HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

Abstract

A haircare appliance has an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet has a first aperture having a first cross-sectional area, and a second aperture having a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area. The haircare appliance has a first configuration in which airflow through the second aperture is inhibited, and a second configuration in which airflow through the second aperture is uninhibited.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A haircare appliance comprising: an air inlet; an air outlet; and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet; wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture having a first cross-sectional area, and a second aperture having a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area, and the haircare appliance comprises a first configuration in which airflow through the second aperture is inhibited, and a second configuration in which airflow through the second aperture is uninhibited.

20. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 19, wherein airflow through the first aperture is uninhibited in the first configuration.

21. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 19, wherein airflow through the first aperture is inhibited in the second configuration.

22. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 19, wherein the haircare appliance is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to contact with hair.

23. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 19, wherein the air outlet comprises a plurality of first apertures, each first aperture having the first cross-sectional area, airflow through each of the plurality of first apertures is uninhibited in the first configuration, and airflow through each of the plurality of first apertures is inhibited in the second configuration.

24. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 19, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a moveable member movable from a first position corresponding to the first configuration to a second position corresponding to the second configuration, airflow through the second aperture is inhibited by the movable member in the first position, and airflow through the second aperture is uninhibited by the movable member in the second position.

25. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first aperture is formed in the movable member, the haircare appliance comprises a main airflow path, and a channel leading from the main airflow path to the movable member, the channel is aligned with the first aperture in the first position, and the channel is blocked by the movable member in the second position.

26. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a fixed body to which the movable member is mounted, a plurality of rows of first apertures formed in the movable member, and a plurality of channels formed in the fixed body, each channel leading from the main airflow path to the movable member, each channel aligned with a respective row of first apertures in the first position, and each channel blocked by the movable member in the second position.

27. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 24, wherein the movable member is resiliently biased into the first position.

28. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 24, wherein the movable member comprises a plurality of bristles for contacting hair.

29. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 19, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a handle unit within which the airflow generator is disposed, and an attachment defining the air outlet, the attachment removably attachable to the handle unit.

30. An attachment for a haircare appliance comprising an air inlet, and an air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture having a first cross-sectional area, and a second aperture having a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area, and the attachment comprises a first configuration in which airflow through the second aperture is inhibited, and a second configuration in which airflow through the second aperture is uninhibited.

31. The attachment as claimed in claim 30, wherein airflow through the first aperture is uninhibited in the first configuration.

32. The attachment as claimed in claim 30, wherein airflow through the first aperture is inhibited in the second configuration.

33. The attachment as claimed in claim 30, wherein the attachment is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to contact with hair.

34. The attachment as claimed in claim 30, wherein the air outlet comprises a plurality of first apertures, each first aperture having the first cross-sectional area, airflow through each of the plurality of first apertures is uninhibited in the first configuration, and airflow through each of the plurality of first apertures is inhibited in the second configuration.

35. The attachment as claimed in claim 30, wherein the attachment comprises a moveable member movable from a first position corresponding to the first configuration to a second position corresponding to the second configuration, airflow through the second aperture is inhibited by the movable member in the first position, and airflow through the second aperture is uninhibited by the movable member in the second position.

36. The attachment as claimed in claim 35, wherein the attachment comprises a fixed body to which the movable member is mounted, a plurality of rows of first apertures formed in the movable member, and a plurality of channels formed in the fixed body, each channel leading from the main airflow path to the movable member, each channel aligned with a respective row of first apertures in the first position, and each channel blocked by the movable member in the second position.

37. The attachment as claimed in claim 36, wherein the second aperture is formed in the fixed body and extends parallel to one of the channels.

38. The attachment as claimed in claim 36, wherein the movable member is resiliently biased into the first position.

39. The attachment as claimed in claim 36, wherein the movable member comprises a plurality of bristles for contacting hair.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a haircare appliance according to an example;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fixed body of the attachment of FIG. 3;

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fixed body of FIG. 4;

[0045] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a bristle bed of the attachment of FIG. 3 with bristles shown;

[0046] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the bristle bed of FIG. 6 with bristles removed;

[0047] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a rest configuration of the attachment of FIG. 3;

[0048] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a first displaced configuration of the attachment of FIG. 3; and

[0049] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a second displaced configuration of the attachment of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] A haircare appliance according to the present invention, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in FIG. 1.

