ATTACHMENT FOR A HAND HELD APPLIANCE

Abstract

An attachment for a hair care appliance includes a body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid flow path extending between the inlet and outlet and at least one vane for directing fluid within the fluid flow path towards the fluid outlet, wherein the body includes at least two extended plates and the fluid outlet includes a slot defined by an overlap between the at least two extended plates, and wherein the at least one vane is positioned within the overlap between the at least two extended plates. The body may be elongate, may have a first end including the fluid inlet, and may extend along an axis. The fluid outlet may extend along the axis between the first end and a second end. The at least one vane may direct fluid flowing in the fluid flow path from a first direction to a second direction.

Claims

1. An attachment for a hair care appliance comprising a body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid flow path extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and at least one vane for directing fluid within the fluid flow path towards the fluid outlet wherein the body comprises at least two extended plates and the fluid outlet comprises a slot defined by an overlap between the at least two extended plates and wherein the at least one vane is positioned within the overlap between the at least two extended plates.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the body is elongate and extends along an axis.

3. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a first end and a second end and the fluid inlet is at the first end.

4. The attachment of claim 3, wherein the fluid outlet extends along the axis between the first end and the second end.

5. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one vane is an aerofoil.

6. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one vane directs fluid flowing in the fluid flow path from a first direction to a second direction.

7. The attachment of claim 6, wherein the first direction is parallel to the axis of the body.

8. The attachment of claim 7, wherein the second direction is 85° to 95° from the axis.

9. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one vane comprises a plurality of vanes extending from the first end of the body towards the second end of the body.

10. The attachment of claim 9, wherein the plurality of vanes are irregularly spaced along the body.

11. The attachment of claim 10, wherein the plurality of vanes are progressively closer together towards the second end.

12. The attachment of claim 9, wherein the plurality of vanes are angled to the axis of the body.

13. The attachment of claim 12, wherein the angle of at least some of the plurality of vanes differs from adjacent vanes.

14. The attachment of claim 13, wherein the angle of the plurality of vanes with respect to the axis increases towards the second end.

15. The attachment of claim 9, wherein the size of the plurality of vanes varies between the first end and the second end.

16. The attachment of claim 15, wherein the plurality of vanes are progressively smaller towards the second end of the body.

17. The attachment of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of vanes has the same profile.

18. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the slot is curved with respect to the axis of the body.

19. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one vane is substantially the same length as the overlap between the at least two extended plates.

20. The attachment of claim 1, wherein one of the at least one vanes has a structural function as well as a flow directing function.

21. The attachment of claim 1, wherein each extended plate is formed from a strut and a plate.

22. The attachment of claim 21, wherein the slot is formed from a strut and a plate from adjacent extended plates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0082] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment according to the present invention;

[0083] FIG. 2a is an exploded view of the attachment;

[0084] FIG. 2b is an isometric view of a first subassembly;

[0085] FIG. 2c is an exploded view of a second subassembly;

[0086] FIG. 3 is a side view of the attachment;

[0087] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3;

[0088] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3;

[0089] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 3;

[0090] FIG. 7 is a top end view of the attachment;

[0091] FIG. 8 is a base end view of the attachment;

[0092] FIG. 9 is a front view of a single plate;

[0093] FIG. 10 is a side view of a single plate;

[0094] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an attachment according to the present invention;

[0095] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the attachment of FIG. 11;

[0096] FIG. 13 is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 11;

[0097] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 13;

[0098] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 13;

[0099] FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional of the attachment of FIG. 11;

[0100] FIG. 17 is a side view of a single plate of the attachment of FIG. 11; and

[0101] FIG. 18 is a side view of an example of a hot air styling device to which an attachment may be connected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0102] FIG. 1 is an external view of an attachment 10 of the present invention. The attachment 10 comprises a fluid inlet 20 for receiving an airflow from an airflow outlet end of a hot air styling or similar device. The fluid inlet 20 is generally circular in shape, to enable an air-tight connection with a generally circular outlet end of the hot air styling device.

