STORED HEAT HAIR APPLIANCES

Abstract

The appliance is composed of heat-retaining materials such as natural materials, including but not limited to grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, clay, and/or stones, manmade materials, including but not limited to beads and/or gels of silicon or glycerin, or combinations of natural and man-made heat-retaining materials. The invention relates to curling irons, crimping tools, straightening irons, hair rollers, hot air dryer brushes, traditional hair brushes and combs, heated brushes and similar appliances. The appliances may be heated by conventional sources such as an electrical plug or battery, or, heated by placing said appliance on or in a separate heating housing unit, and/or by heating in a microwave. The appliance may be used to fashion or style hair without the need for ongoing power from electrical or battery-operated sources. The appliances can retain and release hair additives, including but not limited to moisture and/or fragrances that, in addition to heating the heat-retaining materials, can impart moisture and/or fragrances to the materials of

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to stored heat hair appliances wherein the appliance is composed of one or more layers of heat-retaining materials such as natural heat-retaining materials, including but not limited to grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, clay, and/or stones, man-made heat-retaining materials, including but not limited to beads and/or gels of silicon or glycerin, or combinations of natural and man-made heat-retaining materials. As non-limiting examples, the invention relates to curling irons, crimping tools, straightening irons, traditional (non-powered) hair brushes and combs, heated hair brushes and combs, dryers, hot air dryer brushes, hair rollers, hair caps and bonnets, and similar hair appliances. The stored heat hair appliances of the present invention may be heated by conventional sources such as having an electrically powered, battery charged, solar powered, or rechargeable heating unit. Alternatively, the stored heat hair appliances of the present invention may derive, retain and maintain their heating capacity exclusively from the presence of heat-retaining materials, i.e., have no electricity, battery, or other source of power of their own. In other embodiments, the appliance and/or the heat-retaining materials may be heated by exposing the appliance and/or the heat-retaining materials to hot air, including but not limited to being heated by a blow dryer, air brush, or oven, or by exposing the appliance to other known sources of heating, including but not limited to being heated by using a microwave, hot plate, oven, stove, toaster, heating pad, thermal pouch, and the like. Once the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance have absorbed sufficient heat, the appliance then may be used to fashion or style hair. In one non-limiting embodiment, the stored heat hair appliance may be used to fashion or style hair without the need for ongoing power from electrical or battery-operated sources.

Additionally, the invention includes stored heat hair appliances that can retain and release heat and/or hair additives, including but not limited to water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, mousses, foams, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano-powders, silicone, and the like. The present invention also includes separate heating housing units for the heating of the stored heat hair applications, where, in addition to heating the heat-retaining materials, such housing units may also impart said hair additives to the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliances. The invention further covers methods of heating and imparting hair additives to stored heat hair appliances, including but not limited to the use of the separate heating housing units also disclosed. It is anticipated that hair additives that may be added to the stored heat hair appliances of the present invention can be in gas form, liquid form, gel form, or solid form. As non-limiting examples, the hair additive may be water, oils, solutions, emulsions, colloids, suspensions, slurries, liquefied powders, solid powders, nano-powders, including but not limited to liquefied and/or solid nano-powders s, gels, solids, dissolving solids, evaporating solids, effervescing solids, or compressed or confined gasses added to and released from the inventive stored heat hair appliances.

BACKGROUND

Heat is commonly used in the styling of hair given its ability to temporarily weaken or break the hydrogen bonds present in keratin, a protein found in hair that provides hair with its intrinsic shape. Once such hydrogen bonds are weakened or broken, the hair can be reshaped thus allowing curly hair to be straightened, straight hair to be curled, and multiple variations thereof. The styling effects of heat on hair are temporary, however, requiring the need to repeatedly expose the hair to heat to obtain the desired hairstyle.

Hair appliances, such as curling irons, crimping tools, straightening irons, traditional hair brushes and combs, heated hair brushes and combs, dryers, hot air dryer brushes, hair rollers, hair caps and bonnets, and the like, contain heated surfaces that interact with hair to cause such conformational changes in keratin structure. Traditionally, such hair appliances are electrically powered devices where metal elements convey the heat and the electricity is continuously applied to maintain such heat. Less commonly, hair appliances can be heated using batteries, rechargeable or disposable, or other sources.

There is a need for stored heat hair appliances capable of containing hair additives, including but not limited to water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano powders, and the like, and releasing such components as part of the styling process to help minimize damage to the hair. Additionally, heated hair appliances that minimize the use of metals and corrosive materials are also desirable.

