US20090173648A1 - Multi-function holder and carrier for hot appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

A carrier includes foldable sheets attached together and including an aesthetic outer surface and a heat-resistant insulating inner surface. The sheets include end flaps and first closures for closing the end flaps to form a three-sided pocket adapted to retain a hot appliance therein, and further the sheets include a side flap and second closure for closing the side flap to totally enclose the pocket to securely positively retain the hot appliance therein. The carrier includes a retainer for holding a power cord to the hot hair care device, regardless of an orientation of the device, in a location spaced from a hot portion of the hot appliance. Also, a scent is embedded in the sheets to provide a desired aroma when warmed by a heated appliance.

Description

• This claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/019,970, filed Jan. 9, 2008, entitled HOLDER AND CARRIER FOR HOT APPLIANCES, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
• The present invention relates to travel carriers for personal hair care devices, such as curling irons, flat irons, and the like, and further that are constructed to provide additional functional features. However, it is contemplated that the present invention is not limited to only carriers for hot hair care devices, since it can also be used for miniature heating tools, such as soldering irons, clothes irons, and other miniature heating tools.
• Travelers often need to pack a hot hair care device quickly before it cools, such as in a travel bag or luggage. Busy homeowners often need to store a hot hair care device before it cools in order to avoid the risk of injuring an innocent bystander including a child, a pet, or themselves on the hot appliance. Although some carriers are currently available on the market, there is a need for having a multi-purpose carrier that is useful for more than just carrying or stowing the hot device. Often women take hair styling tools with them to work, to school, or to the gym which include hot styling appliances. Organizing such tools in a convenient carrier and stowing them while still hot is often desirable. However, my investigation shows a lack of products with as much flexibly addressing these issues in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
• Specifically, many known existing carriers suffer from being overly complex, expensive to manufacture, having an excessive number of components, and not well adapted for flexible multi-purpose use. For example, many carriers are made from a surprisingly large number of components, which leads to high expense, excess weight, and a bulky product that takes up excessive space when packed. Often, existing products are designed for use in a predetermined way that “forces” the user to store product in a particular way, such that the carrier is not designed for flexible use and/or the arrangement leads to frustrations during use. For example, many carriers require a particular orientation of the hot hair care device/iron in the carrier. When placed in a wrong orientation, the hot hair care device's electrical cord can't be routed away from the hot appliance and thus requires that the appliance be removed, reoriented, and replaced. This can be frustrating when a traveler is in a hurry which is exactly when this miss-orientation is most likely to occur. Another problem is that carriers are not made for flexible use, but instead the user is forced to use the device in a particular way due to the arrangement or size of the pockets. Many travelers may not appreciate this “forced organization” since often the prearrangement does not accommodate their preference or particular needs.
• A few carriers are made relatively simple, such as a flat flexible sheet-like cloth that can be rolled up and tied closed. However, these often do not hold the hot hair care device as securely as desired, such that there is a risk that the device will fall out (or partially extend from) the device when the existing carrier is tipped to different orientations, or if a particular end flap is not fully tucked in place. This can result in a safety concern, and also can create a concern for other items packed adjacent the carrier in the luggage.
• Another concern is that hot hair care devices can create an unpleasant “hot hair” smell gets into other items in luggage packed adjacent the carrier. Most travelers do not want a carrier with a strong perfume scent, but would like a way to control or at least “offset” the smell of heated hair.