[0051] The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 12, and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 12.

[0052] The handle unit 12 comprises a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20, as can be seen schematically in FIG. 2.

[0053] The housing 14 is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14, and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14, and comprises heating elements 30 to optionally heat the airflow.

[0054] The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32 and a control module 34. The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the housing 14, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold). In the example of FIG. 1, the user interface comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged.

[0055] The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16, and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16 in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 18 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

[0056] The attachment 100 is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and is generally cylindrical in form, and is open at one end and closed at the other end. The open end serves as an inlet 102 into the attachment 100, with the air inlet 102 receiving airflow from the air outlet 24 of the handle unit 12 when attached in use.

[0057] The attachment 100 comprises a fixed body 104, and a plurality of movable members in the form of bristle beds 106 rotatably mounted to the fixed body 104.

[0058] The fixed body 104 is generally cylindrical in form, as seen in FIG. 4, and an interior of the fixed body 104 acts as a main airflow path 118 through the attachment 100. The fixed body 104 has a connection portion 110 for connection to the handle unit 12, with the connection portion 110 having a number of projections 112 which are receivable within corresponding recesses 116 formed on the handle unit 12 to ensure correct connection and alignment.

[0059] A plurality of slots formed in the main body 104 define channels 124 and airflow slots 126. Whilst the fixed body 104 is shown in FIG. 4 as having a number of channels 124 and airflow slots 126 spaced longitudinally along the length of the attachment, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the channels 124 and airflow slots 126 may extend uninterrupted along the length of the fixed body 104, and hence that a collection of channels 124 or a collection of airflow slots 126 along the length of the fixed body may be thought of as one channel 124 or one airflow slot 126 as appropriate.

[0060] The channels 124 have generally linear edges such that the channels 124 are generally rectangular in form, as seen in FIG. 5. The airflow slots 126 have generally linear edges such that the airflow slots 126 are generally trapezoidal in form, and this may be used to direct airflow as will be described in more detail hereafter.

[0061] The airflow slots 126 are arranged in pairs, with each airflow slot 126 of a pair spaced circumferentially from the other airflow slot 126 of the pair. A plurality of channels 124 are located between airflow slots 126 of the same pair, whilst airflow slots 126 of two different pairs are located adjacent one another. In such a manner, a repeating pattern of pairs of airflow slots 126 with intermediate channels 124 is defined circumferentially about the fixed body 104, with each pair of airflow slots 126 and associated intermediate channels 124 referred to as an airflow section 128 herein.

[0062] A bristle bed 106 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each bristle bed 106 comprises a solid body 130 which is generally cuboidal in form, although curved to match the curvature of the fixed body 104. Upper and lower pivot arms 132 extend radially inwardly from central positions on upper and lower edges of the solid body 130, with each pivot arm 132 comprising a through-hole 134 which enables the pivot arms 132 to be stacked on pins attached to the fixed body 104 of the attachment 100. The portion of the pivot arm 132 that comprises the through-hole 134 is located at different heights for different bristle beds 106 to enable the stacking. In such a manner the bristle beds 106 may rotate relative to the fixed body 104 as will be described in more detail hereafter. Each upper pivot arm 132 also comprises circumferential projections 133 which can be received within resilient members 135, for example springs, to ensure correct spacing of the bristle beds 106 about the fixed body 104, and to hold the bristle beds 106 in a rest configuration. The upper mounting mechanism is hidden by a cap 114 on the attachment 100, and as shown in FIG. 4 a mounting pin 108 for the bristle beds 106 extends downwardly from the cap 114.

[0063] Each bristle bed 106 has a plurality of bristles 134 arranged in rows that extend longitudinally along the length of the bristle bed 106. The bristles 134 are resiliently deformable, and are intended to contact hair in use. Each individual bristle 134 may be located within a recess or through-hole 137 in the solid body 130, but may fill the recess or through-hole such that airflow cannot escape therethrough in use.