There is also a need for hair appliances that do not require conventional methods of heating, such as ongoing electrical or batter-operated power, but instead are operative primarily, or exclusively, based on presence of heat-retaining materials. Hair appliances that are electrically powered have significant disadvantages. Such electrically powered hair appliances are of limited use in wet environments and require access to power outlets that are convenient to the styling of hair, i.e., outlets near mirrors or in large spaces where the user can freely maneuver. An additional disadvantage of electrically powered hair appliances is that it is difficult for such appliances to also contain hair additives, including but not limited to water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano-powders, and the like. Steam and/or moisture, for example, can reconfigure hair keratin and assist with hair styling. Steam-generating and/or moisture generating components, however, may damage the electrical circuits or corrode the metal components of electrically powered appliances. At a minimum, incorporating components containing hair additives, such as components filled with fragrances, conditioners, liquids, gels, oils, powders, nano powders, and the like requires separation of such elements from electrical components, complicating the manufacturing process and presenting safety and operational risks if such separations fail. As an additional issue for electrically powered hair appliances, the cords associated with such appliances can interfere with the styling process by the user. The cord may tangle in the hair, limit the reach of the user, and/or displace other items in the vicinity when it is moved, such as by knocking brushes or clips off nearby surfaces.

Battery-operated hair appliances have similar disadvantages to electrically powered hair appliances. Wet environments can cause electric shock, device damage, and/or battery corrosion. The inclusion of components containing hair additives, such as components filled with fragrances, conditioners, silicones, liquids, gels, oils, powders, nano-powders, and the like, into battery operated hair appliances is also incompatible with most battery operated hair appliances due to the risks to the battery and/or its wiring and metal components. At a minimum, costly separations are required. Finally, battery-operated hair appliances may not produce sufficient power to evaporate water, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, powders, nano-powders, solids and the like, and/or to properly heat the appliance.

Even if the stored heat hair appliances of the present invention are powered by electrical battery, or other traditional power sources, the inclusion of heat-retaining materials as taught by this invention can perpetuate or enhance the heat provided by such power, for example, by allowing the appliances to stay at the desired temperature for longer periods of time and/or requiring less power to reach the same temperature. Heat-retaining materials also may improve heat recovery of the hair.

In summary, there is a need for heated hair appliances that avoid some or all of the disadvantages associated with electrically powered or battery powered hair appliances. There is also a need for better functioning cord-free heated hair appliances. There is further a need for better functioning battery-free hair appliances. There is also a need for heated hair appliances that may be used safely in wet environments, as well as items that may not have to be continually plugged in, such as where a styling location does not contain electrical outlets. There is also a need for hair appliances that do not operate solely on conventional methods of heating, such as ongoing electrical or battery-operated power, but instead use heat retaining materials to perpetuate and/or enhance heat. Finally, there is a need for separate heating housing units for the heating of the stored heat hair applications, where, in addition to heating the heat-retaining materials, such housing units may also impart said hair additives to the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliances.

SUMMARY

The present invention encompasses stored heat hair appliances containing heat-retaining materials, heating housing units to impart heat to said stored heat hair appliances and/or its heat-retaining materials, and methods of heating and imparting hair additives, including but not limited to water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano-powders, and the like, to said stored heat hair appliances.

According to one embodiment of the stored heat hair appliances, the appliance is a curling iron where the heat-retaining materials are located at the curling surface either permanently or in a cylinder that can be replaced or refilled. In another embodiment, the heat-retaining materials are located beneath the curling surface, within the core of the appliance, where they can provide heat and/or moisture through the curling surface and be permanent or replaceable. In other embodiments, the heat-retaining materials are located both at the curling surface and below the curling surface. In addition, additional heat-retaining or heat reflective materials can be added to the outside of said the stored heat hair appliances to permit the appliance to maintain its heat for a longer period of time without the need for additional electricity or power.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the stored heat hair appliances, the appliance is a straightening iron where the heat-retaining materials are located at and/or below the flattening surface either permanently or in a plate or cartridge that can be replaced or refilled. Additional non-limiting embodiments include stored heat hair appliances where the heat-retaining materials are located on the exterior housing of the iron or in permanent and/or removable strips or sleeves embedded or incorporated within the plates, for example, where half of the surface is the plate and the other half of the surface is the stored heat materials.

An additional embodiment of the stored heat hair appliance is a crimping appliance where the heat-retaining materials are located at and/or below the crimping surface either permanently or in a crimping plate or cartridge that can be replaced or refilled. Additional non-limiting embodiments include stored heat hair appliances where the heat-retaining materials are located on the exterior housing of the iron or in permanent and/or removable strips or sleeves embedded or incorporated within the plates, for example, where half of the surface is the plate and the other half of the surface is the stored heat materials.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the stored heat hair appliances are hair curlers, where the heat-retaining material is located at, above, and/or below the core of the roll, and can be permanently bound to said core or replaceable.

