Portable hair dryer

• US 6,449,870 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: P2 Technologies LP
• Original Assignee: Scott P. Sealy
• Inventors: Perez, Louis, Evanyk, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Jiping
• Application Number:
  US09/662,860
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 34/96, 34/97, 34/98, 34/99, 341/00, 342/83, 392/373, 392/374, 392/383, 392/384, 392/385
• US Class Current: 34/96
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 20/12 Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 20/30 Electric circuitry specially adapted for hair drying devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2020/128 involving features of the hand-held hair dryer

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion.

The handle portion includes switch controls for operating the heating element and the blower motor. A power source has a flat base and a mass center line that, when the power source is attached to the handle portion lies substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle and the mass center line of the elongated body portion to provide power to the manual controls and to provide a flat base structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone.

Claims

1. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a mass center line and including a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from and along said mass center line of said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base and a mass center line for attachment to said handle portion substantially along its longitudinal axis and in alignment with the mass center line of said elongated hollow body portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone; and

an adjustable air inlet on the posterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air entering said elongated hollow body portion.

2. The hair dryer/blower of claim 1 wherein said adjustable air inlet comprises:

a series of parallel vanes adjustable from a minimum separation from each other, to allow a minimum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion, to a maximum separation from each other to allow a maximum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion.

3. The hair dryer/blower of claim 1 further including:

an adjustable air outlet on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air exiting said elongated hollow body portion.

4. The hair dryer/blower of claim 3 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

an iris mechanism mounted on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion and having petal portions moveable with respect to each other to form a continually variable size opening from a minimum to a maximum; and

an adjusting device coupled to said iris petals for enabling manual adjustment of said iris opening size.

5. The hair dryer/blower of claim 4 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

a hollow cylinder having at least a first portion of an inside diameter sized for press-fit mounting on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion;

a second portion extending beyond said anterior end; and

said adjustable iris formed on the interior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder and said iris adjusting device being formed on the exterior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder for manually adjusting said iris opening by moving said adjusting device.

6. The hair dryer/blower of claim 1 further including an electrical circuit coupled to and controlled by said switch controls to selectively power said blower motor and said heating element.

7. The hair dryer/blower of claim 6 wherein said electrical circuit comprises:

at least a first switch for electrically connecting said power source to said heater and said blower simultaneously; and

at least a second switch for electrically connecting said power source only to said blower fan.

8. The hair dryer/blower of claim 1 further comprising a heating control circuit connected between said heating element and said switch control for enabling control of the amount of heating current applied to said heating element.

9. The hair dryer/blower of claim 8 further including a circuit for supplying maximum heating current to said heating element to cause said heating element to reach the desired temperature in minimum time.

10. The hair dryer/blower of claim 9 wherein said circuit for supplying maximum current comprises:

a sensor for sensing the heating element temperature and generating a corresponding voltage;

a comparator for comparing a reference voltage to said sensed voltage and providing a first output; and

a power transistor having a base coupled to said comparator for continually enabling maximum voltage to be supplied to said heating element to enhance heating of said heating element as long as said first output is provided.

11. The hair dryer/blower of claim 10 further including:

a pulser circuit connected to said base of said power transistor for providing a gating pulse to said power transistor at a predetermined on/off rate to maintain said heating element at said desired temperature after said desired temperature is reached.

12. The hair dryer/blower of claim 11 further including a manual control for setting the desired on/off rate at which power is applied to said heating element to maintain a desired temperature.

13. The hair driver/blower of claim 12 further including:

an oscillator circuit for generating pulses;

a circuit for receiving said oscillator pulses;

multiple serial stages in said circuit, each stage generating an output pulse for a particular count; and

a multiple position switch for selectively connecting one circuit stage output pulse to the base of said power transistor to cause said predetermined on/off rate of said power transistor with the ratio of power pulses supplied to said heating element to obtain a desired temperature of said heating element; and

means for manually positioning said switch to a desired pulse rate.

14. The hair dryer/blower of claim 11 further including a pulser circuit for automatically applying on/off conducting pulses to said power transistor at a selected ratio to maintain said desired temperature of said heating element.

