Abstract:
A hair curling iron that forms spiral curls having an integral vacuum system and an internal heating tube is designed to eliminate the need for manual rotation of the entire curling iron when forming spiral hair curls. The curling iron provides a slot into which the hair is pulled by an integral vacuum fan mounted within the handle and controlled by an on/off pushbutton. When activated, the vacuum fan pulls the hair into the curling iron and around an interior heating tube. After several seconds, the pushbutton is released and a spiral curl is pulled out of the curling iron. A separate illuminating switch provides control of the heating portion of the curling iron. The danger of accidental burns is greatly reduced due to the interior location of the hot surfaces.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/998,366 filed Oct. 11, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a multiple tubular container device for mounting thereto a surface and capable of storing a plurality of elongated tubular containers slidingly placed therein corresponding receivers, further comprising a mounting means, a first fixture and a second fixture removably mounted thereto said device, and a handle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hairstyles are as unique as one&#39;s personality. One (1) popular tool used by many to style their hair is that of the curling iron. It is commonly used to add style, body, flips, flair and the like to ones hair in a quick manner with a minimum of fuss. However, to do these tasks, one must grab a swath of hair in the curling iron and then turn the whole iron to wind the hair around the heating tube. This is a task that is easier said than done, especially for younger children, elderly, or those with diminished mobility in their arms. Many times, users accidentally contact the hot heating tube and become burned on their arms and hands areas. Even if one does not burn themselves, the process of curling one&#39;s hair takes a valuable amount of time. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which hair can be curled with a curling iron in a manner without the disadvantages as listed above. The development of the invention herein described fulfills this need. 
     For special occasions, such as a wedding, it may take hours to get one&#39;s hair properly curled. To properly use conventional curling irons requires twisting and holding the apparatus for prolonged periods of time. The contortions required can and frequently do result in the user being burned. A hair curling iron that moves hair into the curling iron for curling on an internally contained heating element alleviates these problems. 
     There have been attempts in the past to invent curling irons for hair. U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,949 issued to Julemont discloses a hair curler comprising a handle with a clamp and a heating unit. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a hair curling iron that comprises a vacuum fan to move hair into an internal cylinder attachment with heating coils contained therein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,847 issued to Hogelstam discloses a hair-waving apparatus and method utilizing heatable leg elements. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a spiral hair curling iron comprising a removable cylinder assembly with internal spiral heating elements and a handle assembly with a vacuum fan to move hair into the curling iron for curling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,753 issued to Lo discloses a manual hairdressing and styling device that appears to comprise a clamp like device. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a spiral hair curling iron that comprises a fan-driven means to move hair into a detachable cylinder assembly with an internal heating element to curl hair. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,030 issued to Kelsey discloses a hair curler comprising an elongated rod with grooves. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a spiral hair curling iron comprising a removable cylinder assembly with internal spiral heating elements and a handle assembly with a vacuum fan to move hair into the curling iron for curling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,740 issued to Lehmann discloses a hair curling device for curling the hair of a doll. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a spiral hair curling iron for use on humans, nor does this patent appear to disclose a curling iron with a handle assembly that can removably accept different sized cylinder assemblies. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 345,626 issued to Izzo discloses a spiral shaped hair curler. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed device, nor does it appear to comprise a detachable cylinder assembly and a handle assembly with a heating coil and fan. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,562 issued to Tskimae discloses an electric curling iron with spiral polygonal hair engaging edges comprising a clamp-like curling iron. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a spiral hair curling iron that utilizes a vacuum fan to move hair into an internal spiral heating element to produce curls and reduce the chance of burning the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,847,015 issued to Davis discloses a hair curler that appears to comprise a spiral shaped curler that hair is wrapped around. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a spiral hair curling iron comprising a removable cylinder assembly with internal spiral heating elements and a handle assembly with a vacuum fan to move hair into the curling iron for curling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the disadvantages as described in the prior art, it is apparent that there is a need for a spiral hair curling iron which provides a hair curler comprising a cylinder with an integral heating tube in which hair is sucked into by an internal motorized vacuum fan. 
