Hand held appliance

Abstract

A hand held appliance, such as a hairdryer, includes a body, a fluid flow path extending through the body in an axial direction from a first fluid inlet through which a first fluid flow enters the appliance to a first fluid outlet for emitting the first fluid flow from the appliance, a primary fluid flow path extending from a second fluid inlet through which a primary fluid flow enters the appliance to a second fluid outlet, a section of the primary fluid flow path extending through the body in the axial direction and surrounding the fluid flow path, and a heater located within the section of the primary fluid flow path for heating fluid passing through the primary fluid flow path, and wherein the heater has a length extending in the axial direction.

Claims

1. A hairdryer comprising a body and a handle, the body having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a first fluid flow path extending through the body in an axial direction from a first fluid inlet through which a first fluid flow enters the hairdryer at the inlet end to a first fluid outlet for emitting the first fluid flow from the hairdryer at the outlet end, wherein a primary fluid flow path extends from a second fluid inlet in the handle through which a primary fluid flow enters the hairdryer to a second fluid outlet at the outlet end of the body, and within the body, the primary fluid flow path surrounds the first fluid flow path, wherein a first end of the handle is connected to the body and the second fluid inlet is located at a second end of the handle that is spaced from the first end in a longitudinal direction of the handle, and wherein a fan unit is located in a first duct in the handle for drawing fluid through the second fluid inlet and the fan unit is spaced in the longitudinal direction from the second fluid inlet and the second end so that a portion of the first duct is located between the second fluid inlet and the fan unit in the longitudinal direction.

2. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a second duct extending between the inlet end and the outlet end.

3. The hairdryer of claim 2, wherein the second duct partially defines at least one of the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet.

4. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein fluid is drawn through the first fluid flow path by emission of fluid from the primary fluid flow path.

5. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein the second fluid outlet extends about the first fluid flow path.

6. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein the second fluid outlet is annular.

7. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein the second fluid outlet is arranged to emit fluid into the first fluid flow path.

8. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein the second fluid outlet extends about the first fluid outlet.

9. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein a heater is located in the primary fluid flow path for heating the primary fluid flow.

10. The hairdryer of claim 9, wherein the heater is located in the body.

11. The hairdryer of claim 10, wherein the heater at least partially surrounds the first fluid flow path.

12. The hairdryer of claim 1, wherein during use, the first fluid flow is caused by the primary fluid flow exiting the second fluid outlet.

13. A hairdryer comprising a body and a handle, the body having an inlet end and an outlet end, a fluid flow path extending through the body in an axial direction from a first fluid inlet through which a first fluid flow enters the hairdryer at the inlet end to a first fluid outlet for emitting the first fluid flow from the hairdryer at the outlet end, a primary fluid flow path extending at least partially along a second axis from a second fluid inlet through which a primary fluid flow enters the hairdryer through a fan unit towards a second fluid outlet at the outlet end of the body, a section of the primary fluid flow path extending through the body in the axial direction and surrounding the fluid flow path, wherein a first end of the handle is connected to the body and the second fluid inlet is located at a second end of the handle that is spaced from the first end in a longitudinal direction of the handle, wherein the fan unit is located in a first duct in the handle for drawing fluid through the second fluid inlet and the fan unit is spaced in the longitudinal direction from the second fluid inlet and the second end so that a portion of the first duct is located between the second fluid inlet and the fan unit in the longitudinal direction, wherein the fan unit comprises an impeller and the impeller rotates about a rotation axis that is parallel to the second axis, and wherein a heater is located in the primary fluid flow path for heating the primary fluid flow.

14. The hairdryer of claim 13, wherein the second axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle.

15. The hairdryer of claim 13, wherein the rotation axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle.

16. The hairdryer of claim 13, wherein the heater is located in the body.

17. The hairdryer of claim 16, wherein the heater at least partially surrounds the first fluid flow path.

18. The hairdryer of claim 13, wherein during use, the first fluid flow is caused by the primary fluid flow exiting the second fluid outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a rear end perspective view of an appliance according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front end perspective view of an appliance according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of an appliance according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a top view of an appliance according to the invention;

(6) FIGS. 5a and 5b show sectional views along line J-J of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 5c is an enlargement of area P of FIG. 5a;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view along line K-K of FIG. 3;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along line L-L of FIG. 3;

(10) FIG. 8 shows a sectional view along line M-M of FIG. 4;

(11) FIG. 9 shows a 3D sectional view along line H-H of FIG. 4;

(12) FIG. 10 shows a side view of a second appliance according to the invention;

(13) FIG. 11 shows a sectional view along line N-N of FIG. 10;

(14) FIG. 12 shows a sectional view through the body of an appliance according to the invention;

(15) FIG. 13 shows a sectional view through the body of a further appliance according to the invention;

(16) FIG. 14 shows a sectional view through the body of another appliance according to the invention;

(17) FIG. 15 shows a sectional view through the body of yet another appliance according to the invention;

(18) FIG. 16 shows sectional view through the body of an appliance according to the invention;

(19) FIG. 17 shows an alternative sectional view through the body of the appliance of FIG. 16;

(20) FIG. 18 shows sectional view through the body of an appliance according to the invention;

(21) FIG. 19 shows an alternative sectional view through the body of the appliance of FIG. 18;

(22) FIG. 20 shows a rear end perspective of a further appliance according to the invention;

(23) FIG. 21 shows a rear end perspective of an alternative appliance according to the invention;

(24) FIGS. 22a and 22b show rear end views of the appliance shown in FIG. 21;

(25) FIG. 23 shows a cross section through another appliance;

