Hygroscopic liquid hair roller

Abstract

A hair roller is disclosed having a roller portion and a retaining clip. The roller has a support structure and a tubular moisture permeable hydrophobic cover. The retaining clip is omega-shaped having two halves and a hinge with a first spring and a ratchet mechanism that maintains the clip in closed. The roller support structure includes a core and two end caps or ends. The roller cover forms a cavity with support structure to enclose a first hygroscopic material. The retaining clip also includes a mass of hygroscopic material contained within a chamber formed between a frame and a second moisture permeable hydrophobic cover.

1 . A hair roller comprising:
 a roller portion having a tubular support including a porous hydrophobic cover, and a first mass of hygroscopic fluid material supported by said tubular support and at least partially enclosed by said porous hydrophobic cover.   
     
     
         2 . The hair roller of  claim 1  wherein said tubular support includes a core and two oppositely disposed end caps coupled to said core. 
     
     
         3 . The hair roller of  claim 2  wherein said end caps have a first select diameter, and wherein said core has a second select diameter smaller than said first select diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The hair roller of  claim 3  wherein said porous hydrophobic cover is in the form of a cylinder having a third select diameter conforming to said first select diameter, and wherein said first mass of hygroscopic fluid material is contained between said hydrophobic cover and said core. 
     
     
         5 . The hair roller of  claim 3  wherein said porous hydrophobic cover is in the form of a cylinder, and wherein said core, said end caps and said hydrophobic cover from a chamber, and wherein said first mass of hygroscopic fluid material is contained between said chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The hair roller of  claim 1  further comprising a retaining clip configured to at least partially overlay said roller portion. 
     
     
         7 . The hair roller of  claim 6  wherein said retaining clip includes two halves joined by a hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The hair roller of  claim 7  wherein said hinge includes a first spring biasing said two halves away from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The hair roller of  claim 8  wherein said hinge also includes a position retainer for maintaining the relative position of said two halves relative to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The hair roller of  claim 9  wherein said position retainer is a ratchet mechanism having a first ratchet member, a second ratchet member configured to releasably mesh with said first ratchet member, a spring biasing said first ratchet member towards said second ratchet member, and a release separating said first ratchet member from said second ratchet member. 
     
     
         11 . The hair roller of  claim 10  wherein each said retaining clip half includes an outer frame and a cover coupled to said outer frame to define a retaining clip chamber, and a second mass of hygroscopic fluid material contained within said retaining clip chamber. 
     
     
         12 . A hair roller comprising a roller portion and a retaining clip removably coupleable to said roller portion;
 said roller portion having a support structure, a first porous hydrophobic cover coupled to said support structure to define a roller chamber, and a first mass of hygroscopic fluid material positioned within said roller chamber,   said retaining clip having a frame, a second porous hydrophobic cover coupled to said frame to define a clip chamber, and a second mass of hygroscopic fluid material positioned within said clip chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The hair roller of  claim 12  wherein said support structure includes a core and two oppositely disposed end caps mounted to said cure. 
     
     
         14 . The hair roller of  claim 13  wherein said end caps have a first select diameter, and wherein said core has a second select diameter smaller than said first select diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The hair roller of  claim 14  wherein said porous hydrophobic cover is in the form of a cylinder having a third select diameter conforming to said first select diameter. 
     
     
         16 . The hair roller of  claim 12  wherein said retaining clip includes two halves joined by a hinge. 
     
     
         17 . The hair roller of  claim 16  wherein said hinge includes a first spring biasing said two halves away from each other. 
     
     
         18 . The hair roller of  claim 17  wherein said hinge also includes a position retainer for maintaining the relative position of said two halves relative to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The hair roller of  claim 18  wherein said position retainer is a ratchet mechanism having a first ratchet member, a second ratchet member configured to releasably mesh with said first ratchet member, a spring biasing said first ratchet member towards said second ratchet member, and a release separating said first ratchet member front said second ratchet member. 
     
     
         20 . A hair roller comprising:
 a hygroscopic material containing liquid water, the liquid water being free to migrate throughout the material to achieve and maintain a concentration equilibrium.   
     
     
         21 . The hair roller of  claim 20  further comprising a support structure coupled to said hygroscopic material. 
     
     
         22 . The hair roller of  claim 20  further comprising a retaining clip having a hygroscopic material containing liquid water.