Abstract
The invention relates to a tank (2) intended for containing a liquid to be vaporised and for being assembled with a main body (1) of a hairdressing apparatus, said tank (2) being intended for being connected with a vaporising device of the hairdressing apparatus designed for vaporising the liquid and diffusing it towards a strand of hair. According to the invention, the tank (2) has a movable hooking device (3) comprising at least one hooking means designed to correspond with at least one complementary hooking means belonging to the main body (1) so as to hook the tank (2) with the main body (1), said movable hooking device (3) being movable between a first position providing the hooking of the tank (2) with the main body (1) and a second position allowing a user to assemble or disassemble the tank (3) with the main body (1).
Claims
1. A tank intended for containing a liquid to be vaporized and for being assembled with a main body of a hairdressing apparatus, said tank being intended for being connected with a vaporizing device of the hairdressing apparatus designed for vaporizing the liquid and diffusing the liquid towards a strand of hair, the tank comprising: a movable hooking device comprising at least one hooking means for correspondence with at least one complementary hooking means belonging to the main body so as to hook the tank with the main body, said movable hooking device being movable between a first position providing the hooking of the tank with the main body and a second position allowing a user to assemble the tank with the main body or disassemble it the tank from the main body.
2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises at least one button configured to be directly actuated by the user to move the movable hooking device from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position.
3. The tank according to claim 2, wherein the at least one button comprises two buttons.
4. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the movable hooking device is translationally movable relative to the tank.
5. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the tank extends longitudinally along a first axis, said movable hooking device being translationally movable relative to the tank along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.
6. The tank according to claim 4, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises a translational guiding device, and the tank further comprises a complementary translational guiding device, said translational guiding device and said complementary translational guiding device cooperating to translationally guide the movable hooking device within the tank.
7. The tank according to claim 4, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises a first stop device in the first position, and the tank further comprises a first complementary stop device in the first position, said first stop device in the first position and said first complementary stop device in the first position cooperating to prevent the translation of the movable hooking device beyond said first position.
8. The tank according to claim 7, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises a second stop device in the first position, and the tank further comprises a second complementary stop device in the first position, said second stop device in the first position and said second complementary stop device in the first position cooperating to prevent the translation of the movable hooking device beyond said first position.
9. The tank according to claims 4, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises a stop device in the second position, and the tank further comprises a complementary stop device in the second position, said stop device in the second position and said complementary stop device in the second position cooperating to prevent the translation of the movable hooking device beyond said second position.
10. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the first position of the movable hooking device is an at-rest position.
11. The tank according to claim 10, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises an elastic return device.
12. The tank according to claim 3, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises an elastic return device arranged between the two buttons.
13. The tank according to claim 12, wherein the two buttons are in contact when the movable hooking device is in the second position.
14. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the movable hooking device further comprises a housing designed to accommodate the elastic return device.
15. The tank according to claim 1, further comprising an additional fixed hooking device for cooperating with an additional complementary hooking means belonging to the main body when the tank is in the first position.
16. The tank according to claim 1, further comprising at least one guiding device for cooperatinge with at least one complementary guiding device of the main body when the tank is in the first position.
17. A hairdressing apparatus comprising a vaporizing device designed for vaporizing a liquid and diffusing the liquid towards a strand of hair, a main body, and the tank according to claim 1 that is removable and intended for containing a liquid to be vaporized and for being assembled with the main body in order to be connected with the vaporizing device to supply the vaporizing device with liquid to be vaporized.
18. The hairdressing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the main body comprises a recess that is complementary in shape to at least a portion of a shape of the tank and designed to accommodate at least a portion of the tank when the tank is in the first position, said recess comprising at least one complementary hooking means for correspondence with the at least one hooking means of the movable hooking device.
19. The hairdressing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a first arm connected to a second arm by a hinge so as to form a clip that can be moved between an open position and a closed position.
20. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the elastic return device is a coil spring.
