For Drying Body Part Patents (Class 392/380)
  • Patent number: 6885810
    Abstract: The handheld hair dryer for generating a heated air stream has a blower for generating an air stream, an electric heater for heating the air stream, a catalytic odor filter for deodorizing the air stream and a thermal radiator for heating the catalytic odor filter. The electric heater and the catalytic odor filter are separate from each other so that the active surface area of the catalytic odor filter can be maximized to deodorize the air stream. The thermal radiator is also separate from the electric heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Wella Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Allwohn, Detlef Mattinger, Stefan Uhl
  • Patent number: 6842581
    Abstract: Body Drier with a plurality of cylindrical housings, each housing retaining a heating coil, a fan blade, an electric fan motor, a fan bracket and a fan grill. Each cylindrical fan housing assembly is attached to the one above it by means of standard electrical connectors. The cylindrical housings each have a cut out portion to allow warm air to flow out from the fan. Each cut out portion is covered by a grill. The cylindrical housings each have a standard bayonet type attachment so that the housings can be attached one on top of the other creating a tower. The tower secured in an upright position by a base plate. A single power cord exits from the base plate so that the attached plug can be inserted into a standard wall socket. The body drier includes a standard oscillating mechanism that causes the tower to oscillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Neil Schafer
  • Publication number: 20040213559
    Abstract: Body Drier with a plurality of cylindrical housings, each housing retaining a heating coil, a fan blade, an electric fan motor, a fan bracket and a fan grill. Each cylindrical fan housing assembly is attached to the one above it by means of standard electrical connectors. The cylindrical housings each have a cut out portion to allow warm air to flow out from the fan. Each cut out portion is covered by a grill. The cylindrical housings each have a standard bayonet type attachment so that the housings can be attached one on top of the other creating a tower. The tower secured in an upright position by a base plate. A single power cord exits from the base plate so that the attached plug can be inserted into a standard wall socket. The body drier includes a standard oscillating mechanism that causes the tower to oscillate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Neil Schafer
  • Patent number: 6766589
    Abstract: A portable hand dryer has an air blower and, optionally, an air heater. The hand dryer includes a laterally protruding male electrical plug having at least two prongs which provides electricity to the blower and which allows the hand dryer to be supported from a structure wall. In one embodiment, the male plug can be folded flush with the rear wall of the hand dryer. In another embodiment, the hand dryer also has a laterally extending distal prong which provides additional support for the hand dryer along a structure wall. In yet another embodiment, the hand dryer comprises a spacer on a rear wall of the hand dryer to separate the rear wall from the structure wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventors: Maria Regina Bory, Christopher Gregory Bory
  • Patent number: 6763606
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying ionized particles is disclosed. The apparatus includes an ionized particle emitter for emitting ionized particles against an object; and an electric potential maintainer for maintaining electric potential of the object at a predetermined level such that the ionized particles emitted against the object by the ionized particle emitter are continuously attracted to the object while the electric potential is maintained. A method for applying ionized particles is also disclosed. The method includes emitting ionized particles against an object, and maintaining electric potential of the object at a predetermined level such that the ionized particles are continuously attracted to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Itaru Saida
  • Patent number: 6725562
    Abstract: The hair dryer includes a housing body that includes an air intake opening and an air outlet opening. The air outlet opening includes a non-ionized air outlet opening and an ionized air outlet opening. A fan is disposed within the housing body for introducing air into the housing body through the air intake opening and directing the air to the air outlet opening. An ionized air passage mechanism is formed within the housing body and is connected to the ionized air outlet opening. An air ionizing device is disposed within the ionized air passage mechanism for generating ionized air. Under this configuration, ionized air generated by the air ionizing device is discharged from the ionized air outlet opening and non-ionized air is discharged through the non-ionized air outlet opening such that both ionized air and non-ionized air are blown together from the air outlet openings of the hairdryer against hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakagawa, Takahiro Kumode
  • Patent number: 6718650
    Abstract: A personal dryer capable of expelling temperatured air uniformly throughout the dryer and/or different temperatured air at different regions of the dryer, so as to provide a user with the option of drying their entire body with a more desirable uniformly temperatured air and/or drying different bodily regions with different or varied, user-selectable temperatured air, and wherein such a personal dryer is capable of being pre-programmed to enable a user to dry his/her body in a user-specified regimen or manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Sherry Ross
  • Patent number: 6715215
