Abstract: The energy-efficient hand-held device for treating an object with a flow of hot air includes a handle for positioning it in relation to the object, a blower for producing an air flow; a heating device for heating the air flow from the blower; a sensor device for determining when an interruption in the treating of the object with the hot air is or is not occurring; and a device for turning off or turning on the heating device and, if desired, the blower in response to a signal from the sensor device. The sensor device can be a light or ultrasonic transmitter and receiver which detects the presence or absence of reflected light or ultrasonic waves from the object and measures the distance to the object to determine if it is greater than or less than a threshold distance (S). Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Hot air hair curling apparatus (1) has a motor-driven hair curler body (2, 2') which is provided with retractable radially arranged teeth (3). The hair curler body (2, 2') is mounted with the apparatus (1) so as to be axially detachable by means of a clutch (4, 5) which can be provided as a catch clutch (5') or as a permanent magnet clutch (5), as desired. The hair curler body (2, 2') is connected with a shaft (24) axially at one end for high mechanical stability, which shaft (24) engages with a first and second bearing (16, 17). The shaft and remaining portion of the hair curler body are hollow and the shaft is provided with elongated throughgoing holes between the bearings so that heated air can flow into the hair curler body. The first bearing is larger than the second bearing which is closest to the motor. Accordingly, it is possible to exchange, clean or disinfect the hair curler body (2, 2') in a simple manner.

Abstract: In a hair curling rod having retractable bristles passing through apertures in a cylindrical body for winding up the hair and a device for directing a stream of heated air through the outlet apertures, the bristles or prongs are retractable independency on the temperature of the heated air stream. Preferably, the bristles are secured at one thereof to a movable support controlled by a temperature dependent element of a shape-memory alloy situated in the stream of heated air to expand or contract in response to predetermined temperatures.