[0103] The attachment 10 is essentially cylindrical and extends longitudinally from the fluid inlet 20 to the distal end 30, preferably continuing a line described by the hot air styling device. The attachment has an elongate body 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. Elongate plates 40 extend from the first end 14 to the second end 16, and elongate slots 50 disposed between adjacent plates 40 comprise the fluid outlet for this attachment. The distal end 30 of the attachment 10 comprises a cool tip 32.

[0104] In this embodiment, the attachment 10 has a constant diameter d1 which extends at least partially along the elongate body 12 which is less than the diameter df of the fluid inlet 20.

[0105] FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c show exploded and isometric views of a preferred embodiment of the attachment 10 which reveals some internal features and the parts shown may also be preferred assembly subsections. FIGS. 2a and 2b show a first subassembly 100 is formed by a central cylindrical cage structure 60 and this is illustrated as having six elongate support struts 62. The six elongate support struts 62 extend between a collar 64 at the fluid inlet 20 of the central cylindrical cage structure 60 and an end wall 66 at a second end 24 of the central cylindrical cage structure 60. The collar 64 extends from a connection ring 68. The connection ring 68 functions to join the attachment 10 to the hot air styling device or similar device. The end wall 66 includes an outstanding ring 26 for attachment of the cool tip 32 via lugs 28 provided radially around the cool tip 32. The fluid outlet is formed by the slots 50 extending from adjacent the collar 64 to the end wall 66 at a second end 24 of the central cylindrical cage structure 60.

[0106] A second subassembly 110 is formed by six separate plates 40, as shown in FIG. 2c. When the attachment is manufactured, the second subassembly 110 is attached to the first subassembly 100. In a preferred embodiment, each of the plates 40 are attached to a strut 62 forming extended plates 54 (see FIG. 5) and this forms the elongate body 12 which extends between the collar 64 and the second end 24 of the central cylindrical cage structure 60. The elongate body 12 has a first end 14 adjacent the collar 64 and a second end 16 which is adjacent the end wall 66 of the central cylindrical cage structure 60. The elongate body 12 extends for as long as the struts 62, the plates 40 and the elongate slots 50. The collar 64 and connection ring 68 form part of the central cylindrical cage structure 60 but not the elongate body 12.

[0107] The collar 64 is flat and annular; the collar extends out from the elongate body and has a diameter which is greater than that of the connection ring 68, the elongate body 12 and the cylindrical cage 60. The collar 64 is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment which is also the longitudinal axis of the elongate body 12.

[0108] In order to attach the first subassembly to the second subassembly each plate 40 is attached to a strut 62. Each strut 62 has several features which function to receive connection features located on the inner side of each plate 50. Specifically, three structural vanes 70 extend from a leading edge 62a of each strut 62 at regular intervals and join onto an outer face 72 of an immediately adjacent strut. An inner face 42 of each plate 40 has three indentations 44 located to receive the structural vanes 70. In a further embodiment, both ends of the outer face 72 of each strut includes a recess 74 which is suitable to receive a protrusion 46 positioned at both ends of the inner face 42 of each plate 40. In addition, each strut 62 includes a longitudinal flange 76 extending from the leading edge 62a. Each plate 40 has a cooperating longitudinal flange 48. In this embodiment, the cooperating longitudinal flange 48 is formed as a continuation of the three indentations 44 providing a localized thinning of the plate 40. The longitudinal flange 48 of the strut 62 is also effectively a thinned part of the strut 62. When the plate 40 is attached to the strut 62 an extended plate 54 (see FIG. 5) is formed, the longitudinal flange 76 cooperates with the cooperating longitudinal flange 48 to position the plate 40 with respect to the strut 62. In a preferred embodiment, when the plate 40 is attached to a strut 62, the outer surface 72 of the strut 62 continues across an outer surface 52 of the plate 40.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, additional fixing means, such as ultrasonic welding or gluing, can be utilized in addition to mentioned aids to attaching and positioning the plates 50. The parts are preferably welded along the length of the flanges and the three indentations 44. This provides an air seal at the leading edge 62a of each strut 62 forcing air to flow out of the elongate slots 50.

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 2b and 2c, a plurality of vanes 100 are located on the inner face 42 of each plate 40. Specifically, the vanes 100 are located along the leading edge 42a of each plate 40, in a transverse orientation to the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment. In a preferred embodiment, the vanes 100 are spaced along the length of the plate 40 with gaps where positioning indentations 44 are present. From the first end 14 to the second end 16, the vanes 100 gradually decrease in length and depth and angle away from normal to the leading edge 42a of the plate 40.