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electric hair dryer (10) including a body (12) with a rear end (16) allowing entry of air into the body (12), a front end (18) allowing exit of the air from the body (12), two cover plates (20) secured with the body (12), in which the cover plates (20) are movable between a first position in which at least part of the rear end (16) is blocked by the cover plates (20) and a second position in which the rear end (16) is unobstructed by the cover plates (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Luen Electrical Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Cheong Yeung
  • Publication number: 20040000067
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a uniform and heated series of air jets capable of drying a substantial portion of a human body surface in a uniform and efficient manner and using electrically activated and heated air blowers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 6580060
    Abstract: A foot warmer mat including an electrical heater element embedded in the mat combined with a heater air circulation emanating from a detachable hood at one end of the mat. A vibrator is also embedded in the mat to stimulate the soles of a user's feet. An automotive electrical adapter is used to power the electrical components to allow controlled activation by a vehicle passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Derrick M. Inman, Carla B. Inman
  • Patent number: 6457254
    Abstract: A supporting column part supports a housing in which an apparatus for producing hot air and a further apparatus for producing steam are located. A jib is pivotally mounted to the housing. A hot air pipe extends from the apparatus for producing hot air through the jib to a treatment head part. A dispensing head is mounted for rotation on the hot air pipe. This dispensing head is connected at one side to dispensing hoses adapted to be coupled to hair curlers. Diffusor-like arranged exit holes are located at the opposite side. A steam pipe extends from the apparatus for producing steam obliquely into the hot air pipe so that an ejector is formed. The jib part has a through shaped receiving container portion and a cover lid portion pivotally mounted to the receiving container portion. In order to store the dispensing hoses the coverlid portion is rotated upwards and the dispensing hoses are placed into the receiving container portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Jurgene E. Sahm
  • Patent number: 6393717
    Abstract: A foot dryer device for completely drying the feet of the user that utilizes a heat/blower mechanism in connection with an air diffusion assembly that diffuses a heated air stream so as to prevent uncomfortable hot spots from occurring on the feet of the user. The heater/blower mechanism is activated by the user when he/she steps onto a user support grate positioned above the air diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Victor M. Santos, Maria C. Zapata
  • Patent number: 6367162
    Abstract: In the present invention, winding units (19) as a stator (23) are fixedly mounted in a cylindrical housing (1). A rotor (29) is provided on vanes (26) for supplying wind. The rotor (29) is disposed to surround the stator (23), thereby forming a brushless motor (30) that provides a hair direr having low noise level and lighter construction. The rotor has a sufficiently larger dimension in a direction of flow of wind than the stator (23). The stator (23) and rotor (28) are positioned relative to each other such that the center of the stator (23) in the direction of flow of wind is at the same position as the center of the rotor (29) in the direction of flow of wind. Thus, even if the rotor (29) moves slightly in the direction of flow of wind when the rotor (29) is rotating, the torque will not change significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignees: Sanyo Electronic Co., Ltd., Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Fukumoto, Seisuke Takeshita, Masami Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 6354016
    Abstract: A dual in-line portable electric hair drying appliance includes independently operational heaters to provide optimized performance and a multitude of operating conditions that are found to be advantageous in the drying and styling of hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Helen of Troy, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Cafaro
  • Publication number: 20020006275
    Abstract: A forced air dryer designed to dry an infant's bottom during the diaper changing process comprises a housing having an end piece designed to reduce skin abrasion, skin heating, and air flow blockage. In one embodiment, the device is powered by a rechargeable electric battery. In another embodiment, the invention is associated with a diaper changing table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Shirley Pollack
  • Patent number: 6317998
    Abstract: The hair-drying apparatus, the handle of which is provided below and transversally with respect to the body of the apparatus, is provided with a sliding regulating shutter at a delivery mouth thereof; axes of the motor and the delivery duct being reciprocally offset. The apparatus offers a greater operational flexibility and versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Giulio Benevelli
  • Patent number: 6191930
    Abstract: A hair dryer is provided with a high voltage generator which produces a negative DC voltage output of at least about 6 kilovolts for reducing static charges on a person's hair during hair drying. The generator can be mounted adjacent the dryer air inlet of the hair dryer housing to cool the generator with cooling air, or the generator can be mounted externally of the dryer to reduce dryer weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: IGIA Direct, Inc.