Further examples of stored heat hair appliances of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, curling or waving tools with permanent, removable, or refillable wave plates containing heat-retaining materials; traditional brushes or combs where the heat-retaining materials are in the base, bristles/teeth, or both locations; hot air dryer brushes, where the surface of the brush and/or the bristles themselves contain heat-retaining materials, heated and/or heatable caps and bonnets, dryers, and any other heated hair appliances (whether powered or not) where the heated surface can be replaced with heat-retaining materials and/or where heat-retaining materials can be placed under the surface that interacts with the hair.

Additional examples of stored heat hair appliances of the present invention include, but are not limited to, appliances that combine multiple hair styling functions or tools. One such embodiment is a combined curling iron and straightening iron where the heat-retaining material is located at, above, and/or below the curling outer surface of the combination iron and at, above, and/or below the flattening surfaces between the upper and lower plates of the iron. In said combination curling/straightening iron, all the heat-retaining material may be permanent or one or both of the curling and flattening surfaces could be replaceable or refillable. Another embodiment is a combined curling iron and a crimping, curling, or waving appliance. Again, the heat-retaining material may be located at, above, and/or below the surfaces interacting with the hair, and may be permanent or replaceable or refillable. The present invention further encompasses other multi-function appliances or tools where a heat-retaining material may be placed at, above, and/or below the heating surfaces.

In certain embodiments, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance are comprised of natural and/or organic components. Non-limiting examples of heat-retaining materials that are made from natural and/or organic components that may be used for the stored heat hair appliances include one or more of the following: rice, including but not limited to white or brown rice, jasmine rice, spiced rice; seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, corn seeds or kernels, flaxseed, vegetable seeds, flower seeds, and/or fruit seeds and pits; nuts, including nut meat, dried nuts, and/or nut shells; legumes, including beans, peas, and/or lentils; grains, including but not limited to barley, wheat, whole grain wheat, buckwheat hulls, and/or buckwheat groats; oats, including but not limited to oatmeal; flowers and/or herbs; wood; and/or clay, silica, tourmaline, graphene, metals such as copper, or ceramic beads, microbeads, powders, nano-powders, and/or pellets. In other embodiments, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance are comprised of man-made heat-retaining components. Non-limiting examples of heat-retaining materials that are man- made that may be used for the stored heat hair appliances include one or more of the following: beads, microbeads, chips, capsules, powders, nano-powders, or pellets of glycerin, polypropylene, silicone, polystyrene, and the like. In still further embodiments, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance are comprised of combinations of one or more natural and/or organic components with one or more manmade components.

In one contemplated embodiment, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance are enclosed within natural or synthetic fabrics in enclosures, such as pockets, sleeves, compartments, pouch, cartridges, or other forms of confinement, where such enclosures may be permanently sealed and/or may be able to be opened and closed. Examples of natural or synthetic fabrics that may be used to enclose the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance include but are not limited to cotton, cotton blends, flannel, felt, hemp, burlap, canvas, wool, percale, polyester, cotton-polyester combination fabrics, silks, satin, sateen, velvet, nylon, bamboo, and/or proprietary fabrics, including but not limited to waterproof and breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex, Hyvent, and the like, as well as thermal textiles. In further embodiments, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance may be enclosed by or affixed to the appliance with enclosures containing plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite or carbon material components, including but not limited to, stainless steel foil-coated heat reflective fiberglass cloth, high temperature heat reflective aluminum coated fiberglass, radiant and heat reflective dual coated aluminum film, silicone rubber cushion fabric, high temperature and heat reflective aluminum foil coated fabric, ceramic fiber paper, ceramic fiber blanket, fiberglass, radiant and graphite foil, acrylic fiber with PTEE impregnation square braided gasket rope, Nomex products, ceramics, and/or carbon fiber, graphene, and all carbon products. A combination of fabric and plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, or carbon material components may also be used as enclosures for the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance. The enclosures for the heat-retaining materials may be solid, a mesh, have perforations, or have other variations in texture and coverage. The materials described for enclosures can another be used to create a surface covering the heat-retaining materials, i.e., as a barrier between the heat-retaining materials and the hair.

In another contemplated embodiment, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance alone are affixed directly to, and/or create the structure of, said hair appliance.

As noted previously, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance may be a permanent or replaceable component of the stored heat hair appliance. For stored heat hair appliances that use permanent heat-retaining materials, the choice of the heat-retaining materials and/or their enclosure preferably should be chosen to minimize the potential for mold, bacteria, fungus, viruses, and/or undesirable smells, particularly if said stored heat hair appliance is used in combination with water, gels, silicones, oils, powders, nano-powders, or solids. For stored heat hair appliances that have replaceable heat-retaining materials, the choice of the heat-retaining materials is less limited.

