STEAMABLE HAIR CURLER

Abstract: A hair curler (10) includes a porous sleeve (24) of foam plastics material surrounded by a perforated sleeve (26) which is of more rigid material. The foam sleeve (24) is closed at one end and open at the other end for receiving steam, via hole (20) in end cap (18). The foam sleeve may be used with or without a core (12). A shield (32) is optionally provided.

Description: Background Hair curlers adapted to be steamed before they are applied to hair are known. The present invention is directed to solving several problems associated with known hair curlers by reducing the number of components, rendering the components more flexible for ease of deformation to partially conform to the shape of a person's head, reducing the cost of manufacture of said hair curlers, etc. A conventional hair curler having a hollow sleeve of flexible foam plastics material, with means closing the sleeve at one end and the other end of the sleeve being arranged to receive steam is known from my US Patent No. 4,453,554. Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of this invention I propose a hair curler according to claim 1. According to another aspect of this invention I propose a hair curler according to claim 2. According to another aspect of this invention I propose a steamable hair curler according to claim 11. The present invention in one embodiment is directed to a hair curler which includes a first coreless sleeve of flexible foam polymeric material closed at one end. A second more rigid sleeve surrounds the first sleeve. The second sleeve has spaced longitudinal slots on its periphery to render the central portion of the second sleeve more flexible. The other end of the first sleeve is open for receiving steam. The hair curler preferably has the following additional features. Teeth are provided along the periphery of the slots in the second sleeve so that they may catch hair and retain the hair curler in place. A shield may be provided for removable attachment to the ends of the hair curler. The sleeve may be provided with a core which is removable whereby the first and second sleeves may be used with or without the core. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, a number of embodiments of hair curler in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of hair curler in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of the hair curler shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an exploded view of an alternative core. Figure 6 is an exploded view of one end of a core. Figure 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a sectional view of another embodiment. Figure 11 is a sectional view of another embodiment. Figure 12 is a plan view of a sleeve. Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in Figure 1 a perspective view of a hair curler in accordance with the present invention designated generally as 10. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the hair curler 10 includes an elongate core 12 which may be made from a heat conducting metal such as aluminium or from a polymeric plastics material. The core has longitudinally extending perforations or slots 14. Core 12 is provided with a closed end 16 having a handle 15 (Figure 3). At its other end, core 12 is provided with a removable end cap 18. End cap 18 is adapted to be removably telescoped over a reduced diameter portion 22 at the end of the core 12 remote from the closed end 16. End cap 18 is provided with a hole 20 coaxial with the core 12. Ease of manufacture is facilitated by making end cap 18 separate from the core. The core 12 is surrounded by a first sleeve 24 of porous material with a slight force fit therebetween while permitting removal of the core by finger pressure. Sleeve 24 is preferably a foam polymeric plastics material whose radial thickness is substantially greater than the radial thickness of the core 12 and whose length corresponds with the length of core 12. The sleeve 24 is surrounded by a second sleeve 26 with a slight force fit therebetween. Sleeve 26 is preferably made from a polymeric material impervious to liquids and is slightly shorter than sleeve 24 whereby sleeve 26 is not likely to touch a person's ear. The sleeve 26 is substantially thinner than sleeve 24. Sleeve 26 has a plurality of holes or longitudinally extending slots 28 in its central portion. The slots 28 render the central portion of the sleeve 26 very flexible so that it may be readily deformed by minimal finger pressure to facilitate catching hair. The side edges of the slots 28 are preferably provided with a plurality of rounded fingers or teeth 30 which are adapted to catch hair. The teeth 30 lie in the circumferential plane of sleeve 26. Teeth 30 catch hair and comb it. The number of slots 28 is variable. By way of example, in a sleeve 26 having a diameter of approximately 1 1/4 inches (31 mm), it is preferred to provide at least four slots 28 with the gap between oppositely disposed teeth 30 being approximately 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) and the length of the teeth being approximately 3/16 inch (5 mm). Those dimensions will change with different size hair curlers. A shield is optionally provided and facilitates handling of the steamed curler and/or retaining hair around the curler. The shield 32 is generally C-shaped as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 4. Shield 32 is provided with tabs 34 and 35 at its ends adjacent to the bight. A radially outwardly directed handle 38 is attached to the bight on the shield 32 (Figure 4). The inner surfaces of the tabs 34, 35 are provided with notches 36 to facilitate attaching the shield 32 to opposite ends of the sleeve 26. Shield 32 is slightly shorter than sleeve 26 so that the tabs 34, 35 are under tension. The notches 36 facilitate adjustment of the gap 40 between the inner periphery of shield 32 and the outer periphery of sleeve 26 (Figures 3 and 4). Shield 32 reduces the rapidity of heat loss whereby the curler stays warm for a longer period of time. Steam may be introduced into the interior of core 12 by way of hole 20 in a conventional manner. If the shield 32 is utilised to support the hair curler during steaming, it is then removed. Thereafter, the steamed roller is wound around hair. Thereafter, either a hair clip 44 and/or the shield 32 is applied to hold the hair around the roller in the gap 40. The flexibility of the tabs 34, 35 and the notches 36 facilitate adjustment of the gap 40 to accommodate the amount of hair wound around the roller. The flexibility of the sleeve 26 imparted by the longitudinal slots 28 facilitates inward deformation of the central portion of the hair roller to a concave head. Thus, the hair curler 10 is more comfortable to a wearer since the central portion of the roller is flexible and self-accommodating to the arcuate curvature of a person' head which varies at different locations around the person's head. In addition, hair curler 10 may be utilised in connection with long hair where flexibility of the hair curler is not essential. The core 12 is totally removable before or after the hair curler 10 is wound around a person's hair. Removal of the core 12 further increases the flexibility of the hair curler 10. In Figure 5, there is illustrated another embodiment of the core which is designated 12'. The core 12' is identical with core 12 except as will be explained herein. The length of the slots 14' in core 12' is greater than the length of the slots 14. Thus, the slots 14' extend through the reduced diameter portion 22'. This feature is a manufacturing expedient which facilitates ease of making the core 12' and facilitates the ease with which the end cap 18 may be telescoped over the reduced diameter portion 22'. If the particular circumstances indicate that it would be desirable not to utilise the shield 32 for retaining hair on the hair curler, hair clip 44 may be utilised to embrace a portion of hair and extend along the inner and outer surfaces of the sleeve 26 (Figure 1). In Figure 7 there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the hair curler is designated generally as 50. wherein the hair curler is designated generally as 50. Hair curler 50 is identical with the hair curler 10 except as will be explained herein. Hair curler 50 is coreless and includes a first flexible foam sleeve 52 corresponding to sleeve 24 which is surrounded by sleeve 54 corresponding to sleeve 26. A shield 56 which corresponds to shield 32 is attached to the ends of sleeve 54 by end tabs as described above. One end of the sleeve 52 is closed in any convenient manner. A simple and inexpensive manner for closing one end of the sleeve 52 is by way of an end cap 