(26) FIGS. 24a and 24b show rear end views of the appliance shown in FIG. 23;

(27) FIG. 25 shows a cross section through an appliance;

(28) FIG. 26 shows a cross section through another appliance;

(29) FIG. 27 shows a cross section through another appliance;

(30) FIG. 28 shows a rear end perspective of a one handled appliance according to the invention;

(31) FIG. 29 shows a side view of the appliance of FIG. 28;

(32) FIG. 30 shows a sectional view of a two handled appliance;

(33) FIG. 31 shows a sectional view of a one handled appliance;

(34) FIG. 32 shows a sectional view across line S-S of FIG. 26;

(35) FIG. 33 shows a sectional view of another one handled appliance;

(36) FIG. 34 shows a sectional view of the appliance of FIG. 30;

(37) FIG. 35 shows a rear end perspective of the appliance of FIGS. 30 and 31;

(38) FIG. 36 shows a cross section through an appliance according to the invention;

(39) FIG. 37 shows a sectional view across line T-T of FIG. 36;

(40) FIG. 38 shows a 3D sectional view of a one handled two bodied appliance according to the invention;

(41) FIG. 39 shows a cross section through the appliance shown in FIG. 38;

(42) FIG. 40 shows a 3D sectional view of a one handled appliance according to the invention; and

(43) FIG. 41 shows a cross section through the appliance shown in FIG. 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(44) FIGS. 1 to 4 show various views of an appliance 10 having a first body 12 which defines a fluid flow path 20 through the appliance and a pair of ducts 14 which extend from the first body 12 to a second body 16. The fluid flows through the appliance from an inlet or upstream end to an outlet or downstream end.

(45) With reference to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 6, the fluid flow path 20 has a fluid intake 20a at a rear end 12a of the body 12 and a fluid outflow 20b at a front end 12b of the body 12. Thus, fluid can flow along the whole length of the body 12. The fluid flow path 20 is a central flow path for the body 12 and for at least a part of the length of the body 12 the fluid flow path is surrounded and defined by a tubular housing 18. The tubular housing 18 is a bore, pipe or conduit that the generally longer that it is wide and preferably has a substantially circular cross section, however, it may be oval, square, rectangular or another shape. The first body is tubular in shape.

(46) With reference to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 in particular, a primary fluid flow path 30 will now be described. The primary fluid flow path 30 is generally annular to the fluid flow path 20 at the fluid intake end 12a of the body 12. In this particular embodiment, the primary fluid flow path 30 passes down the first tiered section along the inner skin 112a of the outer wall 112 of the body 12 and from there down a duct 14a through the second body 16 and up the other duct 14b back into the body 12 and into a second tiered section or outlet section of the primary flow path 40. The outlet section of the primary flow path 40 is generally annular to the fluid flow path 20 and is nested between the first tier of the primary fluid flow path and the fluid flow path in the body 12. Thus for at least a portion of the length of the body 12, there is a three tiered flow path 20, 30, 40. The primary fluid flow path 30 has an inlet end, a loop and an outlet end.

(47) There is a single opening at the inlet end 12a of the body 12 which is split into a first inlet 20a through which fluid enters the fluid flow path 20, and a second fluid inlet 30a through which fluid enters the primary fluid flow path 30. In this embodiment, the first inlet and the second fluid inlet are co-planar and are divided into two inlets by the bore 18.

(48) The second tiered section located downstream from the first tiered section and the tiered sections are arranged in series. In this example, fluid flows in substantially the same direction through the tiered sections. The first tiered section is isolated from the second tiered section by inner tubular walls 42 and 44 and an annular wall 48 which connects between the inner walls. Both the first and second tiered sections are annular and the first tiered annular section defined by walls 112a and 44 extends about the second annular tiered section defined by walls 44 and 42.

(49) The second body 16 houses a fan unit 160 which includes a fan and motor for driving the fan. Power is supplied to the fan unit 160 via an electric cable 18 and internal electronics 162. The cable 18 is connected to the second body 16 and has a standard household plug (not shown) at its' distal end. Thus, fluid that flows through the primary fluid flow path 30 is drawn in to an inlet section by the action of the fan unit 160. When the primary flow path 30 returns to the body 12, it becomes an outlet section of the primary flow path or second tiered section 40 which flows between two inner tubular walls 42,44 of the body 12 which are located external to tubular housing 18 and internal to the outer wall 112 of the body. Housed within the two inner walls 42,44 of the body in the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 is an at least partially annular heater 46 which can heat the fluid that flows through. Thus the second tier or outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 is, in this embodiment the directly heated flow.

(50) The second body 16 is tubular in shape and the longitudinal axes of the first and second bodies are parallel. The fluid flow path 20 extends through the body 12 in an axial direction. An outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 extends through the body 12 in an axial direction and surrounds the fluid flow path 20, and a heater 46 located within the section of the primary fluid flow path 40 for heating fluid passing through the primary fluid flow path, and the heater 46 has a length extending in the axial direction.

(51) The tubular housing 18 is also a bore that extends through the body 12; a conduit that extends between the first fluid inlet 20a and the first fluid outlet 20b; a first external surface of the body 12 that is also an inner surface of body.

(52) The heater 46 is preferably annular and can be of the convention type of heater generally used in hairdryers i.e. comprising a former of a heat resistant material such as mica around which a heating element, for example and nichrome wire, is wound. The former provides a scaffold for the element enabling fluid to pass around and between the element for efficient heating.