     It is an object of the spiral hair curling iron to provide an internally spiral shaped passageway to form the curls and in approximately five (5) to seven (7) seconds after arriving in the heating tube, said user&#39;s hair conforms to the spiral shape of the heating tube. 
     Another object of the spiral hair curling iron provides a cylinder assembly with an orifice to receive and guide a user&#39;s hair into the heating tube. 
     A further object of the spiral hair curling iron has a vacuum fan that creates a high-velocity air flow to move a user&#39;s hair into the heating tube. 
     Still another object of the spiral hair curling iron has a cylinder body that may be provided in a plurality of different length models such as long, medium, and short to correspond to various lengths of hair. 
     Still a further object of the spiral hair curling iron provides for interchangeability of the cylinder assemblies utilizing a common detachable handle assembly. 
     Yet another object of the spiral hair curling iron reduces the danger of accidental burns due to an interior location of all hot surfaces. 
     Yet a further object of the spiral hair curling iron is a convenient and compact embodiment due to a removably attachable cylinder assembly portion. 
     Still another object of the spiral hair curling iron provides a handle body comprising a comfortable cylindrical ergonomic design with a rounded end portion to aid in grasping and is made using heat insulating materials. 
     Another object of the spiral hair curling iron provides a flexible cord attachment that reduces tangling of the electrical cord during use. 
     A further object of the spiral hair curling iron may be used for extended periods of time due to the handle body construction that provides protection from heat to a user. 
     The spiral hair curling iron comprises a filter comprising a disc-shaped screen filtering device to provide a means to filter out particulate matter carried by the air flow, thereby preventing accumulation of dust and hair in the area of the vacuum fan, slidingly removable into a slot located along a top outside surface of the handle body. 
     An aspect of the spiral hair curling iron comprises a removably attachable cylinder assembly and a handle assembly. 
     Another aspect of the spiral hair curling iron comprises a cylinder assembly further comprising a stainless steel cylinder body, a locking collar, and a protective end cap. The cylinder assembly provides a joining means to the handle assembly by a locking collar. The locking collar comprises a ring-shaped threaded locking device. 
     A further aspect of the spiral hair curling iron comprises an orifice, a heating tube, a heating element, and an internal filter. One (1) or more internal heating elements provide a heating means extending along a length of the cylinder body. 
     Still another aspect of the spiral hair curling iron comprises a handle assembly providing an attachment and housing means to an in-line vacuum fan assembly comprising the fan motor and the fan located within said handle body. 
     Still a further aspect of the spiral hair curling iron handle assembly comprises an exhaust port comprising a pair of high-flow metal screen panels integrated into the handle body to provide a hot air exhaust means to the apparatus during use. 
     Yet another aspect of the spiral hair curling iron handle assembly comprises a power cord further comprising a durable attachment to said handle assembly by a common grooved flexible connection molded to said power cord, allowing omni-directional movement of the apparatus during hair styling. 
     A further aspect of the spiral hair curling iron comprises a handle assembly further comprising a heater switch and a fan switch. The fan switch comprises a rocker type switch providing an ON/OFF function to the internal fan motor and comprising a spring return function to an OFF state, thereby requiring a user to continually press thereupon said fan switch to activate the fan function during use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a spiral hair curling iron  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is an exploded view of the spiral hair curling iron  10  in a detached state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a partial cut-away view of the locking collar portion  22  of the spiral hair curling iron  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cut-away view of the spiral hair curling iron  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a cut-away view of a cylinder assembly portion  20  of the spiral hair curling iron  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a section view taken along section line B-B of the spiral hair curling iron  10  (see  FIG. 4   a ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram of the spiral hair curling iron  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 spiral hair curling iron 
               
