Patent Grant
9681723
This formal utility patent application is related to provisional patent application No. 61/977,270 filed on Apr. 9, 2014. The contents of both applications are incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to an improved hair styling device for use in a variety of power source outlets. In particular, this invention relates to a hair styling device that can receive power from a power source through a USB connector. More particular, this invention relates to a system for supplying power to a hair styling device through a power system that comprises a power storage device and a direct power source. Still the present invention relates to a hair styling device having the capability to be used in a motor vehicle using the power supplied through a power storage device connected to a constant power source of the motor vehicle.
Using heat to straighten hair has been a part of hair styling since the 1800s. The challenge was to determine the best way to accomplish this feat. Initially, irons designed to iron clothes were used by women on their hair. This approach often resulted in damaged hair from the intense heat. Heated rods were also used to straighten her hair. Eventually, these obstacles were overcome.
The application of heat is the key to effectively styling hair. Hydrogen bonds in each strand of hair cause the hair to curl. After sufficient heat is applied to the hair strand, the hydrogen bonds are broken and the hair lies straight. The more curl in the hair, the more heat is required to break up these bonds so the hair can lie flat.
One approach to applying heat to hair was the idea of hinging two flat plates together. In 1909, Isaac K. Shero received a patent for a hair-straightening device, which was comprised of two flat irons that were heated and pressed together. This product was the first known “flat iron”. But with any industry there is evolution, a desire to make a current product better. Today, many flat irons have a hinged design.
As mentioned, heat is a key element in the operation of a flat iron product. Today the most effective flat irons have ceramic heating elements. The ceramic coating on these irons is much more effective due to the ability to provide constant heat while styling. Their heat up time has been reduced to about 10 seconds.
Although there are numerous hair styling products that address various aspects of actually styling hair, little attention has been given to alternative ways of powering the hair styling devices. One explanation for the lack of attention given to powering a hair styling device is that there are few options for powering these devices. A hair styling device requires an enormous amount of heat. The primary way to supply this heat is through connecting the hair styling device to a power source. This power source is usually an outlet in a building structure. For example, batteries do not have enough power to provide the amount of heat required to adequately heat a curling iron for a sufficient amount of time.
Historically there have been three ways to power a curling iron product. One way is to directly connect the device to an AC line in a building structure. A second way incorporates a heat-storing body, which keeps heat after heating. A third way is with a rechargeable battery. The AC line type hair iron cannot be used without an AC line and lacks portability. The heat-storing device type hair iron can be used only for a short time after disconnection from the AC line, and therefore lacks portability. Similar to the heat-storing device, a battery cannot hold a sufficient amount of charge and has to be frequently recharged.
Throughout the years, there have been several modifications to hair styling devices, although few have addressed the issue of powering the hair styling device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,092 to Manabe et al. describes an electrically heated hair curling iron that includes a sheet-shaped heater with electrodes affixed to an electrically resistive layer, wrapped around an elongated cylindrical support, and capable of being rapidly heated and maintained hot by electric current available from a rechargeable storage battery. The resistive layer has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance so that its temperature is self-limiting. The storage battery is contained in a handle attached to the cylindrical support, and a battery charger is disclosed which comes into electrical contact with the battery when the handle is inserted in a cavity located in the battery charger. An elongated longitudinal clip is used to retain the hair in contact with the heater; a removable cap protects the heater and clip when the iron is not in use, and also engages a switch, which ensures that the iron does not remain on. The charger and the curling iron are each provided with an LED to indicate operation of the charger and state of charge of the battery, respectively. This particular approach requires removing the battery from the hair styling device and recharging the device.
The inability to supply sufficient power except through the AC source limits the portability of the device. For example, a passenger in a motor vehicle cannot use a curling iron device because the amount of power supplied through the vehicle power outlet is in sufficient to adequately heat the curling iron. In addition, an attempt to supply sufficient power and heat to the curling iron can be risky and could cause damage to the power system of the motor vehicle.
