Abstract: A hair care system for applying heat generated by microwave energy to hair, in which an auxiliary heat source is adapted to be exposed to microwave energy and convert the microwave energy into heat and store the same for subsequent use in treating or conditioning hair; the auxiliary heat source is a multi-layer structure and includes an outer layer substantially microwave-safe and remaining cool to touch, an insulation layer inside of the outer layer and also substantially microwave-safe, a further layer inside the insulation layer which converts microwave energy into heat, whereby the further layer is either of double-walled construction containing lossy dielectric material or a single layer of flexible material, or molded into a shape corresponding to the shape of a rigid outer layer, or includes a moisture-absorbing material adjoined on the inside by a layer of a moisture-proof material or a moisture-non-absorbing material having a close wave.

Abstract: A synthetic hair-like fuser apparatus for fusing the end of a braided synthetic hair-like material including a first elongated member and a second elongated member. The invention further includes a first fuser element attached to a first end of the first elongated member and a second fuser element attached to a first end of the second elongated member directly opposite the first fuser element. The first and second fuser elements both emanate heat. The second elongated member is pivotally connected to the first elongated member at a pivot point. Pivotal movement of the first and second elongated members relative to each other moves the first and second fuser elements from the open position to the closed position to contact opposite sides of the end of the braided material positioned between the fuser elements. Heat emanating from the fuser elements and pressure generated by further urging the fuser elements to the closed position fuses the end of the braided material.

Abstract: A hot-air brush using a non-cylindrical brush head is provided to enable a user to obtain a helical curl having a continuum of varying diameters within each lock of curled hair. This varying-diameter helix provides a new and distinct look for the curled hair. The non-cylindrical head may be substantially spherical or substantially conical.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hair treatment method using a hair treatment liquid having been electrolytically treated by passing current through hair. The hair treatment method features applying a hair treatment liquid to hair and electrolytically treating the applied hair treatment liquid by passing current through the hair. The invention also concerns a hair treatment tool which is substantially made of an insulating material and features that an anode electrode bar and a cathode electrode bar both connected to a power supply are disposed such as to be in contact with hair, the hair having been imparted with conductivity being pinched between the two electrode bars to pass current through the pinched hair.

Abstract: A spherical hair styling device and method for using same are provided to enable a user to obtain a helical curl having a continuum of varying diameters within each lock of curled hair. This varying diameter helix provides a new and distinct look for the curled hair. The spherical hair styling device may include either a curling iron or hairbrush having a spherical head. The spherical configuration of the curling iron provides for less wasted space on the curling iron, and allows the curling iron to be more completely utilized for each respective lock of hair which is curled.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an appliance for treating hair (1), which is comprised of a handle section (2) and a heatable hair treatment section (3). The section (3) possesses an approximately tubular bristle mounting member (4) which is assembled from two half shells (7, 8). Projecting outwardly from the half shell (7) are bristles (5), and the half shell (8) is equipped with rib members (6). The radius (R1) of the cross section of the bristled half shell (7) is smaller than the radius (R2) of the cross section of the ribbed half shell (8). These different radii (R1, R2) enable a user both to form waves with long or medium long hair and to treat short hair in the area close to the scalp. The larger radius may be used for large-volume waves in particular where long hair is involved, while the smaller radius is suitable in particular for treating short hair as well as hair in the area close to the scalp.

Abstract: A kit and method is applied to industrial curling iron heating stations in order to extend their useful service lifetime. These stations, as normally manufactured, contain low temperature 120 VAC internal wiring which tends to crystallize and short out when subjected to daily use. The invention comprises a thermally conductive threaded tube attached to the heating station base, high temperature wires which replace the low temperature 120 VAC internal wiring of the station, and a 120 VAC socket which connects to the wires and is attached to the tube. The low temperature wiring is then connected to a retrofit 120 VAC plug, which mates with the retrofit 120 VAC socket. After the retrofit operation is complete, the station useful life is no longer limited by heat induced degradation of the low temperature 120 VAC wiring.

