US3519793A - Hair curler - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1970 N. L. SOLOMON HAIR CURLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [0 HEAT RETENTION, MMI.

Filed March 8,

r p p 0 H b 36k 1 INVENTOR. NATHAN L. SOLOMON ATTORNEY HAIR CURLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1967 OOOOOOOOOOOOOO INVEI-N'TOR NATHAN L.SOLOMON United States Patent Office 3,519,793 Patented July 7, 1970 3,519,793 HAIR CURLER Nathan L. Solomon, R0. Box 550, Englewood, NJ. 07631 Filed Mar. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 621,697 Int. Cl. A45d 4/16 US. Cl. 219-222 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hair curler having interior cavities containing heat retaining material is heated by immersion in a heated fluid bath. The curler has at least one interior passageway through which the heated fluid passes, thereby increasing the surface of the curler exposed to the heated fluid, so as to more quickly heat the heat retaining material within the curler as well as reducing the weight of the roller. The fluid may be air heated in a container by convection and radiation of electric bulbs.

This invention relates to hair curlers, and more particularly it relates to hair curlers which can be heated and retain its heat for a predetermined period of time, so that the retained heat is directed to hair exteriorly wound about the hair curler.

A hair curler containing a heat retaining material permanently sealed within having at least one interior opening to speed the initial heating by boiling water or electric heating elements, and to reduce the weight of the curler. To insure a durable leakproof seal during heating and cooling, a molded rigid high melting plastic tubular body closed at one end is used with a disc or toroid made of a compatible or same rigid plastic welded to the body after the heat retaining material is introduced within the bod l-l air curling as practiced today in the home and beauty shops involves division of the hair of the user into various tresses or swatches. Each of the tresses or swatches is evenly wound on a hair curler and by dampening the curled tress with water or with chemicals, or applying heat or the like to the tress, the tress is caused to take the form imparted to the hair by the curler. Heretofore, curlers were required to come in various diameters from about half an inch to three or four inches in diameter, to form the various size curls required by the dictates of the user or the hairsetter.

With conventional hair curlers, the curling operation usually took from one to three or more hours, depending upon the method of drying employed. 'Oftentimes the hair was set prior to retiring, so that the hair set during sleep. However, the curlers were uncomfortable to the wearer and various attempts were made to provide softness and flexibility of the curler, so as to reduce the discomfort. While the discomfort could be reduced it was never eliminated.

It has been well-known in the art that the curling operation can be hastened and performed more effectively if the hair can be maintained at an elevated temperature during the curling process. Various attempts to provide the heat exteriorly on the curled hair were cumbersome and required expensive and cumbersome heating apparatus. Further, various attempts were made to provide heat interiorly of the curl itself, such as disclosed in the Pasternack Pat. 3,228,403. While these attempts were generally satisfactory, the curlers were expensive and relatively heavy, so that they proved uncomfortable to the user, who required a plurality of these curlers in the hair at one time. Further, these prior art curlers had to be heated in a single manner for a relatively long period of time to reach the desired temperature, and did not allow for flexibility. Also, the curlers oftentimes leaked during prolonged use because of the difliculty of making a durable hermetic seal from the plastic. Some prior art curlers introduced the heat retaining material via a small opening and plugged the opening with a plastisol, which hardened on drying. Prolonged heating often loosened the plug, causing leaks.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective hair curler which retains an elevated temperature for a protracted period of time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece hair curling device, which can be heated by various means prior to winding a tress of hair thereabout, and which directs the retained heat to hair exteriorly wound about the peripheral surface of the curler for a protracted period of time.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a hair curler of a predetermined diameter, which can produce a variety of difierent size curls proportionate to the length of time the tress remains wound about the curler.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, quick method of manufacturing a plurality of durable one-piece hair curling devices, which are leakproof, retain elevated temperatures for a protracted period of time and which are light in weight.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hair curling device, which accomplishes all of the above, and yet is simple and quick to use, inexpensive to fabricate, light in weight, fast acting and is reliable, durable and safe in use.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the annexed drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments therein.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a one-piece hair curler, comprising an outer tubular member having inner and outer peripheral surfaces, a plurality of interiorly directed spaced walls integrally attached at least along one edge to the inner surface of the tubular manner and co-extensive in length therewith, the walls and the interior surface defining a plurality of spaced volumes, a heat retaining material substantially filling each of these volumes, and transverse end pieces sealingly connected to said tubular member and said walls for each of said volumes and closing said volumes at each end. At least one longitudinal passageway is left through the interior of said curler defined by said walls and open at opposite ends.

