Device for the styling and drying of hair

A hair drying apparatus for use in the treatment of drying and styling damp hair, said apparatus comprising:

• a heat producing material comprising a chemical adapted to generate heat by an exothermic reaction when activated by water,
• a liquid water impermeable microporous film surrounding said heat producing material, said film being water vapor permeable,
• a sheet of liquid absorbent fabric having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said absorbent fabric positioned in at least partially overlying relation to said microporous film, said second surface of the absorbent fabric forming an outermost surface from among the heat producing material, the film and the absorbent fabric, and
• a core disposed on an interior of said heat producing material,
• whereby when damp hair is contacted about the absorbent fabric second surface, the fabric sheet forms an evaporation situs for liquid water wicked by the fabric from the hair, and the heat generated dries the hair, and whereby an external energy source applied to said core assists regenerating said heat producing material.

A regeneratable hair drying apparatus for use in styling damp hair during drying, said apparatus comprising:

• a heat producing material comprising a zeolite to generate heat by an exothermic reaction when activated by water,
• a microporous film surrounding said heat producing material, said film having a porosity of at least about 70% and being liquid water impermeable and water vapor permeable, said film having a thickness of less than about 0.1 mm and being heat stable at a temperature at least about 180.degree. C., and
• a sheet of liquid absorbent fabric having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said absorbent fabric positioned in overlying relation to said microporous film, said second surface forming an outermost surface of said regeneratable hair dryer apparatus, said fabric sheet having a thickness of between about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm, a water absorbency of at least about 5 percent by weight and being heat stable at a temperature at least about 180.degree. C.,
• whereby when damp hair is contacted about the absorbent fabric second surface, the fabric sheet forms an evaporation situs for liquid water wicked by the fabric from the hair, and the heat generated dries the hair, and, after use, thermal stability of said microporous film and said absorbent fabric sheet promotes regeneration of said heat producing material in the presence of an externally supplied energy source.

A method of drying and styling damp hair, comprising the steps of

• providing a regeneratable hair drying apparatus comprising a heat producing material comprising a zeolite generating heat by an exothermic reaction when activated by water, a microporous film surrounding said heat producing material, said film being liquid water impermeable and water vapor permeable, and a sheet of liquid absorbent fabric having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said absorbent fabric overlying said microporous film,
• contacting the absorbent fabric second surface with damp hair,
• wicking water from the damp hair into the fabric,
• permeating water vapor through said film while not permeating liquid water therethrough to activate said heat producing material to generate heat, and
• transferring heat from said heat producing material to generate a temperature in the hair of at least about 35.degree. C. for a duration of about 45 minutes,
• whereby the damp hair is styled about the absorbent fabric second surface and dried to a residual moisture content of less than 10%.

A hair drying apparatus for use in the treatment of drying and styling damp hair, said apparatus comprising:

• a heat producing material comprising a chemical adapted to generate heat by an exothermic reaction when activated by water,
• a liquid water impermeable microporous film surrounding said heat producing material, said film being water vapor permeable, and
• a sheet of liquid absorbent fabric having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said absorbent fabric positioned in at least partially overlying relation to said microporous film, said second surface of the absorbent fabric forming an outermost surface from among the heat producing material, the film and the absorbent fabric,
• whereby when damp hair is contacted about the absorbent fabric second surface, the fabric sheet forms an evaporation situs for liquid water wicked by the fabric from the hair, and the heat generated dries the hair, and wherein said absorbent fabric sheet is heat stable to a temperature above about 180.degree. C., thereby promoting, after use, regeneration of said heat producing material in the presence of an externally supplied energy source.

A hair drying apparatus for use in the treatment of drying and styling damp hair, said apparatus comprising:

• a heat producing material comprising a chemical adapted to generate heat by an exothermic reaction when activated by water,
• a liquid water impermeable microporous film surrounding said heat producing material, said film being water vapor permeable, and
• a sheet of liquid absorbent fabric having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said absorbent fabric positioned in at least partially overlying relation to said microporous film, said second surface of the absorbent fabric forming an outermost surface from among the heat producing material, the film and the absorbent fabric.
• whereby when damp hair is contacted about the absorbent fabric second surface, the fabric sheet forms an evaporation situs for liquid water wicked by the fabric from the hair, and the heat generated dries the hair, and wherein said microporous film is heat stable to a temperature above about 180.degree. C., thereby promoting, after use, regeneration of said heat producing material in the presence of an externally supplied energy source.