Vibrating hair straightener with integrated hair care

Abstract

Electric hair straightener (100) comprising a straightening iron (10) formed by two articulated arms (11, 12) provided with heating plates (111, 121), a water reservoir (20) separate from the straightening iron and a hose (30) connecting said reservoir to said iron for conveying the water before it is transformed into steam by a steam generator (151), the arms being capable of moving relative to one another between an open position allowing a lock of hair to be placed between the heating plates and a closed position allowing the previously placed lock of hair to be clamped by said plates, the straightening iron further including an activatable vibrator (16) to vibrate the heating plates, and the water reservoir (20) further comprising a removable cosmetic product refill (21), said straightener thus allowing a hair care product to be applied during the straightening process.

Claims

1. Electric hair straightener (100) comprising a straightening iron (10) formed by two articulated arms (11, 12) provided with heating plates (111, 121), a water reservoir (20) separate from the straightening iron and a hose (30) connecting said reservoir to said iron for conveying the water before it is transformed into steam by a steam generator (151), the arms being capable of moving relative to one another between an open position allowing a lock of hair to be placed between the heating plates and a closed position allowing the previously placed lock of hair to be clamped by said plates, said straightener being characterised in that the straightening iron includes an activatable vibrator (16) to vibrate the heating plates, and in that the water reservoir (20) comprises a removable cosmetic product refill (21).

2. Straightener according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator (16) is an electric vibration motor fastened inside an arm (11, 12) of the straightening iron (10).

3. Straightener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibrator (16) is placed in a cage (116) that is integral with an arm (11, 12) of the straightening iron (10).

4. Straightener according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one button (143) for adjusting the frequency of the vibrations generated by the vibrator (16) between different frequency levels.

5. Straightener according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a digital display screen (142) on which information about the status of the vibrator (16) can be displayed.

6. Straightener according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the refill (21) is fastened to the water reservoir (20) by interlocking.

7. Straightener according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the refill (21) includes a grasping means (211) facilitating the removal thereof from the water reservoir (20).

8. Straightener according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water reservoir comprises a pump (24), the inlet and the outlet whereof are connected to a dispensing nozzle (261) communicating with the interior of the refill (21) and to the hose (30) respectively.

9. Straightener according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the refill (21) is a disposable cartridge.

10. Straightener according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the refill (21) contains a keratin-based and/or hyaluronic acid-based cosmetic product.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] The figures are given for illustrative purposes only for a better understanding of the invention and do not limit the scope thereof. The different elements can be represented diagrammatically and are not necessarily to the same scale. Identical or equivalent elements bear the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0032] The drawings thus illustrate, in:

[0033] FIG. 1: a perspective view of a straightener with the straightening iron thereof and the water reservoir thereof according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 2: a perspective view of the straightener with the steam hose and electric power cord;

[0035] FIG. 3a: a perspective view of the straightening iron in an open position (default position);

[0036] FIG. 3b: a perspective view of the straightening iron in a closed position;

[0037] FIG. 4: an exploded view of the straightening iron showing the vibrator;

[0038] FIG. 5: a transparent view of the straightening iron showing the location of the vibrator in the upper arm;

[0039] FIG. 6: an overhead view of the straightening iron without the outer half shell of the upper arm with a close-up view of the arrangement of the vibrator;

[0040] FIG. 7a: a front perspective view of the water reservoir;

[0041] FIG. 7b: a rear perspective view of the water reservoir showing the cosmetic product refill;

[0042] FIG. 8: a perspective view of the cosmetic product refill by itself;

[0043] FIG. 9: a partial perspective view of the reservoir showing the pump;

[0044] FIG. 10: another partial perspective view of the reservoir;

[0045] FIG. 11: a perspective view of the reservoir without the base thereof, focused on the dispensing nozzle connected to the refill;

[0046] FIG. 12: a perspective view of the reservoir without the refill;

[0047] FIG. 13: a perspective view of the refill focused on the bottom face thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0048] It should be noted that certain technical elements well known to a person skilled in the art are described herein to avoid any insufficiency or ambiguity in the understanding of the present invention.