21. The tank according to claim 12, wherein the elastic return device is a coil spring.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hairdressing apparatus according to the invention.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the apparatus in FIG. 1, in which the tank has been unhooked and removed.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of the tank of the apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tank in FIG. 3 in which the upper housing of the tank is hidden.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the tank of FIG. 3 in which the movable hooking device is hidden.
[0057] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the underside of the tank in FIG. 3.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of FIG. 5.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but in which all of the parts are present.
[0060] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the movable hooking device of the tank in FIG. 3.
[0061] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the movable hooking device in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0062] The embodiment of the invention illustrated by the various figures is an embodiment in which the hairdressing apparatus that is the subject-matter of the invention is a steam straightening iron. Consequently, the tank 2, also the subject-matter of the invention, is a tank for a steam straightening iron. However, other embodiments are altogether conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention, such as, for example, a steam curling iron.
[0063] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a first arm 11 connected to a second arm 12 by a hinge 13 so as to form a clip that can be moved between an open position and a closed position. The first and second arms 11, 12 are gripping means for the user's hand. To this end, they preferentially form, at least over a portion of their length, a handle forming a gripping area. The hairdressing apparatus is shown in the closed position in FIG. 1. The hinge 13 is thus substantially arranged at the end of said first and second arms 11, 12. The architecture and operation of this type of hairdressing apparatus are well-known as such, so they will not be further detailed herein. For example, each of said first and second arms 11, 12 are known to comprise a heat treatment surface intended to be in contact with the hair. These treatment surfaces are arranged at the end of each of said first and second arms 11, 12, opposite the hinge 13. The hinge 13 is typically a shaft around which said first and second arms are mounted.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a main body 1 designed to house a tank 2 as will be detailed below. In other words, the tank 2 is intended to be assembled with the main body 1. According to the illustrated embodiment, the main body 1 comprises said first and second arms 11, 12. It is also possible to imagine an alternative embodiment in which the hairdressing apparatus would comprise a secondary body separate from the main body 1 which houses the tank 2. The secondary body could then comprise said first and second arms 11, 12 and said hinge 13. The main body 1 and the secondary body would then be connected to each other by a cord to convey the liquid from the tank 2 of the main body 1 to the secondary body, and more specifically to the first arm 11, for example.
[0065] As can be seen in FIG. 2, advantageously, the main body 1 comprises a recess 111;
[0066] i.e., a hollow space within the main body 1, the shape of which is complementary to at least a portion of the shape of the tank 2. In other words, the recess 111 forms a hollow impression for at least a portion of the tank 2. The recess 111 is thus designed to accommodate at least a portion of the tank 2 when it is in a hooked position, as will be detailed below.
[0067] Preferentially, the main body 1, or more specifically the recess 111, comprises at least one complementary guiding device 114, and advantageously two complementary guiding devices 114, as shown in FIG. 2. Said at least one complementary guiding device 114 can then be in the form of a circular half-pin.
[0068] The hairdressing apparatus comprises a tank 2 intended to contain a liquid to be vaporized, preferentially water. The tank 2 is removable; i.e., it is possible to remove, disassemble the tank 2 from the hairdressing apparatus, as can be seen in FIG. 2 which illustrates the main body 1 of the hairdressing apparatus when the tank 2 has been disassembled. The tank 2 is therefore intended to be assembled with the main body 1 of a hairdressing apparatus.
[0069] The tank 2 can be in a hooked position, as can be seen in FIG. 1, in which it is incorporated into the main body 1 of the hairdressing apparatus, precisely by being at least partially arranged inside the recess 111. This makes it possible to offer a particularly compact hairdressing apparatus with the tank incorporated into the first arm 11. The hooked position of the tank 2 corresponds to an operational position of the hairdressing apparatus. The tank 2 can also be in an unhooked position as can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 8, in which it is separated from and independent of the main body 1 of the hairdressing apparatus. When the tank 2 is in the unhooked position, it is then possible for a user to fill it, in particular after removing a fill cap 26 which can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. More specifically, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the fill cap 26 comprises a fill orifice cap 261, intended to provide a watertight seal for a fill orifice of the tank 2, and a venting orifice cap 262 intended to provide an airtight seal for a venting orifice of the tank while it is being filled. Indeed, to make the filling operation easier, more precisely to ensure that the atmospheric pressure of the tank 2 is maintained during filling, the tank 2 is equipped with two orifices: one with a larger diameter intended to receive the liquid, the other with a smaller diameter intended to ensure venting even if the filling orifice is completely blocked by the liquid or by a funnel or any other filling pipette.