As mentioned, primary way of using a curling iron product to style hair requires the direct connection to an AC power outlet. Portable use of a curling iron would require some type of power storage system in the curling iron. The use of a battery to supply sufficient power to the curling iron product to produce enough heat to adequately style someone's hair would require a battery of an unreasonable size for this type of product. There remains a need for a device and system for supplying power to a hair styling device such as a curling iron such that such a hair styling can be used in a variety of places and not be dependent on AC outlet power source for power.
This invention describes a portable curling iron used to style hair. The curling iron of the present invention is a portable device that enables a user to style hair without the need to plug in the curling iron to an electrical outlet. The present invention provides sufficient heat the curling iron in order to adequately style hair. The power for portable use of a device of the present invention can incorporate a combination of a power storage unit and indirect power from an external power source.
One embodiment of the present invention enables the user to use this curling iron in motor vehicle. This embodiment incorporates features that provide sufficient heat for the curling iron. This ability to adequately heat the curling iron in a motor vehicle is a key advancement in that a motor vehicle cannot provide sufficient power to adequately heat a conventional curling iron. However, this embodiment of the present invention uses a combination power source that includes power supplied by the motor in a manner similar to power supplied by a vehicle to other devices. In addition to the power supplied by the motor vehicle, this embodiment of the present invention incorporates a pre-charged power storage element that also provides power to the curling iron. The combination of the motor vehicle power and power from the power storage element provides enough power to sufficiently heat the curling iron. This portable curling iron of the present invention can have a USB connector that enables to user to plug the iron into an electrical power source that may be located in a motor vehicle.
One key aspect of the portability of the present invention is that one can use this device in locations other than fixed building structures such as homes, hotels rooms and public restrooms. As mentioned, a primary use of the present invention can be in motor vehicles.
Hair styling devices such as curling irons or flat irons require a substantial amount of heat to adequately operate. In conventional uses, the hair styling device is used in a building and is connected to an AC power supply. As mentioned, attempts to design portable hair styling devices such as curling irons have not produced adequate means to sufficient power these devices. Referring to
Electronic devices operate based on the concept illustrated in the schematic in
One desired use for curling iron hair styling devices is the use of these devices in a motor vehicle. In some instances, a passenger while the vehicle is moving or a driver when the vehicle is parked may desire to use a hair styling device to ‘touch up’ their hairstyle. The power supplied by a motor vehicle is generally inadequate to sufficiently heat the iron to satisfactorily style the user's hair. Common car adapters that plug into the electrical outlet in the vehicle through which electrical devices such as DVD players are powered cannot safely supply the requisite amount of power to operate the curling iron hair styling device.
The present invention provides a system that will enable a user to receive sufficient power to adequately and safely operate a curling iron hair styling device in a motor vehicle. Referring to
In the implementation of the present invention, the power storage element 54 inside the adapter 52 as mentioned has the capability to store, receive and disseminate electricity to a device. In the implementation of the present invention, one can charge the storage element 54 with an initial amount of charge. For example, the storage element may be initially charged with 15 volts of electricity. At this point, when the adapter is connected to the curling iron, the curling iron can be initially powered. However, the electrical charge stored in this power storage element will not sustain use of the curling iron but for short period of time. In the present invention, the power source 56 supplies electricity to the power storage element 54 while electricity from the power storage element is being supplied to the curling iron device 58. In actuality, the amount of the power be dissipated from the power storage element 54 will probably be greater than the amount of power being supplied to the power storage device from the power source.
As illustrated in the chart in
The present invention incorporates a USB connector to connect the curling iron and the adapter.
As mentioned, the present invention has the capability to operate in a conventional mode or in a portable mode.
The present invention can have the capability to function as a portable curling iron or a conventional curling iron. Referring to
In the present invention, when the user desires to use the hair styling device in a conventional manor at one's home or in some other building, power can be supplied to the hair styling device using the standard AC power source. The device of the present invention can have a connector for the standard AC power source and a USB connector for applications described herein.
When the curling iron of the present has the capability to be used both as a portable device (away from a conventional building structure) or as a conventional device, there must be a means to change the use mode of the device as desired. One embodiment in which this mode change can be facilitated is with a 3-position switch.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8967159 | Jenkins | Mar 2015 | B1 |
| 20060201527 | Higgins | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20150201726 | Prats | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160295985 A1 | Oct 2016 | US |