(53) When the fan unit is operated, fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 30 at the fluid inlet end 12a by the direct action of the fan unit 160. This fluid then flows through an inlet section of the primary fluid flow path along the inside 112a of the outer wall 112 of the body 12 down a first duct 14a, through the fan unit 160 and returns to an outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 of the body 12 via the second duct 14b. The outlet section of the primary fluid flow 40 passes around a heater 46 and when the heater is switched on fluid in the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 is heated by the heater 46. Once the fluid in the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 has passed the heater 46 it exits from the front end 12b of the body 12 of the appliance.

(54) The fluid flows is a generally circular motion through the primary fluid flow path; the handle means are generally U-shaped i.e. along the body in a first direction down one duct in a second direction along the second body in a third direction and up the second duct in a fourth direction which is the opposite direction to the first duct. The handles are spaced apart.

(55) When the fan unit 160 is switched on, air is drawn into the intake 30a of the primary flow path 30, through the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 and out of the fluid outflow 12b of the body 12. The action of this air being drawn in at one end 12a of the body and out of the other end 12b of the body causes fluid to be entrained or induced to flow along the fluid flow path 20. Thus there is one fluid flow (the primary flow path 30) which is actively drawn in by the fan unit and another fluid flow which is created by the fluidic movement caused by the action of the fan unit 160. This means that the fan unit 160 processes a portion of the fluid that is output from the body 12 and the rest of the fluid that flows through the body through the fluid flow path 20 passes through the body 12 without being processed by the fan unit.

(56) The entrained fluid that passes through the fluid flow path 20 exits from a downstream end 18b of the tubular housing and combines with the fluid that exits the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 near the fluid outlet 12b of the body 12. Thus the drawn flow is augmented or supplemented by the entrained flow. The second fluid outlet is annular and emits into the fluid flow path so the fluid flow paths merge within the hairdryer.

(57) A filter 50 is provided at the fluid inlet 12a of the body 12. This filter 50 is provided to stop foreign objects such as hair and dirt particles from entering at least the primary fluid flow path 20 and travelling along the primary fluid flow path 20 to the fan unit 160 and potentially causing damage to the fan unit and/or reducing the life of the fan unit 160.

(58) The filter 50 is preferably an annular filter that only covers the fluid flow intake of the primary fluid flow path 30, thus only the fluid that flows through the primary fluid flow path 30 is filtered by the filter 50. This has the advantage that the amount of filter material required compared to a conventional appliance is reduced as only approximately half of the cross-sectional area at the fluid intake end 12a is filteredobviously, the exact proportions of filtered and non-filtered flow depend on the relative cross-sections of the first and primary fluid flow paths 20, 30 as well as any funnelling action due to the design of the fluid intake end of the body 12. Another advantage is that a line of sight is provided through the central or first flow path 20 of the body 12 so a person using the appliance can see through it whilst using the appliance.

(59) In addition, where no filter or an annular filter 50 is provided, the internal surface 100 of the tubular housing is accessible from outside the appliance. In fact, the internal surface 100 of the bore or tubular housing defines a hole (the first flow path 20) through the appliance 10 and the inner surface 100 of the tubular housing is both an inner wall and a first external wall of the appliance 10.

(60) The ducts 14 are used for conveying fluid flow around the appliance. In addition one or both of the ducts 14a, 14b additionally comprises a handle for a user to hold whilst using the appliance. The duct 14a, 14b may comprise a grippable portion on at least a part of the duct that acts as a handle to assist a user holding the appliance. The ducts are spaced apart with one duct 14a being located near the front end 12b of the body 12 and the other duct 14b being located near the rear end 12a of the body 12.

(61) The use of two body parts separated by a handle means that the appliance can be balanced, in this case by the heater being provided in one part of the body and the fan unit being provided in the second body part so their weights are offset.

(62) Referring now to FIG. 7, in this embodiment the ducts 14 are generally circular in cross section and are preferably lined with a material 140. This material 140 is for example a foam or felt for example that is used for one or more of the following: to mitigate noise from the primary fluid flow; vibrations from the fan unit 160; or as an insulator to retain heat within the fluid flow system of the appliance. The absorbing properties of the material will at least mitigate the property is question and may be tuned specifically to an appliance either by material density or lining thickness for example. The material can additionally be chosen based on resonant frequencies of the appliance. The material can additionally be chosen or tuned based on resonant frequencies of the appliance. In this way the appliance can be silenced, or manipulated tonally to improve noise characteristics to a user.

(63) The lining material 140 is preferably flared, rounded or chamfered at one or both of the upstream 140a and downstream 140b end of the lining. This can reduce pressure losses in the ducts and assist in reducing the noise generated as a less turbulent flow into/out of the lined portion is provided.

(64) Important features of the invention herein described include the fact that the fan unit 160 only processes a portion, preferably around half of the fluid that flows from the fluid outflow 20b of the appliance 10 for example, the total fluid flow through the appliance is 23 l/s with around 11 l/s being drawn through the motor. The approximately 50% split of drawn to entrained fluid is not essential and can be less or more; the relative fluid flow rates are a function of losses within the duct pathways for each flow path and the configuration e.g. the diameter and cross-sectional areas of the duct pathways.

(65) The use of a tiered flow path through the body 12 the appliance 10 is also advantageous as one or more of the fluid flow paths can be used to insulate one or more of the walls of the body. The inlet section of the primary fluid flow path and the fluid flow path act as heat sinks or thermal exchangers for the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path i.e. fluid in the centre of the body. It also results in all the fluid flowing through the body being heated whether actively or passively.

