Patent Publication Number: US-7913416-B1

Title: Portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source

Description:
1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable hair dryer, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source. 
     B. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous innovations for portable hair dryers have been provided in the prior art that will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source. 
     (1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,782 to Fujishima et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,782 issued to Fujishima et al. on Dec. 3, 1985 in class 219 and subclass 370 teaches a foldable hair dryer of the hand-held type, which includes a housing incorporating an electrically operated apparatus for producing a flow of heated air, a hand grip pivotally attached to the housing, and a power cord extending from the housing. The hand grip is rotatable to an operational position where it extends outwardly from the housing, and to a folded position where it is folded on a part of periphery of the housing. Formed along the periphery of the housing is a first groove cooperating, when the hand grip is in the folded position, with the second groove formed in the hand grip to define a peripheral channel extending across the housing and the folded hand grip. The power cord can be received in the peripheral channel thus formed and be wound up along the entire periphery of the hair dryer when the hand grip is brought in the folded position. The hand grip is shaped to have a cap portion, which closes an air discharge outlet when it is in the folded position so as to prohibit the entry of foreign matter therethrough. Apparatus incorporated in the hair dryer for producing a flow of heated air is energized by the operation of a knob that is accessible from the exterior of the housing, and is locked in position not to energize the apparatus for producing a flow of heated air until the hand grip is brought in the operational position, thus preventing an accidental flow of heated air blown from the outlet when the hand grip is in the folded position, since such accidental flow would otherwise damage the hand grip and the power cord wound thereon. 
     (2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,925 to Choi. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,925 issued to Choi on Oct. 20, 1992 in class 34 and subclass 97 teaches a hair dryer available outdoors or where a general power source is not available, an LPG powered hair dryer is provided. The hair dryer includes a main body that can receive a bottle of LPG (liquified petroleum gas), and a burner in the main body for burning the LPG. The burner flame heats a double radiant plate arrangement in front of the burner, and hot air is blown from the plate arrangement by a battery powered fan motor at the rear of the housing. A gas-interrupting valve, a gas-adjusting valve, an operation switch, and a thermal sensor are also provided in the housing. 
     (3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,253 to Poumey et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,253 issued to Poumey et al. on Mar. 23, 1993 in class 34 and subclass 97 teaches a cordless electric hair dryer and stand in which the portable hair dryer unit has a rechargeable battery and a thermal heat reservoir. The fan blows ambient air over the thermal reservoir in heat exchange relationship to expel hot air from the dryer when in use. The stand has an electrical circuit inductively coupled through a coil in the base of the stand to a coil in the rear of the housing of the dryer, which provides power to charge the rechargeable battery in the handle of the dryer and to heat the thermal storage medium in the dryer. The heating is accomplished by resistors mounted in heat exchange relationship with the thermal reservoir material. The rechargeable battery is used only to run the fan during drying operation of the portable unit. 
     (4) U.S. Pat. No. Des. 369,434 to LeCompte, Sr. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 369,434 issued to LeCompte, Sr. on Apr. 30, 1996 in class D28 and subclass 13 teaches the ornamental design for a rechargeable cordless hair dryer. 
     (5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,975 to Hsu. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,975 issued to Hsu on Mar. 11, 1997 in class 34 and subclass 97 teaches a collapsible and portable hair dryer with a gas combustion heat supply system. Gas combustion is adapted to supply heat for air inside the hair dryer. A motor ran by a self-contained power source system rotates a fan in order to blow air through several blade-like portions, which are heated by the gas flame. Thus, the air passed through the heated blade-like portions becomes hot and is blown out for use. The hair dryer can be used outdoors because an electrical socket is not needed. 
     (6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,236 to Taylor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,236 issued to Taylor on Nov. 6, 2001 in class 392 and subclass 385 teaches a hair dryer having a heater, a fan positioned to form an air flow that is heated by the heater, a battery, and a switch connected in circuit with the fan and the battery. An interlock prevents the switch from closing during the time the hair dryer is inserted in a base for charging the battery and heating the heater via an electrical power source. An arc prevention assembly prevents arcing among contacts on the hair dryer and the base during insertion and removal of the dryer to and from the base. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for portable hair dryers have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source. 
     2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source. In a first embodiment, the heating source is gas utilizing a gas cartridge. In a second embodiment, the heating source is electricity utilizing a battery. In a third embodiment; the heating source is either gas, electricity, or both utilizing both a gas cartridge and a battery. 
     The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     
       3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a first embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing a gas heating source; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a second embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing an electrical heating source; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a third embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing a gas heating source and an electrical heating source; and 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     4. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     A. First Embodiment of Portable Hair Dryer  10   
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 10 
                 portable hair dryer of present invention 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 main body 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 handle part 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 bottom of main body 12 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 air outlet of main body 12 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 front end of main body 12 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 air inlet 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 net of air inlet 22 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 rear end of main body 12 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 motor 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 transmission shaft of motor 28 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 fan 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 blade-like heat exchanger for absorbing heat 35  
               
