US20180116364A1

US20180116364A1 - Hair Dryer Sleeve Used for Heat Protection

Info

Publication number: US20180116364A1
Application number: US15/341,653
Authority: US
Inventors: Lisa W. Vinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-02
Filing date: 2016-11-02
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Also published as: US20200214419A1

Abstract

A removable conical hair dryer sleeve accessory to surround the barrel or blowing nozzle of a hair dryer to protect the user from extremely high temperatures. The sleeve portion fits snugly to the barrel or blowing nozzle of a hair dryer. The sleeve is made from a single material and the material is a heat resistant material. the sleeve is flexible.

Description

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/254,408, filed Nov. 12, 2015, and is entitled to that filing date of priority. The specification, figures and complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/254,408 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a removable conical hair dryer sleeve accessory to surround the barrel or blowing nozzle of a hair dryer to protect the user from extremely high temperatures.

BACKGROUND

The use of hair dryers is well known in the industry. Professional hairstylists, hair salons, barbers, pet groomers and individuals at home all use these devices. Various hair dryers have an elongated cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle and a grip handle. The hot air created by the motor and heating element is passed through the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle. The cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle becomes heated during the process of hot air passing through it. Due to the extremely high temperature of the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle, it can be uncomfortable to handle this part of the hair dryer. Many users find it more comfortable to handle a hair dryer using the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle rather than the handle. The user becomes unable to hold the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle due to the extreme heat. It is therefore desirable to provide a heat resistant sleeve that is effective against extremely high temperatures, is flexible, reusable and easily manufactured. Thus, there exists a need for an accessory to protect the user of hair dryers from extreme heat at the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle area. The present invention satisfies such a need by protecting the hands of not only the professional users such as hairstylists and barbers, but for pet groomers and individual consumers from extreme heat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair dryer with a silicone heat resistant sleeve installed over the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a silicone sleeve, showing the installation of the sleeve to a hair dryer.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of the inside of a typical hair dryer showing the heating element of the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a hairstylist holding the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle to blow dry a client's hair and a partial side view of a silicone sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a smooth finish silicone sleeve, showing the installation of the sleeve to a hair dryer.

Before the present invention is further described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art to which this invention belongs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to said figures, a hair dryer is indicated overall by FIG. 1 and comprises a casing with a handgrip and a cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle. The hair dryer comprises known means, not shown, for generating said air flow.
On at least one portion, for example the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle, there is an accessory (FIG. 2) for protecting the user from extreme heat. By way of example, the accessory can be placed on the cylindrical barrel or blowing nozzle and when the user holds the hair dryer using the barrel, the silicone sleeve will protect the user from extreme heat. Any hair dryer may be contained within a protective sleeve (FIG. 5).
The invention is constructed of a flexible material able to withstand twisting and bending and resistant to high temperature. For example, this material can be a silicone rubber or synthetic rubber obtained from equivalent materials.
In certain embodiments, the body of the sleeve may be smooth and/or ribbed. Specifically, the smooth and/or ribbed surface element may not only serve the purpose of enhancing gripping but may also be used to communicate one or more meaning to a user. For instance, the surface may be configured to communicate a word or phrase such as a brand name or marketing slogan, or may be a contoured image and/or shape.
In this manner, if using the hair dryer as shown in FIG. 4, the accessory will protect the user from the high heat being produced by the heating element inside the barrel or nozzle.
The present invention is useful in numerous industries, as well as for consumers. A non-exclusive list of industries in which the removable sleeve would be useful includes professional hairstylists, hair salons, and barbers, but also for pet groomers and consumers.
While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A removable sleeve for heat protection on hair dryers, the sleeve comprising:

a. a conical sleeve having side walls;

b. a left and right opening having a diameter similar in size to the barrel of a hair dryer;

c. a molded, removable protective sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a middle section extending between the first end and the second end, where the first end has a first opening configured for receiving the hair dryer, where the middle section extends over the barrel of the hair dryer, and where the second end covers at least a portion of the barrel of the hair dryer

d. wherein the removable protective sleeve consisting of a silicone material and is designed to insulate a user's hand from heat;

e. wherein the material is a heat resistant material designed to resist heat to at least 450 degrees Fahrenheit;

f. wherein the sleeve and openings therein are designed and sized to receive the hair dryer through the first opening and to snugly fit the hair dryer; and

g. wherein the sleeve is to be designed to be flexible for removability from the hair dryer.

2. The removable sleeve for heat protection on hair dryers of claim 1, wherein the material of the sleeve is silicone.

3. The removable sleeve for heat protection on hair dryers of claim 1, wherein the heat resistant material resists heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The removable sleeve for heat protection on hair dryers of claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve is conical in shape.

5. The removable sleeve for heat protection on hair dryers of claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve is dimensioned to fit snugly to the barrel of a hair dryer.

6. The removable sleeve for heat protection on hair dryers of claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve is capable of stretching from an original configuration so as to receive the hair dryer, and return to its original configuration once the hair dryer has been removed, if necessary, from the protective sleeve.

7. The removable sleeve for heat protection on hair dryers of claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve is configured to have smooth and/or ribbed surfaces.