[0070] Advantageously, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the tank extends longitudinally along a first axis X-X′; i.e., the tank 2 has an overall elongated shape, such as a substantially rectangular shape, the angles being rounded. Indeed, this longitudinal shape is particularly adapted to enable the tank 2 to be inserted into the main body 1 and more particularly into the first arm 11 as shown in FIG. 1 while maximizing the capacity of the tank 2. Preferentially, the first arm 11 extends parallel to the first axis X-X′. Advantageously, the first arm 11 extends along the first axis X-X′. In this advantageous case, as illustrated, the tank 2 can then extend over more than half the length of the first arm 11, which makes it possible to maximize the capacity of the tank 2. The tank 2 is then fully incorporated into the first arm 11 and thus constitutes a grip area for the user's hand.
[0071] The tank 2 also preferentially comprises a connection device 25 which can be seen in FIG. 5 and is intended to correspond to a complementary connection device 15 which can be seen in FIG. 2 and is located in the main body 1, and more specifically in the recess 111. As can be seen in these figures, the connection device 25 is a male connection device, in this case a portion of the tube protruding from the tank 2, while the complementary connection device 15 is a female connection device, in this case an orifice. When the tank 2 is in its hooked position, said connection devices 25 and complementary connection device 15 cooperate in a watertight manner to allow the liquid contained in the tank 2 to supply the main body of the apparatus 1, and more specifically a vaporizing device as will be detailed below. Preferentially, the connection device 25 is arranged at a longitudinal end of the tank 2, as can be seen in FIG. 5, and extends longitudinally parallel to the first axis X-X′.
[0072] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the tank 2 advantageously comprises a suction tube 251 connected to the connection device 25 in a sealed manner. The suction tube 251 freely extends inside the tank 2 and comprises at its free end a suction end 252 whose mass is greater than that of the suction tube 251. This allows the suction tube 251 to be driven by gravity where the liquid itself is driven by gravity during the movements of the hairdressing apparatus. This ensures good suction of the liquid inside the tank 2 regardless of its filling level and spatial position. The suction tube 251 moves freely inside the tank 2, i.e., it is flexible and can move around inside the tank 2. Combined with the weighted suction end 252, this solves the problem of certain currently-available tanks that do not enable all of the liquid to be suctioned out: in other words, it is impossible to empty them, since suction becomes impossible, for example, when the amount of water has decreased by half. This would result in a lack of autonomy of the apparatus equipped with the tank.
[0073] The tank 2 also preferentially comprises a venting device 27 which can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6 and is designed, on one hand, to prevent the liquid from escaping from the tank 2, and on the other hand, to keep the tank 2 at atmospheric pressure. This venting device 27 makes it possible to solve the following technical problem. When the liquid is aspirated by the suction tube 251, the amount of liquid inside the tank 2 decreases. However, tank 2 is airtight, such that the amount of liquid aspirated cannot be replaced by air. This results in the creation of a negative pressure inside tank 2 as the liquid is suctioned out. After a certain amount of time, the depressurization is so great that it becomes impossible to suction the liquid. It then becomes impossible to suction out all of the liquid contained in the tank 2, which limits the autonomy of the hairdressing apparatus equipped with the tank.
[0074] The venting device 27 makes it possible to counter this phenomenon by allowing air to penetrate into the tank 2 as the amount of liquid inside the tank 2 decreases, while preventing the liquid from leaking out of the tank 2.
[0075] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the venting device 27 comprises an umbrella-shaped or mushroom-shaped valve. Due to the weight of the liquid pressing on the valve cap or head, this device makes it possible to keep the valve pressed down and thus to prevent the liquid from escaping from the tank 2. On the other hand, when the pressure decreases inside the tank 2, the outside atmospheric pressure pushes the foot of the valve despite the weight of the liquid, which allows air into the tank 2. When the pressure inside the tank 2 is balanced with the outside pressure (atmospheric), the valve returns to its initial position due to the weight of the liquid as previously explained.
