HAIR TREATMENT DEVICE THAT DIFFUSES STEAM ONTO THE HAIR

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair treatment device (10), comprising at least one steam outlet (30) for emitting steam onto the hair, a system (40) for supplying steam to said at least one steam outlet (30), at least one detector (50) for detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair, a steam control unit (59) configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet (30), by the steam supply system (40) when at least one predefined condition is met, this condition being a hair contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector (50).

Claims

1. Hair treatment device (10), comprising at least one steam outlet (30) for emitting steam onto the hair, a system (40) for supplying steam to said at least one steam outlet (30), at least one detector (50) for detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair, a steam control unit (59) configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet (30) by the steam supply system (40) when at least one predefined condition is met, this condition being a hair contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector (50).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the treatment device is a brush comprising a plurality of teeth (23a, 23b).

3. Device according to claim 2, comprising means (35) for heating the teeth for heating at least some of the plurality of teeth (23a), in particular at least two of the teeth, preferably at least one or more rows of teeth.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact or proximity condition is information on positive detection of hair contact or proximity, in particular when the latter generates information on positive detection of hair contact or proximity by the positive or negative detector, or a match between a value measured by the contact or proximity detector (50) and a setpoint value range, the setpoint value range being predetermined to characterize the contact or proximity of the hair with or to the device.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (50) comprises one or more sensors chosen among mechanical, optical, resistive, capacitive, thermal, motion, magnetic and sound sensors.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (50) comprises at least one sensor detecting a mechanical interaction between the hair and the treatment device, in particular the treatment surface or at least one tooth.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (50) comprises a stress sensor (52) configured to detect a compressive or shear stress applied to a treatment surface (21) and/or to at least one tooth and/or to a feeler (55) present on or in the vicinity of a treatment surface (21) and associated with the stress sensor (52).

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the stress sensor is a piezoelectric sensor (52) configured to detect and/or measure a compressive or shear stress applied by the hair to the treatment surface (21), to the tooth (23a, 23b) and/or to the feeler (55).

9. Device according to claim 7, wherein the feeler (55) is movable, in particular able to pivot, from a rest position about at least one axis of rotation F, with a device configured to detect and/or measure the movement of the feeler (55).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the detector (50) comprises an elastic return member (60) for returning the feeler (55) to a rest position in the absence of external force, the rest position being in particular a neutral reference position of the teeth, substantially perpendicular to a fastening base and/or having an axis of elongation substantially parallel to an axis of elongation of the neighbouring teeth.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detector (50) comprises a proximity sensor, in particular an infrared sensor detecting the proximity of the hair with respect to the sensor, in particular at a distance such that the hair is in contact with the treatment device.

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising means for heating a treatment surface (21) and/or teeth (23a), the detector (50) comprising a temperature sensor, the control unit (59) being configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet (30), by the supply system (40) when at least a decrease in the temperature, in particular of the treatment surface (21) and/or of the teeth (23a), below a setpoint temperature, characteristic of contact or proximity between the device and the hair, is detected by the temperature sensor.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gripping detector (98) for detecting gripping by the user of the device, the control unit (59) being configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the supply system when at least two conditions are met, namely, on the one hand, the contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector (50) and, on the other hand, a gripping condition verified from information generated by the gripping detector (98).

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (59) is configured to prevent the supply of steam by the steam supply system (40) when the device (10) is switched off, before the hair contact or proximity condition is met after switching on the device or when the contact or proximity condition is no longer met over a period greater than or equal to a predefined time delay, for example equal to 5 s, preferably 2 s, more preferably 1 s, preferably 0.5 s.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (59) is configured to supply steam to the steam outlet (30) by the steam supply system (59) when at least two conditions are met, namely, on the one hand, the contact or proximity condition and, on the other hand, a temperature condition in a vaporization chamber (42) for supplying the steam outlet (30), the supply of steam preferably being triggered when positive contact or proximity information is generated or when there is a match between a value measured by the contact or proximity detector (50) and a threshold or a setpoint value range, the threshold or the setpoint value range being chosen to characterize the contact or proximity of the hair with or to the device, and when, on the other hand, the temperature in the vaporization chamber (42) is greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature, in particular 100 C.