[0064] Located intermediate adjacent rows of bristles 134 is a row of apertures 136. The apertures 136 act as part of an air outlet of the attachment 100 as will be described in more detail hereafter. Each aperture 136 has a first relatively small cross-sectional area, such that airflow from each aperture 136 is relatively diffuse. The bristles 134 and the apertures 136 are disposed in alternating rows in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, although it will be recognised that other patterns of rows are also envisaged, for example with two rows of apertures 136 intermediate adjacent rows of bristles 134.

[0065] When the bristle beds 106 are mounted to the fixed body 104, the bristle beds 106 each overlie a corresponding airflow section 128, and each bristle bed 106 is resiliently biased into a rest configuration by engagement of the circumferential projections 133 with the resilient members 135.

[0066] The rest configuration is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8. In the rest configuration, each bristle bed 106 is located relative to the fixed body 104 such that the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106 overlies and occludes a pair of airflow slots 126, whilst the rows of apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106 overlie and are in alignment with the channels 124 of the fixed body 104. Thus in the rest configuration of a bristled bed 106, airflow through the airflow slots 126 is inhibited by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106, whilst airflow through the rows of apertures 136 is uninhibited by virtue of the alignment with the apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106 with the channels 124 of the fixed body 104, which provide a path from the main airflow path 118 to the apertures 136. It will be appreciated that each airflow slot 126 has a substantially greater cross-sectional area than any one of the apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106, and hence in the rest configuration airflow through an aperture, for example an airflow slot 126, having a larger cross-sectional area is inhibited, whilst airflow through an aperture having a smaller cross-sectional area, for example any one of the apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106, is uninhibited.

[0067] Such a rest configuration may provide a relatively diffuse airflow through the apertures 136 of the bristle beds 106, for example when the attachment is not engaged with hair in use. This may avoid the provision of concentrated airflow until the attachment 100 is brought into contact with hair, as will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 below.

[0068] A first displaced configuration of a bristle bed 106 relative to the fixed body 104 is shown schematically in FIG. 9. Here the bristle bed has been moved to the right relative to the rest configuration of FIG. 8, for example in an anticlockwise direction about the attachment 100. Such a displaced configuration occurs in use of the haircare appliance 10 when the bristles 134 of the bristle bed 106 contact hair and the attachment 100 is dragged through hair in use. In particular, the force of engagement of the hair with the bristles 134 overcomes the force of the relevant resilient member 135 to cause the bristle bed 106 to move relative to the fixed body 104.

[0069] In the first displaced configuration of FIG. 9, the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106 no longer occludes the left-hand airflow slot 126a, and the rows of apertures 136 are misaligned with the channels 124 of the fixed body 104, such that the channels 124 are blocked by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106. The right-hand airflow slot 126b remains occluded by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106. Thus in the first displaced configuration of FIG. 9, airflow through the left-hand airflow slot 126a is uninhibited as the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106 no longer overlies the left-hand airflow slot 12a6, whilst airflow through the apertures 136 is inhibited by virtue of misalignment of the apertures 136 with the channels 124, and the channels 124 being blocked by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106. Airflow through the right-hand airflow slot 126b remains inhibited by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106. Collectively, the airflow slots 126 and the apertures 136 can be thought of as defining an air outlet of the attachment 100.

[0070] It will be appreciated that each airflow slot 126 has a substantially greater cross-sectional area than any one of the apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106, and hence in the first displaced configuration of FIG. 9 airflow through an aperture, for example the left-hand airflow slot 126a, having a larger cross-sectional area is uninhibited, whilst airflow through an aperture having a smaller cross-sectional area, for example any one of the apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106, is inhibited. In such a manner a relatively concentrated airflow may be emitted through the left-hand airflow slot 126 when the bristle bed 106 is engaged by hair in use. This may provide automatic switching from diffuse to concentrated airflow, may provide enhanced control over styling, for example by avoiding concentrated flow until the attachment 100 is in contact with hair in use, and may provide reduced drying time for hair.

[0071] In the example of FIG. 9, the walls of the left-hand airflow slot 126a are shaped such that airflow through the left-hand airflow slot 126a is emitted in a left-hand direction as viewed in FIG. 9, which may be a clockwise direction, and that this direction of emission is generally in an opposing direction to the direction in which the bristle bed 106 has been moved.

