EP2209395B1 - Apparatus for the steam treatment of hair - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus which performs treatment and / or shaping of the hair using steam generating means and a heating shaping device for detangling, styling or holding the hair in relation to the hair. steam.

Apparatus carrying out a hair treatment with steam such as for example described in document WO 2004/002262 where the apparatus is a smoothing pliers with two jaws elastically articulated at one of their ends. According to this document, the means that generate steam form a sandwich structure contained in one of the jaws. More particularly, one of the jaws comprises the reservoir containing the treatment liquid which impregnates a wick arranged in contact with the heating element of the jaw to evaporate the liquid which then passes through orifices provided for this purpose in the treatment surface for contact with the hair. This apparatus finds its limits when it is desired to dissociate the steam treatment from that to heat, the hair being subjected to contact with the hot surface of treatment during the production of steam. Moreover, the structure of such a clamp is complex and requires not only a tight sizing of its components, but especially good electrical insulation of its electrical components because of the production of steam located in the close vicinity of the heating elements electric.

The object of the present invention is to remedy at least in part these drawbacks and to provide a hair treatment device able to communicate quickly, efficiently and uniformly, a controlled humidity to the treated hair, while being able to dissociate it from the hair. any additional supply of heat and / or mechanical traction and / or chemical.

Another object of the invention is a hair treatment apparatus at the vapor that can be used effectively in a plurality of hair shaping processes, being able to provide the steam evenly to the hair, while having a simplified structure and safe operation.

Another object of the invention is a steam hair treatment apparatus which is reliable in operation, which is able to avoid condensation phenomena, while being able to be achieved simply and economically.

These objects are achieved with a steam hair treatment apparatus comprising a housing comprising a liquid reservoir, means for supplying liquid to a steam generator, or one or more steam dispensing orifices produced in the direction of a lock of hair and a device for shaping the hair in the form of a smoothing pincer comprising two articulated arms movable in opposite directions, each having a hair treatment surface, at least one of the arms comprising a heating element in thermal contact with said treatment surface coming into contact with a lock of hair, characterized in that the steam generator comprises a heating element dedicated to the production of steam and which is thermally independent of each treatment surface, it is to say that said heating element is separated from the shaping device, each treatment surface each having its own heating element, and in that the one or more vapor distribution orifices are adjacent to the hair shaping device and arranged in the vicinity of the edge of the shaping device. Hair shaping device comprises a device capable of coming at least temporarily and / or locally in contact with the hair to untangle, capping or simply retain them in contact with a treatment surface, such as for example : a smoothing pliers with movable or fixed articulated arms, a curling iron with a cylindrical heating mandrel possibly cooperating with at least one heating plate facing each other, a smoothing head comprising several parallel surfaces of treatment side by side, etc. .

By thermally independent, there is a steam generator provided with a heating element dedicated to the production of steam, separated from the shaping device which comprises a clean heating element.

The steam generator thus produced makes it possible to provide instant a large flow of steam and continuously treated wick, and this regardless of the temperature of the treatment surface, even for a low temperature of the treatment surface. This to result in a durable and deep treatment of the treated lock, for example a smoothing, looping, embossing thereof.

Indeed, it has been found that the treatment of the wick by means of a device performing a thermal action, in addition to the mechanical one, after the application of steam, prevents the dehydration of the hair, the latter being previously sheathed a wet layer. This sheath is, of course, evaporated at the time of the styling action, but instead of the water contained in the heart of the hair which is thus protected from dehydration related to the application of a hot shaping device .

In the same way, when the steam is applied to a lock of hair after shaping by a device performing a thermal action, or combined with a mechanical action on the wick, the steam rehydrates the hair to compensate for the dehydration related to the application on the hair of a hot tool.

By dispensing orifices adjacent to the hair shaping device, one or more steam outlet orifices are arranged in the vicinity of the edge of the shaping device, that is to say on the side and as close as possible. of the entry or the exit of the hair lock of the device carrying out the shaping.

By such an arrangement, therefore, the arrival of the steam inside the device is excluded in order to separate the steam treatment function from another hair shaping function, which may be, for example, a treatment by applying heat, and / or a voltage or pressure on the hair, and / or a shaping product of the hair, for example a fixing agent and so on.

