HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment having an air inlet, an air outlet. The attachment has a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet, and a rib positioned such that the rib interacts with airflow exiting the air outlet to align the airflow exiting the air outlet. Airflow exiting the air outlet generates a first force to attract hair toward the curved surface, and a second force to push hair away from the curved surface.

Claims

1. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet, and a rib positioned such that the rib interacts with airflow exiting the air outlet to align the airflow exiting the air outlet.

2. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein airflow exiting the air outlet generates a first force to attract hair toward the curved surface, and a second force to push hair away from the curved surface, and the rib is positioned to align airflow across the curved surface.

3. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rib is movable relative to the air outlet.

4. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rib is positioned to bisect airflow exiting the air outlet to align airflow.

5. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, comprising connecting members for holding the rib in position in airflow exiting the air outlet.

6. The attachment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connecting members are rigidly connected to the rib.

7. The attachment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connecting members are equally spaced along a length of the rib.

8. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, comprising a channel for turning airflow exiting the air outlet turned towards the curved surface, wherein the rib is positioned to smooth airflow in the channel.

9. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first channel for directing airflow in a first direction across the curved surface and a second channel for directing airflow in a second, opposite direction across the curved surface, and wherein the rib is movable relative to the air outlet to smooth airflow in the first and second channels.

10. The attachment as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first channel is arranged to direct airflow across a first region of the curved surface and the second channel is arranged to direct airflow across a second, different region of the curved surface, the first and second regions of the curved surface being adjacent to and downstream of opposite sides of the air outlet.

11. The attachment as claimed in claim 8, comprising a switching member for switching airflow between the first and second channels, the switching member movable from a first switch position in which airflow passes through the first channel across the first region of the curved surface in a first direction and does not pass through the second channel, to a second switch position in which airflow passes through the second air outlet across the curved surface in a second, opposite direction and does not pass through the first channel.

12. The attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rib is connected to the switching member such that a position of the rib relative to the first and second channels is different dependent on whether the switching member is in the first switch position or the second switch position.

13. The attachment as claimed in claim 11, comprising a retention mechanism for retaining the switching member in one of the first and second switch positions in the absence of an applied force to the switching member by a user of the haircare appliance.

14. The attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a first pair of magnets configured to retain the switching member in the first switch position and a second pair of magnets configured to retain the switching member in the second switch position.

15. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, comprising a main body defining the air outlet and the curved surface, wherein the main body is rotatable relative to the rib between a first position in which airflow exiting the air outlet interacts with the rib and a second position, in which airflow exiting the air outlet does not interact with the rib.

16. The attachment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the main body is generally cylindrical and configured to direct airflow exiting the air outlet in a radial direction, and wherein the rib is for aligning airflow turning from the radial direction toward the curved surface when the main body is in the first position.

17. The attachment as claimed in claim 3, comprising a user interface operable by a user to move the rib relative to the air outlet.

18. A haircare appliance comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet, and a rib positioned such that the rib interacts with airflow exiting the air outlet to align the airflow exiting the air outlet.

19. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 18, comprising a handle unit within which the airflow generator is housed, and an attachment releasably attachable to the handle unit, the attachment comprising the air outlet, the curved surface, and the rib.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a haircare appliance according to the present invention;

[0079] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a handle unit of the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

[0080] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1, illustrating the attachment in a second mode;

[0081] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 3, illustrating the attachment in the second mode;

[0082] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 3, illustrating the attachment in a first mode;

[0083] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating forces created by airflow through the attachment of FIG. 3 in use in the first mode;

[0084] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the attachment of FIG. 3, illustrating the attachment in the first mode and a first switch position;

[0085] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the attachment of FIG. 3, illustrating the attachment in the first mode and a second switch position; and

[0086] FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view of the attachment of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0087] A haircare appliance according to the present invention, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in FIG. 1.

[0088] The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 12, and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 12.

[0089] The handle unit 12 comprises a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20, as can be seen schematically in FIG. 2.

[0090] The housing 14 is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14, and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The airflow generator is configured to generate airflow at a flow rate in the region of 8 to 18 L/S, for example in the region of 10 to 16 L/s. An appropriate airflow generator is the Dyson V9 Digital Motor, produced by Dyson Technology Limited. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14, and comprises heating elements 30 to optionally heat the airflow.