Replaceable heat-retaining material components used in the stored heat hair appliance may be affixed to said appliance by any fastener or fixative known in the art, including but not limited to hook and loop structures, zippers, snap-and-fit components, slidably engaging components, buttons, latches, hinges, snaps, glues, clips, and/or pins. Alternatively the heat-retaining materials can be replaced by emptying and then refilling enclosures, such as pockets, sleeves, compartments, pouch, cartridges, or other forms of confinement, containing heat-retaining materials where such enclosures affixed to or incorporated as part of the stored heat hair appliance. Replaceable enclosures that are already prefilled with heat-retaining materials, alone or in combination with hair additives, can also be used.

The heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance and/or the stored heat hair appliance itself may be heated using any traditional heating methods known in the art. One option is for the stored heat hair appliance to be corded, preferably with a retractable, removable, or windable cord, and obtain heat from an electrical source via an outlet. The stored heat hair appliance may also have a battery component, with a traditional chemical battery and/or a rechargeable battery, or a solar powered battery source, or, alternatively, the stored heat hair appliance may be chargeable via a usb cord, charging mat, or other charging devices. Another example of a source for the heat for the stored heat hair appliance is a cartridge or product utilizing butane, propane, methane, or other types of gases and/or liquids.

More preferably, as a non-limiting example, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance, a replaceable component of said appliance, or said appliance as a whole may be heated using a heating housing unit. Heating housing units, also known as appliance “ovens,” are known in the hair-styling arts and are used to heat, superheat, or maintain a certain temperature for brushes and/or traditional hair appliances. Other examples of apparatuses that may be used to heat the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance or said appliance itself include, but are not limited to, microwaves, stove-top heating, a hot plate, boilers, cookers, ovens, infrared sources, ultrasonic sources, solar sources, thermal pouches, or electricity or battery-operated (rechargeable or disposable) heating units, corded, cordless, or chargeable using usb chargers, charging mats, or other energy generating products. One of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar in how to make heating apparatuses that are compatible with the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance and/or the stored heat hair appliance itself. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art also will be familiar with how to heat the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance and/or the stored heat hair appliance itself to specific and optimal temperatures for hair styling.

In other embodiments, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance, a replaceable component of said appliance containing the heat-retaining materials, or the stored heat hair appliance as a whole may further include hair additives. Hair additives include, but are not limited to, water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano-powders, and the like. Non-limiting examples of hair additives that may be used in the present invention, alone or in any combination, include, but are not limited to, solid, liquid, and/or gaseous forms of tap water, distilled water, and/or waters infused with fragrance, fruits, or vegetables; solids, powders, nano-powders, or liquids containing cannabis leaves, extracts, oils, fabrics or other type similar products; teas in solid, liquid, evaporated, powdered, or nano-powdered forms, including but not limited to herbal and spiced teas; fruit products in solid, liquid, evaporated, or powdered form, including but not limited to juices, fruit peels, fruit flesh, seeds, pits, or other components, including but not limited to the fruits of apple, cherry, pomegranate, grape, banana, coconut, cucumber, apricot, plum, berries, kiwi, lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, and/or melons; honeys and sugars, natural or manmade; fragrant oils, gels, mists, liquids, or evaporable/dissolving/effervescent solids, including but not limited to the fragrances of lavender, jasmine, iris, rose, orchid, lily, lilac, plumeria, magnolia, mint, peppermint, spearmint, nutmeg, cinnamon, rosemary, mint, basil, thyme, cardamom, sage, lemongrass, patchouli, licorice, almond, vanilla, chocolate, peanut, pecan, olive, coconut, pumpkin, sandalwood, cedar, juniper, rosehip, tea tree, eucalyptus, musk, citronella, citrus and/or fruit fragrances, essential oils, and/or proprietary scents, perfumes, fragrances, oils, silicones, or gels. Additives may also include gels, mousses, foams, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, oils, keratin, silicones, and other products applied to hair.

Hair additives in liquid form may be comprised of a single liquid, a mixture of liquids, or solids and/or powders suspended in liquids, e.g., solutions, emulsions, colloids, suspensions, liquefied powders, gels, or slurries. As one example, the hair additive may be a nano-powder mixed with fluids. As another example, crushed organic matter, such as flax seeds, may be mixed with fluids.

