Hair Freedom Customizable Tunnel System, Method, Device and Kit

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/398,482, filed Dec. 28, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/950,455, filed Sep. 22, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,857,053, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/411,782, filed Aug. 25, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,452,353, all of which claim priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/070,326, filed Aug. 26, 2000, the subject matters of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention is directed to improvements in techniques and equipment for effectively and efficiently drying hair, particularly long hair.

People with long hair have long had problems maintaining their hair. For example, one such problem is evenly drying long hair. Beauty salons, which professionally handle hair, also have problems drying long hair, primarily since their equipment is configured for general hair use and styling methods, such as roller sets and blow-outs, as understood in this art, that do not address the needs of a growing base of consumers seeking a more natural look. People drying their own hair also have difficulty since despite their best efforts at drying their own hair, and the hair usually dries unevenly.

The hair dryer industry does not adequately address the needs of consumers with long hair who desire to dry their hair without interfering with the natural hair texture, and to dry the entire length of their hair at once instead of in segments, i.e., evenly.

To meet this need, professional beauty salons and hair establishments need a way to better meet the needs for long-haired customers, e.g., through modification and customization of existing equipment, and/or purchase of new equipment to meet these needs. Likewise, customers at home, handling their own hair, could use new equipment, configurations and techniques to fill this unmet need.

There is, therefore, a present and unmet need to provide a system, device, apparatus, methodology or kit to dry long hair evenly, and improve existing ways to dry long hair more efficiently and more in line with consumer demand.

The present invention is directed to apparatuses and techniques to aid and help consumers with long hair to more efficiently dry their hair, particularly evenly at one time instead of in stages. A system, apparatus, device, technique and kit are envisioned that allow a consumer to either adapt existing professional or home hair drying equipment for this enhanced purpose or provide entirely new systems or kits to enable the consumer to better and evenly dry their own hair.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying DRAWINGS, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. It is, of course, understood that this invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is generally directed to an improved system, apparatus, device, system, kit and technique for drying human hair, particularly for evenly drying difficult-to-dry long hair.

With reference now toof the DRAWINGS, there is illustrated a representative configuration of a first embodiment of an improved hair drying apparatus practicing the principles of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral, e.g., by a user in their own home.

As shown, the hair dryer configurationhas a stand, generally designated by the reference numeral, which is preferably comprised of a metallic material, as described in more detail hereinbelow. The reason for the standis to provide a measure of stability for the user operating the equipment as the user dries their hair. It should be understood that the user may be seated or standing, as per their preference in using the instant invention. The figure shown is only the torso for illustration. At one end of the standis a base portion, generally designated by the reference numeral, such as a plurality of stabilizing feet. It should, of course, be understood that alternate means to secure the configurationare envisioned whether on the grounds or elsewhere, some of which are described in more detail hereinbelow.

It should be understood that the standshould be adaptable to reflect the great variety of consumers. Accordingly, the height of the standis preferably adjustable, such as by using concentric cylindrical members, i.e., the stand has component slidable parts, which can be adjusted to either increase or decrease the height, e.g., using a spring or other trigger button, generally designated by the reference numeral, by which the height and position of the configurationcan be maintained, as is understood in the art. For example, the user may press the buttonand arrange the stand components to their likeness, at which point the buttonis released and the stand configuration or position is locked in place, as is understood in the art.

With further reference to, toward the other end of the standis an angular adjustment member, generally designated by the reference numeral, which can be easily manipulated to provide a variety of angles for attachments thereto, such as a blower described hereinbelow Thus, with the standheight properly positioned for use with the user, the user, whether a hair dresser or the user alone at home, can tilt or otherwise adjust and modify the direction of the heated or unheated air flows, using the aforesaid angular adjustment member, focusing the heated or unheated air flow for optimal effect for long hair, which is an advantage of the present invention.