Abstract: A device and method for destroying parasites present in a mass of hair or fur growing from a skin surface, the device being composed of a handling body adapted to be gripped by a user; a comb fixed to the body and composed of a plurality of teeth, the teeth having portions adapted to be displaced through the mass of hair or fur when the device is in use; and a source of energy for at least locally raising the temperature of the hair or fur when the teeth are displaced through the mass of hair or fur, wherein at least part of the portions of the teeth are thermally conductive and are operatively associated with a source of energy for supplying sufficient heat energy to destroy parasites on the hair or fur which is in contact with the portions.

Abstract: A hair styling system for use with a forced air electric hair dryer constitutes a coupler having a tubular section for receiving the end of an electric hair dryer. This section supports a smaller axially aligned concentric tubular section, with the two sections attached to one another by angularly disposed spacers. Apertures between the spacers permit air to flow over the outside of the smaller tubular section of the coupler. The unattached end of the smaller tubular section extends beyond the larger section and is tapered inwardly toward its central axis. Additional parts of the system include elongated hollow tubular bodies which are closed at one end and open at the other. The open end has an outwardly flared nozzle receiving flange for fitting over the tapered nozzle from the smaller tubular section of the coupler. The tubular bodies have spaced apertures through them at predetermined intervals along their length and about their periphery.

Abstract: The hair care appliance of this invention has a housing, which holds a set of hair curlers and encloses electrical heating means for heating the curlers, and has a transparent cover which covers the set of curlers and the top of the housing. Each curler has a reversibly thermochromic thermoplastic elastomeric surface layer (around which hair is to be curled) which preferably covers a mandrel portion of a thermoplastic body. The thermoplastic body has ends of larger diameter than the mandrel portion of the body, and the mandrel may be hollow. A hollow mandrel may contain a double-walled metal core, which may contain a heat-retaining material. The elastomeric surface layer is preferably molded from an thermoplastic elastomer composition containing particulate thermochromic material, which preferably comprises reversibly thermochromic dye encapsulated in micro-capsules. The thermochromic dye components are chosen to be non-toxic and environmentally benign.

Abstract: A hair curling system wherein hair rollers are inserted over the wand of a curling iron, allowing the heating element of the curling iron to heat both the exterior surface of the curling iron and the hair rollers. Hollow cylindrical cover wands having graduated exterior diameters are inserted over the wand of the curling iron, allowing the heating element of the curling iron to heat the underlying curling wand and the cover wand simultaneously, so that larger looser curls may be formed with the larger diameter cover wand and smaller tighter curls formed with the smaller diameter underlying wand upon removal of the cover wand. The heating element of the hair curling system may be actuated by AC or DC current or be equipped for actuation by combustible gas contained within a disposal canister.

Abstract: A hair curling iron comprises an air heater and a blower disposed in a handle portion and a steam generator disposed in a barrel extending from the handle portion. The steam generator includes a water carrying member and a heating element. The barrel includes apertures for heated air and steam. The water carrying member is movable axially in the barrel to contact an end of the heating element. The curling iron may be used in conjunction with a metal roller having a metal roller body and a pair of plastic end pieces.

Abstract: A hairdressing device comprises a hand held unit, a blower assembly, a hose and a warm-air line. The hand held unit includes a cylindrical hair roller defining an axis of rotation and having a plurality of openings, a motor for rotatably driving the hair roller about its axis of rotation, and a nozzle through which air is blown against the hair roller in a direction perpendicular to the hair roller axis of rotation. The blower assembly includes a blower housing and a blower including a motor disposed in the blower housing. The hose connects the hand held unit to the blower such that air is drawn by the blower through the plurality of openings in the hair roller, the hose and into the housing, from which the drawn air exits. The warm-air line connects the hand held unit to the blower housing, such that air aspirated by the blower to cool the blower motor is delivered as warm-air through the warm-air line to the nozzle.

Abstract: A permanent hair setting apparatus is disclosed wherein infrared radiation is used to heat the hair in conjunction with a permanent setting composition to a temperature of 100.degree. C. Heating of the hair occurs by winding the hair on infrared generating formers. The apparatus allows for the attainment of permanent setting with a heating time of only 5-60 seconds. Relatively dilute solutions of permanent setting composition are required, which dispenses with the need to neutralize the hair after setting. The use of the apparatus thereby permits permanent setting of the hair to be completed within about 30 minutes.