The invention also includes methods of applying and/or including the one or more hair additives to the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance, a replaceable component of said appliance containing the heat-retaining materials, or the stored heat hair appliance itself. In one non-limiting embodiment of the method, the user applies the one or more hair additives to the heat-retaining materials, their enclosures, a replaceable component of the stored heat hair appliance containing the heat-retaining materials, and/or to the stored heat hair appliance itself, prior to heating. As an alternative method, the user applies the one or more hair additives after heating. In another method, the heating housing unit applies the hair additive to the heat-retaining materials, their enclosures, a replaceable component of the stored heat hair appliance containing the heat-retaining materials, and/or to the stored heat hair appliance itself, before, during, and/or after the heating process, doing so by any known methods for applying additives, including but not limited to spraying, misting, coating, soaking, and/or the use of evaporation or condensation processes. As an additional method of applying and/or including the one or more hair additives, the additives may be pre-mixed with the heat-retaining materials or combined with the enclosure for said heat-retaining materials. For example, the heat-retaining materials could be pre-soaked, coated, or otherwise combined with water, oils, flowers, fragrance or essential oils, conditioners, keratin, silicones, spices, herbs, and the like. Alternatively, the fabric or material enclosing said heat-retaining materials could be dampened, coated, woven, infused, or constructed such that they contain trapped water, vapor, condensation, conditioners, oils, fragrances, gels, keratin, silicones, powders, nano-powders, and/or essential oils, and/or solid materials such as spices, flowers, seeds, and/or herbs. As another embodiment, replaceable components for the stored heat hair appliance that are already prefilled with heat-retaining materials in combination with hair additives can be used.

In a further non-limiting embodiment, the stored heat hair appliance may have one or more compartments separate from or combined with the heat-retaining materials where said compartments may release, such as by motion sensor, light, trigger, switch, or button, the desired one or more hair additive from the stored heat hair appliance and/or into the heat-retaining materials and/or their fabric or material enclosures during the hair styling process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings which correspond to the same.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a stored heat hair appliance of the present invention in the form of a hair straightening iron with a removable plate containing heat-retaining materials.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a stored heat hair appliance of the present invention in the form of a brush, wherein the heat-retaining materials are permanently affixed to the appliance and where the appliance is heated via a rechargeable battery.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a stored heat hair appliance of the present invention in the form of a curling iron, wherein the heat-retaining materials are located below the surface that interacts with the hair.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a stored heat hair appliance of the present invention in the form of hair curlers as well as an apparatus for heating said hair appliance.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a stored heat hair appliance of the present invention in the form of a hot air dryer brush.

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of apparatuses that may be used to heat a stored heat hair appliance of the present invention as well as depicting the addition of waters, gels, or oils to said apparatuses. Update this drawing to include some more modern devices like the charging matt.

FIG. 7 illustrates examples of the potential placement of the heat-retaining material, and optionally the hair additive, in relationship to the surface that contacts or is closest to the hair in the stored heat hair appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The reference numerals used in the detailed description of the embodiment below correspond to the reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings.

The present invention encompasses stored heat hair appliances featuring heat-retaining materials, as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, and a depiction of heating said appliances, FIG. 6, and examples of the potential placement of the heat-retaining materials in relationship to the surface that contacts the hair in the stored heat hair appliance, FIG. 7. FIGS. 1-7 depict exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the inventions set forth herein.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a stored heat hair appliance of the present invention in the form of a stored heat straightening iron 100 with a plate 10 comprising heat-retaining materials 11 wherein said plate 10 is removable. In FIG. 1, the bottom surface 12 of the plate 10 contains an engaging male component 14 that slideably engages into a corresponding engaging female component 16 to lock the plate 10 into place such that the top surface 18 will be in contact with the user's hair. FIG. 1 includes a standard power cord 29 and plus, but it should be understood that any form or source of heating may be used.

In FIG. 1, the top surface of 18 is the heat-retaining material itself. As alternatives not depicted, solid, mesh, or perforated fabric, plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, carbon material components, or the like form the top surface 18; in such alternatives, the heat-retaining materials 11 would lie beneath the top surface 18. In yet other alternatives, the heat-retaining materials 11 could be placed in enclosures, such as pockets, sleeves, compartments, pouch, cartridges, or other forms of confinement, also made of solid, mesh, or perforated fabric, plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, carbon material components or the like. As non-limiting examples, suitable materials for the top surface 18 and/or enclosures could be made with natural or synthetic fabric, including but are not limited to cotton, cotton blends, flannel, felt, hemp, burlap, canvas, wool, percale, polyester, cotton-polyester combination fabrics, silks, satin, sateen, velvet, nylon, bamboo, thermal textiles, and/or proprietary fabrics, including but not limited to waterproof and breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex, Hyvent, and the like. In further embodiments, also not shown, the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliance may be covered, or enclosed by or affixed to the appliance with enclosures, containing plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite or carbon material components, including but not limited to stainless steel foil-coated heat reflective fiberglass cloth, high temperature heat reflective aluminum coated fiberglass, radiant and heat reflective dual coated aluminum film, silicone rubber cushion fabric, high temperature and heat reflective aluminum foil coated fabric, ceramic fiber paper, ceramic fiber blanket, fiberglass, radiant and graphite foil, acrylic fiber with PTEE impregnation square braided gasket rope,

