US2316894A - Device or apparatus for treating hair - Google Patents

Description

Rsi-l April 20, 1943. A. SHELBY E-rAl. 2,316,894

DEVICE OR APPARATUS FOR TREAATING HAIR Filed July 11; 1941 3` sheets-sheet 1 fs/ I: Y I /v ,4 rra/@vani April 20, 1943. A. SHELBY ETAL 2,316,894

DEVICE OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HAIR l Filed July ll, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /9 95@ /I7 ZJ 93 Y Z 9 (4 v 9 76 j@ 6, A7. ggg y /5 f 27 4d 55 (57 Afro/wary;

April 20, 1943. A. SHELBY ETAL 2,315,894

DEVICE OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HAIR 66 nml az J5 3/ @M f4 TTO/QNYS.

Patented Apr. 20, 1943 DEVICE R APPARATUS FOR TREATING HAIR Albert Shelby and Carl F. Hilgeman, Buialo, N. Y.; said Hilgeman assignor to said Shelby Application `lilly 11, 1941, Serial No. 401,928

26 Claims.

This invention relates to a device or apparatus for treating live or growing human hair, and particularly for straightening curly, frizzly cr kinky hair; and has for a primary object to provide a practical, desirable and efficient device or apparatus of novel construction for such purpose.

The device comprises a casing having a movable cover or section adapted to be opened to permit tresses, locks or portions of the hair of a subjects head to be enclosed and properly arranged in a treating chamber formed by the casing, and means for subjecting the hair in the casing to the softening or modifying action of steam or a hot vapor to effect a desired treatment of the hair. While subjected to the action of the steam or vapor, the hair may be straightened by subjecting it to tension or a stretching action, preferably by means of a succession of pairs of rolls between which the hair passes and is gripped and which are rotated for stretching the hair. The casing is preferably mounted on a sta-nd or support equipped with adjusting means whereby the casing can be adjusted to and held stationary in any relation to the subjects head that may be necessary to most conveniently and efficiently treat successive or different tresses, strands or portions of the hair on various portions of the head.

One object is to provide a device with ehicient heating means or elements for heating moisture or liquid in the casing to generate steam or hot vapor directly therein and provide control means whereby the necessary heat and moisture in the treating chamber can be quickly produced and regulated, as may be required, for a particular treatment of the hair.

Other objects of the invention are to equip the casing with heating means, preferably comprising a plurality of electrical heating elements, for heating water or other suitable liquid held in absorbent material in the casing for generating steam or vapor, and control means for energizing one or more of the elements, as may be necessary, and for shutting off the current to the element or elements at the end of a predetermined period of time; also to provide absorbent material or bodies in the treating chamber adapted to absorb surplus liquid or condensate and prevent the same from escaping from the casing with possible annoyance, discomfort or injury to the subject.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specication of the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, and the novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a plan View of a hair treating apparatus embodying the invention, showing the two hinged sections of the casing in open position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the casing showing the two sections in partially closed relation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan View of one of the hinges connecting the casing sections showing the parts in closed position.

Fig. e is a diagram illustrating the electrical connections between the heating elements, the control switches and the source of current.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus, mounted upon the upper end of an adjusting stand or support.

Fig. 6 is a partial front elevation thereof.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional plan View of the apparatus on line 1--1, Fig. 11.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the apparatus.

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary, enlarged sections of the hinge connection between the casing sections, respectively showing the parts in partially closed position and in fully closed position, the sections being taken respectively on line 9 9 of Fig. 2 and on line iii-lil, Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 isl a transverse sectional elevation of the casing in closed, operative position.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section on line I2-l2, Fig. 1l.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section von line Iii-i3, Fig. l1, illustrating the driving connection for roll-operating worm shafts.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section on line llt-lf3, Fig. l5, of one of the electric heating elements for generating steam in the treating chamber.

