ATTACHMENT FOR A HANDHELD APPLIANCE

Abstract

An attachment including an air inlet for receiving airflow from a hair styling apparatus, at least one air outlet, a chamber for conveying air from the air inlet to said at least one air outlet, wherein the air inlet is located at one end of the chamber, and the at least one air outlet extends along the length of the chamber and the cross-sectional area of the chamber decreases in size from the air inlet along the length of the at least one air outlet.

Claims

1. An attachment for a hair styling apparatus comprising: an air inlet for receiving airflow from a hair styling apparatus; at least one air outlet; a chamber for conveying air from the air inlet to the at least one air outlet, wherein the air inlet is located at one end of the chamber, and the at least one air outlet extends along the length of the chamber, and a cross-sectional area of the chamber decreases in size from the air inlet along the length of the at least one air outlet.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a base located opposite to the air outlet.

3. The attachment of claim 2, wherein the base is planar and slopes gradually towards the air outlet with increasing distance from the air inlet.

4. The attachment of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a first layer and a second layer separated by an insulating cavity.

5. The attachment of claim 1, comprising a distal end opposite the air inlet, and wherein an insulated cap is located at the distal end.

6. The attachment of claim 5, wherein the insulated cap has a heat resistant protrusion extending away from the air inlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an attachment, according to an aspect of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the attachment;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a side view of the attachment;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a front view of the attachment;

[0045] FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 4;

[0046] FIG. 5b is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an internal volume of the attachment;

[0047] FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3 showing moveable members in a first configuration;

[0048] FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 3 showing the moveable members in the first configuration;

[0049] FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3 showing the moveable members in a second configuration;

[0050] FIG. 6d is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 3 showing the moveable members in the second configuration;

[0051] FIG. 7a is a side view of a row of bristles for the attachment;

[0052] FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 7a;

[0053] FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 7a;

[0054] FIG. 7d is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 7a;

[0055] FIG. 8 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

[0056] FIG. 1 is an external view of an attachment 10. The attachment 10 comprises an air inlet 12 for receiving an airflow from an air outlet end of a hot air styling device or similar apparatus. With reference also to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the air inlet 12 is defined by a casing which comprises an outer casing section 44, an inner casing section 45 and a fixing plate 62. The air inlet 12 is generally circular in shape, to enable an air-tight connection with a generally annular outlet end of the hot air styling device. An annular collar section 14 forms a smooth edge from an external surface of the hot air styling device to the outer casing section 44 of the attachment 10.

[0057] The attachment comprises at least one hair engaging member for engaging hair during the use of the hot air styling device. In this example, the attachment comprises two hair engaging members. Each hair engaging member comprises a moveable member and a set of bristles supported by the moveable member. In this example, a first moveable member 16 and a second moveable member 18 are both elongate in form and are disposed side by side. The moveable members are positioned longitudinally either side of a central fixed ledge 22. The central fixed ledge 22 forms part of an inner casing section 45 about which the outer casing section 44 extends. A first end of each moveable member is positioned towards the air inlet end of the attachment 10 and a second end of each moveable member is positioned towards a distal end of the attachment 10. The first moveable member 16 and the second moveable member 18 are positioned between both the outer casing section 44 and the inner casing section 45 and supported at the distal end of the attachment via fixing plate 62 for movement relative to the casing. At the distal end of the attachment is a cap 24, housing a movement mechanism for moving the moveable members relative to the casing, and attached cool tip 26.

[0058] Each moveable member has a curved outer surface. A plurality of parallel ribs 30 are positioned on the outer surface and the ribs 30 run perpendicular to the length of the moveable member. Two adjacent ribs 30 form a channel 32 therebetween. A total area of ribs 30 on each moveable member has a rectangular form which is surrounded by a smooth peripheral surface. Each rib 30 supports a respective row of bristles 20.

[0059] In this embodiment, the width of each channel 32 is preferably equal to or less than the height of the ribs 30. In an alternative embodiment, the width of each channel 32 is wider than the width of a rib 30. In further alternative embodiments, the channels 32 may comprise multi-faceted geometries as determined by fluid dynamics analyses.