(66) The fluid that is processed or drawn in by the fan unit 160 flows through the inlet section of the primary fluid flow path 30 and for a least a part of the flow path through the body, this fluid flows through a duct or conduit that is external to the heater 46 i.e. this primary fluid flow path 30 is between the heater 46 and an outer wall 112 of the body 12 and so provides a moving fluid insulator for the outer wall 112 of the body 12. The fluid flow will extract heat from the walls 42, 44, 112 that form the conduit or duct for the primary fluid flow 30 and therefore be heated as it passes near the heater 46. Once this pre-heated or pre-warmed fluid is drawn through the fan it exits the duct 14b into an outlet section of the primary fluid flow path or heated flow path 40. Thus, the fluid insulator is subsequently heated by the heater 46 so less heat energy is lost by the system to ambient. Heat that may have been lost to the outer body 112 is recovered thus a higher percentage of the heat energy input to the system remains in the primary or second tier 40 of the flow.

(67) A second embodiment is described with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11. In this embodiment, the appliance 200 has ducts 114 which are oval in cross-section and extend parallel to each other. There are advantages to using oval instead of circular ducts, the first is that when the duct is used as a handle it can be easier for a user to grip as the oval shape mimics the shape made by curled figures more precisely than a circular grip, the second is that the oval shape can be used to impart directionality to the ducts or handles. This feature is shown in FIG. 11 where a first duct/handle 114a is oriented at right angles to a second duct/handle 114b. This directionality can make the appliance easier to use.

(68) A third advantage is that for a grippable handle, the oval shape gives a larger cross-sectional area than the circular handle meaning that a greater flow of fluid can pass through the oval handle. This can reduce one or more of the noise produced by the appliance in operation, power consumed by the appliance and pressure or duct losses within the appliance.

(69) Various arrangements of ducting within the body 12 are possible, some of which will now be described. Referring to FIG. 12, the heater 46 is supported directly on the outer surface 18a of tubular housing 18 which is a single walled housing. The fluid that flows through the fluid flow path 20 along the inside of the tubular housing 18 provides a cooling action and will be heated slightly as it extracts heat from the housing 18. In addition, fluid that flows along the inlet section of the primary flow path 30 will also extract heat from inner wall 44 that separates the inlet section of the primary fluid flow path 30 from the heated outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 and isolates the inlet and outlet sections of the primary fluid flow path. Thus, the fluid that is processed or drawn in by the fan unit is pre-warmed or heated passively prior to being heated directly and provides a cooling flow for the second external or outer wall 112 of the body 12 of the appliance.

(70) FIG. 6 shows an alternative configuration having a ducted inner wall coolant path 118 between the tubular housing 18 and inner wall 42 of the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 producing a third section of the primary fluid flow path which is parallel to the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path and surrounded by the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path which contains heater 46. This ducted inner wall coolant path 118 is a closed path i.e. it does not vent out. Some of the fluid which is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 30 will pass along the ducted inner wall 118 and provide a layer of fluid insulation between the heater 46 and the outer wall of the tubular housing 18. A combination of conduction and convection through the fluid in the ducted inner wall coolant path 118 provides a cooling effect for the tubular housing 18. The third section of the primary fluid flow path is annular and the second annular section extends about the third section and is in parallel with the third section.

(71) FIG. 13 shows an arrangement having a ducted outer wall cooling path 212 providing a third section of the primary fluid flow path in parallel with the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path in combination with a closed ducted inner wall coolant path 118. In the embodiments described so far, fluid that is drawn into the body 12 flows down the ducts and back through an outlet section of the primary fluid flow path before joining entrained fluid. As a result, a portion of the body 12 near the outflow end 12b will be in direct contact with the heated fluid and may become hot. To mitigate this heating effect a ducted outer wall cooling path 212 is provided which enables fluid that is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 30 to continue within a double walled body to near the outflow end 12b of the body 12. In this example this outer wall cooling path 212 is closed so provides a cooling effect by a combination of conduction and convection through the fluid in the duct.

(72) FIG. 14 shows an alternative arrangement having a ducted outer wall cooling path 212 in combination with an open or vented ducted inner wall coolant path 218 between the tubular housing 18 and inner wall 42 of the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40. This ducted inner wall coolant path 218 again is located within the primary fluid flow path 30 so some of the drawn in fluid will pass along the duct, however at the distal end, the duct vents 220 into the entrained air stream the flows through the fluid flow path 20. This combined vented and entrained fluid then combines with the drawn fluid for exit at the outflow of the body 12. As there is a constant fluid flow through this cooling duct 218 in use, it provides a constant replenishment of fluid for heat exchange with inner wall 42.

(73) FIG. 15 shows an alternative arrangement having a ducted inner wall coolant path 318 which enables some of the drawn in fluid to flow along the radially inner side of the heater 46, between the heater 46 and the tubular housing 18, before being ducted 320 into the drawn in flow path 30 at duct 14a. This has the advantage that the ducting and inner wall arrangements not only provide cooling for the outer body of the appliance but also for the inner wall which is accessible from the fluid inlet end 12a. Thus all the fluid that is used to provide cooling for the heater is subsequently drawn through the fan unit 160 and into the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 to be heated by heater 46.

(74) FIGS. 16 and 17 show an appliance with an alternate internal ducting arrangement. In this embodiment, the heater 46 is spaced apart from the walls 44, 18 that define the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 40 to provide a fluid flow around as well as through the heater. An inner wall or support 142 is provided spaced from tubular housing 18 by a spacer 242 thus, fluid entering the third or heated flow path 40 can pass through the heater 46, around the outer edges of the heater between the heater and inner wall or support 44 which separates the second 30 and third 40 fluid flow paths and in a flow path 40a created between the heater 46 and the tubular housing 18 by the wall 142. At the downstream end of the heater, wall 142 ends allows the two fluid flow paths 40 and 40a to recombine 40b prior to the first and primary fluid flow paths combining at the downstream end 18b of the tubular housing 18.

