Patent Publication Number: US-2006011500-A1

Title: Multi-purpose case for hair iron

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/584,360 filed on Jun. 30, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to accessories for hair irons. More particularly, the present invention relates to cases and pads used for flat hair irons.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a multi-purpose case adapted for a variety uses with a hair iron. By way of example only, the case may be used in a first or open position where the case functions as a counter top pad for a hot hair iron or a second position where the case may be folded with a hot hair iron therein and used as a travel or storage case. In one embodiment, the case comprises a fabric member having an outside flame retardant backing member and an inside flame retardant backing member having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The case further comprises first and second flame retardant pouch portions attached to the second and third portions of the inside backing member. When the case is flat on a surface, a hot iron may be laid upon the outside flame retardant backing member or the inside flame retardant backing member. During non-use or travel, a hot iron may be placed in the first pouch and the third portion of the fabric member may be folded upon the second portion, and the first portion may be folded upon and removably engaged with the third portion to secure the case in a folded position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The following description of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a top or outside plan view of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom or inside plan view of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a flat hair iron;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross section view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a view the showing the present invention in the folded or closed position.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the present invention is a multi-purpose case  14  adapted for use with a hair iron  10  having an electrical cord  12 . The case  14  may be used in a first or open position where it the case  10  functions as a counter top pad ( FIG. 1 ) or a second position where it may be folded and used as a travel case ( FIG. 5 ). The case  14  generally comprises a fabric member  16  having an outside backing layer  18 , a cushion layer  20 , and an inside backing layer  22 . In use, a person may position the case  14  flat on an underlying surface such as a desk or table (not shown) with the inside backing layer  22  facing downward on the supporting surface. In this position, a person may place a hot iron  10  on the outside backing layer  18  without damage to the inside backing layer  22  or the underlying surface. The inside and outside backing layer  22  and  18  are each divided into first, second, third and fourth portions  24 ,  26 ,  28  and  30  by fold lines  32 ,  34 , and  36 , respectively. In the embodiment shown, the fold lines  32 ,  34 , and  36  are sewn or otherwise stitched into the fabric member  16 . The fabric member  16  may be made from any flame retardant material to allow a person to safely rest a hot hair iron during and/or after use upon the outside backing layer  18 .  
      The case  14  further comprises a first pouch  38  attached to the second portion  26  of the inside backing layer  22  by threads or stitches  44 ,  46 , and  48 . The first pouch  38  comprises a first portion  40  adapted to store the hair iron  10  and a second portion  42  adapted to store the electrical cord  12 . The first pouch  38  further comprises an opening or slit  50  for access to the first and second portions  40  and  42 . The first and second portions  40  and  42  may be made from any flame retardant material to allow a person to safely store a hot hair iron  10  within the first portion  40  of the first pouch  38  during and after use, and/or when the case  14  is folded and transported.  
      The case  14  further comprises a second pouch  52  having a mesh webbing  54  attached to the third portion  28  by threads or stitches  56 ,  58 , and  60 , and having an open side portion  62 . The mesh webbing  54  is made from any suitable flame retardant material.  
      The case  14  further comprises a first fastener  64  attached to the third portion  28  of the outside backing layer  18  and a second fastener  68  attached to the first portion  24  of the inside backing layer  22 . Fasteners  64  and  68  may take a variety of forms such as snap and receptacle fasteners or velcro fasteners.  
      A person may place a hot iron within the first pouch  38  and the case  14  may be folded for storage and/or transport. To fold the case  14 , the third portion  28  of inside backing layer  22  is folded upon the second portion  26  of the inside backing layer  22  along with fourth portion  30 . Thereafter, the first portion  24  of the inside backing layer  22  is folded upon and removably engaged with the third portion  28  outside backing layer  18  by engagement of the second fastener  68  with the first fastener  64 .  
      The present invention may be embodied in other variations without departing from the sprit and scope of the claims.