[0091] The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32 and a control module 34. The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the housing 14, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold). In the example of FIG. 1, the user interface comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged.

[0092] The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16, and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16 in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 18 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

[0093] The attachment 100 is shown schematically in FIGS. 3-5 and 7-9.

[0094] The attachment 100 comprises a main body 102 comprising an air inlet 108, an air outlet 110, a curved surface 104, and a plurality of internal baffles 114. The attachment comprises a guide 120, which when aligned with the air outlet 110 of the main body 108 directs airflow from the air outlet 110 across the curved surface 104 of the main body, such that airflow directed by the guide 120 generates a first force to attract hair toward the curved surface 104, and a second force to push hair away from the curved surface 104.

[0095] The air inlet 108 comprises a generally circular aperture formed in the main body 102, and the air inlet 108 is configured to receive airflow from the air outlet 24 of the handle unit 12 when the attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 12 in use. A periphery of the air inlet 108 comprises attaching features for releasably attaching the attachment 100 to the handle unit 12. The attaching features may take many forms, are not pertinent to the present invention, and so will not be described for the sake of brevity.

[0096] The air outlet 110 comprises a generally rectangular slot formed lengthwise along the curved surface 104 of the main body 102. The air outlet 110 comprises a series of baffles extending across a width of the air outlet 110. The baffles may help to align airflow exiting the air outlet 110 and may help prevent hair from inadvertently entering the air outlet 110.

[0097] A cross-sectional view of the curved surface 104 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4. The main body 102 is generally cylindrical and the curved surface 104 is the circumferential surface of the main body 102. Thus, the curved surface 104 is located adjacent to, and downstream of, the air outlet 110. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the main body 102 may not be generally cylindrical and the curved surface 104 may extend only partially around the main body 102.

[0098] The main body 102 is configured to direct airflow exiting the air outlet 110 in a radial direction. The guide 120 is arranged to turn airflow exiting the air outlet 110 from the radial direction towards a tangential direction of a region of the curved surface 104 adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet 110.

[0099] The curved surface 104 is substantially smooth and uninterrupted in form, such that no projections, recesses or apertures are formed thereon. This may enhance the functionality of the attachment 100 which will be described hereafter. The curved surface 104 has a radius of curvature in the region of 10 mm to 60 mm, for example in the region of 15 mm to 40 mm. In a presently preferred embodiment, the curved surface 104 has a radius of curvature in the region of 20 mm. The inventors of the present application have found that such a geometry of the curved surface 104 may provide advantageous effects, as will be described hereafter.

[0100] The plurality of internal baffles 114 are curved in form and extend in a direction from the air inlet 108 to the air outlet 110. The plurality of internal baffles 114 are configured to turn airflow in a direction from the air inlet 108 to a direction toward the air outlet 110, such that airflow is turned through substantially 90 degrees from the air inlet 108 to the air outlet 110. This may enable the handle unit 12 to extend orthogonally relative to the air outlet 110, which may provide greater flexibility in design, and better ergonomics, than, for example a haircare appliance where the air outlet is aligned with a handle unit of the haircare appliance.

[0101] The main body 102 is rotatable about its central longitudinal axis 103 relative to the guide 120, between a first position in which airflow exiting the air outlet 110 is directed by the guide 120, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, and a second position in which airflow exiting the air outlet 110 is not directed by the guide 120, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The direction of airflow out of the air outlet 110 is denoted by arrow 101 in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, which show different operating configurations of the attachment 100.

[0102] The position of the main body 102 relative to the guide 120 determines an operating mode of the haircare appliance 100. In this embodiment, when the main body 102 is in the first position, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the haircare appliance 100 is configured to operate in a first, styling mode and airflow is guided by the guide 120 across the curved surface 104. When the main body 102 is in the second position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the haircare appliance 100 is configured to operate in a second, drying mode and airflow exits the air outlet 110 towards a user's hair.

[0103] The first and second positions of the main body 102 are 180 degrees apart from one another. That is, the main body 102 is rotated by 180 degrees relative to the guide 120 to move between the first and second positions. In other embodiments the first and second positions may be less than 180 degrees apart from one another.