[0060] Both the first moveable member 16 and the second moveable member 18 have an inner side face 34 adjacent to the central fixed ledge 22 and an outer side face 40 adjacent to a side wall 42 of the outer casing section 44. The inner side faces 34 of each moveable member comprise a series of regular indentations 36. The outer side faces 40 of each moveable member comprise a series of regular indentations 38. With reference to FIG. 1, these regular indentations are not a visible external feature of the attachment 10 when assembled. The regular indentations 36 along the inner side faces 34 preferably have a width of approximately 1 mm-2 mm and a spacing of approximately 10 mm-15 mm. The regular indentations 38 along the outer side faces 40 preferably have a width of approximately 2 mm-3 mm and a spacing of approximately 2 mm-3 mm.

[0061] A series of baffles 46 are connected to the underside of the central fixed ledge 22. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a side profile of each baffle 46 is generally curved, and the curvature of the baffles 46 in the series gradually decreases from the air inlet end of the attachment 10 to the distal end of the attachment 10. A rear side 50 of each baffle 46 is attached to a respective support 52, and this support 52 is also attached to a base 53 of the inner casing section 45. It is also envisaged that the baffles 46 may be supported in an alternative arrangement, such as the baffles solely being in contact with the central fixed ledge 22, or a pair of parallel supports at either side of each baffle 46 and positioned in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the attachment 10. In a preferred embodiment, the baffle 46 positioned closest to the air inlet 12 has a minimum radius of 6 mm.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 2, a curved base 54 of the outer casing section 44 extends between external side walls 42. A series of side vanes 56 is positioned internally on each side wall 42 of the outer casing section 44. Specifically, each side vane 56 is positioned in axial alignment with a protrusion 57 of an outer side face 40 of one of the moveable members, thus causing an air-tight blockage when the moveable member is moved relative to the outer casing section 44 so that consecutive side vanes 56 and protrusions 57 are in contact. When the moveable member is in this position, a channel between adjacent side vanes 56 is in axial alignment with a respective indentation 38 in the outer side face 40 of the moveable member, thus forming a series of channels.

[0063] In further reference to FIG. 2, components located at the distal end of the attachment 10 primarily function to enable a pivoting mechanism for the movement of the first moveable member 16 and the second moveable member 18 relative to the casing. Specifically, a pivot pin 58 is received into a centrally located hole 60 in an end face of the second end of each moveable member. These pivot pins 58 pass through a fixing plate 62 and are received into holes in the first side of the end cap 24. The central axis about which the first moveable member 16 tilts is shown in FIG. 2 denoted by dashed line X. The central axis about which the second moveable member 18 tilts is denoted by dashed line Y. Each moveable member has an angle of movement which is in the range from 5° to 30°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of movement is 12°.

[0064] A linkage arm pin 64 protrudes from an outer side of the end face of the second end of each moveable member. Each linkage arm pin 64 passes through an oval hole 66 in the fixing plate 62 and is received in the respective end of a linkage arm 68. The linkage arm 68 functions to ensure that the first moveable member 16 and the second moveable member 18 move synchronously relative to the outer casing section 44.

[0065] A spring pin 70 protrudes from an inner side of the end face of the second end of each moveable member. Each spring pin 70 passes through an enlarged hole 72 in the fixing plate 62 and through a leg 74 of a torsion spring 76 and is finally received into respective holes in the first side of the end cap 24. The torsion spring 76 functions as an over-centre mechanism between a stable first position and a stable second position, ensuring that the first moveable member 16 and the second moveable member 18 can tilt between stable first position and a stable second position without hindrance.

[0066] The second side of the cap 24 includes a central extended feature, a cool tip 26, which is relatively insulated from the heat of the airflow within the attachment.

[0067] FIG. 3 is an external side view of the attachment 10 illustrating the location of the transverse cross-sections labeled B-B and C-C. FIG. 3 shows a first raised ridge 78 positioned adjacent to the first end of each moveable member and a second raised ridge 80 positioned adjacent to the second end of each moveable member. The first raised ridge 78 is part of the outer casing section 44. The second raised ridge 80 is part of the cap 24. The height of the first raised ridge 78 and the second raised ridge 80 is preferably in the range of approximately 1 mm to 4 mm.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a front view of the attachment 10 shown from the air inlet end 12. A connection ring 82 has four regularly spaced protrusions 84 which form a snap-fit feature by which the attachment 10 is fitted to the hot air styling device. A constructional line D-D cuts through each baffle 46 in the series.

[0069] FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 4. Within the cool tip 26 there are several elongate cavities 86 which function to stiffen the cool tip 26, and also to minimize convection and minimize heat conduction to an outer surface of the cool tip 26. An internal cross-sectional area of the attachment 10 gradually reduces from the air inlet end towards the distal end of the attachment. Specifically, the base 53 of the inner casing section 45 slopes away from the base 54 of the outer casing section 44, towards the moveable members thereby creating a cavity 90 delimited by base 53 and base 54 and an end plate 92 of the inner casing section 45.

