Hair Heaters Patents (Class 219/222)
  • Patent number: 4549560
    Abstract: A hair curling appliance including a handle, and a heating element including a metal cylinder fixedly extending from the handle and including an outer surface, and an outer covering which is made of elastomer material and which substantially covers the outer surface of the metal cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 4543968
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hair styling appliance utilizing an inflammable gas as a source of heat for curling hair. A tank for the storage of the inflammable gas and a pressure regulator for adjusting the gas pressure are integrated together. By providing a gas inlet and gas outlet of the regulator so as to be oriented substantially at right angles to each other, the gas pressure is rendered constant to achieve a safe and stabilized combustion and, at the same time, the whole construction is miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Fukunaga, Hiroshi Nonoguchi
  • Patent number: 4533818
    Abstract: An electrically heated hair roller includes a roller body defining an exterior curling surface and a hair clamp pivotally mounted to the roller body and movable toward and away therefrom between in open position allowing hair to be wound on the body and a closed position clamping wound hair against the curling surface. An electric heater within the roller body heats the curling surface and is powered by a battery contained within a compartment formed in the clamp. Cooperative separable electrical plug and jack elements on the clamp and roller body electrically interconnect the battery to the electric heater. The connector elements also operate as a mechanical fastener for securing the clamp in the closed position. The arrangement is such that the electrical interconnection is interrupted upon release of the clamp from its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: Sara Green
  • Patent number: 4516011
    Abstract: A portable electric appliance steaming hair rollers prior to use includes a closed box-shaped housing removably holding a plurality of foam covered steam absorbent hair rollers. A manually actuated pump is provided in the housing for transferring a measured charge of water from a water reservoir removable from the housing for filling to an electrically heated steam boiler located in the housing and communicating with a cup-shaped roller support designed to support a single roller for steaming. The support is provided with an orifice receiving steam from the boiler through a predetermined path to soak or saturate a supported roller with steam to prepare the roller for use. A flexible membrane type valve is located below the orifice between the support and the boiler for permitting steam only to flow to the roller from the boiler and preventing flooding of the boiler should water be mistakenly dumped into the cup-shaped roller support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Jeffress, David J. Wanat, Charles Z. Krasznai
  • Patent number: 4499355
    Abstract: There is disclosed induction heated personal care appliances such as hair rollers, curling irons and massagers. The appliance is generally cylindrical and made of plastic. It has either a high permeability cylinder attached tightly on its inner surface, or has the high permeability material as a particulate filler in the plastic. The induction heater is a non-conducting plastic cylindrical well with from 20 to 60 turns of an insulated wire coiled around its outer perimeter. The coil is powered by an oscillator and produces about 1 to 100 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventor: Henry J. Walter
  • Patent number: 4496825
    Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling iron includes a handle with a tubular electric heating element having a first end adjacent the handle, a second and spaced outwardly from the handle, and an outer peripheral surface provided with a plurality of accurately spaced grooves extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end. A removable hair grooming attachment is mounted on the heating element and includes an annular frame having a plurality of accurately spaced longitudinal support bars slidably engaged in the grooves through a first frame end having an inner diameter larger than that of the heating element. The opposite end of the frame has an inner diameter less than that of the heating element and abuts the second end of the element to limit the sliding movement of the attachment toward the handle and a detachable fastener extends through the abutting ends of the frame and heating element to secure the frame in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 4492241
    Abstract: A heated curling brush with retractable teeth for use in curling the hair. The curling brush includes inner and outer barrels with toothed comb members of a sufficient size for properly curling the hair and pivotally mounted within longitudinal slots in the inner barrel so that the teeth are capable of extending outwardly through apertures in the outer barrel. A source of heat is supplied through the inner barrel. Rotation of the outer barrel member results in the teeth of the comb members moving between an extended position in which each tooth extends perpendicularly to the exterior of the outer barrel for use in curling the hair and a retracted position within transverse recesses in the inner barrel for enabling the brush to be easily withdrawn from the hair. As the teeth are drawn into their retracted position, such action simultaneously serves to comb the hair thereby helping to facilitate the withdrawal of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Windmere Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold Thaler, David Friedson, Lai Kin
  • Patent number: 4489233
