CN116194013A

CN116194013A - Accessory for hair care appliance

Info

Publication number: CN116194013A
Application number: CN202180063489.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·科尔顿; M·基恩; P·达布斯
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-18
Filing date: 2021-09-03
Publication date: 2023-05-30
Also published as: GB2598924A; US20240008618A1; WO2022058710A1; GB2624338A; EP4213684A1; GB202014730D0; GB2598924B; KR20230067673A; JP2023542010A

Abstract

An accessory for a hair care appliance is described. The accessory includes an inlet for receiving an air stream and a plurality of outlets (113 a,113 b) through which the air stream exits. The accessory further includes one or more members (140) movable between a first position and a second position. When the member is in the first position, the air flow is discharged from the outlet in a clockwise direction, and when the member is in the second position, the air flow is discharged from the outlet in a counter-clockwise direction.

Description

Accessory for hair care appliance

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an accessory for a hair care appliance, and a hair care appliance including the accessory.

Background

The hair care appliance may include an accessory around which hair is wrapped to create a curl. Air may be vented from the accessory to encourage hair to wind around the accessory.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides an accessory for a hair care appliance, comprising: an inlet for receiving a flow of gas; a plurality of outlets through which the airflow is discharged; and one or more members movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the members are in the first position, the air flow is discharged from the outlet in a clockwise direction, and when the members are in the second position, the air flow is discharged from the outlet in a counter-clockwise direction.

The outlet may comprise a first outlet from which the air flow is discharged in a clockwise direction and a second outlet from which the air flow is discharged in a counter-clockwise direction, and the member is capable of blocking the air flow to the second outlet when in the first position and blocking the air flow to the first outlet when in the second position.

Each member is rotatable between a first position and a second position.

Each member may be rotatable about a different respective axis.

Each outlet may comprise a slot extending substantially along the length of the accessory.

The air flow may exit each outlet in a direction substantially tangential to the outer surface of the accessory.

The air flow exiting each outlet may be drawn to the outer surface of the accessory.

The accessory may be generally cylindrical.

The accessory may have a longitudinal axis and each outlet may include a slot extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The accessory may include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the inner sleeve may include a plurality of openings, and the outer sleeve may include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The member is then one of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve and rotates relative to the other of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. When the member is in the first position, the opening of the inner sleeve is aligned with the first opening of the outer sleeve such that the air flow is discharged in a clockwise direction. When the member is in the second position, the opening of the inner sleeve is aligned with the second opening of the outer sleeve such that the air flow is discharged in a counter-clockwise direction.

Each movable member includes a shutter, and the accessory may include a plurality of posts. Then, when in the first position, each louver contacts a first column and when in the second position, contacts a different second column.

When in the first position, each louver may contact the first pillar along a first edge of the louver and may form a first outlet along a second edge of the louver. Each louver may also contact the second column along the second edge when in the second position, and may form a second outlet along the first edge. The air flow then exits the first outlet in a clockwise direction and the air flow exits the second outlet in a counter-clockwise direction.

The accessory may include a user actuated selector for moving the member between the first position and the second position.

The selector may include a dial that rotates to move the member between the first position and the second position.

The selector may be latched and have two stable positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the member.

The present invention also provides a hair care appliance comprising a blower for generating an air flow, a plurality of outlets through which the air flow is discharged, and one or more members movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the members are in the first position the air flow is discharged from the outlets in a clockwise direction and when the members are in the second position the air flow is discharged from the outlets in a counter-clockwise direction.

Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a hair care appliance;

fig. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a handle unit of the hair care appliance;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical components of the handle unit;

fig. 4 is an exploded view of an accessory of the hair care appliance;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an accessory;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the attachment;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through an accessory, wherein the accessory is configured to exhaust airflow in either (a) a clockwise direction or (b) a counterclockwise direction;

FIG. 8 illustrates a user changing the configuration of an accessory;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second accessory;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the second attachment;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a second accessory, wherein the accessory is configured to exhaust airflow in either (a) a clockwise direction or (b) a counterclockwise direction;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a third appendage, wherein the appendage is configured to exhaust air flow in either (a) a clockwise direction or (b) a counterclockwise direction;

FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a fourth appendage, wherein the appendage is configured to exhaust air flow in either (a) a clockwise direction or (b) a counterclockwise direction;

FIG. 14 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a fifth attachment, wherein the attachment is configured to exhaust air flow in either (a) a clockwise direction or (b) a counterclockwise direction;

FIG. 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a sixth appendage, wherein the appendage is configured to exhaust air flow in either (a) a clockwise direction or (b) a counterclockwise direction; and

fig. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the lower portion of the second attachment of fig. 9.

