Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Curling Hair,
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Curling Hair,
I, WILHELM BIBER, of 135, Leipzigerstrasse, Berlin, in the German Empire,
Decorator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:
This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for curling hair without
the application of heat. The hair is uninjured during the process of curling
and its growth is not in any way interfered with or retarded. In addition all
risk of singeing or burning the scalp or hair is obviated, and as no lamp is
required there is no danger of fire and the apparatus is not soiled with soot.
By the new process and apparatus the hair is subjected to treatment with a
curling or fixing liquid at the moment that it is crimped or curled between the
limbs of a pair of tongs. One or both of the limbs of the tongs is or are hollow
and the curling liquid is forced through perforations in the hollow limb or limbs
on to the hair which is contained within the tongs. In this manner the hair
is curled quite as effectively as by the application of heat.
The accompanying drawings illustrate different modifications of the apparatus
devised for carrying this invention into effect.
Figure 1 represents one form of the apparatus in elevation and when not in
use.
Figure 2 illustrates the same apparatus in the same position but in vertical
section.
Figure 3 shows a similar section of the apparatus with the different parts in
the positions they occupy during use.
Figure 4 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a modified form
of apparatus.
Figures 5 and 6 represent respectively in the closed and open position a sim-
plified further modification of the apparatus.
In the form of device shown in Figures 1 to 3 the hollow limbs bb of the pair
of hair curling tongs are capable of entering and sliding within the hollow or
tubular handles a a, which also serve as receptacles for the curling or fixing
liquid. The limbs bare movably joined together by the hinged or pivotted crossed
levers and are perforated along their inner faces or edges. One of the limbs
may conveniently be trough shaped or recessed for the reception of the other
round limb, as is usual in hair curling tongs of the usual type.
Those parts of the limbs which are contained within the handles slide in guide
tubes e between which and the walls of the handles are annular spaces. The
inner end of each tubular limb is closed or plugged, but, near the end, each limb
is perforated as at c, so that when the limbs are in the positions indicated in
Figures 1 and 2 these perforations are closed by the walls of the guide tubes e
so that liquid cannot pass from the handles to the limbs. These guide tubes are
themselves perforated as at d in such a position and manner that the perforations
are closed by the ends of the limbs when the apparatus is not in use. When
the tongs are closed, however, in use, the limbs are caused to slide outwards from

page_text: the handles and the perforations in the limbs and in the guide tubes coincide,
so that liquid is free to pass from the handles to the limbs. This is clearly shown
in Figure 3. The longitudinal motion of the limbs during their closing move-
ment is caused by the action of the crossed pivotted levers the upper ends of
which are connected to collars 61 upon the limbs b, while their lower ends are
attached to brackets a¹ secured to the handles.
Between the handles are arranged two flexible or elastic balls g, g, which
communicate with the interiors of the handles. These balls, when squeezed,
serve to force the liquid into the limbs b. The liquid is poured into the handles
through openings which are afterwards closed by plugs f.
Figure 3 illustrates clearly how, when the tongs are closed for use, pressure
is exerted upon the balls g and the liquid is forced through the perforations in
the limbs of tongs on to the hair contained between them."
:
In the modified form of apparatus shown in Figure 4, the hollow limbs are
hinged together by means of the lugs and the pin o. The extensions a of the
limbs contain the liquid and are connected together by means of the flexible
tube s.
i is a spring which engages with the parts a in such a manner that the
limbs are normally kept closed. The lugs and the parts are contained with
a hollow handle h and are connected thereto by the hinge pin o. One of the
parts a is secured to the bottom of the handle and communicates with a ball g.
Spring controlled non-return valves are contained within the limbs 6 and
normally prevent the liquid passing from the parts a to the limbs. To open
the tongs for the introduction of hair it is only necessary to press the button n.
When this has been accomplished the button is released and the ball g is squeezed
so as to force the liquid into the limbs and then through the perforations formed
therein on to the hair.
A simplified modification of the apparatus is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this
form only one of the limbs 6 is perforated and hollow, the other, if desired, being
solid. Only the perforated limb communicates with the liquid containing
ball g. This perforated limb is attache:1 to a shell p and its lower end is passed
within the neck g of the ball. The shell 2 partly encloses the ball which is
securely held in place by the screwed cap r, this cap also serving as a cover for
the opening through which the liquid is introduced. The interior of the perfo-
rated limb is furnished with a back pressure valve similar to those described
with reference to Figure 4, so that liquid only passes when the ball is squeezed.
The limbs are normally held together by the spring i but may be opened by press-
ing the extension m from the non-perforated limb. When the hair is in place
the ball g is squeezed. This last described form of apparatus is especially handy
as the limbs may be actuated by the thumb and the ball g by the palm of the same
hand.
The edges of the recessed limb in these tongs and the corresponding parts of
the round limb may be provided with oblique teeth by means of which the
moustache may be easily and uniformly smoothed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The hereinbefore described process of curling hair, which consists in intro-
ducing the hair between the limbs of a pair of tongs and subjecting it to treat-
ment with a suitable liquid, substantially as and in the manner set forth.
2. Apparatus for curling hair, consisting of a pair of tongs furnished with
hollow perforated limbs, hollow handles for containing a suitable liquid, guides
within the handles for receiving the ends of the limbs, balls which communicate
with the interiors of the handles and are contained between them, and crossed
levers by means of which the limbs and handles are connected together, all con-
structed and arranged substantially as herein before described and as illustrated
by Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 3. Apparatus for curling hair, consisting of a pair of tongs having hollow
perforated limbs which are pivotted together, tubular extensions therefrom which
are connected together by a flexible tube, non-return valves contained within
the limbs, means for opening the limbs, and a ball which is in communication
with the tubular extensions of the limbs, all constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as herein before described and as illustrated by Figure 4 of the accom-
panying drawings.
4. Apparatus for curling hair, consisting of a pair of tongs having a hollow
perforated limb which is in communication with a ball containing a suitable
liquid, constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described and as
illustrated by Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
5. Apparatus for curling hair, consisting of a pair of tongs one or both of
the limbs of which is or are hollow and perforated, and provided with means or
devices by means of which a suitable curling or fixing fluid may be forced
through the perforations in the limb or limbs on to the hair which is contained
between them, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described
and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th day of Auenot D 1900