REFILL FOR A DEVICE FOR TREATING THE HAIR, HAVING A COUPLING RELIEF

Abstract

The invention relates to a refill (20) for a device for treating the hair, comprising a body (23) having a cavity (30) that is formed at least partially by two opposite walls (34, 36; 38, 40) and a bottom and opens towards the outside by way of an opening (31), and an applicator member that is inserted into the cavity (30) in the body (23) along an insertion axis and extends out of the cavity (30) through the opening (31). At least one of the walls (34, 36; 38, 40) and the bottom comprises at least one coupling relief (32) that engages with the applicator member in order to prevent it from being extracted from the cavity (30), this coupling relief (32) being designed such that the force for inserting the applicator member into the cavity is weaker than the extraction force.

Claims

1. Refill for a device for treating the hair, comprising: a body having a cavity that is formed at least partially by two opposite walls and a bottom and opens towards the outside by way of an opening, and an applicator member that is inserted into the cavity in the body along an insertion axis and extends out of the cavity through the opening, at least one of the walls and the bottom comprising at least one coupling relief that engages with the applicator member in order to prevent it from being extracted from the cavity, this coupling relief being designed such that the force for inserting the applicator member into the cavity is weaker than the extraction force.

2. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the difference ΔF between the force for inserting the applicator member into the cavity and the force for extracting it therefrom is greater than or equal to 3 N.

3. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has an elongate shape in a direction perpendicular to the insertion axis.

4. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the coupling relief is asymmetric with respect to a median transverse plane therefor.

5. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a height H, defined along the insertion axis from the opening, the coupling relief extending along the insertion axis along a length l less than this height H.

6. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the coupling relief projects into the cavity and has a thickness e, measured perpendicularly to said wall, which is variable along the insertion axis, the thickness e increasing along the entire length l of the coupling relief, or increasing along a first portion of length l.sub.1 along the insertion axis (X) and decreasing along a second portion of length l.sub.2 along the insertion axis (X), the ratio between the lengths l.sub.2/l.sub.1 being less than 1, better still less than or equal to 0.5, even better still less than or equal to 0.2, or increasing along a first portion of length l.sub.l along the insertion axis X and then being constant along a second portion of length l.sub.3 along the insertion axis X, the thickness of the second portion being less than the maximum thickness e.sub.max of the first portion.

7. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the or each coupling relief has: a first face that is oriented towards the opening and has an average slope forming an angle α less than or equal to 45° with the introduction axis, and a second face that is oriented towards the side away from the opening and has an average slope forming an angle β greater than or equal to 45° with the introduction axis.

8. Refill according to claim 7, wherein the first face and the second face form an angle γ less than or equal to 110° at their meeting point.

9. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the maximum thickness e.sub.max of the coupling relief, measured in a plane perpendicular to the wall or to said bottom to which it is attached, is between 0.2 mm and 3 mm.

10. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the coupling relief extends along the insertion axis along a length l of between 1 mm and 30 mm.

11. Refill according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the walls or the wall comprises a plurality of coupling reliefs.

12. Refill according to claim 1, wherein one of the two opposite walls and/or the wall does not have a coupling relief.

13. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the two opposite walls each have at least one coupling relief.

14. Refill according to claim 13, wherein the coupling reliefs on one of the opposite walls are situated facing the coupling reliefs on the other of the opposite walls.

15. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member is made of a porous material.

16. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member has a fibre density of between 0.080 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.400 g/cm.sup.3.

17. Refill according to claim 16, wherein the coupling relief(s) extend(s) from said wall in a direction generally perpendicular to that of the fibres of the applicator member.

18. Refill according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member is impregnated with product.

19. Device for treating the hair, comprising: two arms that are able to move relative to one another between a moved-together configuration for treating the hair and a spaced-apart configuration for inserting hair to be treated between said arms, one of the arms comprising a housing, a refill according to claim 1, which is disposed in a removable manner in the housing.

Description

[0070] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a device for treating the hair,

[0072] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on in. FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a body of the refill,

[0074] FIG. 4 is a top view along IV in FIG. 3,

[0075] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on V-V in FIGS. 3 and 4,

[0076] FIG. 6 shows a coupling relief according to FIGS. 3 to 5, in cross section on VI-VI in FIG. 5,

[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a variant body of the refill,

[0078] FIG. 8 is a top view along VIII in FIG. 6,

[0079] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view on IX-IX in FIGS. 7 and 8,

[0080] FIG. 10 shows a coupling relief from. FIGS. 7 to 9, in cross section on X-X in FIG. 9,

[0081] FIGS. 11A to 11M are cross-sectional views of variant bodies of the refill,

[0082] FIGS. 12A to 12E show variant coupling reliefs in top view, and

[0083] FIGS. 13A to 13C are top views of variant bodies of the refill.