[0111] The structural vanes 70 additionally have the function of directing the flow. Thus, the structural vanes have structural function and a flow turning function. The structural vanes 70 have a similar angle and profile to the vanes 100 adjacent each of the structural vanes 70.

[0112] The vanes 100 and structural vanes 70 are optimized for the drop in air pressure and the drop in air volume along the length of the elongate body 12 from the fluid inlet 20 to the second end 16 to provide air flow out of the slot 50 which is uniform in volume and direction along the length of the slot 50.

[0113] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the attachment. The profile of the leading edge of each plate is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment. Specifically, each plate twists around the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment forming a helical arrangement. Preferably, the slots curve by an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment. In this example the slots 50 curve in an anti-clockwise direction from the first end 14 towards the second end 16. The slots 50 are formed between adjacent overlapping extended plates 54, 54a however, in order to form the curved slots, the plates 40 do not extend along the longitudinal axis of the attachment but also preferably curve by an angle of 45°.

[0114] In FIG. 3, the vanes 100 located on the inner face of one particular plate 50 are visible through a slot between two adjacent plates. In the preferred embodiment shown, the diameter of the elongate body 12 is greater at the first end 14 than at the second end 16. Specifically, the plate arrangement flares outward towards the first end 14 of the elongate body 12.

[0115] This side view of the attachment in FIG. 3 shows protrusions 76 regularly located on the connection ring 68 to enable a click-fit connection to the fluid outlet end of a hot air styling device or similar device. Alternative attachment options will be apparent to the skilled person, such as screw-fit or push-fit arrangements.

[0116] A transverse cross-sectional view, along line A-A, through the elongate body 12 is shown in FIG. 4. This cross-section shows the six extended plates 54 where each extended plate 54 includes one plate 40 and one strut 62 but does not cut through structural vanes 70 or vanes 100. A fluid outlet path 58 between an extended plate 54 and a consecutive extended plate 54a is not constant in width. Specifically, each extended plate 54 has an arc shaped cross-section of a smaller radius than a radius of the whole elongate body 12. Consequently, each fluid outlet path 58 has a minimum dimension at the associated outlet slot 50. Whilst the fluid outlet path 58 narrows towards each slot 50, the thickness of the extended plate 54 remains substantially constant. The longitudinal flange 76 and cooperating longitudinal flange 48 are consequently both approximately half the thickness of the plate 40 and strut 62.

[0117] The airflow exiting each slot 50 is tangential to the outer surface 54b of the extended plate 54 and joins with the airflow exiting the other slots thereby forming a continuous fluid path 78 around the circumference of the attachment. The airflow exiting the slots 50 is attracted to the curved surface of the attachment by the Coanda effect. This in turn causes hair that is presented to the attachment 10 to be influenced by the airflow to wrap around the cylindrical surface of the attachment 10. In particular the tips of a tress of hair presented to the attachment 10 are attracted to the outer surface of the attachment 10 and then the hair tress wraps around the attachment 10. As air is blown down the length of the hair, wet hair dries quickly. Advantageously, this wrapping process occurs without the use of bristles, and so the hair can slide off the attachment once it is dry or styled so there is no tangling.

[0118] The airflow exiting the slots is substantially normal to the slots 50 however, it is preferred that the airflow is angled towards the fluid inlet 20 by around 2.5 to 4.5°. In this example 3.5° has been used. A combination of the curved slot 50, vanes 100 and structural vanes 70 produces this angle of airflow. This causes hair to helix down the attachment, towards the fluid inlet 20 which enables curled hair to naturally fall off the attachment 10 when a user either removes the attachment 10 from the hair tress or switches the device off.

[0119] A further transverse cross-section view, along line B-B of FIG. 3, through the elongate body 12 is shown in FIG. 5. This cross-section cuts through a vane 100 on each extended plate 54. The longitudinally helical nature of the fluid outlet slots can be seen, as the position of each extended plate 54 has rotated relative to FIG. 4. Where a vane 100 on an extended plate 54 contacts the adjacent extended plate 54a, airflow is restricted or stopped.

