EP2501255A2

EP2501255A2 - Application head comprising a porous application element

Info

Publication number: EP2501255A2
Application number: EP10787913A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicolas Albisetti
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2009-11-17
Filing date: 2010-11-17
Publication date: 2012-09-26
Also published as: FR2952511A1; KR20120107952A; BR112012011385A2; WO2011061697A2; FR2952511B1; WO2011061697A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an application head (2) for applying a product, comprising: a housing; a porous application element (70); and a hole for supplying product from a container, which opens onto the porous application element (70), said porous application element (70) being removably mounted at least partially in the housing and having a surface designed to come into contact with a zone to be treated. The application head is configured such that the porous application element can be removed without simultaneously removing the container, at least partially by sliding the porous application element with the application of a force along a direction transverse to the distribution axis of the hole.

Description

APPLICATOR HEAD COMPRISING AN APPLICATION ELEMENT

POROUS

The present invention relates to applicator heads for applying a product, especially a cosmetic product, and more. particularly but not exclusively those intended to apply a product on the hair.

It is known to apply a product on the hair to jointly use at least one porous application element and guide and / or application reliefs.

The application FR 2 728 767 thus describes a comb whose teeth are hollow and house a spongy body.

EP 0 334 156 discloses a device for applying a product to the hair, having teeth inserted in a porous material.

Furthermore, it is known to apply a product using an interchangeable porous application element.

EP 1 384 416 A1 discloses various devices in which the porous applicator element can be replaced.

The application FR 2 889 919 describes a product-permeable roll mounted on a hub through which dispensing orifices pass.

The international application WO 2009/015027 discloses a cartridge intended to be inserted into a nozzle, the cartridge comprising a reservoir, a cover having holes, and a wick disposed between the reservoir and the cover.

US Pat. No. 2,819,723 teaches to introduce a brush and a comb into housings of an applicator head, the comb and the brush being fed with product from inside the applicator head and being able to slide in transverse directions to the applicator head. distribution axis of the applicator head to be mounted in the housing.

There is a need to benefit from an applicator head allowing easy replacement of the porous application element, in particular without contact of the user's fingers with the application element to be replaced, if desired.

There is also an interest in further improving the applicator heads, for example in order to obtain a more homogeneous application. reduce the risk of accidental product leakage, simplify construction, obtain new effects, a better result and / or a simpler implementation. There is still a need for an applicator head that is suitable, if desired, for use in an electric hair treatment apparatus.

The invention aims to meet all or part of these needs.

The invention thus has, according to one of its aspects, an applicator head for applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising:

- housing,

a porous application element and,

- A product supply port from a reservoir, opening on the porous application element, the porous application element being removably disposed at least partially in the housing, and having a surface adapted to come into contact with an area to be treated,

the applicator head being configured so that the removal of the porous applicator element can take place without simultaneous removal of the reservoir, at least in part by sliding the porous applicator element through a force exerted in a direction transverse to a distribution axis of the orifice.

The porous application element is for example linked to the reservoir by friction when it is in place to be supplied with product by the reservoir.

The force exerted corresponds for example to a thrust or traction. In the sense of the invention, two directions are transverse when they are not parallel, since between them an angle of at least 45 ° for example, namely 90 ° for example.

The term "axis of distribution of the orifice" means the axis in which the product is distributed out of the supply port. This distribution axis may be transverse, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along which the housing extends.

The aforementioned thrust is for example exerted in a direction perpendicular to the axis of distribution of the orifice.

The housing can be open at two opposite ends and the removal of the porous applicator element can be effected by sliding the porous element through one of the openings of the housing by a thrust exerted by the other opening, Alternatively, the housing is open at one of its two ends.

The housing, particularly when it is open at one or both ends, may be externally delimited on a part of its periphery by a wall extending along the housing over all or part of the length of the latter,

Thanks to the invention, the replacement of the porous application element can be carried out easily, for example by driving it out of its housing by one end, thus without complex manipulation and without it being necessary to also remove the tank.

The application element is made for example in the form of wick, felt, frit, in particular thermoplastic or ceramic, foam, with open or semi-open cells, elastomer body or with a superposition of layers of one or many of these materials.