[0084] In the rest of the description, identical elements or elements having identical functions bear the same reference signs. In order to make the present description concise, they are not described for each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being described.

[0085] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the handpiece 2 of an example of a device for treating the hair according to the invention.

[0086] This handpiece 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 that are able to move with respect to one another between a spaced-apart configuration (not shown) for introduction between said jaws of a lock of hair, and a moved-together configuration for treatment.

[0087] The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by an upper arm 5 and a lower arm 6, respectively, which, in the example in question, are connected together at one end by an articulation 8, the handpiece 2 thus forming tongs.

[0088] The upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 each preferably have a total length of between 22 cm and 37 cm, preferably 31 cm, and define, between the articulation 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half-handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press in order to move the jaws 3 and 4 together.

[0089] An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to a spaced-apart configuration, this elastic return member being for example a spring disposed around an articulation pin 8.

[0090] The invention is not limited to a particular manner of connecting the upper arm. 5 and lower arm 6 together and the jaws 3 and 4 may be rendered able to move in some other way without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of an articulation is largely preferred for the ergonomics it provides.

[0091] The jaws 3 and 4 define between one another a region for treating the hair, said region being intended to receive a lock of hair to be treated, the handpiece, 2 being moved along said lock during the treatment, for example in the direction from the root to the end of the hair.

[0092] In the example in question, the handpiece 2 is configured to apply a cosmetic product, to treat the hair by way of steam and then to carry out a heat treatment of the hair by contact with two hot surfaces 15 and 16.

[0093] The direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 over the hair, illustrated in FIG. 4, is preferably substantially perpendicular to the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6.

[0094] The handpiece 2 is connected by a line, in the example in question, to a base station (not shown) that is fixed during the treatment and is connected to the mains.

[0095] This base station provides the electric power supply to the handpiece 2 and also its supply with water in order to generate steam, and may also carry out additional functions of processing electrical signals received from the handpiece 2. The line 18 which connects the handpiece 2 to the base station can thus comprise various electrical conductors and a water supply pipe.

[0096] A user interface (not shown in the figures) can be present on the handpiece 2 so as to allow the user for example to start up certain components thereof, or not.

[0097] The cosmetic product is applied by a refill 20 carried by one of the two arms, 5 or 6, in this case the upper arm 5, which comes into contact with a pressing element 21. The latter may be removable.

[0098] The refill 20 comprises a body 23 and an applicator member 26 disposed so as to come into contact with the hair extending through the treatment region.

[0099] The refill 20 can be fixed to the arm 5 or 6 by any means, in particular, as illustrated in FIG. 2, by sliding a rib of the body 23 into a groove with a complementary shape.

[0100] The body 23 has a cavity 30 that opens towards the outside by way of an opening 31 into which the applicator member 26 is inserted, along an insertion and extraction axis X (insertion axis X below), while the refill is being manufactured. The body 23 comprises coupling reliefs 32 that extend into the cavity 30.

[0101] The body 23 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0102] The body 23 has substantially the overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and is elongate along a longitudinal axis Z. In cross section, the body 23 is U-shaped, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0103] The body 23 comprises a front wall 38 and a rear wall 40 that are opposite one another and are connected by two side walls 34 and 36 and by a bottom 42.

[0104] The coupling reliefs 32 are each asymmetric with respect to their median axis M.

[0105] The coupling reliefs 32 extend from the two opposite side walls 34 and 36 of the body 30 and are all identical. Each side wall 34 or 36 comprises five coupling reliefs, but this does not have to be the case. The coupling reliefs 32 on one of the two walls 34 and 36 are disposed facing the coupling reliefs 32 on the other of these walls.

[0106] The coupling reliefs 32 are elongate along the insertion axis X and have a substantially triangular shape in longitudinal section, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 6, said coupling reliefs have a substantially rectangular shape, their maximum width k being smaller than their maximum thickness e.sub.max.

[0107] Each coupling relief 32 comprises a first planar face 46 that is oriented towards the opening 31 and is parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the cavity 30, and a second planar face 48 that is oriented towards the bottom 42.

[0108] The first face 46 forms an angle α approximately equal to 10° with the insertion axis X and extends along the entire length l of the coupling relief 32. The second face 48 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion axis X. The first face 46 and the second face 48 have a common edge 49. The first and the second face 46 and 48 form an angle γ equal to β−α, i.e. approximately equal to 80° here, between one another. The coupling relief 32 can thus, as illustrated, have a thickness e that increases along its entire length l.