Of course, the hair dryer configurationmust have a blower, i.e., a device to drive heated or unheated air therethrough to dry the hair. It should be understood that further details about the airflow over the hair and the consistency of that flow are described in more detail across the many embodiments described in more detail herein, particularly regarding the even distribution of heat across the hair. An advantage of the instant invention is to provide adaptability of use, i.e., a user can modify an existing dryer, e.g., by using a kit described hereinbelow, or the blower and all attachments, including the stand, can be sold together, with the various components preconfigured to snap or otherwise connect together.

The technique for one use of the hair dryer configurationpursuant to the present invention is straightforward. As illustrated, a conventional blower or customized motor housing or hair dryer apparatus or blower, generally designated by the reference numeral, is securely affixed to or near the aforementioned angular adjustment member, such that the position or direction of the exiting heated or unheated air from the blower or hair dryerselected by the user. In the configuration, there is shown a blower connector, generally designated by the reference numeral, which connects the blowerto the angular adjustment member, which, as discussed, allows the user to adjust the position of the blowervis-à-vis the long hair of the user.

It should be understood that the bloweris preferably made of a stainless steel or a hard plastic material capable of handling the heat of operation. Where a conventional or professional hair dryer deviceis used, such as shown with other embodiments herein, the device can be used as is, i.e., independently store bought (not customized) to force the air.

In normal or conventional usage, a user would either manually manipulate the hair dryeror perhaps affix or mount the dryerto the standfor stability, e.g., via the blower connector, and move their head around the streaming hot air, which does not evenly dry the hair.

It should be understood that the principles of the present invention can be employed in differing manners, as depicted in the various configurations illustrated and described herein. A first presently preferred configuration can be employed by users in varying circumstances, as depicted in.

Pursuant to the instant invention in this first embodiment, there is a hood or bonnet, generally designated by the reference numeral, configured to receive a human head just as in beauty parlors, which is illustrated in. As shown in this home embodiment, a home or other blowerattaches to the bonnet, preferably at or near the top thereof, with the heated or unheated blown air filling the bonnetand drying the hair of the human shown in the Figure, more particularly, as described hereinbelow, the heated or unheated air is driven into a heat distribution system.

As discussed, further detail on the manner of dispersal of the heated or unheated air within the bonnet, as well as attachments thereto, are discussed hereinbelow.

Also shown are at least two tunnel dryer extension members, generally designated by the reference numeralsand, respectfully, which are sufficiently sized to both interlock to each other and connect to the bonnet, and receive the long hair of the user therein, as shown in the Figures, such as. Additional details for this interconnection are illustrated in, which isolates the bonnetand the tunnel dryer extendersand.

As illustrated, the tunnel dryer extensionsecurely connects to the aforesaid bonnet, whether threadably or otherwise interlocking together for use, as well as easily disconnected after use. An end of the tunnelthus securely attaches to a connection to the bonnet, particularly to an aperture or hole, generally designated by the reference numeral, into the bonnet, allowing a portion of the heated or unheated air from within the bonnetto travel into the tunnel, and over any hair disposed therein.

As discussed further hereinbelow, in a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the aforementioned aperturewould be behind the user depicted in, with the user's long hair extending symmetrically backwards, i.e., behind the user depicted.

With reference again to, the present invention can be employed with the aforesaid standto secure the configurationthereto. Here, a clasp or other connector means, generally designated by the reference numeral, such as Velcro, securely connects the tunnel, along with the bonnetattached thereto as described, to the stand.

It should be understood that the aforementioned blower connectionmay not be necessary (for support) in addition to the supports provided by the claspand other clasps discussed further hereinbelow.

It should, of course, be understood that the present invention could comprise just one extension member, perhaps quite elongated to receive long hair, instead of two, but having two extension members allows greater flexibility to the user. It should also be understood that three or more extension members could also be employed, although more than two could become too difficult, cumbersome or problematic to operate.

For longer hair, a second tunnel dryer connector, as shown, threadably or otherwise connects to an underside of the aforesaid tunneland receives the heated or unheated blown air flowing from the bonnet andand tunnel, with a possible connection on the other side thereof for perhaps a third tunnel or just otherwise open to allow the traversing air to exit or perhaps closed, as discussed further hereinbelow. As with the tunnel, tunnelis attachable to a clasp, generally designated by the reference numeral, and the aforesaid stand, thereby further securing the entire configuration, providing a rather stable configuration for the user. Whereas in this embodiment, the passageway through tunnelis somewhat curved to redirect the air and better dry the hair therein, the tunnelis preferably substantially tubular, with the blown air passing through over the hair. As discussed in more detail hereinbelow, the blown air in a preferred embodiment is directed in a different manner to provide the even drying capability of the instant invention.