The application element can be obtained from polymers such as polyolefins, especially polyethylene or polypropylene, polyamides, EVA, polyvinyl acetate, polyether or polyurethane, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

The invention also makes it possible to use a porous application element of elongated shape, which can be produced for example with porous fibers made of polyester, polyether, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene (PE), these fibers being oriented parallel to the direction of elongation of the applicator element, these fibers being for example coextruded. Such fiber orientation may promote capillary diffusion in the longitudinal direction and improve the distribution of the product over the entire length of the porous applicator element. This can reduce the risk of having excess product localized in a median area of the application element. The housing may have an elongate shape and the fibers may be oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The openings of the housing may be located at its longitudinal ends.

The porous application element may have longitudinal ends made less permeable to the product, or even impermeable to it. The aforementioned fibers may comprise a thermoplastic material and the porous application element may comprise a skin impermeable at its longitudinal ends, formed by local melting of the fiber material, for example when cutting a length of the material of the fiber. application element in sections, using a hot cutting tool or a laser. The application element may have a larger dimension of less than 10 cm, in particular less than 5 cm.

The application element can also be made with natural fibers, for example cotton and / or linen.

The applicator element can be entirely received in the housing, for example not projecting into the reservoir.

The applicator head may comprise at least one relief, application of the product and / or guidance of the hair.

Hair can come normally, when using. the applicator head, in contact with these reliefs, which can maintain them in a treatment area of the applicator head where they are likely to receive the product, for example by contact with a side surface of the applicator element.

The reliefs may be the same or different. The applicator head may for example comprise a succession of identical reliefs between end reliefs having a different appearance, for example in order to better delimit for the user the treatment area of the applicator head.

The reliefs may be, for at least some, located at a relatively small distance from the product supply port, for example less than or equal to 2 mm.

The aforementioned reliefs can extend on at least one side of the feed orifice and for example on either side of a longitudinal median plane thereof. Thus, the hair can be guided before and after engagement with the porous applicator element. The presence of reliefs downstream of the porous application element, with regard to the direction of movement of the hair relative thereto, may make the application of the product more homogeneous, by favoring its spreading on the hair. The presence of reliefs upstream can promote a flattening of the wick in contact with the porous application element.

The reliefs may have, relative to the bottom of the groove (s) formed (s) between them and receiving the hair, a height of at least 3 mm, better 8 mm.

The at least one relief may extend at least partially above the porous applicator element.

The at least one relief may at least partially define the housing. Where appropriate, reliefs may be provided on at least a portion of the bottom of the housing and / or on one face of the applicator element facing such a portion in order to reduce the risk of product flow elsewhere than in the application element.

At least a portion of the reliefs may be carried by the porous applicator element. The application element comprises for example several reliefs arranged according to a. or several rows. The rows of reliefs may extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the application element, on at least a portion of the periphery of the latter.

A lip can be made slightly protruding into the bottom of the housing, around the inlet port.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the applicator head is configured to replace the porous applicator element present in the housing by pushing it out of the housing at. means of a new identical porous application element introduced by one of the openings of the housing.

The applicator head can be configured in such a way that the applicator element can be removed and inserted into the housing without the need to dismount the one or more reliefs and / or a part of the applicator head, which can allow easy replacement of the application element by the user.

The porous applicator element may have a cylindrical shape, for example a semicircular directrix.

The porous applicator element may be frictionally retained in the housing.

Another subject of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, an assembly for the application of a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising:

an applicator head as defined above and,

a reservoir containing the product.

The assembly may comprise fixing means on a portion of a hair treatment apparatus, in particular an electrical appliance, for example a pliers or a curling iron.

The fastening means may comprise a claw arranged to hang on either side of a branch of the apparatus, leaving a heated surface present thereon. The claw can be hollow and define at least partially the tank, which can increase its capacity or, to equal capacity, reduce the overall size of the assembly.

The reservoir may comprise a filling opening and a means for plugging this opening, for example a threaded plug. This can allow the filling of the tank without separating it from the applicator head.