    Inventor: Prem A. Ramchandani
  • Patent number: 6185838
    Abstract: A hand drier for drying the hands in a turbulent air flow region of cross flowing multiple air streams, and for recycling already heated air for reheating to conserve energy and having a housing and a fan in the housing to create air flow, scrolls for dividing the air flow into two air streams, and guiding them in opposite directions, a heater for heating the air, and, air outlets spaced apart from one another for receiving the air streams so as to redirect respective air streams from opposite directions and cause them to flow countercurrent in opposition to one another to produce a turbulent air flow where the two countercurrent air streams meet, in which the hands can be placed for drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Derek W. Moore
  • Patent number: 6035097
    Abstract: An electrical heating unit, particularly for a hair drier, comprises a first wire heating element, in particular a spiral coil wire heating element (2) having a heat conductor support comprising at least one support plate (4, 5, 6), and a heat conductor winding (7) arranged thereon. This spiral coil wire heating element serves to heat the stream of air flowing through the hair drier. At least one second wire heating element is provided, serving the function of adapting the electrical voltage for a further electrical load, particularly as a series resistor, for a direct-current motor fitted with an impeller to produce the stream of air. The second wire heating element (3) comprises a frame-type heat conductor support (8) and a heat conductor winding (9) arranged thereon which fills the free area of cross section of the heat conductor support (8). Further, the second heating element (3) is secured to the first heating element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Behrendt, Boris Wonka, Wilfried Rolf, Robert Jung
  • Patent number: 6003242
    Abstract: A portable heater of the type having a housing containing an internal fan and heating element to force heated air out of a blower opening is disclosed herein. The heater housing includes a plurality of foot-operable, push-button switches mounted on an outlet face, and the housing is of a horizontally stable configuration. A fulcrum, which also may be utilized as a carrying handle, is also disclosed to assist in foot-operation of the switches, and an angled outlet face is disclosed to direct heated air from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph C. Carley, Sean M. Carriere, Michael P. Conti, James D. Termeer
  • Patent number: 5991506
    Abstract: A dryer unit intended especially for drying printed products, has a frame in which two sides of the frame are formed by portions of profile material of the kind used also for the manufacture of rail main bodies of heating rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Grafix Zerstaubungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans G. Platsch
  • Patent number: 5875562
    Abstract: Described is a quiet hand-held hair dryer with configuration and component combinations for making the hair dryer exceptionally quiet and efficient. The hair dryer includes a housing having a lower handle portion and an upper body portion separated by an air-directing wall. A large impeller moves air downward from a large top air inlet and passes it outward through a side air outlet in a hair drying stream. An electric motor is mounted in the handle housing adjacent its bottom and is connected in driving relation with the impeller by a long vertical shaft. The motor is mounted in a rubber casing permitting cooling air flow and minimizing vibration to the housing; and the upper end of the shaft is stabilized by a bearing mounted in a rubber housing for the same purpose. The configuration of the described hair dryer permits high air flow with relatively low motor speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Shaun P. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 5873178
    Abstract: A portable hand dryer (10) for drying wetness from an individual's hands as well as from the instruments or objects being held in their hands. The portable hand dryer (10) includes a casing (12) having an upper housing (16) defining a through opening (18) and a lower housing (20) defining having an interior cavity (24), an air current generator (14) disposed within the through opening (18) of the upper housing (16), a motor (13) received in the inner cavity (24) of the lower housing (20), and at least one control (28) to operated the hand dryer (10). In operation, manipulation of the control (28) activates the motor (13) to power the air current generator (14) to create an air current to dry object placed within the stream of that current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Jimmy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5873179
