CN106061315B - Device for treating hair - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for treating hair, comprising: -two arms (5, 6) movable relative to each other between a moved-together configuration for treating hair and an open configuration for inserting hair to be treated between the arms, one of the arms (5) comprising a base having a housing and an outer flap (18) pivoted on the base between an open position for accessing the housing and a closed position preventing access to the housing; -a refill comprising a reservoir (23) containing a product to be applied, the refill being removably arranged in the housing.

Description

Device for treating hair

Technical Field

The present invention relates to devices for treating hair and more particularly, but not exclusively, to devices for styling hair, particularly for straightening, curling or crumpling (crimp) hair.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device comprising two arms movable with respect to each other, which can adopt a splayed configuration for introducing a lock of hair between said arms and a moved-together configuration for treating the lock of hair, in which the arms are movable along the lock of hair. In such devices, the arm typically carries two heating elements with which the hair comes into contact during use of the device.

Background

Many devices of this type, sometimes also referred to as straightening irons (hair straightening irons), have been proposed to achieve the application of hair care products to the hair.

Generally, a hair straightener consists of two arms connected together with the help of a hinge that enables the arms to be opened and closed, and at least one heating element arranged on the arms. During a styling operation on a lock of hair, said lock of hair is introduced between the two arms in the open position, then the two arms are manually closed on the lock of hair. The lock of hair is then subjected to the heat output by the heating element until the two arms are opened and the lock of hair is removed.

Patent US 6325072 discloses an applicator for applying a hair care product, comprising two arms that can move relative to each other, a steam generator and a device for applying a hair care product. The steam activates and fluidizes the hair care product.

Patent application EP 1458259 discloses a device for applying a fluid hair care product comprising a flexible reservoir containing the product to be applied and an applicator body having an orifice for applying the product to the hair. The flexible reservoir has a passage for the hair care product to be discharged to the application hole, the discharge of the hair care product being controlled by pressure on the flexible reservoir.

Application WO 2009/078046 describes a hair styling appliance comprising two arms connected together to allow the appliance to be opened and closed, at least one heating member and at least one seat for accommodating a hair treatment device which allows a hair care product to be dispensed during operation. The hair treatment device consists of a support material impregnated with a hair care product and suitable for disposable use.

WO 2009/015027 and US 2009/0025247 disclose a hair straightening device which is capable of applying a hair care product by contacting the hair. The hair care product to be applied is contained in a removable refill for applying the hair care product. The removable refill comprises a reservoir containing a hair care product in gel form, and an aperture for dispensing and applying the product, the aperture being made directly through the wall of the reservoir. The refill is introduced by sliding into a housing provided on one of the two arms of the hair straightener.

There is a need for: a device for applying a hair care product is further improved such that, for example, a user can easily refill the device with a hair care product and/or replace the hair care product to be applied.

There are also advantages in that: having a sufficient amount of hair care product to be applied without replacing the refill allows not only thicker hair to be designed but also a single refill to be reused multiple times.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect, the subject of the invention is a device for treating hair, comprising:

-two arms movable relative to each other between a moved-together configuration for treating hair and an open configuration for inserting hair to be treated between the arms, one of the arms comprising a base with a housing and an external flap (external flap) pivoted on the base between an open position for accessing the housing and a closed position preventing access to the housing,

a refill comprising a reservoir containing a product to be applied, the refill being removably disposed in the housing.

The presence of a housing on one of the two arms enables the refill to be at least partially incorporated into that arm when the refill is mounted on that arm.

The pivoting flap provides easy access to the housing and base, or the inner surface of the housing, for removal or installation of the refill. The fact that the flap is a pivoting flap makes it controlled.

The reservoir in the refill allows for an amount of hair care product sufficient to dispense multiple product doses.

The use of the refill enables a user to easily apply different hair care products by simply replacing the refill.

The housing for accommodating the refill preferably extends along more than half the total length of the arm. This may enable the mass of the refill to be dispersed along the arm, as well as reducing the inertia and force to be applied to operate the device.

The two arms extend along respective longitudinal axes and are preferably connected by a hinge present at their proximal ends, which hinge defines an axis of rotation oriented preferably perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the arms.

The two arms may define half-handles that extend towards their distal ends to the jaws, the flap preferably defining the top of one of the jaws, the other jaw being located below when viewed along its longitudinal axis.

The maximum thickness of the arm, measured at the jaw, is preferably greater than the maximum thickness measured at the half-handle; the maximum thickness of each arm is preferably between 10mm and 40mm, better still between 17mm and 32 mm.

The refill may be fixed to the flap and may be mounted within a housing in the arm by closing the flap. The flap may comprise at least one projection for fastening (in particular by snapping) the refill onto the flap. The boss may be one or more tabs for snap fastening, which are molded with the remainder of the flap. This may make it easier to disassemble the refill, which may be accomplished by moving the flap to the open position and then disengaging the refill from the flap.

In a variant, the refill may be secured directly into the housing in the arm when the flap is in the open position. In this case, the flap, once closed, can help to retain the refill in the housing.

The base of the flap or arm may have a projection designed to engage with the reservoir of the refill to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir, particularly when the refill is mounted on the device. This can speed up the dispensing of product and in particular avoids the need to actuate the arms a number of times before commencing dispensing of product when the dispensing of a dose of product is caused by moving the arms together.

The reduction of the internal volume when mounting the refill can occur by pressure exerted by the flap and/or the arm on the reservoir, in particular when the reservoir is flexible. In a variant, the reservoir comprises a slave piston and the projection may be designed to act on the piston to move it forwards in the reservoir, in particular when the refill is mounted on an arm.

The flap is preferably longitudinally hinged on the arm, in particular by its hinge, which is closer to the side between the arms where the hair to be treated is introduced than to the opposite side. The flap may open towards the rear when the device is viewed from the side where hair is introduced between the jaws facing the viewer. The arm on which the flap is hinged may define a half-handle on which the flap is hinged. The flap may also be hinged on a distal portion of the arm extending between the free end of the arm and the half-handle.

In a variant, the flap is hinged about a transverse axis with respect to the direction of elongation of the arm carrying the flap, the two arms then preferably being hinged about the same axis as the flap. The flap may be designed to be snap-fastened to the base of the arm in the closed position, the flap preferably carrying at least one member, in particular elastically deformable, to keep the flap in the closed position, for example at least one elastically deformable tongue adapted to be snap-fastened to a boss corresponding to the base of the arm in the closed position of the flap.

The flaps may be hinged by a hinge, which may include a resilient member that may maintain the flaps in the open position when the flaps are not locked in the closed position.

The flap can be designed to act on the electrical contact in the closed position, preferably by means of the refill, in particular by means of a reservoir of the refill, which makes it possible in particular to detect whether the refill is present in the housing. The device is designed, for example, to: signaling the absence of a refill as a result of the detection and/or entering a particular mode of operation without applying product. Detection of the absence of a refill may, where appropriate, prevent operation of the device.

The refill may have at least one extension leading to the outside of the arm, preferably a lateral extension projecting from or flush with one side of the arm, in particular on the side opposite to the hinge of the flap on the arm, which enables the user to see the presence of the refill on the arm.

The housing is preferably open towards the outside and/or to the window, which enables the user to see the presence of the refill on the arm when the flap is in the closed position.

The flap may carry means for enclosing the means for applying the product contained in the refill when the device is not in use. The closure member may cover the applicator member when the device is not in use, so that drying of the product still present on the applicator member may be delayed and/or deterioration of the product avoided, for example. This may also reduce the risk of the applicator member being damaged or contaminated between uses of the device.

The housing may have an opening, preferably extending along the longitudinal axis of the arm and leading to the other arm, which enables application of the hair care product, in particular by means of an applicator member carried by the refill.

The refill preferably comprises a reservoir and an end piece for dispensing the product to be applied. The refill is preferably made to be disposable in one piece for installation in and removal from the housing.

Preferably, the dispensing end piece and the reservoir extend along a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm carrying the refill. The longitudinal axis of the dispensing end piece and the longitudinal axis of the reservoir may be offset by a distance of between 10mm and 40mm, better still between 24mm and 32 mm. This can make it easier to manufacture the refill and the arm for receiving the refill.

The length of the reservoir is preferably less than or equal to half the total length of the arm. This makes handling of the refill easier.

The maximum capacity of the reservoir is preferably between 5ml and 20 ml.

Preferably, the hair care product is in a fluid state, i.e. liquid, at room temperature or higher, e.g. at a temperature between 25 ℃ and 95 ℃. In this case, the product may initially be in a solid or pasty state at room temperature in the reservoir and heated within the reservoir to fluidize it sufficiently for dispensing by a dispensing mechanism arranged to feed the applicator member. Thus, the product is fluid in the reservoir at the time of application. Preferably, the product is a liquid at room temperature.

When the product is initially solid in the refill and then heated to fluidise, the region surrounding the applicator member is preferably unheated to more easily control the temperature of the product.

The reservoir may comprise a rigid body or a semi-rigid body in contact with the product. In a variant, the reservoir may comprise a flexible body in contact with the product. The reservoir may be constituted by a flexible body, in particular a flexible pouch, or by a rigid body, in particular a rigid body having a tubular shape, or partly by a rigid body and partly by a flexible body.

The dispensing end piece may comprise at least one dispensing orifice, preferably a plurality of dispensing orifices, preferably formed by one or more slots having edges that engage when inactive, preferably a plurality of slots having edges that engage when inactive. The dispensing end piece may thus comprise an aperture formed through the resiliently deformable wall, preferably a wall defined by a portion of the flexible conduit.

The dispensing end piece may be connected to the reservoir by a flexible conduit, the extension of which preferably at least partially defines the dispensing end piece.

The dispensing end piece may be pre-filled with a hair care product to be applied. The pre-filling of the dispensing end piece may be performed prior to the introduction of the refill into the device. The refill may be particularly provided to a user who mounts the refill on an arm of the device, wherein the dispensing end piece is pre-filled. This avoids the need to actuate the dispensing mechanism multiple times before the device is first used.

In a variant, the dispensing end piece may be at least partially, better completely filled with product when the refill is introduced into the device, in particular when the refill is fitted so that the internal volume of the reservoir decreases, which may be the case for a decrease in the internal volume of the reservoir: for example when the refill is fitted, when pressure is applied to the reservoir during closure of the flap or when the reservoir comprises a slave piston which pushes within the reservoir.

The device may comprise an applicator member which is independent of, but supplied with product by, the refill. In a variant, the refill comprises an applicator member which supplies the product through the dispensing end piece. The applicator member preferably at least partially covers the dispensing end piece, the dispensing orifice of the dispensing end piece preferably being oriented towards the applicator member.

The dispensing end piece is preferably manufactured to fill the product by increasing in volume under pressure of the product due to elastic deformation when the dispensing mechanism is actuated. Thus, product may be collected in the dispensing end piece for dispensing once the filling action has been stopped. This may allow the applicator member to be fed in a delayed manner, avoiding the need to collect a large amount of product within the applicator member itself, thereby reducing the loss of product during the replacement of the applicator member. If desired, the applicator member may be manufactured with a relatively small thickness, for example less than or equal to 10 mm. The applicator member preferably comprises a porous material and/or a fibrous material and/or a material capable of releasing or diffusing the product, in particular an open-cell foam.

The applicator member may be mounted, either fixedly or removably, on a support that at least partially covers the dispensing endpiece, said support having at least one opening that at least partially overlaps the dispensing endpiece and allows the product to be transferred from the dispensing endpiece to the applicator member. Preferably, the applicator member is in contact with the dispensing endpiece.

The applicator member is arranged to come into contact with the hair when the arms are closed. The arm opposite to the arm carrying the refill may define a counter-bearing surface, so that hair is pressed against the applicator member with a certain pressure caused by the counter-bearing surface.

The counter bearing surface may be part of a detachable counter bearing member which is received in a cavity of the arm opposite the arm carrying the refill. The counter-bearing member can be inserted in or removed from the cavity by sliding, in particular along an axis parallel to the axis of the arm, through a front opening of the cavity. The counter support member may comprise at least one projection as a rib or slot which cooperates with a complementary projection as a slot or rib of the wall of the cavity facing the projection.

The device may comprise a locking element to lock the counter support member in the cavity. The locking element may cooperate with a corresponding projection of the counter support member. Such locking elements prevent the counter support member from accidentally leaving the cavity.

The counter bearing surface may or may not be flat.

The counter-bearing member may be a bar (e.g. a substantially parallelepiped-shaped bar), or a roller.

The counter bearing member is preferably only one-piece.

The counter support member may be of a plastics material or a metallic material.

In a variant, the counter support member may be a porous material, in particular a material formed by fibres oriented substantially in the same direction and gathered to form a felt or foam. In this case, the counter-support member may facilitate the application of the product on the hair, and/or absorb the remaining product, and/or even the application of the product.

The counter support member may be heated. This can be used to fluidize the product for application.

The arm carrying the refill may comprise an out-turned panel that pivots on the base between an open position for access to the housing and a closed position preventing access to the housing.

The refill preferably comprises one or more pump assemblies, in particular at least one peristaltic pump tube and/or a flap-valve pump, for supplying the applicator member with product from the reservoir of the refill. The pump is preferably actuated when the arms are moved together.

The peristaltic pump tube is preferably formed by the flexible conduit described above.

The reservoir may be provided with a dip tube. The dip tube may be formed by a portion of the flexible conduit described above.

When the reservoir comprises a slave piston, it is preferred that the flexible conduit does not extend too far into the reservoir to impede forward movement of the slave piston and emptying of the reservoir.

Preferably, the flexible conduit extends along the refill and comprises an end portion defining a dispensing end piece, an intermediate portion defining a peristaltic pump tube and an end portion defining a dip tube in the reservoir.

Preferably, the device is made so as to automatically supply the applicator member with the product when the device is used. Thus, the user may not have to worry about applying a particular action to the device to apply the product. The closing of the arms can actuate a peristaltic pump or a flap valve pump, which can supply the applicator member with a product, in particular with a dose, and can apply the product to the hair placed between the arms. The dose of product is preferably between 0.01ml and 0.5 ml.

The applicator member is preferably supplied with product by temporarily collecting the product under pressure by means of the dispensing endpiece as described above. Once the jaws have been moved together, the presence of the product under pressure inside the dispensing end piece makes it possible to continuously supply the applicator member with product as the device is moved along a lock of hair with the jaws moved together.

The arm opposite to the arm where the flap is hinged may have a steam outlet, preferably also a comb. It may prove advantageous to use two combs, respectively downstream and upstream of the zone for applying the cosmetic product, to promote an even distribution of the product on the hair.

These combs are advantageously parallel to each other and may have the same number of teeth.

Where appropriate, the device is made so as to allow at least one comb, better each comb, to be fastened in a removable manner.

Preferably, the device comprises a heating element for contact with the hair, better two heating elements, each one arranged on one arm, especially when the hair is intended to be straightened. The heating element or elements may each comprise a plate defining a hot surface for contact with the hair, made of a material that is a good thermal conductor, said surface having a temperature for example greater than or equal to 95 ℃, better still between 90 ℃ and 230 ℃.

Preferably, the product is spread on the lock of hair introduced into the device before applying steam and/or combing and/or straightening by means of one or more heating elements. Thus, when a lock of hair is moved between the arms of the device, the hair introduced between the arms can come into contact with the applicator member before being exposed to the steam and to the heating element.

Preferably, the device for treating hair according to the invention is a straightener with flat heating elements, in particular in contact in the closed position.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a device for treating hair comprising:

-two arms movable relative to each other between a moved-together configuration for treating hair and an open configuration for inserting hair to be treated between said arms, one of the two arms comprising a base with a housing and the other arm comprising a cavity,

-a refill detachably arranged in the housing, comprising:

a reservoir containing a product to be applied, and

an applicator member for applying the product from the reservoir,

and

-a counter-bearing member removably arranged in the cavity and defining a counter-bearing surface configured to apply hair against the applicator member in the moved-together configuration of the arms.

The counter-support member allows the hair to be pressed against the application member to efficiently apply the product on the application member.

With a detachable counter support member, it is possible to clean the counter support member, in particular after a long period of use or when the user wishes to change the product to be applied. It is also possible to replace the counter-support member, in particular it may be replaced by a counter-support member having a different shape or size, in order to vary, for example, the amount of product applied and/or the final effect on the hair. It is also possible to access the cavity for cleaning the counter support member, for example.

Preferably, the counter support member has a counter support surface with a shape substantially conforming to the shape of the surface of the application member that contacts the hair.

The counter support member may be slidably inserted into or withdrawn from the cavity. The counter-bearing member can be inserted into or extracted from the cavity through its front opening along an axis parallel to the axis of the arm.

The counter support member may comprise at least one projection as a rib or slot which cooperates with a complementary projection as a slot or rib of the wall of the cavity facing the projection.

The device may comprise a locking element to lock the counter support member in the cavity. The locking element may cooperate with a corresponding projection of the counter support member. Such locking elements prevent the counter support member from accidentally leaving the cavity.

The counter bearing surface may or may not be flat.

The counter-bearing member may be a bar (e.g. a substantially parallelepiped-shaped bar), or a roller.