Fig. l5 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary, horizontal section showing the means for mounting the support for the heating elements in the casing.

i5 represents the casing which forms the hair treating chamber it. This casing preferably is of rigid walled construction, of generally rectangular shape in plan and relatively shallow, and comprises a lower section or body and a cover or section Il which is movably connected to the body to adapt it to be opened for placing and arranging the tress of hair in the treating chamber and to be closed so as to enclose the hair in the treating chamber. At one end, the casing is preferably reduced in depth or tapered, as by making the body with an upwardly and outwardly inclined end wall i8, and the body and cover are formed with protruding portions or lips i9 between which the hair enters the treating chamber, thereby adapting the casing t0 be adjusted, as may be necessary, to place the lips I9 close to the scalp in position to grasp between them a desired tress of hair close to its roots. The joint between the casing sections may be sealed, as by means of a suitable packing gasket seated in a groove in the rim of the body and against which the rim of l,the cover engages when the casing is closed.

Clamping means are preferably provided at the lips I9 of the casing, of a construction capable of gripping the tress of hair close to the scalp and holding it firmly so as to prevent discomfort to the Subject incident to the stretching of 'the hair when straightening it. For this purpose, clamping strips 2I of suitable resilient material, such as rubber, are shown, secured to and extending between the lips I9, so that when a tress of hair is placed in the open casing and the cover closed, these clamping strips will tightly grip and hold the root ends of the hair. The clamping strips are of sufficient thickness ,and

resilience to conform to the irregularities in lengthwise relatively to the body section. As J shown, for this purpose, the cover is provided at one side with hinge Vlugs 23 which are adapted to turn and slide on hinge pins 24 each secured at its ends in spaced lugs 25 iiXed to the adjacent side of the body. The iixed lugs 25 are spaced far enough apart to allow the cover lugs to slide on the hinge pins sufficiently to permit a substantial movement of the cover lengthwise relatively to the body. Thus, when opening the cover, it Acan be firstrlifted slightly, then moved lengthwise awayY from the subjects head and then swung fully open, thereby preventing it from striking the head. This is desirable, for instance, when treating hair at the back of the neck below the protruding base portion of the head, and

by preference,fthe cover is positively prevented from'beng fully opened until it has been rst shoved backwardly away from the head. For thisY purpose, the cover may be provided with a rigid projection 26 on one of the hinge lugs 23 which, Vwhen the cover is closed, overlies a rib or part 21 rigid with and extending lengthwise of the casing from one hinge lug 25. When the cover is in closed position, the projection 25 is spaced upwardly somewhat away from the rib 21 so as to permit a limited upward swing of the cover sufficient to allow the hand to be inserted into; the casing to smooth o1' arrange the tress of hair therein, but the cover cannot be swung to itsfull open position until it has rst been moved rearwardly far enough for the projection 25 to clear the rear end of the rib 21. In closing the cover it can be rst swung to a partially closed position, then moved lengthwise close to the headV and then closed against the casing body.

Any suitable means may be provided for drawing the cover tightly down against the body and fastening it in its closed position. Lever fastenings 28 of known type are shown for the purpose. vA handle 29 is shown at the free edge of the cover as a convenient means for manipulatingV or opening and closing the cover,

Steam or hot vapor is preferably generated in the treating chamber for conditioning the hair for straightening it, or for other treatments, by heating water or other suitable conditioning liquid in the casing by means of one or more electrical heating elements. Three such heating elements 3d are shown in the casing I5, see Fig. 7. Each of these elements as illustrated (see Figs. 14 and l5), comprises a body 3| of suitable absorbent material, for example, asbestos cloth, retained between opposite side plates 32 of Bakelite or other suitable insulating material, which are secured together so as to clamp the absorbent material between them, by hollow rivets 33, 34, passing through and riveted in holes in the ends of the side plates 32. An electrode 35, preferably con sisting of a strip of wire screening or thin perforated metal, is secured at ione end to the rivet 34, and extends therefrom between layers or folds of the absorbent material. Opposite electrodes St, consisting of thin strips of suitable metal, are secured to and extend from the other rivet v33 at opposite sides of the iirst electrode 35, being preferably disposed between folds or layers of the absorbent material and being held thereby from contact with the middle electrode 35,.` The middie electrode 35 may be secured between spacing sleeves 3`I clamped on the rivet 34 between the side plates 32, and the two electrodes 36 maybe clamped between the side plates 32 and a spacing sleeve 3S surrounding the rivet 33 between the electrode strips. The two electrodes 36, of one polarity, are in electrical connection with the rivet 33, and the electrode 35, of opposite polarity, is in electrical connection with the other rivet 34, so that when `the rivets 33, 34 are placed in electrical connection with the opposite sides of an electric circuit and the absorbent body 3l is saturated or moistened with water or other suitable liquid, the closing of the electric circuit will establish a current through the liquid or moisture in the element and heat the same so as to generate steam or hot vapor.