    Abstract: An electrical heating unit of a heating set for hair curling rollers, is composed of two aluminum sheet components carrying together three parallel rows of upstanding heating posts and enclosing between them a resistance heater of the "rope heater" kind. It comprises a main plate of rectangular configuration which contains two lateral parallel rows of hollow heating posts along the long edges of the rectangle and is centrally recessed over its entire length in the shape of a rectangular trough of a depth corresponding to the thickness of the rope heater. The rope heater is positioned in the trough and extends along the four sides of the rectangle, while its ends are attached to a thermostatic switch and a thermo-fuse located in a separate pocket in this trough. A top plate covers the trough in the main plate and is provided with one central row of heating posts which are staggered in relation to the posts of the lateral rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Dov Z. Glucksman
  • Patent number: 4473086
    Abstract: A heated curling device with retractable combs for use in curling the hair having an arrangement for locking the comb teeth in their extended position, providing ribs on the handle for heat dissipation, a cool tip for the user and an improved inner barrel construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Save-Way Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Thaler, David Friedson, Lai Kin
  • Patent number: 4469934
    Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling brush includes a generally cylindrical elongated handle having an elongated, thermally non-conductive brush support rotatably mounted within the handle and axially extending therefrom. An electric PTC heating element is housed within a brush cylinder non-rotatably mounted on the axially extending portion of the brush support. An elastically deformable elliptical locking ring within the handle surrounds the brush support and has a protrusion on the inner surface of each of its long sides engageable in recesses formed in the confronting surface of the brush support to lock the handle and brush support together so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween. A manually depressible button on one of the short sides of the locking ring projects through an opening in the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Saburo Isshiki, Yoshinori Abura
  • Patent number: 4468554
    Abstract: An electric hair curling appliance includes a metallic heater tube extending fixedly from one end of a handle and containing an electric heating element. A tubular member including a hair grooming attachment removably received on an inner metal tube is telescopically mounted on the heater tube and is capable of axial and rotary motion relative thereto. A manually operable lever on the one end of the handle cooperates with first and second surfaces on the adjacent end of the tubular member to selectively (1) lock the tubular member against rotary or axial movement (2) lock the tubular member against axial movement while permitting rotary movement thereof and (3) permit axial and rotary movement of the tubular member to facilitate telescopic removal or mounting of the tubular member on the heater tube. The hair grooming attachment may be rotatably or nonrotatably mounted on the inner metal tube and may include a plurality of rows of hair grooming teeth or a pivotally mounted hair clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 4447705
    Abstract: An electrically heated hair curler or roller suitable for use in, for example, a hair setter contains therein a self-regulating heater comprised of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor material. The PTC is in the shape of a flat pill or disc. There are no holes in the PTC, thus enabling it to maintain its integrity under stress. There are two cup shaped heat sinks, the bottoms of which rest against the flat faces of the PTC in electrical and heat conducting contact therewith. The heat sinks are held firmly against the PTC element by electrically conductive rivets or other connectors through holes in the bottoms of the heat sinks and depressions in the circumference of the PTC. A male positive electrical contact pin extends down from the inside face of the bottom of the lower heat sink. A negative electrical contact ring is around the pin and separated therefrom by a plastic insulating sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventor: James H. Bullock
  • Patent number: 4443688
    Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling appliance includes a handle assembly having an electric heating element extending fixedly from one end thereof and a removable tubular hair grooming member mounted on the heating element for rotary and axial movement relative thereto. The hair grooming member may include, on its outer surface, a plurality rows of teeth defining a brush or a pivoted hair clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 4419565
    Abstract: A hand-held steam hair curler-brush includes a perforated open-ended metallic cylinder extending forwardly from a handle. Secured to the handle and extending into the interior of the cylinder is a cylindrical member containing an electric heating element and having a closed end remote from the handle and a side wall spaced from the interior of the cylinder to define a first annular space therebetween. A rotatable perforated cylindrical barrel surrounds the cylinder and is spaced therefrom by first and second supports at the ends of the cylinder to define a second annular space therebetween. The support at the end of the cylinder remote from the handle includes a manually actuatable steam producing means closing the open end of the cylinder and arranged to create steam in the first annular space by bringing water into contact with the heated closed end of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Appliance Design Probe Inc.
