# US 11,896,104 B2 · Sanitizing hair dryer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,104 B2 - Document ID: US11896104B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/993,593 - Filed: 2020-08-14 - Published: 2022-02-17 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-14 - Assignees: Conair Corporation - Applicants: Conair Corporation - Inventors: Sophia Wojczak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896104B2 ## CPC - A45D 20/12: Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61L 9/20: Ultraviolet radiation - A45D 2200/205: Radiation, e.g. UV, infrared - A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps - A61L 2202/16: Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles - A61L 2209/12: Lighting means - A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract A hair dryer includes a housing having a handle portion and a nozzle portion, a motor within the housing, a fan drivingly connected to the motor within the housing, a heating element within the housing, and at least one ultraviolet light emitting element within the nozzle portion, the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element being configured to irradiate a flow passage of the nozzle portion with ultraviolet light. At least a portion of the housing adjacent to the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is transparent or translucent allowing the ultraviolet light to be viewed from exterior to the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hair dryer, comprising: a housing having a handle portion and a nozzle portion; a motor within the housing; a fan drivingly connected to the motor within the housing; a heating element within the housing; and at least one ultraviolet light emitting element within the nozzle portion, the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element being configured to irradiate a flow passage of the nozzle portion with ultraviolet light; wherein at least a portion of the housing adjacent to the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is formed from a transparent or translucent material allowing the ultraviolet light to be viewed from exterior to the housing but which prevents a flow of air there through. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein: the nozzle includes an inlet and an outlet; and wherein the fan is configured to draw air into the flow passage through the outlet and expel the air from the flow passage through the outlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hair dryer of claim 2, wherein: the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The hair dryer of claim 3, wherein: the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements are arranged in an annular array. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The hair dryer of claim 4, wherein: the annular array of ultraviolet light emitting elements is located upstream from the fan. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The hair dryer of claim 4, wherein: the annular array of ultraviolet light emitting elements is located downstream from the fan. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The hair dryer of claim 4, wherein: the annular array extends between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The hair dryer of claim 3, wherein: the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements include a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element positioned on opposing lateral sides of the nozzle portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The hair dryer of claim 3, wherein: the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements are arranged in a first linear array and a second linear array. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hair dryer of claim 9, wherein: the first linear array and the second linear array are located on opposing lateral sides of the nozzle portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The hair dryer of claim 9, wherein: the first linear array is located on a top of the nozzle portion and the second linear array is located on a bottom of the nozzle portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The hair dryer of claim 3, wherein: the light has a wavelength between about 100 nanometers to about 280 nanometers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The hair dryer of claim 1, further comprising: a switch configured to selectively activate and deactivate the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein: each ultraviolet light emitting element is an ultraviolet light emitting diode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein: each ultraviolet light emitting element is recessed within an interior sidewall of the flow passage. ### Claim 16 A method of sanitizing a flow of air within a hair dryer, the hair dryer having a housing having a handle portion and a nozzle portion, a motor within the housing, a fan drivingly connected to the motor within the housing, and at least one ultraviolet light emitting element within the nozzle portion, the method comprising the steps of: illuminating a flow passage within the nozzle portion with the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element; wherein light from the at least one light emitting element is viewable through a portion of the housing formed from a transparent or translucent material; and wherein the portion of the housing formed from a transparent or translucent material prevents a flow of air therethrough. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein: the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements arranged in at least one of an annular array and a linear array. ### Claim 18 A hair dryer, comprising: a housing having a handle portion and a nozzle portion; a motor within the housing; a fan drivingly connected to the motor within the housing; and a plurality of light emitting diodes associated with the nozzle portion, the plurality of light emitting diodes each being configured to irradiate a flow passage of the nozzle portion with ultraviolet light; wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in at least one of an annular array and a linear array. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The hair dryer of claim 18, wherein: each of the plurality of light emitting diodes is configured to emit light having wavelength between about 100 nanometers to about 280 nanometers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The hair dryer of claim 1, further comprising: a window associated with the housing, the window being positioned so as to allow the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes to be viewed through the window.