[0104] The attachment 100 comprises a handle 112 protruding from a distal end of the main body 102. The distal end is an opposite end of the main body 102 to the air inlet 108. The handle 112 is rigidly attached to the main body and is rotatable by a user to rotate the main body 102 relative to the guide 120 between the first and second positions. It will be appreciated that the handle 112 could be provided in any suitable form for operation by a user to rotate the main body 102 relative to the guide 120, for example a toggle, push button or touch screen. The handle 112 is comprised in a cool tip which is relatively insulated from the heat of the airflow within the attachment.

[0105] The guide 120 is arranged to turn airflow exiting the air outlet 110 towards the curved surface 104 when the main body 102 is in the first position, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8. The inventors of the present application have found that airflow attaches to the curved surface 102 via the Coanda effect. With reference to the schematic illustration of the interaction of forces shown in FIG. 6, when a tress of hair is brought into the vicinity of the attachment 100, long hairs of the tress are attracted to, and at least partially wrapped about, the curved surface 102 by a force F_PULL, as a result of a negative pressure region generated by the airflow over the curved surface 102. However, the pressure gradient across the tress also results in a force, F_PUSH, which causes some airflow to pass directly through the tress. Due to the location of this force relative to the curved surface 102 and the rest of the tress, shorter hairs are only held loosely at this point compared to longer hairs which are held in place on the curved surface 102. The shorter hairs are blown through the tress toward a user's head, whilst the longer hairs remain in place on the outside of the tress, ie the portion of the tress facing away from the user's head. This provides a smooth finish for hair following interaction with the haircare appliance 10.

[0106] This effect can be optimised by appropriate modification of the geometries and parameters described herein. One such parameter that may provide increased effectiveness is the velocity of airflow at the air outlet 110 of the attachment 100. In particular, too great a velocity may result in shorter hairs sticking to the curved surface 102 and hence not being pushed away through longer hairs, whilst too low a velocity may not be sufficient to attract longer hairs to the curved surface 102 in the first instance.

[0107] The guide 120 comprises a first channel 122 defining a first air outlet 126, a second channel 124 defining a second air outlet 128, first and second flat surfaces 130, an inner casing 132 defining an aperture 133, a pair of guide walls 134, a switching member 140 and a retention mechanism 150, as will be described in more detail herein after. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments some of these features may be omitted.

[0108] The inner casing 132 is arranged to contact the curved surface 104 at least when the main body 102 is in the first position. The inner casing 132 defines an aperture 133 corresponding to the air outlet 110 to allow airflow to flow from the air outlet 110 to the first and second channels 122, 124. The inner casing 132 comprises raised ridges on opposite sides of the aperture 133, the ridges defining convex curved surfaces for guiding airflow from the radial direction towards the curved surface 104 of the main body 102 to provide a smoother flow path for the airflow and thus help reduce turbulence in the airflow.

[0109] The first channel 122 is arranged to direct airflow in a first direction across the curved surface 104. With respect to FIG. 7, this is in an anti-clockwise direction, as denoted by the arrows 101. The second channel 124 is arranged to direct airflow in a second direction across the curved surface 104. With respect to FIG. 8, this is in a clockwise direction, as denoted by the arrow 101.

[0110] The curved surface 104 comprises a continuous surface extending between the first and second air outlets 126, 128, when the main body 102 is in the first position.

[0111] The first and second air outlets 126, 128 comprise rectangular slots extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 103 of the main body. The first and second air outlet 126, 128 are substantially equal in size and shape. The first and second air outlets 126, 128 have the same open cross-sectional area, which is smaller than an open cross-sectional area of the air outlet 110. This provides an increase the velocity of airflow at the first and second air outlets 126, 128 compared with the velocity of airflow at the air outlet 110 for the same air flow rate, and a converging airflow at the first and second air outlets 126, 128.

[0112] The air outlet 110 and the first and second air outlets 126, 128 are fixed air outlets, each with a fixed cross-sectional area, length and width.

[0113] The first and second air outlets 126, 128 each have a length in the region of 50 mm to 150 mm, for example in the region of 75 mm to 85 mm, and a height in the region of 2 mm to 5 mm, for example in the region of 3.0 mm to 4.5 mm. This gives an overall open cross-sectional area of each of the first and second air outlets 126, 128 in the region of 140 mm.sup.2 to 450 mm.sup.2, for example in the region of 225.0 mm.sup.2 to 382.5 mm.sup.2.

