GB2240268A - Hair dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair dryer is provided in the shape of at least part of an animal e.g. a duck, and in particular is provided with a body portion 12 which is shaped to incorporate generally the skull outline or head of the animal shape, the body portion being further provided with an air outlet 18 which is shaped to incorporate specifically the mouth outline of the animal shape, and a handle portion 14 which is shaped to incorporate the neck or body outline of the animal shape. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO HAIR DRYERS Hair dryers are known having a body portion and a handle portion angled to that body portion. The inner end of the body portion is formed with an air inlet adjacent the handle portion through which air is drawn for subsequent heating, while the other end of the body portion is provided with an air outlet through which the warm air is expelled.

These hair dryers have a motor-driven fan therein to draw cold air into the air inlet of the hair dryer and to force warm air out of the air outlet of the hair dryer.

The motor and fan make a noise which can often scare a young child when an adult is trying to dry the hair of that young child. In particular, a child can often move unexpectedly when the hair dryer is initially turned on due to the noise caused thereby, and the hair dryer may come into contact with the child and cause injury (such as a burn).

Additionally, conventional hair dryers may not have an attractive or sufficiently interesting appearance to the user thereof, whether child or adult.

It is an object to this invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the invention, a hair dryer is provided in the shape of at least part of an animal, and in particular is provided with a body portion which is shaped to incorporate generally the skull outline or head of the animal shape, the body portion being further provided with an air outlet which is shaped to incorporate specifically the mouth outline of the animal shape, and a handle portion which is shaped to incorporate the neck or body outline of the animal shape.

Such an arrangement is attractive and is of particular help in the drying by an adult of a child's hair, since the hair dryer in the form of an animal shape provides a comforting shape to the child, and may also prevent the child from being scared and moving unexpectedly, which could cause burning if the child was to touch the hair dryer.

Suitably, the air inlet of the hair dryer is shaped to incorporate an orifice in the animal's head, for instance, the ear or nose outline of the animal shape.

Preferably, the handle portion is also provided with switch means to turn on and off the hair dryer, the switch means being shaped with a bow tie outline for the duck's neck.

Suitably, the body portion is split into two distinct sections, namely a section shaped to incorporate a mouth outline and another section shaped to incorporate a skull or head outline.

Preferably, a stand is provided for the hair dryer, the stand being provided in the shape of the feet of the animal shape.

Suitably, the hair dryer whilst supported by its stand gives the overall impression of an animal.

Preferably, the animal shape is a duck, however, any animal shape could be used such as a rabbit, elephant and the like.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a side view of a hair dryer in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows a front view of the hair dryer shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 1 and 2, a hair dryer 10 is shown having a body member 12 and a handle portion 14.

In particular, the hair dryer 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has an outer shape corresponding to a duck's head, and in particular, the body portion 12 is shaped to incorporate the skull and beak outline of. the duck shape, while the handle portion 14 is shaped to incorporate the neck and body outline of the duck shape.

The hair dryer has a cold air inlet 16 at the rear part of the end of the body portion which is shaped with the skull outline of the duck, while a warm air outlet 18 for the hair dryer is provided at the outer end of the body portion, and in particular, at the outer end of the beak outline of the duck shape.

A switch 20 is provided in the shape of a bow tie on the handle member in the shape of the duck's neck/body, in order to switch the hair dryer on and off, and also to select different heat levels (i.e. 600 Watts or 12 Watts).

A stand 22 for the hair dryer is also shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bottom of the handle portion 14 being removably supported within the stand 22. The stand is provided in the shape of the feet of a duck to give an overall impression of a duck when the hair dryer 10 is positioned within its stand 22.

Such an arrangement is extremely attractive in appearance, and has the particular advantage that it provides a comforting appearance for younger children.

This has the advantage that an adult can dry the hair of a youngster without alarming them. Such might occur with an ordinary-shaped hair dryer since such are generally noisy, and this could scare the child. In such a situation, the child could move suddenly without warning, hit the hair dryer, and possibly be hurt thereby.

In Figures 1 and 2, the hair dryer and stand is shown having the outer shape of a duck, however, the outer shape of any animal could be used, for instance, the outer shape of a rabbit, elephant or the like.

Claims (9)

1. A hair dryer having an outline provided in the shape of at least part of an animal, and comprising a main portion having an outline which is shaped generally in the form of the skull or head of the animal, the main portion being provided with an air outlet having an outline which is shaped specifically in the form of the mouth of the animal, and a handle portion having an outline which is shaped in the form of the neck or body of the animal.

2. A hair dryer as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the air inlet of the hair dryer is provided in the body portion and has an outline shaped in the form of an orifice of the animal's head.

3. A hair dryer as claimed in either Claim 1 or 2 wherein switch means are provided on the handle portion to turn on and off the hair dryer, the switch means having an outline shaped in the form of a bow tie.

4. A hair dryer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the main portion is split into two distinct sections, a section having an outline shaped in the form of a mouth of the animal shape and another section having an outline shaped in the form of a skull or head of the animal.

5. A hair dryer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a stand is provided for the hair dryer.

6. A hair dryer as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the stand has an outline in the shape of the feet of the animal.

7. A hair dryer as claimed in either Claim 5 or 6 wherein the hair dryer whilst supported by its stand has an outline which gives the overall impression of a complete animal.

8. A hair dryer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outline of the hair dryer is substantially in the form of a duck.

9. A hair dryer substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2.