FIG. 1 is a perspective elevated view of one form of a unit in which the hair curlers of the present invention can be heated and stored;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of one form of a hair curler, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom end view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention, similar to the view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a view similar to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a graph showing temperature against time of one formulation of the mixture contained in the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an elevational perspective view showing a further embodiment for heating hair curlers prior to use.

Similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 15, an assembly is shown in FIG. 1 for heating and storing a hair curler 12. Assembly 10 has a generally rectangular base portion 14 having a plurality of cylindrical rods 16 extending from its upper surface. Each of rods 16 contains an electrical heating element connected to a suitable electrical conductor for furnishing electricity thereto. Base 14 contains the electrical conductors supplying the electric current to the various heating elements in rods 16. Extending from base 14 is an electrical conductor 18 terminating in a male plug 20 for insertion in an electric socket (not shown) for supplying through conductor 18 an electric current to heat the various rods 16. Rods 16 are preferably heated quickly to a predetermined temperature, advantageously which is about 220 F. Suitable controls, which are well-known in the art, are included in the base to prevent over-heating, and for safety. Mounted on base 14 and covering rods 16 is a mating cover 22. As shown, cover 22 can be transparent and made of plastic, so as to keep the apparatus and curlers clean and free from dust and retain the heat during use. Connected to base 14 is a storage tray 24 containing a series of upstanding separated arms 26. Arms 26 are similar in dimensions to rods 16 and store curlers 12 which are not being used, as shown. If desired, a suitable cover can enclose tray 24.

As seen best in FIGS. 2-5, curler 12 is generally tubular in cross section with a generally thin outer cylindrical wall made of a rigid plastic material. Integrally attached to one end of wall 30 is an interiorly directed annular, radial flange 32. Concentrically disposed within wall 30 and integrally attached to the inner diameter of flange 32 is a closed ended tubular member 34. Tubular member 34 is of a length less than the length of curler 12, so as to be spaced inwardly from the other end of wall 30. Tubular member 34 defines an inner volume 35, which slidably mates with rods 16, in a manner discussed below. The interior volume 37 of curler 12, defined by the inner surfaces of wall 30 and flange 32, and the outer surfaces of tubular member 34 is filled substantially full with a suitable heat retaining mixture 36. Mixture 36 is introduced through the open end of curler 12 and after the desired quantity of mixture 36 is introduced, the other end of curler 12 is sealed fluid-tight with a disk 40. The open or other end of wall 30 has an interior seat or rim 38 disposed about its inner peripheral surface, which matingly receives disk 40 for hermetically sealing the interior volume 37 of curler 12. Disk 40 is firmly pressed into seat 38 and sonic energy is introduced into disk 40 remote from abutting interfaces with Wall 30, which instantly welds disk 40 to wall 30 along the entire circumference of the abutting surfaces. After the application of the sonic power and the welding of disk 40 to wall 30, mixture 36 is sealed within curler 12. Advantageously, wall 30, flange 32 and member 34 are integrally molded in one piece, so as to insure a liquid-tight seal and inexpensive fabrication.

To use curler 12, plug 20 is connected to a source of electrical energy and rods 16 become heated within a short period of time. The inner diameter of member 34 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of rods 16, so that rods 16 are slidably received within volume 35. The length of volume 35 is advantageously slightly less than the length of rod 16, so rod 16 supports a corresponding curler 12, as seen best in FIG. 1. The desired number of curlers to be used are placed on corresponding rods 16 and are quickly heated. The heat of rod 16 is transmitted through member 34 and heats mixture 36. Mixture 36 is heated to the temperature of rod 16 within a short period of time and retains the heat for a period of time sufficient to perform the curling process. As seen best in the graph of FIG. 9, the plastic curler takes about 20 minutes to fall from the temperature of about 4 212 F. to about 122 F. The heated curler 12 is not uncomfortable to handle, because of the insulating properties of the plastic material from which it is made. The user removes a heated curler 12 from a rod 16 and rolls a tress of hair thereabout in a conventional manner. The

rolled tress can be retained on the curler by clips, pins or the like. After the tress has remained on the roller for about 6 to 15 minutes, the roller is removed and the tress of hair is curled. For larger size curls the curler is left in position for less time, between 6 and 10 minutes. For smaller curls the curler is left in the hair for longer periods of time from about 10 to 20 minutes. For average size curls the curlers are left in the hair for about 10 minutes.