[0120] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the longitudinal axis of the attachment 10 thereby revealing the inner face of several struts 62. The inside of the cool tip 32 is hollow in order to provide a relatively cooler location for the user to touch or grasp the attachment. A gap between the underside of the cool tip 32 and the second end 16 of the elongate body 12 minimizes transfer of heat to the cool tip 32 and also has the advantage of allowing for manufacturing tolerances between parts.

[0121] The cool tip 32 comprises a handle 34 and an annular flange 36. The handle 34 is hollow and in this embodiment is filled with air to insulate the handle 34 from hot fluid flowing within the attachment 10. The annular flange 36 is provided with an annular indentation 38 to provide an air gap 80 between the second end 16 of the elongate body 12 and the cool tip 32 which extends circumferentially around the annular flange 36. The elongate body 12 can be considered to have an outer wall 82 formed from the plates 50; the annular flange 36 is spaced from the outer wall 82. The air gap 80 is sufficiently sized so that the air gap 80 is continuous around the annular flange 36 even when manufacturing tolerances are considered.

[0122] In FIGS. 3 and 6, the flared profile of the elongate body 12 is apparent at the first end of the attachment. Such a flare is not present in all embodiments of the present invention. Whether there is a flare or not is determined by the relative diameters of the attachment and hot air styling device or similar device to which the attachment is attached. If the diameter of the attachment is less than that of the hot air styling device or similar device then there is a flare to both minimise turbulence and to enable a change in the diameter from the device to the attachment. Specifically, such a flare is included in an embodiment having a diameter of the elongate body of 30 mm, but is not included in an embodiment having a diameter of the elongate body of 40 mm. This flare functions to reduce turbulence and thereby aids initial attachment of the end of a hair strand to the first end of the attachment.

[0123] The elongate body 12 converges from the first end 14 towards the second end 16. The reduction in diameter extends from the first end 14 to a point Y and from point Y to the second end 16 the diameter of the elongate body 12 is constant. The purpose of the convergence is to provide a smooth transition from the diameter at the fluid inlet 20 to the diameter at the second end 16 of the elongate body 12. Any turbulence in air flowing into the attachment 10 is minimized which also reduces pressure loses in the attachment 10. This has the advantage of encouraging the tips of hair in a tress to attach to the outer surface of the attachment.

[0124] The top view of an exemplary attachment in FIG. 7 illustrates that the collar 64 near the fluid inlet of the attachment has a greater diameter than the cool tip 32 at the distal end 30. The base view of an exemplary attachment in FIG. 8 illustrates the overlapping formation of each extended plate 54.

[0125] The collar 64 has a number of functions. The collar 64 helps to keep hair on the attachment 10 when it is wrapped around the attachment 10 by providing a physical barrier for the hair and preventing hair from being wrapped around the attachment 10 or indeed an appliance connected beyond the collar 64. Another function is to protect the air flow around the attachment 10. The continuous fluid path 78 around the attachment 10 will entrain or draw air from outside of the slots 50. This entrained air is not necessarily tangential to the outer surface 54b of the extended plate 54 so could adversely affect the hair wrapping process. The collar 64, has a greater diameter than the first end 14 of the elongate body 12 thus, it acts as a barrier to air being entrained over the surface of an appliance towards the attachment 10.

[0126] FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of an inner face 42 of a single plate 40 having twelve vanes 100 positioned nearest a leading edge 42a of the plate 40. The vanes 100 are spaced within two main series of five vanes. Indentations 44, adapted to receive structural vanes 70, are found on the trailing edge 42b of the plate 40 located at the gaps between the series of vanes. The vanes 100 are positioned in a generally perpendicular orientation to the leading edge 42a of the plate 40. In a preferred embodiment, the vanes 100 located towards the upstream end of the attachment are positioned at an acute angle to the leading edge 42a of the plate 40. The preferred length of a vane 100 is substantially to fill the slot 50 formed by an overlap 84 provided between one extended plate 54 and the adjacent extended plate 54a.