Abstract: A low cost heater element is disclosed which is formed of a wire wound mica paper substrate and a mica paper cover and a low cost diode acting as a negative temperature coefficient of resistance NTC temperature sensor. A control circuit provides power to the heater element in proportion to the line voltage. As a result, a light weight, low cost heater element is employed for various line voltages available throughout the world. The system employs digital logic to achieve temperature sensing, power sensing and indication that the system is on and operating at the correct temperature.

Abstract: A housing is provided having a plurality of stepped top walls, each including an annular array of hair curling receiving sockets, with each of the hair curlers having a heat retentive silicon gel contained therewithin to retain thermal heating thereof.

Abstract: A hair clip for heating and styling clasped hair, whether damp or dry, into a linear configuration in the scalp area of a user. The clip comprises a pair of biasable jaws including a pair of plates for storing heat and releasing such heat to style clasped hair held between the pair of plates. Supports extend laterally from the hair clip to permit it to freestand and heat and style the hair in a perpendicular fashion to the scalp, giving the remaining hair lift away from the scalp. The hair clips are heated by biasably gripping a heated plate positioned within a base structure of an electric heating unit. The heated hair clips are used in a method of styling dry or damp hair into a linear configuration generally perpendicular to the scalp.

Abstract: An electrically powered hand held hair curling appliance includes a barrel (2) for delivering warm air to the hair. The barrel (2) is selectively manually adjustable in diameter to allow curls of different diameters to be formed. The barrel (2) includes a number of barrel elements (3), each provided with a plurality of apertures (3d). The elements (3) are manually movable radially outwardly or inwardly to expand or contract the barrel (2), with the elements (3) overlapping one another when contracted, but always allowing unobstructed air flow from the interior of the barrel (3) out through apertures (3d) to the hair.

Abstract: A device to shape human hair whereby possibly pre-moistened hair is wound up in strands on curlers onto which a liquid or consistent permanent waving product is applied and processed with heat energy added to the hair curlers for a predetermined time. The permanent reshaping product is then rinsed and possibly after an additional treatment with liquid neutralizer and rinsing of the same, the curlers will be removed from the hair. After winding of the hair strands and application of the permanent waving preparation, the curlers are heated by a short-time application of energy to a predetermined temperature. The heat stored by the curlers will then be transferred from the curlers to the hair curls treated with the permanent waving preparation.

Abstract: An apparatus including a housing, wherein the housing defines a top wall formed with a series of aligned bores therethrough, each of the bores receiving a rechargeable battery powered hair salon utensil such as, a hair dryer, large diameter hair curling iron, small diameter hair curling iron, electric razor, etc., therewithin. A recharging plug is provided within each bore for providing recharging of each utensil. Optionally, the organization includes replacement battery packs selectively mounted to each utensil to ensure continuous use of each utensil. Further, a mirror structure is mounted rearwardly of a forward wall of the housing and nested therewithin and selectively retracted therefrom, wherein the mirror is heated by proximity to the recharging cells of the organization minimizing fogging of the mirror in use.

Abstract: A curling iron has an elongated heating tube and a clamp secured to an end of the tube which is attached to a handle. The heating tube has at least one generally flat surface having a longitudinal depression between 0.003 and 0.008 inch deep generally in the center of the surface. In one embodiment, the tube has relatively wide top and bottom surfaces which each have such a depression, and relatively narrow, sharply rounded side surfaces having a radius between about 0.03 and 0.1 inch. The clamp has a relatively short clamping surface which extends over a portion of the length of the heating tube. Hair strands which are wrapped around the tube are not curled over the flat surface or surfaces of the tube. The depressed portions of the heating tube do not contact the straight lengths of the hair directly, so that the straight lengths absorb less heat from the tube, and normal operating temperatures are more easily preserved in the heating tube.