(75) By having the air gap between the heater 46 and the tubular housing 18 which is defined by inner wall 142, the tubular housing is not directly heated by the heater thus, the inner surface of the tubular wall remains relatively cool. In addition, a cooling effect is provided to the tubular housing 18 by entrained fluid that passes through the fluid flow path 20 which is defined by the tubular housing 18 as the fluid extracts heat from the tubular housing. The wall 142 need not be a solid wall, and may include slots or perforations which enables fluid to flow between the two fluid flow paths 40 and 40a.

(76) FIGS. 18 and 19 show an appliance where the entrained and drawn fluids do not combine prior to exiting the body 12 at the outlet end 12b.

(77) The inner ducting of the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 240 may be any one of those described with respect to other embodiments of the invention. In this example, the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 240 is similar to that described with respect to FIG. 6 i.e. a configuration having a ducted inner wall coolant path 118 between the tubular housing 18 and inner wall 42 of the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 240 which contains heater 46. This ducted inner wall coolant path 118 is a closed path i.e. it does not vent out. Some of the fluid which is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 30 will pass along the ducted inner wall 118 and provide a layer of fluid insulation between the heater 46 and the outer wall of the tubular housing 218.

(78) The bore or tubular housing 218 begins as in the other examples herein described at the inlet end 12a of the body 12. However, the tubular housing 218 continues for the whole length of the body 12 to the outlet end 12b of the body. In this manner an annular outflow 242 of the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path or heated fluid flow path 240 is provided at the outlet end 12b of the body. The annular outflow 242 extends about the outlet of the fluid flow path. Thus, the entrained and drawn in fluids do not combine within the body of the appliance they combine at the outflow or downstream exit of the appliance. This provides a high velocity jet or free jet of heated fluid at the outflow which is annular and surrounds the entrained and only partially heated flow which exits from the fluid flow path 20.

(79) The primary fluid flow path 230 is as described with respect to other examples and has a ducted outer wall cooling path 212 to provide cooling to the outer surface of the body 12 towards the outflow end 12b of the body.

(80) FIG. 20 shows an appliance 300 having a filter 350 which is a grill like filter which covers the primary fluid flow path 30, leaving the majority if not all of the central fluid flow path (the fluid flow path) 20 open and unfiltered. The filter 350 may additionally comprise a mesh of material which is disposed between the grills of the filter.

(81) FIGS. 21, 22a and 22b show an appliance having an oval shaped body 62. The fluid flow path 70 is defined by a tubular housing having an oval cross section 68. An annular and oval shaped primary fluid flow path 80 surrounds the fluid flow path 70 at the inlet end 62a of the body 62. Fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 80, down first duct 74a into a second body 66 by the action of a fan unit 160 located in the second body 66 as has been previously described. The fluid then flows through the second duct 74b to an outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 90. This outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 90 is also oval in cross section and contains an oval heater 96.

(82) In this example the major and minor axes X-X and Y-Y respectively of the first, second and outlet section of the primary fluid flow paths all have the same centre Z i.e. are concentric however, this is not essential. In addition, the second body 66 is shown as being generally circular but it may match the external shape of the first body 62. The ducts 74a and 74b are shown as being generally circular but may be oval and one or both of the ducts 74a, 74b may comprise handles that are capable of being gripped by a user of the appliance.

(83) FIGS. 23, 24a and 24b show an appliance 250 having substantially circular flow paths which are non-concentric.

(84) The first 270 and third 290 fluid flow paths are concentric i.e. have a common centre 292 within the body 272 of the appliance. Thus, the heater 296 is also substantially concentric within the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 290 and this has the advantage that fluid is heated evenly around the cross section of the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path so there are no hot spots in the fluid the exits the body at the outflow end 272a of the body 272. The first 270 fluid flow path is defined by tubular housing 274 and the first 270 and third 290 fluid flow paths are enclosed within inner wall or duct 294. This inner wall 294 is offset with respect to the outer wall 262 of the body 272 so is non-concentric to the outer wall 262 of the body 272.

(85) The outer wall 262 has a centre 298 which is therefore offset from the centre 292 of the inner wall 294 and features of the appliance including 270, 274, 294, 290 and 296. A filter 278 is provided at the fluid inlet of the primary fluid flow path 280 and so is a ring shaped filter with a substantially constant outer diameter defined by outer wall 262 of the body 272. The inner diameter varies around the ring as the inner surface of the filer 278a is defined by the tubular housing 274.

(86) Alternatively, an inner wall 268, 294 is non-concentric to the external wall 262 for only part of the flow path. For example, the middle or third flow path 290 is defined by walls 294, 268 which are non-concentric to the tubular housing 274, heater 296 and external wall 262 in the region where the primary flow path passes 280 into the third flow path 290. In other words, the walls 268, 294 which define the third flow path 290 where duct flow 298 enters the third flow path 290 are non-concentric to improve the aerodynamics of fluid flow where the direction of the fluid flow changes. The skilled person will appreciate that a number of different configurations are possible.

(87) FIG. 25 shows an appliance 360 having a having a first body 362 which defines a fluid flow path 364 through the appliance and a pair of ducts 366 which extend from the first body 362 to a second body 368. The fluid flows through the appliance from an inlet or upstream end 362a to an outlet or downstream end 362b.

(88) The fluid flow path 364 has a fluid intake 364a at a rear end 362a of the body 362 and a fluid outlet 364b at a front end 362b if the body 362. The fluid flow path 364 is a central flow path of the body 362 and is surrounded and defined by a generally tubular housing 370.