[0076] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tank 2 comprises an upper housing 21 and a lower housing 22 which are tightly and advantageously definitively joined together by bonding or welding, meaning that they cannot be disassembled. Such an assembly makes it possible to solve the problem of assembling the tank 2 by greatly facilitating, or even simply by making it possible, to install the various components inside the tank, and in particular to install the suction tube 251 described above.
[0077] As will have been understood, the devices described above, and in particular the suction tube 251 and the venting device 27, each make it possible to solve a particular technical problem and may, in this respect, constitute inventions as such.
[0078] As can be seen in FIG. 5 and in more detail in FIG. 7, the tank 2 advantageously comprises a guide frame 23 which itself preferentially comprises different bars that make it possible to provide various guiding and hooking functions as will be detailed hereafter. The guide frame 23 is advantageously located at a longitudinal end of the tank 2, preferentially opposite the connection device 25.
[0079] The hairdressing apparatus comprises a vaporizing device designed for vaporizing the liquid and diffusing it towards a strand of hair. The vaporizing device can, for example, comprise a vaporization chamber in which the liquid contained in the tank 2 is transformed into steam when heated. The steam is then diffused towards a strand of hair, for example through diffusion orifices. This kind of system is well-known as such and will therefore not be detailed herein. Another vaporizing device can, for example, be a misting system that transforms the liquid into fine droplets like a mister, without changing the state of the liquid.
[0080] Thus, the tank 2 is intended to be connected with the vaporizing device of the hairdressing apparatus designed for vaporizing the liquid and diffusing it towards a strand of hair. The tank 2 will thus supply the latter with liquid to vaporize. Preferentially, the connection is airtight and is especially made by means of the connection device 25 and the complementary connection device 15. The hairdressing apparatus, and more preferentially, the main body 1 can also comprise a flow generation device, such as a pump for example, and preferentially a peristaltic pump which makes it possible to suction the liquid contained in the tank, using the suction tube 251 to convey the liquid to the vaporizing device.
[0081] According to the invention, the tank 2 comprises a movable hooking device 3 as can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8. In other words, the movable hooking device 3 is embedded on the tank 2, i.e., the movable hooking device 3 is built into the tank 2.
[0082] This allows for a more ergonomic use of the tank 2, and accordingly the hairdressing apparatus, insofar as it is possible to simultaneously handle the tank 2 and the movable hooking device 3 with one hand.
[0083] As can be seen in FIG. 10, the movable hooking device 3 comprises at least one hooking means 333. More specifically, the movable hooking device 3 preferentially comprises a foot 33 which itself comprises a hook forming a rib that protrudes from the foot 33 and is intended to be hooked to a complementary part; said rib thus forming the hooking means 333. In other words, the hooking means 333 is a male hooking means whose shape is substantially rectangular. Advantageously, as illustrated, the movable hooking device 3 comprises two hooking means 333, which makes it possible to multiply the hooking points between the tank 2 and the main body 1 and thus to reinforce the mechanical strength of the hooking. The two hooking means 333 are advantageously symmetrical relative to a median plane P perpendicular to the first axis X-X′ of the tank as can be seen in FIG. 10.
[0084] Said at least one hooking means 333 is designed to allow the tank 2 to be hooked to the main body 1, i.e., to keep the tank 2 in the hooked position. Preferentially, the hooking means 333 is rigid, i.e., it cannot be deformed. This characteristic ensures the mechanical strength of the hooking between tank 2 and the main body 1 and thus avoids any risk of accidental unhooking. In addition, unlike the currently-known tank hooking techniques which operate on the basis of an elastic deformation of such a hooking device, the rigidity of the hooking means 333 of the invention makes it possible to guarantee the mechanical strength of the hooking over time, i.e., including after numerous uses. Indeed, the risk of fatigue failure of the hooking means 333 is eliminated. The reliability and longevity of the hooking means 333 and therefore of the tank 2 and thus of the hairdressing apparatus is increased accordingly.