               
                   
                   
                 from gas combustion 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 heat from gas combustion 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 combustion chamber for gas to be combusted therein 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 temperature sensor 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 valve for controlling outflow quantity of gas 44 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 computer microchip 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 temperature selector for controlling temperature of  
               
               
                   
                   
                 portable hair dryer 10 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 outflow quantity of gas 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 front end of gas pipe 48 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 gas pipe for receiving gas cartridge 49 
               
               
                   
                 49 
                 gas cartridge 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 flame nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 ON/OFF 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 electrical power source interface for receiving battery 56  
               
               
                   
                   
                 for electrically powering portable hair dryer 10 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     B. Second Embodiment of Portable Hair Dryer  100   
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 100 
                 portable hair dryer of present invention 
               
               
                 120 
                 main body 
               
               
                 140 
                 handle part 
               
               
                 160 
                 bottom of main body 120 
               
               
                 180 
                 air outlet of main body 120 
               
               
                 200 
                 front end of main body 120 
               
               
                 220 
                 air inlet of main body 120 
               
               
                 240 
                 net of air inlet 220 of main body 120 
               
               
                 260 
                 rear end of main body 120 
               
               
                 280 
                 motor 
               
               
                 300 
                 transmission shaft of motor 280 
               
               
                 320 
                 fan 
               
               
                 340 
                 heating coil heat exchanger for generating heat 350 
               
               
                 350 
                 heat 
               
               
                 380 
                 temperature sensor 
               
               
                 430 
                 temperature selector for controlling temperature of portable 
               
               
                   
                 hair dryer 100 
               
               
                 440 
                 outflow quantity of electricity 
               
               
                 520 
                 ON/OFF 
               
               
                 540 
                 electrical power source interface for receiving battery 560 for  
               
               
                   
                 electrically powering portable hair dryer 100 
               
               
                 560 
                 battery for electrically powering portable hair dryer 100 
               
               
                 562 
                 battery charger for charging battery 560 by interfacing with either  
               
               
                   
                 vehicle outlet jack 564 or house current outlet 566 
               
               
                 564 
                 vehicle outlet jack 564 
               
               
                 566 
                 house current outlet 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     C. Third Embodiment of Portable Hair Dryer  600   
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 600 
                 portable hair dryer of present invention 
               
               
                   
                 602 
                 main body 
               
               
                   
                 604 
                 handle part 
               
               
                   
                 606 
                 bottom of main body 602 
               
               
                   
                 608 
                 air outlet of main body 602 
               
               
                   
                 610 
                 front end of main body 602 
               
               
                   
                 612 
                 air inlet of main body 602 
               
               
                   
                 614 
                 net of air inlet 612 of main body 602 
               
               
                   
                 616 
                 rear end of main body 602 
               
               
                   
                 618 
                 motor 
               
               
                   
                 620 
                 transmission shaft of motor 618 
               
               
                   
                 622 
                 fan 
               
               
                   
                 624 
                 heating coil heat exchanger for generating heat 626 
               
               
                   
                 626 
                 heat 
               
               
                   
                 628 
                 combustion chamber for gas to be combusted therein 
               
               
                   
                 630 
                 temperature sensor 
               
               
                   
                 632 
                 valve for controlling outflow quantity of gas 638 
               
               
                   
                 634 
                 computer microchip 
               
               
                   
                 636 
                 temperature selector for controlling temperature of portable 
               
               
                   
                   
                 hair dryer 600 
               
               
                   
                 638 
                 outflow quantity of gas 
               
               
                   
                 640 
                 gas pipe for receiving gas cartridge 642 
               
               
                   
                 642 
                 gas cartridge 
               
               
                   
