Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is in the technical field of drying devices and methods. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of drying devices and methods for artificial hair fibers. 
         [0002]    Conventionally, hair extensions and other hair fibers are dried by placing them on a surface and allowing them to air dry. The problem with conventional methods is that they do not allow for complete air circulation and, as a result, the fibers take an extended amount of time to fully dry. The present invention allows full air circulation around the hair fibers which facilitates quick and complete drying. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is a device designed to support hair fibers which maintaining complete airflow around all sides of the fibers by providing a ventilated surface as well as, in certain embodiments, forces air flow around the fibers being dried. 
         [0004]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is relatively simple in mechanical operation and it is substantially faster than conventional methods. The use of a ventilated surface to support the fibers allows faster and more complete drying 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  s a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  s a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a first embodiment of a drying device  1  ventilated surface  2 , multiple fiber strand attachment points  3 , and multiple fiber strand retention bands  4   
         [0011]    The first embodiment of the drying device  1  has a ventilated surface  2  which may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, or other rigid and durable material. The ventilated surface  2  shall also be constructed such that it is perforated or a screen such that air and water may readily pass through it. This embodiment  1  also includes multiple fiber strand attachment points  3  and multiple fiber strand retention bands  4 . The fiber strand attachment points  3  may be clips, loops, hooks, or other common means of attachment and may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, or other rigid and durable material. The fiber strand retention bands  4  may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, rubber or other durable material. Further, the fiber strand retention bands  4  are attached to the ventilated surface  2  in a manner such that they may be removed and reattached without the use of tools. 
         [0012]    To operate the first embodiment of the drying device  1 , the fiber strand retention bands  4  are removed and an end of a strand of hair is attached to a fiber strand attachment point  3  and laid on the ventilated surface  2 . Additional strands may be attached to the remaining attachment points  3  and laid in the ventilated surface  2 . The retention bands  4  are then reattached to the ventilated surface such that the strands of hair are held between the ventilated surface  2  and the retention bands. The drying device  1  is then placed in an area of sufficient air flow and placed such that all sides of the device are apart from solid surfaces such that air is free to flow to all sides of the device  1  in order to dry the attached hair strands. 
         [0013]    The second embodiment of a drying device  10  has a partially enclosed box  11  which may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, or other rigid and durable material. 
         [0014]    The partially enclosed box  11  is open on one bottom side and includes a top panel  12  which may perforated, a removable front panel  13  which may be perforated and side panels  14  which may be perforated. 
         [0015]    The second embodiment of the drying device  10  further includes a rack  15  which may be located inside the partially enclosed box and is supported by a plurality of protrusions  16  attached to side panels  14  and positioned such that the rack  15  is supported and sits parallel to the top panel  12 . 
         [0016]    The second embodiment of the drying device  10  further includes a powered fan  17  which attaches to a side of the partially enclosed box  11 , preferably the bottom side. The powered fan  17  is sized such that it mates with the open portion of the open side of the partially enclosed box  11 . The powered fan may operate via internal combustion, manual, electrical or other known power source with the preferred means of power being electric. 
         [0017]    To operate the second embodiment of the drying device  10 , the removable front panel  13  of the partially enclosed box  11  is removed and the rack  15  is removed from the device. Hair strands are then attached to the rack  15  such that the hair strands are suspended from the rack  15 . The rack  15  is then placed back into the device  10  and the front panel  13  reattached. The box  11  is placed on the powered fan  17  such that the fan  17  is mated with the open bottom of the box  11 . Then fan is then powered on such that air is forcibly drawn through the box between the fan  17  and the perforated walls of the box  11 . 
         [0018]    Alternatively, the second embodiment of the drying device  10  may be operated in conjunction with the first embodiment of the drying device  1 . The removable front panel  13  of the partially enclosed box  11  is removed and the rack  15  is removed from the device. Hair strands are attached to the first embodiment of the drying device  1  as disclosed hereinabove. One or more of the first embodiment  1  are then attached to and suspended vertically from the rack  15 . The rack  15  is then placed back into the device  10  and the front panel  13  reattached. The box  11  is placed on the powered fan  17  such that the fan  17  is mated with the open bottom of the box  11 . Then fan is then powered on such that air is forcibly drawn through the box between the fan  17  and the perforated walls of the box  11 . 
         [0019]    While this invention has been described with the specific embodiments outlines above, the preferred embodiments set forth are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The claims provide the scope of coverage of this invention and should not be limited to the specific examples cited above.

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