[0127] The profile of each vane 100 is an aerofoil and is designed to direct flow from a first direction to a second direction out of the slot 50. Air enters the fluid inlet parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment 10; this is the first direction. The air flowing through the attachment 10 will naturally turn from this axis towards the slot 50 but it is the combined action of the profile of the vanes 100 along with the curvature of the slots 50 on the air flow that produces the second direction of flow which, as previously described is preferred to be angled slightly towards the fluid inlet 20 as this encourages good wrapping of hair and curls that are easily removed from the attachment 10.

[0128] The vanes 100 may be regularly spaced along the length of the plate 50 however, in order to achieve even flow out of the slot 50 along the elongate body 12, it is preferred that the spacing is irregular and that the vanes 100 are more spaced at the first end 14 and closer together at the second end 16 of the elongate body 12.

[0129] In addition, as the volume and pressure of air flowing through the attachment 10 changes from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of the elongate body 12, the vanes 100 are progressively smaller from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of the elongate body 12. The angle of the vanes 100 with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment 10 changes from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of the elongate body 12. It is preferred that the angle increases with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment 10 from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of the elongate body 12.

[0130] FIG. 10 is a side view of a plate 40 which shows the helical form around the longitudinal axis of each plate. The amount of helical rotation within a plate 40 is a function of a combination of features such as, but not exclusively, the number of plates, the diameter of the attachment, the profile of the vanes and the desired fluid outflow angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the attachment.

[0131] FIGS. 11 to 17 show a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, components illustrated and already described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 10 have like reference numerals. In this second embodiment, the diameter of the attachment 150 is 40 mm. Thus, the diameter of the attachment 150 is larger than that of the connection ring 68 and the fluid inlet 20 into the attachment 150. The cross sectional area of the attachment 150 is greater than the cross sectional area of the fluid inlet 20. A diameter d2 of the attachment 150 is greater than the diameter df of the fluid inlet 20.

[0132] As air flowing into the attachment 150 experiences an increase in volume within the attachment at the first end 14 of the elongate body 112, some air will recirculate towards a ledge 160 produced between the connection ring 68 and the outer wall 182 of the attachment 150. Thus, some of the air exiting the slot 50 would flow towards the fluid inlet 20 unless the direction of flow were modified. In order that this recirculation does not affect the direction of flow of air out of the slots 50, at least the first vane 170, that being the vane adjacent the first end 14 of the elongate body 112 and adjacent the fluid inlet 20 is reversed with respect to all the other vanes 100.

[0133] This has two functions—it, firstly, maintains the advantage that it provides flow out of the slot 50 which is uniform in volume and direction along the length of the slot 50 as with the previous embodiment and, secondly, it has one of the same functions as the collar 64 of the first embodiment, namely keeping hair on the attachment 150 by providing an air barrier at the first end 14 of the elongate body 112. Due to this air barrier, for this second embodiment, where the attachment 150 has a larger diameter than the fluid inlet 20 the collar 164 is the same diameter as the outer wall 182. As this attachment 150 has a greater surface area than the previously described attachment 10, hair is more easily attached to the outer surface 182 so the problem of adverse effects from entrained flow over the surface of an appliance towards the attachment 150 is less apparent.

[0134] The first vane 170 has an aerofoil shape and has a concave surface 172 and a convex surface 174. The vanes 100 also have a concave surface 102 and a convex surface 104. In order to turn air flowing out of the slot 50 towards the fluid inlet 20, the concave surface 102 of the vanes 100 is presented facing the fluid inlet 20 and this directs or channels the fluid towards the second direction in a smooth transition. Having a smooth transition reduces pressure losses, turbulence and noise within the attachment.

[0135] In contrast, the first vane 170 has the convex surface 174 facing the fluid inlet 20. This is due to the air recirculating towards the ledge 160, thus the concave surface 172 of the first vane 170 is still facing the air flow as with the vanes 100. The functionality is the same and the effect is similar it is the direction of fluid flowing that has changed.

[0136] The first vane 170 along with the vanes 100 are adapted to turn the fluid flowing in the attachment 150 from the first direction to the second direction out of the slot 50. As previously described, air enters the fluid inlet parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the attachment 150; this is the first direction. The air flowing through the attachment 10 will naturally turn from this axis towards the slot 50 and in this attachment 150, the air near the fluid inlet 20 turns further than required. In order to achieve even flow along the length of the attachment 150, as previously described, it is the combined action of the profile of the first vane 170, vanes 100 and with the curvature of the slots 50 on the air flow that produces the second direction of flow which, as previously described is preferred to be angled slightly towards the fluid inlet 20 as this encourages good wrapping of hair and curls that are easily removed from the attachment 10.