The applicator head may comprise a valve closing the product inlet port in the absence of porous application element. This valve may have as the product inlet an elongate shape parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Fixing the applicator element in the housing may involve, where appropriate, an elastic deformation of at least one of the application element and the housing, for example a snap of the element of application in the reception area. This can improve the retention of the application element. The valve may, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, snap into a corresponding relief of the application element. Such snapping can be felt by the user and inform about the proper positioning of the application element. The valve can contribute, by rubbing on the application element, to retain it in the housing.

The width of the housing receiving the application element may be substantially equal to that of the application element, so as to retain the latter by friction.

The valve can be made in various ways and for example in one piece by molding material with a resilient return member of the valve in the closed position of the inlet port.

The cosmetic product is, for example, a hair product, in particular a product which is applied before, during or after a heat treatment of the hair, for example a treatment intended to smooth or curl the hair by coming from the hair in contact with a hot surface. 'a smoothing pliers or a curling iron.

The product may also be a product intended for application to the skin or the lips, for example a make-up or care product.

The applicator head may include, where appropriate, a protective cover of the application element in the absence of use of the latter. Such a hood is by removable example, and can seal tightly or not a space containing the application element.

The invention also relates to an electric apparatus for treating the hair, comprising a portion having a heating surface and an assembly as defined above, fixed on this portion.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to an electric apparatus for treating the hair, comprising a portion on which is removably attached an assembly for the application of a product comprising an applicator head and a reservoir containing the product to be applied to the hair and a porous applicator element removably attached to the applicator head.

The assembly can be fixed for example by means of a claw on a branch of the device, this claw leaving a heated surface free of the device. The claw can be hollow and at least partially define the reservoir. The applicator head may have any of the above features.

The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, according to another of its aspects, a porous applicator element intended for an applicator head having any of the above characteristics, this element of application comprising a bundle of coextruded porous fibers oriented parallel to its longitudinal axis, and two end faces impermeable to the product, in particular comprising a skin obtained by local melting of the fiber material.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator head for applying a product, comprising:

- housing,

a porous application element,

at least one row of product application and / or hair-guide reliefs extending along an axis, and

a product supply orifice from a reservoir opening onto the porous application element,

the applicator element being detachably disposed at least partially in the housing and having a surface adapted to come into contact with an area to be treated, the applicator head being configured so that the removal of the porous applicator element can be effected at least in part by sliding the porous applicator element parallel to the axis of the row of reliefs, without simultaneous removal of the tank.

- an open housing at two opposite ends,

a porous application element removably disposed at least partially in the housing, having a surface adapted to come into contact with an area to be treated;

- A product supply port opening from a reservoir on the porous application element.

the applicator head being configured so that the removal of the porous applicator element can be carried out at least in part by sliding the porous applicator element through the reservoir without simultaneous removal of the reservoir; one of the openings of the housing, thanks to a thrust exerted by the other opening.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to a porous application element for applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion free of reliefs and a distal portion. comprising a plurality of product application reliefs and / or hair guide, these reliefs extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the applicator element on at least a portion of the periphery of the latter.

The porous application element is for example made with one of the materials mentioned above. The reliefs may extend continuously over all or part of the periphery of the porous application element. The reliefs for example form a plurality of ribs defining two by two grooves for guiding the hair during the application of the product.

The porous application element may have between two and ten ribs. As a variant, the reliefs extend transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the porous application element. discontinuous on the periphery of the distal portion of the porous applicator element and define a plurality of circular rows of teeth. Each row comprises for example between two and ten teeth. The porous applicator member may be impregnated with product before packaging in a package or loaded with product by being dipped in a vial containing the product. Such a porous application element can be used alone, as an applicator head by a user or, alternatively, be mounted on an applicator head as defined above.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 represents, in perspective, partially and schematically, a hair treatment apparatus equipped with an assembly comprising an applicator head made according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents in isolation the assembly of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial, diagrammatic section of the set of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternative embodiment;

- Figures 5 to 8 show, in schematic and partial section, other assembly variants and,

- Figures 9 and 10 show examples of applicators according to another aspect of the invention.

The assembly for the application of a product 1 shown in isolation in Figure 2 comprises an applicator head 2. This set, 1 is intended to be mounted on an electric hair treatment apparatus, for example a pliers to smooth the hair or a curling iron.

Such an apparatus comprises for example two branches 10, only one of which is shown partially in Figure 1, these branches can be closed on the hair to be treated.

At least one of the branches 10, and preferably each leg 10, is provided with a heating surface, in contact with which the hair can be brought during use.

The heating surface is for example brought to a temperature between

100 and 180 ° C, and this heating surface is for example defined by a metal or a ceramic, which can be flat and smooth. If applicable, steam may be emitted at level of the heating surface. The heating surface can still be rounded or wavy.

When the branches 10 are close together, the hair passes between the heating surfaces facing.

The invention is not limited to the use of the assembly 1, including the applicator head 2, in a hair treatment apparatus for smoothing or curling the hair.

The assembly 1, for example may be used alone, to apply a product on the hair, regardless of any other treatment. The product is then, for example, a product for coloring, bleaching, care or fixing the hair.

The whole _. 1 can be mounted on one of the branches 10, being for example slidably engaged on this branch 10. The assembly can be removable, which can facilitate the packaging and / or cleaning of the assembly, including the applicator head 2.

In the illustrated example, the assembly 1 comprises a claw 3 which allows its mounting on the branch 10, this claw 3 having two uprights 4 and 5 terminated by hooking flanges 6 directed towards each other, allowing to hold the set 1 on the branch 10.

The bottom of the space 7 defined between the uprights 4 and 5 comprises, for example, as illustrated, reliefs 8 such as ribs or bosses rubbing on the back of the leg 10 and allowing immobilization by friction of the assembly 1 on the branch 10 in the desired position, for example at the heating surface. Thus, the same lock of hair can pass both on the applicator head 2 and on the heating surface of the branch 10.

Of course, other mounting means of the assembly 1 on the branch 10 are possible, for example snap fastening, bayonet-type or other type of locking or fastening using inserts such as screws or elastic fasteners. The assembly 1 may still be present in a non-removable manner by the user on the hair treatment apparatus, at least a portion of the assembly 1 being for example made in one piece by molding material with a at least part of the branch 10. Preferably, when in place on the apparatus, the assembly 1 is stationary relative to the branch 10 during use. In a variant not shown, the assembly 1 is movable relative to the branch 10 of the apparatus to allow the user to move it between an active position where it can exert an action on the hair and a mactive position where by example only the one or more heating surfaces act.

The product intended to be applied to the hair by the applicator head is contained in a reservoir 20 of the assembly 1, which can be filled in the example illustrated by the user, by means of a filling opening provided with a cap 21.

The reservoir 20 extends for example to a portion of the volume of the claw 3, which can increase its capacity. The latter goes for example from 5 to 20 ml.

The applicator head 2 has an application face 22 intended to come into engagement with the hair.

The applicator head 2 may comprise, on the side of the application face 22, reliefs 23 for guiding hair, styling and / or application, which are in the example illustrated in the form of half-shaped ribs -circulaire, spaced from each other so as to define between them spaces 24 in which the hair can engage. These spaces 24 are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the application face 22, in the illustrated example.

The applicator head 2 also comprises, in the example under consideration, two end protrusions 25 which delimit longitudinally the treating portion of the applicator head 2. These end protrusions 25 are, for example, higher than the reliefs 23, and may, as illustrated, be in the form of arches.

The distance between the end reliefs 25 is for example adapted to the width of a lock of hair to be treated, being for example between 4 and 40 mm, and the number of reliefs 23 is for example between 2 and 20, the spacing between two adjacent reliefs 23 for example from 1 to 4 mm.

A housing 32 is defined under the reliefs 23 to accommodate a porous application element 70. The latter is formed by any material permeable to the product. Preferably, a porous application member formed by coextruding thermoplastic fibers, for example PET or PE, is used. The longitudinal ends 71 of the applicator member 70 are rendered impermeable to the product by forming a skin by melting the fiber material at the ends, for example with a hot cutting tool or a laser.

The applicator element 70 may have a cylindrical shape with a generatrix parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 32 and a semicircular directrix of radius substantially equal to or slightly greater than that of the ribs 23, so as to maintain by friction of the porous applicator element in the housing 32.

The applicator head 2 comprises, in the example described, a body 9 inside which a channel 29 is arranged to allow fluid communication between the reservoir 20 and the housing 32. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 to 8, the product contained in the tank 20 is fed through the channel 29 onto the applicator element. 70 through an orifice 30 which, in the illustrated examples, opens beneath the reliefs 23, in the housing 32, facing the base of the application element 70.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 to 8, the orifice 30 and the part of the channel 29 communicating with the orifice 30 define a distribution axis W of the orifice transverse to the axis X along which longitudinally extends In the examples shown, the axis W is perpendicular to the axis X.

The orifice 30 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X, which is for example substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Y of the branch 10, as can be seen in FIG.

The orifice 30 is closed, in the absence of the porous application element 70, by a valve 40, the latter having a head 41 which projects into the housing 32 so as to be actuated by the element porous application.

The valve 40 comprises, in the illustrated example, a rod 43 acting as a guide for a helical spring 44, which bears at one end on the head 41 and at the other end on a retaining ring 45 mounted freely on the rod 43 and snapped onto an interior relief 46 of the tank 20.

In the example considered, the orifice 30 is made through a wall 34 of the applicator head body 9. The head 41 of the valve 40 has a tapered shape in cross section and is applied at rest, under the action of the spring of return 44, against this wall 34 to close the orifice 30, The wall 34 is for example made in one piece by molding material with the reliefs 23, in the same material or in a different material. As a variant, the reliefs 23 are attached to the applicator head body 9, for example being fastened to the latter by gluing, latching, force-fitting, welding or otherwise, for example by means of one or more fasteners. additional. In a variant not shown, the reliefs 23 are removably mounted on the applicator head body 9, which may allow for example to change the reliefs 23 depending on the nature of the hair or the treatment to be performed. The reliefs 23 are for example molded with a support which can be fixed to the applicator head body 9 by various means, for example by snapping or sliding implementation.

The flow of the product towards the porous applicator element at the opening of the valve 40 can be effected by gravity, the applicator head 1 being for example oriented with the housing 32 downwards or to the side during the use. If necessary, the flow of the product can be aided by a decrease in the internal volume of the reservoir 20, for example under the effect of a deformation of its wall by the user, a piston or the retraction of an elastically deformable pocket.

The reliefs 23 may have a surface condition facilitating the application of the product to the hair, for example being at least partially covered by a flocking.

The valve 40 may be made differently and it may be advantageous, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to make the spring 44 for returning the valve to the shut-off position in one piece by molding material with the rest of the valve, this spring 44 connecting for example teeth 39 of the valve, snapped on inner reliefs 52 of the reservoir 20, to the head 41 of the. valve.

The orifice 30 may be formed in the thickness of a wall of the reservoir, as illustrated in FIG. 3 or, alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4, between the lips 56 of the applicator head body 9.

In the examples which have just been described, the reservoir 20 is fixedly fixed on the applicator head 2, as are the reliefs 23, a wall of the reservoir 20 being for example made in one piece with a wall of the body 9 by molding of material. In a variant not shown, the reservoir 20 is in the form of a cartridge which is removably mounted on the applicator head 2, the latter having a housing adapted to receive the cartridge.

The tank may in this case be devoid of filling and plug hole, being for example non-refillable by the user.

The cartridge may optionally include, in addition to the reservoir, the associated valve and the applicator head 2 may be arranged to allow the valve to protrude into the housing receiving the application element, porous, after mounting the cartridge.

To use the applicator head shown in Figure 1, the user passes the hair between the branches 10 so as to subject them to the heat of the heating surfaces. The hair also passes between the reliefs 23 and 25 and comes into contact with the porous applicator element 70.

In order to replace the application element 70, it is possible, in the example under consideration, to push it through one of the axial ends of the housing 32 by means of an identical application element introduced by the opposite end. the application element 71 being carried out advantageously without simultaneous removal of the reservoir 20.

The porous application element can also be supplied with product directly from the reservoir, without an intermediate valve, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8. On the latter, various forms of reliefs 23 have been represented.

