Device and method for heating hair curlers

Abstract

A hair curler heating system, is disclosed comprising a hair curler having a ferro-magnetic core, a plastic outer shell, an insulator therebetween, and a housing for receiving said curler and for heating it therein. The housing includes an induction coil, a control circuit operatively connected to the coil, a resonant capacitor operatively connected to the circuit, a heat sink connected to the capacitor, and a colored heating indication panel attached to the housing and operatively connected to the circuit.

1 . A hair curler, comprising:
 a first conical member having slits extending therearound;   a second conical member fitting substantially within said first conical member consisting essentially of silicon;   a third conical member fitting substantially within said second conical member comprising a ferro-magnetic material;   a first end cap fitting on the end of the first conical member having substantially concentric slits therein; and   a second end cap fitting on the end of the third conical member having substantially concentric slits therein.   
     
     
         2 . The curler of  claim 1 , wherein the first conical member includes a frictional surface for adhering hair thereto. 
     
     
         3 . The curler of  claim 1 , wherein the second conical member is an insulator. 
     
     
         4 . The curler of  claim 1 , wherein the third conical member is adapted to be heated from an inductive heat source. 
     
     
         5 . A hair curler heater, comprising:
 an upper, middle, and lower housing;   an induction coil positioned between said upper and said middle housing;   a control circuit operatively connected to said coil;   a resonant capacitor positioned between said middle and said lower housing;   a heat sink connected to said capacitor; and   a colored heating indication panel attached to said upper housing and operatively connected to said control circuit.   
     
     
         6 . The heater of  claim 5 , further including a first o-ring interposed between said upper housing and said middle housing and a second o-ring interposed between said middle housing and said lower housing. 
     
     
         7 . The heater of  claim 6 , further including a receptacle for heating a hair curler therein. 
     
     
         8 . The heater of  claim 7 , wherein said indication panel includes at least two colors for indicating if a hair curler heated therein is ready for use. 
     
     
         9 . The heater of  claim 8 , wherein said indication panel includes a plurality of colors for indicating the heat of a hair curler heated therein. 
     
     
         10 . The heater of  claim 9 , wherein said capacitor includes a resonant circuit associated therewith. 
     
     
         11 . A hair curler heating system, comprising:
 a hair curler having a ferro-magnetic core, a plastic outer shell, and an insulator therebetween;   a housing for receiving said curler and for heating it therein, wherein said housing includes:   an induction coil;   a control circuit operatively connected to said coil;   a resonant capacitor operatively connected to said circuit;   a heat sink connected to said capacitor; and   a colored heating indication panel attached to said housing and operatively connected to said circuit.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said core, said shell, and said insulator of said curler are conical. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said shell has slits extending therearound and includes a frictional surface for adhering hair thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said core comprises a ferro-magnetic material. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said curler further comprises a first end cap fitting on the end of said shell having substantially concentric slits therein and a second end cap fitting on the end of said core having substantially concentric slits therein. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said housing includes an upper, middle, and lower housing, a first o-ring interposed between said upper housing and said middle housing and a second o-ring interposed between said middle housing and said lower housing. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further including a receptacle for heating said hair curler therein. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said indication panel includes at least two colors for indicating if a hair curler heated therein is ready for use. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said indication panel includes a plurality of colors for indicating the heat of a hair curler heated therein. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said capacitor includes a resonant circuit associated therewith.