Advantageously, the mixture used is a paraffin which passes through a crystallization stage in gOing from solid to liquid phase. If desired, a combination of paraflin and glycerin could be used. The boiling point of the parafiin and the combination paraflin and glycerin is sufficiently high, so that the curlers can be heated to about 212 F. without creation of vapor pressure which could possibly rupture the curler during the heating operation.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, where a metal sleeve 44 frictionally engages the interior circumferential wall of member 34. The interior diameter of metal sleeve 44 slidably receives rod 16. The metal of sleeve 44 speeds the transmission of the heat from rod 16 to mixture 36, so as to hasten the heating of mixture 36 contained within curler 12. While a metal sleeve 44 is disclosed, if desired an electrically conductive plastic or other heat-conductive material could be used.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 7, wherein curler 50 is shown having a pair of concentric tubular members 52 and 54 of substantially the same length. Tubular members 52 and 54 are integrally joined at one end by an annular end flange 56. A mixture 58 is introduced into and substantially fills the volume between walls 52 and 54 and flange 56. When this volume is substantially filled, an annular flange 60 is mounted on the corresponding other ends of members 52 and 54 and sealingly attached in position, so as to securely seal mixture 58 within curler 50. Advantageously, flange. or toroid 60 can be sonically welded to the interfaces of members 52 and 54, as discussed above. To aid in transmitting the heat into fluid 58 an inner sleeve 62 of electrical conductive material such as aluminum or brass, is inserted interiorly of wall member 54. The interior diameter of sleeve 62 is suflicient to slidably receive rod 16.

A further embodiment is disclosed in FIG. 8, wherein a curler 68 has an outer cylindrical thin wall 70 containing four separated fluid compartments 72, 74, 76 and 78, respectively. These compartments are formed by right angle wall members 79 integrally connected to the interior of cylindrical wall 70. Mixture 36 is introduced in each of these four volumes and one end of curler 68 is sealed as discussed above. Wall members 79' are spaced apart and define a volume 80 in the form of a cross. Volume 80 receives a heating element having substantially a similar cross section, so as to increase the area in contact with the heating element for speedier transmission of the heat to the mixture contained within volumes 72, 74, 76 and 78, so as to have the curler reach its operating temperature rapidly.

As shown, to aid in rolling and holding the tress of hair about the outer surface of roller 12, rows of radially outwardly projections 84 are shown.

A further method of heating curlers made in accordance with the present invention is an assembly 86, shown in FIG. 10. Assembly 86 has a base 88 containing an infrared source of energy 90, which advantageously is a conventional electric light bulb. Base 88 contains electrical conductors supplying electric current to infrared sources 90 from electrical conductor 92 terminating in a plug 94. Disposed above infrared sources 90 and supported by base 88 is a heat-transmitting panel 96, which is preferably a heat-resistant glass sheet. Panel 96 supports curlers 98. To prevent undesired movement of curlers 98, the upper surface of panel 96 may be corrugated or have recesses to receive curlers 98. If desired, a rack could support curlers 98 above panel 96, so that curlers 98 would be heated by convection and radiation from panel 96. Mounted on base 88 is a mating cover 100. As illustrated, cover 100 is pivotally attached to base 88 along hinge 102. Advantageously, cover 100 is closed during heating of infrared sources 90, so as to retain the heat and speed the heating of curlers 98. In use, two 40 watt bulbs have been found adequate to heat curlers 98 to desired temperatures in about 15 minutes. If panel 96 is made transparent or translucent, the light from the bulbs 90 provides illumination to aid the user in selecting the curlers and in curling the hair.