                 644 
                 flame nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 646 
                 ON/OFF switch 
               
               
                   
                 648 
                 electrical power source interface for receiving battery 650 for  
               
               
                   
                   
                 electrically powering portable hair dryer 600 
               
               
                   
                 650 
                 battery 
               
               
                   
                 652 
                 battery charger for charging battery 5650 
               
               
                   
                 654 
                 vehicle outlet jack 
               
               
                   
                 656 
                 house current outlet 
               
               
                   
                 658 
                 mode switch for choosing for use either electrical, gas, or both 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A. The First Embodiment of the Portable Hair Dryer  10   
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a first embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing a gas heating source, and a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , the first embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention is shown generally at  10 . 
     The portable hair dryer  10  comprises a main body  12  and a handle part  14 . The handle part  12  is connected to a bottom  16  of the main body  12 . 
     The main body  12  includes an air outlet  18 . The air outlet  18  of the main body  12  is disposed at a front end  20  of the main body  12 . 
     The main body  12  further includes an air inlet  22 . The air inlet  22  of the main body  12  has a net  24  thereat and is disposed at a rear end  26  of the main body  12 . 
     The portable hair dryer  10  further comprises a motor  28 . The motor  28  is disposed inside the main body  12  and has a transmission shaft  30 . 
     The main body  12  further includes a fan  32 . The fan  32  is disposed on the transmission shaft  30  of the motor  28 , and turns therewith. 
     The portable hair dryer  10  further comprises a blade-like heat exchanger  34 . The blade-like heat exchanger  34  are disposed in front of the fan  32  and inside the main body  12 , and are for absorbing heat  35  from gas combustion. 
     The portable hair dryer  10  further comprises a combustion chamber  36 . The combustion chamber  36  is disposed under the blade-like heat exchanger  34 , and is for gas to be combusted therein. 
     The portable hair dryer  10  further comprises a temperature sensor  38 . The temperature sensor  38  is disposed below the blade-like heat exchanger  34 , and is operationally associated with a valve  40  via a computer microchip  42 . 
     The main body  12  further includes a temperature selector  43 . The temperature selector  43  is operatively connected to the computer microchip  42  and is for controlling temperature of the portable hair dryer  10 . 
     The valve  40  is for controlling outflow quantity of gas  44 , and is connected with a front end  46  of a gas pipe  48  fitted on the bottom  16  of the main body  12 , which in turn is for receiving a gas cartridge  49 . 
     The portable hair dryer  10  further comprises a flame nozzle  50 . The flame nozzle  50  is disposed in front of the valve  40 . 
     The temperature selector  43  is operated by a user to set a desired temperature and the temperature sensor  38  senses a temperature to make the valve  40  move in accordance with the set desired temperature value such that the outflow quantity of gas  44  for combustion is adapted for the user&#39;s need. 
     The portable hair dryer  10  further comprises an ON/OFF switch  52 . The ON/OFF  52  is disposed on the handle part  14 , and is operatively connected to the computer microchip  42 . 
     The portable hair dryer  10  further comprises an electrical power source interface  54 . The electrical power source interface  54  is disposed in the handle part  14 , and is for receiving a battery  56  for electrically powering the portable hair dryer  10 . 
     B. The Second Embodiment of the Portable Hair Dryer  100   
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a second embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing an electrical gas heating source, and a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 , the second embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention is shown generally at  100 . 
     The portable hair dryer  100  comprises a main body  120  and a handle part  140 . The handle part  140  is connected to a bottom  160  of the main body  120 . 
     The main body  120  includes an air outlet  180 . The air outlet  180  of the main body  120  is disposed at a front end  200  of the main body  120 . 
     The main body  120  further includes an air inlet  220 . The air inlet  220  of the main body  120  has a net  240  thereat and is disposed at a rear end  260  of the main body  120 . 
     The portable hair dryer  100  further comprises a motor  280 . The motor  280  is disposed inside the main body  120  and has a transmission shaft  300 . 
     The main body  120  further includes a fan  320 . The fan  320  is disposed on the transmission shaft  300  of the motor  280 , and turns therewith. 
     The portable hair dryer  100  further comprises a heating coil heat exchanger  340 . The heating coil heat exchanger  340  is disposed in front of the fan  320  and inside the main body  120 , and is for generating heat  350 . 