[0085] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the main body 1, and more particularly the recess 111, comprises at least one complementary hooking means 112. The latter is designed to be complementary to the hooking means 333, i.e. to cooperate with the latter in order to ensure the hooking of the tank 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the complementary hooking means 112 is preferentially a female hooking means, comprising, for example, a substantially rectangular cavity. This complementary hooking means 112 will then receive the male hooking means 333 to ensure the hooking. The preferentially substantially rectangular shapes of said hooking means 333 and complementary hooking means 112 make it possible to distribute the mechanical forces over a certain length, which improves the mechanical strength, in particular with regard to pullout, of the hooking of the tank 2 to the main body 1. Thus, said at least one hooking means 333 is designed to correspond with said at least one complementary hooking means 112 belonging to the main body 1 so as to hook the tank 2 to the main body 1. Preferentially, said recess 111 comprises said at least one complementary hooking means 112 as can be seen in FIG. 2, advantageously near an angle. Preferentially, the main body comprises two additional complementary hooking means 112 located [sic: along] a second axis Y-Y′ perpendicular to the first axis X-X′.
[0086] The movable hooking device 3 is movable between a first position ensuring that the tank 2 is hooked to the main body 1 and a second position allowing a user to assemble the tank 3 [sic: 2] with the main body 1 or disassemble it therefrom. In other words, in order to move the tank 2 from its hooked position to its unhooked position, the user must move the movable hooking device 3.
[0087] More specifically, in order to move or keep the tank 2 in its hooked position, the movable hooking device 3 must be moved or kept in its first position. The first position of the movable hooking device 3 therefore corresponds to the hooked position of the tank 2 and therefore to an operating position of the hairdressing apparatus. In order to secure the hooking of the tank 2 and to limit the user's interventions, the first position of the movable hooking device 3 is advantageously an at-rest position. In other words, with no action by the user, the movable hooking device 3 is naturally in its first position, i.e., in the position ensuring the hooking of the tank 2 with the main body 1 of the hairdressing apparatus.
[0088] Conversely, to move the tank 2 to its unhooked position, the movable hooking device 3 must be moved to its second position, which will unhook the tank 2 as will be detailed hereafter.
[0089] In the various figures, the movable hooking device 3 is in fact shown in this second position.
[0090] Preferentially, as can be seen in the different figures, the movable hooking device 3 comprises at least one button 31, and preferentially two buttons 31. “Button” means any part intended to be directly operated by the user, preferentially by the user's hand and more particularly by at least one of the user's fingers. Preferentially, the button 31 is a push button designed to be actuated by only one of the user's fingers. Said at least one button 31 is connected, preferentially rigidly, with the hooking means 333 such that when the user actuates said at least one button 31, this will cause the hooking means 333 to move; more specifically, it will detach the hooking means 333 from the complementary hooking means 112 (i.e., said hooking means 333 and the complementary hooking means 112 no longer cooperate with each other) and therefore cause the movable hooking device 3 to move from its first position to its second position or inversely. In other words, the movable hooking device 3 can thus move between said first and second positions.
[0091] Advantageously, the movable hooking device 3 is movable in translation with respect to the tank 2, i.e., the movable hooking device 3 moves in a translational movement, and advantageously only a translational movement, relative to the tank 2, which then constitutes a fixed reference frame.
[0092] Preferentially, as can be seen in FIG. 8, said movable hooking device 3 is movable in translation relative to the tank 2 along a second axis Y-Y′ perpendicular to said first axis X-X′. In other words, the translational movement of the movable hooking device 3 thus takes place perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the tank 2. In the preferential case in which the movable hooking device 3 comprises two buttons 31, this means that the two buttons 31 are movable in translation along the second Y-Y′ axis. Such a configuration is an ergonomic improvement that is altogether remarkable since it is thus possible for the user to handle the tank 2 and its hooking system, namely the movable hooking device 3, with one hand. More specifically, the user can position the tank 2 in the palm of his/her hand, with the first axis X-X′ substantially perpendicular to his/her arm. The movable hooking device 3 and in particular the buttons 31 are then in the ideal position to be able to be directly actuated by the thumb and index finger of the user's hand holding the tank.