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for removing moisture from at least one user including a first set of riser ducts having openings, a first frame supporting the first set of riser ducts, each one of the first set of riser ducts having an elongated, tapered configuration allowing the volumetric capacity to decrease along a length thereof, and a first face plate arranged opposite the first set of riser ducts and having slots corresponding with the openings of the first set of riser ducts. The apparatus further including a first set of connecting duct segments communicating with the first set of riser ducts, respectively, each one of the first connecting duct segments having a length corresponding with each one of the first set of riser ducts, respectively, at least one motor for discharging air to the first set of connecting duct segments, and at least one heater for heating the air discharged by said at least one motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Frederick Gregory, Michael P. Albanese
  • Patent number: 5805406
    Abstract: A device for treating hair comprises an electrically driven blower for generating an air flow at at least one opening on the device with view to drying the hair, as well as a unit for emitting ions from one or more emitters positioned in or close to the opening of the device. The unit for emitting ions has at least two emitters which are adapted to emit ions of positive charge and of negative charge, respectively, at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Kirsten Herl.o slashed.v Mailand
  • Patent number: 5790749
    Abstract: An electrical hair dryer (5) comprises a housing (10) with an air inlet (11) and an air outlet (12) between which are arranged a mechanism for delivering a flow of hot air, comprising an air circulation mechanism (13) and air heating mechanism (14), and detection mechanism (20) for measuring a radiation emitted by the hair (8). The hair dryer also includes a control mechanism (18) which jointly acts on the air circulation 13) and the heating (14) mechanisms, for regulating the flow of hot air during drying as a function of the measurements of the emitted radiation, which effects simultaneous variation in the flow rate and temperature of the air flow as a result of the measurements of the emitted radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Remy Polaert, Jean-Pierre Hazan, Jean-Louis Nagel
  • Patent number: 5729908
    Abstract: An apparatus for the enhanced drying of shoes and boots is provided, having a main housing cylinder having a first end cap secured to a main housing, with a fan motor and screen directing forced air into a heated grid of the main housing cylinder, with the main housing cylinder including directing conduits, with the directing conduits arranged for receiving L-shaped tubes for insertion within boots, and wherein the organization is arranged for disassembly for securing the L-shaped conduits within the main housing during transport and storage of the organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Larry Dean Braden
  • Patent number: 5668921
    Abstract: An elongated housing has a pair of radiation-transparent strips defining a slit from which hot air is directed at an article to be dried. The air passes over a radiant heater in the housing parallel to the slit and preferably through holes in a reflector which reflects radiation from the radiant heater toward the radiation-transmissive strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Karl-Hermann Essler
  • Patent number: 5651189
    Abstract: A system for drying a large object, such as the human body, in an effective and sanitary manner. The system comprises a blower secured in a housing constructed with a plenum assembly having a decreasing volumetric configuration for diffusing and projecting a sheet of air in a select direction at a relatively uniform velocity. The air is filtered before passing through the blower and is heated for the comfort of the user. In this manner a person can utilize the sanitary benefit of warm air drying instead of towels and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Bodi-Blo, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Coykendall, Barbara Davis Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5636318
    Abstract: An air circulation heating apparatus, for example a hair drier or an electric radiator, is controlled by an infrared sensor which measures at a distance the thermal radiation emitted by an object heated by the apparatus. The sensor is placed in the flow of hot air to ensure reliable operation of the apparatus and to ensure that the sensor supplies correct measurement data. A screen is provided adjacent the sensor in the path of the airflow which prevents the flow of hot air from hitting the sensor directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Remy Polaert, Jean-Pierre Hazan, Jean-Louis Nagel
  • Patent number: 5617646