15. The hair dryer/blower of claim 14 comprising:

an integrated circuit controller having a memory;

a table stored in said memory indicating heating element temperature versus pulse rate;

said heating element heat sensor generated voltage means coupled to said integrated circuit controller; and

said integrated circuit controller forming said multiple position switch to automatically pulse said power transistor on and off at said selected ratio to maintain a desired selected temperature.

16. The hair dryer/blower of claim 11 further comprising:

a voltage step-up circuit coupled between said power transistor and said heating element; and

said pulse circuit output being coupled to said voltage step-up circuit for enabling said voltage step-up to occur only when said gating pulse is applied to said power transistor.

17. The hair dryer/blower of claim 1 wherein said power source contains at least one rechargeable battery.

18. The hair dryer/blower of claim 17 wherein said battery supplies at least 14 volts to said switch controls.

19. The hair dryer/blower of claim 17 including a DC charger connectable to said base for supplying a DC voltage to charge said at least one battery.

20. The hair dryer/blower of claim 17 further including:

an AC/DC rectifier circuit forming part of said power source; and

said AC/DC rectifier receiving the output of an AC charging circuit for enabling DC voltage to be generated for charging said at least one battery.

21. The hair dryer/blower of claim 1 wherein said power source can be attached to said handle portion in only one position.

22. The hair dryer/blower of claim 1 further including a fluid spray device for enabling a fluid spray to be selectively dispensed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

23. The hair dryer/blower of claim 22 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a pliable fluid container;

an opening in said container for inserting fluid therein;

straps extending from said container for attaching said container to said blower/dryer handle; and

an elongated tube having one end connected to at least one container opening and the other end extending along the profile of said elongated hollow body to the anterior end thereof such that when said pliable container is squeezed, fluid is sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

24. The hair dryer/blower of claim 22 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a space in said handle portion for receiving a container having pressurized fluid therein,

an elongated tube extending from the handle space to the anterior end of said blower/dryer,

a valve for coupling a received container to said elongated tube, and

a manually generated means for selectively opening and closing said valve to selectively enable fluid to be sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated body.

25. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base for attachment to said handle portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone; and

a fluid spray device for enabling a fluid spray to be selectively dispensed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body; and

an adjustable air inlet on the posterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air entering said elongated hollow body portion.

26. The hair dryer/blower of claim 25 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a pliable fluid container;

an opening in said container for inserting fluid therein;

straps extending from said container for attaching said container to said blower/dryer handle; and

an elongated tube having one end connected to at least one container opening and the other end extending along the profile of said elongated hollow body to the anterior end thereof such that when said pliable container is squeezed, fluid is sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

27. The hair dryer/blower of claim 25 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a space in said handle portion for receiving a container having pressurized fluid therein;

an elongated tube extending from the handle space to the anterior end of said blower/dryer;

a valve for coupling a received container to said elongated tube; and

a manually generated means for selectively opening and closing said valve to selectively enable fluid to be sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated body.

28. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a mass center line and including a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from and along said mass center line of said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base and a mass center line for attachment to said handle portion substantially along its longitudinal axis and in alignment with the mass center line of said elongated hollow body portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone;

a heating control circuit connected between said heating element and said switch control for enabling control of the amount of heating current applied to said heating element; and

a circuit for supplying maximum heating current to said heating element to cause said heating element to reach the desired temperature in minimum time, said circuit for supplying maximum heating current further comprises;

a sensor for sensing the heating element temperature and generating a corresponding voltage;

a comparator for comparing a reference voltage to said sensed voltage and providing a first output; and

a power transistor having a base coupled to said comparator for continually enabling maximum voltage to be supplied to said heating element to enhance heating of said heating element as long as said first output is provided.

29. The hair dryer/blower of claim 28 further including:

an adjustable air inlet on the posterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air entering said elongated hollow body portion.

30. The hair dryer/blower of claim 29 wherein said adjustable air inlet comprises:

a series of parallel vanes adjustable from a minimum separation from each other, to allow a minimum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion, to a maximum separation from each other to allow a maximum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion.

31. The hair dryer/blower of claim 29 further including:

a pulser circuit connected to said base of said power transistor for providing a gating pulse to said power transistor at a predetermined on/off rate to maintain said heating element at said desired temperature after said desired temperature is reached.