[0070] FIG. 5b schematically illustrates the airflow inlet 12 and multiple airflow outlets indicated by vertical arrows. A trapezoid 55 represents a cross-sectional view of the internal volume of the attachment, taken along line D-D in FIG. 4. A transverse cross-sectional area of the inside of the attachment at the upstream end is represented by a right-hand edge 59 of the trapezoid 55. A transverse cross-sectional area of the inside of the attachment at the distal end is represented by a left-hand edge 61 of the trapezoid 55. The cross-sectional area of the internal volume of the attachment tapers gradually between the minimum cross-sectional area 61 at the distal end and the maximum cross-sectional area 59 at the upstream end.

[0071] In one embodiment, the base 53 has a smooth curved profile with greatest height at the centre of the end plate 92 with the profile sloping down towards the side walls 42 and away from the end plate 92. In further embodiments, the gradual tapering of the internal cross-sectional area of the attachment 10 can be realized in alternative configurations of the base 53.

[0072] A “see-saw movement” of the moveable members will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6a to 6d. FIGS. 6a and 6b show cross-sectional views taken along lines B-B and C-C in FIG. 3 when the moveable members are in a first configuration relative to the casing. FIGS. 6c and 6d are similar cross-sectional views to FIGS. 6a and 6b, but when the moveable members are in a second configuration relative to the casing. In use, the action of the user drawing the attachment through the hair creates a tension in the bristles 20 in the opposing direction. The tension in the bristles is consequently present in each moveable member, and each moveable member moves in compliance with the direction of the tension force, so that the moveable members adopt either the first configuration or the second configuration during use of the attachment 10.

[0073] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show the position of each moveable member in the first configuration when the attachment 10 is moved, in use, in a left to right direction as indicated by an arrow 88, through the hair of a user. The first moveable member 16 illustrated at the left side of FIG. 6a is in a first position relative to the casing, in which an outer section of the upper surface is in flush, air-tight contact with the side wall 42 of the outer casing section 44. The inner side face 34 of first moveable member 16 is positioned below, and vertically overlapping with, the central fixed ledge 22. A first, inner air outlet 94 is formed between the central fixed ledge 22 and the inner side face 34 of the first moveable member 16.

[0074] The second moveable member 18 illustrated at the right side of FIG. 6a is in a second position relative to the casing, in which an inner side face 35 is in flush, air-tight contact with the central fixed ledge 22. The second moveable member 18 has an outer section of the upper surface positioned below the side wall 42 of the outer casing section 44. A second, outer air outlet 95 is formed between the second moveable member 18 and the side wall 42 of the outer casing section 44.

[0075] It will be apparent to the skilled person that FIG. 6b illustrates the moveable members in the same position as in FIG. 6a. Cross-section C-C (in FIG. 3) cuts through a support 52 of a baffle 46 and through a narrow neck 93 of a baffle 46. The inner side face 34 of the first moveable member 16 is in contact with the narrow neck 93 of a baffle 46. The regularly spaced baffles 46 and the regularly spaced indentations 36 on the longitudinal inner side faces 34 of each moveable member are in contact, thereby dividing the inner air outlet 94 into a series of central air outlet apertures. Similarly, the regularly spaced internal side vanes 56 and the regularly spaced protrusions 57 on the outer side faces 40 of each moveable member are in contact thereby dividing the outer air outlet 95 into a series of outer air outlet apertures.

[0076] When the direction of the brushing action by the user is reversed and equally the direction of the tension force in the bristles 20 is reversed, then the moveable members move synchronously into their opposite position. Thus, the first moveable member 16 and the second moveable member 18 are in the second configuration relative to the casing as illustrated in FIG. 6c and FIG. 6d. Specifically, the attachment 10 is moved, in use, in a right to left direction as indicated by arrow 89. The first moveable member 16 illustrated at the left side of FIG. 6c is in the second position, in which the inner side face 34 is in contact with the central fixed ledge 22 and the outer side face 40 is positioned below, the outer side wall 42 of the outer casing section 44. A third, outer air outlet 97 is formed between the first moveable member 16 and the side wall 42 of outer casing section 44.

