the hair tool 100 provides additional organizational mechanisms. A strap 114 is provided to affix the power cord 112 in place. In an embodiment, the strap 114 is fixably attached to the second pad 106 in between each tool sleeve 108. The strap 114 is leather, but it should be understood that any material can be used. In an embodiment, the strap 114 is removably attachable. In another embodiment, the hair tool case 100 lacks a strap 114.
The hair tool case 100 also has cable clips 116 that are attached to the first pad 102 below the tool sleeves 108. The cable clips 116 allow the power cord 112 to be removably clipped to it. This allows the power cord 112 to be affixed in place. Furthermore, the cable clips 116 allow the power cord 112 to be affixed in place when the hair tool case 100 is folded for transport. In an embodiment, the hair tool case 100 lacks cable clips 116. In another embodiment, not every tool sleeve has a corresponding cable clip; any number of cable clips can be provided.
The hair tool case 100 further has cable hooks 118 that allow the power cord 112 to be wrapped to further reduce clutter and further prevent the power cord 112 from becoming tangled and lessen the chance that it will come in contact with hot metal. As demonstrated in
As can be appreciated, the cable hooks 118, and cable clips 116, affix the power cords 112 in place when the hair tool case 100 is folded for stowing. By safely stowing the hair tools 110, and their power cords 112, the hair tool carrying case 100 prevents loose power cords 112 from coming into contact with hot portions of the hair tools 110, and prevents tangling of the power cords 112.
After the hair tools 110 have been stowed into the tool sleeves 108, and after the cord 112 has been secured by the strap 114, the clip 116, and cable hooks 118, the second pad 102 can be folded onto the first pad.
To secure everything in place, the hair tool case 100 has flaps 104 that can fold onto and envelop the second pad. The flaps 104 have a piece of leather lace 120/122 attached to their ends. The leather lace can be used to tie everything together to secure everything within the hair tool case 100.
The hair tool case 100 advantageously keeps all hair tools safe and secure. It prevents damage to hair tools, and reduces the possibility that cords could tangle. The hair tool case 100 allows a stylist to more quickly, and safely, do their job. By safely securing hair tools 110, the hair tool case 100 prevents possible hazards from unnoticed and exposed cords 112. The hair tool case 100 also reduces economic damage to the stylist by protecting their tools from damage.
Although the hair tool case 100 has be illustrated as having three hair tool sleeves 108, it should be understood that this demonstration is merely exemplary, and any number of hair tool sleeves 108 can be used. Further, although certain pieces have been described as being leather or vinyl, it should be understood that any type of materials can be used. In addition, the leather lace 120/122 can be any type of attachment mechanism, whether it be a clip on, or magnetic, or anything that allows the two flaps 104 to be tied together.
Although leather and vinyl are described, it should be understood that any type of material can be used. For example, the hair tool case can have a heat resistant inner lining, then a canvas exterior. The hair tool case can be made up of all leather, or all vinyl, or any combination thereof. It should also be understood that the materials described are merely exemplary, and any combination of materials can be used.
Further, although a single component of the hair tool case has been described as a single integrated component, it should be understood that the component can be comprised of multiple materials, or multiple subcomponents.
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As shown in an embodiment, the flaps 304 can be a square and can have dimensions of 11 inches. The first pad 302 and second pad 306 can also be squares and can have dimensions of 13 inches. These sizes are only exemplary, and it should be understood that any size or shape for the pads 302/306 and flaps 304 can be used. For example, it should be understood that pads 302/306 and flaps 304 can be rectangles, or any other shape or combination thereof.
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As demonstrated in
An exemplary embodiment of the hair tool case 400 is 17 inches by 13 inches when folded. It should be understood that these sizes, and shapes, are only exemplary.
As can be appreciated, the hair tool case 400 allows multiple tools to not only be stowed safely, but provides them in a small form factor that allows them to be easily transported.
The foldable flap 624 is foldable onto the tool sleeves 608. The foldable flap 624 can be made of leather or vinyl, or any other material known in the art. The foldable flap can be made of any mixtures of materials as discussed herein.
While this document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.
Only a few implementations and examples are described, and other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this disclosure.