32. The hair dryer/blower of claim 31 further including a manual control for setting the desired on/off rate at which power is applied to said heating element to maintain a desired temperature.

33. The hair dryer/blower of claim 32 further including:

an oscillator circuit for generating pulses;

a circuit for receiving said oscillator pulses;

multiple serial stages in said circuit, each stage generating an output pulse for a particular count; and

a multiple position switch for selectively connecting one circuit stage output pulse to the base of said power transistor to cause said predetermined on/off rate of said power transistor with the ratio of power pulses supplied to said heating element to obtain a desired temperature of said heating element; and

means for manually positioning said switch to a desired pulse rate.

34. The hair dryer/blower of claim 31 further including a pulser circuit for automatically applying on/off conducting pulses to said power transistor at a selected ratio to maintain said desired temperature of said heating element.

35. The hair dryer/blower of claim 34 comprising:

an integrated circuit controller having a memory;

a table stored in said memory indicating heating element temperature versus pulse rate;

said heating element heat sensor generated voltage means coupled to said integrated circuit controller; and

said integrated circuit controller forming said multiple position switch to automatically pulse said power transistor on and off at said selected ratio to maintain a desired selected temperature.

36. The hair dryer/blower of claim 31 further comprising:

a voltage step-up circuit coupled between said power transistor and said heating element; and

said pulse circuit output being coupled to said voltage step-up circuit for enabling said voltage step-up to occur only when said gating pulse is applied to said power transistor.

37. The hair dryer/blower of claim 28 further including:

an adjustable air outlet on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air exiting said elongated hollow body portion.

38. The hair dryer/blower of claim 37 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

an iris mechanism mounted on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion and having petal portions moveable with respect to each other to form a continually variable size opening from a minimum to a maximum; and

an adjusting device coupled to said iris petals for enabling manual adjustment of said iris opening size.

39. The hair dryer/blower of claim 38 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

a hollow cylinder having at least a first portion of an inside diameter sized for press-fit mounting on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion;

a second portion extending beyond said anterior end; and

said adjustable iris formed on the interior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder and said iris adjusting device being formed on the exterior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder for manually adjusting said iris opening by moving said adjusting device.

40. The hair dryer/blower of claim 28 further including an electrical circuit coupled to and controlled by said switch controls to selectively power said blower motor and said heating element.

41. The hair dryer/blower of claim 40 wherein said electrical circuit comprises:

at least a first switch for electrically connecting said power source to said heater and said blower simultaneously; and

at least a second switch for electrically connecting said power source only to said blower fan.

42. The hair dryer/blower of claim 28 wherein said power source contains at least one rechargeable battery.

43. The hair dryer/blower of claim 42 wherein said battery supplies at least 14 volts to said switch controls.

44. The hair dryer/blower of claim 42 including a DC charger connectable to said base for supplying a DC voltage to charge said at least one battery.

45. The hair dryer/blower of claim 42 further including:

an AC/DC rectifier circuit forming part of said power source; and

said AC/DC rectifier receiving the output of an AC charging circuit for enabling DC voltage to be generated for charging said at least one battery.

46. The hair dryer/blower of claim 28 wherein said power source can be attached to said handle portion in only one position.

47. The hair dryer/blower of claim 28 further including a fluid spray device for enabling a fluid spray to be selectively dispensed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

48. The hair dryer/blower of claim 47 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a pliable fluid container;

an opening in said container for inserting fluid therein;

straps extending from said container for attaching said container to said blower/dryer handle; and

an elongated tube having one end connected to at least one container opening and the other end extending along the profile of said elongated hollow body to the anterior end thereof such that when said pliable container is squeezed, fluid is sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

49. The hair dryer/blower of claim 47 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a space in said handle portion for receiving a container having pressurized fluid therein;

an elongated tube extending from the handle space to the anterior end of said blower/dryer;

a valve for coupling a received container to said elongated tube; and

a manually generated means for selectively opening and closing said valve to selectively enable fluid to be sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated body.

50. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base for attachment to said handle portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone;

a fluid spray device for enabling a fluid spray to be selectively dispensed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body;

a heating control circuit connected between said heating element and said switch control for enabling control of the amount of heating current applied to said heating element; and

a circuit for supplying maximum heating current to said heating element to cause said heating element to reach the desired temperature in minimum time, said circuit for supplying maximum heating current further comprises;

a sensor for sensing the heating element temperature and generating a corresponding voltage;

a comparator for comparing a reference voltage to said sensed voltage and providing a first output; and

a power transistor having a base coupled to said comparator for continually enabling maximum voltage to be supplied to said heating element to enhance heating of said heating element as long as said first output is provided.

51. The hair dryer/blower of claim 50 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a pliable fluid container;

an opening in said container for inserting fluid therein;

straps extending from said container for attaching said container to said blower/dryer handle; and

an elongated tube having one end connected to at least one container opening and the other end extending along the profile of said elongated hollow body to the anterior end thereof such that when said pliable container is squeezed, fluid is sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

52. The hair dryer/blower of claim 50 wherein said fluid spray device comprises:

a space in said handle portion for receiving a container having pressurized fluid therein;

an elongated tube extending from the handle space to the anterior end of said blower/dryer;

a valve for coupling a received container to said elongated tube; and

a manually generated means for selectively opening and closing said valve to selectively enable fluid to be sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated body.

53. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a mass center line and including a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from and along said mass center line of said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base and a mass center line for attachment to said handle portion substantially along its longitudinal axis and in alignment with the mass center line of said elongated hollow body portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone; and

a fluid spray device comprising;

a pliable fluid container;

an opening in said container for inserting fluid therein;

straps extending from said container for attaching said container to said blower/dryer handle; and

an elongated tube having one end connected to at least one container opening and the other end extending along the profile of said elongated hollow body to the anterior end thereof such that when said pliable container is squeezed, fluid is sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

54. The hair dryer/blower of claim 53 further including:

an adjustable air inlet on the posterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air entering said elongated hollow body portion.

55. The hair dryer/blower of claim 54 wherein said adjustable air inlet comprises:

a series of parallel vanes adjustable from a minimum separation from each other, to allow a minimum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion, to a maximum separation from each other to allow a maximum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion.

56. The hair dryer/blower of claim 53 further including:

an adjustable air outlet on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air exiting said elongated hollow body portion.

57. The hair dryer/blower of claim 56 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

an iris mechanism mounted on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion and having petal portions moveable with respect to each other to form a continually variable size opening from a minimum to a maximum; and

an adjusting device coupled to said iris petals for enabling manual adjustment of said iris opening size.

58. The hair dryer/blower of claim 57 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

a hollow cylinder having at least a first portion of an inside diameter sized for press-fit mounting on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion;

a second portion extending beyond said anterior end; and

said adjustable iris formed on the interior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder and said iris adjusting device being formed on the exterior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder for manually adjusting said iris opening by moving said adjusting device.

59. The hair dryer/blower of claim 53 further including an electrical circuit coupled to and controlled by said switch controls to selectively power said blower motor and said heating element.

60. The hair dryer/blower of claim 59 wherein said electrical circuit comprises:

at least a first switch for electrically connecting said power source to said heater and said blower simultaneously; and

at least a second switch for electrically connecting said power source only to said blower fan.

61. The hair dryer/blower of claim 53 further comprising a heating control circuit connected between said heating element and said switch control for enabling control of the amount of heating current applied to said heating element.

62. The hair dryer/blower of claim 61 further including a circuit for supplying maximum heating current to said heating element to cause said heating element to reach the desired temperature in minimum time.

63. The hair dryer/blower of claim 62 wherein said circuit for supplying maximum current comprises:

a sensor for sensing the heating element temperature and generating a corresponding voltage;

a comparator for comparing a reference voltage to said sensed voltage and providing a first output; and

a power transistor having a base coupled to said comparator for continually enabling maximum voltage to be supplied to said heating element to enhance heating of said heating element as long as said first output is provided.

64. The hair dryer/blower of claim 63 further including:

a pulser circuit connected to said base of said power transistor for providing a gating pulse to said power transistor at a predetermined on/off rate to maintain said heating element at said desired temperature after said desired temperature is reached.

65. The hair dryer/blower of claim 64 further including a manual control for setting the desired on/off rate at which power is applied to said heating element to maintain a desired temperature.