As shown, the heating elements Si) are mounted in the casing I5 with an extension of the rivet at one end of each element secured Yto a conducting bar 4i! and an extension of the other rivet of each element secured to a separate conducting post 4I. The conducting bar 48 is fixed at one end, as by threaded studs 42 and 43, and nuts to a transverse partition or wall 44 of the casing I 5, and one of these studs forms a binding post for connecting the bar with a wire or electrical conductor. Each post 4l is secured to the adjacent side wall of the casing, as by a threaded stud 45 projecting from the post through a hole in the wall and secured therein by a nut, and this stud forms a binding post for the connection of a wire or electrical conductor. element are seated in open grooves 46 in the conducting bar 4B, and in the companion post 4 I, and are removably secured therein by screws 41 which enter lthreaded holes in the bar 4!) and post 4I, with their heads arranged to overlap and retain the rivet extensions in the seats 46. Thus, each element is removably secured in place and can be quickly and easily removed and replaced by .a new element when necessary.

A separate control switch 50 is shown for each heating element so that current may be passed through one, two or all of the elements, as may be desired, by the operation of the appropriate switch or switches, and in addition, the several elements and their control switches Iare connected in circuit with a conventional time switch 5I 'adapted to be set for opening the circuit after the element or elements has or have been in ac- Preferably, the rivet extensions of each tion lfor `the 4predetermined desired period .oi time, depending upon .the -setting -cf 'fthe time switch. Asshownror this purpose,;see'Fig. 54, Ythe conductorbar 4! is-connected'by a ywire or confductor v52 to 4one side A E53 of the current supply line, `with Ythe time control -swtch'-'l interposed "between the conductor Eil-and the line 53, andthe "binding post 4i foreach-element is oonnected'ib-.V alwire or-conductor5 at `the oppositeside 55 of 'the-line with oneof the controlswitches '5B interposed between eachconductor V51% and the 'line 55. Thus,rone, twolorialrof the heating elements can -be placed in action, vas maybe required, and shut ro'f at -the end of thedesiredperiod of time, by closing Jone, two or all'o'f the individual rcontrcl 'switches Y513 and `properlysetting the time switch. A pilot lamp 5S is shown, suitably connected across theiheating circuit so as tobelightedfand lshow 'when the current VisI on.

Pieces lor bodies 5'! -of absorbent material, for insta-nce, `pieces of sponge, are larranged in the Dbottom of the treating chamber, alsobetween'the 'inclined 'end i8 Iof the casing and the adjacent 'heating element and alsoinother vspaces between "and around 'the elements. These absorbent bodies are ladapted to 'be satura-ted or lmoistened with the Yliquid tebe evaporated by the heating elements, and they act to absorb or take up vany *free liquidyorcondensate 'and prevent the saine from collecting as Afree liquid in the treating chamber. In Athis way, the possibility of the liquid escaping from the chamber andgettingon the person whose hair is being treated, which v mightotherwise happenif the casing isimoved to a downwardly inclined position toward the'lperson, is prevented. If `the-casing is'rnadeof metal or electrically conductive material` `the casing body, which forms `a-receptacle-or tanhliapre'fer- Yably made with a lining 594i! of rulber vci-othe-r suitable insulating material, and 'the --fas-tenings vfor the electrical conductors "for the heating elements may Lbe yproperly insulated, as usual, 'from Lthemetal portions of thecasing. .Alsogthe elec- `trical conductors may Abe covered rand protected iby suitableV conduits or housings, was indicated at 451, Fig. 11.