• Yet another concern is protecting the surface beneath the hot appliance while in use. Known carriers for hot hair care devices do not address this issue. Each time a hot styling tool is used to create either a curl or a straightened section of hair, it is typically lain down so that a new section of hair can be accumulated for the same purpose. Resting the hot appliance on most surfaces presents a risk for burning or melting such surface. Also, there might be an occasion where the styling product was accidentally left on while resting on a non heat-resistant surface when the appliance is no longer in use. This carrier however was designed specifically to resolve the issue of accidentally discoloring, burning, melting a counter top or sink, or creating discomfort to one's lap when resting a hot appliance such as a curling iron, clothes iron, or even a laptop computer which will transfer heat to the surface beneath when in an operating mode.
• Another concern is identification and carrying of identification cards, charge cards, and the like. Travelers typically want identification on luggage and on important personal carriers, including a hidden or lockable pocket or the like. Known carriers for hot hair care devices do not include such features.
• Many times bathroom countertops are very small or non-existent causing one to rest a hot appliance inside the well of a sink. Depending on the composition of this sink well, damage can easily occur. This carrier can be contoured to fit within the sink well providing heat resistant protection otherwise not available.
• Traveling is not easy, and travelers often want multi-functional items that make traveling easier or more comfortable. For example, a heat-resistant surface is often desired when traveling to use when ironing clothes to remove wrinkles created by packing items in luggage. However, every additional “thing” that a traveler must take along adds to weight and the task of managing one's stuff. Also, many travelers (or homemakers) want a hot pad to eliminate the potential discoloration or damage to counter tops which can be caused by using a hot appliance on a surface that cannot handle the hot temperatures created by the appliance. Or a hot pad to eliminate the potential heat transfer which may cause discomfort to one's lap when resting a hot hair care appliance thereon. This same hot pad can be used with clothes irons or laptop computers or similar which also transfers heat to a surface beneath when in use. A hanging carrier/organizer is desired so that one is not inconvenienced by small bathroom counter tops which are common in most hotel rooms. The carrier can easily be hung within close proximity to the counter top so that various items can be easily retrieved and used.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
• In one aspect of the present invention, a carrier is provided for carrying a hot appliance such as a hot hair care device. The carrier includes foldable sheets attached together and including an aesthetic outer surface and an insulating inner surface. The sheets include end flaps and first closures for closing the end flaps to form a three-sided pocket adapted to positively retain a hot appliance therein, and further the sheets include a side flap and second closure for closing the side flap to close the pocket and securely positively retain the hot appliance therein with its cord retained under the side flap but away from the hot appliance. In a narrower form, the carrier includes a retainer for holding a power cord to the hot hair care device in a position on the carrier that is spaced from a hot portion of the hot appliance, and that is adapted to retain the wire regardless of an orientation of the device in the carrier.
• In another aspect of the present invention, a multi-purpose carrier is provided for holding at least one, if not two, hot personal hair care appliances having a cord. The carrier comprises a foldable sheet member including at least an outer sheet with aesthetic surface and a functional second sheet of heat-resistant material of similar size attached to the outer sheet in a laminar relationship. The sheet member includes a center section and first and second side sections and seams defining two parallel fold lines along edges of the center section. The sheet member is flexible for bending movement between an open position where the foldable member is substantially flat for use as an ironing board or a protective countertop pad, and a folded position where the first side section forms a first pocket with the center section for hold at least one hot personal hair care appliance between portions of the functional second sheet, and further where the second side section forms a second pocket against an outer surface of the first side section to hold the cord. First and second flaps extend from opposing ends of the center section and are located between the fold lines, and first fasteners on the first and second flaps have mating second fasteners on an outer surface of the first side section for releasably attaching the first and second flaps to the center section to close open ends of the first pocket, but with the cord from the appliance extending from the first pocket, past an edge of one of the first and second flaps, to the second pocket. By this arrangement, the appliance can be positioned in the first pocket with the cord facing the opposite direction and yet the cord can be routed to the second pocket. A retainer is provided on the outer surface of the first side section for holding the cord in the second pocket when in the folded position. A third flap extends from an outer edge of the second side section and includes second fasteners for attaching the third flap to one of the first side section and the center section to hold the second side section in the folded position which thus closes the first pocket and also covers the second pocket.
• In another aspect of the present invention, a multi-purpose carrier comprises a foldable sheet member including at least one functional sheet of heat resistant material. The sheet member includes two parallel fold lines dividing the sheet member into three sections. The sheet member is bendable between an open flat position for use as an ironing board or protective countertop pad, and a folded position where the three sections are relatively flat against each other and forming first and second pockets on opposite sides of a center one of the three sections. Multiple flaps extend from ends of several of the three sections and include fasteners to release and secure the multiple flaps to thus hold the three sections in the folded position. Scent is located in the foldable sheet in a location where a fragrance is emitted both when a hot personal hair care appliance is stored in one of the pockets and also when the foldable sheet is used as an ironing board.
• In another aspect of the present invention a method includes steps of providing foldable sheets attached together and that include an aesthetic outer surface and an insulating inner surface. The sheets include end flaps and first closures for closing the end flaps to form a three-sided pocket adapted to retain a hot appliance therein. The sheets further include a side flap and second closure for closing the side flap to close the pocket and securely positively retain the hot appliance therein. The method further includes opening the foldable sheet to a flat position and using the flattened sheets to do at least one of: provide a hot pad for supporting a hot iron on the user's lap, provide a flat heat-insulated surface for ironing clothing thereon, contouring the flattened pad to fit within the well of a sink, and provide a protective hot pad for a countertop. The method further includes closing the foldable sheets to form the three-sided pocket, placing a hot appliance therein with the electrical power cord to the hot appliance held away from the three-sided pocket, and closing and then retaining the side flap in a closed position to positively securely protect the hot appliance until it cools.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows travelers to pack a hot hair care device quickly before it cools, such as in a travel bag or luggage, but without fear of causing heat damage to adjacently packed items.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier for busy homeowners for storing a hot hair care device before it cools in order to avoid the risk of a child or pet injuring themself on the hot appliance.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose carrier that is useful for more than just carrying or stowing the hot device, such as by providing a flap that can be wrapped around a towel bar to hold and organize hair care products during use . . . and also by providing a carrier that can be laid flat to form an ironing board or heat pad.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier that is relatively non-complex, yet that is adapted for flexible use by a traveler, and further that includes relatively few and inexpensive components, low weight components, and a relatively unbulky product that takes up minimal space when packed.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier that does not require a particular orientation of the hot hair care iron when stored in the carrier. Or more specifically that allows storage of the iron's electrical cord regardless of orientation of the iron in the carrier.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier that securely holds a hot hair care device without risk that the device will fall out (or partially extend from) the device.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier with a scent that is emitted when a hot device is placed in the carrier, so that unpleasant smells from heat hair and from the heated device do not infect other items in luggage packed adjacent the carrier.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier with an identification card holder and also a secret pocket tucked behind an identification pocket for carrying objects such as a credit card and the like discretely.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier adapted for multiple use, such as that can be unfolded to a relatively flat condition for use as an ironing board, including frictional patches or hook-and-loop fasteners that engage a sheet or other supporting structure so that the carrier when used as an ironing board or as a countertop protector or lap protector stays in place.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier that hangs on a towel bar or over a hook and holds hair care products such as brushes, sprays, and hair care devices in an organized arrangement, but in a location off of a small bathroom countertop
• The present structure is further believed to be novel, ornamental, and unobvious in appearance.
• These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIGS. 1-2 are perspective views of the present carrier,FIG. 1 showing the heat-resistant side andFIG. 2 showing the aesthetic side.
• FIGS. 3-4 are perspective views of the carrier ofFIG. 1, but with a first side section folded to form a first pocket for receiving a hot hair care device,FIG. 3 being without the hair care device, andFIG. 4 showing a first device (solid lines) positioned in a first orientation for being stored therein and a second device (dashed lines) positioned in a second reversed orientation for being stored therein.
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the carrier ofFIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar toFIG. 4, but showing the hair care device placed into the first pocket and its cord stored in the second pocket, and showing additional hair brushes stored in a secondary accessory pocket.
• FIG. 7 is a plan view of the carrier in its fully folded tri-folded condition.
• FIG. 8 is a front view showing the carrier ofFIG. 7 hanging from a towel bar.
• FIG. 9 is a front view of the tri-folded carrier showing the hanging loop, the identification holder pocket and a hidden secret pocket behind the identification holder pocket.
• FIGS. 9A and 10 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines IXA-IXA and X-X inFIGS. 9 and 2, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• A multi-purpose carrier20 (FIGS. 1-2,6, and8) (also called a “holder”) is provided for holding one or more hot personal hair care devices21 (also called “appliances”) having anelectrical cord22, so that thedevices21 can be packed in luggage while hot without damaging adjacently packed items. Thecarrier20 also includes various accessory pockets adapted to hold hair care products, such as liquids, combs, brushes, and the like. Thecarrier20 is also adapted for use with other “hot” products, such as aclothes iron21A orcomputer21B.
• The illustratedcarrier20 comprises atri-foldable sheet member25 that is generally rectangular or square. Thesheet member25 is a laminar arrangement including anouter fabric sheet26 with an aesthetic visible surface, a functionalsecond sheet27 of heat-resistant material of similar size attached to theouter sheet26 in a laminar relationship and an insulator sheet and/or scented fabric softener sheet. Thesheet member25 can also include an insulatingmaterial28 between thesheets26 and27. It is contemplated that the sheets26-28 can be a variety of different materials. For example, theouter sheet26 can have an aesthetic outer surface created by printing techniques, embroidery design, weave, fabric, water-repellant or bacteria resistant textile, or material type, and the like. Thesheet member25 is flexible so that it can be folded along seams33-34.
• The illustratedsheet member25 is sewn around its perimeter and also transversely across its body in two locations (seams33 and34) to define acenter section30 and opposing first andsecond side sections31 and32. The sewn lines are double sewn atlocations33 and34 to form two parallel lines, creating a natural line along which thesheet member25 folds, thus causing thearticle20 to be flatter when tri-folded for compact storage. Thesheet member25 is flexible for bending movement between an open position (FIGS. 1-2) where thefoldable sheet member25 is substantially flat for use as an ironing board (seeFIG. 1), and a first folded position (FIGS. 3-4,6) where thefirst side section31 forms afirst pocket35 with thecenter section30 for holding the at least one hot personalhair care appliance21 between portions of the functionalsecond sheet27, and a second fully-folded position (FIGS. 7-9) where thesecond side section32 forms asecond pocket36 against an outer surface of the first side section to hold thecord22.
• First andsecond flaps40 and41 (FIG. 1) extend from opposing ends of thecenter section30 in a location between the fold lines33 and34. First fasteners42 (which are hook-and-loop patches) on the first andsecond flaps40 and41 are positioned to mate with second fasteners43 (which are the mating part of the hook-and-loop patches) on an outer surface of thefirst side section31 for releasably attaching the first andsecond flaps40 and41 to thecenter section30 to close open ends of thefirst pocket35. Notably, theflaps40 and41 are slightly smaller than a width of thecenter section30, such that thecord22 can be extended from the appliance21 (which is in thefirst pocket35, seeFIG. 4) past an edge of either one of the first andsecond flaps40/41 to thesecond pocket36. This allows theappliance21 to be positioned in thefirst pocket35 in either of a first or second orientation . . . and yet thecord22 can still be routed to thesecond pocket36 for safe storage away from thehot appliance21.
• A loop-style retainer flap46 (FIGS. 1 and 4) (also called a “retainer”) with mating patches47-48 of hook-and-loop fastener material allow theflap46 to be made into a loop around thecord22 to securely hold thecord22 on the outer surface of thefirst side section31. Thus, thecord22 is held (i.e., retained) in thesecond pocket32 when thesheet member25 is in the folded position.
• A third flap50 (FIG. 1) extends from an outer edge of thesecond side section32 and includes second fasteners51 (i.e., patches of hook-and-loop material) for attaching thethird flap50 to a mating fastener52 (i.e., mating patch of hook-and-loop material) located on one of thefirst side section32 and thecenter section30. As illustrated inFIG. 9, themating fastener52 is on thecenter section30 so that it is positioned to hold thesecond side section32 in the folded position (FIG. 5) which thus fully closes the first pocket35 (on all four sides) and also covers the second pocket36 (on two sides).
• The hook-and-loop fasteners on the aestheticouter sheet26 are covered when theflaps40,41,50 are holding thecarrier20 in the fully folded condition (FIGS. 8-9). However, when in the open unfolded position (FIG. 2), the fasteners on the aestheticouter sheet26 are exposed. The hook-and-loop fasteners can provide an important function when thecarrier20 is flat and being used as an ironing board by providing increased friction with a supporting surface (such as for frictionally engaging a hotel bedspread, or a bed sheet, or a hotel room floor/towel, or a person's legs). This increased friction helps thecarrier20 to stay in a given position and stay flat, rather than shift around during ironing or when being used as a hot pad. It is contemplated that the fasteners can also be made of other things to cause friction and/or to keep the carrier flat. Also, separate components can be used for fasteners and also for friction generation.
• The illustratedsheet member25 further includes asecond sheet member26A (FIG. 2) sewn along three sides of its perimeter withsheets26 and27. Thesheet member26A is sewn along three side edges, but its unattached edge is shorter such that oneedge53 is located short of one end of thecarrier20. The edge at the “short end” is not attached tosheet26. The sewn/fold lines33-34 (e.g., stitched seams, although could be other attachment such as bonding, etc.) extend across thesheet26A, such that thesheet26A forms three accessory pockets54-56 on an outside of thecarrier20. Three exterior pockets have been designed into the carrier for providing adequate but flexible storage for other hair styling accessories such as combs, brushes, clips, and/or mirrors. (SeeFIGS. 6-7.) Theflap40 is slightly longer thanflap41 and is positioned near theedge53 of the accessory pockets54-56. This allows theflap40 to be wrapped over a towel bar58 (FIG. 8), with the pockets54-56 facing upward so that items therein do not fall out and so that the items are positioned in visible locations for easy selection, removal, and use. Aloop58′ is located behind one of the flaps (e.g. flap40) for hanging the carrier in an upright position over a wall-mounted hook.
• On a bottom of thesheet26A are twosmall sheets60 and61 (FIG. 9) which are sewn on three sides, thus forming twojuxtaposed pockets62 and63. At least a portion of theouter sheet61 is transparent, so that identification can be placed in theouter pocket62. The secondinner pocket63 is configured to receive other card-like items, such as a credit card, driver's license, and the like. Notably, the secondinner pocket63 is relatively hidden, and is not immediately apparent when looking at thecarrier20. Thus, this arrangement provides a level of security to items placed in thesecond pocket63. Also, it is contemplated that if still greater security is desired, a small lock (not shown) can be placed on thesecond pocket63 andouter sheet26A to prevent unauthorized entry into thesecond pocket63. Such locks are known and hence it is not necessary to describe them in this application. For example, the lock could be similar to a lock often used on luggage, either integrally attached to the luggage or having a locking finger that extends through aligned holes in thesheets60/61 andsheet26A.
• Preferably, thesheet member25 is sufficiently large to hold a typical hot hair care iron (or hold two or more such products). A typical dimension for acarrier20 adapted to hold two hot hair care irons has thesheet member25 at about 16″ in a direction parallel the fold lines and about 18″ in a transverse direction. The flaps also can vary in size and shape. The illustrated flaps40-41 are about 5″ wide, andflap40 is about 5″ long whileflap41 is about 7″ long.Flap50 is about 3″ wide and about 6″ long, while theretainer flap46 is about 3″ wide by about 8″ long. When folded in its closed tri-fold shape, it measures approximately 16″ by 5-6″. The flat surface on a smaller size carrier would be approximately 12″ by 18″ finished. When folded in its closed tri-fold shape, it measures approximately 12″ by 5″. The flat surface measurements do not include the end flaps which are tucked in when the wrap is closed. Since the width of both carriers are 18″ wide, they will comfortably hold two appliances comfortably within the interior as opposed to only one device.
• It is contemplated that the insulatinginner sheet28 is preferably a medium to heavy weight batting material which provides padding between the fabric layers. An aroma (or deodorizing) fabric sheet can be located adjacent thesheet28 between the layers26-27 and is configured to emit a pleasing scent when a hot appliance is placed in the wrap or when using the wrap as a flat pad for ironing. Notably, the fabric sheet will emit a light scent when room temperature and will emit an enhanced scent when the fabric is heated by a hot hair care appliance or clothing iron. Alternatively, aroma-producing materials can be placed in one or more of the sheets26-28. Also, it is contemplated that the aroma-producing materials can be of a type that can only be noticed by most people when the aroma-producing materials are heated . . . such as when they are adjacent a hot iron in the folded position of thecarrier20. Fabric softener sheets work well for this purpose, since they are made to provide light scent when at room temperature and withstand high heat while giving a pleasant but not overpowering fragrance or scent when heated.
• The illustrated layers of fabric are sewn together, but it is contemplated that they can be adhered to each other by different methods, such as by glue/adhesive, or by bonding techniques (such as thermal bonding). Thesheet member25 preferably includes an edge binding of a durable fabric applied to the outer edges of thesheet member25 such that it serves as both a decorative design and to finish off the raw seam.
• As noted above, on each end of the carrier, the fabric flaps are attached to thesheet member25 to secure the ends of the carrier when it is in its closed position. It is contemplated that these flaps can be separate components attached to thesheet member25, or they can be integrally made from the sheet material of the sheets26-28. The end flaps40-41 are sufficiently wide to secure theappliance21 within the carrier so the appliance will not slip out when held end-for-end. These flaps can be various materials, but in a preferred form they are made of material similar tosheet member25, such as layered textiles which include a layer of medium weight batting sandwiched between layers of durable exterior fabric. These end flaps are preferably constructed with right-sides together, so that when they are turned right-side out, the raw seam is hidden inside making it un-necessary for seam binding; however they could be constructed with right-sides facing out and seam binding added to finish the raw edge. These end flaps are attached to the exterior of the heat-resistant pad and external pocket on the outside of the wrap (heat-resistant material facing down) before the seam binding is added to finish the raw edges. They are attached basically to the middle section of the tri-fold design. The illustrated fastener is hook and loop material (e.g., VELCRO®).
• It is contemplated that many fabric or other material combinations can be applied to the exterior of the wrap, the flaps, and the binding. Coordinating, identical, or contrasting fabrics can be used to change the appearance of the finished carrier. A decorative quilted pattern can be sewn on the wrap to secure the multiple layers of fabric and add a visual appeal; however, it is not necessary. Or a quilted border can be sewn on one, two, or all outer edges of the external pocket. This quilting is accomplished before the external pocket is attached to the heat-resistant pad.
