US3972126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for drying hair
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-18
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1994-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for drying hair is disclosed. A helmet defines a space adjacent the hair and vacuum apparatus reduces the air pressure within the space. Infrared lamps apply infrared radiation to the hair and the moisture bearing fluid is removed from the space by a pump. In some embodiments, the fluid is dehumidified and recirculated. Preferably, temperature and pressure controls are provided and, in some embodiments, a co-solvent is added to a recirculated air stream.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank P. DeMuro
- 👤 Norman G. Rapino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:04
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45D; A45D20/00; A45D20/22; A45D20/28; A45D20/34; A45D20/38; A45D20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of drying hair comprising the steps of establishing an enclosed space surrounding the hair to be dried separate and sealed from atmosphere, reducing the air pressure within and throughout such space to a sub-atmospheric pressure below ambient pressure, maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure throughout the space and applying infrared radiation to the hair.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of drying hair comprising the steps of establishing an enclosed space surrounding the hair to be dried separate and sealed from atmosphere, reducing the air pressure within and throughout such space to a sub-atmospheric pressure below ambient pressure, maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure throughout the space and applying infrared radiation to the hair.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of drying hair, according to claim 1, including removing air and moisture from such space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of drying hair, according to claim 2, including recirculating at least a portion of the air removed from the space and removing moisture from such recirculated air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of drying hair, according to claim 3, including heating such recirculated air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of drying hair, according to claim 3, including removing moisture from the hair by both evaporation and with a chemical desiccant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of drying hair, according to claim 3, including the addition of a co-solvent, which is more volatile than water, to the recirculated air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for drying hair comprising, in combination, a helmet having an open end, said helmet defining an enclosed space adjacent the hair to be dried sealing means adjacent said open end of said helmet for separating said enclosed space from the atmosphere, vacuum means including a vacuum head mounted within such space and vacuum pump means located exterior of such space in fluid communication with said vacuum head for reducing the air pressure throughout such space, wherein a sub-atmospheric pressure is maintained throughout such space during drying and infrared means within such space for directing radiant energy toward the hair.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for drying hair comprising, in combination, a helmet having an open end, said helmet defining an enclosed space adjacent the hair to be dried sealing means adjacent said open end of said helmet for separating said enclosed space from the atmosphere, vacuum means including a vacuum head mounted within such space and vacuum pump means located exterior of such space in fluid communication with said vacuum head for reducing the air pressure throughout such space, wherein a sub-atmospheric pressure is maintained throughout such space during drying and infrared means within such space for directing radiant energy toward the hair.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 7, wherein said pump means removes moisture laden air from such space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 7, including pressure relief means adjacent said helmet and in communication with such space and the atmosphere, whereby such space is vented to the atmosphere when the pressure within such space drops to a predetermined pressure level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 8, wherein said infrared means comprises at least one infrared lamp mounted within said helmet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 10, wherein said vacuum head has openings defined therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 10, wherein said vacuum means includes a manifold mounted within said helmet and a plurality of rollers positioned adjacent the hair and in fluid communication with said manifold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 11, wherein said pump means comprises a blower and a conduit between said vacuum means and said blower.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 13, including dehumidifier means positioned between said vacuum means and said blower for removing moisture from the fluid removed from said helmet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 14, wherein said dehumidifier means comprises a cold chamber which receives the moisture laden air, cooling coils surrounding said cold chamber and a condenser unit in communication with said cooling coils.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 14, including second conduit means between said blower and said helmet for recirculating dried air to said helmet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 14, wherein said dehumidifier means includes a chemical desiccant unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 16, including heating means in communication with said second conduit means for heating the recirculating air.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for drying hair, according to claim 16, including co-solvent means in communication with said second conduit means for adding a co-solvent to the recirculating air.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |