Special receptacle or package – For a tool
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-01
2004-10-26
Ackun, Jr., Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Special receptacle or package
For a tool
C150S165000, C493S243000, C493S922000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06808066
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to protective containers, and more specifically to a pouch formed of a flexible fabric material for safely containing a heated appliance. The present protective pouch is particularly adapted for containing an electrically heated hair curling iron therein, but may be adapted for containing other appliances having similar configurations.
2. Description of Related Art
Heated appliances are used for various tasks and applications, with electrically heated devices, e.g. curling irons, hair dryers, etc. used almost universally for cosmetic purposes. A perennial problem with such appliances, is the storage of the appliance immediately after use, when it is still hot. This is not such a major problem in the household, where space is generally available for storing the appliance after use, but such storage immediately after use becomes a problem during travel, when the appliance and other belongings must be packed immediately after use for travel.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a pouch for containing a heated appliance, which pouch serves to insulate and protect any immediately adjacent articles from the heat emitted from the still hot appliance. The present pouch comprises a structure formed of an inner layer of flexible fabric material having heat resistant properties, with an outer layer of fabric surrounding the inner layer, to form a two ply pocket for the device. Additional features, such as an adjustably positionable top closure, laterally disposed securing straps or ties for the electrical cord, and a hanging strap, may also be provided.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,792 issued on Feb. 18, 1986 to Kay S. Conway, titled “Case For Curling Iron Or Similar Article,” describes a pouch formed of a flexible laminate comprising an inner liner and an outer covering. The Conway case differs from the present invention in that (1) Conway stitches the two plies of material together along the bottom and one edge, which results in greater heat transfer between plies, (2) Conway closes his case with a flap which limits the extension of an article therefrom and which limits ventilation of the heated interior of the case, and (3) Conway fails to provide a hanging strap for his case.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,610 issued on Apr. 28, 1987 to Dana L. McIntire III, titled “Insulating Device For Heated Working Tools Such As Welding Torches And The Like,” describes a pocket or pouch in which a welding or cutting torch may be placed temporarily during a welding or cutting operation. The McIntire, III device is open at both ends and slips over the end of the torch to protect other materials from contact with the heated tip of the torch. No closure is provided, as the device is intended only for temporary use, and is not intended to store the torch for any extended period of time. No hanging strap or cord or accessory ties are provided by McIntire, III with his torch protection device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,529 issued on Nov. 5, 1991 to Connie D. Blair, titled “Enclosure For Curling Iron Or Similar Article,” describes a hard rectangular case with a separate lid. A partition is provided for separating the curling iron and its electrical cord, with both the iron and cord being placed in the box together. No flexible wall pouch, double ply construction, adjustable closure, or external ties are disclosed by Blair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,456 issued on Apr. 20, 1993 to Rudy Boswell, titled “Curling Iron Travel Case,” describes another hard shell case for carrying two curling irons therein. The cords are carried within the Boswell case, rather than externally, as in the present pouch. The Boswell case more closely resembles the case of the Blair U.S. Pat. No. '529, than it does the present pouch invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,209 issued on Oct. 8, 1996 to Patricia N. Jackson et al., titled “Heat Resistant Curling Iron Cooler,” describes a device formed of foam rubber with an insulating liner. The foam rubber outer shell holds its shape, unlike the fabric material of the present pouch. Jackson et al. provide an elastic cord to hook over the clamp lever to secure a curling iron in the holder, but do not provide a structure having two plies of fabric material nor any means for securing the electrical cord externally.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,607 issued on Nov. 26, 1996 to Anthony G. Drake et al., titled “Curling Iron Pouch,” describes a pouch formed of a series of heat resistant fabric sheets. However, due to the construction used by Drake et al., their pouch differs considerably from the present heated appliance pouch. Drake et al. cut four separate pieces of material comprising two pouch sides and two external pocket sides, and stitch them together completely around their common edges. In contrast, the present pouch conserves labor by cutting a single blank each for the inner and outer pockets. The blanks are sewn together along what will become their common open upper edge, then everted and sewn to form a pocket and sleeve. The outer sleeve is then folded over the inner pocket, and stitched along its bottom edge to close the assembly. Moreover, Drake et al. provide only a fixed closure (i.e., snap) for their pouch, whereas the closure of the present pouch may be adjusted to fit different appliances. Also, Drake et al. do not provide a separate external tie for securing the appliance cord.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,955 issued on Jun. 17, 1997 to C. Daniel Calciano, titled “Transportable Holder For An Electrically Powered Styling Instrument,” describes a pouch having only a single pocket, with a bifurcated closure flap at the open end thereof. The entire hair curler fits within the Calciano holder, with only the cord extending from the slot of the flap to the outside of the holder. While Calciano provides external cord holding means, the means comprises only a pair of hooks, rather than the positive cord retaining straps of the present pouch. Moreover, no hanging strap is provided for the Calciano holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,757 issued on Mar. 9, 1999 to Adelaida Hernandez, titled “Carrying Case For Hair Styling Equipment,” describes a generally rectangular, hard sided briefcase type container. One side has a recess formed therein, with a flexible fabric closure panel overlying the recess. A hair curler or the like may be stored within this recess. The hard materials of which the Hernandez case is constructed, along with its complexity, result in a device more closely related to the travel case of the Boswell U.S. Pat. No. '456, than to the present appliance pouch.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,826 issued on Sep. 14, 1999 to Barbara J. Lykowski, titled “Curling Iron Travel Case,” describes a device formed of multiple layers of heat resistant fabric and including a series of internal pockets. The Lykowski case is sufficiently large and bulky to require a pair of carrying handles, but no hanging loop is disclosed. Lykowski stores the appliance cord within the outer sheet, rather than using a separate tie.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,542 issued on Dec. 14, 1999 to Joseph C. Smith, titled “Seaming Iron Holder,” describes a device having opposite open sides when the two ends are brought together for carrying a seaming iron therein. While Smith states that his holder is formed of flexible materials, the drawings suggest that the device is actually formed of three rigid panels, with flexible joints between the two end panels and center panel. In any event, hanging strap, closure strap, or external cord tie are disclosed by Smith.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,122 issued on May 30, 2000 to Charles R. Burns et al., titled “Travel Pouch For Heated Appliances,” describes a device which might be considered a simplified variation on the travel case of the Lykowski U.S. Pat. No. '826 discussed further above. The device folds across its center, and includes a single internal pocket on one side for two curling irons and a
Ackun Jr. Jacob K.
Litman Richard C.
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