Hair stretching rolls having resilient or yielding peripheries of rubbersor'analogous .material are arranged transversely in Ethe casing for .treating chamber. Preferably-these rolls :are disposed in g a `succession of pairs of upper yrolls SiLan'd flower rolls 63, vvritheach rpair of rolls 'spaced somewhat from the next adjacent -pair ylengthwise :of :the casing. The Vlower rolls'are journalled .to rotate on the body of theoasing while the upper Arolls v vare journalled on 4the cover, so that `the rolls of ythe `several pairs are separated by raising the casing cover, thereby permittingaitress-of hair to 'he laid out on vthe'lower rolls so :that 4when `the -cover is closed, thehair will-he between 'the upper vand lower rolls and can -be stretched -by rotating the rolls. In order to enable the rolls'to-be readily removed for cleaning them and for cleaning fthe interior of the casing r giving access -to the heating elements or `other parts thereinl the projecting journals or shaft endsi'd -at one end of the lower rolls may be removably seated in bearing holes 65 in a bearing bar YES suitably secured lengthwise Vin the ycasing body adjacent one side thereof, while the journals at theiother end Yof the lower rolls are removably' retained inopen bearing seats E1 inthe top-of a longitudinal bearing bar 58 by a retaining bar 69 whichextends vacross and engages the several journals and lis removably secured on the bearing bar 5S, as by headed screwsfl passing-:throughkeyhole slots in `the .retaining bar. The bearing bar t8 vis preferably :removably `secured in a .channel .extending lengthwise inthe rear side of 'the 'casing body. By `removing .the retaining bar, which can 'be quicklydona all o'f the rollsare releasedfand can 'bellifted out of their bearing seats. The upper rOllsmaybejjournaled in bearing bars 12 and '13 :suitably secured in the vcasing cover at'the oppo- .site sides, 'and Imay 'be removably retained vin their bearings in the `samemanner .as 'the lower rolls, by means including a .removable retaining bar 14. The bearing `bar '13 also'is .preferably secured removablyzin achannel'in the cover.

rThe rollsofzeach .pair are rotated in opposite `'directionslso:that they tend to grip or 'frictionally :engage and propel ithe hair between them, vand Vthus .subject lit Ito a tensioning or stretching raction,1preferably bythe following drive mechanism:

`,worm shaft t@ 'arranged `lengthwise of the casing to lvturn in :a longitudinal bearing lgroove in :the bearing bar vSil vand extending through La bearing inone -endof the casing, is adapted to lmesh lwith worm pinionsf'honefon the vadjacent journalof'eachlower roll, `so as to turn all of the lower iro'lls 1in the same direction'by rotation vof said worm shaft. '-Ihe several upper rolls are similarly .rotated by la worm shaft 32 which is similarly joui-nailed linthe bearing bar 13 for the adjacent journals of the upper roilsand meshes `with worm pinions 33.011 the roll journals. The lower wormfshaft'ii -is geared atone end, as by rbevel vvpinions a, toa cross shaft 5&4, which is suitably journalled in Ybearings on the rear end Iof the Acasing body and is geared, as by bevel pinionsf to a crank shaft 86 provided With a lcrank l'handle for -"turningit. This crank shaft d5 lextends parallel with the worm shafts at the sideof the Acasing opposite to that at which the cover Yis hinged, in a position so that when the 'casing eoveris'closed, theupper worm shaft 82 is placedadjacent tofand is adapted to be geared to the Vcrankshaft by gear wheels 88 and B9 connected to'the'worm and `crank shafts. As shown, the 'crank vhandle has a hub Aor'sleeve 9E) which is movable -lengthwise on but splined to the shaft lit@ 'to turn therewith, and the gear wheel 89 is xedlon the sleeve 9b. The crank sleeve Sii! is Anormally `urged outwardly,. as Yby a coil spring 9i surroun'ding'the crank shaft between the bevel pinion and the jgear '8.9 to hold the gear out of 'the plane .of the gear ii@ on the upper worm sha'it, as'showninFiglS. Thus, when .closing the cover, the gear 'S3 on the upper worm shaft will `not strike or mesh with the gearl, .but thegear '3B canbe moved axially into mesh with the gear 'fi'by pressing the crank handle inwardly, when V.by turning the crank, both worm shafts will be turned and will drive all of the rolls. This arrangement of the .drive mechanism prevents .possible striking and mutilation of the gearing in closing the casing cover. Gear housings 92, 93 Vare preferabiy provided `on the casing body and cover for enclosing the cross shaft 84 and the gearing connecting it 4with the worm shafts and i crankshaft.

