CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
None.
BACKGOUND TO THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to various forms of hair styling irons and their deficiencies in ease of use and fatigue and damage to hair. Many irons such and straighteners and crimpers are designed to have the length of the hair flow through the iron section to be heat treated. Especially with long hair, this task can be difficult and tedious as the hair wanders from the iron. Generally a second hand is required to guide the hair while the first hard is fatigued being the only hand supporting the iron the entire time. Additionally, it is recommended that a heat treatment be applied to hair before it is exposed to the heat of the iron.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The Invention generally relates to various forms of accessories that can be added to a hair styling iron in order to help guide the hair into the iron without the assistance of an extra hand. These accessories are more specifically designed help apply a heat treatment before hair is exposed to a heat source. Additionally, these accessories can spread the hair out in a wide blade-like form before entering the iron for crimping or straightening.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows various projection views of one embodiment of the Styling Iron Companion (101). 102 shows a snap plastic fastener pad used to secure the Iron Companion to the styling iron. 103 shows the area where hair will be guided. 104 is a family mold piece that is used to add spring to the clipping action of the hair insertion guide (105).
FIG. 2 shows various projection views of one embodiment of the Styling Iron Companion (202) as used with a hair crimping iron(201). It is shown attached to the iron with a plastic fastener pad and shows how it will guide the hair into the iron about 2 inches in front of the iron itself through guide loop 204.
FIG. 3 shows various projection views of one embodiment of the Styling Iron Companion (302) as used with a hair straightening iron (301). It is shown attached to the iron with a plastic fastener pad (303) and shows how it will guide the hair into the iron about 2 inches in front of the iron itself through guide area 304.
FIG. 4 shows various project views of an attachment (401) for the Styling Iron Companion which aids in the application of the a heat treatment product. 402 is a spongy applicator that can receive then apply a heat treatment product to the hair. 403 is a clipping feature used to attach to the styling iron. 404 is an extension of the hair guide area (105) to assist in capturing the hair into the Iron Companion.
FIG. 5 shows various project views of the heat treatment attachment and how it attaches to the Styling Iron Companion. 501 is the Styling Iron companion. 502 is the heat treatment attachment and is slipped into the hair guide area (105). Using the 403 clipping feature, the attachment is held into place in position 503 and thus positions the applicator sponge (504) such that it will apply the heat treatment product to the hair before the hair enters the styling iron.
FIG. 6 shows various project views of the heat treatment attachment and Styling Iron Companion and how it attaches to a straightening iron (602). 601 is the Styling Iron companion with heat treatment attachment. Hair will be guided through the 603 area, then past the 604 applicator area where the heat treatment product will be applied and then finally into the heated iron area (605).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT
In the above patent application a hair-styling iron accessory is disclosed. This accessory or Companion is designed to help guide the hair into the iron as it is moved away from the head. The extension must easily allow the user to clip in the hair group that is desired to go through the iron. Then it must guide the hair into the iron as the iron is moved away from the head. This guide is helpful by eliminating the need to use a second hand to continue to guide the hair into the iron. Additionally, the accessory aids in the application of a heat treatment product to help protect the hair from being damaged by the heat.
As shown in FIG. 1, 105 refers to a smooth guided inlet for inserting a section of hair into the clip. 104 indicates a spring loading sweep to allow the hair into the clip and then to close behind to keep the hair in the guide. The clip is positioned down into the plane of the iron by the extension arm. This arm is securely attached to the iron using a plastic fastener (similar to a hook and loop fastener) 102. Once inserted into the Iron Companion, the hair is guided through section 103 and guided into the iron.
As seen in FIG. 2, an Iron Companion (202) is attached to a crimping iron (201). The attachment can be an adhesive pad, or as in the preferred embodiment, by two hook and loop style temporary attachment pads as indicated by 203. The hair can be guided into the clip while the iron is in the open position as shown in 204. Once the iron is closed onto the hair, the extension will guide the hair into the iron via the channel as indicated by 204.
In addition to the styling features of the Iron Companion, a disposable heat treatment applicator can be affixed to the Iron Companion. 401 shows the area which will slip into the Iron Companion. 402 is a spongy applicator pad that can be filled with a heat treatment product to be applied to the hair before being exposed to the heat. 403 is a clip area which will allow the attachment to be temporarily slipped to the Iron Companion. This is a disposable applicator. 404 shows an extension of the hair insertion guide that is part of the Iron Companion.
FIG. 5 shows a heat treatment attachment being inserted into the iron side of the Iron Companion. It is then pressed onto the Iron Companion such that the applicator sponge 504 will apply a heat treatment product to the hair after passing through the Iron Companion 503, over the 504 applicator pad and before entering the iron. As can be seen in FIG. 6, hair will pass into the Iron Companion at position 603. As the iron is moved away from the head, the hair from section 603 will flow over applicator area 604 where a heat treatment product will be applied. Lastly, the hair will be guided into the iron for styling at area 605.