[0137] A further feature of attachment 150 is that each strut 62 has a reinforcement. The first subassembly 100 is preferably injection moulded as a single piece. For attachment 10, as the elongate body 12 flares towards the fluid inlet 20 there is a natural tapering towards the second end 16 which is used during the manufacturing process to at least partially create the draft required to remove a central mould from the attachment 10. For attachment 150, as the diameter d2 is greater than the diameter df of the fluid inlet 20 there is an undercut created during manufacture. For this reason, in attachment 150 there is localised thickening 162 of the strut 62 on a radially inner surface 162a at an inlet end 86 of the overlap 84.

[0138] The localised thickening 162 can be considered a reinforcing rib, protuberance or bulge which extends along the whole length of the strut 62. Adjacent the fluid inlet 20, the localised thickening 162 includes a chamfer or angled face 166 which guides fluid flowing into the attachment 150 from the connection ring 68 over the end of the localised thickening 162.

[0139] The curvature of the localised thickening 162 additionally directs flow over a trailing edge 62b of the strut 62 towards the overlap 84 and the slot 50.

[0140] FIG. 18 shows an example of a hot air styling device 200 together with attachment 10. The hot air styling device 200 comprises a generally tubular handle 220 having an fluid inlet 230 and a fluid outlet 240 at opposing ends. At the fluid inlet 230 of the handle, an array of apertures 232 extends around and partially along the handle 220. Internally (not shown), a fan unit comprises a fan and a motor. In use, the motor drives the fan and air is drawn in through the apertures 232 of the fluid inlet 230, along a fluid flow path which extends through the length of the handle 220. The fluid is optionally heated by a heater (not shown) before exiting the hot air styling device at the fluid outlet 240. The fluid inlet 20 of the attachment 10 of the present invention is connected to the fluid outlet 240 of the hot air styling device 200 or a similar device and receives the fluid drawn in by the action of the motor. The fluid then exits the attachment 10 via slots 50. The appliance 200 may be connected to a power supply via a power cable or could house batteries within the handle 220.

[0141] The skilled person will be aware that fabrication and assembly of the present invention may be realized in many differing ways. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, possible assembly subsections are shown as an elongate body 12 structure having six elongate support struts, six separate plates and a cool tip. However, the elongate body 12 may, in turn, be constructed of several further assembly subsections. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the elongate body 12 may comprise three fixed plates and a further three separate plates may be attached to the cage structure. Clearly, similar fabrication and assembly methods can be utilized independent of the number of plates present in an embodiment.

[0142] A preferred method of manufacturing the attachment 10, 150 is by injection moulding however, this is not essential to the inventive concept and the skilled person will be aware of suitable alternatives.

[0143] The diameter of an attachment 10, 150 can be the same as that of the appliance to which it is attached or different. Some of the inventive features described herein are applicable regardless of the diameter, for example the spacing of the cool tip, the different subassemblies and the use of vanes.

[0144] Where the diameter of an attachment is shown as being different to that of an appliance to which it is attached, it is generally both the internal diameter and the external diameter that are different.

[0145] Vanes 100, 170 are shown as forming part of the plate 40 however, they could be formed as part of the strut 62. Indentations 44 adapted to receive to receive the structural vanes 70 are shown as being connected to the longitudinal flange 48 however they may be separated.

[0146] The invention has been described in detail with respect to a hot styling brush however, it is applicable to any appliance that draws in a fluid and directs the outflow of that fluid from the appliance including a hairdryer.

[0147] The appliance can be used with or without a heater; the action of the outflow of fluid at high velocity has a drying effect.

[0148] The fluid that flows through the appliance is generally air, but may be a different combination of gases or gas and can include additives to improve performance of the appliance or the impact the appliance has on an object the output is directed at for example, hair and the styling of that hair. Such additives include but are not limited to hairspray and serums for example.

[0149] The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.