EP0784947A1 - Functionally modifiable diffuser for hair dryer and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The nozzle has one section (3) which fits onto the hair drier outlet, and another (5) in a divergent or bell shape and containing a central turbine (9) mounted freely on a base. The base is fixed in the first section (3) of the nozzle, and the turbine can be adjusted axially relative to the bell between retracted and deployed positions. The movement of the turbine is provided by two concentric and telescopic cylinders, the inner one carrying the base and the outer one formed by the body of the nozzle and having a spiral slot (17) in it for a stud (15) which adjusts the turbine position.

Description

Subject of the invention.

The present invention relates to a diffuser with modifiable function and intended for hair dryers and the like.

Usually understood by the general term "hair dryer" devices for blowing hot air in order not only to dry hair but also to treat it, in particular to shape it.

This can be done concomitantly with the use of appropriate treatment substances.

It is becoming more and more common to attach different tips of particular shape and configuration to the hair dryer, suitable for specific uses. One can for example provide a wide flow tip and a more concentrated flow tip.

One of the major difficulties is however the fact that the hair dryer delivers after passage through the nozzle a flow of air which can only be modified by replacing one tip by another.

It also appeared that although being described as a "hair dryer", such an apparatus may, in certain circumstances, have to, at first, serve to evaporate or cause the diffusion of a treatment substance simultaneously with the application of a current of hot but humidified air, the final drying operation of the hair taking place only later.

Goals of the invention.

In general, the invention aims to provide a nozzle for a hair dryer with a modifiable function, in particular a nozzle which can allow, preferably without interrupting the operation of the hair dryer, a modification of the flow of hot air directed towards the hair or which could allow a possible humidification of this flow of hot air.

The invention aims in particular to provide a nozzle for a hair dryer performing a diffuser function, but which is adjustable in a simple manner and so as to be able to gradually vary the flow of hot air.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the aim is to simultaneously provide a possibility of dispersing a liquid.

Characteristic elements of the present invention.

According to a main characteristic of the invention, the nozzle, which conventionally comprises a part that fits on the hair dryer and a flared part or pavilion serving as a diffuser, is centrally equipped with a fan mounted idly on a base .

The base is preferably made up or is integral with the part of the end fitting on the hair dryer.

The operation of the device is as follows.

When the nozzle has been mounted on the hair dryer and it is actuated, the hot air produced by the hair dryer, conventionally by a fan or propellant and also conventionally heated by an electrical resistance, causes the turbine to rotate at high speed.

The rotation of the turbine which is thus caused can be taken advantage of in several ways.

This turbine can be made axially displaceable relative to the pavilion, in particular from a position where it is fully retracted in the body of the pavilion to an advanced position where it projects beyond the end of this pavilion.

In the extreme withdrawal position, part of the air flow normally circulates around the periphery of the nozzle, following the flaring of the roof.

Another, more central part of the air flow enters the turbine and causes it to rotate, which in fact results in ejection in an angular direction relative to the central axis of the turbine.

The air thus projected however is entrained with the peripheral air flow, and does not undergo a substantial modification of the general direction of the outgoing flow which is determined by the shape of the pavilion.

When the turbine is in the opposite extreme position, the air flow from the turbine is no longer straightened by the roof wall, and the air flow resulting from the combination of peripheral air and air deflected by the turbine results in a resultant which thus causes greater dispersion of the flow.

It therefore becomes possible to produce either a relatively concentrated air flow or a significantly wider air flow.

This possibility of varying the configuration of the air flow is particularly important and innovative.

The relative displacement of the turbine can be obtained very simply by providing a nozzle in two parts, in the form of two concentric and telescopic elements, the outer cylinder being provided for example with a groove arranged in a helix and the inner cylinder being provided '' a nipple coming to lodge in the groove in the shape of a propeller.

The rotation of the pavilion relative to the element fixed to the hair dryer, that is to say the base, causes a modification of the relative position of the turbine relative to the pavilion.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the hair dryer can also be used, providing the possibility of releasing a liquid into the turbine which is then ejected and finely divided by the effect of the turbine.

This action can be independent or combined with the modification of the flow.

Many construction variants are of course possible while remaining within the scope of the invention.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention with regard to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings.

Figure 1

shows a perspective view of a tip according to the invention;

Figure 2

shows a front view of the nozzle;

Figure 3

shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle in a retracted position of the turbine relative to the roof;

Figure 4

shows a sectional view similar to Figure 3 in an advanced position of the turbine relative to the flag;

Figure 5

shows an embodiment with adjustable supply of a liquid in the turbine.

In the different views, identical reference marks are used for identical or similar constituent elements.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

In Figures 1 to 4, a nozzle bearing the general reference 1 is intended to be mounted in a conventional manner on a hair dryer or the like, represented schematically by its end 2 (see Figures 3 and 4).

The hair dryer conventionally comprises a heating device, generally an electrical resistance and a fan or propellant so as to provide a flow of heated air.

The tip is shaped so that it can be adapted to most hair dryers.

The nozzle 1 comprises a part 3 of generally cylindrical or conical shape fitting onto the air outlet 2 of the hair dryer and a flared part or pavilion 5 serving as a diffuser.

In part 3 is housed a base 7 supporting a spider 8 on which a turbine 9 is mounted by an axis 11 integral with the base 7.

The turbine is provided with blades or blades 13 and is mounted for free rotation on this axis 11.

Advantageously, the base 7 comprises a stud or lug 15 which is housed in a helical groove 17 cut out in the cylindrical part 3 of the end piece 1.

If the tip 1 is caused to rotate relative to the base 7, the movement guided by the groove 17 of the stud 15 causes the turbine 9 to move from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in Figure 4.

Because the turbine is not driven by a motor but simply by a flow of air from the hair dryer, the risk of accident, for example by accidentally introducing the finger into the flared part of the nozzle, are very limited.

For protection, however, a protective grid element 19 is provided.

The base 7 and the spider 8 supporting the turbine are designed so that the air flow passes centrally through this base and abuts against the turbine 9, itself perforated at its base.

The air then strikes the blades 13 of the turbine, causing it to rotate. At the same time, a large part of the air flow is deflected by the blades.

Another part of the air flow circulates externally and peripherally with respect to the turbine 9.

Both the air flow deflected by the blades and the peripheral air flow, in the retracted position of the turbine (FIG. 3), are essentially guided by the flared part (horn) 5 and are distributed in the form of a air column practically not or very slightly divergent.

It is quite different in the advanced position of the turbine (Figure 4). In this case, the air flow device is guided by the flared part (horn) 5, but most of the air flow deflected by the blades is subjected to a centrifugal movement.

The result of the two air flows is that of a larger flow.

It therefore becomes possible, from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4, to obtain an increasingly broad air flow.

In the diagrammatic form of FIG. 5, the turbine 9 is equipped with a reservoir which makes it possible to inject, under the action of a valve or a plug, a liquid into the turbine. the pavilion 5 can be covered internally with a porous material 21 serving to ensure better distribution or evaporation of the liquid in the air flow.

A "hair dryer" of the type mentioned therefore makes it possible both to combine a treatment using a wet material with a fixing function using a hair dryer.

These two functions are carried out using a single device and using a simple and easy-to-make nozzle, in particular because the turbine does not have a drive motor but is simply rotated under the action of the air flow from the hair dryer.

Claims (9)

Diffuser nozzle for hair dryer with modifiable function, comprising a part (3) adapting to the hair dryer and a flared part or pavilion (5) serving as a diffuser, characterized in that it is equipped centrally with a turbine (9) madly mounted on a base (8). Tip according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (8) is made up or is integral with the part (3) of the tip which fits onto the hair dryer. End piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the turbine (9) is axially displaceable relative to the roof (5). End piece according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the impeller (9) can be moved from a position where it is fully retracted in the body of the roof (5) to an advanced position where it protrudes from the end of this pavilion (5). Tip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the relative displacement of the turbine (9) is obtained by forming a tip in two parts, in the form of two concentric and telescopic cylinders, the outer cylinder (3) being provided with a groove (17) arranged helically and the inner cylinder (7) being provided with a stud (15) which is received in the groove (17). End piece according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the internal cylindrical part (7) carries a cylindrical base (8) supporting the turbine (9) mounted with free rotation on an axis (11) integral with the base (8). End piece according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a protective mesh element (19) is provided on the free face of the end piece. End piece according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base (8) is perforated so that the air flow passes centrally through this base (8) and abuts against the turbine (9) , itself openwork at its base. Tip according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a means making it possible to release into the turbine (9) a liquid which is then ejected and finely divided by the latter.

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