     The portable hair dryer  100  further comprises a temperature sensor  380 . The temperature sensor  380  is disposed below the heating coil heat exchanger  340 , and is operationally associated with a computer microchip  420 . 
     The main body  120  further includes a temperature selector  430 . The temperature selector  430  is operatively connected to the computer microchip  420  and is for controlling temperature of the portable hair dryer  100 . 
     The temperature selector  430  is operated by a user to set a desired temperature, and the temperature sensor  380  senses a temperature to make the heating coil heat exchanger  340  be in accordance with the set desired temperature value such that the outflow quantity of electricity  440  to the heating coil heat exchanger  340  is adapted for the user&#39;s need. 
     The portable hair dryer  100  further comprises an ON/OFF switch  520 . The ON/OFF  520  is disposed on the handle part  140 , and is operatively connected to the computer microchip  420 . 
     The portable hair dryer  100  further comprises an electrical power source interface  540 . The electrical power source interface  540  is disposed in the handle part  140 , and is for receiving a battery  560  for electrically powering the portable hair dryer  100 . 
     The portable hair dryer  100  further comprises a battery charger  562 . The battery charger  562  is operatively connected to the electrical power source interface  540 , and is for charging the battery  560  by interfacing with either a vehicle outlet jack  564  or a house current outlet  566 . 
     C. The Third Embodiment of the Portable Hair Dryer  600   
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a third embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing a gas heating source and an electrical heating source, and a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 , the third embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention is shown generally at  600 . 
     The portable hair dryer  600  comprises both the portable hair dryer  10  and the portable hair dryer  100  so as to allow the portable hair dryer  600  to utilize either a gas heating source, an electrical heating source, or both. 
     The portable hair dryer  600  comprises a main body  602  and a handle part  604 . The handle part  604  is connected to a bottom  606  of the main body  602 . 
     The main body  602  includes an air outlet  608 . The air outlet  608  of the main body  602  is disposed at a front end  610  of the main body  602 . 
     The main body  602  further includes an air inlet  612 . The air inlet  612  of the main body  602  has a net  614  thereat and is disposed at a rear end  616  of the main body  602 . 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises a motor  618 . The motor  618  is disposed inside the main body  602  and has a transmission shaft  620 . 
     The main body  602  further includes a fan  622 . The fan  622  is disposed on the transmission shaft  620  of the motor  618 , and turns therewith. 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises a heating coil heat exchanger  624 . The heating coil heat exchanger  624  is disposed in front of the fan  622  and inside the main body  602 , and is for generating heat  626 . 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises a combustion chamber  628 . The combustion chamber  628  is disposed under the heating coil heat exchanger  624 , and is for gas to be combusted therein. 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises a temperature sensor  630 . The temperature sensor  630  is disposed below the heating coil heat exchanger  624 , and is operationally associated with a valve  632  via a computer microchip  634 . 
     The main body  602  further includes a temperature selector  636 . The temperature selector  636  is operatively connected to the computer microchip  634  and is for controlling temperature of the portable hair dryer  600 . 
     The valve  632  is for controlling outflow quantity of gas  638 , and is connected with a gas pipe  640  fitted in the handle part  604 , which in turn is for receiving a gas cartridge  642 . 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises a flame nozzle  644 . The flame nozzle  644  is disposed in front of the valve  632 . 
     The temperature selector  636  is operated by a user to set a desired temperature and the temperature sensor  630  senses a temperature to make the valve  632  move in accordance with the set desired temperature value such that the outflow quantity of gas  638  for combustion is adapted for the user&#39;s need. 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises an ON/OFF switch  646 . The ON/OFF switch  646  is disposed on the handle part  604 , and is operatively connected to the computer microchip  634 . 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises an electrical power source interface  648 . The electrical power source interface  648  is disposed in the handle part  604 , and is for receiving a battery  650  for electrically powering the portable hair dryer  600 . 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises a battery charger  652 . The battery charger  652  is operatively connected to the electrical power source interface  648 , and is for charging the battery  5650  by interfacing with either a vehicle outlet jack  654  or a house current outlet  656 . 
     The portable hair dryer  600  further comprises a mode switch  658 . The mode switch  658  is operatively connected to the computer microchip  634 , is disposed on the handle part  604 , and is for choosing for use either electrical, gas, or both. 
     D. The Conclusions 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.