US20040149304A1

US20040149304A1 - Hair roller assembly

Info

Publication number: US20040149304A1
Application number: US10/354,051
Authority: US
Inventors: Yukio Noguchi; Noriaki Takizawa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: MANICA-THAI CORP Ltd
Priority date: 2003-01-30
Filing date: 2003-01-30
Publication date: 2004-08-05

Abstract

A hair roller assembly includes a cover made of a soft elastomer material having an inner wall formed with an inner space, and a sponge unit mounted in the inner space of the cover. The cover has a determined length with different sizes. The sponge unit includes a first sponge, a second sponge and a third sponge having different shapes, diameters and density, so that the soft cover mounted on the sponge unit presents different shapes and sizes, and the user's hair curled around the cover also presents different shapes and styles, thereby enhancing variation of the styles of the user's hair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair roller assembly, and more particularly, to provide the means for the effects of softness to a hair roller assembly, wherein the sponge unit includes a first sponge, a second sponge and a third sponge having different shapes, diameters and density, so that the soft elastomer cover mounted on the sponge unit presents different shapes and sizes, and the user's hair curled around the outer wall of the soft elastomer cover also presents different shapes and styles, thereby enhancing variation of the styles of the user's hair.

The sponge can also be replaced by the wax sealed between the inner shell and the outer soft cover. The wax is to be melted by a separate heater located inside of inner shell. When the wax is in the liquid state, the roller is soft, and hot enough for use (see FIG. 10).

The soft elastomer roller cover can also be made solidly without sponges, but with several circular ribs riding around it. The softness can be acquired by these soft ribs (FIGS. 6 through 8).

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional hair roller in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 11 includes an

outer layer

50 made of a solid material, an inner layer 52 made of steel or the like, and an intermediate layer 54 mounted between the outer layer 50 and the inner layer 52. The intermediate layer 54 is made of a thermal retardation material, such as wax or the like, so that the conventional hair roller may be kept at a constant temperature. However, it is with hard shell, couldn't have this good soft feeling provided by this invention.

The other prior arts of which the applicant is aware are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,128-B1 to Saxton, entitled by “HAIR ROLLER”, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,554 to Caruso, entitled by “HAIR CURLER”. Caruso's prior art reference was without cover, only with low density, low heat capacity and subject to being worn out sponge. It is not durable and little capability for heat retaining, and thus not so effective for curling hair. Saxton's prior art reference was a solid roller, no way for heating up by steaming or other heating source from the central part of the roller. The present invention offers the ways for all above disadvantage as hereinafter described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional hair roller.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide multi means for soft effect of a hair roller assembly while keeping it in high performance with heat, wherein the cover is made of soft elastomer material which has much higher density and heat capacity, is capable of retaining more heat content than does the sponge, and is provided with a plurality of evenly distributed perforations, so that the heat created by the steam applied from the central hollow of the roller, is plentifully and evenly retained in/on the elastomer cover, and that heat is necessary for fast and lasting curling for the hair. Thereby it provides a good curling effect to the user's hair.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hair roller assembly, wherein the sponge unit includes a first sponge, a second sponge and a third sponge having different shapes, diameters and density, so that the soft elastomer cover mounted on the sponge unit presents different shapes and sizes, and the user's hair curled around the outer wall of the cover also presents different shapes and styles, thereby enhancing variation of the styles of the user's hair.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a hair roller assembly, wherein the cover is made of a soft elastomer material, so that its shape and configuration is changed arbitrarily to conform variations of the first sponge, the second sponge and the third sponge of the sponge unit, thereby preventing the first sponge, the second sponge and the third sponge of the sponge unit from being worn out.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a hair roller assembly, wherein the elastomer cover is provided with multi circular ribs around it (see FIG. 6 through FIG. 8) without a sponge in inside of it. These circular ribs are soft, lined up in parallel that can make the roller felt soft, and the ribs are good for easier hair curling. A heating element or some kinds of heating source is to be located in inside of the inner wall.