Abstract: An electric hair curling apparatus includes a housing having a transparent lid covering a base member mounting a plurality of variously sized heating posts, each arranged to mount and heat a respectively sized curler. A manually settable digital timing mechanism is provided to permit the curlers to be automatically heated at a predetermined time and for a predetermined period selected by the user. A main fiber optic cable associated with and extending from an on-off indicator light associated with the timer enhances visibility of the front panel of the housing during limited light conditions and communicates with other fiber optic cables providing visible framing of the side walls and top panel of the lid. A battery pack in the housing energizes the heating posts.

Abstract: A hair curling apparatus includes an adapter sleeve mounted to the end of the hot air delivery conduit of a hand-held hair dryer. A hot air delivery tube extends through the adapter sleeve and terminates in an apertured portion projecting forwardly of the sleeve. Rotatably mounted on the projecting portion is a circumferentially apertured and bristled hollow hair curling sleeve for effecting hair curling procedures. The hair curling sleeve includes a plurality of vanes in the interior thereof which react with the directed hot air flow through the apertured portion of the delivery tube to impart rotation to the hair curling sleeve. The adapter sleeve includes a manually operable valve for controlling the air flow through the delivery tube to the curling sleeve.

Abstract: A hair curling iron and apparatus for heating same are provided. The hair curling iron is comprised of a pair of elongated heat conductive semi-cylindrical tubular barrels having an inner flat surface. The barrels have handles and are pivotally connected together whereby the flat surfaces of the barrels may be brought together enclosing hair between. When closed together, the outer shape of the barrels is round, around which the hair is wound to give a curling effect. The size of the barrels, however, is such that the curling iron can not be readily placed in the heating chamber of a conventional curling iron oven. Thus, the instant invention provides for a heat conducting plate having vertical heat conducting rods to be fixed to the top of the oven in heat transfer relationship therewith. The barrels of the curling iron are hollow and open-ended and fit over the heat-conducting rods whereby the curling iron may be heated.

Abstract: A microwaveable hair curler is shown which is also electrically heatable. The microwaveable hair curler is preferably blended from a polyorganosiloxane gum, a particulate electromagnetic absorptive material, a filler and a catalyst and extruded as in a cylindrical shape. The hair curler is heatable by exposure to microwave energy in a microwave oven or can be used in a variety of commercially available electric heating units.

Abstract: A hair setter unit for providing unusual forms of hair curling including a base and a plurality of heating posts on the base, a plurality of hair rollers having axial bores therein and fitting about the heating posts, the rollers having orthogonally asymmetrical cross-sections, and at least some of the rollers having different cross-sections than other of the rollers, such as rhombic, elliptical, and triangular, and spaced teeth along axially-aligned edges of the rollers.

Abstract: A hair roller assembly is shown which includes a hollow roller member (12 and 60) containing a consumable heat source (14 and 62). The heat source is slidable into and out of engagement with the roller member such that, after use, the heat source may be removed and discarded and the roller member reused with a fresh consumable heat source. The heat source may include combustible material (40) or reactants (80). The combustible material is ignited by an electrical heating element (42) connectable to a battery (50). The reactants, when activated by liquid from a syringe (84), create an exothermic reaction for heating the roller member and hair wound thereon. The reactants are contained in a rupturable container (82) which is ruptured by the syringe needle (96) upon actuation of the syringe.

Abstract: A hair styling brush with an internal heating element extends from a first end of a housing. A disk secured to the brush is rotationally mounted in an undercut groove adjacent the first housing end. A pinion gear secured by a threaded stud to an interior face of the disk engages a gear rack formed on a push button received for sliding movement within a transversely extending well within the housing. A first ring nut is threadedly engaged with the threaded stud. A coil spring has a first end loop connected to the first ring nut and a second end loop connected to a second ring nut secured adjacent a second opposite end of the housing. The second ring nut has a central longitudinal bore aligned with an aperture formed through the second housing end. A power cord extends sequentially through the second housing end, the second ring nut, the coil spring, the first ring nut, the pinion gear, the threaded stud, the disk and connects with the internal brush heating element.