[0109] The first planar face 46 is connected to the wall from which it extends 34 or 36 by two planar faces 50 and 52 that form the sides of the coupling relief 32. The faces 50 and 52 form an angle with the longitudinal axis X that is equal to the angle α formed by the first face 46.

[0110] The coupling reliefs 32 are moulded together with the body 23.

[0111] The body 23 and the coupling reliefs 32 are made of thermoplastic material, in particular polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene, copolyester, in particular Tritan®, elastomer or a mixture thereof, in particular a mixture of PBT and PET.

[0112] The coupling reliefs 32 extend along a length l from the opening 31 towards the bottom 42 that is equal to around 10 mm here. The maximum thickness e.sub.max of the coupling reliefs 32 starting from the wall 34 or 36 is equal to around 1.5 mm here. The maximum width k of the coupling reliefs 32, measured parallel to the wall 36, is equal to around 1 mm here.

[0113] The cavity 30 has a width K equal to around 8 mm, a length L equal to around 90 mm and a height H equal to around 15 mm.

[0114] The side walls 34 and 36 do not have coupling reliefs 32 over a height h starting from the bottom that is equal to H−l, i.e. around 5 mm here.

[0115] In a variant, the first and the second faces 46 and 48 are connected by a rounded portion 49.

[0116] The applicator member 26 has substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, in particular having dimensions equal to those of the cavity 30.

[0117] Such a refill 20 is particularly suitable when the applicator member 26 is a felt: [0118] that has a shape complementary to that of the cavity 30, [0119] is formed of fibres that are all oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis Z of the cavity 30, and [0120] has a fibre density of between 0.080 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.400 g/cm.sup.3.

[0121] The example in FIGS. 7 to 10 differs from the one in FIGS. 3 to 6 by way of the shape of the coupling reliefs 32. In cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the coupling reliefs 32 have the shape of a right-angled triangle. Each coupling relief 32 has two first planar faces 46a and 46b that extend longitudinally along the entire length 1 of the coupling relief 32, and a second face 48. The latter is identical to the one described above. The two first faces 46a and 46b extend from the wall 36 to a common longitudinal edge 60. They form an angle λ approximately equal to 45° between one another. The edge 64 and the two first faces 46a and 46b form an angle α with the insertion axis X that is approximately equal to 5°. The angle γ between the first faces 46a and 46b and the second face 48 is approximately equal to 85°. The first face 60 is perpendicular to the wall 36.

[0122] The maximum thickness e.sub.max and the maximum width k of the coupling reliefs 32 are approximately equal to 0.8 mm here.

[0123] Such a refill 20 is particularly suitable when the applicator member 26 is a felt: [0124] that has a shape complementary to that of the cavity 30, [0125] is formed of fibres that are all oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis Z of the cavity 30, and [0126] has a fibre density of between 0.080 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.400 g/cm.sup.3.

[0127] The examples in FIGS. 11A to 11M differ from those in the preceding figures by way of the shape, in longitudinal section, and/or the position of the coupling reliefs 32.

[0128] The example in FIG. 11A has coupling reliefs 32 in the shape of half a fir tree in longitudinal section. Each coupling relief 32 has a plurality of edges 49 that are oriented towards the bottom 42 of the body 23.

[0129] The example in FIG. 11B comprises coupling reliefs 32 that are attached to the walls 34 and 36 of the body 23 and extend over the entire height Hof the cavity 30.

[0130] The example in FIG. 11C has coupling reliefs 32 that each have an edge 49 oriented towards the bottom 42. The second face 48 forms an angle β greater than 90°, better still greater than or equal to 135°. The coupling reliefs 32 deform elastically. During the insertion of the applicator member 26, the coupling reliefs 32 deform by curving more towards the bottom of the cavity 30, such that the angle β increases and the distance of the edge from the wall 34 or 36 decreases. During the extraction of the applicator member 26, the coupling reliefs 32 can deform towards the opening 31 such that the angle β decreases, the distance of the tip 70 from the wall 34 or 36 increases and, by deforming, further compresses the applicator member 26, making its extraction more difficult.

[0131] In a variant, the coupling reliefs 32 as described above are not deformable. The coupling reliefs 32 can, during the extraction of the applicator member 26, hook in the latter in order to prevent its extraction.