Detailed Description

The hair care appliance 10 of fig. 1 to 3 includes a handle unit 20 and an accessory 100 removably attached to the handle unit 20.

The handle unit 20 includes a housing 30, a blower 40, a heater 50, and a control unit 60.

The housing 30 is tubular and includes an inlet 31 through which air flow is drawn into the housing 30 by the blower 40 and an outlet 32 through which air flow is discharged from the housing 30. The blower 40 is housed within the housing 30 and includes a fan 41 driven by a motor 42. A heater 50 is also housed within the housing 30 and includes a heating element 51 to optionally heat the air flow.

The control unit 60 includes a user controller 61 and a control module 62.

A user control 61 is provided on the surface of the housing 30 and is used to turn the power to the hair care appliance 10 on and off to select a flow rate (e.g., high, medium, low), and to select an air temperature (e.g., hot, warm, cold). In this example, each user control 61 includes a slide switch. However, other forms of user control may be used, such as buttons, dials, or a touch screen.

The control module 62 is responsible for controlling the blower 40 and the heater 50 in response to inputs from the user controller 61. For example, in response to input from a user controller, the control module 62 may control the power or speed of the blower 40 to adjust the flow rate of the airflow and control the power of the heater 50 to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

Referring now to fig. 4-8, accessory 100 includes a cartridge 110 and a dial 120.

The barrel 110 is cylindrical, open at one end and closed at the other end. The open end serves as an inlet 111 to the interior 112 of the cartridge 110. A plurality of outlets 113 are formed around the sides of the cartridge. Each outlet 113 comprises a slot extending along the length of the barrel 110, and the outlets 113 are evenly spaced about the longitudinal axis 114 of the barrel 110.

Barrel 110 includes inner sleeve 140, outer sleeve 150, and a plurality of splines 160. Inner sleeve 140 and outer sleeve 150 are both cylindrical in shape. Inner sleeve 140 is positioned within outer sleeve 150 and includes a plurality of slots 141, with plurality of slots 141 extending along the length of inner sleeve 140. In the particular example shown in the figures, inner sleeve 140 includes five slots 141.

The outer sleeve 150 includes a plurality of openings 151, the plurality of openings 151 being arranged in columns extending along the length of the outer sleeve 150. More specifically, the openings 151 are arranged in pairs of

columns

152, 153 that are evenly spaced around the outer sleeve 150. Also, in the particular example shown in the drawings, the outer sleeve 150 includes five pairs of

columns

152, 153. Each pair of

columns

152, 153 is separated by a ridge 154.

Each of the splines 160 is attached to one of the ridges 154 of the outer sleeve 150, for example, by a snap fit. Each slat 160 extends either side of the ridge 154 and covers each of the columns of

openings

152, 153. The edges of the slats 160 are radially spaced from the outer sleeve 150 to form two

slots

113a,113b extending along the length of the barrel 110 between the slats 160 and the outer sleeve 150. Each of the

slots

113a,113b defines an outlet 113 of the cartridge 110.

Inner sleeve 140 is movable relative to outer sleeve 150. More specifically, inner sleeve 140 rotates about longitudinal axis 114 of barrel 110 relative to outer sleeve 150. Inner sleeve 140 is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, as shown in fig. 7 (a), each slot 141 in inner sleeve 140 is aligned with a first column of openings 152 in outer sleeve 140. In the second position, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), each slot 141 in inner sleeve 140 is aligned with a second column of openings 153 in outer sleeve 140.

In use, when the accessory 100 is attached to the handle unit 20, airflow generated by the handle unit 20 enters the interior 112 of the cartridge 110 via the inlet 111. From there, the air flow moves radially outwardly through slots 141 in inner sleeve 140. The air flow then passes through an opening 151 in the outer sleeve 150. More specifically, depending on the position of inner sleeve 140, the air flow passes through either first or second columns of

openings

152, 153 in outer sleeve 150. When inner sleeve 140 is in the first position (fig. 7 (a)), airflow passes through each of first array of openings 152. The airflow is then turned in a clockwise direction by the slats 160. Thus, the air flow is discharged from the cartridge 110 in a clockwise direction. When inner sleeve 150 is in the second position (fig. 7 (b)), airflow passes through each second column of openings 153. The airflow is then rotated by the slats 160 in a counter-clockwise direction and the airflow is expelled from the cartridge 110 in a counter-clockwise direction. Thus, by changing the position of inner sleeve 150, the direction of the air flow exiting from barrel 110 can be changed from clockwise to counterclockwise.