[0114] In a presently preferred embodiment, the width of the first and second air outlets 126, 128 is in the region of 77 mm, and the height of the first and second air outlets 126, 128 is in the region of 4.5 mm. The open cross-sectional area of the first and second air outlets 126, 128 is in the region of 346.5 mm.sup.2. The inventors of the present application have found that such dimensions for the first and second air outlets 126, 128 may provide advantageous effects, as will be described hereafter.

[0115] The applicant has determined that a velocity in the region of 30 m/s to 65 m/s at the first or second air outlet 126, 128 may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 102 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 102 whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 102. In a presently preferred embodiment, the velocity of airflow at the first or second air outlet 126, 128 is in the region of 55 m/s.

[0116] Another parameter that may provide increased efficacy for smoothing hair in the manner described above is a ratio of the velocity of airflow at the first or second air outlet 126, 128 to a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator 16. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the ratio is in the region of 2.14 to 5.63, and in a particularly preferred embodiment the ratio is in the region of 2.89. The applicant has found that such a ratio may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 102 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 102, whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 102.

[0117] Another parameter that may provide increased efficacy for smoothing hair in the manner described above is a ratio of flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator 16 to an open cross-sectional area of the first or second air outlet 126, 128. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the ratio is in the region of 0.01 to 0.10, and in a particularly preferred embodiment the ratio is in the region of 0.04. The applicant has found that such a ratio may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 102 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 102, whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 102.

[0118] A further parameter that may provide increased efficacy for smoothing hair in the manner described above is a ratio of a radius of curvature of the curved surface 102 to the velocity of airflow at the first or second air outlet 126, 128. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the ratio is in the region of 0.33 to 2.00, and in a particularly preferred embodiment the ratio is in the region of 0.57. The applicant has found that such a ratio may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 102 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 102, whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 102.

[0119] The flat surfaces 130 are located adjacent to and extending rearwardly from of the first and second air outlets 126, 128, such that the flat surfaces 130 extend rearwardly from an edge of the first and second air outlets 126, 128. The flat surfaces 130 are obliquely angled relative to a respective plane in which the first and second air outlets 126, 128 are disposed, for example at an angle in the range of 3-10 degrees. The flat surfaces 130 are generally planar in form, and are substantially smooth and uninterrupted, for example with no projections, recesses or apertures formed thereon. The flat surfaces 130 have a height in the region of 5 mm to 20 mm. The functionality of the flat surfaces 130 will be described hereafter. It will be appreciated that in embodiments in which the guide 120 comprises only one channel defining a channel outlet 126, 128, the guide comprises a single flat surface 130 adjacent to and extending rearwardly from the channel outlet 126, 128.

[0120] The pair of guide walls 134 are for directing airflow along the curved surface 104 and are disposed on opposing edges of the curved surface 104. The guide walls 134 are upstanding from the curved surface 104. The guide walls 134 extend along the full arc length of the curved surface 104. In this embodiment the guide walls 134 extend around the main body 102 to form a pair of rings within which the main body 102 rotates. That is, the guide walls 134 extend from around the main body 102 from the first air outlet 126 to the second air outlet 128. The guide walls 134 have a height substantially corresponding to a height of the first and second air outlets 126, 128, and have a constant height along their length.

[0121] As mentioned above, the pair of guide walls 134 extend along opposing edges of the curved surface 104. This effectively creates an airflow channel, with the pair of guide walls 134 acting as walls of the channel, and the curved surface 104 acting as a bed of the channel. The guide walls 134 inhibit ambient air from interacting with airflow flowing along the curved surface 104 in use, which may maintain the negative pressure region created by airflow flowing along the curved surface 104.

[0122] The attachment 100 comprises a switching member 140 for switching airflow between the first and second air outlets 126, 128. The switching member 140 is movable from a first switch position (as shown in FIG. 7) to a second switch position (as shown in FIG. 8). In the first switch position, and when the main body 102 is in the first position, airflow passes through the first air outlet 126 across the curved surface 104 and does not pass through the second air outlet 128. In the second switch position, and when the main body 102 is in the first position, airflow passes through the second air outlet 128 across the curved surface 104 and does not pass through the first air outlet 126.

[0123] The switching member 140 is arranged to form a seal between the first air outlet 126 and the second air outlet 128 when the switching member 140 is in the first switch position and the second switch position, to block the first or second channel 122, 124. In this embodiment, an edge of the switching member 140 is arranged to contact the inner casing 132 of the guide 130 to block airflow to the respective first or second channel 122, 124 and allow airflow to pass through the other of the first or second channel 122, 124.