    Inventor: John McGaw
  • Patent number: 4382448
    Abstract: An electrical ignition device for a gas-powered catalytic curling iron. A self-contained electrical ignition device, including a battery, is provided in the top of the curling iron. When a spring loaded button member is depressed, electrical contact is made between the battery and an incandescent filament, such as a platinum wire. The filament is proximate a catalytic heating means. When the filament is activated, oxidation of the vaporized fuel/air mixture, in the presence of the catalyst, is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Curt Tittert
  • Patent number: 4374528
    Abstract: An ignition device for a gas-powered catalytic curling iron. A manually rotatable member, including a ring member and a lobed member, is provided with its axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a tubular body making up the hair winding portion of the curling iron. A friction wheel is provided having its axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. A bushing member, displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, includes an internal cam follower portion and a tappet portion between the rotatable member and the friction wheel to translate the rotary motion of the rotatable member to a rotational movement of the friction wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Curt Tittert
  • Patent number: 4368376
    Abstract: An electric hair curling or styling iron includes an elongated cylindrical housing extending from a handle and enclosing an electric heating element. The outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the housing is provided with an even number of radially spaced longitudinally extending grooves. An elongated support bar is removably located in each of the grooves and each bar includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced teeth extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the housing. The bars are arranged in alternating first and second series. The bars and teeth of the first series are fabricated from a material relatively of high heat transmissibility, such as aluminum. The bars and teeth of the second series are made of a material of relatively low heat transmissibility, such as plastic. The teeth of the second series are longer than the teeth of the first series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 4365426
    Abstract: A hair drier having a casing provided at its end with a discharge port through which hot air is discharged, a heating bar provided at the center of the discharge port and extending forwardly from the casing, and a hair setting member provided with a deep insertion hole for receiving the heating bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Suzuki, Minoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4358660
    Abstract: A collapsible electric curling iron includes an elongated hollow handle open at one end and an elongated, generally cylindrical heat conductive housing mounted on the handle for movement between an operative use position where the housing extends out of the handle through the open end and an inoperative storage position where the housing is confined within the handle. A cap on the inner end of the housing cooperates with a collar and guides on the handle to prevent side-to-side or "rocking" movement of the housing in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle during movement between the operative and inoperative positions. The housing has a longitudinal bore, generally polygonal in transverse cross section, which accommodates a thin planar electric heating element placed diagonally across the bore and having side edges engaged in diametrically spaced corners of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 4329567
    Abstract: A lockable rotatable heated curling brush which is used for styling and curling hair includes a rod housing which serves as a handle, an inner tube fixedly connected to said handle and protruding therefrom, a heater inside said inner tube electrically connected to a swivel cord, and an outer tube rotatably supported by said inner tube, said outer tube having a round brush on the outer surface thereof. The outer tube is held in the handle by a circular guide in front which mates with a notched flange at the rear of the outer tube. There is a spring latch device which locks or frees the outer tube so it can rotate. The inner tube within the outer tube is aluminum and is in heat conducting relationship with the heater and the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventors: Raymond W. Kunz, Eugene T. Fleischhauer
  • Patent number: 4314137
    Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling brush for drying and styling hair includes an elongated handle having a longitudinal axis and provided at its front end with an axially extending inner tube affixed non-rotatably to the handle. An outer tube formed with a multiplicity of radial teeth defining a hair brush is engaged over the inner tube and supported for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof by cooperating formations on the tube and handle. The cooperating formations include a circumferential rim on the front end of the handle defining a groove receiving and engaging a radially extending circumferential flange on the end of the outer tube adjacent the handle. A locking arrangement, including a radially displaceable spring-biased detent on the handle movable into engagement between radial locking teeth on the flange, is provided for selectively preventing rotation of the outer tube on the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Wik-Elektro-Hausgerate-Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH Produktionskom-Manditges ellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Dorn
  • Patent number: 4298787
    Abstract: There is provided a compact apparatus for heating and setting hair, including a housing, a central wall in the housing defined by two spaced-apart panels, a plurality of elongated members passing through the central wall perpendicularly and extending to both sides thereof within the housing, and a flexible rope-like heating element between the two spaced-apart panels and wound around each of the elongated members, in order to provide heat thereto. The apparatus includes a number of hair-curling cylinders of conventional construction adapted to fit over the ends of the elongated members. By providing this construction, a single elongated member serves as two heating posts for two of the hair-curling cylinders, and the overall construction is relatively compact compared to prior devices. A reservoir for water is situated in the central wall, and heat from the heating element vaporizes the water to provide steam within the housing around the curling cylinders on the elongated members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Appliance Design Probe Inc.
