Hair styling appliance comprising a removable reservoir

Abstract

A hair styling appliance includes a base including a mount and a removable reservoir configured to take up a disconnected position in which the reservoir is away from the mount and an operating position in which the reservoir engages fluidically with the mount, a portable unit remote from the base; a line that fluidically connects the base and the portable unit; wherein the base also includes a detection system having a detector configured to detect the passage of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position.

Claims

1. A hair styling appliance comprising: a base comprising: a mount; a removable reservoir configured to be in a disconnected position in which the reservoir is away from the mount, and an operating position in which the reservoir engages fluidically with the mount, a portable unit remote from the base; a line that fluidically connects the base and the portable unit; wherein the base further comprises a detection system with a detector configured to detect the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position, and wherein the detector comprises: a detection member configured to move between a resting position and a biasing position, corresponding to the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position; and a biasing member configured to move the detection member between the resting position and the biasing position.

2. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the detection system comprises an information transmission device configured to communicate information to a user on the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position.

3. The hair styling appliance according to claim 2, wherein the information transmission device comprises a sound wave generator configured to transmit a sound wave when the reservoir moves from the disconnected position to the operating position.

4. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a fluid suction/discharge device, the detection system comprising a control interface configured to prevent the suction/discharge device from starting up.

5. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the detection member comprises a return element configured to return the detection member to the resting position.

6. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a contact portion configured to be positioned on a work surface and wherein the reservoir is configured to be attached to the mount according to an insertion direction transverse to the contact portion.

7. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the portable unit comprises two arms configured to move in relation to one another, between a configuration where they are close together for treatment of hair and a configuration where they are apart for engagement of hair to be treated.

8. A hair styling appliance comprising: a base comprising: a mount; a removable reservoir configured to be in a disconnected position in which the reservoir is away from the mount, and an operating position in which the reservoir engages fluidically with the mount, a portable unit remote from the base; a line that fluidically connects the base and the portable unit; wherein the base further comprises a detection system with a detector configured to detect the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position, and wherein the detector comprises a magnetic element or a wave transmitter and a wave receiver.

9. A hair styling appliance comprising: a base comprising: a mount; a removable reservoir configured to be in a disconnected position in which the reservoir is away from the mount, and an operating position in which the reservoir engages fluidically with the mount, a portable unit remote from the base; a line that fluidically connects the base and the portable unit; wherein the base further comprises a detection system with a detector configured to detect the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position, wherein the detection system comprises an information transmission device configured to communicate information to a user on the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position, wherein the information transmission device comprises a sound wave generator configured to transmit a sound wave when the reservoir moves from the disconnected position to the operating position, and wherein the sound wave generator comprises a movable part and a fixed part arranged opposite the movable part, the movable part being configured to come into contact with the fixed part in order to produce a click.

10. The hair styling appliance according to claim 9, wherein the detection member comprises a return element configured to return the detection member to the resting position, and wherein the movable part is integral with the return element.

11. A hair styling appliance comprising: a base comprising: a mount; a removable reservoir configured to be in a disconnected position in which the reservoir is away from the mount, and an operating position in which the reservoir engages fluidically with the mount, a portable unit remote from the base; a line that fluidically connects the base and the portable unit; wherein the base further comprises a detection system with a detector configured to detect the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position, wherein the detection system comprises an information transmission device configured to communicate information to a user on the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position, and wherein the information transmission device comprises a haptic feedback device and/or a visual interface.

Description

(1) Other characteristics and advantages of this invention will be seen in light of the following description and by examining the attached figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 represents a hair styling appliance;

(3) FIG. 2 represents a base of the hair styling appliance;

(4) FIG. 3 represents a cross-section view of the base of the hair styling appliance when a reservoir of the base is in the disconnected position; and

(5) FIG. 4 represents a cross-section view of the base of the hair styling appliance when the reservoir is in the operating position.

(6) On all of these figures, identical or similar references designate identical or similar members or sets of members.

(7) FIG. 1 represents a hair styling appliance 1 comprising a base 3, a portable unit 5 remote from the base 3 and a line 7 that electrically and fluidically connects the base 3 and the portable unit 5.

(8) The base 3, represented in FIG. 2, comprises a mount 9 and a reservoir 11 designed to be attached to the member 9. The mount 9 comprises a contact portion 13 intended to be positioned on a work surface.

(9) In this embodiment, the reservoir 11 is configured to be attached to the mount 9 according to an insertion direction DI that is inclined with respect to the contact portion 13.

(10) The contact portion 13 comprises a substantially flat surface. The contact portion 13 further comprises fastening elements 15 intended to fix the mount 9 to the work surface. The fastening elements 15 each comprise a suction cup 17.