In fact, it has been observed in numerous tests carried out in the laboratory that, by sending a controlled flow of steam either on strands of hair in the natural state, or on strands of hair coated with cosmetics, it was possible to obtain much better results when dissociating the application of steam from that of another treatment on the wick tested. For example, tests have shown that steam alone can already prepare the hair for further processing, for example by cleaning and evenly loading it with moisture. It has also been found that by sending steam after shaping, the hair is loaded in a more controlled manner in moisture and they keep their shaping even longer, with remarkable results on their appearance, especially the brilliance, the color, and this in a homogeneous way in all their volume.

Preferably, the apparatus of the invention comprises a deflector arranged vis-à-vis the or orifices of distribution.

This deflector functions as a vapor barrier being placed vis-à-vis the steam outlet to, firstly, protect the scalp of the person on whom the treatment is performed and, secondly, to redirect steam to the back of the wick and treat it on both sides with a steam outlet located only on one side of it. This deflector may belong to the housing of the device or be integral with the formatting device.

Advantageously, the steam path is via several orifices uniformly distributed parallel to the generally elongate processing surface of the forming device orienting the vapor in a direction perpendicular to that of their shaping by said device.

The direction of the shaping is defined generally by the generally elongated surface of the shaping device, surface which generally treats with its longest side the width of a wick. A vapor path arriving perpendicular to the width of a wick thus allows a quick treatment of the lock of hair and, moreover, homogeneous when the steam is distributed through outlet openings covering the width of the wick.

Preferably, the steam generator comprises a vaporization chamber in thermal contact with an electric heating element and the apparatus comprises one or more conduits connecting the outlet of the vaporization chamber to the orifice or to the dispensing orifices each having a length less than 3 cm.

Preferably, the apparatus is portable, which makes it possible to have the outlet of the steam arranged as close as possible to the steam generation means of the housing in order to eliminate condensation phenomena, while simplifying the construction of the apparatus and making its handling more flexible.

The vaporization chamber is thus positioned as close as possible to the steam distribution or outlet orifices, which makes it possible to treat the lock of hair directly at the outlet of the vaporization chamber, via one or more conduits. These steam ducts leaving the vaporization chamber therefore being of very short length distribute the vapor without it being possible to form condensates which could then disturb and / or cancel the action of the steam on the wick or damage to the ease of use of the device, the condensates can limit the person using the device.

Advantageously, the steam generator produces a steam flow rate greater than 5 g / min, preferably between 10 g / min and 60 g / min.

The known steam hair treatment apparatus produce only a relatively small flow of steam which does not provide visible and / or lasting effect on the hair. The apparatus of the invention provides an effective treatment of the hair when the flow rate of steam produced is greater than 5g / min and when is preferably between 10g / min and 60g / min.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises an adjusting device for adjusting the flow of liquid to the generator.

Such a device for adjusting the flow rate of liquid sent by the pump into the vaporization chamber makes it possible to adapt the flow of steam produced to the type of treatment and / or the type of hair treated with the apparatus.

Preferably, the shaping device comprises means for controlling the heating means of the treatment surface independent of the steam control means.

This allows to separate the two functions, while allowing to adjust the operating parameters of each function independently.

Advantageously, the shaping device is removably arranged relative to the housing of the apparatus.

This allows the ambidextrous use of the apparatus with the same device, or even with a plurality of formatting devices, in a simple and inexpensive way.

Preferably, the liquid contained in the reservoir is a treatment product.

By treatment liquid is understood any liquid capable of being vaporized by the generator and which can then be applied to the hair in the form of steam to ensure care, shaping, coloring, discoloration, etc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this liquid is water.

In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises an additional reservoir of liquid adjacent to the shaping device of the hair or belonging to it.

This additional reservoir can therefore belong to the apparatus or to the shaping device and makes it possible to apply to the hair a liquid that is not necessarily vaporized by the steam generator of the apparatus, for example during an application by contacting the liquid from the additional reservoir with the treated wick.

Advantageously, the liquid contained in the additional reservoir is different from the liquid contained in the reservoir that supplies the steam generator.

This makes it possible to apply a cosmetic liquid, for example shaping or coloring, in addition to the steam treatment.

Thus, in the case where the cosmetic has been deposited before the application of the steam, the steam serves as a transport medium for the cosmetic to make it penetrate to the heart of the hair via the opening of the scales, the following mechanical treatment allowing close the scales and perform a form of cauterization of the hair to fix the cosmetic.

Moreover, in the case where the cosmetic has been deposited after the mechanical and thermal treatment of the hair, the steam is used as a transport medium, while avoiding to subject the cosmetic to very high temperatures and thus prevent it from being damaged by the temperature.