66. The hair dryer/blower of claim 65 further including:

an oscillator circuit for generating pulses;

a circuit for receiving said oscillator pulses;

multiple serial stages in said circuit, each stage generating an output pulse for a particular count; and

a multiple position switch for selectively connecting one circuit stage output pulse to the base of said power transistor to cause said predetermined on/off rate of said power transistor with the ratio of power pulses supplied to said heating element to obtain a desired temperature of said heating element; and

means for manually positioning said switch to a desired pulse rate.

67. The hair dryer/blower of claim 64 further including a pulser circuit for automatically applying on/off conducting pulses to said power transistor at a selected ratio to maintain said desired temperature of said heating element.

68. The hair dryer/blower of claim 67 comprising:

an integrated circuit controller having a memory;

a table stored in said memory indicating heating element temperature versus pulse rate;

said heating element heat sensor generated voltage means coupled to said integrated circuit controller; and

said integrated circuit controller forming said multiple position switch to automatically pulse said power transistor on and off at said selected ratio to maintain a desired selected temperature.

69. The hair dryer/blower of claim 64 further comprising:

a voltage step-up circuit coupled between said power transistor and said heating element; and

said pulse circuit output being coupled to said voltage step-up circuit for enabling said voltage step-up to occur only when said gating pulse is applied to said power transistor.

70. The hair dryer/blower of claim 53 wherein said power source contains at least one rechargeable battery.

71. The hair dryer/blower of claim 70 wherein said battery supplies at least 14 volts to said switch controls.

72. The hair dryer/blower of claim 70 including a DC charger connectable to said base for supplying a DC voltage to charge said at least one battery.

73. The hair dryer/blower of claim 71 further including:

an AC/DC rectifier circuit forming part of said power source; and

said AC/DC rectifier receiving the output of an AC charging circuit for enabling DC voltage to be generated for charging said at least one battery.

74. The hair dryer/blower of claim 54 wherein said power source can be attached to said handle portion in only one position.

75. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base for attachment to said handle portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone; and

a fluid spray device for enabling a fluid spray to be selectively dispensed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body, said fluid spray device further comprises;

a pliable fluid container;

an opening in said container for inserting fluid therein;

straps extending from said container for attaching said container to said blower/dryer handle; and

an elongated tube having one end connected to at least one container opening and the other end extending along the profile of said elongated hollow body to the anterior end thereof such that when said pliable container is squeezed, fluid is sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body.

76. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a mass center line and including a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from and along said mass center line of said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base and a mass center line for attachment to said handle portion substantially along its longitudinal axis and in alignment with the mass center line of said elongated hollow body portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone; and

a fluid spray device comprising;

a space in said handle portion for receiving a container having pressurized fluid therein;

an elongated tube extending from the handle space to the anterior end of said blower/dryer;

a valve for coupling a received container to said elongated tube; and

a manually generated means for selectively opening and closing said valve to selectively enable fluid to be sprayed at the anterior end of said elongated body.

77. The hair dryer/blower of claim 76 further including:

an adjustable air inlet on the posterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air entering said elongated hollow body portion.

78. The hair dryer/blower of claim 77 wherein said adjustable air inlet comprises:

a series of parallel vanes adjustable from a minimum separation from each other, to allow a minimum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion, to a maximum separation from each other to allow a maximum airflow into said elongated hollow body portion.

79. The hair dryer/blower of claim 76 further including:

an adjustable air outlet on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion for regulating the amount of air exiting said elongated hollow body portion.

80. The hair dryer/blower of claim 79 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

an iris mechanism mounted on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion and having petal portions moveable with respect to each other to form a continually variable size opening from a minimum to a maximum, and

an adjusting device coupled to said iris petals for enabling manual adjustment of said iris opening size.

81. The hair dryer/blower of claim 80 wherein said adjustable air outlet comprises:

a hollow cylinder having at least a first portion of an inside diameter sized for press-fit mounting on the anterior end of said elongated hollow body portion;

a second portion extending beyond said anterior end; and

said adjustable iris formed on the interior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder and said iris adjusting device being formed on the exterior of said second portion of said hollow cylinder for manually adjusting said iris opening by moving said adjusting device.