    Inventor: George Barradas
  • Patent number: 4293760
    Abstract: An apparatus and uniformly heating a plurality of hair curlers by passing a current of hot air longitudinally through the hair curler body includes a hollow case having an upper wall forming a support surface in which is formed a central air inlet opening into which the hot air discharge nozzle of a portable electric air heating device is inserted. A plurality of hot air discharge ports are radially centered around the inlet opening and each port is provided with a holding member for supporting a hair curler in the path of hot air discharged from the port. The curler body is provided with an inner element able to accumulate and conserve heat. When the curlers are mounted at the ports on the holding members, hot air blown into the case will pass into the curlers and heat them. Each curler may include a cover for receiving hot air from within the curler and deflecting the hot air to flow in the reverse direction along the outer wall of the curler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme FACO
    Inventor: Henri Smal
  • Patent number: 4284877
    Abstract: A hair curler comprising an elongated substantially hollow hair bobbin includes a PTC heating element having a temperature self-controlling function housed within the hair bobbin. A pair of opposed cup-shaped generally cylindrical members are housed within the bobbin with each cylindrical member including a bottom and a side wall. The heating element is held between the opposed bottoms of the cup-shaped members. Each of the bottoms of the cup-shaped members defines an electrode plate arranged in contact with a respective side of the heating element for transmitting electricity to the heating element and conducting heat from the heating element to the side wall of the respective member. The side wall of each member defines conductors for transmitting the heat to the ends of the hair bobbin. A power supplying pin includes first and second power supplying terminals which are connected to a respective one of the electrode plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Abura, Fumiya Ueda, Nobuyuki Morihara, Tomohiro Kami
  • Patent number: 4267430
    Abstract: A dual-voltage electric hair curling apparatus includes a having a handle and a heated barrel. A pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are located in the barrel and are operable, respectively, at a low automotive vehicle voltage and a high domestic voltage. A switch in the handle permits energization of either heating element dependent upon the voltage of the available power supply and an overload fuse prevents damage to the low voltage heater should it be accidently energized from a high voltage supply. The curler is provided with a power cord terminating in a two-pronged plug receivable into a corresponding receptable on a portable vanity case adapted to be mounted by clips to the visor of an automotive vehicle. The vanity case has a mirror illuminated by electric luminaires on its front surface and a cord set terminating in a plug receivable in an automobile cigar lighter is connected to the receptable and luminaires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: John H. Downey
  • Patent number: 4266116
    Abstract: A superheated vapor generator including a porous material substantially filling an annular space between two concentric spaced apart tubular inner and outer electrodes connected across a power source. A pump is provided to pump a predetermined quantity of liquid into the porous material to temporarily complete the circuit through the electrodes and generate superheated vapor or steam. Since the liquid itself completes the circuit, no switches or controls are required. Labyrinthe passages between the pump and the inlet to the annular space and between the interior surface of the inner electrode and a tubular steam discharge outlet prevents dangerous current leakage and assure generation of superheated vapor. An electrically grounded porous metal plug in the vapor outlet minimizes electrical shock hazards. The vapor generator is held in the hand and can be used for setting or treating human hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Jean-Paul Beck, Claude Boiteau, Didier Garoche
  • Patent number: 4260871
    Abstract: A hair roller holder comprises an elongated hollow handle defining a chamber for successively accommodating a plurality of hair rollers. Associated with the chamber is an arrangement for electrically heating the rollers therein. The chamber has an inlet opening at one end for insertion of the rollers in unheated condition and an outlet opening at the other end for discharge of the rollers in heated condition. Adjacent such outlet opening and externally of the chamber is a support for receiving a heated roller in a manner so that hair can be wrapped onto the roller and the roller can be manipulated by the handle. Provision is made in the chamber for guiding movement of the successive rollers therethrough onto the support. The movement guiding means may comprise guide pins in the chamber upon which the rollers are slidable and which are provided with electric heating elements for heating the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Petrus J. J. Nagelkerke