(11) According to another embodiment, the contact portion 13 comprises studs. Preferably, the insertion direction DI is normal to the contact portion 13.

(12) The reservoir 11 is configured to be in a disconnected position, represented in FIG. 3, in which the reservoir 11 is away from the mount 9. The reservoir is further configured to be in an operating position, represented in FIG. 4, in which the reservoir 11 engages fluidically with the mount 9.

(13) The reservoir 11 is configured to receive a fluid. When a user uses the hair styling appliance 1, if the reservoir 11 is empty, the user can remove the reservoir 11 from the mount 9 in order to fill it with fluid. The reservoir 11 is then in a disconnected position.

(14) “Fluid” refers to all types of fluid suitable for shaping hair, such as water or a mixture of water and hair care product.

(15) When the reservoir 11 is full, the user positions the reservoir 11 in the operating position. In the operating position, the reservoir 11 engages fluidically with the mount 9.

(16) In the embodiment presented, the base 3 is substantially rounded. In fact, in the operating position, the mount 9 and the reservoir 11 are configured to fit together so that their external surfaces form a smooth external surface of the base 3, without interruption.

(17) The mount 9 comprises a support portion 19. The reservoir 11 comprises a stop portion 21 configured to engage with the support portion 19 of the reservoir 11 to hold the reservoir 11 according to the insertion direction. The support portion 19 and the stop portion 21 engage along the circumference of the base 3.

(18) The support and stop portions 19, 21 each comprise a part substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction DI.

(19) The mount comprises a holding portion 22, here comprising a throat 23 along the external surface of the mount 9. The stop portion 21 comprises a protrusion 25 along the external surface of the reservoir 11. In the operating position, the throat 23 receives the protrusion 25.

(20) In this way, the throat 23 is configured to hold the reservoir according to a holding direction that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction and preferably transverse to the insertion direction. The reservoir is kept on the mount in the operating position.

(21) The mount 9 comprises a guiding portion 27 configured to guide the reservoir 11 on the mount 9 during its placement on the mount 9.

(22) The reservoir 11 also comprises a guiding part 29 intended to slide against the guiding portion 27 of the mount 9 during the placement of the reservoir 11 on the mount 9. In this way, the placement of the reservoir on the mount is facilitated.

(23) The reservoir 11 comprises a housing 31 to receive the fluid. The housing 31 to receive the fluid comprises a fluid insertion opening 33. The reservoir 11 comprises a closing element 35. The closing element comprises a lid 37 that is able to move in rotation in relation to the insertion opening 33. The lid 37 is configured to be in a fluid insertion position in which the lid 37 provides access to the insertion opening 33, and a closed position in which the lid 37 obstructs the insertion opening 33. The insertion position allows access to the insertion opening 33 and thus allows fluid to be added to the reservoir 11.

(24) The housing 31 to receive the fluid comprises an outlet opening 39. The reservoir 11 comprises a closing element 41 of the outlet opening 39. The closing element 41 comprises a valve 43. The reservoir 11 is thus in fluid communication with the mount 9. The outlet opening 39 comprises a sealing element in its periphery. Thus, when the reservoir 11 is in the operating position, the fluid connection with the mount 9 is sealed. The sealing element comprises a seal or a flexible wall made of silicone, for example.

(25) The base 3 further comprises a detection system 45 with a detector 47 configured to detect when the reservoir 11 moves from the disconnected position to the operating position. “Detector” refers to all types of proximity sensors, such as mechanical detectors, electrical contact detectors, magnetic or electromagnetic detectors, infrared radiation detectors.

(26) The detection of the movement of the reservoir 11 from the disconnected position to the operating position is therefore accurate. The accuracy of this detection of the position of the reservoir 11 provides more safety for the user when putting the hair styling appliance 1, and more specifically the base 3, into operation. In addition, the detection system 45 makes it possible to reduce the risk of malfunctions and deterioration of the hair styling appliance 1.

(27) The detection system 45 comprises an information transmission device 49 configured to communicate information to a user on the movement from the disconnected position to the operating position. The user is thus notified of the movement of the reservoir 11 from the disconnected position to the operating position. The information to the user is accurate and thus facilitates the use of the hair styling appliance 1.

(28) The detector 47 is designed to transmit to the information transmission device 49 information on the movement from the disconnected position to the operating position.

(29) According to the embodiment represented, the detector 47 comprises a detection member 51 able to move between a resting position and a biasing position, corresponding to the movement of the reservoir 11 from the disconnected position to the operating position. The detection member 51 here is a metal strip.