While the embodiments 12, 50 and 68 are illustratively shown for use with electrical heating elements, such as rods 16, these embodiments can be heated also quickly in boiling water and heated air, such as within assembly 86. In use the curlers are disposed in boiling water or heated air and within a short while removed. Since the plastic is a good insulator, the heated curlers can be handled without discomfort and the hair roller in a conventional manner. Within a short period of time the heat transmitted from the roller into the hair wound exteriorly about the rolling surface quickly sets the tress of hair. The curling operation takes from 6 to 15 minutes and the curl is formed. Having completed the curling operation, the hair is unwound from the curler.

If desired, a curler can be provided for being heated only with heated fluid, such as boiling water, or heated air. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, instead of area 80 being hollow, it could be filled with plastic material. However, the use of an opening interiorly of the hair curler hastens the heating of the heat-retaining mixture, even if used with heated fluid. The boiling water or heated air which supplies the heat contacts both the outer peripheral surface of the curler, as well as the inner walls defining the interior volume of the curler body.

The body of the curlers are formed of a rigid plastic which has a higher softening point than the temperatures used either with boiling water, infrared energy or the heated rods 16. Some of the plastics which could be used are polystyrene, nylon, acrylics, polypropylenes, butyrates, polyethylenes and vinyl.

The present curler construction contains adequate heat retaining material that when heated gives ofi heat sufficiently to provide a speedy hair curling operation, but is lighter in weight than if the entire volume of the outer walls of the curler were entirely filled with the heat-retaining mixture. Also, the interior openings, such as volumes 35 and 80 allow the heated fluid to be transmitted to the heat-retaining mixture much more quickly than merely when surrounding the outer surface of the curler. This allows the curler to reach optimum temperature quickly. Further, the welding of the open tubular end in the present disclosure allows the use of a rigid plastic, so as to make a durable leakproof curler. Thus, the entire curler body can safely withstand the elevated temperatures used without leaking. Thus, there has been disclosed a lighter weight, quicker heating and more durable heat retaining curler than heretofore obtainable.

While preferred embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that many variations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the foregoing description shall be deemed illustrative only, and not construed in the limiting sense, the present invention being defined solely by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A one-piece plastic hair curler comprising an outer tubular member having inner and outer peripheral surfaces, a plurality of interiorly directed spaced walls integrally attached to the inner surface of said tubular member and co-extensive in length with said tubular member, said walls and said inner surface defining a plurality of spaced volumes, a heat-retaining material substantially filling at least one of said volumes, and trans verse end pieces sealingly connected to said tubular member and said walls at opposite ends of each of said filled volumes sealing such volume and leaving a longitudinal passageway through said curler open at opposite ends.

2. A hair curler, as in claim 1, wherein at least two of said walls are parallel.

3. A one-piece plastic hair curler as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat retaining material is paraffin.

4. A one-piece plastic hair curler, as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat-retaining material is a mixture of paraffin and glycerin.

5. A one-piece plastic hair curler, as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat-retaining material falls from about 212 F. to about F. in about 20 minutes.

6. A hair curling assembly, comprising a base portion defining a volume and having an open top, a heat-transmltting panel supported by said base portion and substantially closing said open top, at least one lightbulb disposed within said volume of said base portion and transmitting infrared radiation and light through said panel, means for actuating said lightbulb, a closure mating with said base for covering said panel and permitting visible light to pass through, and at least one heat-retaining hair curler disposed on said panel to be heated, each of said curlers comprising an outer tubular member having inner and outer peripheral surfaces, a plurality of interiorly directed spaced walls integrally attached to the inner surface of said tubular member and co-extensive in length with said tubular member, said walls and said inner surface defining a plurality of spaced volumes, a heat-retaining material substantially filling at least one of said volumes, and transverse end pieces sealingly connected to said tubular member and said walls at opposite ends of each of said filled volumes sealing such volume and leaving a longitudinal passageway through said curlers open at opposite ends.

7. A hair curling assembly as in claim 6, wherein said curlers are further heated by convection from said panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,126,170 8/ 1938 Calvete 132-7 2,380,154 7/ 1945 Dickerson.

2,515,731 7/1950 Page 219411 X 2,767,297 10/1956 Benson 219-411 3,103,934 9/1963 Sabourin.

3,257,541 6/1966 Jorgensen 219-222 3,410,985 11/1968 Giacchero 219-242 X 3,227,065 1/1966 Litman 219-342 X FOREIGN PATENTS 908,197 8/ 1945 France.

ANTHONY BARTIS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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