[0093] As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a plane of symmetry P perpendicular to the second Y-Y′ axis. In other words, the plane P can comprise the first axis X-X′. The movable hooking device 3 is therefore perfectly symmetrical with respect to the plane P. The movable hooking device comprises two sub-assemblies arranged on either side of the plane P and symmetrically with respect to the plane P. Consequently, in the following description, only one of the sub-assemblies will be described, the other being the symmetrical mirror of the first sub-assembly.
[0094] The foot 33 of the movable hooking device is secured to said button 31. Preferentially, the foot 33 is in material continuity with the button 31, meaning that it is made of the same material and can be made at the same time as the button, for example, by machining or molding. However, the foot 33 can also be assembled with the button 31, for example by welding. The foot 33 is roughly in the shape of an inverted T. The vertical bar of the T is thus joined to the button 31 whereas the horizontal bar of the T comprises the hooking means 333.
[0095] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a translational guiding device 331 advantageously formed by the vertical bar of the T of the foot 33. The tank 2 thus comprises a complementary translational guiding device 231, which can be seen in FIG. 7, advantageously formed by one bar of the guide frame 23. Said translational guiding device 331 and complementary translational guiding device 231 thus cooperate with each other to translationally guide the movable hooking device 3 within the tank 2, and more specifically within the guide frame 23.
[0096] Preferentially, as can be seen in FIG. 8, translational guidance takes place by means of a slide link advantageously formed by the vertical bar of the T moving inside a U-shaped space formed by the guide frame 23 as can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, and by the horizontal bar of the T which rests on the U, the length of the horizontal bar of the T being greater than the opening of the U. Preferentially, the U formed within the guide frame 23 opens outwards, and the second Y-Y′ axis is an axis of symmetry for the U-space of the guide frame 23. In addition, the button 31 is also designed to press on the U of the guide frame 23. Thus, the particular shape of the movable hooking device 3, and in particular of its foot 33, combined with the complementary shape of the guide frame 23, make it possible to create a slide link to guide the movable hooking device 3 in the guide frame 23 of the tank 2 of the hairdressing apparatus. A similar translational guiding device that could be created using a dovetail-type device could be conceived without departing from the context of the invention. Preferentially, the slide link is on the Y-Y axis.
[0097] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a first stop device in the first position 341 as can be seen in FIG. 9 or 10. More specifically, the button 31 is, when seen from above, in the shape of a T, the horizontal bar of the T being the portion that the user will actuate with his/her finger, as can be seen in FIG. 9. The button 31 advantageously comprises a first pin 34 that protrudes from the vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31, in a direction similar to that of the foot 33. Preferentially, the pin 34 and the foot 33 extend in parallel directions, and advantageously in the same direction. Advantageously, the first pin 34 comprises a substantially flat surface perpendicular to the vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31, said surface forming said first stop device in the first position 341. Said first stop device in the first position 341 is thus advantageously parallel to the plane P.
[0098] Advantageously, the button 31 has reliefs that improve the quality of the contact between the button 31 and the user's finger. These reliefs also enable the user to see where to position his/her finger to unhook the tank 2.
[0099] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a first complementary stop device in the first position 232, as can be seen in FIG. 7. More specifically, said first complementary stop device in the first position 232 is comprised in the guide frame 23 which forms a substantially rectangular window in this portion. Said first complementary stop device in the first position 232 is therefore formed by a bar parallel to the first X-X axis.
[0100] Preferentially, said bar is rectangular or square in cross-section in order to provide substantially flat lateral surfaces, and in particular a lateral surface substantially parallel to the first stop device in the first position 341.