• The interior of the wrap is made of heat-resistant material, and can be pre-quilted or un-quilted. When determining what type of heat-resistant material to use, the best choice is to evaluate the cost of materials based on functional needs. The illustrated heat-resistant material can withstand temperatures up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Notably, the heat-resistant fabric tends to be the most costly material in the construction. It is necessary to use material which holds the excessive heat within the wrap, so that the exterior is comfortable to hold with the still-hot appliance inside.
• The wrap is intended to be folded into a tri-fold shape, with two-thirds of the wrap used to store the hot or room temperature appliance. The remaining third of the wrap can be used to secure the appliance's electric cord. By folding the appliance between two-thirds of the wrap, the hot surface is separated from the remaining third and thus prevents the hot surface from coming into contact with the appliance cord.
• The identification card holder is constructed using two layers of durable fabric with a medium weight batting layered in between. This layer is used to protect the clear plastic sheath that is placed on the top of the identification card holder allowing a business card to be placed inside and protected from moisture. A binding material is added around the edges of the identification card holder which is secured on three sides and only attached to the plastic sheath on the fourth side allowing for the business card to be inserted and removed. The fabric underneath the plastic sheath is made of identical fabric as the wrap's exterior so that it camouflages the creation of a hidden pocket underneath the business card. When this pocket is added to the exterior wrap it is open at the same end as the identification card holder. The opening can either be on the top, the left or the right, but the illustrated design has put the opening on the right assuming it is for right-handed individuals.
• The end flaps have been designed to add another layer of protection to the plastic sheath that has been sewn into the identification tag holder. By flipping the end flap backwards, it can cover the plastic sheath if necessary when using the heat-resistant side as a mini ironing pad.
• The corners of the carrier are preferably rounded, including the edges on the end flaps. This design was created to improve the construction eliminating the need to miter corners when applying the seam binding.
• When the carrier is in its open position, it can also be used as a protective pad on a countertop (seeFIG. 7A) underneath kitchen appliances that generate excessive heat when they are in use. Standard sized potholders are much smaller (8 or 9 inch square) which are often not large enough to cover the entire surface beneath appliances such as crock pots, electric skillets, waffle irons, etc. The wrap can be laid in a sink and used to create a contoured bowl to protect the sink (and/or protect the hot appliance) when no countertop spaced is available. This is especially useful when using in a recreational vehicle or boat where the sinks are made of polymer or resin that will melt if the hot appliance touches the sink surface.
• When the carrier is in its open position, it can be used as a protective pad underneath hot dishes (seeFIG. 7A) when eating from one's lap, which is common in front of a television, or in a hotel room when ordering room service.
• When the carrier is in its open position, it can be used as a lap or seat pad protector when transporting hot dishes. It can also be used to support a laptop computer (seeFIG. 1) on one's lap, such as when using a computer when seated on an airplane with the purpose of reducing the heat transferred to one's lap from the battery compartment underneath the laptop. Also, the carrier can be used to shield and cover a laptop when traveling, such as when served a beverage while traveling on an airplane.
• The design of the carrier has taken into consideration a necessary space for stowing or storing a hair appliance and tries to make the best use of this space. It is not designed to take up too much room, but is designed to fit most if not all curling irons, flat irons, hair crimping devices, hair extension heated tools, and hot hair brushes. However, it is contemplated that the inventive concepts can be used in other environments, e.g., to provide a carrier for convenient carrying for a hobbyist who might carry soldering irons, or miniature heating tools.
• It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims (15)