  • Patent number: 4259566
    Abstract: A hair waving appliance includes a head receiving and confining assembly provided with a plurality of independently controllable electric heaters for heating different hairline areas of the head received therein. A plurality of temperature sensing probes, each associated with a respective one of the independently controllable heaters, are connected to a temperature control means for controlling the heating of the respective heaters. Each probe includes a temperature sensitive element enclosed in a spherical shell carried at the end of an elongated spring-biased cord or flexible pipe. The probes extend into the interior of the head receiving and confining assembly and are arranged to adaptably contact the hair on the respective portions of the head. The spherical members have a size at least equal to the size of the curler rods used to curl the hair. The appliance includes means for generating moisture-laden air at room temperature to impart moisture to the hair being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4203026
    Abstract: A fluid delivery control device for regulating fluid delivery by a pump to the heated vaporization chamber of a steam curling iron through a fluid conduit provided with a spring biased valve in response to the temperature of a heating element in the chamber includes a bimetallic disc in the chamber having the property of changing its shape when heated to a temperature corresponding to the minimum temperature required of the heating element for vaporizing the fluid. A fluid delivery tube through which the fluid is delivered from conduit to the chamber has one end adjacent to the valve and the other end attached to the disc for movement therewith. When the chamber is below the minimum temperature, the disc pushes the one end of the tube against the valve to hold it closed and prevent delivery of fluid through the tube to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry J. Walter, William E. Springer
  • Patent number: 4167820
    Abstract: An electric hair dryer includes a heating source and a heating element to produce a supply of heated hair. The heating element is connected to a regulating element which is also connected to a temperature probe placed in the hair. By means of this arrangement, heat is supplied to the hair in varying amounts so as to maintain the hair temperature at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Assignee: Indola Cosmetics B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes de Groot
  • Patent number: 4166473
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for setting hair by successively passing steam and cooling air through said hair while wound on rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Jules Leroy, Jean-Paul Beck
  • Patent number: 4145600
    Abstract: An appliance or device for treating hair includes a tubular barrel containing a generator for heat and vapor and a plurality of hair winding mandrels which are slidably mounted over the tubular barrel. The mandrels have different external sizes and configurations, but have interior structures which, though they may differ, allow each mandrel to be used with the same tubular barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry J. Walter, Raymond W. Kunz
  • Patent number: 4124034
    Abstract: A temperature sensing device contains a thermistor, a cable connecting the thermistor to a time-temperature control device, and means for securing the device to a hair roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Revlon, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl E. Meyerhoefer, Carl H. Meyerhoefer
  • Patent number: 4109667
    Abstract: A hair setting roller includes a dielectric cylinder encircled by an electrical resistance magnetic heating element secured to it and adapted to be attracted by a permanent magnet mounted in apparatus having a pair of laterally spaced electric supply contacts. Electrically connected to the opposite ends of the heating element are electric contacts for engaging the supply contacts while the magnet overcomes a force tending to separate the roller and magnet, whereby to heat the heating element electrically. The heating element has a magnetic permeability that decreases as its temperature increases until the attraction of the magnet for the device becomes weaker than the separating force acting on the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: Stackpole Carbon Company
    Inventor: Virgil P. Quirk
  • Patent number: 4104507
    Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient heater for enhancing the response time of thermal actuators is disclosed. The PTC heater is formed of a generally low resistance material that has an anomaly temperature above which the resistance of the heater increases dramatically. The anomaly temperature is chosen to substantially match the phase change temperature of a thermally expansive medium useful to power the actuator. The heater is self-regulating and provides a maximum surface area for heating the medium rapidly with a minimum of thermal mass and energy use. Preferably, the heater is formed of doped BaTiO.sub.3 in the general shape of an elongated annular cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Assignee: Design & Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Tisone, Helmut H. A. Krueger, Ronald S. Sobecks, Richard N. Tauber