(30) The detector 47 further comprises a biasing member 53 designed to move the detection member 51 between the resting position and the biasing position. The detector 47 here is mechanical, not subject to malfunctions associated with devices sensitive to aqueous media, such as electronic devices. The detection member 51 comprises a return element 55 designed to return the detection member 51 to the resting position. The return element 55 comprises an elastically deformable element. The return element 55 here consists of the elastically deformable metal strip. The detection member 51 is thus made in one piece with the return element 55.

(31) According to another embodiment, the return element 55 may comprise a spring.

(32) The detection member 51 comprises a guiding surface 57 of the biasing member 53. The biasing member 53 is designed to drive the detection member from the resting position to the biasing position, when the user puts the reservoir 11 on the mount 9.

(33) In the embodiment represented, the biasing member 53 is integral with the reservoir 11. The biasing member 53 is made in one piece with the reservoir 11.

(34) The biasing member 53 comprises a finger 59. The finger 59 is designed to engage with the guiding surface 57. The finger 59 is designed to slide along the guiding surface 57 in order to drive the detection member 51 from the resting position to the biasing position.

(35) The guiding surface 57 comprises an extremity portion 61. When the finger 59 slides on the guiding surface 57 and reaches the extremity portion 61, the detection member 51 is in the biasing position. The finger 59 then crosses the extremity portion 61 and the return element 55 returns the detection member 51 to the resting position.

(36) According to the embodiment represented, the information transmission device 49 comprises a sound wave generator 63.

(37) The sound wave generator 63 is designed to transmit a sound wave when the reservoir 11 moves from the disconnected position to the operating position. The sound wave generator 63 comprises a movable part 65 and a fixed part 67. The movable part 65 is designed to come into contact with the fixed part 67 in order to cause a click generating a sound wave.

(38) The metal strip consists of the movable part 65. The movable part is thus made in one piece with the detection member 51. The fixed part 67 is made in one piece with the mount 9. When the return element 55 returns the detection member 51 to the resting position, the movable part 65 comes into contact with the fixed part 67, which generates a click.

(39) The mount 9 further comprises a pump 69. The pump 69 comprises a pump actuator 71. In the embodiment represented, the pump actuator 71 consists of a motor 73.

(40) According to one embodiment, the detector 47 may comprise a control interface configured to control the information transmission device 49.

(41) According to another embodiment of the invention, the detector 47 comprises a magnetic element. The detector 47 may, for example, comprise a magnetic switch or a Hall effect sensor.

(42) According to another embodiment of the invention, the detector 47 is optical and comprises a wave transmitter and a wave receiver, for example infrared.

(43) According to another embodiment, the base comprises a fluid suction/discharge device, the detection system comprising a control interface configured to control the suction/discharge device in order to prevent the suction/discharge device from starting up when the reservoir is in the disconnected position.

(44) In this way, if the reservoir is not in sealed fluid communication with the mount, the suction/discharge device cannot start up. The risks of damage to the device are thus limited.

(45) More specifically, the mount comprises the suction/discharge device.

(46) The control interface is configured to control the suction/discharge device in order to permit the suction/discharge device to start up when the reservoir is in the operating position, and more specifically when the detector detects the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position.

(47) According to an optional aspect of this embodiment, the control interface is configured to start up the suction/discharge device when the reservoir is in the operating position, and more specifically when the detector detects the movement of the reservoir from the disconnected position to the operating position.

(48) The detector is designed to transmit to the suction/discharge device information on the movement from the disconnected position to the operating position.

(49) According to the embodiment represented, the suction/discharge device consists of the pump 69. The control interface is thus configured to control the pump actuator 71.

(50) According to another embodiment of the invention, the sound wave generator 63 comprises an electrically powered sound wave transmitter, such as a beeper or a buzzer.

(51) According to another embodiment of the invention, the information transmission device 49 comprises a haptic feedback device. The haptic feedback device is configured to generate a hard point when the reservoir moves from the disconnected position to the operating position. For example, the haptic feedback device comprises a haptic feedback portion arranged in line with the guiding surface and presenting an inflection with respect to the guiding surface. This inflection generates a hard point. A hard point is generated when, in the reservoir's travel from the disconnected position to the connected position, the user must apply more force to make the reservoir move into the operating position. The haptic feedback device may also comprise a motor designed to generate force feedback during the movement from the disconnected position to the operating position.

(52) According to another embodiment of the invention, the information transmission device 49 comprises a visual interface. The visual interface comprises, for example, a screen or a light signal such as an LED.

(53) Of course, this invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented, which are provided for illustrative purposes and are not restrictive.