    Abstract: A device for drying and cleaning footwear comprising a shallow housing on which the user steps to activate heater blowers which provide hot air which is directed upward against the footwear of the user. At the same time the user moves his feet against brushes. The debris and water falls though the device to be collected in shallow drawers at the bottom of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph S. Viscuso
  • Patent number: 5613304
    Abstract: A dryer and weigher comprising an upper housing for containing a sole dryer structure and a lower housing for containing a weigher structure, the upper housing and the lower housing weighing the weight of a user, the sole dryer structure having a heater and a fan turned on and off either simultaneously with a common switch or with separate switches for each of two air chambers provided in the upper housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Jack Lin
  • Patent number: 5612849
    Abstract: A hair dryer is provided which reduces static electricity in hair being dried. A point source for electron release, such as a needle, is positioned in a reflector in the air stream of the dryer. The point source is electrically connected to an electron source, such as a piezoelectric crystal, located in the handle of the hair dryer. The piezoelectric crystal is wired to produce an electric charge, the charge being initially a negative electric charge. The crystal is connected to the point source and thus provides electrons to the point source. These enter the air, ionizing air molecules, and the resulting ions are carried to the hair, neutralizing the static charge in the hair. The piezoelectric crystal, a supporting frame, a lever arm, and an arm lever cover are mounted in the dryer handle. The lever arm cover can be pivoted, resulting in the lever arm being moved when the handle is squeezed or released. Release of the lever arm results in it returning to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Barry V. Prehodka, Ludwig Salce, H. Roy Taylor
  • Patent number: 5568691
    Abstract: A multi-functional assembly of a hair dryer and accessory units in which a base unit is attached to a wall for producing heated air which is supplied to a hand-held dryer. A garment dryer is attachable in the assembly to receive the heated air produced by the base unit. The accessory units are capable of being detachably interconnected with one another and with the base unit in a variety of ways. The interconnection is made by security connectors to prevent unauthorized disconnection of the units. Electrical power is supplied to circuit boards in the base unit and the electrical power is transmitted to the accessory units when they are connected in the assembly. A ground fault circuit interrupter or similar safety device in the base unit controls electrical supply to all units. When the accessory unit is a garment dryer, the dryer drum is driven by a turbine wheel, driven by heated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Secajo, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard H. Rubin
  • Patent number: 5498394
    Abstract: A bioconditioning germicidal dryer for the hands and lower arms has two portals which allows the hands and forearms to be comfortably extended laterally into the chamber. The working chamber has a source of ultraviolet light with a spectral output weighted at a 253.7 nm. Air is introduced through one or more vents in a second heated chamber connected to said working chamber. Preheated air is then drawn past the ultraviolet light source, where it is germicidally cleansed, into the working chamber, and leaves the working chamber through the portals. Because of the combination of (a) ultraviolet light, (b) closed chamber environment, (c) warm air and (d) chamber geometry induced turbulent air flow patterns, the hands and arms are germicidally cleansed and gently dried without dehydration of the skin normally found in germicidal washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Molecucare, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Matschke
  • Patent number: 5475933
    Abstract: The invention described herein is a weighing and foot drying machine comprising a weighing machine for measuring one's weight; and a pair of foot dryers for drying user's feet standing on the weighing and foot drying machine; wherein the weighing machine is integrally assembled with the foot dryers in order to have a simplified structure and to be available with lower cost for providing usage of increased ease and popularity. In response to a user stepping onto a upper casing 1 of the weighing and foot drying machine, a supporting member 12 pushes a bar member correspondingly to the weight of the user, thereby a supporting member 32moves downward against the biasing force of a spring 34 and rotates a turning member 36, whereby a movable pole 37 moves linearly which causes a limit switch 40 to turn on and a pinion 42 to rotate for driving a scale plate 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Ogaki Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 5467540