[0049] In the embodiment described hereinbelow, reference is made to a conventional steam straightener (equipped with flat heating plates), intended primarily for straightening hair and treating it by applying cosmetic care products. This non-limiting example is given for a better understanding of the invention and does not exclude the use of the principles of the invention in other hair styling and hair treatment devices such as curling irons, commonly called “curling wands”, and generally provided with cylindrical or conical tips to give hair a wavy look.

[0050] In the remainder of the description, the term “straightening iron” shall refer to a manual hair straightening device primarily comprising two heating plates between which the locks of hair are placed in order to be straightened, and the term “straightener” shall refer laconically in the context of the invention to a steam-type straightening iron and the water reservoir thereof.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows the main elements of a straightener 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, i.e. a straightening iron 10 and a water reservoir 20.

[0052] The connection elements, comprising a steam hose and optionally an electric power cord, are not shown in this figure.

[0053] More specifically, the straightening iron 10 is connected to the water reservoir 20 by means of a so-called steam hose which allows water to be conveyed from the reservoir to the iron. The electric power supply to the straightener 100 can be provided by a connection to the mains via an electric cable or autonomously using a battery preferably placed in the base of the reservoir 20.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a steam hose 30 connecting the straightening iron 10 to the water reservoir 20 and represents one example embodiment wherein said reservoir is provided with an electric power cable 40 for connection to the mains.

[0055] The straightener 100 has been optimised for improved user experience, in particular with regard to the result of the straightening process, handling and ergonomics. More specifically, the straightening iron 10 is vibrating and does not incorporate the water reservoir nor the cosmetic product refill. As a result, the water reservoir 20 is separate from the iron and can accommodate refills (or cartridges) filled with cosmetic products such as hair care products. Thus, the straightening iron 10 is lighter so as not to cause discomfort during use, especially when use is prolonged over time, and the water reservoir 20 is heavier to improve the stability thereof compared to certain reservoirs of existing models of straighteners known to be unstable.

[0056] The straightening iron 10 is formed by two articulated arms, an upper arm 11 and a lower arm 12, mounted via a pivot link about an axis 13 substantially perpendicular to an axis along which each arm extends. The arms 11 and 12 are articulated at the distal ends thereof, located in the vicinity of the inlet of the steam hose 30. Opposite this, at the proximal ends thereof, the arms 11 and 12 are equipped with two heating plates 111 and 121 respectively, arranged facing one another so as to be able to clamp the locks of hair during straightening in accordance with normal handling of the straightening iron 10.

[0057] More specifically, the straightening iron 10 has two positions of use, an open position allowing the lock of hair to be inserted between the heating plates 111 and 121, and a closed position allowing said plates to be applied against the lock of hair. Similarly to a pair of pliers, the straightening iron 10 is by default in an open position and can be brought into a resiliently-stressed closed position by pressing on the arms 11 and 12. The release of this pressure brings the iron back into the open position under the action of a torsion spring.

[0058] FIG. 3a shows the straightening iron 10 in the open position, wherein the two arms 11 and 12 are angularly spaced apart from one another about the axis of the pivot 13. The maximum angular separation allowed corresponds to the default position of the straightening iron 10 and must be sufficient to allow a lock of hair measuring a few centimetres to be inserted between the plates 111 and 121, while allowing the iron 10 to be safely gripped manually by the narrow portions of the arms 11 and 12 located upstream of said plates.

[0059] FIG. 3b shows the straightening iron 10 in a closed position, wherein the heating plates 111 and 121 are pressed together, such that when a lock of hair is gripped between said plates, they exert sufficient pressure which, together with the transmitted heat, temporarily styles the shape of the lock for an overall straightened effect. The hair treatment, in particular with the vibrations of the straightening iron 10, will be described hereinbelow.