all `represents avent for steam from the treating chamber it, preferably formed by a vpipe 'leading from the upper front portion of the chamber to a hole `passing through the top wall of the casing cover l1 into a receptacle or trap 95, which may be formed by apiece of tube securedlnia socket-on the cover. Steam can escape rfrom I'this vent and serve to lindicate when the desired steam'condition for hair treatment exists in the treating chamber and also to prevent the steam pressure in the chamber from becoming too high. Any condensation of steam at the outer end of the vent pipe will be prevented,l by the receptacle 95, from escaping onto the outside of the 1 casing. The receptacle also serves as a funnel or enlarged opening for pouring liquid into the treating chamber during a treatment of hair, if this is necessary or desired, Without requiring the casing cover to be opened..

As before stated, the'casing I5 is adjustably mounted so that it can be adjusted to different positions, as may bev necessary tomost conycrank-operated Worm gearing 08 and a pinion meshing with a rack 99 on the standard. The standard preferably has a laterally inclined arm on which a swivel head is mounted so that it can be turned horizontally about a vertical axis by suitable Worm adjusting gearing I0 The casing I is mounted on the head |00 through the medium of a bracket |02` which is pivoted to the head to swing about a horizontal axis |03 extending lengthwise of the casing, while the casing is pivoted to the bracket |02 to swing about a horizontal axis |04 which is perpendicular to the axis |03. Therefore, the casing is adapted to swing or tilt in a vertical plane extending length- Wise of the casing about the axis |04 and also to swing or tilt in a vertical plane transverse to the casing about the axis |03. Aworm and Wormsector gearing |05 is provided for eiecting one of these adjustments, anda second worm and worm-sector gearing |06 is provided for effecting the second adjustment. Thus, the casing is adapted to be easily adjusted universally or horizontally and in vertical planes at right angles to eachother and held stationary in any of these adjustments, whereby the casing can be swung around horizontally and its front end tipped up or down, and also given an oblique or transversely inclined position inany one ofits other adjustments, as may be necessary. Y

The mechanisms for effecting these adjustments are not disclosed and described in further detail as they form `the subject matter of another application and are not claimed herein, but it will be understood that the casing is not merely adjustable to these different positions, b-ut is provided with mechanism for adjusting it to and holding it steady or stationary in any desired universal adjustment.

By employing the described heating elements 30, the apparatus can be used for treating hair with entire safety. The heating elements will heat up only when their absorbent bodies 3| are moist or liquid is present. Consequently, no damage can be done in their use either to the hair or the elements themselves, since if they become dry, they will not function and, so long as they are moist, they will generate steam or moist heat which prevents injury to the hair or elements.