[0077] The second moveable member 18 illustrated at the right side of FIG. 6c is in the second position, in which an outer side face 40 is in contact with the outer side wall 42 of the outer casing section 44. The second moveable member 18 has an inner section of the upper surface positioned below, and vertically overlapping with, the central fixed ledge 22. A fourth, inner air outlet 96 is formed between the second moveable member 18 and the central fixed ledge 22.

[0078] It will be apparent to the skilled person that FIG. 6d illustrates the moveable members in the second configuration, thus the same position as in FIG. 6c. Cross-section C-C (in FIG. 3) cuts through a support 52 of a baffle 46 and through a narrow neck 93 of a baffle 46.

[0079] Such a synchronous motion between two opposing positions is a so-called “see-saw” action. The “see-saw” motion is both enabled and limited by the oval holes 72 and 66 in the fixing plate 62 through which the pivot pins 58 and linkage arm pins 64 are positioned, respectively. The attachment 10 has a single open inner air outlet and a single open outer air outlet when the moveable members adopt one of the two different stable configurations. For example, when the moveable members are in the first configuration, airflow outlets 94, 95 are open, and airflow outlets 96, 97 are closed. When the moveable members are in the second configuration, airflow outlets 94, 95 are closed and airflow outlets 96, 97 are open.

[0080] In use, the attachment 10 is connected to the airflow outlet end of a hot air styling device. The airflow passes from the hot air styling device through the air inlet 12 and into the attachment 10. A front side 48 of each of the series of baffles 46 functions to change the direction of the incident airflow. Specifically, the incident airflow from the air inlet 12 is primarily parallel to a longitudinal axis of the attachment 10. The baffles 46 alter this path through approximately 90 degrees in the direction of the central fixed ledge 22 and towards the open inner air outlet 94. Both the front side 48 and a rear side 50 of each baffle 46 assists in altering the airflow direction. In cooperation with the regular indentations 36 on the inner side face 34 of each moveable member, the series of baffles 46 form a first series of air jets exiting the attachment 10.

[0081] Additionally, the side vanes 56 function to direct airflow towards the open outer air outlet 95 and, in cooperation with the regular indentations 38 in the outer side face 40 of each moveable member, form a second series of air jets exiting the attachment 10.

[0082] Air flow exiting the attachment 10 through one of the open inner air outlet and open outer air outlet is directed to flow over the outer surface of an adjacent one of the moveable members by virtue of the profile of the moveable members. The form of the side vanes 56 and the baffles 46 enables the exiting airflow jets to be straight and parallel and flow evenly over the surface of the moveable members thereby attracting the hair to the surface of the moveable members. In an exemplary embodiment, the airflow velocity exiting each airflow outlet is around 30 m/s.

[0083] Ambient airflow is drawn into this surface air flow as a consequence of the dimensions of the airflow outlet and the profile of each moveable member. Therefore, the airflow through the channels 32 and along the length of the user's hair is augmented by ambient airflow. Furthermore, the form and dimensions of the channels 32 enhance flow attachment as the airflow moves over the surface of the moveable member.

[0084] With reference to FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b, when the attachment 10 is moved, in use, in a left to right direction as indicated by the arrow 88 at the top of the figure, then airflow over the surface of each moveable member is in the opposing direction, as indicated by the smaller airflow arrows. With reference to FIG. 6c and FIG. 6d, when the direction of use of the attachment 10 is reversed, then the direction of airflow across the surface of each moveable member is also reversed.

[0085] The cross-sectional area of the internal volume of the attachment 10 reduces gradually towards the downstream end of the attachment 10. The function of this reduction in cross-sectional area is to ensure a constant pressure of airflow exiting the attachment along the entire length of the air outlets and to prevent turbulent flow. The reduction in cross-sectional area is proportional to a falling mass flow rate of the airflow within the attachment. The mass flow rate falls as airflow exits the attachment 10, via the inner air outlet and outer air outlet, from the upstream end of the attachment to the downstream end of the attachment. Consequently, the reduction of the cross-sectional area results in a constant airflow velocity exiting the attachment along the entire length of the air outlets. It is also observed that attachment of airflow to vanes and baffles is improved as a consequence of the progressive reduction of the internal cross-sectional area.

[0086] The first raised ridge 78 and the second raised ridge 80 function to avoid undesirable entrainment of ambient air into the even, parallel airflow moving through the channels 32.