[0101] Said first stop device in the first position 341 and first complementary stop device in the first position 232 thus cooperate with each other in such a way as to prevent the translation of the movable hooking device 3 beyond said first position; in other words, so as to provide the movable hooking device 3 with a first position stop. As can be seen in FIGS. 7 to 10, the cooperation in question is advantageously a plane-on-plane type cooperation. This allows for good contact that distributes efforts well and therefore guarantees a reliable, robust and durable first stop position over time. This limits the translational movement of the movable hooking device 3 such that the latter cannot go beyond its first position. Good stopping quality is all the more important since, as explained above, the first position can correspond to an at-rest position, i.e., a position very frequently occupied by the movable hooking device 3.
[0102] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a second stop device in first position 351 which can be seen in particular in FIGS. 9 and 10. More specifically, the button 31 advantageously comprises a second pin 35 which protrudes from the vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31, in a direction opposite but parallel to that of the foot 33. Preferentially, the first pin 34 and the second pin 35 extend in parallel but opposite directions. In other words, said first and second pins 34, 35 extend on either side of the vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31, as can be seen in FIG. 9. Preferentially, the second pin 35 is parallel to the plane P.
[0103] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a second complementary stop device in the first position 233, which can be seen in FIG. 7. The latter can then be formed by one wall of a notch made directly in the upper housing 21 of the tank 2. Preferentially, the second complementary stop device in the first position 233 extends longitudinally parallel to the first axis X-X′.
[0104] Said second stop device in the first position 351 and second complementary stop device in the first position 233 thus cooperate with each other in such a way as to prevent the translation of the movable hooking device 3 beyond said first position; in other words, offering a first position stop to the movable hooking device 3. In this case, too, cooperation is advantageously a plane-on-plane-based cooperation which therefore offers the same advantages as the ones previously listed. The fact that the movable hooking device comprises two stop devices in the first position 341, 351, each cooperating with two complementary stop devices in the first position 232, 233 of the tank 2 thus makes it possible to provide the movable hooking device 3 with two first-position stops. This makes it possible to best apportion the contact pressures between the two stops and therefore to improve the strength, reliability and durability of the movable hooking device 3. Moreover, each of these stops makes it possible to keep the button 31 joined with the tank and to avoid accidental disassembly of the movable hooking device 3 from the tank 2.
[0105] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a stop device in the second position 332 which can be seen in FIG. 10 and is advantageously formed by the foot 33. More specifically, said stop device in the second position 332 is formed by a surface of the foot 33 that is substantially parallel to the first stop device in the first position 341 and preferentially parallel to the plane P. Thus, said stop device in the second position 332 and first stop device in the first position 341 form two parallel stops that limit the translational movement of the movable hooking device 3.
[0106] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a complementary stop device in the second position 234, which can be seen in FIG. 7. The complementary stop device in the second position 234 is thus advantageously parallel to the first complementary stop device in the first position 232, for example by being arranged on an opposite side of the same bar of the guide frame 23.
[0107] Said stop device in the second position 332 and complementary stop device in the second position 234 then cooperate with each other so as to prevent the translation of the movable hooking device 3 beyond said second position so as to form a second position stop, especially when the user exerts pressure on the button or buttons 31.
[0108] Preferentially, as previously mentioned, the plane P forms a plane of symmetry for the movable hooking device. Thus, the movable hooking device comprises two buttons 31, two feet 33, two first pins 34, two second pins, two translational guiding devices 331, two stop devices in the second position 332, two hooking means 333, two first stop devices in the first position 341, two second stop devices in the first position 351, each of them being symmetrically arranged on either side of the plane P as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0109] Advantageously, the movable hooking device 3 comprises an elastic return device 32, which can be seen in FIG. 9, designed to keep the movable hooking device 3 in its first position. The elastic return device 32 is preferentially a coil spring designed to keep the buttons 31 apart. However, without departing from the scope of the invention, other return devices could be conceived that would keep the buttons 31 apart; i.e., keep the movable hooking device 3 in the first position. For example, an electromagnetic device could be imagined, the tank 2 being equipped with a magnet and each of the buttons 31 being made of magnetic material (or inversely). Preferentially, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the elastic return device 32 is arranged between the two buttons 31, which helps simplify construction and allows the elastic return device 32, in this case the coil spring, to transmit all its effort to the buttons 31 and only to the buttons 31. Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a housing 312 designed to accommodate the elastic return device 32 as can be seen in FIG. 9. This ensures that the elastic return device 32 is kept in position and is guided when it deforms. The housing 312 is advantageously formed by a groove running from one end of the button 31, in this case the free end of the vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31 and extending in part towards the interior of the button 31, preferentially along the second axis Y-Y′. Thus, when the movable hooking device 3 is in its second position, the two buttons 31 are in contact, the footprint of the movable hooking device is zero since it is fully incorporated into the housing 312; i.e., inside the buttons 31. This helps to limit the footprint of the movable hooking device 3. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the elastic return device extends longitudinally along the second Y-Y′ axis.