The apparatus constructed as shown anddescribed, in addition to its use Vfor straightening hair to obtain other desired results. Hair can be revivied or a deficiency in oil therein rectified by subjecting the hair to the steam heat in the `heating chamber and operating the Vrollsfto put a gentle tension on the hair, a suitable oil or ointment having first been applied to the hair.

y by similarly treating it with a suitable oil or ointment and subjecting it to the steam heat in the apparatus, but without stretching or subjecting the hair to tension by means of the rolls so as not to remove the curl. When performing `this treatment, if desired the upper rolls can-be removed and the hair permitted to lie in its curly state in the treating chamber upon the lower rolls. The apparatus is also desirable for removing dye from hair. When so used, a suitable solvent for the dye is applied to the hair and the hair then subjected to the steam treatment in the treating chamber with or without subjecting the hair to the action of the rolls, depending upon Whether orV not it is desired to also straighten the hair. The steam treatment materially facilitates and expedites the action of the solvent in removing the dye. Other treatments of hair, in which it may be desired for any reason to subject the hair to the action of steam or a hot, moist atmosphere, can be performed by the apparatus.

We claim:

1. A device for treating hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber,y and adapted to be opened for placing therein for treatment a tress of the hair of a persons head, means for stationarily supporting said casing in diiferent adjusted positions with one end thereof close to the head, means for clamping and hold!- ing the tress adjacent to the head, means in said casing for holding alliquid, means for heating the liquid in the casing to generate steam in said chamber, and means constructed and arranged to subject the hair in the chamber to a. straightening tension inV the presence of the steam.

2. A device for treating hair as set forth in claim 1, in which the hair tensioning means comprise rolls in the casing between which the tress passes and is gripped, and means for rotating -said rolls to stretchr the hair while it is being treated by the steam. Y y

3. A device for treating hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened for placing therein for treatment a tress of the hair of a persons head, means for stationarily supporting said casing in diiferent adjusted positions with one end thereof adjacent the head, absorbent material in the lower portion of said chamber adapted to hold a liquid, a heating element incorporated in said device for heating the liquid in said absorbent material, to generate steamv in said chamber, and means for supporting the tress of hair extended lengthwise in the chamber over said absorbent material.

hair, is also adapted for efficiently treating the 4. A device for treating hair as set forth in claim 3 in which said heating means comprises an electrical heating element for said liquid.

5. A device for treating hair, as set forthv in claim 3, and provided with asteam vent for said chamber which opens into the chamberat the end thereof which is adjacent to the head.

6. A device for treating hair, as set forth. in

claim 3, andprovided with a trap for condensed vapor on top of said casing, and a steam vent pipe communicating with said trap and with said chamber at the end thereof adjacent the head.

7. A device for treating hair, as set forth in claim 3, and provided with a, steam vent tube communicating with said chamber at the end adjacent the head and opening out oi the topoi the casing at a point remote from the head.

8. A device for treating the hair of a persons head comprising a casing providing a treating chamber and having sections hinged together to open book-fashion for placing a tress of hair therein for treatment, treating means for the hair in the chamber, and means for supporting said casing with one end thereof adjacent the persons head, the hinge means for said casing sections being constructed and arranged to adapt onesection to swing toward and'from the other section and also to move lengthwise relatively to theV other section while the sections occupy relatively adjacent opposed positions.

9; A device for treating hair, as set forth in claim 8, in which said hinge means enables movement of one section longitudinally relative to the other and allows swinging movements of said section of a limited extent only in 4one longitudinal position of said section and of a greater eX- tent in a different longitudinal position of the section.

10. In a device for treating hair comprising a casing having hinged sections providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened for placing a tress oi hair therein for treatment by an agent in the chamber and adapted to be sup- L ported with one end thereof adjacent the subjects head, and means for subjecting the hair in the chamber to a stretching action while being treated, comprising elements carried by said casing sections and between which the hair passes, f

the improved hinge means for said casing sections which is constructed and arranged to enable movement oi one section relatively to the other toward and from the head and allow an extended swingingl movement of the section when moved to a position away from the head, but limit the swinging movement to a lesser extent when the section is in a position adjacent the head.

