Multi-function holder and carrier for hot appliances

Abstract

A carrier includes foldable sheets attached together and including an aesthetic outer surface and a heat-resistant insulating inner surface. The sheets include end flaps and first closures for closing the end flaps to form a three-sided pocket adapted to retain a hot appliance therein, and further the sheets include a side flap and second closure for closing the side flap to totally enclose the pocket to securely positively retain the hot appliance therein. The carrier includes a retainer for holding a power cord to the hot hair care device, regardless of an orientation of the device, in a location spaced from a hot portion of the hot appliance. Also, a scent is embedded in the sheets to provide a desired aroma when warmed by a heated appliance.

Description

[0001]This claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 019,970, filed Jan. 9, 2008, entitled HOLDER AND CARRIER FOR HOT APPLIANCES, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention relates to travel carriers for personal hair care devices, such as curling irons, flat irons, and the like, and further that are constructed to provide additional functional features. However, it is contemplated that the present invention is not limited to only carriers for hot hair care devices, since it can also be used for miniature heating tools, such as soldering irons, clothes irons, and other miniature heating tools.[0003]Travelers often need to pack a hot hair care device quickly before it cools, such as in a travel bag or luggage. Busy homeowners often need to store a hot hair care device before it cools in order to avoid the risk of injuring an innocent bystander including a child, a pet, or themselves ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]In another aspect of the present invention a method includes steps of providing foldable sheets attached together and that include an aesthetic outer surface and an insulating inner surface. The sheets include end flaps and first closures for closing the end flaps to form a three-sided pocket adapted to retain a hot appliance therein. The sheets further include a side flap and second closure for closing the side flap to close the pocket and securely positively retain the hot appliance therein. The method further includes opening the foldable sheet to a flat position and using the flattened sheets to do at least one of: provide a hot pad for supporting a hot iron on the user's lap, provide a flat heat-insulated surface for ironing clothing thereon, contouring the flattened pad to fit within the well of a sink, and provide a protective hot pad for a countertop. The method further includes closing the foldable sheets to form the three-sided pocket, placing a hot appliance therein with the electrical power cord to the hot appliance held away from the three-sided pocket, and closing and then retaining the side flap in a closed position to positively securely protect the hot appliance until it cools.

[0023]An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier adapted for multiple use, such as that can be unfolded to a relatively flat condition for use as an ironing board, including frictional patches or hook-and-loop fasteners that engage a sheet or other supporting structure so that the carrier when used as an ironing board or as a countertop protector or lap protector stays in place.

Problems solved by technology

However, my investigation shows a lack of products with as much flexibly addressing these issues in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Specifically, many known existing carriers suffer from being overly complex, expensive to manufacture, having an excessive number of components, and not well adapted for flexible multi-purpose use.

For example, many carriers are made from a surprisingly large number of components, which leads to high expense, excess weight, and a bulky product that takes up excessive space when packed.

Often, existing products are designed for use in a predetermined way that “forces” the user to store product in a particular way, such that the carrier is not designed for flexible use and / or the arrangement leads to frustrations during use.

When placed in a wrong orientation, the hot hair care device's electrical cord can't be routed away from the hot appliance and thus requires that the appliance be removed, reoriented, and replaced.

This can be frustrating when a traveler is in a hurry which is exactly when this miss-orientation is most likely to occur.

Another problem is that carriers are not made for flexible use, but instead the user is forced to use the device in a particular way due to the arrangement or size of the pockets.

Many travelers may not appreciate this “forced organization” since often the prearrangement does not accommodate their preference or particular needs.

However, these often do not hold the hot hair care device as securely as desired, such that there is a risk that the device will fall out (or partially extend from) the device when the existing carrier is tipped to different orientations, or if a particular end flap is not fully tucked in place.

This can result in a safety concern, and also can create a concern for other items packed adjacent the carrier in the luggage.

Another concern is that hot hair care devices can create an unpleasant “hot hair” smell gets into other items in luggage packed adjacent the carrier.

Known carriers for hot hair care devices do not address this issue.

Resting the hot appliance on most surfaces presents a risk for burning or melting such surface.

Also, there might be an occasion where the styling product was accidentally left on while resting on a non heat-resistant surface when the appliance is no longer in use.

Many times bathroom countertops are very small or non-existent causing one to rest a hot appliance inside the well of a sink.

Depending on the composition of this sink well, damage can easily occur.

Traveling is not easy, and travelers often want multi-functional items that make traveling easier or more comfortable.

However, every additional “thing” that a traveler must take along adds to weight and the task of managing one's stuff.

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