[0132] The example in FIG. 11D comprises coupling reliefs 32 that are attached to the walls 34 and 36 of the body 23. The coupling reliefs 32 are formed by cutting and bending plates 72 and 74 that are fitted on the side walls 34 and 36 of the body 23. The coupling reliefs are formed by portions of plates 72 and 74 that are bent towards the inside of the cavity. The coupling reliefs 32 are oriented downwards and form an angle θ with the walls 34 or 36 from which they extend, the angle θ being less than or equal to 90°.

[0133] The first face(s) 46 or 46a and 46b of each coupling relief 32 in FIG. 11E are convex towards the outside.

[0134] The second face 48 of each coupling relief 32 in FIG. 11F forms an angle β of less than 90° with the insertion axis X. The coupling relief 32 thus comprises a first portion 32a that increases in size towards the bottom 42 and has a length l.sub.1 and a second portion 32b that decreases in size towards the bottom 42 and has a length l.sub.2. The ratio of the lengths l.sub.2/l.sub.1 is less than 0.2.

[0135] The first face 46, 60 or 62 of each coupling relief 32 in FIG. 11G is concave towards the outside.

[0136] The example in FIG. 11H has coupling reliefs 32 in the form of tabs perpendicular to the insertion axis X disposed in an indentation 74 in the wall 34 or 36. These coupling reliefs are elastically deformable. During the insertion of the applicator member 26, the coupling reliefs 32 can curve towards the bottom of the cavity 30, such that the angle β becomes greater than 90°. During the extraction of the applicator member 26, the coupling reliefs 32 can deform towards the opening 31 such that the angle β decreases and, by deforming, further compress the applicator member 26, making its extraction more difficult.

[0137] In the example illustrated in FIG. 11I, the body 23 has, facing the coupling reliefs 32, compression reliefs 76. During the insertion of the applicator member 26 into the cavity 30, said compression reliefs make it possible to compress said applicator member 26 against the coupling relief 32 facing it so as to further improve the retention of the applicator member 26. Here, the compression reliefs 76 extend over the entire height H of the cavity 30 and have a symmetric shape about their median axis and in the form of a pad.

[0138] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 11J to 11M, the coupling relief 32 is a bottom relief 42 which is in the form of an arrow with the tip 80 oriented towards the opening 31 of the cavity 30. The distal end 82 of the arrow, extending along a length l.sub.1, is carried by a foot 84 of constant thickness. Said distal end widens from the tip 80 in the direction of the bottom 42. The foot 84 has a constant thickness and is less thick than the greatest thickness e.sub.max of the distal end 82. Starting from the tip 80 towards the base of the foot 84, the thickness increases along the length l.sub.1 from the distal end 82 and is then constant along the length l.sub.3 corresponding to at least a part of the foot 84. The distal end 82 may be in the shape of an inverted V, as illustrated in FIG. 11J, in the shape of a triangle, as illustrated in FIG. 11K, or in the shape of an inverted V with lips parallel to the bottom 42 at each of the ends of the V, as illustrated in FIG. 11L. The distal end, as illustrated in FIG. 11M, may have a recess 86 at the tip 80.

[0139] The examples in FIGS. 12A to 12E differ from those in FIGS. 3 to 10 by way of the shape, in cross section, of the coupling reliefs 32. The coupling reliefs 32 may be in the shape of an isosceles triangle, as illustrated in FIG. 12a, in the form of a semicircle, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, in the shape of a semi-polygon, in particular a semi-hexagon, as illustrated in FIG. 12C, or of a rectangle having a maximum width k that is greater than its maximum thickness e.sub.max, as illustrated in FIG. 12D. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12E, the coupling relief 32 has a narrowed region 90, in particular at its meeting point with the wall 34. This narrowed region 90 can break when the user attempts to remove the applicator member 26.

[0140] The examples in FIGS. 13A to 13C differ from those in FIGS. 3 to 10 by way of the position of the coupling reliefs 32 on the body 23.

[0141] In the example in FIG. 13A, the body 23 comprises two coupling reliefs 32 that are respectively disposed on the opposite front 38 and rear 40 walls.

[0142] In the example in FIG. 13B, the body 23 comprises coupling reliefs 32 on a single one of the side walls 34 or 36.

[0143] In the example in FIG. 13C, the body 23 comprises coupling reliefs 32 on the bottom 42.

[0144] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, the characteristics of which may be combined with one another as parts of variants which are not illustrated.

[0145] For example, the body may comprise coupling reliefs on the opposite side walls, the front wall and the rear wall.

[0146] The applicator member may comprise at least two parts having different fibre densities and/or fibre orientations.

[0147] The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”.