11. In a device for treating hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened for placing a tress of hair therein for treatment, rolls arranged in successive pairs in said chamber and between which the hair is gripped, and means for oppositely rotating the rolls of said pairs to subject the hair to a stretching action, an electrical heating element in said chamber comprising electrodes and an absorbent body adapted to hold moisture between said electrodes, and means for including said element in an electric circuit for heating said liquid to generate steam in said chamber.

12. In a device 'for treating hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened for placing a tress of hair therein for treatment, and stretching means arranged in said chamber and comprising elements arranged to be separated for receiving the hail1 between them by opening the casing, and means for actuating said stretching means to subject the hair to a stretching action, an electrical heating element in said chamber comprising electrodes and an absorbent body adapted to holdimoisture between said electrodes, and means for-including said element in an electric circuit .the hairy is gripped, and means for oppositely rotating the rolls of saidY pairs to subject the hair to a stretching` action, an electrical; heating element in said chamber below said` rolls, comprisingJ electrodes and an absorbent body adapted to hold,` liquid between said'. electrodes, means ierincluding said element` inan electric circuit for heating said liquid to generate steam in said chamber for treating the hair while being stretched, andl anabsorbent body adapted to contain liquid inthe lower portion of said chamber and; adapted to be heated by saidelement.

14. Ina devicefor treating hair comprising a sectional casingl providing a treating chamber and adapted tobe opened for placing a tress of hair therein for treatment, rolls arranged in said` chamber and between. which the hair is gripped, and: means forV oppositely rotating said rolls to subject thehair toa stretching action, a plurality oiv electrical` heating elements insaid chamber each comprising electrodes. and an ab,- sorbent body adapted to hold moisture. between said electrodes, whereby steam is, generated. by the passage of electric current through said elements, control meansv for including one or more oisaid heating elements in an electric circuit, and a time switch for shutting oi the current after a predetermined periodY of time.

15.l In a. device for treating-,hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber and adapted to be openedr 'for placing av tress of hair therein` for treatment, rolls arranged in-said chamber and between which the hair isy gripped, and means for oppositely rotating said rolls to subject the hair` to a stretching action, aplurality of electrical heating elements in said chamber, below said rollsland each comprising electrodes and an absorbent body adapted-to hold moisture between said electrodes, whereby steam is generated by thel passage of electric current through said elements, control means for including: one or more of said heating elements in an electric circuit, atime switch for shutting ofi the current after a predetermined period of time, and absorbentrbodies adapted to contain a liquid and arranged inthe lower portion oi the chamber between said heating elements and between the heating elements and one end of the chamber.

16. A device for treating hair, comprising a casing having sections and adapted to be opened and closed by movement of one section, hair treating rolls,v arranged in opposed sets one mounted on each casing section, two shafts one carried by each casingfsection and'geared to the rolls on that sectiona rotatable driving device forl saidV shafts which is; operatively connected with onel oi.' said shafts;l and; gear wheels connected-to saiddriving device and to'said second shaft and arranged to be placed adjacent but out of. mesh with each other by closing said movable casingsection, axial-movement of said driving device placing saidgear wheels inmesh for operatively connecting the. driving." device also with said second shaft'l 17; A device for.V treating hair, comprising. a casing composedof' sections hingedftogether at one at the hinge side of one casing section andA the other at the opposite side'of the other casing section, a rotatable drivingdevice for Ysaid shafts which is geared to said shaft at the hinge side of the casing but is located adjacent the opposite side of the casing, and gear wheels carried by said driving device and by said second shaft and arranged to be placed adjacent but out of mesh with each other by closing said movable casing section, axial movement of said driving device placing said gear wheels in mesh for gearing the driving device also to said second shaft.

18. In a device for treating haii` Vcomprising a rigid walled casing providing a treating chamber in which the hair is adapted to be enclosed, rolls in the casing between which the hair is gripped, and means for oppositely rotating the rolls to stretch the hair, an absorbent vbody in said casing adapted to hold liquid, and electrical means incorporated in said device for heating said liquid to generate steam in said chamber for conditioning the hair while it is being stretched by said rolls.