In a first embodiment of the invention, said dispensing orifices are adjacent to the hair shaping device being located upstream thereof.

By "upstream" is meant that in the treatment operation, a portion of the lock of hair first supports the application of steam before supporting the shaping treatment.

Tests carried out by treating a lock of hair with steam sent upstream of the shaping device showed that the steam manages to open the scales of the hair, cleans it in depth. The mechanical action then performed by the shaping device finishes to rid the hair of impurities resulting for example from a possible treatment and / or previous care.

Laboratory tests have also shown that the steam sent upstream of the shaping device when it includes a cosmetic dispensing system, facilitates the penetration of said cosmetic inside the hair, which leads to better in-depth action of said cosmetic.

It has also been found that the treatment of the wick by means of a device performing a thermal action, in addition to the mechanical one, after the application of steam, prevents the dehydration of the hair, the latter being previously sheathed with a wet layer. This sheath is, of course, evaporated at the time of the styling action, but instead of the water contained in the heart of the hair which is thus protected from dehydration related to the application of a hot shaping device .

Finally, the laboratory tests have also shown that the steam sent upstream of the shaping device can sufficiently load the hair in moisture to protect it from significant dehydration during the action of the shaping device that can be heated at high temperature, for example 230 ° C.

In a second variant embodiment of the invention, said dispensing orifices are adjacent to the hair shaping device while being located downstream thereof.

By "downstream" is meant that in the treatment operation, a portion of the Strand of hair initially supports the shaping treatment before supporting the application of steam.

Tests carried out with an apparatus made according to this variant of the invention have shown that, after mechanical shaping of the wick, the steam rehydrates the hair to compensate for the dehydration associated with the application to the hair of the surface of the hair. hot treatment of a shaping device.

Advantageously, the housing comprises a body extending downwards by a handle, the shaping device being arranged opposite the handle and the steam path exiting through the dispensing orifices is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the body of the case.

Such a housing configuration provides both good ergonomics in use and effective treatment of the hair by steam. According to the invention, the hair shaping device comprises two articulated arms, movable in opposite directions, each having a hair treatment surface, at least one of the arms having a heating element in thermal contact with each other. said treatment surface.

Such a device provides effective smoothing of the hair, with good performance over time.

In an ergonomic perspective, the articulated arms are pivotally mounted about an axis substantially parallel to that of the handle of the apparatus.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un appareil de traitement des cheveux à la vapeur selon un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, le dispositif de mise en forme étant en position fermée ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil de la figure 1, le dispositif de mise en forme étant en position ouverte ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil de la figure 1, dépourvu de son boîtier enveloppe ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de mise en forme de l'appareil des figures précédentes ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil de traitement des cheveux à la vapeur selon une variante du mode de réalisation de la figure 1.

The invention will be better understood from the study of a particular embodiment of the invention taken by way of no limitation and illustrated in the accompanying figures in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for processing steam hair according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the shaping device being in the closed position;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the device from the figure 1 the shaping device being in the open position;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of the device from the figure 1 , devoid of its casing envelope;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of a shaping device of the apparatus of the preceding figures;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of the steam hair treatment apparatus according to a variant of the embodiment of the figure 1 .

The Figures 1 to 3 and 5 represent a steam hair treatment apparatus comprising a housing 1 made of plastic material having a body 2 extended downwards by an elongated portion forming a handle 3 receiving a removable water tank 4 whose upper wall constitutes the upper part of the handle. The elongated portion of the housing 1 also contains means 6 for supplying a steam generator contained in the body 2 of the housing 1, in particular an electric pump 5 visible to the figure 3 , whose activation is controlled by a control button 7. The body 2 of the housing 1 encloses a steam generator 8 constituted by an instantaneous vaporization chamber 10, associated with an electric heating element 9, these elements being visible at the figure 3 . The flash chamber 10 generally includes a closed compartment provided with a plurality of baffles for fluid flow from a water inlet to the steam outlet ports of the chamber. The electrical power supply of the apparatus is done by a power cord 15.