The counter bearing member is preferably only one-piece.

The counter support member may be of a plastics material or a metallic material.

In a variant, the counter support member may be a porous material, in particular a material formed by fibres oriented substantially in the same direction and gathered to form a felt or foam. In this case, the counter-support member may facilitate the application of the product on the hair, and/or absorb the remaining product, and/or even the application of the product.

The counter support member may be heated. This can be used to fluidize the product for application.

The arm carrying the refill may comprise an out-turned panel that pivots on the base between an open position for access to the housing and a closed position preventing access to the housing.

Drawings

All features described in relation to the first aspect of the invention are applicable to the second aspect of the invention. The invention may be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention and a review of the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an example of a device for treating hair made according to a first aspect of the invention, with the pivoting flap in the open position, the refill being located above the arm;

figure 2 is a front view of the device from figure 1;

figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2, with the refill in place on the arm;

figure 4 is a view similar to figure 2 after the flap has been closed over the refill in place on the arm;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an example of a refill usable in a device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the refill from FIG. 5;

figure 7 shows a single thermoformed shell and associated lid;

figure 8A shows a top view of an individual dispensing end piece;

figure 8B is a view similar to figure 8A of a variant of the end piece;

figure 9 is a schematic view of a sheet carrying a plurality of refills according to the present invention;

figures 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of an example of a refill;

figure 11 is a view similar to figure 1 of a variant embodiment of the device;

figure 12 is a view similar to figure 11, with the refill in place on the flap;

figure 13 is a side view of the device from figure 12;

figure 14 is a front view of the device from figure 12 after the flap has been closed;

figure 15 shows an example of a separate refill that can be used with the device from figure 11;

figure 16 shows a side view of the refill from figure 15;

figure 17 is an exploded view of the refill from figure 15;

fig. 18 shows a device variant according to the invention in longitudinal section;

figure 19 shows a side view of a variant of the device according to the invention;

figure 20 is a view of a variant embodiment of the device similar to that of figure 1;

figure 21 shows the device from figure 20 with the refill in place on the flap;

figure 22 is a front view of the device from figure 21 after the flap has been closed;

figure 23 shows an example of a refill that can be used with the device from figure 20;

figure 24 shows a side view of the refill from figure 23;

figure 25 shows an exploded view of the refill from figure 23;

figure 26 schematically shows a perspective view of a variant of the device according to the invention;

figure 27 shows the device from figure 26 before the refill is mounted on the respective arm;

figure 28 is a view similar to figure 26 of a variant of the device according to the invention;

figure 29 shows the device from figure 28 before installation of the refill;

figure 30 is a schematic cross-section of a device according to the invention, showing the arrangement of the various components of the device;

figures 31 and 32 show a separate dispensing end piece variant;

fig. 33 is a schematic front view of a variant of the device for treating hair according to the invention; and

figure 34 is a schematic cross-section of the device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary handpiece 2 of a device for treating hair according to the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the handpiece 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 which are movable with respect to each other between an open configuration (not shown) for introducing a lock of hair between said jaws and a moved-together configuration for treatment.

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

The upper and lower arms 5, 6 each preferably have a total length of between 22cm and 31cm and define respective half- handles 10, 11 between the hinge 8 and the jaws 3, 4, the half- handles 10, 11 being depressible by a user to move the jaws 3, 4 together.

The upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6 are along respective longitudinal axes X₁And a longitudinal axis X₂Extended, when jaws 3 and 4 are closed, longitudinal axis X₁And a longitudinal axis X₂Preferably parallel to each other.

A resilient return member (not visible), such as an elastic member disposed about the hinge pin 8, is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to the open configuration.

The invention is not limited to a particular manner of connecting the upper and lower arms 5, 6 together and the jaws 3, 4 can be moved in some other manner without departing from the scope of the invention. However, the presence of a hinge is preferred to a large extent, as it provides an ergonomic effect.

The jaws 3 and 4 define between each other an area for treating the hair, said area being intended to receive a lock of hair to be treated, along which the handpiece 2 is moved during treatment, for example in the direction from the root to the ends of the hair.

In the example in question, the handpiece 2 is configured to apply a cosmetic product, to treat the hair with steam, and to carry out a thermal treatment of the hair by contact with one or more hot surfaces.

As shown in fig. 2, the direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 over the hair is preferably substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis X of the upper arm 5₁And the longitudinal axis X of the lower arm 6₂And is vertical.

In the example in question, the handpiece 2 is connected by wire to a base station (not shown) which is fixed during processing and connected to a power supply (mains).

The base station ensures the supply of electrical power to the handpiece 2 and the supply of water to generate steam, and may also perform additional functions of processing electrical signals received from the handpiece 2. The lines 13 connecting the handpiece 2 to the base station may thus include various electrical conductors and water supply pipes.

A user interface (not shown in the figures) may be present on the handpiece 2 to allow a user to, for example, activate or deactivate certain components of the handpiece.

The application of the cosmetic product is ensured by the applicator member 15, which applicator member 15 is arranged to contact the hair throughout the treatment area.

The applicator member is supplied with the product with the aid of a dispensing mechanism which is automatically actuated during use of the handpiece 2, for example to apply an amount of product to the hair such that a mass of 1 gram of hair, consisting of hair of length 20cm, receives between 0.01g and 0.4g, better still between 0.01g and 0.2g, of product in the form of a care product, or even in the case of a hot straightening product, a dyeing product, or a chemical straightening product, the amount received is then for example between 0.5g and 10 g.

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, the upper arm 5 comprises a pivoting flap 18 which can assume an open configuration as shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3, which allows the refill 20 to be installed and allows the refill 20 to be detached once the product has run out; and a closed configuration shown in fig. 4 for treating hair using the device.

The refill 20 comprises a reservoir 23 containing the product to be applied and a head 25 comprising the applicator member 15.

In the example shown, the pivoting flap 18 is articulated about a rotation axis Y oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the upper arm 5₁。

As shown in fig. 1, flap 18 is hinged to the proximal portion of arm 5, e.g. by hinge 28, the proximal portion of arm 5 acting as half-handle 10 when handpiece 2 is used.

In the example shown, proximal end portion 18a of flap 18 also defines a gripping surface of half-handle 10.

When the device is viewed as in fig. 1, flap 18 may be hinged to open toward the rear. This may make it easier to manufacture the hinge 28 and construct the device, providing the user with access as open as possible to allow the user to install or replace the refill 20.

As shown in fig. 2, the angular travel α of the flap 18 is advantageously at least 90 ° to make it easier to introduce the refill 20 into the handpiece 2 during installation or replacement of the refill 20.

The closing movement or the opening movement of flap 18 may, where appropriate, be assisted by a resilient return member, for example a helical spring or a leaf spring, which is provided in the region of hinge 28. The return member may urge flap 18 toward its open position, accumulating elastic potential energy when flap 18 is closed. The use of such a return member is particularly advantageous when the device is also equipped with means for locking flap 18 in the closed position, the opening of which is assisted. In this case, when the user acts on the locking member to unlock the flap 18, the flap 18 can be opened automatically, advantageously up to its fully opened position, or in a variant over only a part of the opening stroke.

Flap 18 with motion reducer may be provided when hinge 28 is equipped with a resilient return member that tends to urge flap 18 toward the open or closed position.

On the upper arm 5, the flap 18 can be held in the closed position in a number of ways, and is preferably snap-fastened by at least one projection carried by the flap 18 on a corresponding form (not shown) carried by the base of the arm 5. For example, as shown, flap 18 carries at least one elastically deformable tab 31 which can be snap-fastened on a corresponding coupling boss provided on the base of arm 5. Where appropriate, means for locking/unlocking by the user are provided to hold flap 18 in the closed position. In this case, the user must act on the unlocking means before opening flap 18. This may, for example, reduce the risk of the flap 18 opening unintentionally if the handpiece 2 should fall off.

The flap 18 may have any suitable shape to at least partially cover the refill 20 when the refill 20 is installed in the device, particularly when the head 25 and reservoir 23 are misaligned.

Flap 18 may have a configuration such that: wherein a distal end portion 18b of flap 18 is biased upwards with respect to a proximal end portion 18a of flap 18, said distal end portion 18b being positioned in the region of jaws 3, said proximal end portion 18a being used for hinging flap 18 on the base of upper arm 5, as seen in fig. 1, when flap 18 is seen in a position opened at about 90 °, this proximal end portion 18a is used for hinging flap 18 to a hinge pin with a transverse arm. Flap 18 may thus include an intermediate portion 18c that extends generally upwardly and obliquely toward the front.

In a variant, flap 18 may be coupled to the base of arm 5 in some other way, for example hinged by its distal end portion 18b in the region of jaws 3.

