Hair treatment apparatus

Abstract

A hair treatment apparatus includes a base and a sidewall in direct contact with and extending from the base. The base and sidewall define a cavity configured for receiving a liquid. The hair treatment apparatus further includes a lid coupled to the sidewall opposite to the base, the lid defining an adjustable aperture configured for receiving a portion of hair for treatment in the liquid. The lid includes a first ring, a plurality of plates, and a second ring. The first ring is configured to releasably engage the sidewall and define a central axis. The plurality of plates extend from the first ring toward an aperture, each of the plurality of plates includes a pin. The second ring defines a plurality of slots to receive the pins. Rotation of the second ring causes the plurality of plates to extend toward the longitudinal axis to reduce the diameter of the aperture.

1 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A hair treatment apparatus, comprising:
 a base;   a sidewall in direct contact with and extending from the base, wherein the base and sidewall define a cavity configured for receiving a liquid; and   a lid coupled to the sidewall opposite to the base, the lid defining an adjustable aperture configured for receiving a portion of hair for treatment in the liquid, whereby a diameter of the aperture can be adjusted to conform to the portion of hair.   
     
     
         6 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the lid comprises:
 a first ring configured to releasably engage the sidewall, wherein the first ring defines an aperture and a central axis;   a plurality of plates extending from the first ring toward the aperture, each of the plurality of plates including a pin extending therefrom;   a second ring defining a plurality of slots, each of the plurality of pins disposed in a respective one of the plurality of slots;   wherein rotation of the second ring causes the plurality of plates to extend toward the central axis to reduce a diameter of the aperture, whereby the aperture can be closed around a portion of hair inserted through the aperture.   
     
     
         7 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the lid comprises a channel circumscribing the aperture and a cord disposed in the channel, and wherein the aperture is configured to reduce in diameter from a first diameter to a second diameter in response to a change of length of material within the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the base and the sidewall are formed of metal. 
     
     
         9 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, and copper. 
     
     
         10 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sidewall is formed of a lamination of a core material between two layers of a plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the lid is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, rubber, silicone, plastic, and an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sidewall is cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a handle portion affixed to, or extending from, the sidewall. 
     
     
         14 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the handle portion is at least partially formed from a heat insulator. 
     
     
         15 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         16 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the lid is fixedly coupled to the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The hair treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the lid is removably coupled to the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         18 . A method of hair treatment, comprising:
 heating a liquid inside a hair treatment apparatus, the apparatus including a base, a sidewall in direct contact with and extending from the base, and a lid engaged with the sidewall opposite to the base, the lid having an adjustable aperture configured for receiving a portion of hair for treatment in the liquid, wherein the base and sidewall form a cavity configured for receiving the liquid;   inserting a portion of hair for treatment into the hair treatment apparatus via the adjustable aperture;   tightening the adjustable aperture about the portion of hair;   allowing a predetermined or desired amount of time to lapse while the portion of hair is in at least partial contact with the heated liquid; and   removing the portion of hair from the apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, after the tightening step, allowing a predetermined amount of time to elapse while the portion of hair is in at least partial contact with the heated liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tightening step includes rotating a first ring of the lid to cause a plurality of plates to extend toward a longitudinal axis of the sidewall and reduce a diameter of the aperture.