[0087] FIGS. 7a to 7d illustrate a preferred form of the bristles for the attachment. FIG. 7a shows a row of bristles, in which each bristle 99 is attached to an elongate base plate 98. Vertical cross-section A-A through a bristle 99 is shown in FIG. 7b. The base end 100 of the bristle 99 is broader than the tip 102 of the bristle and the sides are substantially straight, with an approximately spherical form at the tip 102 of the bristle 99. As shown in FIG. 7c, a cross-section through the tip 102 of each bristle is a circle. FIG. 7d shows a cross-section through the base end 100 of each bristle 99 is an oval. Once assembled, the longer dimension of the oval profile of each bristle 20 is aligned with the longer dimension of each rib 30 on each moveable member. In an alternative embodiment, each bristle 99 has an oval cross-section for the entirety of the bristle and the cross-section may be gradually reducing in size towards the tip 102 of the bristle 99.

[0088] Furthermore, the form of each bristle 99 may be contoured to optimize flow attachment as the airflow moves between the bristles 20 and over the surface of each moveable member. In a preferred embodiment, the bristles 20 are able to flex and may be approximately 15 mm in length. The bristles 20 may be formed with or without the approximately spherical end form.

[0089] It will be apparent to the skilled person that the bristles of the present hot air styling device attachment may be assembled singly or in pre-formed rows of two or more connected bristles (as shown in FIG. 7a). Each bristle 99 is positioned into the rib 30 and, optionally, the rib 30 may allow movement of each bristle 99 in one or more directions. For example, small cushioned movements of each bristle 99 along the longitudinal axis of the bristle may improve the comfort of the user experience because the bristles would have a reduced force against the scalp.

[0090] With reference to FIG. 1, the upper surface of each moveable member has an arc form and therefore, the ribs 30 describe the same arc form. Consequently, the vertical alignment of bristles 20 held within a single rib 30 is not parallel.

[0091] FIG. 8 shows an example of a hot air styling device 104 to which the attachment 10 may be connected. The hot air styling device comprises a generally tubular handle 106 having an air inlet 108 and an air outlet 110 at opposing ends. At the air inlet end of the handle, an array of apertures extending around and partially along the handle 106, provides an air inlet 108. A fan unit within the handle 106 comprises a fan and a motor. In use, the motor drives the fan and air is drawn in through the air inlet, along an air flow path which extends through the length of the handle 106. The air is optionally heated by a heater before exiting the hot air styling device at the air outlet 110.

[0092] In a further embodiment, the bases 53, 54 may be provided with a channel between them which functions as an insulated coolwall cavity. In a further preferred embodiment, the cavity 90 for reducing the inner cross-sectional area of the attachment may be continuous with the coolwall cavity between the bases 53, 54. Such a coolwall cavity functions to reduce the temperature of the base 54 of the outer casing section 44 which may come into contact with the user.

[0093] In a further structural alternative, a coolwall may comprise a separate layer of material covering the base and walls of the outer casing section 44 of the attachment 10, maintained at a predetermined distance from the base and walls of the outer casing section 44 by a minimum number of joining ribs. The coolwall does not create a closed cavity, but forms a channel between the coolwall and the outer casing section 44 which may encourage airflow through the coolwall channel by the Venturi effect when in use.

[0094] It will be apparent to the skilled person that the biasing function of the torsion spring 76 may be realized in several alternative ways. For example, a magnetic latch or weighted moveable members or integrated ball bearings in a detent mechanism may be used.

[0095] The attachment may be fabricated from any suitable heat resistant materials, and in a preferred embodiment the casing and moveable members are fabricated from glass-filled nylon. The highest preferred operating temperature of such an attachment connected to a hot air styling device is approximately 130° C.

[0096] In the present example of an attachment, two parallel moveable members are described. Alternatively, a single moveable member or three or more moveable members may be used within the outer casing section 44. An embodiment comprising a single moveable member would necessarily omit the central baffles and central fixed ledge. An alternative embodiment comprising multiple moveable members may include multiple rows of central baffles positioned to create airflow jets between the moveable members. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the attachment, the moveable members may be adapted to move in a hinged movement or a sliding movement.

[0097] In the present example of an attachment 10, as illustrated in the accompanying figures, three rows of bristles 20 are shown on each moveable member. However, it is clear to the skilled person that the number of rows of bristles on each moveable member may be greater or smaller than three. In particular, advantage is found in an attachment without bristles, so that the user may benefit from the hair smoothing effects of the airflow path without the harsher effect of the bristles through the hair. Alternatively, bristles 20 may be positioned on the outer casing section 44, instead of, or in addition to, bristles 20 on each moveable member. Further, embodiments which have more than one moveable member may not have bristles positioned on each moveable member.

[0098] The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.