In the example of fig. 1 to 4, the refill 20 is seated on the upper arm 5 in a housing 33 in the upper arm 5 with the flap 18 in the open position, as shown in fig. 3.

The upper arm 5 comprises a protruding part (not visible in the figures) which can hold the refill 20 in its housing 33, in particular so that the refill 20 is snap-fastened to the protruding part of the upper arm 5. For example, the upper arm 5 comprises an elastically deformable tab to which the refill may be snap-fastened when the refill 20 is inserted into its housing 33.

Flap 18 may include a tab 36, where tab 36 helps secure refill 20 in its housing 33 when flap 18 is in the closed position.

For example, flap 18 includes a set of ribs oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of flap 18 and covering head 25 of refill 20 when flap 18 is closed.

Flap 18 may also include ribs that are positioned above reservoir 23 in a similar manner when flap 18 is closed.

Flap 18 may be made of an opaque material having at least one transparent window (not shown) that enables a user to see the refill 20 present and/or to see the amount of product in the reservoir 23 if a refill 20 is provided for this purpose.

As shown in fig. 4, the housing 33 may comprise at least one opening 37 facing the lower arm 6 to allow the hair care product contained in the reservoir 23 to be applied to a lock of hair. This opening 37 receives the applicator member 15 during the introduction of the refill 20 into the housing 33 and has a corresponding elongated shape.

The refill 20 may have various configurations, and for example as shown, the reservoir 23 may be located at the proximal end of the handpiece 2, particularly in the region of the half-handle 10, and the head 24 may be located in the region of the jaw 3.

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, it is advantageous for the reservoir 23 to be housed in the half-handle 10, so that in particular the inertia of the handpiece 2 can be reduced as a result of the hinging pins 8 of the upper and lower arms 5, 6 being close to the centre of mass of the quantity of product contained in the reservoir 23. The smaller inertia makes the handpiece easier to operate and less tiring for the user to carry.

The handpiece 2 may be designed to automatically detect the presence of the refill 20 in its housing 33.

This detection may be made, for example, electronically by means of a contactor actuated by the refill 20 when the refill 20 is mounted on the handpiece 2. The contactor is carried, for example, by the base of the upper arm 5 and actuated by the storage 23. In a variant, the presence of the refill 20 on the base of the upper arm 5 can be detected by means of the flap 18, for example due to the presence of a contactor on the flap 18, the condition of which varies according to the presence or absence of the refill 20.

The closing of flap 18 may itself be automatically detected so that operation of handpiece 2 is only permitted once, for example, flap 18 has been verified in the closed position.

When flap 18 is in the closed position, communication may be maintained between the inside and outside of housing 33 containing refill 20, allowing the user to see that refill 20 is present on the device.

Refill 20 may optionally be manufactured with an extension that remains visible from outside the device once flap 18 has been closed, by seeing this extension, the user is able to tell that the refill is present in the device without opening flap 18.

In a variant not shown, flap 18 carries means for closing applicator member 15 when handpiece 2 is not in use.

Referring more particularly to fig. 5-7, an example of a refill 20 as shown in fig. 1-4 that may be used with, among other things, the handpiece 2 will now be described.

The refill 20 shown in figures 5 to 7 comprises a thermoformed support housing 39 which houses the assembly of the reservoir 23 and the head 25.

As shown, the support housing 39 may have a peripheral edge 39 a.

In the example in question and as seen in particular in fig. 5, the reservoir 23 and the head 25 are along respective longitudinal axes X_resAnd a longitudinal axis X_emExtension, longitudinal axis X_resAnd a longitudinal axis X_emParallel to each other and offset with respect to each other by a distance c, for example, between 24mm and 32 mm.

Longitudinal axis X_resAnd a longitudinal axis X_emMay extend in a plane M parallel to the plane of the upper surface of the thermoformed support shell 39, which is defined by the peripheral edge 39a, but preferably, as shown in fig. 6, the longitudinal axis X_resAnd a longitudinal axis X_emAre positioned at different distances from the plane.

The reservoir 23 can be housed in a portion 39b of the support shell 39, the portion 39b having a longitudinal axis X_resAnd closed at the top by a first cover 42, which first cover 42 can also be manufactured by thermoforming. As shown in fig. 7, the first cover 42 comprises, for example, two parallel ribs 45 to position the first cover 42 on the support housing 39, which ribs 45 project into a housing 47 in the support housing 39 that accommodates the reservoir 23.

One of the thermoformed support shell 39 and the first cover 42 may have a vent 50 leading to a housing 47 that houses the reservoir 23.

The thermoformed support housing 39 also comprises a portion 39c which houses the dispensing end piece 53 and is closed at the top by a second cap 55, which second cap 55 can carry the applicator member 15.

The applicator member 15 may be fastened to the second cap 55 in various ways. The applicator member 15 may be retained on the second cap 55, for example by friction, or in a variant by adhesive bonding or welding or by means of additional retaining elements (not shown). In particular, the applicator member 15 may be wedged in an opening 60 of elongated shape, the opening 60 being made in the second cap 55.

The applicator member 15 may be held on the second cap 55 in a removable or non-removable manner. Advantageously, it is possible to change the applicator member 15 from one use to another without having to replace the refill 20 in its entirety, in particular for hygienic reasons or in order to make it possible to place the applicator member 15 in a closed container between two uses, in order to avoid drying of the applicator member 15.

In a variant, the refill 20 may be provided with a removable closure member (not shown) to be mounted on the applicator member 15 when not in use. The closure member may be designed to be mounted on the applicator member 15 before or after introduction of the refill 20 into the handpiece 2, for example constituted by a cap designed to be sealingly fastened to the handpiece 2 or to the refill 20.

In a variant, the closure member is a membrane seal which is removed when the handpiece 2 is first used or when the refill 20 is installed in the handpiece 2.

The second cover 55 may have a portion 60 that covers an intermediate portion 62 of the support housing 39 between the reservoir 23 and the head 25.

A conduit 65 connects the reservoir 23 to the dispensing end piece 53 and extends through the intermediate portion 62.

In the example shown, the portion 39d of the thermoformed support shell 39 is not covered by the cover 42 and by the cover 55, leaving at least part of the access to the corresponding portion 65a of the duct 65, this portion 65a constituting a peristaltic pump tube actuated by the handpiece 2 to convey the product from the reservoir 23 to the dispensing end piece 53. As shown, the dispensing end piece 53 is preferably at least partially constituted by an extension of the conduit 65.

The dispensing end piece 53 is preferably designed to deliver the product in one direction through at least one dispensing hole 68 visible in fig. 8A and 8B, which at least one dispensing hole 68 is closed at rest and can be opened under the pressure of the upstream product.

As shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the dispensing endpiece 53 may comprise a plurality of dispensing apertures 68 arranged in a row with one another to deliver the product along the applicator member 15.

As shown in fig. 8A, the dispensing orifice 68 or orifices 68 may be along a longitudinal axis X with the dispensing end piece 53_emA slot elongated by a vertical axis. In a variant, the dispensing orifice 68 is oriented along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispensing end piece 53. The one or more dispensing orifices 68 are preferably aligned along the median plane of the diameter of the dispensing end piece 53. The length p of each dispensing aperture 68 may be in the range of 1mm to 5 mm. Dispensing hole68 may have the same length and be evenly distributed along the dispensing end piece 53. The spacing w between two successive dispensing apertures 68 is for example 1mm to 5 mm.

Preferably, the dispensing end piece 53 is elastically deformable so that the internal volume can be increased to collect the product coming from the reservoir 23 before it is dispensed, the dispensing hole or holes 68 being designed to open only after such volume increase. Thus, the dispensing of the product can be spread out over a period of time greater than the period of time over which the action of filling the dispensing end piece 53 lasts.

Prolonged product dispensing can be used to ensure as even application as possible along the treated lock properly and to reduce the risk of the product being present in an inappropriate amount.

Preferably, the system for supplying the applicator member is designed so that the dispensing of the product after the jaws 3 and 4 have been moved together lasts more than 10s, in particular between 10s and 30s, for example about 20 s, i.e. about the average duration of a lock treatment for most users.

A particularly simple and effective way of obtaining an extended dispensing of the product is to use an elastomeric material to make the dispensing end piece 53 with a closed tubular shape at one of its ends, for example with a hardness of Shore 55, as shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the dispensing end piece 53 being provided with a plurality of dispensing orifices 68 in the form of slots which are closed at rest and which can be opened by elastic deformation under the pressure of the upstream product. The slot is preferably made by cutting to close with a suitable seal when not in use.

The dispensing end piece 53 comprises, for example, a tubular body with a wall thickness between 0.3mm and 2mm, for example with an internal diameter of 3.2mm and an external diameter of 5mm, and is made of silicone or some other material, such as EPDM (rubber).

Preferably, the applicator member 15 is in contact with the dispensing endpiece 53, next to the hole 68, so as to absorb the product conveyed through the hole as soon as it is discharged.

The dispensing end piece 53 can extend along the longitudinal axis Z of the head 25.

As shown in fig. 6, the conduit 65 and the reservoir 23 are connected by an end piece 71.

As shown in fig. 6, conduit 65 may pass through end piece 71 into reservoir 23 and extend within reservoir 23.

As shown in fig. 6, the reservoir 23 may be formed by a separate element that is inserted into a corresponding housing 47 provided on the support housing 39.

The cover 42 and the cover 55 may be secured to the thermoformed support housing 39 by welding or, in a variant, by adhesive bonding to the thermoformed support housing 39.

The reservoir 23 provided in the housing 47 of the support housing 39 may be at least partially rigid or flexible. When the reservoir 23 has a flexible wall 73, as shown in fig. 10A, for example, the reservoir 23 is formed by assembly of two polypropylene sheets or from a composite forming a flexible pouch.

To assemble the refill 20, the reservoir 23 with the preferably flexible conduit 65 secured thereto may then be placed in the support housing 39, and the cap 42 and the cap 55 then attached to the support housing 39. The second cap 55 may carry the applicator member 15 while it is attached to the support housing 39. The applicator member 15 may also be subsequently fastened to the second cap 55.

In a variant, the reservoir 23 is at least partially defined by a thermoformed shell 39. For example, as shown in fig. 10B, the reservoir 23 is defined by a support housing 39 and a flexible wall 73, which flexible wall 73 is fastened to the support housing 39 and is able to gradually shape itself into the shape of the bottom of the housing 47 during evacuation of the reservoir. The ventilation holes 50 are then preferably made in the first cover 42.

In another variant, the reservoir 23 is carried by the lid 42, as shown in fig. 10C, for example defined between the lid 42 and a flexible wall 73, which flexible wall 73 can be folded over the lid 42 during emptying of the reservoir 23. The ventilation holes 50 are then preferably made in the support housing 39.

The flexible wall 73 may be an elastically deformable diaphragm. Where appropriate, reinforcing bosses (not shown) are provided to make it easier for reservoir 23 to be emptied completely, so that flexible wall 73 does not deform in a manner that would prevent product from flowing to conduit 65 when product is sucked from reservoir 23.

The reservoir 23 may be disposable. In a variant, the refill 20 may comprise a valve (not shown) for filling the reservoir 23, which makes it possible to fill the reservoir 23 when the reservoir 23 is empty or partially empty.

In a variant not shown, the first cover 42 and the second cover 55 are integrally moulded and form a single cover having an opening in the intermediate portion 62 to allow access to the duct 65.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 9, multiple copies of the thermoformed support housing 39 are made in one piece, for example by thermoforming a sheet 75 of thermoplastic material (such as polycarbonate). The cover 42 and the cover 55 may be made of the same material or different materials.

The thermoformed support shell 39 may also be manufactured by thermoforming a sheet 75, the remainder of the sheet 75 being used as a stand to display the refill 20 to a user. As shown in fig. 9, when a plurality of support housings 39 are manufactured by thermoforming from the same sheet 75, these support housings 39 are preferably arranged in a regularly spaced manner. The components of the refill 20 may be assembled directly onto each support housing 39 without separating the support housing 39 from the sheet 75. A line of weakness or pre-cut line may be implemented around each support housing 39 to allow removal of the refill 20 while leaving the other refill 20 secured to the sheet 75. The sheet 75 may have an opening 78 for securing to a display stand.

The support housing 39 may be made of an opaque or non-opaque thermoplastic material. The same applies to the cover 42 and the cover 55. In particular, it may be advantageous to make at least one of the cover 42 and the cover 55 of the support housing 39 from a non-opaque material to allow a user to be able to see the amount of product contained in the reservoir 23. Where appropriate, the support housing 39 or cover 42 is manufactured in a color that makes it easier to see the amount of product, for example a colored base, the color of which is different from that of the product.

In the example of fig. 1 to 4, the refill 20 is fastened to the base of the upper arm 5, and then the flap 18 closes the housing 33 in which the refill 20 is housed. In a variant, as shown in fig. 11 to 14, the refill 20 may be secured to the flap 18, the flap 18 then being folded down into its closed position to bring the refill 20 into its use configuration on the handpiece 2.

For example, as shown in these figures, the flap 18 includes a tab 80 that allows the refill 20 to be secured to the flap 18 when the flap 18 is in its open position.

In the example shown in fig. 11 to 14, flap 18 is hinged by its proximal end portion 18a, as shown in fig. 1 to 4, but may also be hinged in some other way.

Refill 20 may be inserted between tabs 36 on flap 18, with tabs 36 positioning refill 20.

The refill 20 which may be used on the handpiece 2 in fig. 11 to 14 is shown in particular in fig. 15 to 17.

The refill 20 comprises a holder 83 which defines a housing containing the dispensing end piece 53 and which serves to retain the applicator member 15 on the dispensing end piece 53.

Reservoir 23 preferably includes a rigid body 86.

As shown in fig. 16, the bracket 83 may include an extension 88 for holding the reservoir 23 in a predefined position relative to the dispensing end piece 53.

At one end thereof, the extension 88 has an end piece, which is manufactured by integral molding with the rest of the holder 83, into which the main body 86 of the reservoir 23 is inserted.

The bracket 83 is preferably designed to be fastened to the flap 18 by form fit, in particular by snap fastening. For example, in the region of the distal end portion 18b of flap 18 on jaw 3, said flap 18 comprises a tab 80 which is snap-fastened to a bracket 83. Proximal portion 18a of flap 18 may also include a boss 36 that retains reservoir 23 by friction and/or snap-fit fastening.

In the example shown in FIG. 17, the stent 83 extends along less than the overall length L of the refill 20_rechExtend over a distance l.

As shown in fig. 16, the reservoir 23 preferably includes a rigid body 86, with a slave piston 90 movable within the rigid body 86.

The body 86 of the reservoir is formed by an end piece 92 for connection to the flexible conduit 65.

The slave piston 90 may be manufactured with a check washer 94, which check washer 94 may slide on the inner surface of the body 86 as the internal volume of the reservoir 23 decreases, and may become supported to prevent any reverse movement of the piston 90.

The end piece 92 for connection to the conduit 65 may be manufactured in one piece by moulding together with the body 86 of the reservoir 23.

Filling the dispensing end piece 53 under pressure can be carried out in various ways.

In the variant shown in fig. 11 to 14, the product is moved from the reservoir 23 to the dispensing end piece 53 by actuating the peristaltic pump.

A particularly simple and effective way of manufacturing the pump is to make use of a system as shown in fig. 18, which comprises a pressing element 95, such as a roller or cam (cam), which can be moved on the upper arm 5 so as to be able to abut, during its movement, against the flexible duct 65 connecting the reservoir 23 to the head 25 and to press this flexible duct 65, then to gradually squeeze this flexible duct 65 in the direction of the head 25 so as to cause the product contained inside to flow towards the head 25. As long as the jaws 3 and 4 are closed on the hair, the duct 65 remains squeezed, which makes it possible to keep the dispensing end piece 53 under pressure and to force the product out of the dispensing end piece 53 through the hole 68.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19, the pressing element 95 may be actuated by a projection carried by the lower arm 6, which projection comes into contact with the pressing element 95 when the jaws 3 and 4 are moved together.

On its opposite face, the pressing element 95 may comprise two pairs of lugs 97 which are inserted into guide slots (not shown) provided on the upright 98 shown in fig. 1 and 13. These guide slots are oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the flexible conduit 65 extending between the uprights 98. The pressing element 95 can be moved in a substantially translatory manner first in the guide groove to press the flexible conduit 65 under the squeezing pressure of the projection. These guide grooves each have a notch allowing the pressing element 95 to tilt, the pressing element 95 gradually pressing the flexible duct 65 as the pressure of the boss on the pressing element 95 continues, the lugs 97 engaging in the notches.

Preferably, the boss is carried by an adjustment member 100 (such as a slider or knob), rotation or movement of the adjustment member 100 acting on the extent and/or position of the boss acting on the pressing element 95. In a variant, the flow rate is adjusted on the arm carrying the reservoir, for example by means of an adjustment member which limits the flow of product to a greater or lesser extent, or which pushes back to a greater or lesser extent, the counter-bearing surface against which the flexible duct 65 is compressed by the pressing element 95 during operation of the peristaltic pump.

The adjustment member 100 enables adjustment of the pressing element 95 into the end position of the operating device without dispensing the cosmetic product. By virtue of the adjustment member 100, the user benefits from being able to act on the flow rate of the cosmetic product delivered at each closure of the jaws 3 and 4. The adjustment may be performed continuously or incrementally depending on the manner in which the adjustment member 100 is able to move on the lower arm 6.

In the variant of fig. 20 to 25, the refill 20 comprises a flap-valve pump 103 and the handpiece 2 is made to actuate this flap-valve pump 103, for example when the two arms 5 and 6 have been moved together, or in a variant, this flap-valve pump 103 is actuated by means of an actuating member that can be actuated by the user independently of the movement of the arms together. As in the example of fig. 11-14, the refill 20 can be secured to the flap 18.

The flap valve pump 103 may include a diaphragm 105, the diaphragm 105 being positioned opposite an actuating member when the flap 18 is closed, e.g., the actuating member being adjustable in height to enable control of the amount of product delivered by the pump 103 upon each actuation.

More specifically, the refill 20 is shown in fig. 23-25. The flap-valve pump 103 comprises a body made in one piece with an end piece 109 and an end piece 111, the end piece 109 and the end piece 111 being intended to be connected to the reservoir 23 and the dispensing end piece 53, respectively.

The flap-valve pump 103 includes a pump chamber 114, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the pump chamber 114 being defined in part by the diaphragm 105.

The end piece 109 for connection to the reservoir 23 can accommodate an inlet valve (not shown) which opens when the volume of the pump chamber 114 increases and closes again when the volume of the pump chamber 114 decreases during actuation of the diaphragm 105. The pump 103 may also include an outlet valve, which may be incorporated into the pump 103, for example in the region of the end piece 93 for connection to the conduit 65.

Where appropriate, pump chamber 114 may have one or more bellows. In the case of such a pumping mechanism, a backflow prevention valve exists between the reservoir 23 and the pump chamber 114, which opens in the flow direction from the reservoir 23 to the pump chamber 114.

In a variant, the outlet valve is formed by one or more dispensing orifices 68 of the dispensing end piece 53, which orifices 68 open under the effect of the pressure of the upstream product and close again when the pressure has dropped, by virtue of the inherent elasticity of the material from which the duct 65 is made.

The refill 20 may comprise a cradle 83 housing the dispensing end piece 53, the cradle 83 enabling the position of the dispensing end piece 53 relative to the reservoir 23 to be ensured.

The reservoir 23 is made by a rigid body with a slave piston or by a flexible pouch.

Where appropriate, reservoir 23 may be secured to inlet end piece 109 of pump 103 with the interposition of an O-ring seal 117, as shown.

When the diaphragm 105 is deformed by the actuating boss 95 supported on the lower arm 6, the internal volume of the pump chamber 114 is reduced. The inlet valve closes and product is forced out toward the dispensing end piece 53. The one or more outlet holes 68 may open under the pressure of the product and then close again when the pressure decreases after the product is discharged.

When the actuation boss 95 clears the diaphragm 105, the diaphragm 105 returns to its original shape through inherent elasticity, causing the volume of the pump chamber 114 to increase, which returns to its original volume. The corresponding pressure reduction causes the inlet valve to open and product from the reservoir 23 to be received.

In another variant, the system for dispensing the product can be realized without a pump, by means of a driven piston which moves unidirectionally in the reservoir, this movement being caused by the jaws 3 and 4 moving together. For example, the piston is pushed by a rod which is driven incrementally and unidirectionally in each movement of the jaws 3 and 4 together.

The feed system may be implemented to dispense a dose of product only after the jaws have been moved together a predetermined number of times.

In the example that has just been described, the refill 20 extends along a substantial portion of the length of the upper arm 5, in particular inside the corresponding half-handle 10, so as to enable the inertia of the device to be reduced.

However, the invention is not limited to refills 20 extending along more than half the length of the arm 5, as shown in fig. 26 and 27, in particular refills 20 may be manufactured in such a way as to be substantially housed in the upper jaw 3.

In these figures, the possibility of manufacturing the refill 20 with a lateral extension 116 has also been shown, this lateral extension 116 remaining visible when the flap 18 has been closed, to form an indication that the refill 20 is present on the handpiece 2.

When the refill 20 is designed to be substantially housed in the jaw 3, the reservoir 23 may or may not be superposed on the dispensing end piece 53, the refill 20 may comprise one or more components of a pump, which may be of the peristaltic type or of the flap valve type.

Flap 18 can be pivoted about a longitudinal axis X generally parallel to upper arm 5₁Parallel longitudinal axis Y, or, as shown in fig. 28 and 29, in a variant, flap 18 may be hinged about longitudinal axis X with upper arm 5₁The vertical axis Y being articulated, for example, about a pin parallel to the axis for articulating the lower arm 6 and the upper arm 5, and better still for articulating the lower arm 6 and the upper arm 5The pins together are hinged with coinciding axes. It may be advantageous for the hinge of the pivoting flap to be the same as the hinge of the arm, as this may make it easier to manufacture the handpiece 2.

However, it is preferred to make flap 18 such that flap 18 surrounds a longitudinal axis X substantially parallel to arm 5₁The parallel axes are hinged as this reduces the span length and thus the need for a stiffening flap 18.

Flap 18 may be hinged about a fixed axis of rotation, or in variants the movement of the hinge may be more complex, in particular may occur by means of a hinge 28 which allows not only a purely rotational movement but also a translational movement, so as to ensure, for example, the parallelism of the surface in contact with flap 18 and the surface in contact with the base of arm 5 carrying flap 18. In this case, the hinge 28 comprises, for example, a bearing having a slightly elongated hole in which the hinge pin can optionally move in the presence of a resilient return member which tends to urge the pin against one end of the elongated housing.

Where appropriate, a window may be provided to allow the user to see the extent to which the reservoir 23 is empty. In a variant, each action of moving the jaws 3 and 4 together increments a counter which is initialized when a new refill 20 is installed, which can be used to alert the user that the reservoir 23 is about to be completely emptied. The counter may also be used to signal to the user that the product is ready to be dispensed when a certain number of actuations of the jaws 3 and 4 are necessary before the product impregnates the applicator member 15, taking into account the dead volume that needs to start filling before the product is dispensed. When the power detects that the jaws 3 and 4 are moved together, counting can be done electronically by the base station.

In another variant, the system for feeding the applicator member 15 with product is driven in a motorized manner by means of an electric motor housed in the arm 5, or possibly in the assembly forming the refill 20.

Fig. 28 and 29 show the possibility of the refill 20 extending substantially along the entire length of the arm 5.

Where appropriate, the refill 20 may include an identifier that is recognized by the device, which allows at least one of the following additional functions:

-automatically adjusting one or more operating parameters of said device based on knowledge of the nature of the product given by the base station, the automatic adjustment resulting from the identification by the identifier,

displaying information guiding the user in the operation to be carried out, according to the nature of the product contained in the refill 20,

knowing the capacity of the mounted store 23 and outputting a signal warning the user when the product has run out, provided the device knows the number of doses dispensed, for example by counting the number of times the jaws 3 and 4 have been moved together,

entering a predetermined state of the device, for example outputting a warning signal, if the presence of the storage 23 is not detected,

-preventing operation if no identifier with authentication function is identified.

The refill 20 may be identified mechanically and/or electronically. In the case of electronic identification, the refill 20 may carry an electronic chip in which useful information is contained, and one of the arms 5 or 6 may carry a corresponding reading means.

In the example shown, the heat treatment is ensured by heating elements 120 and 122, visible in fig. 30, carried by the upper and lower arms 5 and 6, respectively, each having a plate defining a hot surface 125 for contacting the hair.

The plates of heating element 120 and the plates of heating element 122 are made of any material suitable for the process to be performed, for example, metal, ceramic or glass.

The surface condition of the plates of heating element 120 and 122 in the area of contact with the hair depends on the desired treatment, and preferably the plates are smooth when the device is used to straighten hair.

The length of the plate defines the extent of the treatment zone perpendicular to the direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 relative to the hair. The thermal surface 125 defined by the plate is, for example, flat and has a rectangular profile.

One plate is mounted, for example, in a fixed manner on the corresponding arm, while the other plate is mounted in an articulated manner (for example by means of a ball joint) so as to allow the two plates to extend parallel to each other and to the intermediate processing plane in the closed configuration of the jaws. Where appropriate, at least one plate is provided on one of the arms 5 and 6, supported by the structure forming the spring.

The heating elements 120 and 122 may each comprise a resistor powered by a base station, preferably temperature regulated by one or more sensors disposed near the heating resistor or one or more sensors in contact with the plate.