82. The hair dryer/blower of claim 76 further including an electrical circuit coupled to and controlled by said switch controls to selectively power said blower motor and said heating element.

84. The hair dryer/blower of claim 76 further comprising a heating control circuit connected between said heating element and said switch control for enabling control of the amount of heating current applied to said heating element.

85. The hair dryer/blower of claim 84 further including a circuit for supplying maximum heating current to said heating element to cause said heating element to reach the desired temperature in minimum time.

86. The hair dryer/blower of claim 85 wherein said circuit for supplying maximum current comprises:

a sensor for sensing the heating element temperature and generating a corresponding voltage;

a comparator for comparing a reference voltage to said sensed voltage and providing a first output; and

a power transistor having a base coupled to said comparator for continually enabling maximum voltage to be supplied to said heating element to enhance heating of said heating element as long as said first output is provided.

87. The hair dryer/blower of claim 86 further including:

a pulser circuit connected to said base of said power transistor for providing a gating pulse to said power transistor at a predetermined on/off rate to maintain said heating element at said desired temperature after said desired temperature is reached.

88. The hair dryer/blower of claim 87 further including a manual control for setting the desired on/off rate at which power is applied to said heating element to maintain a desired temperature.

89. The hair dryer/blower of claim 88 further including:

an oscillator circuit for generating pulses;

a circuit for receiving said oscillator pulses;

multiple serial stages in said circuit, each stage generating an output pulse for a particular count; and

a multiple position switch for selectively connecting one circuit stage output pulse to the base of said power transistor to cause said predetermined on/off rate of said power transistor with the ratio of power pulses supplied to said heating element to obtain a desired temperature of said heating element; and

means for manually positioning said switch to a desired pulse rate.

90. The hair dryer/blower of claim 87 further including a pulser circuit for automatically applying on/off conducting pulses to said power transistor at a selected ratio to maintain said desired temperature of said heating element.

91. The hair dryer/blower of claim 90 comprising:

an integrated circuit controller having a memory;

a table stored in said memory indicating heating element temperature versus pulse rate;

said heating element heat sensor generated voltage means coupled to said integrated circuit controller; and

said integrated circuit controller forming said multiple position switch to automatically pulse said power transistor on and off at said selected ratio to maintain a desired selected temperature.

92. The hair dryer/blower of claim 87 further comprising:

a voltage step-up circuit coupled between said power transistor and said heating element; and

said pulse circuit output being coupled to said voltage step-up circuit for enabling said voltage step-up to occur only when said gating pulse is applied to said power transistor.

93. The hair dryer/blower of claim 76 wherein said power source contains at least one rechargeable battery.

94. The hair dryer/blower of claim 93 wherein said battery supplies at least 14 volts to said switch controls.

95. The hair dryer/blower of claim 93 including a DC charger connectable to said base for supplying a DC voltage to charge said at least one battery.

96. The hair dryer/blower of claim 93 further including:

an AC/DC rectifier circuit forming part of said power source; and

said AC/DC rectifier receiving the output of an AC charging circuit for enabling DC voltage to be generated for charging said at least one battery.

97. The hair dryer/blower of claim 76 wherein said power source can be attached to said handle portion in only one position.

83. The hair dryer/blower of claim 83 wherein said electrical circuit comprises:

at least a first switch for electrically connecting said power source to said heater and said blower simultaneously; and

at least a second switch for electrically connecting said power source only to said blower fan.

98. A portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower comprising:

an elongated hollow body portion having a blower motor and a heating element, a posterior end, and an anterior end;

a handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversely from said elongated body portion, said handle portion including switch controls for operating said heating element and said blower motor;

a power source having a flat base for attachment to said handle portion such that (1) power is supplied to said switch controls and (2) said flat base provides a structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone; and

a fluid spray device for enabling a fluid spray to be selectively dispensed at the anterior end of said elongated hollow body, said fluid spray device further comprises;

a space in said handle portion for receiving a container having pressurized fluid therein;

an elongated tube extending from the handle space to the anterior end of said blower/dryer;

a valve for coupling a received container to said elongated tube; and

a manually generated means for selectively opening and closing said valve