56' having a short boss 58 telescoped into the sleeve 52 as shown at the left-hand end of Figure 7. Alternatively, cap 56' could be cup-shaped and telescoped over the outer periphery of one end of sleeve 52. If desired, the open end of the sleeve 52 may be provided with a removable end cap 60 having a hole 62 coaxial with the inner periphery of the sleeve 52. Curler 50 is utilised in the same manner as described above. The hair curler is lighter in weight and cheaper to manufacture then the hair curler 10. In addition, the lack of a core renders the hair curler 10 more flexible and comfortable. Excluding the shield, hair curler 10 has a weight of approximately 15 grams whereas hair curler 50 without the shield may have a weight of 7 to 8 grams. In figure 8, there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention wherein the hair curler is designated generally as 70. The hair curler 70 is identical with the hair curler 10, except as follows. A sleeve 72 is telescoped over the sleeve 26 and has a length corresponding to the length of sleeve 26. Sleeve 72 is preferably a layer of foam polymeric plastics material corresponding to the material of sleeve 24. Sleeve 72 is preferably thinner than the radial thickness of the sleeve 24. The relative thickness of sleeves 24 and 72 may be different as desired. The provision of the sleeve 72 gives the curler 70 longer heat retention than hair curler 10, while permitting the wrapping of hair therearound without feeling the higher temperature within the roller. In addition, sleeve 72 spaces the hair to be curled from the sleeve 26 so as to prevent the application of moisture which may condense on sleeve 26 when the steam is very hot and/or wet. Sleeve 72 is removable and utilized to convert hair curler 10 to hair curler 70 when the condition of the steam warrants the same. Hair curler 70 is otherwise identical with hair curler 10. In Figure 10 there is illustrated another embodiment of a hair curler designated 75. Curler 75 is coreless and includes a sleeve 76 of foam polymeric plastic. The bore of sleeve 76 is designated 78. Sleeve 76 is telescoped into perforated sleeve 80 with a slight interference fit. Perforations 81 in sleeve 80 may be of larger diameter adjacent the central portion than adjacent the ends thereof. Sleeve 80 is made from a polymeric plastic impervious to liquids and has a reduced thickness at its ends. A first plastic end cap 82 is snapped onto one reduced thickness end of sleeve 80 and closes one end of sleeve 76. A second plastic end cap 84 is snapped onto the other reduced thickness end of sleeve 80. End cap 84 has a hole 86 coaxial with bore 78. Hole 86 has a diameter greater than that of bore 78. In addition to its simplicity and low cost, roller 75 is readily usable by unskilled persons and can be attached to hair wound therearound by a detachable clip similar to clip 44. In Figure 11 there is illustrated another embodiment of a coreless hair curler designated 90. Curler 90 includes a sleeve 92, like sleeve 76, telescoped into a sleeve 94. Sleeve 94 is the same as sleeve 80 except that it is integral in one piece with end wall 100. Sleeve 94 has rows of holes with holes 96 being smaller in diameter than holes 98 so the central portion of sleeve 94 is more flexible. At the end of sleeve 94 remote from end wall 100, there is provided a radially inwardly directed flange 102 terminating at hole 104 coaxial with bore 106 in sleeve 92. The diameter of hole 104 is greater than the diameter of bore 106 but less than the diameter of sleeve 92. Roller 90 comprises only two components. The hole 104 is sufficiently large that the sleeve 92 may be deformed and then inserted into sleeve 94. A few drops of hair conditioner may be introduced into sleeve 92 while it is in sleeve 94. Sleeve 94 will distribute the hair conditioner so that it is picked up by steam and distributed to the hair which is wound therearound. In Figure 12 there is illustrated a sleeve 108 having circumferential rows of holes 110. Holes 110 are larger in the central portion than near the ends of the sleeve. Hence the central portion is more flexible. This method of attaining flexibility may be used in the other embodiments discussed above in connection with sleeves 26, 54, 80, 94, each of which is impervious to liquids and more rigid than the foam plastic sleeve associated therewith.