As shown in, the tunnel extension membersandmay have ventilating holes, generally designated by the reference numeral, which would help control the internal temperatures within the extension membersand, and also protect the delicate long hair placed therein from temperature extremities.

In a preferred embodiment, each tunnel extension memberandis about 8 inches in length and about 10 inches in diameter. It should, of course, be understood that alternate dimensions are possible and within the scope of the present invention, e.g., lengths from about 4 to about 12 inches for each extension member, preferably about 6 inches to about 10 inches, more preferably about 7 to about 9 inches, and most preferably 8 inches.

Diameter dimensions can vary also, e.g., from about 4 inches to about 16 inches, preferably about 6 inches to about 14 inches, more preferably about 8 inches to about 12 inches, and most preferably about 10 inches. The components should also be easily handled and easily connected and disconnected from each other, i.e., easily interlocked.

Also, each extension memberandcan be made of stainless steel or hard plastic, so long as the plastic is able to withstand the requisite heat from the motor housing or hair dryer. Further, the blowercan be powered by electricity, e.g., through a power cord or by use of batteries, as is understood in the art.

It should be understood that the hair dryer or blowerand the preferred two extension membersandinterlock to secure the entire configuration for use, as illustrated and described. For example, each of these components can have threads along the end portions thereof, whereby the respective components threadably interlock by rotating them in place, as described and illustrated in more detail hereinbelow. It should, of course, be understood that other secure (but preferably easily disconnected) interlocking mechanisms are contemplated, e.g., latches, springs and other means whereby the components can securely and conveniently interlock.

With reference again to, there is shown the configurationin operation, i.e., the aforementioned user, whose long hair is deployed, as shown, within the extension membersandshown with the components shown transparent for ease of illustration. The hair dryerblows air through the bonnetand the two extension members, and across the aforesaid long hair, drying same substantially uniformly from the tips to the roots, providing the benefits of the instant invention. For even drying, the heat should be evenly distributed and applied, such as through a venting means, as described in more detail hereinbelow. The advantages of drying all the hair at once are not just timesaving. For example, and as understood in this art, with textured hair, faster drying reduces shrinkage and leaves the hair smoother.

As discussed, it should be understood that in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aforesaid aperture or holein the bonnetshould be at the back of the bonnetand not preferably at the side, as shown for convenience of explanation and illustration. Thus, for symmetrical drying of long hair, the aforesaid extendersandmay instead project outwards behind the user. Thus, the position of the standwould be modified to provide support in this preferred configuration.

With reference now toof the DRAWINGS, there is illustrated a representative configuration of another improved hair drying apparatus for practicing the principles of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral, which resembles the configurationofbut without the user depicted.

In this embodiment, a different stand is shown, generally designated by the reference numeral. Here the standhas at one end a solid base member, generally designated by the reference numeral, which has sufficient weight to anchor the entire configuration securely for use, as illustrated. The standhere also differs in that it has two or more members, each connected to the other by a screw or other mechanism, as is understood in the art, whereby the standcan be broken down to manageable sizes for storage or transport, e.g., shipping, as illustrated and described in more detail in connection with.

It should, of course, be understood that the user or consumer would want to adjust and control the temperature of the blown air, e.g., through the use of a control switch, generally designated by the reference numeral/in. A user can thus adjust the air temperature flowing onto and over their hair from unheated to medium heat to high heat, and intermediate levels therebetween, using the control switch/, i.e., the switch can have these settings, along with off, or the switch can be more analog, with settings of off and max with perhaps markings therebetween.