The steam treatment is ensured by a vaporization member consisting of a resistance element provided in an evaporation chamber supplied with water by a base station. The evaporation chamber may comprise an electrically driven pump, preferably a peristaltic pump, which draws water from a reservoir of water to be sent to the handpiece 2. Such as the pump disclosed in publication FR 2967018.

The evaporation chamber can be made according to the teachings in application EP 2449909a1 or according to other ways and communicates with at least one steam outlet.

The evaporation chamber is provided on one of the arms, i.e. on the lower arm 6 in the example in question, and the steam outlet is provided on the same arm 6.

In the example shown, the steam outlet has the form of a bevel 128, wherein the shape of the bevel 128 is in relation to the longitudinal axis X of the lower arm 6₂Elongated in parallel directions.

The bevel 128 may have a plurality of holes for spraying steam, for example between 6 and 10 holes, which are preferably evenly distributed along the bevel 128 and each have an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the intermediate treatment plane.

The vaporization member is powered by a base station and the temperature sensor is advantageously arranged in the evaporation chamber. The base station can be made to control the power supply of the vaporizing member to maintain the temperature of the vapour leaving the evaporation chamber at a value between 110 ℃ and 130 ℃.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 30, the applicator member 15 is arranged opposite a counter-bearing surface 130 defined by a block carried by the lower arm 6. The counter-bearing surface 130 is preferably substantially in the form of a semi-cylindrical surface of revolution, in which the generatrix and the longitudinal axis X of the lower arm 6 are aligned₂Parallel. In a variation, the opposing bearing surface 130 may be a roller.

The opposing bearing surfaces 130 can help direct steam exiting the ramps 128 toward the hair.

When the jaws 3 and 4 are closed, the counter-bearing surface 130 abuts against the applicator member 15, preferably the counter-bearing surface 130 slightly compresses the applicator member 15, for example over a distance k between 1mm and 5 mm.

The radius of curvature r of the counter bearing surface 130, measured with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm, is for example between 2mm and 10 mm.

The counter-bearing surface 130 may be movable relative to the jaw 4 carrying it, and its movement may be controlled by an adjustment member (e.g. an adjustment member that adjusts the amount of product dispensed when the arms 5 and 6 are moved together). Preferably, the adjustment member acts on the height of the counter bearing surface 130. When the adjustment member is in the position in which the pump is not actuated, the counter-bearing surface may reach its maximum height and thus be located at the maximum compression position of the applicator member 15. This configuration makes it possible to wipe the applicator member after use.

The counter-bearing surface 130 may also be defined by a member designed to define a protective cap for the applicator member 15 when not in use. This member is thus able to partially cover the applicator member 15, and preferably completely cover the applicator member 15, to promote preservation of the product still wetting the applicator member 15.

The handpiece 2 may include a comb (not shown) that is preferably removably secured to the lower arm 6. The comb is made, for example, of rigid thermoplastic material and has a longitudinal axis X along the lower arm 6₂An elongated shape.

The presence of a comb is advantageous in that it separates a lock of hair into multiple strands, which tends to increase the contact surface of the hair with the hot surface 125 and improve the straightening action. In addition, by separating the lock of hair, the surface area for exchanging steam and cosmetic products is also increased to benefit the effect of the treatment. The comb may also help to increase the pulling force exerted on the hair, especially in case of straightening, which may improve the styling of the hair. The comb may also help to homogenize the product deposited on the hair upstream by the applicator member 15.

Preferably, the device is manufactured such that: when the handpiece 2 is pulled in the direction D from the root of the hair to the ends of the hair, a portion of the hair introduced between the jaws 3 and 4 and moving with respect to the jaws 3 and 4 is subjected to a heat treatment, successively by passing between the applicator member 15 and the counter-bearing surface 130, by passing in line with the ramp 128 for spraying the steam, by exposing to the steam, and by passing between the hot surfaces 125.

The handpiece 2 may advantageously have a user-visible marker on its top, such as an arrow, which informs the user of the correct direction of movement of the device.

Steam treatment can improve penetration of the product deposited upstream of the hair. Heat treatment can dry the hair and fix its shape.

Many modifications may be made to the apparatus just described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In a variant not shown, for example in the case of a hair care or dyeing treatment, the heating elements 120 and 122 and their associated hot surfaces 125 are not present, the device being designed to effect application of the cosmetic product only and exposure to steam.

Where appropriate, there may be multiple heating elements 120 and 122 on each of the arms 5 and 6, which can allow the handpiece 2 to be used in any direction of movement on the hair. The device can maintain a preferred direction of motion D during processing even when there are multiple heating elements 120 and 122 on each of the arms 5 or 6.

The heating elements 120 and 122 carried by the same arm 5 or by the same arm 6 may comprise plates of the same width and may be operated simultaneously.

Regardless of the direction of movement, in order to obtain a symmetrical treatment, the device may comprise two steam outlets on both sides of the member for applying the cosmetic product 15 and located between the hot surfaces 120 and 122.

If there are a plurality of heating elements 120 and 122 on each of the arms 5 and 6, the member 15 for applying the cosmetic product can be arranged at a distance from the heating elements 120 and 122, with only one steam outlet being present between the plates.

The movement on the hair is preferably carried out to ensure that the cosmetic product is deposited first.

In a variant not shown, at least one of the heating elements 120 and 122 is made so as to be able to rotate in contact with the hair when the handpiece 2 is moved along the lock of hair to be treated, and has the form of a rotating cylinder, for example. The other of the heating element 120 and the heating element 122 may have a concave curved shape adapted to receive a roller when the jaws 3 and 4 are moved together.

The steam spray direction may be non-perpendicular to the intermediate process plane to increase the area affected by the jet of steam, which is inclined, for example, by 0 ° to 20 ° with respect to the normal. The jets discharged from the various exit orifices (also referred to as nozzles) of the ramp may diverge sufficiently to cause substantially uniform exposure of the lock in its width direction.

The apparatus according to the invention is preferably used with a base station; in a variant, the handpiece 2 is used independently, comprising a reservoir of water necessary for the production of steam.

The cosmetic product applied by the device according to the invention may be any type of hair care product. Expression cosmetic hair care product means a composition comprising one or more active ingredients for hair care use, in particular a product as defined in instructions 93/35/EEC issued 6/14 1993. Water in liquid or gaseous form, which does not contain any additives for hair care applications, does not constitute a cosmetic product within the meaning of the present invention. Cosmetic products may be intended to make hair styling easier. Examples of active ingredients are given, for example, in paragraphs [0031] and [0032] in publication US 2010/0307528A 1. The product may have an aqueous or non-aqueous base.

In the example just described, the cosmetic product is not heated, except for the presence of heating elements 120 and 122 and the heat loss caused by the steam spray between jaws 3 and 4. In one variant, the cosmetic product is heated by specific heating means (for example a heating resistor printed on the cartridge through which the product passes or on which the product is arranged or in contact with the reservoir) to increase its temperature before application. This increase in temperature can have the effect of reducing the viscosity of the product and making it easier to apply.

The applicator member 15 may be manufactured in some other way than with foam, for example with felt, frit or a brush.

The refill 20 may comprise at least one closure member removably positionable on the applicator head 25, in particular on the applicator member 15, to protect the applicator member 15 from the external environment when not in use for applying the product. The closure member can be applied to the refill 20 when the refill 20 is located on the handpiece 2 or not on the handpiece 2. The closure member may cover the applicator member 15 when the refill 20 is positioned in the housing 33 of the handpiece 2. The closure member may be separate from the device or, in a variant, is an element permanently present on the device. The member defining the counter bearing surface 130 may be removable and serves as a member for closing the refill 20, particularly when turning.

Due to the longitudinal configuration of the refill 20, the dispensing of the product through the evenly distributed dispensing holes 68 having equal dimensions is not uniform. The dispensing orifice in the vicinity of the reservoir is subjected to a greater pressure than the dispensing orifice positioned at the end, with the result that the dispensing orifice opens more and dispenses more product towards the applicator member 15.

The following variant enables a more uniform distribution of the product along the dispensing endpiece 53 towards the applicator member 15.

In the variant shown in fig. 31, the dispensing orifices 68 of the dispensing end piece 53 are spaced apart by a variable distance w, so that the density of the dispensing orifices 68 varies as a function of their position on the dispensing end piece 53. Preferably, the density of the dispensing holes 68 increases with increasing distance from the reservoir 23 to allow the product to be distributed uniformly in the direction of the applicator member 15.

In the variant shown in fig. 32, the dispensing orifice 68 of the dispensing end piece 53 has a variable width p, depending on its position on the dispensing end piece 53. Preferably, the width p of the dispensing hole increases with increasing distance from the reservoir 23 to allow the product to be uniformly dispensed in the direction of the applicator member 15.