Claims: A hair curler comprising a first hollow sleeve (24) of flexible foam plastics material, means closing the first sleeve at one end, the other end of said first sleeve (24) being arranged to receive steam, a second sleeve (26) surrounding said first sleeve (24), said second sleeve (26) having aperture means therethrough, characterised in that the aperture means comprise spaced longitudinally extending apertures (28) around the periphery of the sleeve (26) to render the central portion of the sleeve (26) flexible, and in that said first sleeve (24) is closed at said one end by a removable core (12) having apertures therethrough, with said core (12) having an outer diameter which is slightly greater than the inner diameter of said first sleeve (24) so as to provide a force-fit while permitting removal of the core (12) by finger pressure. A hair curler comprising a first hollow sleeve (24,52) of flexible foam plastics material, means closing the first sleeve at one end, the other end of said first sleeve (24,52) being arranged to receive steam, a second sleeve (26,54) surrounding said first sleeve (24,52), said second sleeve (26,54) having aperture means therethrough, characterised in that the aperture means comprise spaced longitudinally extending apertures (28) around the periphery of the sleeve (26,54) to render the central portion of the sleeve flexible, and in that said first sleeve (24,52) is closed at said one end by an end cap (56') having a boss (58) telescoped into said first sleeve (24,52) and with the end cap (56') having an outer diameter which is slightly greater than the inner diameter of said first sleeve (24,52) so as to provide a force-fit while permitting removal of the end cap (56') by finger pressure. A hair curler in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said aperture means (28) are slots having oppositely disposed teeth (30) along the opposite edges of said slots. A hair curler in accordance with claim 3, characterised in that said teeth (30) are rounded and lie in the circumferential plane of the second sleeve. A hair curler in accordance with any preceding claim, characterised by a shield (32, 56) removably attached to the opposite ends of the second sleeve (26, 54) and having its inner surface spaced from the outer surface of the second sleeve. A hair curler in accordance with any preceding claim, characterised by a third sleeve (72) telescoped over said second sleeve (26), said third sleeve (72) being of a foam plastics material whose radial thickness is less than that of the first sleeve. A hair curler in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that said slots (28) of said second sleeve (26) have rounded teeth (30) for catching hair. A hair curler in accordance with any preceding claim, characterised in that the axial length of said first sleeve (24) is slightly greater than the axial length of said second sleeve (26). A hair curler in accordance with any preceding claim, characterised in that said core (12) has no prominent radial portion, thereby enabling the core (12) to be removable from either end of said bore. A hair curler in accordance with any preceding claim, characterised by a porous foam plastics sleeve (72) removably telescoped over said second sleeve (26) to increase the heat retention of the hair curler. A steamable hair curler comprising a porous foam plastics hollow sleeve (76,92), means closing only one end of the bore in said first-mentioned sleeve (76,92), the other end of said bore being arranged to receive steam, wherein the first sleeve is surrounded by a second sleeve (80,94) of more rigid material impervious to liquids, said second sleeve (80,94) is substantially thinner than said first sleeve (76,92) and said second sleeve (76,92) has a plurality of openings (81,96, 98) in its central portion to render the said portion flexible so that it may deform inwardly and assume a concave shape and through which steam may escape, characterised in that the inner diameter of said second sleeve (80,94) is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said first sleeve (76,92) so as to provide an interference fit therebetween, and in that the means (82,100) closing said one end of the bore has substantially the same external diameter as the second sleeve (80,94), whereby a substantially cylindrical structure is formed by said closing means and said second sleeve. A hair curler in accordance with claim 11, characterised in that said second sleeve (94) has an end wall (100) integral in one piece therewith, said end wall (100) being said closing means. A hair curler in accordance with claim 11, characterised in that said closing means is an end cap (82) attached to the outer periphery of said second sleeve (80). A hair curler according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised by a hollow core (12) having its outer periphery of uniform diameter and telescoped into said foam plastics hollow sleeve (24) with an interference fit, said core (12) being made from a liquid-impervious material and having a plurality of apertures (14) in a central portion thereof to facilitate escape of steam in a radial direction, said core (12) being closed at one end (16) and having an opening at its other end for receiving steam, said core (12) and sleeve (24) having substantially the same length. A hair curler in accordance with claim 14, characterised by a shield (32) removably attached to the ends of said sleeve (26) by radially disposed members (34,35), said shield (32) being spaced from the outer periphery of said sleeve (26) so that hair to be curled may be disposed therebetween.

Inventors: CARUSO, RICHARD
Applicants: CARUSO, RICHARD
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A45D4
IPC codes: A45D4, A45D2