19. In a device for treating hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened for placing a tress of hair therein for treatment, rolls arranged in successive pairs in said chambei` and between Which the hair is gripped, and means for oppositely rotating the rolls of said hairs to subject the hair to a stretching action; an absorbent body inthe chamber adapted to hold liquid, and an electrical heating element in said casing, and means for including said element in an electric circuit for heating said liquid to generate steam for treating the hair while being stretched. 20. In a device for treating hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened for placing a tress of hair therein for treatment, stretching means arranged in said chamber and comprising elements arranged to be separated for receiving the hair between them by openingV the casing, and means for actuating said stretching means to subject the hair to a stretching action; an absorbent body in the chamber below said stretching means and adapted to hold liquid, and an electrical heating element and means for including said element in an electric circuit for heating said liquid to generate steam for treating the hair while being stretched.

21. In a device for treating hair comprising a sectional casing providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened for placing a tress of hair therein for treatment, rolls arranged in successive pairs in said chamber and between which the hair is gripped, and means for oppositely rotating the rolls of said pairs to subject the hair to a stretching action; an absorbent body adapted to hold liquid, and an electrical heating element in said chamber beneath said rolls, means for including said element in an electricA circuit for heating said liquid to generate steam for treating the hair while being stretched, and an absorbent body adapted to contain liquid in the lower portion of said chamber and adapted to be heated by said element.

22. In a device for treating haircomprising a sectional casingV providing a treating chamber and adapted to be opened Vfor -placingatres's of hair therein for treatment,rolls arranged in said chamber and between which the hair is gripped, and means for oppositely rotating said rolls to subject the hair to astretching action; a plurality of electrical heating elements in` said chamber, means adapted to hold liquid in the chamber to be heated by said heatingelements, whereby steam is generated in 4the'chamber for heating the hair while beingv stretched, by the passage of electric current through the/elements, control means for including one'or more of-'said heating elements in an electric circuit, and a time switch for shutting oi Vthe current after a predetermined period of time. ,1 l

23. In a device for treating hair comprising a sectionalcasing providing a treating chamber and constructed to be opened 'for placing a tress of hair thereinV for'treatment, rolls arranged in said chamber and between which the hair is gripped, and means for oppositely rotating said rolls to subject the hair to a stretching action; holding means for a liquid in said chamber, a plurality oi electrical heating elements in said chamber whereby said liquid is adapted to be heated and steam generated in the chamber by the passage of electric current through said elements, control means for including one or more of said heating elements in an electric circuit, a time switch for shutting ofi the current after a predetermined period of time, and absorbent bodies adapted to contain liquid and arranged in the lower portion of the chamber between said heating elements and -between'the heating Vrelements and one end of said chamber.

24. In a device for straightening curly hair, comprising a casing providing a treating chamber in which a tress of hair is adapted to be enclosed, and means'constructed and arranged to effect a straightening tension on the hair in said chamber, means adapted to hold a liquid in said chamber, and a heater incorporated in the device forheating said liquid in the chamber to generate vapor for conditioning the hair while it is being subjected to said straightening tension.

25. A device for treating hair on a persons head comprising a rigid walled casing providing a treating chamber in which the hair is adapted to be enclosed, means for stationarily supporting said casing in different adjusted positions relative to the persons head, means adapted to hold a liquid in said casing, a .heating element for heating said liquid inV the casing to generate vapor in the chamber, and means constructed and arranged to subject the hair in the chamber to a straightening tension in the presence of said vapor.

26. In a device for treating hair comprising a rigidlwalled casing providing a Vtreating chamber in whichthe hair is adapted to be enclosed, rolls in the casing between which the hair is gripped, and means for oppositely rotatingthe 'l rolls to eiect a straightening tension on the hair, an absorbent body in said casing adapted to hold liquid, and means for including said liquid in an electric circuit for heating the liquid to generate steam in said chamberv for conditioning the hair while it is being subjected to said straightening tension.

ALBERT SHELBY.

CARL F. ,l

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