    Abstract: A diffuser to diffuse the air blast of a hair dryer may be embodied as a removable accessory for existing hair dryers or an integral feature in a hair dryer. A tubular member includes a first end to receive the output of the hair dryer, and a diffuser plate is pivotally secured in the opposed, second end of the tubular member. The diffuser plate is rotatable from a fully open position in which the entire output of the dryer blower is delivered from the second end, to a fully closed position in which the second end is blocked by the diffuser plate. The diffuser plate includes a plurality of holes in a spaced array, permitting a fraction of the dryer output to be delivered from the second end of the tubular member at a reduced velocity. The tubular member includes a plurality of vent holes disposed upstream of the diffuser plate to exhaust a substantial portion of the air flow when the diffuser plate is closed to the attenuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Ernest J. Bastien
  • Patent number: 5459944
    Abstract: A hand dryer in which a channel-like hand insertion unit 5 opening at the front face and side faces is formed in the front face of a case 6 which functions as an outer shell. Upper and lower blowout nozzles 32 and 33 are disposed in the upper and lower faces of the hand insertion unit 5. A high-pressure air flow generation device 7 supplies high-pressure air flow to the blowout nozzles 32 and 33. A high-speed wind generated in the hand insertion unit 5 blows water on hands to the inner portion of the hand insertion unit 5. The blown water is drained to the outside of the hand insertion unit 5, through drainage holes 18 which are disposed at lateral ends of the bottom face of the hand insertion unit 5. Thereby, the blown water from the hands can be smoothly drained without remaining in the hand insertion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Tatsutani, Tetsuya Tanaka, Toshihiko Horii, Kazuhiko Hotta, Keiu Kawasaki, Keiichi Hasegawa, Yoshiyuki Umai, Masaaki Sendo
  • Patent number: 5457894
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an implement for an air-moving appliance for personal use, in particular a hair dryer or a hot-air curling brush, comprising a body (10) and a two-dimensional air discharge means (12) which includes a series of air exit apertures (14) and carries a series of hair pickup elements (16) arranged adjacent to each other. Downward ends (18) of the hair pickup elements (16) lie on a substantially concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ralf Dorber
  • Patent number: 5444215
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Rudolf Bauer
  • Patent number: 5442867
    Abstract: A combination drying unit is disclosed. The device consists of a air blower unit that forces air out through a venting system in order to dry a person's hands and face. After completion of the air blowing process, a paper towel roll, mounted within the drying unit, dispenses a single paper towel out though the bottom of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Joe M. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5404652
    Abstract: A portable heater including a heat generator and a fan device respectively mounted inside a housing and controlled by a respective switch to produce heat and an axial-flow of air for heating or drying the human body or clothes by means of air outlet pipes at one end of the housing, wherein the heat generator consists of a lamp bulb and a plurality of heat distribution devices surrounding the lamp bulb and disposed between the air outlet pipes and the fan device, each heat distribution device having a plurality of heat conductive radiating flanges for transmitting heat from the lamp bulb; the housing is covered with a light-permeable glass at one end through which the light of the lamp bulb passes for illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Jing-Dong Sher
  • Patent number: 5394620
    Abstract: A hand held, portable body dryer for the entire body is disclosed as including a hollow tube carrying a hollow hand grip in which a battery is disposed; a fan and a heater are disposed in the tube with rheostatic controls therefor on the exterior of the tube with indications for off, low and high positions, and with a reverse fan switch for cleaning the tube. A plurality of attachments for the dryer function as outlet nozzles for assuring entire body coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Carmen R. Chimera
  • Patent number: 5351417