  • Patent number: 4103145
    Abstract: A hair curling device having an oven with a plurality of downwardly tapered heating chambers for receiving one or more hair curling irons. A clamp is pivotally mounted on the insulated handle of the curling iron so that the forward end of the clamp can be moved from an open position displaced from the forward heat conductive end of a forwardly tapered cone to a closed position abutting the cone throughout its length. A stop member on the forward end of the cone facilitates the retention of the hair during the curling process. The heating chamber has an open ended bore to enable the stop member to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Inventor: Joseph T. Oliveri
  • Patent number: 4101756
    Abstract: A stand for holding one or more heatable hair curlers or curling irons has a well or receptacle for each curling iron, each well having two contact poles connecting through normally open switches to a source of power to the stand. Each curling iron has a heating element thermally connected to a hair mandrel and electrically connected to separated electrical contact zones on the iron beyond a thermal insulating handle. The handle terminates remote from the mandrel in a reduced actuating tip that passes a restriction in a receptacle and moves a switch actuator to close the switches and supply current to the curling iron heating element, through the contact poles and contact zones. Removal of the iron from the stand closes the switches and no current flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Inventor: Jiichi Yamano
  • Patent number: 4097718
    Abstract: A hair curler includes an apertured cylindrical shell about which hair to be curled is wound. Mounted within the shell are two semicylindrical mounting components which donfine between themselves a plurality of spaced apart pill-shaped PTC resistor bodies. The engaging surfaces of the pill-shaped resistor bodies and of the semicylindrical mounting components are complementary and cylindrical, to establish good electrical and thermal contact between the engaging surface portions. Voltage is applied across the two semicylindrical mounting components, causing the generation of heat within the PTC resistor bodies. The PTC action of the latter causes an automatic limiting of temperature, preventing damage to hair. The generated heat is transmitted to a heating plate in contact with a wick extending into a water container. Water evaporates from the wick and steam passes into the interior of the apertured cylindrical shell, out through the apertures thereof, and into contact with the hair wound around the curler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Joachim Weise
  • Patent number: 4034201
    Abstract: An appliance or device for treating hair includes a tubular barrel containing a generator for heat and vapor and a plurality of hair winding mandrels which are selectively slidably mounted over the tubular barrel. The mandrels have different external sizes and configurations, but have interior structures which, though they may differ, allow each mandrel to be used with the same tubular barrel. In one embodiment, the vapor and heat are conveyed from the tubular barrel to the exterior surfaces of the mandrels to treat hair by fins which form ducts within the mandrels that extend radially inwardly toward the tubular barrel. There are apertures both in the mandrels and the tubular barrel with which the ducts register to convey the vapor. Pivoted to each mandrel by means of a sliding pivot is a clip having a clamping portion for initially engaging hair before the hair is wound around the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry J. Walter, Raymond W. Kunz
  • Patent number: 4032747
    Abstract: A thermal hair styling appliance includes interchangeable attachments, such as hair retaining clips, comb-brush clips or other types of attachments which are selectively attached to an operating button that is pivoted on a handle of the appliance. The appliance further includes a main electric heater which is controlled by a thermostat which, in turn, responds to a pair of auxiliary heaters. By selectively energizing the auxiliary heaters, the temperature of the main heater is controlled. A versatile hair styling appliance is thus provided. According to one embodiment, the operating button includes at least one projection which engages a slot in the end of the attachment being used. The attachment is held within the button by detents which engage other slots in the end of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventor: Raymond W. Kunz
  • Patent number: 4029110