               
                 19 
                 retaining groove 
               
               
                 20 
                 cylinder assembly 
               
               
                 21 
                 cylinder body 
               
               
                 22 
                 locking collar 
               
               
                 23 
                 orifice 
               
               
                 24 
                 heating tube 
               
               
                 25 
                 heating element 
               
               
                 26 
                 end cap 
               
               
                 27 
                 retaining ring 
               
               
                 28 
                 female threaded portion 
               
               
                 29 
                 male threaded portion 
               
               
                 30 
                 handle assembly 
               
               
                 31 
                 handle body 
               
               
                 33 
                 heater switch 
               
               
                 34 
                 fan switch 
               
               
                 35 
                 exhaust port 
               
               
                 36 
                 filter 
               
               
                 37 
                 tab feature 
               
               
                 38 
                 air tube 
               
               
                 40 
                 power cord 
               
               
                 41 
                 flexible connection 
               
               
                 45 
                 male connector 
               
               
                 46 
                 female connector 
               
               
                 50 
                 vacuum fan motor 
               
               
                 56 
                 vacuum fan 
               
               
                 57 
                 air flow 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a spiral hair curling iron (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a hair curler comprising a cylinder  20  with an integral heating tube  24  in which hair is drawn thereinto by an internal motorized vacuum fan  56 . The vacuum fan  56  is mounted internal therein a handle assembly portion  30  of the apparatus  10  and controlled by an on/off switch  34 . When activated, the vacuum fan  56  pulls hair into a spiral-shaped interior heating tube  24 . After a suitable period of time, the fan switch  34  is released and a perfect curl is pulled out of the heating tube  24 . The danger of accidental burns is greatly reduced due to an interior location of hot surfaces. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a cylinder assembly  20  and a handle assembly  30 . The apparatus  10  provides a convenient and compact embodiment via a removably attachable cylinder assembly portion  20 . The cylinder assembly  20  further comprises a stainless steel cylinder body  21 , a locking collar  22 , and a protective end cap  26 . The cylinder body  21  comprises a removably attachable cylindrical metal enclosure approximately two (2) inches in diameter and twelve (12) inches long. The cylinder body  21  may be provided in a plurality of different length models such as long, medium, and short which correspond to various lengths of hair. Said different length cylinder body units  21  would utilize a common detachable handle assembly  30  (see  FIG. 2   a ). The cylinder assembly  20  comprises a protective end cap  26  at a proximal end thereof being affixed thereto using common fasteners or high-temperature adhesives. The end cap  26  provides protection thereto a user from contacting a warm surface of the cylinder body  21  during use. The cylinder assembly  20  also provides a joining means thereto the handle assembly  30  via a locking collar  22 . The locking collar  22  comprises a ring-shaped threaded locking device (see  FIG. 2   b ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , an exploded view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10 , is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a handle assembly  30  further comprising a handle body  31 , a heater switch  33 , and a fan switch  34 . The handle body  31  comprises a comfortable cylindrical ergonomic design with a rounded end portion to aid in grasping and is envisioned being made using heat insulating materials such as dense foam-rubber, plastic, or the like. The handle body  31  provides protection from heat, thereby allowing extended use of the apparatus  10  by a user. The handle body  31  also provides a mounting means thereto a heater switch  33  and a fan switch  34  along an upper surface via molded-in retaining features. The heater switch  33  comprises a common illuminated two-position rocker switch which provides an ON/OFF function thereto one (1) or more internal heating elements  25  (see  FIG. 4   a ). When switched to the ON position, said heater switch  33  illuminates to indicate initiation of a heating of the apparatus  10  until switched thereto the OFF position. The fan switch  34  comprises a rocker-type switch providing an ON/OFF function thereto the internal fan motor  56  (see  FIG. 3 ). The fan switch  34  comprises a similar rocker design as the aforementioned heater switch  33 ; however, said fan switch  34  provides a spring return function thereto an OFF state, thereby requiring a user to continually press thereupon said fan switch  34  to activate the fan  56  function during use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   b , a partial cut-away view of the locking collar portion  22  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a locking collar  22 , a retaining ring  27 , a male threaded portion  28 , a female threaded portion  29 , a pair of male connectors  45 , and a pair of female connectors  46 . Attachment therebetween the cylinder assembly  20  and handle assembly  30  as well as securing the connectors  32  is accomplished using a common locking collar design being similar to a plumbing union fitting. The cylinder assembly  20  comprises an integral retaining ring feature  27  retained therein a circumferential retaining groove  19  located along an interior surface of the locking collar  22 . The retaining ring  27  retains the locking collar  22  thereat a fixed lateral position while providing rotating mechanical communication thereto. Said locking collar  22  further comprises an interior female threaded portion  28 . The handle assembly  30  comprises a corresponding male threaded portion  29 , thereby providing a threading attachment thereto said female threaded portion  28  of the cylinder assembly  20  via threaded engagement of the locking collar  22  in an expected manner. The male  45  and female  46  connectors provide conduction of electric current therefrom circuitry internal to the handle body  31  thereto heating elements  25  located within the cylinder body  21  (see  FIGS. 4   b  and  5 ). The male  45  and female  46  connectors comprise standard inserting banana-type connections or equivalent electrical connecting components being able to provide sufficient current carrying capability. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a partial cut-away view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10 , is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an exhaust port  35 , a power cord  40 , a flexible connector  41 , a fan motor  50 , a fan  56 , and an air tube  38 . The handle  30  provides an attachment and housing means to an in-line vacuum fan assembly comprising the fan motor  50  and the fan  56  located therewithin an internal cylindrical air tube  38  portion of said handle body  31 . The fan motor  50  comprises an internally-mounted miniature electric motor unit in direct mechanical communication therewith the fan  56  via an output shaft. The fan  56  comprises a common miniature multi-blade directional impeller having a slightly smaller diameter than that of the air tube  38 , thereby providing an efficient air flow pressure. When activated, said fan motor  50  and fan  56  draw an air flow  57  into the cylinder assembly  20 , through the air tube  38 , and exhausts said air flow  57  out an exhaust port  35  located along a rear surface of the handle body  31 . The exhaust port  35  provides a hot air exhaust means to the apparatus  10  during use. The exhaust port  35  comprises a pair of high-flow metal screen panels integrated thereinto the handle body  31 . Said exhaust port  35  provides sufficient open area so as to allow maximum air flow  57  therethrough. Upon activation, the fan motor  50  and fan  56  provides a vacuum air flow  57  allowing a user&#39;s hair to be drawn thereinto an orifice portion  23  of the cylinder assembly  20  (see  FIG. 4   a ). The handle assembly  30  also provides an attachment means thereto a common power cord  40  which in-turn provides a 110-volt electrical current thereto the apparatus  10  via an available household electrical outlet. The power cord  40  comprises a durable attachment thereto said handle assembly  30  via a common grooved flexible connection  41  being molded thereto said power cord  40 , thereby allowing omni-directional movement of the apparatus  10  during hair styling. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , cut-away and section views of a cylinder assembly portion  20  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  further comprises an orifice  23 , a heating tube  24 , a heating element  25 , and an internal filter  36 . The cylinder body  21  comprises one (1) or more internal heating elements  25  which provide a heating means extending along a length of the cylinder body  21 . Each heating element  25  is envisioned to be a commercially available heating component such as a cylindrical cartridge unit, a cable heater, or equivalent linear device envisioned to be made of stainless steel, ceramic materials, or other suitable heater materials common in the industry. The cylinder assembly  20  further comprises an orifice  23  which provides a receiving and guiding means thereto a user&#39;s hair entering the heating tube  24 . Said hair is motivated by an inwardly moving high-velocity air flow  57  resulting from activation of the vacuum fan  56  (see  FIG. 3 ). Said user&#39;s hair then proceeds into the heating tube  24  which comprises an internal spiral shaped passageway approximately one (1) inch wide which extends internally therethrough the cylinder body  21 , the locking collar  22 , the male  29  and female  28  threaded portions, and the handle body  31  (see  FIG. 2   b ). In approximately five (5) to seven (7) seconds after arriving in the heating tube  24 , said user&#39;s hair conforms to the spiral shape of the heating tube  24 , thereby accomplishing a desired curling effect. The cylinder body  21  and the heating tube  24  are envisioned being preferably made using polished stainless steel; however, other low-friction materials may be used such as steel coated with a synthetic polymeric lubricant such as TEFLON®, anodized aluminum, or the like, thereby providing similar heat conducting and low-friction properties. The filter  36  comprises a disc-shaped screen filtering device providing a means to filter out particulate matter carried by the air flow  57 , thereby preventing accumulation of dust and hair in the area of the vacuum fan  56 . The filter  36  is envisioned to be an easily cleaned circular screen type device with a plastic frame located internal thereto the handle body  31  and being perpendicular thereto the air flow  57 . The filter  36  is also envisioned to be approximately two (2) inches in diameter being slidingly removably inserted thereinto a slot located along a top outside surface of the handle body  31  and easy lifted therefrom using a molded-in tab feature  37  for periodic cleaning. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  receives 110-volt power via a common electrical power cord  40  utilizing an available household circuit. Power is internally directed thereto two (2) independent circuits. The first circuit provides current to a vacuum fan motor  50  being controlled by a momentary single pole-single throw (SPST) pushbutton switch  34 . The second circuit provides current to one (1) or more parallel-wired heating elements  25  via a pair of heavy-duty male  45  connectors of sufficient current carrying capability. The second circuit is controlled using a toggle-type SPST switch  33 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: connecting the handle assembly  30  thereto the cylinder assembly  20  by engaging the male connectors  45  therewith the mating female connectors  46  and manually rotating the locking collar  22  to secure thereto wherein the retaining ring  27  retains the interconnected male  45  and female  46  connectors; inserting the filter  36  into the handle body  31 ; plugging the apparatus  10  into a household circuit using the power cord  40 ; activating the heating elements  25  using the heater switch  33 ; waiting for the cylinder assembly  20  to reach a desirable temperature; activating the vacuum fan  56  using the fan switch  34  to establish an air flow  57 ; manually inserting a user&#39;s hair into the orifice  23  via the vacuum effect of the air flow  57 ; continuing to insert said hair into the heating tube  24  to a desired length; pausing five (5) to seven (7) seconds to allow said hair to take a curl; releasing the vacuum fan switch  34 ; withdrawing the apparatus  10  therefrom said user&#39;s hair, thereby producing a spiral shaped curl; repeating the curling process as desired until finished; turning off the heater switch  33  and allowing the apparatus  10  to cool; storing the apparatus  10  in a drawer, purse, or other convenient place until again needed; and, enjoying the professional hair styling results afforded a user of the present invention  10  in a quick, safe, and convenient manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.