[0124] The switching member 140 is elongate, having a length at least as long as a length of the air outlet 110. The switching member 140 is at least as long as a length of the first and second air outlets 126, 128. The switching member 140 extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis 103 of the main body 102.

[0125] The switching member 140 comprises an arced, or curved surface 146 for turning airflow toward the first or second air outlet 126, 128. The switching member 140 thus forms a concave surface for guiding airflow from a radial direction of the main body 102 towards a tangential direction of the curved surface 104.

[0126] The attachment 100 comprises a handle 142 positioned on the switching member 140. The handle 142 is movable by a user to move the switching member 140 between the first switch position and the second switch position. The switching member 140 and the handle 142 form a single body. It will be appreciated that any other suitable user interface could be employed to move the switching member 140 between the first and second switch positions.

[0127] The switching member 140 is movable between the first and second switch positions about a pivot 144 such that the switching member 140 rotates about the pivot 144. The switching member 140 rotates about the pivot 144 by an angle in the regions of 18 degrees to 30 degrees to move between the first and second switch positions, for example between 22 and 26 degrees. The handle 142 is positioned on an outer portion of the switching member 142, the outer portion being further from the longitudinal axis 103 of the main body 102 than the pivot 144. The handle is therefore more easily accessible to the user. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the switching member 140 may move between the first and second switch positions in any suitable way, such as sliding of the switching member 140 relative to the air outlet 110.

[0128] The attachment 100 comprises a retention mechanism 150. The retention mechanism is for retaining the switching member 140 in one of the first and second switch positions in the absence of an applied force to the handle 142 of the switching member 140 by a user of the haircare appliance 10. The retention mechanism 150 is arranged to retain the switching member 140 in the other switch position upon application of an applied force to the handle 142 of the switching member 140 by a user of the haircare appliance 10. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the retention mechanism 150 holds the switching member 140 in the first switch position shown in FIG. 7 until a user applies a force (denoted by arrow 152) to the handle 142. Upon application of the force 152, the switching member 140 is released from the first switch position and moved to the second switch position shown in FIG. 8, where it is held by the retention mechanism 150 until application of force to the handle 142 by a user.

[0129] The retention mechanism 150 comprises a first pair of magnetic elements 154 configured to retain the switching member 140 in the first switch position and a second pair of magnetic elements 156 configured to retain the switching member 140 in the second switch position. A first magnetic element in each of the pairs of magnetic elements 154, 156 is located on an inner side of the respective flat surface 130 and a second magnetic element in each of the pairs of magnetic elements 154, 156 is located at an opposing location on the switching member 140 to the first magnetic element in the respective pair of magnetic elements 154, 156. In this example, the first magnetic element in each of the pairs of magnetic elements 154, 156 comprises a sheet metal and the second magnetic element in each of the pairs of magnetic elements 154, 156 comprises a magnet arranged to attract the sheet metal. It will be appreciated that the retention mechanism may comprise other forms of retention, such as releasable mechanical fasteners and a biasing element.

[0130] The second magnetic element in each of the pairs of magnetic elements 154, 156 is positioned on an inner portion of the switching mechanism 140, the inner portion being closer to the longitudinal axis 103 of the main body 102 than the pivot. This may prevent a user from being able to access the magnetic elements and thus tamper with them.

[0131] A minimum force 152 required to overcome the retention mechanism 150 to move the switching member 140 between the first switch position and the second switch position is in the region up to 5 N, more specifically 0.3 N to 3 N.

[0132] The attachment 100 comprises a rib 148, which, in this embodiment, is connected to the switching member 140. The rib 148 is positioned such that it interacts with airflow exiting the air outlet 110 to align the airflow exiting the air outlet 110, thus providing a more laminar flow at the respective first of second air outlets 126, 128. The rib 148 is positioned relative to the first and second channels 122, 124 to smooth airflow in the first and second channels 122, 124 and thus provide a more laminar airflow at the first and second air outlets 126, 128 before the airflow flows across the curved surface.

[0133] The rib 148 interacts with airflow exiting the air outlet 110 to provide a more aligned, smoother, more laminar flow at the first air outlet 126 which in turn provides a more cohesive airflow across the curved surface 104. As airflow is turned, the airflow typically separates and thus becomes more turbulent and noisy. The rib 148 has an upper and a lower surface along which airflow passes as it flows through the first and second channels 122, 124 which helps to reduce flow separation and thus turbulence and noise compared to an attachment 100 without the rib 148.