Furthermore, the user may also want to control or adjust the amount of the air flow, e.g., through the use of a flow switch, generally designated by the reference numeral/also shown in. A user can thus adjust the airflow onto and over their hair from low to medium to high, and intermediate levels therebetween, using the flow switch/, which, as described hereinabove, could also be an analog implementation.

With reference now toof the DRAWINGS, there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of the aforementioned extension members in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a plurality of air flow channelers, generally designated by the reference numeralwithin an exemplary extension member. It should be understood that the aforementioned extension members/and/can screw on and off, with the aforementioned air flow channelerstherein preferably lining up.

Also shown is an inner heat distribution means, generally designated by the reference numeral, which is described in more detail hereinbelow in connection with.

By virtue of the inner heat distribution system or means, all of the hair, i.e., from the scalp of the user in the bonnetto the tips of their hair in connectorhave the same or substantially the same heat exposure. The blown air, however, as described, also traverses the passages or airways unless blocked.

In addition to the air flow channelersserving as blown air directors for the ambient air within the passageways, the structure of the channelerscan be deployed to better secure the long hair in place during the operation of the configurations, e.g., the ends of the hair may be secured to prevent the blowback of the hair. The shape of these channelerscan thus be contoured to better capture the hair in the respective tunnel extension members/and/, where the hair is thicker in the extension member/closest the scalp of the user and thinner in the second or further tunnel extension member/in this embodiment. It should be understood that these factors may differ with the differing use.

With reference now toof the DRAWINGS, there is illustrated another representative configuration of the presently preferred embodiment of an improved hair drying apparatus practicing the principles of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral, such as may be employed in a beauty salon or other establishment in another embodiment.

As with the other embodiments, there is a stand(partially shown), with a height adjusterand an angle adjuster, and a bonnet, which can be a professional-style bonnet, as found in hair salons or even a portable bonnet, such as may be used by users in their own home. It should be understood that the hood or bonnetin this embodiment generates the blown air, i.e., the blown air is not generated externally, such as by the blowerin.

The bonnetin this embodiment is powered by electricity through a plug and cord, generally designated by the reference numeral. It should, of course, be understood that, as with the other hair dryer or blower embodiments hereinabove, the devices//may instead be powered by batteries disposed within the devices or attachments thereto, as needed.

As shown, a user, perhaps sitting in a chair adjacent the configurationattached to a stand, inserts their head into the bonnet, as in conventional devices in hair or beauty salons. Unlike salons, however, the present invention offers an improved air-drying technique not known in the prior art, i.e., the extension members with the drying tunnels for the long hair of the user, with simultaneous or substantially simultaneous drying by the aforesaid heat distribution system described hereinabove and hereinbelow.

In this embodiment, the extendersandconnect to the bonnet, such as threadably or via springs, as described hereinabove, and the hair is disposed into the tunnel extendersand, as shown. It should be understood that the bonnetand extension membersandare portrayed inas transparent in an aid to better describe the invention, but, of course, need not be so in products. It should, therefore, be understood that the blown airflow generated by the motors in the bonnet, just as those created by the blower, moves the air therein, helping to dry the user's hair within the bonnet, i.e., near the scalp, and in escaping the bonnet, the heated or unheated airflow flows through the extension membersandin turn and across the hair deployed therein, evenly drying it, particularly by virtue of the heat distribution conduits of the instant invention.

With further reference to, there is again shown the stability aspect of the present invention, which provides more stability, such as with portable usages within the home or even within a salon. With the potential ungainliness of the configuration, e.g., the bonnetwith the two extension membersand, as well as the earlier like configurations, the bonnetand the extension membersandare preferably secured to the stand, which provides the requisite stability. Other means for stabilizing are, however, contemplated.

In any event, extension memberis threadably or otherwise secured to the bonnet, as described. The extension memberis also and separately secured to the stand, such as via a clasp or connection, such as Velcro, generally designated by the reference numeral.

Likewise, extension memberis threadably or otherwise secured to the first extension member, as shown, and also secured to the stand, such as via another clasp or connection, generally designated by the reference numeral. In this manner, the user can comfortably sit or otherwise rest while the configuration of the instant invention, secured in place, dries the full length of their hair with a safe and stable configuration.