Turntable 120 is disposed on top of barrel 110 and is attached to inner sleeve 140 (in this example, by screws 170). Turntable 120 may be used to move inner sleeve 140 between the first and second positions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a user may grasp and twist or rotate the dial 120 to move the inner sleeve between the two positions. Thus, the user can change the direction in which the airflow is discharged from the cartridge 110. More specifically, the user can select whether the air flow is discharged in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.

With the hair care appliance 10 described above, a user can change the direction of the air flow discharged from the accessory 100. In particular, by rotating dial 120 on top of accessory 100, a user can select clockwise or counterclockwise airflow. Thus, the direction of the air flow can be changed without having to switch or replace the accessory.

The air flow exiting outlet 113 is attracted to the curved surface of barrel 110 by the coanda effect. Accordingly, hair presented to accessory 100 is attracted to barrel 110 and wraps around barrel 110. Thus, the hair care appliance 10 may be used to curl hair in a direction determined by the direction of the air flow. By providing a single accessory 100 capable of delivering clockwise and counterclockwise airflow, a user can quickly and easily change the direction of curl formation.

The change in direction of the air flow is caused by movement of inner sleeve 140 relative to outer sleeve 150. However, as will now be explained, the change in direction of the air flow may be caused by other means.

Fig. 9 to 11 show another accessory 200, which accessory 200 comprises a cartridge 210 and a turntable 220 as the accessory of fig. 4 to 7.

The barrel 210 is also generally cylindrical, open at one end and closed at the other end. The open end serves as an inlet 211 to the interior 212 of the cartridge 210 and a plurality of outlets 213 are formed along the sides of the cartridge 210. Each outlet 213 includes a slot, and the outlets 213 are evenly spaced about the longitudinal axis of the barrel 210.

Barrel 210 includes inner sleeve 240, a plurality of louvers 250, and knob 260.

Inner sleeve 240 is generally cylindrical and is open at the bottom end and closed at the top end. A plurality of slots 241 extend along the length of sleeve 240. Groove 241 is relatively wide so inner sleeve 240 may be considered to have posts 242 extending upwardly from the bottom to the top of sleeve 240. In the particular example shown in the drawings, the inner sleeve includes five slots 241 and five posts 242.

Each louver 250 covers a respective slot 241 in inner sleeve 240. The top end of each louver 250 is pivotally attached to the top of inner sleeve 240. The bottom end of each louver includes a pin or leg 251, pin or leg 251 being received within slot 221 of turntable 220. Each louver 250 pivots between a first position and a second position. The pivot point of each louver 250 is offset from the longitudinal axis 214 of the barrel 210. This is perhaps best understood in fig. 10, where each louver 250 is pivotally connected to inner sleeve 240 at an off-center location 243 as seen in fig. 10. Thus, when in the first position, as shown in fig. 11 (a), each louver 250 contacts the first post 242a of the sleeve 240 along the first edge 250a of the louver 250. Then, a gap or groove 213a is formed between louvers 250 and inner sleeve 240 along second edge 250b of louvers 250. When in the second position, as shown in fig. 11 (b), each louver 250 contacts second beam 242b of sleeve 240 along second edge 250b of louver 250 and creates a gap or groove 213b between louver 250 and inner sleeve 240 along first edge 250 a. Each of the

slots

213a, 213b defines an outlet 213 of the cartridge 210. As shown in fig. 11, when the louver 250 is in the first position (fig. 11 (a)), the air flow is discharged from the cartridge 210 in a clockwise direction, and when the louver 250 is in the second position (fig. 11 (b)), the air flow is discharged in a counterclockwise direction.

Each post 242 may include a sealing element that engages a first edge 250a of the louver 250 when the louver is in the first position and engages a second edge 250b of the louver 250 when the louver is in the second position. Thus, airflow is prevented from leaking between the

edges

250a, 250b of the louvers 250 and the posts 242. The sealing element may comprise a compressible material that then deforms the sealing element to provide an effective seal between the post 242 and the louver 250.