    Abstract: A vapor generating hair styling implement is arranged to style hair in contact with a cylindrical adaptor tube. The adaptor tube is detachably coupled to a handle and is in thermal contact with a heat and steam generating means. The adaptor tube may be rotated about its longitudinal axis independent of rotational movement of the heat and steam generating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Francis B. Hyland
  • Patent number: 4009367
    Abstract: A steam-producing curling iron includes a tubular barrel having a handle at one end and a liquid reservoir at the other end. An electrically-heated heating member is axially slidable within the barrel into and out of engagement with a stationary wick communicating with the reservoir. The heating member is guided by elongated depressions formed in the barrel surface and is spring biased to be normally spaced from the wick. A sliding seal is provided between the heating member and barrel whereby a steam chamber is defined between the seal and the wick. An actuating lever mounted on the handle is connected by a linkage to the heating member rearwardly of the seal for selectively moving the heating member into contact with the wick to generate steam in the steam chamber for discharge through holes in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventor: L. P. Rizzuto
  • Patent number: 4004596
    Abstract: A vapor generating hair styling implement is arranged to style hair in contact with a portion of a tubular body uniformly heated by an internally disposed electrical heating assembly having a spacer arranged to contact the tubular body at predetermined points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1977
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Francis B. Hyland
  • Patent number: 3973100
    Abstract: A heated hair curler has a fast warm-up time and a slow cool down time due to a heater element having a steeply sloped positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity. The heater is composed of a ceramic like material such as doped barium titanate or a polymer loaded with conductive particles such as polyethylene loaded with carbon black. In one embodiment the heater is shaped in the form of an elongated annulus to fit closely inside a hollow plastic curler shell. Conductive coatings located on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces mate with ring shaped conductors supported in a base. In a second embodiment the PTC heating element which may be in the form of a parallelopiped is located within a sealed cylindrical container, also containing a fusible wax, which in turn fits within the hollow plastic curler shell. The PTC element has conductive coatings on two opposite faces for electrical connection thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1972
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles D. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 3946196
    Abstract: A hair curling appliance includes two hair curling wands and a base assembly for heating the wands to a desired temperature. The base assembly includes two overlapping plate-like retention members having trough-like end portions which coact to form sockets for receiving the wands, and center portions which coact to form a cavity for holding an electrical heating element. The wands include hair retaining clamps operable from the handles of the wands, and heat insulating end caps which reduce the possibility of a user coming into accidental contact with the heat transfer portions of the wands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Assignee: Schick Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert S. Waters, Meyric K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 3937232
    Abstract: A liquid feeding means including a reservoir for a liquid and a wick of absorbent material within the reservoir. A portion of the wick is exposed exteriorly of the reservoir for engagement by a heated element so as to produce steam. A tube having an inside diameter of capillary size is embedded in the wick and extends from its exposed portion toward the reservoir to transmit air into the reservoir as water from the reservoir is converted to steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Hair Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Tomaro
  • Patent number: 3934114
    Abstract: An electric hair curling iron having vapor generating means includes a handle portion having an elongated hair curling body extending from an end thereof. Stationary thermostatically controlled electric heating element and a movable heat conducting means in heat exchange relation therewith are arranged in the body. A liquid reservoir is supported at the end of the hair curling body and includes liquid transfer wick spaced from the heat conducting means to define therebetween a vaporization space. Actuator means are provided on the handle for selectively moving the heat conducting means into and out of engagement with the wick to effect generation of vapor in the vaporization space. The vapor produced is passed exteriorly through openings in the body into contact with the hair wound on the curling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1976
    Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation
    Inventors: Siegfried Godel, James J. Viola