[0060] The hair straightener 10 further includes electronic control and power control means, a digital display screen, control buttons, a steam generator and a vibrator.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the straightening iron 10 according to one example embodiment and enables the essential components thereof described hereinbelow to be viewed.

[0062] According to this example, the shell of the upper arm 11 consists of two half-shells assembled together, an outer half-shell 11a and a lower half-shell 11b. Similarly, the shell of the lower arm 12 consists of two half-shells assembled together, an outer half-shell 12a and an inner half-shell 12b. In each arm, the half-shells are assembled by suitable fastening means such as screws or by dipping in a manner which allows for the removal thereof. The half-shells of each arm can also be permanently assembled together or manufactured in one piece by moulding, additive manufacturing or any other suitable method.

[0063] Each half-shell of the straightening iron 10 is shaped so as to receive specific elements in a compact configuration. For example, openings are made in the inner half-shells 11b and 12b in order to receive the upper heating plate 111 and lower heating plate 121.

[0064] The straightening iron 10 further includes heating elements 112 and 122 which are in contact with the plates 111 and 121.

[0065] The heating elements 112 and 122 can be of the PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) type or MCH (Metal Ceramic Heater) type depending on the nature of the plates 111 and 121.

[0066] The plates 111 and 121 can be made of ceramic, tourmaline or titanium. Each of the aforementioned materials has its own characteristics that procure a specific result on the hair. Ceramic plates, for example, ensure that heat is distributed homogeneously and thus facilitate straightening.

[0067] Regardless of the technology used to produce the plates and the heating elements thereof, the straightening iron 10 proposes adjusting the temperature of the plates to best suit each hair type.

[0068] The straightening iron 10 further includes a steam generator 151 connected to the water reservoir 20 for generating steam by heating water from said reservoir and discharging it through ports provided for this purpose. The steam generator 151 is arranged in the lower arm 12 such that the ports thereof open out into the steam outlets 125 of said lower arm. A heat-insulating membrane 152, preferably made of a polymer material, is inserted between the ports of the steam generator 151 and the shell of the lower arm 12 to protect the latter from the hot surfaces of the steam generator. Similarly, other insulating parts are shaped and placed appropriately to insulate the hot parts of the straightening iron.

[0069] The steam generator 151 can be heated by its own means or by the heating element 122 with which it can be in contact.

[0070] The combined effect of the heat from the plates and of the steam flow improves the straightening result by keeping the fibre moisturised and by helping the heat to penetrate deep into the lock of hair to avoid overheating the surface fibres.

[0071] To further improve straightening, the straightening iron 10 is vibrating and for this purpose includes a vibrator 16 which produces small oscillations at the plates 111 and 121 to limit hair breakage during straightening.

[0072] The vibrator 16 is, for example, an electric vibrating motor integral with the shell of the straightening iron 10.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows the straightening iron 10 with the outer half-shell of the upper arm 11 shown to be transparent to reveal the vibrator 16, which is placed in a suitable cage 116.

[0074] According to the example shown, the cage 116 consists of two complementary parts, each of which is made in the structure of a half-shell of the upper arm 11.

[0075] FIG. 6 shows the straightening iron 10 without the outer half-shell of the upper arm 11, in which the vibrator 16 can be seen placed in a first half of the cage 116, said half being made in the structure of the inner half-shell.

[0076] It goes without saying that the cage of the vibrator can be independent of the structure of the shell of the arm and added in situ by fastening and/or damping means adapted to modify the mode of propagation of the vibrations generated in the structure of the straightening iron and thus optimise the effect thereof on straightening. The cage of the vibrator can also be made of an acoustically-insulating material in order to minimise the noise of the vibrator during operation.