To the figure 3 the circuit connecting the electric pump 5 to the tank 4 and to the generator 8 can be seen. Thus, the electric pump 5 comprises an inlet orifice 16 connected by a first conduit 17 to the tank 4 and a discharge orifice 18 sending the water from the tank 4 through a supply circuit of the steam generator 8. More particularly, the supply circuit of the steam generator 8 comprises a second conduit 19 leading to a branch branch dividing the supply circuit into a first pipe branch 20 connected to an inlet port 21 in the vaporization chamber 10 of the steam generator 8 and a second pipe branch 22 connected to the tank 4 allowing the discharge of a part of water from the pump 5 to the tank 4. The passage section of the first pipe branch 20 is smaller than that of the second pipe branch 22 which is, it, made of a flexible pipe, the device further comprising an adjusting device 23 for the flow of water supplied to the interior of the generator 8. The adjusting device 23 comprises means for compressing the flexible pipe of the second branch 22 which passes through a cylindrical casing 25. More particularly, the adjusting device 23 makes it possible, by turning a knurled knob 24, to actuate an internal bent lever to the housing 25, which lever is supported on the outer surface of the pipe ouple.

When the pump 5 is turned on by means of the control knob 7, the latter sucks the water from the tank 4 through the first conduit 17 and delivers the water through the second conduit 19, the flow of water sent by this circuit being then divided between a first weak stream sent to the generator 8 and a larger flow sent to the tank. To increase the flow of water sent to the generator 8, the knob 24 is rotated to compress the return pipe to the tank 4.

The flow of water arriving inside the vaporization chamber 10 is rapidly transformed into vapor by the latter during its path along the baffles of the instantaneous vaporization chamber 10. The vapor exits the vaporization chamber 10 by several orifices provided on a bottom wall of the vaporization chamber located opposite the one receiving the inlet orifice 21. The steam outlet ports of the vaporization chamber 10 each communicate with a conduit 14 allowing distribute the steam to the outside of the appliance. So, we can notice at the figure 3 , five ducts 14 of short length, for example of about 1 cm each, allowing the steam to be distributed immediately after the exit of the vaporization chamber 10.

As best seen in the figure 2 , the body 2 of the casing 1 is closed, in its lower part and opposite the handle 3, by a flat face 11 having a plurality of steam distribution orifices 12, each orifice communicating with the outlet of a duct 14.

The steam distribution ports 12 are adjacent to a hair shaping device. Thus, the upper part of the body 2 advantageously receives the shaping device 30, the latter comprising at least one treatment surface 31 located in the extension, or even set back a few mm, parallel to the flat face 11 of the casing 1.

The shaping device 30 is better visible at the figure 4 and it comprises two arms 33,34 mounted articulated around a hinge 35 being held in the open position or, in a variant, in the closed position by a compression spring (not visible in the drawings). There is thus an upper arm 33 having, at its free end, an insertion shoe 36 of flared shape extending by a planar treatment surface 31 of rectangular shape in contact with heating means formed by a heating element. The lower arm 34 also has, at its free end, an introduction shoe 37 of flared shape extending through a planar treatment surface 32 of rectangular shape in contact with a heating element.

Each treatment surface 31, 32 is formed of a metal plate coming into thermal contact with an electric heating element (not visible in the drawings), which may be a resistive, PTC, infrared emitting heater, etc., which is placed against the treatment surface and inside a body 38, respectively 39 plastic of each arm 33,34.

Thus according to the invention, the steam generator 8 comprises a heating element 9 which is thermally independent of each treatment surface 31, 32 which each comprises its own heating element.

Each electric heating element has its own control means and is supplied with electrical power by a power cord 40. The heating element is provided for heating the plates in a temperature range of 90 ° C to 230 ° C. Alternatively, the apparatus comprises a single power cord 15 for supplying electrical energy to the steam generator 8 and the heating plates of the shaping device 30. The treatment surface 31, 32 is made of a thermally conductive material, being polished, optionally covered with an enamel, a ceramic material, a layer of glass, etc.

The arms 33,34 are thus elastically movable in pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of their respective processing surfaces 31,32 between an open position and a closed position. Thus, a lock of hair can be inserted between the treatment surfaces 31, 32 of the arms 33, 34 when the arms are in the open position and can then be subjected to pressure to come into contact with the treatment surfaces. , 32 when the arms are in the closed position, the closure can be performed by pressing on the outer surface of the bodies 38,39 of the arms. The flat 31,32 treatment surfaces thus smooth the wick with which they come into contact.