1. A carrier for carrying a hot appliance such as a hot hair care device, comprising:

foldable sheets attached together and including an aesthetic outer surface and an insulating inner surface;

the sheets including end flaps and first closures for closing the end flaps to form a three-sided pocket adapted to positively retain a hot appliance therein; the sheets further including a side flap and second closure for closing the side flap to close the pocket and securely positively retain the hot appliance therein with its cord retained under the side flap but away from the hot appliance.

2. The carrier defined inclaim 1, including a retainer for holding a power cord to the hot hair care device in a position on the carrier that is spaced from a hot portion of the hot appliance.

3. The carrier defined inclaim 1, including a scent in the foldable sheets that gives a desirable aroma when warmed by a hot portion of the appliance.

4. The carrier defined inclaim 1, wherein the end flaps extend from a rectangular portion of the sheets.

5. The carrier defined inclaim 1, wherein the foldable sheets are unfoldable to a relatively flat position where the insulating inner surface faces upwardly for use as an ironing board surface, with the first and second closures being a hook-and-loop material spaced at different locations on the aesthetic outer surface, the hook-and-loop material providing a rough surface for engaging a support surface to create increased friction to hold the foldable sheets stationary and in the relatively flat position.

6. A multi-purpose carrier for holding at least one hot personal hair care appliance having a cord, comprising:

a foldable sheet member including at least an outer sheet with aesthetic surface and a functional second sheet of heat-resistant material of similar size attached to the outer sheet in a laminar relationship; the sheet member including a center section and first and second side sections and seams defining two parallel fold lines along edges of the center section;

the sheet member being flexible for bending movement between an open position where the foldable member is substantially flat for use as an ironing board, and a folded position where the first side section forms a first pocket with the center section for holding at least one hot personal hair care appliance between portions of the functional second sheet and further where the second side section forms a second pocket against an outer surface of the first side section to hold the cord;

first and second flaps extending from opposing ends of the center section and located between the fold lines, and first fasteners on the first and second flaps with mating second fasteners on an outer surface of the first side section for releasably attaching the first and second flaps to the center section to close open ends of the first pocket, but with the cord from the appliance extending from the first pocket, past an edge of one of the first and second flaps, to the second pocket; whereby the appliance can be positioned in the first pocket in either of first or second positions and yet the cord can be routed to the second pocket;

a retainer on the outer surface of the first side section for holding the cord in the second pocket when in the folded position; and

a third flap extending from an outer edge of the second side section and including second fasteners for attaching the third flap to one of the first side section and the center section to hold the second side section in the folded position which thus closes the first pocket and also covers the second pocket.

7. The carrier defined inclaim 6, wherein at least one of the flaps is sufficiently long to wrap around a towel bar and hold the carrier vertically.

8. The carrier defined inclaim 6, including a loop behind one of the flaps for hanging the carrier in an upright position over a hook.

9. The carrier defined inclaim 6, including an additional multi-layered arrangement forming inner and outer pockets, wherein the outer pocket is covered by a transparent outer film for visibility through the film, and wherein the inner pocket is hidden behind the first pocket and generally not visible nor readily apparent.

10. The carrier defined inclaim 6, wherein the first and second fasteners include hook-and-loop patches of material attached to the outer sheet, the patches including protruding thread-like members that assist in holding the carrier stable when in the open position by engagement of the protruding thread-like members with a flat supporting structure such as a bedspread, a bed sheet, a towel or a countertop.

11. The carrier defined inclaim 6, wherein the foldable sheet member includes a water-impermeable layer for preventing moisture from passing therethrough, such that the carrier can be used as a spill-resisting shield.

12. A multi-purpose carrier for holding at least one hot personal hair care appliance having a cord, comprising:

a foldable sheet member including at least one functional sheet of heat-resistant material; the sheet member including two parallel fold lines dividing the sheet member into three sections;

the sheet member being bendable between an open flat position for use as an ironing board, and a folded position where the three sections are relatively flat against each other and forming first and second pockets on opposite sides of a center one of the three sections;

multiple flaps extending from ends of several of the three sections and including fasteners to releaseably secure the multiple flaps to thus hold the three sections in the folded position;

scent located in the foldable sheet in a location where a fragrance is emitted both when a hot personal hair care appliance is stored in one of the pockets and also when the foldable sheet is used as an ironing board.

13. The carrier defined inclaim 12, including a dryer sheet containing the scent and that is attached as part of the sheet member.

14. A method comprising steps of:

providing foldable sheets attached together and including an aesthetic outer surface and an insulating inner surface; the sheets including end flaps and first closures for closing the end flaps to form a three-sided pocket adapted to retain a hot appliance therein; the sheets further including a side flap and second closure for closing the side flap to close the pocket and securely positively retain the hot appliance therein;

opening the foldable sheets to a flat position and using the flattened sheets to do at least one of: provide a hot pad for supporting a hot iron on the user's lap, provide a flat heat-insulated surface for ironing clothing thereon, provide a protective hot pad in a sink using the end flaps to in part form a shape of a bowl in the sink, and provide a protective hot pad for a countertop; and

closing the foldable sheets to form the three-sided pocket, placing a hot appliance therein with the electrical power cord to the hot appliance held away from the three-sided pocket, and closing and then retaining the side flap in a closed position to positively securely protect the hot appliance until it cools.

15. The method defined inclaim 13, wherein the foldable sheets are shaped to fit in a sink, and including a step of placing the foldable sheets into the sink and using the foldable sheets as a hot pad in the sink.

Images