[0077] The frequency and/or amplitude of the vibrations generated by the vibrator 16 can be adjusted by means of a specific variator incorporated into the electronic control means of the straightening iron 10. The corresponding setting can be configured via one or more dedicated buttons 143.

[0078] For example, for ease of use, a single button 143 can be provided to adjust the intensity of the vibrations, allowing one of several vibration levels to be chosen (for example low, medium and high).

[0079] The electronic means for controlling the straightening iron 10 comprise at least one printed circuit board 141 provided with the ancillaries required for the operation of all of the electrical components of said iron. Moreover, a digital display screen 142 is provided to display temperature information, vibration information, error messages and other information.

[0080] The straightening iron 10 as described thus allows steam straightening to be thermally controlled by adjusting the temperature of the heating plates and mechanically controlled by adjusting the vibrations of said plates, to provide the hair with a fine movement and treatment almost imitating a delicate massage. In addition to this, the straightener 100 provides real hair care by applying a cosmetic product to the hair while straightening, thanks to the water reservoir 20 and the care product refill 21 thereof.

[0081] FIGS. 7a and 7b show the water reservoir 20 and the care product refill 21 thereof. According to this example embodiment, the water reservoir 20 comprises a shell 22 that has an overall cylindrical shape with a substantially elliptical base, in which a recess is provided to receive the refill 21 by sliding longitudinally from a top face 221 of said shell.

[0082] It goes without saying that the refill 21 can be mounted on the reservoir 20 in another way, by lateral sliding or by clamping, etc.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows the care product refill 21 by itself, which includes a grasping means 211 at the upper part thereof intended to facilitate the fastening thereof to and the removal thereof from the reservoir 20. The refill 21 has a shape and dimensions that are adapted to perfectly interlock inside the recess of the refill 20 provided for this purpose.

[0084] The care product refill 21 can contain any type of hair care product, including protein-based products such as keratin as well as products containing other chemical compounds such as hyaluronic acid. For example, the care product can be hair botox. The care product contained in the refill 21 is preferably in liquid or cream form and is capable of being evaporated, or at least of being vaporised, if the boiling temperature thereof is above the boiling point of water. Also preferably, the care product is liquid and of the steam-activated type, in other words it contains active agents whose effect is enhanced by steam.

[0085] The care product refill 21 can be disposable or refillable. In any case, the refill 21 is made of a recyclable material such as a plastic suitable for cosmetic and/or food products.

[0086] FIGS. 9 and 10 show part of the water reservoir in order to view the internal components thereof.

[0087] The cosmetic product contained in the refill 21 is drawn out, as is the water, by means of a pump 24, for example a peristaltic pump, comprising an inlet 241, directly connected to a dispensing nozzle of the refill 21, and an outlet 242 directly connected to the steam generator of the straightening iron 10 by the steam hose 30. The connection between the pump 24 and the refill 21 can be provided by a small-diameter flexible pipe placed at the base 223 of the reservoir 20.

[0088] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the dispensing nozzle 261 which extends into a connector 262, said connector being inserted in a sealed manner into the refill 21 to allow the liquid (water, cosmetic product or a mixture thereof) contained in said refill to pass.

[0089] A channel 222 is provided on the shell 22 of the reservoir 20 for the steam hose 30 and optionally for the power cord 40.

[0090] The reservoir 20 further comprises electronic control means 25 in the form of a printed circuit board and an on/off button 23 which can even centralise this function for the straightening iron.

[0091] FIG. 13 shows the bottom face of the refill 21, on which a shoulder 212 can be seen forming a stop when said refill is being inserted into the reservoir, and an opening 213 that closes with a plug and allows the refill to be filled/emptied.

[0092] It is clear from the present description that a straightener according to the invention is capable of being made in different ways depending on the ultimate purpose thereof and on the type of treatment desired for the hair. Thus, the same principles of the invention can be applied to a curling iron. Moreover, some elements of the straightener can be slightly modified or replaced while still remaining within the scope of the invention.