[0072] The bristle bed 106 returns to the rest configuration of FIG. 8 from the first displaced configuration of FIG. 9 under the action of the relevant resilient member 135 when not in contact with hair.

[0073] A second displaced configuration of a bristle bed 106 relative to the fixed body 104 is shown schematically in FIG. 10. Here the bristle bed has been moved to the left relative to the rest configuration of FIG. 8, for example in a clockwise direction about the attachment 100. Such a displaced configuration occurs in use of the haircare appliance 10 when the bristles 134 of the bristle bed 106 contact hair and the attachment 100 is dragged through hair in use. In particular, the force of engagement of the hair with the bristles 134 overcomes the force of the relevant resilient member 135 to cause the bristle bed 106 to move relative to the fixed body 104.

[0074] In the second displaced configuration of FIG. 10, the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106 no longer occludes the right-hand airflow slot 126b, and the rows of apertures 136 are misaligned with the channels 124 of the fixed body 104, such that the channels 124 are blocked by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106. The left-hand airflow slot 126a remains occluded by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106. Thus in the second displaced configuration of FIG. 10, airflow through the right-hand airflow slot 126b is uninhibited as the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106 no longer overlies the right-hand airflow slot 126b, whilst airflow through the apertures 136 is inhibited by virtue of misalignment of the apertures 136 with the channels 124, and the channels 124 being blocked by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106. Airflow through the left-hand airflow slot 126a remains inhibited by the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106.

[0075] It will be appreciated that each airflow slot 126 has a substantially greater cross-sectional area than any one of the apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106, and hence in the second displaced configuration of FIG. 10 airflow through an aperture, for example the right-hand airflow slot 126b, having a larger cross-sectional area is uninhibited, whilst airflow through an aperture having a smaller cross-sectional area, for example any one of the apertures 136 of the bristle bed 106, is inhibited. In such a manner a relatively concentrated airflow may be emitted through the right-hand airflow slot 126b when the bristle bed 106 is engaged by hair in use. This may provide automatic switching from diffuse to concentrated airflow, and may provide enhanced control over styling, for example by avoiding concentrated flow until the attachment 100 is in contact with hair in use.

[0076] In the example of FIG. 10, the walls of the right-hand airflow slot 126b are shaped such that airflow through the right-hand airflow slot 126b is emitted in a right-hand direction as viewed in FIG. 10, which may be an anticlockwise direction, and that this direction of emission is generally in an opposing direction to the direction in which the bristle bed 106 has been moved.

[0077] The bristle bed 106 returns to the rest configuration of FIG. 8 from the second displaced configuration of FIG. 10 under the action of the resilient member 135 when not in contact with hair.

[0078] By providing both the first displaced configuration of FIG. 9 and the second displaced configuration of FIG. 10, switching from airflow through apertures of smaller cross-sectional area to airflow through an aperture of larger cross-sectional area may be achieved irrespective of a direction in which the attachment 100 is moved through hair in use.

[0079] Each of the bristle beds 106 of the attachment may be movable in a similar manner to that discussed above, such that each bristle bed 106 has the rest and first and second displaced configurations. In such a manner airflow slots 126 may be selectively opened about the circumferential extent of the attachment when engaged with hair in use, for example as the attachment 100 is rotated whilst being dragged through hair.

[0080] Whilst the airflow slots 126 are shown in FIG. 8 as being fully occluded in the rest configuration, such that airflow is completely inhibited through the airflow slots 126 in the rest configuration, alternative embodiments are also envisaged where the solid body 130 of the bristle bed 106 partially overlies and partially occludes a pair of airflow slots 126 in the rest configuration. In such an embodiment, airflow is still inhibited through the airflow slots 126 in the rest configuration, although some airflow can now pass through the airflow slots 126 in the rest configuration.

[0081] The airflow slots 126 as previously described have edges that are intended to give airflow through the slots 126 directionality in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction about the attachment 100. In other embodiments, the airflow slots 126 may be shaped such that airflow through the airflow slots 126 is in a direction generally normal to the face of the bristle bed 106.

[0082] Embodiments are also envisaged where, rather than the haircare appliance 10 comprising a handle unit 12 and an attachment 100, the haircare appliance 10 is a single-piece unit, for example taking the form of the combined handle unit 12 and attachment 100 previously described.