16. Method for treating hair with the aid of the device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair using the detector (50), supplying steam to the steam outlet (30) when the supply of steam is authorized or activated by the control unit (59).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0103] FIG. 1 schematically shows in perspective an example of a brush,

[0104] FIG. 2 is a side view of the brush of FIG. 1,

[0105] FIG. 3 is a front view of the brush of FIG. 1,

[0106] FIG. 4 is a view in section along IV-IV of the brush of FIGS. 1 to 3,

[0107] FIG. 5 is a view in section along V-V of the brush of FIGS. 1 to 3,

[0108] FIG. 6 schematically shows various steps of an example of a treatment method with the brush of FIGS. 1 to 5,

[0109] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation in cross section of a variant of a contact detector,

[0110] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation in cross section of a variant of a contact detector,

[0111] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation in cross section of a variant of a contact detector,

[0112] FIG. 10 shows a variant of a feeler of a contact detector,

[0113] FIG. 11 shows a variant of a feeler of a contact detector,

[0114] FIG. 12 schematically shows a variant of a brush,

[0115] FIG. 13 schematically shows a variant of a brush,

[0116] FIG. 14 schematically shows a variant of a brush, and

[0117] FIG. 15 schematically shows various steps of an example of a treatment method with the brush of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0118] FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate an example of a hair brush 10 according to the invention.

[0119] Although a hair brush is shown by way of example, the present invention also relates to other steam-dispensing devices, and in particular to other hair treatment devices which are capable of dispensing steam onto hair.

[0120] The brush 10 has a gripping handle 15 and a treatment head 20. Seen from above, the head 20 may be substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners, as may be seen in FIG. 3, but it could be shaped differently. The head could in particular be substantially polygonal, oval or round when seen from above.

[0121] The head 20 may have a substantially flat treatment surface 21. It is of course conceivable to have a curved, in particular outwardly convex, treatment surface 21, for example being substantially cylindrical in cross section with a closed or semicylindrical outline.

[0122] The head 20 comprises teeth 23a and 23b arranged in a plurality of rows that extend from the treatment surface 21. The rows of teeth 23a and 23b extend along a main axis X of the brush. The rows of teeth may comprise from 8 to 40 teeth; in this case 8 teeth have been shown for illustrative purposes. The teeth may be attached to the brush, in particular being made from a different material to that which defines the treatment surface. The brush may comprise a single row of teeth, in which case it is referred to as a comb.

[0123] The head 20 may comprise, as illustrated, a plurality of steam outlets 30 emerging from the treatment surface 21, which may alternate with the teeth 23 of one of the rows of teeth, in this instance the central row. As a variant, the head comprises a single elongate steam outlet. The steam outlet or outlets may be separate from the area of the teeth 23a and in particular arranged along an edge of the treatment surface 21. Alternatively, the steam outlets may be made in the teeth 23, and in particular emerge on a side of the teeth.

[0124] In the embodiments illustrated, the teeth 23b which extend from the periphery of the treatment surface 21 are in the form of spikes made from a non-heat-conductive material and are identical to one another. The teeth 23a which are distributed in rows over the whole of the treatment surface are made from a heat-conductive material, in particular from iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite or ceramic, optionally provided with a coating. They are identical to one another. As a variant, the teeth 23a and respectively 23b may have different materials, heights, shapes and/or orientations. The teeth 23a and 23b may adopt a completely different arrangement on the treatment surface 21.

[0125] The teeth 23a or 23b are spaced apart from one another by a distance d, measured between the longitudinal axes Y of the teeth, less than or equal to 40 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 10 mm.

[0126] Preferably, the teeth 23a and 23b each extend along a longitudinal axis Y. The longitudinal axis Y of each tooth 23a and 23b may form an angle with the treatment surface 21 of between 6 and 120, for example substantially equal to 90.

[0127] Preferably, the height h of the teeth 23a and 23b is less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably between 2 and 50 mm, more preferably between 5 and 35 mm.

[0128] The treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23a may be heated. Preferably, the treatment surface 21 and the teeth 23 are heated.

[0129] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the teeth 23a are heated by heating means. For example, the brush 10 comprises one or more heating resistors 35, in particular in the head, and the teeth 23a are heated by heat conduction from the head to the distal end of the teeth.