Each louver 250 includes vanes 252 that extend circumferentially around the inner surface of louver 250. As the airflow moves from the inlet 211 to each outlet 213 of the cartridge 210, the blades 252 turn the airflow from a generally vertical direction (i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) to a generally horizontal direction (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge). Thus, the air flow is discharged from the outlet 213 in a substantially circumferential direction. This then better encourages airflow around the cartridge 210.

Carousel 220 is similar to a star wheel encircling the bottom of inner sleeve 240. Turntable 220 includes a slot 221, and leg 251 of louver 250 is received in slot 221. Carousel 220 is rotatable relative to inner sleeve 250. More specifically, turntable 220 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of barrel 210. Rotating dial 220 clockwise and counterclockwise causes each louver 250 to pivot between the first position and the second position. Thus, turntable 220 may be used to redirect airflow exiting cartridge 210.

Knob 260 is attached to the top of inner sleeve 240 and is isolated from the air flow moving within barrel 210. Thus, knob 260 provides a relatively cool area of barrel 210 that a user may grasp when manipulating hair care appliance 10.

The above-described

attachments

100, 200 change the direction of the air flow in different ways. However, common to each accessory is the presence of one or more members (e.g., inner sleeve 140 of fig. 4-7 or blind 250 of fig. 9-11) that move between a first position and a second position. The airflow is then discharged from the accessory in a clockwise direction when the one or more members are in the first position and in a counter-clockwise direction when the one or more members are in the second position. Further, each of the

accessories

100, 200 can be said to have a

first outlet

113a, 213a and a

second outlet

113b, 213b, with the air flow exiting in a clockwise direction through the

first outlet

113a, 213a and the air flow exiting in a counter-clockwise direction through the

second outlet

113b, 213b. Then, when in the first position, the

member

140, 250 blocks the airflow to the

second outlet

113b, 213b, and when in the second position, the

member

140, 250 blocks the airflow to the

first outlet

113a, 213a. For example, for the accessory 100 of fig. 4-7, the barrel 110 can be said to have a first outlet 113a and a second outlet 113b formed between the splines 160 and the outer sleeve 150. The air flow is discharged through the first outlet 113a in a clockwise direction (fig. 7 (a)), and is discharged through the second outlet 113b in a counterclockwise direction (fig. 7 (b)). The inner sleeve 150 (i.e., the member) is movable from a first position (fig. 7 (a)) in which the sleeve 150 blocks the airflow path to the second outlet 113b to a second position (fig. 7 (b)) in which the sleeve 150 blocks the airflow path to the first outlet 113 a.

Fig. 12 to 15 show further arrangements for effecting a change in direction of the air flow. Fig. 12 shows a third arrangement of the accessory 300, wherein the cartridge 310 comprises four sections 320. Each section 320 pivots about an axis 325 that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the barrel 310. Each section 320 pivots between a first position (fig. 12 (a)) and a second position (fig. 12 (b)). In the first position, a first edge of the outer wall 321 of a section abuts the inner wall 322 of an adjacent section, and a second edge of the outer wall 321 is radially spaced beyond the outer wall of another adjacent section. Thus, a seal is formed on one side of each section 320 and an outlet is formed on the other side. The four segments 320 pivot in unison such that the outlets are formed simultaneously on the same side of each segment 320. When the section 320 is in the first position (fig. 12 (a)), the airflow is discharged from the first outlet 313a in a clockwise direction. And, when the section is in the second position (fig. 12 (b)), the airflow is discharged in a counterclockwise direction from the second outlet 313 b.

Fig. 13 shows a fourth arrangement of the accessory 400, wherein the cartridge 410 comprises four pairs of

blades

421, 422. Each pair of

blades

421, 422 pivots about an axis 423 located intermediate the two blades. Each first vane 421 of a pair is connected along an edge to an edge of a second vane 422 of an adjacent pair by a resilient member 430. The four pairs of blades pivot in unison between a first position (fig. 13 (a)) and a second position (fig. 13 (b)). When in the first position, the first vane 421 of each pair is located on the outside and the second vane 422 of each pair is located on the inside. Conversely, when in the second position, the first vane 421 is located on the inside and the second vane 422 is located on the outside. As shown in fig. 13, each pair of

vanes

421, 422 pivots in a counterclockwise direction when moving from the first position (fig. 13 (a)) to the second position (fig. 13 (b)). When in the first position, the elastic element 430 is stretched around the outside of the first blade 421 of each pair of blades and pulled. The airflow then exits from the first outlet 413a in a clockwise direction via the passage 424 between each pair of vanes. When moved to the second position, the resilient member 430 instead extends around the exterior of the second blade 422 of each pair of blades. Then, the air is discharged from the second outlet 413b in the counterclockwise direction through the passage 424.