[0134] The rib 148 is movable relative to the air outlet 110 by virtue of being connected to the switching member 140. The rib 148 may thus be movable relative to the air outlet 110 by a user applying a force to the handle 142 to move the switching member 140, and therefore the rib, between the first and second switch positions.

[0135] The rib 148 is elongate, having a length at least as long as a length of the air outlet 110 such that the rib 148 interacts with air across substantially all of the length of the air outlet 110.

[0136] The rib 148 comprises substantially smooth edges to reduce turbulence in the first and second channels 122, 124.

[0137] The rib 148 is held apart from the curved surface 146 of the switching member 140 by connecting members 149 (best shown in FIG. 9) to allow airflow to flow across either side of the rib 148. Airflow exiting the air outlet 110 is bisected by the rib 148 and passes between adjacent connecting members 149, when the main body 102 is in the first position.

[0138] The connecting members 149 are spaced along a length of the rib 148. The connecting members 149 rigidly connect the rib 148 to the switching member 140 such that the rib 148 is immovable relative to the switching member 140. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the rib 148 may be movable relative to the switching member 140.

[0139] The rib 148 and the connecting member 149 form a single body.

[0140] The haircare appliance 10 comprises an alert module 36. The alert module is arranged to provide to alert a user that the main body 102 is in the first position or the second position and/or to alert a user that the switching member 140 is in the first switch position of the second switch position. The alert module 36 comprises one or more of a haptic feedback module, an audible indicium or a visual indicium. In this embodiment the alert module 36 is shown as being in the handle unit 12, but it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the alert module 36 may be comprised in the attachment 100. The haircare appliance 10 may comprise separate alert modules 36 for the main body 102 and the switching member 140.

[0141] In use, the attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 12. The airflow generator 16 generates an airflow from the air inlet 22 of the handle unit 12 to the air outlet 24 of the handle unit 12, such that airflow passes from the air outlet 24 of the handle unit to the air inlet 108 of the attachment 100. Airflow flows from the air inlet 108 of the attachment through the main body 102, and is turned by the plurality of internal baffles 114 toward the air outlet 110 of the attachment 100. Airflow exits the main body 102 via the air outlet 110 and passes over the curved surface 102 if the main body 102 is in the first position or flows in a radial direction of the main body 102 if the main body 102 is in the second position.

[0142] In use, the main body 102 is rigidly held in position relative to the handle unit 12 and the guide 120 is rotatable relative to the handle unit 12 to move the main body 102 between the first and second positions. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the guide 120 may be rigidly positioned relative to the handle unit 12 and the main body 102 is rotatable relative to the handle 12 and the guide 120 between the first and second positions.

[0143] In use, the switching member 140 is moveable between the first and second switch positions upon application of a force by a user to the handle 142. The force may be applied by a user's hand, or force generated upon contact between the handle 142 and the user's hair and/or head. The handle 142 is located at a rear edge of the flat surfaces 130 and therefore may contact the user's hair and/or head in use, as described in more detail hereinafter, to move the switching member between the first and second switch positions.

[0144] In use, the attachment 100 can be moved along a length of a tress of hair, for example in a direction from root to tip of hair of the tress. A respective one of the flat surfaces 130 is positioned relative to the curved surface 104 such that the flat surface 130 contacts hair extending rearwardly from of the air outlet 110 whilst hair downstream of the air outlet 110 contacts the curved surface 104. As previously mentioned, the flat surface 130 is substantially smooth and uninterrupted in form, with no projections, recesses or apertures formed thereon. As the haircare appliance 10 is moved along a length of a tress of hair in use, the flat surface 130 passes across hair that has been smoothed via interaction with the curved surface 104. In view of the smooth and uninterrupted nature of the flat surface 130, the flat surface 130 does not disrupt hair that has already been smoothed, leading to a better finish than, for example, a corresponding haircare appliance that has bristles and/or further air outlets located rearwardly of the air outlet 110.

[0145] Although described herein as embodiments with releasable attachments, embodiments are also envisaged where, rather than the haircare appliance comprising a handle unit and an attachment the haircare appliance is a single-piece unit, for example taking the form of the combined handle unit and attachment previously described.