A further objective of the present invention is also to provide a hair roller assembly, wherein the wax, which is to replace the sponges, is filled and sealed between inner wall and outer soft elastomer cover (see FIG. 10). The wax is to be heated and melted by separate heating elements located in the inner wall of the roller. Once the wax in the roller assembly is heated and melted, the roller is warm and soft, good for the user to curl her hair.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hair roller assembly, comprising a cover made of a soft elastomer material having an inner wall formed with an inner space, the cover having a determined length with different sizes; and a sponge unit mounted or the wax filled and sealed in the inner space of the cover, wherein the sponge unit or the melted wax will provide the effect of softness for the roller assembly. Or even without sponge or wax, the circular ribs ride around the roller surface can provide the roller with the same softness effect.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of a hair roller assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; [0016]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hair roller assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; [0017]
FIG. 3 is a cut-away cross-sectional view of the hair roller assembly as shown in FIG. 1; [0018]
FIG. 4 is a front plan cross-sectional view of the hair roller assembly as shown in FIG. 1; [0019]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a hair roller assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; [0020]
FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a hair roller assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; [0021]
FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a hair roller assembly in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; [0022]
FIG. 8 is a front plan view of a hair roller assembly in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; [0023]
FIG. 9 is a perspective assembly view of a hair roller assembly in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention; [0024]
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hair roller assembly as shown in FIG. 9; and [0025]
FIG. 11 is a front plan cross-sectional view of a conventional hair roller in accordance with the prior art.[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. [0027] 1-4, a hair roller assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a spool 10, a sponge unit 20, and a cover 30.
The [0028] spool 10 is a hollow body having an arc-shaped outer wall. The spool 10 has a periphery formed with a plurality of elongated slits 12. The spool 10 has a first end provided with a first cap 14 and a second end provided with a second cap 16.
The [0029] sponge unit 20 is made of a foam material and is mounted on the arc-shaped outer wall of the spool 10. The sponge unit 20 includes a porous first sponge 21, a porous second sponge 22 and a porous third sponge 23 each having an outer diameter and a density different from each other.
The [0030] cover 30 is made of a soft elastomer material, and is mounted on the sponge unit 20. The cover 30 has an arc-shaped outer wall and has an inner wall formed with an inner space 32 to receive the sponge unit 20. The cover 30 has a periphery formed with a plurality of longitudinally arranged and evenly distributed perforations 34 and a plurality of longitudinally arranged and evenly distributed protruding ears 36.
In assembly, the [0031] first sponge 21, the second sponge 22 and the third sponge 23 of the sponge unit 20 are in turn mounted in the inner space 32 of the cover 30. Then, the spool 10 is in turn extended through the first sponge 21, the second sponge 22 and the third sponge 23 of the sponge unit 20, with the first sponge 21 of the sponge unit 20 being rested on the first cap 14 of the spool 10. Finally, the second cap 16 of the spool 10 is secured on the second end of the spool 10, and is rested on the third sponge 23 of the sponge unit 20, thereby assembling the hair roller assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
In operation, the user's hair is curled around the outer wall of the [0032] cover 30. Then, the steam is filled into the inside of the spool 10 and is carried outward through the elongated slits 12 into the first sponge 21, the second sponge 22 and the third sponge 23 of the sponge unit 20. Then, the steam is passed through the porous first sponge 21, the porous second sponge 22 and the porous third sponge 23 of the sponge unit 20 and through the evenly distributed perforations 34 of the elastomer cover 30, and is then carried outward from the cover 30 so as to heat the user's hair curled around the outer wall of the cover 30.
Accordingly, the hair roller assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages. [0033]
1. The [0034] elastomer cover 30 is provided with a plurality of evenly distributed perforations 34, so that the hot steam passed through the cover 30 is conducted and distributed evenly and smoothly, thereby providing a evenly distributed heating an wetting effect to the user's hair curled around the outer wall of the cover 30.
2. The [0035] elastomer cover 30 is provided with a plurality of evenly distributed protruding ears 36, so as to separate and fix the user's hair, so that the user's hair is curled around the outer wall of the cover 30 rigidly and stably.
3. The [0036] sponge unit 20 includes a first sponge 21, a second sponge 22 and a third sponge 23 having different shapes, diameters and density, so that the soft elastomer cover 30 mounted on the sponge unit 20 presents different shapes and sizes, and the user's hair curled around the outer wall of the elastomer cover 30 also presents different shapes and styles, thereby enhancing variation of the styles of the user's hair.
4. The [0037] elastomer cover 30 is made of a soft material, so that its shape and configuration is changed arbitrarily to conform variations of the first sponge 21, the second sponge 22 and the third sponge 23 of the sponge unit 20, thereby preventing the first sponge 21, the second sponge 22 and the third sponge 23 of the sponge unit 20 from being worn out.
5. The [0038] cover 30 is made of elastomer. Due to its high density and high heat capacity, it is capable of retaining plenty of heat which is necessary for fast and lasting curling for the user's hair.
Referring to FIG. 5, a hair roller assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the [0039] cover 30A is not provided with protruding ears 36.
Referring to FIG. 6, a hair roller assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the [0040] cover 30B and the sponge unit 20B, replaced with the same material as cover are integrally formed together, and the combination unit has multi circular and parallel ribs, ride over and around its outer surface. The tips of the ribs are lined in an arcuate convex shape. The heating element (not shown) to heat up the roller is to be located in the central hollow of the roller.
Referring to FIG. 7, a hair roller assembly in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is with the same construction as the third embodiment except the tips of the ribs are lined in a flat shape. [0041]
Referring to FIG. 8, a hair roller assembly in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is with the same construction as the third embodiment except the tips of the ribs are lined in an arcuate concave shape. [0042]
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a hair roller assembly in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the sponge unit is unused, and the [0043] cover 30E has a closed hollow inner space 32E filled with paraffin wax for retaining heat and cover 30E to be soft after wax is melted. The heating element (not shown) to heat up the roller is to be in the central hollow of the roller.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. [0044]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hair roller assembly, comprising:

a cover made of a soft elastomer material having an inner wall formed with an inner space, the cover having a determined length with different sizes; and

a sponge unit mounted in the inner space of the cover, wherein the sponge unit has a determined length with different sizes.

2. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sponge unit is made of a foam material.

3. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sponge unit includes a porous first sponge, a porous second sponge and a porous third sponge each having an outer diameter and a density different from each other.

4. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cover has an arc-shaped outer wall.

5. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cover has a periphery formed with a plurality of longitudinally arranged and evenly distributed perforations

6. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a spool mounted in the sponge unit, wherein the spool is a hollow body having an arc-shaped outer wall, the spool has a periphery formed with a plurality of elongated slits, and has a first end provided with a first cap and a second end provided with a second cap.

7. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cover and the sponge or the same material as the cover are integrally formed together, and the combination unit has multi circular ribs ride around it with the tips of the ribs lined in=an arcuate convex shape.

8. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein the combination unit has multi circular ribs ride around it with the tips of the ribs lined in a flat shape.

9. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein the combination unit has multi circular ribs ride around it with the tips of the ribs lined in an arcuate concave shape.

10. The hair roller assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inner space is to be filled with wax sealed between the soft elastomer outer cover and the inner wall at both ends.