(89) A primary fluid flow path 372 is provided at the fluid inlet end 362a of the body and is generally annular to the fluid flow path 364. A filter 374 is provided to filter fluid that flows into the primary fluid flow path 372. The primary fluid flow path 372 passes into the first body 362 then through a first duct 366a to the second body 368 and up the other duct 366b back into the body 362. In this embodiment, the first duct 366a of the primary fluid flow path 372 is that nearest the fluid intake end 362a of the body. The flow path through the ducts is thus the reverse of previous examples.

(90) The second body 368 houses a fan unit 74 and fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path by the action of the fan unit. This induces or entrains fluid into the fluid flow path 364.

(91) When the primary fluid flow path 372 returns to the first body 362 a fluid chamber 376 is provided. The outer wall 378 of the chamber is a part of an outer wall of the first body 362. Radially inward of the outer wall 378 is a perforated inner wall 380 which provides fluid communication to a heater 382. After flowing through the heater 382, heated fluid combines with the entrained fluid of the fluid flow path 364 at an upstream end 370b of the tubular housing 370.

(92) The flow path from the chamber to mixing of the heated fluid can be considered to be an inlet section of the primary fluid flow path and thus for a portion of the length of the body 362, a three tiered flow path is provided. Fluid in the chamber 376 cools the outer wall 378 and is pre-heated by heat radiating from the inner perforated wall 380. Thus, the chamber provides a thermally insulating barrier between the heater 382 and the external wall 362. The chamber 376 extends about a periphery of the heater 382.

(93) An alternative arrangement of the primary fluid flow path is shown in FIG. 26. In this arrangement, the chamber 376 is provided with a solid inner wall 386 that forces fluid to flow along a part of the first body 362 in the reverse direction or the direction opposite 384 to that of the entrained fluid of the fluid flow path 364. The primary fluid flow path is zigzagged. The reverse direction 384 of the flow path is turned to flow towards the outlet end 362b of the body, flows through the heater 388 and joins entrained fluid at the end 370b of the tubular housing 370. The fluid from the chamber 376 thus encounters the heater somewhere in the middle of the length of the first body 362.

(94) In FIG. 27, another arrangement is shown where the combining of the heated and entrained fluid flows occurs in the middle of the first body 362 rather than near or at the downstream end 362b. The chamber is provided with a solid inner wall 390 and fluid flows from the second duct 366b into the chamber 376 and then along a part of the first body 362 in the reverse direction 384 to that of the entrained fluid of the fluid flow path 364. The heater 392 is provided within this reverse flow section. Once fluid has been heated by the heater 392 it is turned by internal ducting 396 to face the downstream end 362b of the body and joins the entrained fluid of the fluid flow path 364 at the downstream end 394b of an inlet section of the tubular housing 394.

(95) In these embodiments, the chamber 376 comprises two parallel sections, and a first one of the parallel sections extends through the fluid chamber 378a and a second one of the parallel sections extends through the heater 378b.

(96) In this embodiment, the tubular housing 394 that defines the fluid flow path is split into two sections 394, 394a. A gap between the two sections 394, 394a enables the heated fluid to mixing with the entrained fluid flow at the downstream end 394b of the inlet section of the tubular housing 394. Thus, mixing of the two fluid flow paths occurs around the downstream end of the heater 392 or the middle of the first body 262. Once the two fluid flow paths have mixed, the second section 394a of the tubular housing guides the fluid flow to the outlet end 362b of the body 362.

(97) The embodiments of FIGS. 25 to 27 all include a ducted outer wall cooling path 398 which enables some of the fluid that is drawn into the chamber 376 to flow within a double walled body to or near to the outflow end 362b of the body 362. This provides a cooling effect by a combination of conduction and convection through the fluid in the duct 398. Thus, the chamber in effect extends about the first fluid outlet 364b via the ducted outer wall cooling path 398.

(98) FIGS. 28 to 35 show alternative embodiments according to the invention where fluid does not flow through the ducts or handle(s) 414 of the appliance 400. The air flow design is more conventional and has fluid flow through the body 412 of the appliance 400 in both inner or first 420 and outer or second 430 flow paths.

(99) In a first example, referring to FIGS. 28 to 32 in particular, a hubless fan 460 is provided within the primary fluid flow path 430. Fluid is drawn into the body 412 at an inlet end 412a by the action of the hubless fan 460. The fluid then flows straight along the body to the heater 446 before exiting at the fluid outlet end 412b of the body 412. Fluid is entrained through a central fluid flow path 420 and mixes with the heated fluid 40b at the outflow 412b.

(100) The hubless fan 460 is mounted on a circular bearing 466 and powered by a motor 462 which, in this embodiment is housed within the primary fluid flow path 430, but could alternatively be located within the duct 414. Power from the motor 462 is provided to the fan using for example, a magnetic coupling or gear or belt mechanism 464. A filter 450 may be provided at the fluid inlet end 412a to protect the fan and motor from ingress of hair and dirt.

(101) The bearing need not be circular, and can comprise a non-continuous surface.

(102) In this embodiment, there is line of sight through the first or central fluid flow and the fan could be provided in a transparent form.

(103) Referring now to FIGS. 33 to 35, a fan 560 is provided within the primary fluid flow path 530. Fluid is drawn into the body 512 at an inlet end 512a by the action of the fan 560. The fluid then flows straight along the body to the heater 546 before exiting at the fluid outlet end 512b of the body 512. In this embodiment the fan 560 has a hub 570 which fits over the tubular housing 518. The hub 570 has a central aperture 580 through which fluid can flow in a fluid path 520. Thus, in this embodiment when the motor is switched on the fan draws are into the primary fluid flow path 530 and fluid is entrained or induced within the fluid flow path 520.