In another variant embodiment of the shaping device 30, the jaws are closed at rest and the insertion of the wick is manually forced between the plates of the treatment surfaces 31, 32 by stretching the wick and pushing between the two plates using the introduction shoes 36,37. Advantageously, it is possible to envisage a system for controlling the opening of the plates to separate them sufficiently in such a way as to simplify the introduction of the wick, the actuation being able for example to be done from the handle of the apparatus or close to that -this.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the lower arm 34 comprises a deflector 42 comprising a wall 43 arranged in recess, but parallel to the treatment surface 32. The wall 43 forms a vapor barrier protecting the scalp from the action of the steam by making it possible to return the steam towards the lock of hair treated. This vapor return also has the advantage of impregnating the wick on both sides by having only a unilateral steam outlet.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the upper arm 33 comprises a fixing support 45 to the body 2 of the housing 1 of the apparatus, more particularly a removable attachment by means of a screw 46 cooperating with a threaded orifice in the upper part of the body 2 of the device. This removable attachment then allows, by loosening the screw 46, to move from a position as illustrated in the figures, suitable for use by a right-handed person, to another where the device is rotated 180 ° around the longitudinal axis of the body 2 for the use of the device by a left-handed person. This shaping device can be replaced by another, for example, having a cylindrical winding body cooperating with a pivoting hair clip, this device then being introduced into the mounting bracket 45 and mounted on the body 2 of the housing 1 of the device.

The figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the deflector 42, in particular by making it integral with the body 2 of the housing 1 of the device. More particularly, the deflector 42 has a general tuning fork shape with a bottom wall 44 through which the dispensing orifices 12 pass, extending through a bend connecting it to a deflecting wall 43 spaced apart. The deflecting wall 43 is located at a distance parallel to the bottom wall 44 and ends with an end curved towards the latter. Such a deflector allows the passage of a lock of hair between its parallel walls while protecting the scalp, and at the same time ensures the return of steam through the baffle wall towards the wick. Such a deflector may advantageously be made of a plastic material.

In operation, the hair shaping device is started by pressing a control button and a light (no shown in the drawings) can indicate when the hotplates have reached the correct temperature. A lock of hair is then introduced into the arms 33, 34 of the shaping device 30 applying a pressing force to the wick, and then the control button 7 is pressed, the apparatus starting to produce hair. steam instantly. The apparatus is then moved along the wick and vapor treatment is performed immediately followed by smoothing by contact with the treatment surfaces 31, 32 of the shaping device.

Because the control means of the device are independent of those of the device, it can also be used with the smoothing plates at room temperature or very weakly heated. This allows in particular to achieve cleaning of the wick by removing impurities and moisturizing at the same time.

In a variant not shown in the drawings, the steam distribution orifices are located above the shaping device to begin with a smoothing before the steam treatment.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus for treating hair with steam including a housing (1) comprising
   a liquid container (4),
   liquid supply means (6) of a steam generator (8),
   one or a plurality of dispensing orifices (12) of the steam produced towards a strand of hair and
   a hair styling device (30) in the form of straightening tongs comprising two hinged arms (33, 34) movable in opposite directions, each including a hair treatment surface (31, 32), at least one of the arms (33, 34) including a heating element in thermal contact with said treatment surface (31, 32) coming into contact with a strand of hair,
   characterised in that
   the steam generator (8) includes a heating element (9) specifically for the production of steam and which is thermally independent from each treatment surface (31,32), i.e. said heating element (9) is separate from the styling device (30), each treatment surface (31, 32) including its own heating element,
   and in that the steam dispensing orifice(s) (12) are adjacent to the hair styling device (30) or arranged in the vicinity of the edge of the styling device (30).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a baffle arranged facing the dispensing orifice(s).
3. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the steam flows via a plurality of orifices (12) uniformly distributed parallel with the generally elongated treatment surface (31) of the styling device (30) guiding the steam in a perpendicular direction to that of the styling thereof by said device.
4. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the steam generator (8) comprises a vaporisation chamber (10) in thermal contact with an electric heating element (9) and in that said apparatus includes one or a plurality of ducts (14) connecting the outlet of the vaporisation chamber (10) to the dispensing orifice or orifices (12) each having a length less than 3 cm.
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam generator (8) produces a steam flow rate greater than 5 g/min, preferably between 10 g/min and 60 g/min.
6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a setting device (23) for adjusting the liquid flow rate sent to the generator (8).
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the styling device (30) includes means for controlling the heating means of the treatment surface (31) independent from the steam control means.
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the liquid contained in the container is a treatment product.
9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an additional liquid container adjacent to the hair styling device or belonging thereto.
10. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the liquid contained in the additional container is different from the liquid contained in the container supplying the steam generator.

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