Fig. 14 shows a fifth arrangement of accessory 500, wherein barrel 510 includes an inner sleeve 520, an outer sleeve 530, and a plurality of posts 540. Each post 540 pivots or rotates about its respective center between a first position (fig. 14 (a)) and a second position (fig. 14 (b)). Inner sleeve 520 and outer sleeve 530 define pairs of

passages

551, 552. When in the first position, each post 540 opens a first channel 551 of a pair of channels and closes a second channel 552. The airflow is then discharged through the first outlet 513a in a clockwise direction (fig. 14 (a)). When in the second position, each post 540 closes the first channel 551 and opens the second channel 552. The airflow is then discharged in a counterclockwise direction through the second outlet 513b (fig. 14 (b)). All five posts 540 are arranged to move in unison such that the air flow is discharged in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction on the outer surface of the barrel 510. The provision of inner sleeve 520 encourages the airflow to move circumferentially before exiting the outlet. This improves the attraction of the exiting air stream to the surface of the barrel 510, i.e., the coanda effect. However, it is envisioned that inner sleeve 520 may be omitted.

Fig. 15 shows a sixth arrangement of the accessory 600, wherein the cartridge 610 comprises a plurality of posts 620 and a plurality of moving elements 630. Each of the moving elements 630 is located between a pair of posts 620. The moving elements 630 collectively rotate about the longitudinal axis of the cartridge between a first position (fig. 15 (a)) and a second position (fig. 15 (b)). Each moving element 630 is narrower than the circumferential gap between adjacent posts. Thus, an outlet is created between each moving element 630 and the post 620. More specifically, when the moving element 630 is in the first position (fig. 15 (a)), a first outlet 613a is formed through which the air flow is discharged in a clockwise direction. When the moving element 630 is in the second position (fig. 15 (b)), a second outlet 613b is formed through which the air flow is discharged in a counterclockwise direction.

In the above example, each accessory has a first configuration in which the airflow is discharged in a clockwise direction and a second configuration in which the airflow is discharged in a counterclockwise direction. In each configuration, the air flow exits from the outlet in a direction substantially tangential to the outer surface of the cartridge. Thus, the air flow exiting the outlet is attracted to the outer surface by the coanda effect. This has the advantage that hair presented to the accessory is attracted to the cartridge and wound around the cartridge. In other examples, the accessory may have an additional configuration in which the airflow exiting the outlet is not tangential to the outer surface of the cartridge. For example, the accessory may have a third configuration in which the airflow is discharged from the outlet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the cartridge. For example, once the hair has been entangled and the user wants to dry the hair, it is useful to provide the user with a choice of diffuser type.

Each of the above-described accessories includes a dial for selecting either clockwise or counterclockwise airflow. Providing a dial that rotates about the longitudinal axis of the accessory provides a relatively intuitive way for the user to change the direction of the airflow. In particular, the user may rotate the dial clockwise and counter-clockwise to select clockwise and counter-clockwise airflow, respectively. Despite the advantages described above, the hair care appliance may include alternative types of selectors that are actuatable by a user to select clockwise or counterclockwise air flow.

A dial or other user actuated selector may be latched and may have two stable positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the movable member. This has the advantage that the dial and the movable member are less likely to be inadvertently moved during use of the hair care appliance. Furthermore, the movable member is more likely to be in the correct position, because the turntable may be automatically locked in place when rotated. Thus, the user does not need to accurately position the dial during use.

As an example, the dial 120 of the accessory 100 of fig. 4-7 may be locked when in the first and second positions. To move the dial 120 between the first and second positions, the dial 120 may be depressed to release the dial 120 from the locked position. As the dial 120 is depressed, the dial may rotate between a first position and a second position. Once in place, the dial 120 may be released and the dial 120 may be automatically guided and returned to the locked position, such as by a biasing spring and guide feature.

Fig. 16 shows another example in which dial 220 of accessory 200 of fig. 9-11 includes a latch mechanism 1000. The latch mechanism 1000 includes a spring 1004 that slides over the clevis 1002. A first pin 1006a is located on turntable 220. The first pin 1006a is sandwiched between the U-shaped end 1002a of the clip 1002 and one end of the spring 1004. Another pin 1006b is located on the barrel 210. The two unconnected ends 1002b of clevis 1002 are slotted around pin 1006b and the other end of the spring is biased against pin 1006 b.