Nomex products, ceramics, and/or carbon fiber, graphene, and all carbon products. A combination of fabric and plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, or carbon material components may also be used to cover the heat-retaining materials, or to use as enclosures for the heat-retaining materials, of the stored heat hair appliance.

While FIG. 1 depicts a stored heat hair appliance with a plate 10 comprising heat-retaining material 11 that is removable and slideably engages with the appliance, in other preferred embodiments, not shown, the plate 10 may be temporarily affixed by any fastener or fixative known in the art, including but not limited to hook and loop type products, zippers, snap-and-fit components buttons, latches, hinges, snaps, glues, clips, and/or pins. In yet another preferred embodiment, not shown, the plate 10 is permanently affixed to the stored heat hair appliance. Alternatively, the heat-retaining material 11 may be separable from the plate 10. While not shown, one of ordinary skill in the art also can contemplate replacing the heat-retaining materials 11 by replacing, or by emptying and then refilling, enclosures, such as pockets, sleeves, compartments, or other forms of confinement, used to enclose the heat-retaining materials 11.

It should also be noted that in FIG. 1, the top surface 18 of the plate 10 of the stored heat straightening iron 100 is depicted as flat, corresponding to the use of the stored heat hair appliance as a stored heat straightening iron 100 for straightening hair. Another preferred embodiment, not shown, is a stored heat hair appliance where the plate is patterned, including but not limited to a plate with crimping peaks for crimping hair or having waves for waving hair and using heat styling as is known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second preferred stored heat hair appliance of the invention, a stored heat hair brush 200. In FIG. 2, the stored heat hair brush 200 has bristles 20 that are embedded within a supporting surface 22 comprised of heat-retaining materials 24. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the stored heat hair appliance may be a round brush, a cushion brush, a vented brush, a barrel brush, or other brush tool, In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the stored heat hair appliance may be a comb, rather than a brush, having teeth, rather than bristles, that are affixed to the portion of the comb comprising heat-retaining materials. In further embodiments, also not shown, the bristles or teeth, may comprise the heat-retaining materials.

In FIG. 2, the heat-retaining materials 24 are affixed directly to the supporting surface 22. In other preferred embodiments, not shown, the heat-retaining materials 24 could be covered by another material or enclosed in enclosures, such as pockets, sleeves, compartments, or other forms of confinement, where such enclosures may be permanently sealed and/or may be able to be opened and closed and/or could be completely removed and replaced. The other materials covering the heat-retaining materials 24, or the enclosures of the heat-retaining materials 24, may be solid, mesh, or perforated fabric, plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, and/or carbon material components or the like.

FIG. 2 also depicts a charging station 250 that may optionally be used to heat the stored heated hair brush 200. As known in the art, the hair brush 200 of the present invention may have a rechargeable battery, not shown. To heat the hair brush 200 that has a rechargeable battery, the user would place the hair brush 200 into the charging station 250 to charge. As depicted in FIG. 2, the charging station 250 comprises a structure 26 that interacts with a cavity 25 of the hair brush 200 such as to align the hair brush charging points 27 with the charging station charging points 28 so as to enable the rechargeable battery of the hair brush 200 to charge and heat the hair brush 200 via a power connection 29. The power connection itself could be made using usb or, not shown, a traditional electrical plug. The present invention further includes hair brushes or combs that are not powered by battery or electricity, but instead merely contain heat-retaining components (including but not limited to heat-retaining components in the base of the bristles/teeth, and/or on or at the bristles/teeth).

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is that of a stored heat curling iron 300 as shown in FIG. 3. As depicted in FIG. 3, the curling iron 300 comprises a styling tip 34 that, once removed, exposes the hollow opening within the stored heat curling iron 300. The heat-retaining materials 36 can then be inserted into the hollow opening of the stored heat curling iron 300, where they lie below the curling surface 30 and heat the surface. Holes 32 in the curling surface 30 may also be present to allow heat and/or hair additives, including but not limited to water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano-powders, and the like to transfer to the user's hair. In FIG. 3, the stored heat curing iron 300 is heated using batteries 39, but any forms or methods of heating may be used.