(104) The fan 560 is mounted on a circular bearing 566 and powered by a motor 562 which, in this embodiment is housed within the primary fluid flow path 530, but could alternatively be located within a duct 514. Thus, as the motor is not concentric with the fan which is generally the case with conventional appliances of this type, it can be located is a position that is advantageous to handling of the appliance. Therefore, the motor can be positioned so as to balance the weight of the appliance as the motor is not directly attached to the fan and can be remote thereto and also to the heater which is another weight source for the appliance.

(105) Power from the motor 562 is provided to the fan using a magnetic coupling, gear or belt mechanism 564. A filter may be provided at the fluid inlet end 512a to protect the fan and motor from ingress of hair and dirt.

(106) In the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 28 to 35, where the fan blades are of reduced length as they are mounted around the tubular housing 418, 518 that defines the fluid flow path 430, 530, there is a reduction in the amount of fluid that can be drawn in by the fan 460, 560 however, as most of the work is done by the outer part of the fan blades the reduction is not significant. This reduced fan blade length has the advantage that weight of the appliance is reduced.

(107) FIGS. 36 and 37 show an alternate appliance 600 according to the invention. In this example, there is a first body 612 which defines a fluid flow path 620 through the appliance and a pair of ducts 614 which extend from the first body 612 to a second body 616.

(108) The fluid flow path 620 has a fluid intake 620a at a rear end 612a of the body 612 and a fluid outflow 620b at a front end 612b of the body 612. Thus, fluid can flow along the whole length of the body 612. The fluid flow path 620 is a central flow path for the body 612 and for at least a part of the length of the body 612 the fluid flow path is surrounded and defined by a tubular housing 618. The tubular housing 618 is a duct, pipe or conduit that the generally longer that it is wide and preferably has a substantially circular cross section, however, it may be oval, square, rectangular or another shape.

(109) A primary fluid flow path 630 is provided having an inlet 632 provided in body 612 spaced apart from the rear end 612a of the body. In this example, the inlet 632 is generally annular and comprises a plurality of apertures 632a. The apertures 632a are spaced and sized so as to act as a filter to dirt and hair ingress. The primary fluid flow path 630 flows from the inlet 632 into the body 612 of the appliance and from there down a duct 614a, through the second body 616 and up the other duct 614b back into the body 612 and into a third or outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640. The outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 is generally annular to the fluid flow path 620 and is nested between the first and primary fluid flow paths for at least a part of the length of body 612. Thus for at least a portion of the length of the body 612, there is a three tiered flow path 620, 630, 640.

(110) The second body 616 houses a fan unit 660 which includes a fan and motor for driving the fan. Thus, fluid that flows through the primary fluid flow path 630 is drawn in by the action of the fan unit 660. When the primary flow path 630 returns to the body 612, it becomes an outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 which flows between two inner walls 618,644 of the body 612. Housed within the two inner walls 618, 644 of the body is an at least partially annular heater 646 which can heat the fluid that flows through the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640. Thus the third or outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 is, in this embodiment the directly heated flow.

(111) The heater 646 is preferably annular and is offset from tubular housing 618 by an inner duct 642. The outlet section of the primary fluid flow path has a first flow path 630 through and around the heater 640 and a flow path 640a created between the heater 646 and tubular wall 618 by inner wall 642.

(112) When the fan unit is operated, fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 630 at the inlet 632 by the direct action of the fan unit 660. This fluid then flows around a space created between the inlet 632 and inner wall 644 i.e. around the inner wall that surrounds the heater 646 down a first duct 614a, through the fan unit 660 and returns to an outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 of the body 612 via the second duct 614b. The outlet section of the primary fluid flow 640 passes around a heater 646 and when the heater is switched on fluid in the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 is heated by the heater 646. Once the fluid in the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 has passed the heater 646 it exits from the front end 612b of the body 612 of the appliance.

(113) When the fan unit 660 is switched on, air is drawn into the intake 632 of the primary flow path 630, through the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 and out of the fluid outflow 612b of the body 612. The action of this air being drawn into and out of the body causes fluid to be entrained or induced to flow along the fluid flow path 620. Thus there is one fluid flow (the primary flow path 630) which is actively drawn in by the fan unit and another fluid flow which is created by the fluidic movement caused by the action of the fan unit 660. This means that the fan unit 660 processes a portion of the fluid that is output from the body 612 and the rest of the fluid that flows through the body through the fluid flow path 620 passes through the body 612 without being processed by the fan unit.

(114) The entrained fluid that passes through the fluid flow path 620 exits from a downstream end 618b of the tubular housing and combines with the fluid that exits the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640a near the fluid outlet 612b of the body 612. Thus the drawn flow is augmented or supplemented by the entrained flow. In addition, this entrained fluid acts as a moving insulator, or a cooling flow for the tubular housing 618 which is accessible from the rear end 612a of the body.

(115) The ducts 614 are used for conveying fluid flow around the appliance. In addition one or both of the ducts 614a, 614b additionally comprises a handle for a user to hold whilst using the appliance. The duct 614a, 614b may comprise a grippable portion on at least a part of the duct that acts as a handle to assist a user holding the appliance.

(116) The outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640 is surrounded and defined by a wall 644, 644a. For part of the outlet section of the primary fluid flow path the surrounding wall is the outer wall 644a of the body, however in the region of the heater 646, this surrounding wall is an internal wall 644 and the outer wall of the body is the inlet 632 of the primary fluid flow path 630. Thus fluid that is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 630 provides a cooling flow for the wall 644, 644a which surrounds the heater 646 and outlet section of the primary fluid flow path 640. In addition, this results in fluid that flows along the primary fluid flow path 630 being pre-warmed by the heater before it is processed by the fan unit 660 and directly heated by the heater 646 i.e. it is fluid that is processed or drawn in by the fan unit 660 which is directly heated by the heater. Also, fluid that flows along the primary fluid flow path 630 acts as a moving fluid insulator for the outer wall 644, 632 of the body 612.