In a variant, the counter-support surface 130 is inclined at a non-right angle with respect to the applicator member 15 to apply a variable pressure to the applicator member 15. Preferably, the pressure exerted by the counter-bearing surface 130 on the applicator member 15 increases with increasing distance from the reservoir 23, to allow the product to be applied uniformly to a lock of hair introduced between the upper and lower arms 5, 6.

As shown in fig. 33 and 34, the device may comprise a cavity 131 on the arm 6 opposite the applicator member 15 of the refill 20, which cavity 131 accommodates a detachable counter-support member 129. When the arms 5 and 6 are in the moved-together configuration, the counter-support member 129 defines a counter-support surface 130 for applying hair onto the applicator member 15.

The counter-support member 129 may comprise at least one slot 132, better shown in fig. 34 as two ribs 132, which receive the ribs 133 of the cavity 131. The thickness of the slot 132 may substantially coincide with the thickness of the rib 133 and/or the rear side of the counter support member 129 may be in contact with the bottom of the cavity 131 so that the counter support member 129 remains in place in the cavity 131.

The cavity 131 is open towards the outside through an opening opposite the applicator member 15, so that the counter-support surface 130 can face the applicator member 15, and the cavity 131 is open towards the outside through a front opening for insertion and removal of the counter-support member 129.

The device 2 may comprise a locking element (not shown) to cooperate with a corresponding protrusion of the counter support member 129 to lock the counter support member 129 in the cavity 131. For example, the locking element may be a snap-in projection formed on the rib 133 of the cavity that mates with a corresponding projection formed in the slot 132 of the counter support member 129.

Preferably, the counter-support member 129 passes along an axis X substantially parallel to the arm 6₂Is inserted and removed through the front opening of the cavity.

As shown in fig. 33 and 34, the counter bearing surface 130 may be flat.

As in the variant of fig. 34, the refill 20 may comprise a porous element, in particular a felt element, the upper part of which forms the reservoir 23 and the lower part of which, in contact with the hair, forms the applicator member 15.

The device may be used in the following manner: the jaws 3 and 4 are moved along a lock of hair to straighten the hair. The device may also be used by: the hair is curled by wrapping a lock of hair around the jaw 3 or jaw 4 and by sliding the lock of hair over the jaw 3 or jaw 4 to unwind the wrapped hair.

The device may be used in a hot state without steam generation or in a hot state without heating element 120 or heating element 122 being activated.

In a variant, the vapor outlet and the applicator member 15 occupy substantially the same position with respect to the movement direction D of the device on a lock of hair. In this case, one or more vapour outlet holes are formed, for example, through the counter-bearing surface against which the applicator member 15 rests when the jaws 3 and 4 are closed.

In the example shown, the generation of steam takes place on the lower arm 6 and the application of the product takes place on the upper arm 5. The arrangement may be reversed.

Dispensing end piece 53 may not be elastically deformable and may dispense product only during the movement of jaws 3 and 4 moving together. An elastically deformable chamber for collecting the product can also be inserted in the product path between the conduit 65 against which the pressing element 95 abuts and the dispensing end piece 53, for example formed by a portion of elastically deformable tube, or by a membrane which is elastically deformable or can move without inherent elasticity but against an elastic return member which deforms to accompany the increase in volume and generates the pressure necessary to continue dispensing the product once the jaws 3 and 4 have moved together.

The housing in the device housing the refill may comprise at least one light source.

The light source may enable the user to see that the refill is present when the device is in operation.

When the refill is made at least in part of a material from which the cosmetic product contained therein can be seen, the light source may make it easier for the user to determine the amount of cosmetic product remaining in the refill.

Thus, it may prove advantageous to manufacture a refill in which at least a portion of the reservoir is made of a transparent or translucent material, and to provide a light source to illuminate the reservoir.

Preferably, the flap has a window that can see at least the illuminated portion of the reservoir so that a user can know the amount of product remaining when the flap is in the closed position. The color of the light source may, where appropriate, be varied in dependence on certain parameters, for example to signal that the treatment temperature has been reached or that the amount of product or water is low.

The expression "comprising one" is to be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" and the extreme values are included in the full range of the indicated values.

Claims (27)

1. A device for treating hair, the device comprising:

-two arms (5, 6) movable with respect to each other between a moved-together configuration for treating the hair and an open configuration for inserting hair to be treated between the arms, one of the arms (5) comprising a base with a housing (33) and an outer flap (18) pivoted on the base between an open position for accessing the housing (33) and a closed position preventing access to the housing (33),

-a refill (20), the refill (20) comprising:

a reservoir (23) containing the product to be applied, and

an applicator member (15) for applying the product from the reservoir (23),

the refill (20) being detachably arranged in the housing (33),

the housing has an opening to the other arm, the opening being configured for application of a hair care product through the applicator member.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the flap (18) is designed to act on an electrical contact in the closed position.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap (18) comprises at least one projection (80) for fastening the refill (20) to the flap (18).

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir (23) comprises a rigid or semi-rigid body in contact with the product.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refill (20) is designed to: the refill (20) is positioned in the housing (33) when the flap (18) is in the open position.

6. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (33) for housing the refill (20) is along the length (L) of the arm (5)_br) Is greater than half the length extension.

7. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap (18) is longitudinally hinged on the arm (5).

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the arm (5) on which the flap (18) is hinged defines a half-handle (10), the flap (18) being hinged on the half-handle (10).

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the arm (5) on which the flap (18) is hinged defines a half-handle (10), the flap (18) being hinged on a distal portion of the arm (5) extending between a free end of the arm (5) and the half-handle (10).

10. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap (18) is hinged about a transverse axis (Y) with respect to the direction of elongation of the arm (5) carrying the flap (18).

11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arm (6) opposite to the arm on which the flap (18) is hinged has a steam outlet (128).

12. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap (18) is designed to be snap-fastened to the base of the arm (5) in the closed position.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the flap (18) carries at least one elastically deformable member (31) for holding the flap (18) in the closed position.

14. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (33) opens towards the outside and/or to a window, so that the refill (20) can be seen present on the arm (5) when the flap (18) is in the closed position.

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the refill (20) has at least one extension (116) that opens onto the outside of the arm (5).

16. The device of claim 15, said extension (116) being a lateral extension projecting from or flush with a side of said arm (5).

17. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arms (5, 6) define half-handles (10, 11), the half-handles (10, 11) extending towards the distal ends of the arms (5, 6) to the jaws (3, 4), the flap (18) defining the top of one of the jaws (3).

18. Device according to claim 17, wherein the maximum thickness (E) of the arms (5, 6) measured at the jaws (3, 4) is greater than the maximum thickness of the arms (5, 6) measured at the half-handles (10, 11).

19. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap (18) carries means for closing means for applying the product contained in the refill (20) when the device is not in use.

20. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap (18) or the base of the arm (5) has a projection designed to: the projection engages the reservoir of the refill to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir when the refill (20) is mounted on the device.

21. Device according to claim 20, wherein the reservoir (23) comprises a slave piston (90) and the projection is designed to act on the slave piston (90) to move the slave piston (90) forward in the reservoir (23).

22. The device according to claim 1 or 2, which is a straightener, the two arms (5, 6) each comprising a heating element (120, 122).

23. A device for treating hair, the device comprising:

-two arms (5, 6) movable with respect to each other between a moved-together configuration for treating the hair and an open configuration for inserting hair to be treated between the arms (5, 6), one of the arms (5) comprising a base with a housing (33) and the other of the arms (6) comprising a cavity (131),

-a refill (20), the refill (20) being detachably arranged in the housing (33) and comprising:

a reservoir (23) containing the product to be applied, and

an applicator member (15) to apply the product from the reservoir (23), and

-a counter-support member (129), said counter-support member (129) being removably arranged in said cavity (131) and defining a counter-support surface (130), said counter-support surface (130) being configured to abut said hair against said applicator member (15) in said moved-together configuration of said arms (5, 6).

24. Device according to claim 23, the counter-bearing member (129) being along an axis (X) with the arm (6)₂) The parallel axes are inserted into the cavity (131) or withdrawn from the cavity (131) by sliding through the front opening of the cavity (131).

25. Device according to claim 23 or 24, the counter-bearing member (129) comprising at least one projection (132) acting as a rib or slot, the projection (132) cooperating with a complementary projection (133) acting as a slot or rib of the wall of the cavity (131) facing the projection (132).

26. Device according to claim 23 or 24, the counter-bearing member (129) being of one piece.

27. Device according to claim 23 or 24, the arm (5) carrying the refill (20) being able to comprise an outer flap (18), the outer flap (18) being pivoted on the base between an open position for access to the housing (33) and a closed position preventing access to the housing (33).

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