FIG. 4 depicts a further preferred embodiment of a stored heat hair appliance where the appliance comprises hair curlers 400 and a hair curler heating apparatus 450. In FIG. 4, the hair curler heating apparatus 450 consists of a heated surface 40 that heats the hair curlers 400. The heated surface 40 of the hair curler heating apparatus 450 may optionally contain holes 42 from which heat or hair additives, including but not limited to water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano-powders, and the like, may escape and infuse the hair curlers 400. The hair curlers are comprised of ends 44 that the user may touch during the styling process and the roller core 46, which comprises the heat-retaining materials 48. One option for heating the curlers is a charging mat, 49, such as one that can be charged by usb as depicted in FIG. 4. Any other forms or methods for heating may also be used. As one non-limiting example, the hair roller could be non-powered, wherein the heat-retaining materials are heated by external means such as hot air, a hot plate, a heated housing unit, see FIG. 6, microwave, or other heat-providing source.

FIG. 5 depicts another preferred embodiment of a stored heat hair appliance where the appliance is a hot air dryer brush 500. In FIG. 5, the hot air dryer brush 500 comprises bristles 52 affixed to or integrally formed with an upper surface 50. As depicted in FIG. 5, the heat-retaining materials 56 are beneath the upper surface 50. In alternative embodiments, the heat-retaining materials 56 themselves could form the upper surface 50 and/or bristles 52.

The upper surface 50 of hot air dryer brush 500 may optionally contain holes 54 from which hot air, heat, or hair additives, including but not limited to water, moisture, vapor, liquids, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, oils, sprays, volumizers, softening agents, powders, nano-powders, and the like, escapes. The upper surface 50 and/or bristles 52 of the hot air dryer brush 500 are heated by hot air generated by an internal dryer component not shown.

FIGS. 1-5 are only illustrative examples of stored heat hair appliances of the present invention. Any hair appliance that applies, directly or indirectly, heat to hair may be modified to include heat-retaining materials at or above the surface closest to the hair or below such a surface and, optionally, hair additives.

FIGS. 1-5 further do not show every potential source of heat for the stored heat hair appliances. As noted previously, in one preferred embodiment, the stored heat hair appliances or the heat-retaining materials themselves may be heated using heated housing units, also known as appliance “ovens,” which are known in the hair-styling arts. An example of an appliance oven 600 is shown in FIG. 6. Other examples of apparatuses that may be used to heat the heat-retaining materials of the stored heat hair appliances, and/or the heat-retaining materials comprising such appliances, include, but are not limited to, microwaves, stove-top heating, a hot plate 650, as shown in FIG. 6, boilers, cookers, ovens, infrared sources, ultrasonic sources, solar sources, thermal pouches, or battery-operated (rechargeable or disposable) heating units.

As depicted in FIG. 6, hair additives in liquid form, including but not limited to water 60, oils 62, solutions, conditioners, keratin, silicones, and/or gels, may be added to the heated housing units and/or apparatuses for heating the stored heat hair appliances and/or heat-retaining materials comprising such appliances. Other hair additives, including in gaseous and solid forms, may also be added (not shown).

In other embodiments, not shown, the stored heat hair appliance and/or the heat-retaining materials may obtain heat from an electrical source via an outlet, preferably via a retractable, removable, or windable cord. The stored heat hair appliance may also, alternatively, have a battery component, with a traditional chemical battery and/or a rechargeable battery, or a solar powered battery source, or, alternatively, the stored heat hair appliance may be chargeable via a usb cord, charging mat, or other charging devices. Another example of a source for the heat for the stored heat hair appliance is a cartridge or product utilizing butane, propane, methane, or other types of gases and/or liquids.

FIG. 7 provides examples of the potential placement of the heat-retaining materials and/or hair additive in relationship to the surface that contacts or is closest to the hair in the stored heat hair appliance. In placement 700, the heat-retaining material 72 forms the surface closest to the hair 70. In placement 710, the heat-retaining material 72 is placed below an upper surface 74. This upper surface could be solid, mesh, or perforated fabric, plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, and/or carbon material component or the like. In placement 720, the heat-retaining material 72 is placed below an upper surface 74 that further contains an overlay 75. Overlays 75 may include, for example, hook and loop structures that smooth the hair, where such hook and loop structures are separate from or integrally formed with the upper surface 74. In placement 730, the heat-retaining material 72 is combined with a hair additive 76 and is placed below an upper surface 74. In placement 740, the hair additive 76 is separated from the heat-retaining material 72, both of which are placed below an upper surface 74. The placements depicted in FIG. 7 should not be considered limiting; there are many other placements possible for the heat-retaining material, such material could be added in layers, and or other components—such as heat reflective layers, air pockets, and the like—may also be used in the stored het hair appliances of the current invention.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular configurations of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding configurations described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1) A stored heat hair appliance comprising heat-retaining materials optionally enclosed in an enclosure of fabric, plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, and/or carbon components wherein said stored heat hair appliance is not electrically or battery powered.

2) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 1 wherein the appliance is a curling iron, a straightening iron, a combined curling iron and straightening iron, a crimping tool, a wave-making tool, hair rollers, and/or a hair brush.

3) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 1 wherein the heat-retaining materials or the heat-retaining materials within their optional enclosure are permanently affixed to said appliance.

4) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 1 wherein the heat-retaining materials and/or their enclosure are replaceable.

5) A method of replacing the heat-retaining materials and/or their enclosure within the stored heat hair appliance of claim 4, wherein such method comprises: removing the current heat-retaining materials from their enclosure and refilling the enclosure with new heat-retaining materials;removing the current heat-retaining materials and their enclosure from the stored heat hair appliance and replacing the current heat-retaining materials and their enclosure with a new enclosure containing new heat-retaining materials; orremoving the current heat-retaining materials and their enclosure from the stored heat hair appliance, removing the current heat-retaining materials from their enclosure, transferring the current heat-retaining materials to a new enclosure, and placing the new enclosure with the current heat-retaining materials into the stored heat hair appliance.

6) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 1 wherein the heat-retaining materials comprise rice, seeds, nuts, legumes, grains, oats, flowers, herbs, wood, clay, silica, tourmaline, graphene, ceramic, glycerin, polypropylene, silicon, polystyrene, and/or combinations thereof.

7) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 1 wherein the heat-retaining materials are mixed with the one or more hair additives.

8) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 7 wherein the one or more hair additives comprise water, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, flowers, fragrance, essential oils, spices, herbs, and/or combinations thereof.

9) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 1 wherein the enclosure for the heat-retaining materials are dampened, coated, woven, infused, or otherwise constructed such that the enclosure include water, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, essential oils, solid materials such as spices, dried flowers, seeds, herbs, and/or combinations thereof.

10) A method of applying water, gels, conditioners, keratin, and/or oils to hair during styling comprising adding said water, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, and/or oils to heat-retaining materials, placing such heat-retaining materials within an enclosure of fabric, plastic, or metal, and affixing, permanently or temporarily, said enclosure containing said heat-retaining materials to a heated hair appliance.

11) A stored heat hair appliance comprising heat-retaining materials optionally enclosed in an enclosure of fabric, plastic, fiberglass, metal, rubber, composite, and/or carbon components wherein said heat-retaining materials perpetuate and/or enhance heat provided by electrical, battery, or other standard power sources.

12) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 11 wherein the appliance is a curling iron, a straightening iron, a combined curling iron and straightening iron, a crimping tool, a wave-making tool, hair rollers, a hot air dryer brush, a hair brush, a hair comb, and/or a heated hair brush or heated hair comb.

13) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 11 wherein the heat-retaining materials or the heat-retaining materials within their optional enclosure are permanently affixed to said appliance.

14) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 11 wherein the heat-retaining materials and/or their enclosure are replaceable.

15) A method of replacing the heat-retaining materials and/or their enclosure within the stored heat hair appliance of claim 14, wherein such method comprises: removing the current heat-retaining materials from their enclosure and refilling the enclosure with new heat-retaining materials;removing the current heat-retaining materials and their enclosure from the stored heat hair appliance and replacing the current heat-retaining materials and their enclosure with a new enclosure containing new heat-retaining materials; orremoving the current heat-retaining materials and their enclosure from the stored heat hair appliance, removing the current heat-retaining materials from their enclosure, transferring the current heat-retaining materials to a new enclosure, and placing the new enclosure with the current heat-retaining materials into the stored heat hair appliance.

16) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 11 wherein the heat-retaining materials comprise rice, seeds, nuts, legumes, grains, oats, flowers, herbs, wood, clay, silica, tourmaline, graphene, ceramic, glycerin, polypropylene, silicon, polystyrene, and/or combinations thereof.

17) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 11 wherein the heat-retaining materials are mixed with the one or more hair additives.

18) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 17 wherein the one or more hair additives comprise water, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, flowers, fragrance, essential oils, spices, herbs, and/or combinations thereof.

19) The stored heat hair appliance of claim 11 wherein the enclosure for the heat-retaining materials are dampened, coated, woven, infused, or otherwise constructed such that the enclosure include water, fragrances, gels, conditioners, keratin, silicones, essential oils, solid materials such as spices, dried flowers, seeds, herbs, and/or combinations thereof.