    Abstract: A hair dryer adapted for multifunctional use includes a housing which is mounted on a wall and a hand-held dryer connected to a power supply in the housing through an electrical cable. The power supply to the dryer is controlled by the degree of extension of the cable from the housing. The housing is adapted to receive a number of different modules which can be installed with security in the housing. A tumble dryer can be incorporated into the housing. The apparatus can be provided with a switching device which controls the supply of heated air from the dryer to selected heated air utilization devices such as the tumble dryer, a hand and nail dryer, a room heater and a defogger outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Secajo, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Rubin
  • Patent number: 5317815
    Abstract: A grille assembly including a hopper-like barrel connector having a smaller rear connecting tube fastened around the barrel of a hair dryer and a bigger front rounded shell, a grille covered on the front opening of the rounded shell, the grille having a center shaft disposed inside the rounded shell, and a rotary vane mounted on the center shaft of the grille, whereby the rotary vane is rotated to induce outside air into the rounded shell through through holes thereon for mixing with the current of hot air being produced by the hair drier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Shyh-Jye Hwang
  • Patent number: 5303483
    Abstract: An air diffuser for attachment to a handheld hairdryer includes a diffuser neck and an angled diffuser head. The diffuser neck is provided with air vents. If a back pressure builds up in the diffuser with a consequent risk of overheating the hairdryer, then air escapes through the vents relieving the back pressure. In the absence of a back pressure substantially all of the air flows along the diffuser and out through the mouth of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: China Pacific Trade Limited
    Inventor: Wing-Kin Chan
  • Patent number: 5287635
    Abstract: An air diffuser for attachment to a handheld hairdryer includes a diffuser neck and an angled diffuser head. The diffuser neck is provided with air vents. If a back pressure builds up in the diffuser with a consequent risk of overheating the hairdryer, then air escapes through the vents relieving the back pressure. In the absence of a back pressure substantially all of the air flows along the diffuser and out through the mouth of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: China Pacific Trade Limited
    Inventor: Wing-Kin Chan
  • Patent number: 5268988
    Abstract: A hair treatment apparatus includes a rotary arm having an air flow passage, an electric fan for blowing air through the passage to an outlet for impingement onto the hair being treated and an electric heater installed in the passage for heating the air. The rotary arm is rotatably attached at a tiltable angle to an obliquely downwardly facing body cover supported on a support rod and housing an electric motor driven drive mechanism for reciprocally rotating the arm in a path defining a conical surface about the body cover. The tilted angle of the arm is adjustable to change the apex angle of the conical surface described by the arm during rotation. The rotary drive mechanism can slip should the arm be blocked by an external force. A photo sensor position detecting arrangement controls the limits of the reciprocal rotation of the rotary arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Takara Belmont Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Miyamoto, Yuji Kakuya, Masaharu Shindo
  • Patent number: 5235759
    Abstract: An air diffuser for attachment to a hair dryer, with a housing containing an air inlet, a hood, and an air outlet from the hood, a face plate having a front side and a rear side and being pivotally mounted in the air outlet so that alternately one or the other of the sides can face outwardly. The face plate has air orifices passing through it and presents a different pattern of orifices on the two sides. One side has fingers mounted extending from it, the fingers including an air passages running within the fingers and through to the other side. That side also has a skirt along its periphery. As a result, the air diffuser provides for a different air diffusion pattern when the front side faces outwardly than when the rear side faces outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventor: Leandro P. Rizzuto, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5168641
    Abstract: The travel hair-dryer consists of two telescopic components (1, 2), one of the components (1) being provided at its base with an air inlet grille (6) and comprising the conventional components (3, 4, 5) of a hair-dryer, and the other component (2), sliding over the first component (1), being closed at the top thereof and being provided with a lateral grille (8) for the discharge of air, the said grille being released when the apparatus is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Continental Products S.A.
    Inventor: Henri Smal