(117) FIGS. 38 and 39 show a one handled two bodied appliance 700 having a first body 712 which defines a fluid flow path 720 through the appliance and a duct 714 which extends from the first body 712 to a second body 716.

(118) The fluid flow path 720 has a fluid intake 720a at a rear end 712a of the body 712 and a fluid outflow 720b at a front end 712b of the body 712. Thus, fluid can flow along the whole length of the body 712. The fluid flow path 720 is a central flow path for the body 712 and for at least a part of the length of the body 712 the fluid flow path is surrounded and defined by a tubular housing 718.

(119) A primary fluid flow path 730 is provided. The primary fluid flow path 730 has a filter covered inlet 730a in the second body portion 716. A fan assembly 760 which includes a fan and a motor is also provided in the second body portion 716 and fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 730 by the fan assembly 760. Fluid that enters the inlet 730a is drawn in by the fan assembly 760, through the second body portion 716 into duct 714. The inlet 730a is covered by a filter which filters fluid before it reaches the fan assembly i.e. it is a pre-motor filter. Where duct 714 meets the body 712, the primary fluid flow path 730 is defined by the outer wall 780 of the body 712 and the tubular housing 718. Housed within this primary flow path between the two walls 780, 718 of the body is an at least partially annular heater 746 which can heat the fluid that flows through the primary flow path 730. Thus fluid which is drawn into the appliance is subsequently directly heated by the heater.

(120) The entrained fluid that passes through the fluid flow path 720 exits from a downstream end 718b of the tubular housing and combines with the fluid that exits the primary fluid flow path 730 near the fluid outlet 712b of the body 712. Thus the drawn flow is augmented or supplemented by the entrained flow.

(121) FIGS. 40 and 41 show a one handled appliance 800 having a body 812 which defines a fluid flow path 820 through the appliance and a duct 814 which extends from the first body 812.

(122) The fluid flow path 820 has a fluid intake 820a at a rear end 812a of the body 712 and a fluid outflow 820b at a front end 812b of the body 812. Thus, fluid can flow along the whole length of the body 812. The fluid flow path 820 is a central flow path for the body 812 and for at least a part of the length of the body 812 the fluid flow path is surrounded and defined by a tubular housing 818.

(123) A primary fluid flow path 830 is provided. The primary fluid flow path 830 has a filtered inlet 830a in the duct 814. A fan assembly 860 which includes a fan and a motor is also provided in the duct 814 and fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 830 by the fan assembly 860. Fluid that enters the inlet 830a is drawn in by the fan assembly 860, through the duct 814 and into the body 812. The inlet 830a is covered by a filter which filters fluid before it reaches the fan assembly i.e. it is a pre-motor filter. In the body 812, the primary fluid flow path 830 is defined by the outer wall 880 of the body 812 and the tubular housing 818. Housed within this primary flow path between the two walls 880, 818 of the body is an at least partially annular heater 846 which can heat the fluid that flows through the primary flow path 830. Thus fluid which is drawn into the appliance is subsequently directly heated by the heater.

(124) The entrained fluid that passes through the fluid flow path 820 exits from a downstream end 818b of the tubular housing and combines with the fluid that exits the primary fluid flow path 830 near the fluid outlet 812b of the body 812. Thus the drawn flow is augmented or supplemented by the entrained flow.

(125) For all the embodiments described, the inner opening at one or other end of the appliance can be used to store the appliance for example, by hooking the inner opening onto a retainer such as a hook or nail for convenient storage and retrieval as required.

(126) In all the embodiments described herein, the heater 46, 96, 296, 382, 388, 392, 446, 546, 646, 746, 846 is inaccessible from one or more of the inlet and outlet of the appliance. Referring to FIG. 12 for simplicity, at the inlet end 12a of the body 12 the tubular housing 18 surrounds the internal surface of the heater 46, thus any foreign object that enters the inlet will not directly contact the heater. In fact, when the fan unit is switched on, anything loose that enters the inlet will be drawn in and through the body by the entrained fluid.

(127) At the outlet 12b, depending on the configuration of the internal ducting, there may be a small indirect passage to the heater but as the downstream end 18b of the tubular housing 18 is further downstream that the heater 46 anything inserted would not have a direct line of sight to the heater and would have to be thinner and longer than say a child's finger to reach the heater. In addition when the appliance is switched on entrained fluid will be blowing the other way, accidental ingress of objects at this end 12b is unlikely. Obviously, the downstream end 18b of the tubular housing will be hot when the heater is on but not as hot as the heater. This is useful from a safety aspect. If something is inserted into the appliance, it cannot contact the heater directly.

(128) In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18,19, 27, 28 to 35 as the tubular housing 218, 394, 418, 518 extends for the whole length of the body 12, there is only a small annular opening for access to the heater.

(129) The invention has been described in detail with respect to a hairdryer however, it is applicable to any appliance that draws in a fluid and directs the outflow of that fluid from the appliance.

(130) The appliance can be used with or without a heater; the action of the outflow of fluid at high velocity has a drying effect.

(131) The fluid that flows through the appliance is generally air, but may be a different combination of gases or gas and can include additives to improve performance of the appliance or the impact the appliance has on an object the output is directed at for example, hair and the styling of that hair.

(132) The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.