Pins

1006a, 1006b are drawn together when dial 220 is rotated clockwise. The spring is held between the two

pins

1006a, 1006b by a clip 1002. Thus, the spring is forced to contract. When the spring is in the contracted state, the latch mechanism is in an unstable state due to the potential energy stored in the compression spring 1004. The elastic potential energy stored in the compression spring 1004 applies a force back to one of the stable positions of the latch mechanism, i.e., the most relaxed position of the spring. The first stable position of the latch mechanism 1000 is to the right of line Y-Y. Starting from the right side, the latch mechanism 1000 will urge the shutter 250 (i.e., the movable member) to return to a first stable position, corresponding to the first position of the shutter 250, upward along line Y-Y. Beyond line Y-Y, toward the left, the latch mechanism 1000 will bias the louver 250 toward the second stable position. In this way, accessory 200 is more likely to be in the correct position during use because the latch mechanism automatically snaps shutter 250 into place as dial 220 is rotated.

Each accessory is detachably attached to the handle unit. This has the advantage that the handle unit can be used with other types of accessories, such as styling brushes or blower nozzles. However, it is envisioned that the hair care appliance may include an accessory permanently attached to the handle unit.

Each slat may include a sealing element configured to engage a first edge of each blade when the blade is in the first configuration and to engage a second edge of each blade when the blade is in the second configuration. Thus, fluid leakage through the gap between the blade edge and the post is further prevented.

The sealing element may comprise a compressible material. This enables the sealing element to deform to receive the edge of the blade, thereby improving the seal.

The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An accessory for a hair care appliance, comprising:

an inlet for receiving a flow of gas;

a plurality of outlets through which the airflow is discharged; and

one or more members movable between a first position in which air flow is discharged from the outlet in a clockwise direction and a second position in which air flow is discharged from the outlet in a counter-clockwise direction.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the outlet comprises a first outlet from which air flow is discharged in a clockwise direction and a second outlet from which air flow is discharged in a counter-clockwise direction, the member blocking air flow to the second outlet when in a first position and the member blocking air flow to the first outlet when in a second position.

3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each of the members rotates between a first position and a second position.

4. An accessory according to claim 3 wherein each of the members rotates about a different respective axis.

5. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein each outlet comprises a slot extending substantially along the length of the accessory.

6. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the airflow exits from each outlet in a direction substantially tangential to the outer surface of the accessory.

7. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the airflow discharged from each outlet is attracted to an outer surface of the accessory.

8. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory is substantially cylindrical.

9. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory has a longitudinal axis and each outlet comprises a slot extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

10. The accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the accessory comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve; the inner sleeve includes a plurality of openings; the outer sleeve includes a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings; the member is one of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve and rotates relative to the other of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve; when the member is in the first position, the opening of the inner sleeve is aligned with the first opening of the outer sleeve such that the air flow is discharged in a clockwise direction; and when the member is in the second position, the opening of the inner sleeve is aligned with the second opening of the outer sleeve such that the air flow is discharged in a counter-clockwise direction.

11. The accessory of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each movable member comprises a louver, the accessory comprising a plurality of posts, and each louver contacting a first post when in a first position and a different second post when in a second position.

12. The accessory of claim 10, wherein when in a first position, each louver contacts the first post along a first edge of the louver and forms a first outlet along a second edge of the louver, and when in a second position, each louver contacts the second post along the second edge and forms a second outlet along the first edge, airflow is discharged from the first outlet in a clockwise direction, and airflow is discharged from the second outlet in a counterclockwise direction.

13. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the accessory comprises a user actuated selector for moving the member between a first position and a second position.

14. The accessory of claim 13, wherein the selector includes a dial that rotates to move the member between the first and second positions.

15. The accessory of claim 13 or 14, wherein the selector is latched and has two stable positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the member.

16. A hair care appliance comprising a blower for generating an air flow, a plurality of outlets through which the air flow is expelled, and one or more members movable between a first position in which the air flow is expelled from the outlets in a clockwise direction and a second position in which the air flow is expelled from the outlets in a counter-clockwise direction.

17. The hair care appliance of claim 16, wherein the outlet comprises a first outlet from which air flow is discharged in a clockwise direction and a second outlet from which air flow is discharged in a counter-clockwise direction, the member blocking air flow to the second outlet when in a first position, and the member blocking air flow to the first outlet when in a second position.