Abstract: A curling iron is provided which is easy to assemble and, so, more economical to manufacture. The unit is molded in two snap-together halves, one half being the bottom portion (divided axially) and the other half being the top portion, and a molded spoon. The molded sections would include all the parts except for the electrical components. The curling iron is assembled by inserting the electrical components in one half, snapping the two halves together, and then snapping the spoon into place over the upper half. The molded sections are formed of a high temperature thermoplastic material. This material is transparent to infra-red rays; and, so, if an infra-red heater is used, the rays can pass through the plastic and heat the hair directly.

Abstract: A reversible crimper-straightener for hair including a handle, a pair of pivoted clamp halves secured to the handle, a pair of reversible plates, each plate including a crimping surface on one side thereof and a flattening surface on the opposite side thereof, a heater within at least one of the plates, and tracks and rails on the plates and the clamping halves for securing one of the plates within one of the clamp halves and the other of the plates within the other of the clamp halves. The plates are reversible so that, alternatively, the crimping surfaces or the straightening surfaces face and are proximate to one another.

Abstract: A hair styling curler including a handle supporting an electrically heated barrel and having a manually pivotal curling clamp is provided with a safety device for preventing burns. The safety device includes a plurality of spaced non-heat conductive ribs carried on the surface of the clamp remote from the barrel which are cooperate with corresponding plurality of radially extending non-heat conductive ribs carried on the outer surface of the barrel to define a plurality of spaced annuli completely circumscribing the barrel and which prevent contact of the heated barrel by the user yet allow hair contact with the heated barrel between adjacent annuli for imparting a curl thereto. The spaced ribs on the barrel are interconnected by tracks to form a unitary assembly which is mounted on the barrel by insertion of the tracks into complementary trackways formed on the outer surface of the barrel and accessible by a removable end cap on the barrel end distal from the handle.

Abstract: A hair curling apparatus includes a single elongated thermally conductive heating mandrel secured to the end of an elongated handle in axial alignment therewith and having two wide similar opposing surfaces joined by two narrow convex opposing surfaces with a radius of about 0.09 inch. The mandrel as of such length that hair strands may be helically wrapped therearound in a plurality of turns and a spring-biased manually operable hair clamp is pivotally mounted at the handle end of the mandrel for clamping the ends of the hair strands against the mandrel before they are helically wrapped therearound. The mandrel may have a generally oval or flattened shape. The clamp has a clamping surface which extends across a portion of one of the wide surfaces while exposing substantially all of the convex surfaces to direct contact with the hair strands and extends less than about 50 percent, and preferably about 30 percent, of the usable length of the mandrel.

Abstract: A heatable hair brush capable of being utilized for either curling or straightening hair as desired. The hair brush is also capable of being molded with integral bristles in a relatively simple two-part mold. The hair brush has a hairwinding portion provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced bristles arranged in a pair of diametrically opposed sets of parallel bristle rows, the central row of each set being radially extended and the rows on either side of the central row being parallel thereto.

Abstract: An electric curling iron has a handle and unitary curling structure with first and second elongated generally aligned oppositely extending shell sections aligned oppositely extending shell section. Each section is provided with a separate PTC resistance heating element and the two shell sections have different diameters and/or different bristles and/or at least one hair clamping arm. The handle is adapted to be selectively slipped onto either of the two shell sections, whereby at the same time an electrical connection is established between the heating element in the other shell section and an electrical power supply on the handle.

Abstract: A heating element for retaining heat applied by reaction with high-frequency microwave radiation is provided in various forms. In one form, the heating element includes a multi-layered cartridge having a center core for dissipating heat, a layer of material reactive to microwave radiation for retaining heat and an outer layer of paper for substantially sealing the cartridge, yet permitting heat to radiate in use from the cartridge. In another form, the heating element has multiple layers formed of a rubber and cellular material for retaining water, the multiple layers being disposed about a central core of wax material. In a still further form, the heating element may comprise clay disposed within a covering, the clay containing minerals or aromatics, depending upon its use. In all such heating elements, the materials comprising the elements are reactive to high-frequency microwave radiation to retain heat and radiate such retained heat upon application for their intended purposes.