[0130] Preferably, the electrical resistor or resistors 35 are situated in the head of the brush, as shown. In a variant that has not been illustrated, the heating resistor or resistors 35 extend into the teeth 23a in the form of a heating core.

[0131] The brush 10 may comprise a system, not illustrated here, for regulating the temperature by virtue of one or more sensors arranged in the vicinity of the heating resistor or resistors or in contact with the brush and/or at the end of at least one of the teeth.

[0132] The steam outlets 30 are supplied with steam, in the example illustrated, by a steam supply system 40 comprising an elongate rail 45 that extends in a direction parallel to the main axis X and is arranged in the head of the brush.

[0133] The steam outlets 30 are orifices that open onto the rail, for example between 6 and 10 orifices, which are preferably spaced apart evenly along the rail 45 and each have an axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the median treatment plane such that the steam is emitted perpendicularly to the treatment surface along an axis W.

[0134] The steam outlets 30 may have any shape, being in particular square, rectangular, round or elliptical.

[0135] The steam outlets 30 extend over a steam outlet area at the centre of the brush, delimited by the lateral edges of the peripheral steam outlets and extending along an axis of extension, in particular parallel to the main axis X. The steam outlet area extends preferably over a length e greater than or equal to 80% of the dimensions of the treatment surface along this axis.

[0136] The rail 45 is supplied with steam by a vaporization chamber 42, heated by a heating element, which is itself supplied with product to be vaporized by a reservoir 48. The reservoir may be situated in the brush, in particular the handle or the head, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In a variant that has not been illustrated, the reservoir is offset into an external base to which the brush is connected by a duct for supplying product to be vaporized.

[0137] The reservoir of product, in particular water, may have a volume ranging from 1 mL to 50 mL when it is in the handle or in the head of the brush.

[0138] The brush comprises a hair contact detector 50. This detector 50 may comprise a stress sensor 52 configured to detect a mechanical stress applied to a feeler 55, in particular a mechanical stress applied by the hair. The feeler 55 may be a tooth substantially identical to the teeth 23a, but it could be different. The stress sensor 52 may be a stress gauge of the piezoelectric type which detects a shear stress applied to the feeler 55, in particular by the hair.

[0139] The brush comprises a control unit 59, which is external or housed in the brush, in particular at the handle, for controlling the brush according to information provided in particular by the detector 50. The control unit authorizes or triggers the emission of steam through the steam outlet or outlets 30 when one or more conditions are met, including at least one condition of contact between the hair and the brush that is verified from information generated by the detector 50, in particular information on positive detection of hair contact or a match between a value measured by the detector and a threshold or a setpoint value range characterizing the presence of contact between the device and the hair.

[0140] When the brush is being used, it is passed over the hair at a speed preferably ranging from 0.5 cm/s to 50 cm/s. The hair may or may not be combed before the brush is used. When the brush passes into the hair, the latter come into contact with the feeler and exert a stress, in particular a bending stress, on the feeler. It is this stress which is measured by the stress sensor 52.

[0141] Preferably, when steam is emitted through the steam outlets 30, it is emitted with a flow rate ranging from 0.5 to 0.95 mL/min.sup.1, and the speed of the steam emitted at the mouth of the steam outlets preferably ranges from 30 cm/s to 5 m/s.

[0142] The brush may comprise a user interface 18 allowing the user to enter various input data, in particular an operating temperature, a steam flow rate or a characteristic of the hair, or to deactivate one or more functions of the brush, in particular the application of steam or the application of heat. The interface may also allow the brush to transmit information to the user, in particular the temperature of the treatment surface or of the teeth, or the end of heating of the vaporization chamber and/or of the treatment surface and/or of the teeth.

[0143] FIG. 6 illustrates operating steps of the brush.

[0144] In step 100, the brush is switched on by the user. Switching on may take place for example by connecting the appliance to the mains and/or by pressing an on switch present on the brush, for example on the handle, in particular in the case of portable appliances. This switching on triggers a rise in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23a, in step 102, and a rise in temperature of the vaporization chamber 42, in step 104, with the supply of steam to the steam outlets not being activated. The rises in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23a and of the vaporization chamber 42 are maintained as long as the treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23a and the vaporization chamber 42 have not reached setpoint temperatures, as is illustrated by steps 106 and 108 and the arrows 110 and 112.