[0110] Advantageously, as can be seen in FIG. 9, the second Y-Y′ axis forms an axis of symmetry for the movable hooking device 3.
[0111] As can be seen in FIG. 8, the first axis X-X′ forms an axis of symmetry for the guide frame 23; the plane P preferentially forms a plane of symmetry for the guide frame.
[0112] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a fixed additional hooking device 221; i.e., non-mobile and non-deformable, which can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, and advantageously comprising a substantially rectangular tab protruding from the tank in a direction parallel to the first axis X-X′. Preferentially, the additional hooking device 221 is located at a longitudinal end of the tank 2 and advantageously opposite the movable hooking device 3, itself located at another longitudinal end of the tank 2. This makes it possible to arrange the various hooking points of the tank 2 on the main body 1 as far as possible from each other, which improves the stability and mechanical strength of the hooking of the tank 2 with respect to the main body 1. Moreover, in the preferential case illustrated in which the movable hooking device 3 comprises two hooking means 333, this gives the tank 2 three hooking points on the main body 1, which corresponds to an isostatic assembly. Moreover, the hooking points can in particular be arranged in a triangle due to the arrangement of two hooking means 333 on the second Y-Y′ axis and to the arrangement of the additional hooking device 221 on an axis parallel to the first X-X′ axis, or optionally on the first X-X′ axis. A triangular arrangement of the points on which the tank 2 is hooked to the main body 1 makes it possible to improve the stability and the mechanical strength of the hooking between the tank 2 and the main body 1, and therefore the reliability of the hooking between the two elements.
[0113] The main body 1 thus comprises an additional complementary hooking means 113 which can be seen in FIG. 2. The additional complementary hooking means 113 comprises, for example, a substantially rectangular groove running inside the main body 1 from the recess 111 in a direction parallel to the first axis X-X′.
[0114] Said additional hooking device 221 and additional complementary hooking means 113 are thus designed to cooperate together when the tank 2 is in the hooked position, the additional hooking device 221 preferentially being a male hooking device and the additional complementary hooking means 113 preferentially being a complementary female hooking means. The illustrated embodiment uses at least one additional complementary hooking means 113 cooperating with at least one additional hooking device 221, but it is altogether conceivable that these elements could be multiplied in order to reinforce the mechanical strength of the hooking.
[0115] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tank 2 comprises at least one guiding device 24 designed to cooperate with at least one complementary guiding device 114 of the main body 1 when the tank is in the hooked position. This makes it possible to propose at least one guiding means between the hooking means 333 and the additional hooking device 221, which makes it substantially easier to hook the tank 2 to the main body while providing the user with an intermediate guiding means. In addition, the guiding device 24 and the complementary guiding device 114 make it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the hooking when the tank 2 is in the hooked position, by blocking any translational movement of the tank 2 along the first axis X-X′. This makes it possible to relieve the hooking means 333 and the additional hooking device 221 which then only have to ensure a pullout-resistant attachment, along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis X-X′. This improves the strength and durability of the tank. The longer the length of tank 2, the more important this intermediate guiding point is. Preferentially, the guiding device 24 is a female guiding device, such as, for example, a hole or, as illustrated, a lateral notch in the shape of a semi-circular hole. The complementary guiding device 114 is thus a complementary male guiding device that can be in the form of a semi-circular (in a longitudinal direction) pin as can be seen in FIG. 2. Advantageously, the tank 2 comprises two guiding devices 24 and the main body 1 comprises two complementary guiding devices 114.