[0145] When the two setpoint temperatures are reached in step 114, the brush can indicate this to the user, in particular via the lighting of an LED. Where appropriate, if it is not already switched on, the detector 50 is switched on in step 116.

[0146] The control of the temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23a and of the vaporization chamber 42 may be carried out with the aid of one or temperature sensors.

[0147] The brush may also switch on the detector only after a predetermined time, this period being greater than the heating period necessary for the rise in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23a and the vaporization chamber 42 to the setpoint temperatures.

[0148] In step 118, the detector 50 measures a value and compares it with a threshold or with a setpoint value range characteristic of the contact between the hair and the brush. As long as the measured value does not reach this threshold or is not in the setpoint value range, no steam is emitted, as is illustrated by step 120 and the arrow 122. As soon as the detected value crosses the threshold or is in the setpoint value range, the control unit 59 triggers the emission of steam in step 124.

[0149] The emission of steam is stopped when the brush is switched off or when the value detected by the detector 50 is below the threshold or outside the setpoint value range for a predefined period, for example less than or equal to 2 s, preferably less than or equal to 1 s, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 s, in step 126.

[0150] FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate variants of the detector 50 which differ from the detector described above in terms of the structure of the stress sensor 52.

[0151] In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the stress sensor 52 is a rotatable potentiometer 60 on which there is mounted a feeler 55 which is pivotable about an axis F. The feeler 55 is maintained in a rest position by two springs 62 on either side of the axis F laterally connecting the feeler 55 to a fixed base 64. The device is configured to determine the setting in motion of the feeler 55.

[0152] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the stress sensor 50 may comprise a Hall-effect sensor 70 on or in the feeler and two associated magnets 72.

[0153] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the stress sensor 50 may comprise two microswitches 80 arranged on either side of the feeler and configured to be actuated when said moving feeler 55 comes into contact with one of them.

[0154] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate different forms of pivotably mounted movable feelers 55. In the example of FIG. 10, the feeler 55 comprises a flattened tooth 90 and spikes 92 on either side of the tooth 90 that extend from a base 94, the latter being pivotably mounted on a support 96. The base 94 is maintained in a rest position by retaining springs. In the example of FIG. 11, the feeler 55 comprises a single tooth 90 having a distal end in the form of a fork.

[0155] In the variant illustrated in FIG. 12, the detector 50 may be other than a stress sensor. It may be, for example, a temperature sensor for detecting a local temperature drop of the surface 21 or of the teeth 23 characteristic of the presence of hair in proximity to the sensor. This detector 50 may also be a proximity sensor, in particular an infrared sensor, for detecting the proximity of the hair. In the case of a sensor of this type, the detection distance is preferably less than or equal to the height h of the teeth.

[0156] The detector may be arranged on the head 20 of the branch substantially at the centre thereof, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 12, or be arranged at the periphery thereof, outside or inside the treatment surface 21, as is illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0157] In a variant illustrated in FIG. 14, the brush comprises a gripping detector 98 at the handle, in particular a mechanical actuator on the piece or an infrared sensor which detects gripping of the brush by the user. The emission of steam is then triggered only when both gripping and contact with the hair are simultaneously detected.

[0158] In this case, the operation may proceed as illustrated in FIG. 15, which repeats certain steps of FIG. 6 and supplements them. In step 116, the contact or proximity detector 50 and the gripping detector 98 are switched on. The gripping detector determines a detection value in step 128. If the gripping detection value corresponds to gripping in step 130 and if the stress measured in step 118 reaches the threshold or is in the setpoint value range, then the control unit 59 triggers the emission of steam in step 124.

[0159] The emission of steam is maintained until the brush is switched off or until the value detected by the detector 50 is below the threshold or outside the setpoint value range for a period of less than or equal to 2 s, preferably less than or equal to 1 s, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 s, or until gripping is no longer detected, in step 126.

[0160] The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. The detector may take any form as long as it makes it possible to detect hair contact or proximity with or to the handpiece.

[0161] The brush may comprise a cosmetic product application member, which is not illustrated.

[0162] The steam outlet or outlets and/or the teeth may be different from those described and arranged differently on the brush.