In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the reliefs 23 may extend entirely above the porous applicator element 70, being for example formed of the same ribs as those described with reference to FIG.

The reliefs 23 may still not extend over the entire upper periphery of the porous applicator element 70, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this example, the reliefs 23 help maintain the porous application element. on the tank.

In the example of FIG. 7, the reliefs 23 no longer play this role, the maintenance of the porous applicator element on the effector reservoir for example thanks to a cooperation of tonnes between the porous application element and the tank. The porous application element 70 comprises for example at least one retaining rib 131 engaged in a groove 132, of corresponding shape in cross section. In this example, the porous application element 70 comprises two ribs 131, on either side of the orifice 30. The reliefs 23 may or may not protrude from the top of the application element 70.

In the example of FIG. 8, the applicator head 2 comprises a wall for holding the porous applicator element 70, which partially covers the latter.

The applicator head may comprise, as illustrated, two returns 135 which cover lateral portions 136 of the porous applicator element 70. Where appropriate, the porous applicator element is formed with application reliefs 123 and / or guiding the hair, such as teeth for example. An applicator head made according to the invention may be useful independently of the combination with an electric hair treatment apparatus.

The applicator head may comprise a part arranged to be mounted on a bottle serving as a reservoir, for example by screwing onto the neck of the bottle or by attaching it to the latter with a hoop provided with snap-fastening means. . The reservoir can then, if necessary, serve as a gripping member.

FIG. 9 shows an applicator 100 according to another aspect of the invention.

This applicator 100 comprises a porous application element which is for example made similar to what has been described above and extends along a longitudinal axis Z.

The applicator 100 has a free proximal portion 101 of reliefs and a distal portion 102 having a plurality of reliefs 101 extending transversely to the Z axis on at least a portion of the periphery of the porous applicator element.

The reliefs extend continuously around the periphery of the distal portion of the applicator element, so as to form a plurality of ribs 103 defining two by two grooves 104 allowing the guidance of the hair during the application of the product.

The applicator may comprise between two and ten ribs, for example nine. FIG. 10 represents a variant of the applicator of FIG. 9 in which the reliefs extend transversely with respect to the Z axis in a discontinuous manner around the periphery of the distal portion 102 of the porous application element and define a plurality of circular rows 105 of teeth 106. Each row 105 comprises for example between two and ten teeth 106. The teeth 106 belonging to two adjacent rows 105 are aligned along the longitudinal axis Z. The invention is of course not limited to such an example. Teeth 106 of adjacent rows 105 may not be aligned. The teeth 106 may be conical or arcuate and may be made by cutting, forming or molding.

The applicator 100 is for example impregnated with product before packaging in a package or loaded with product being soaked in a bottle containing the product.

The applicator 100 can be directly used by a person. The latter can for example grip with the fingers the applicator 100 by its proximal portion 101 to perform the product application using the distal portion 102.

Alternatively, the applicator 100 may be inserted into the housing of an applicator head for example similar to the one ^'of those described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 and be used as the applicator element of these figures.

The expression "comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one".

Claims

Applicator head (2) for applying a cosmetic product, comprising: -. housing (32),

a porous application element (70) and,

an orifice (30) for supplying product from a reservoir, opening onto the porous applicator element (70),

the porous applicator element (70) being detachably disposed at least partially in the housing and having a surface adapted to come into contact with an area to be treated,

the applicator head being configured so that removal of the porous applicator element can take place without simultaneous removal of the reservoir, at least in part by sliding the porous applicator element through. a force exerted in a direction transverse to a distribution axis (W) of the orifice and,

the head being configured to allow replacement of the porous applicator member in place in the housing by pushing it out of the housing by means of a new identical porous application element, introduced through one of the openings in the housing.

2. Head according to claim 1, comprising at least one relief (23; 25; 123) for application of the product and / or guide the hair.

3. Head according to claim 2, the relief or relief extending at least partially on one side of the porous applicator element.

4. Head according to one of the two immediately preceding claims, the relief or reliefs (23; 25) extending at least partially above the porous application element.

5. Head according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the relief or reliefs at least partially defining the housing (32).

6. Head according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing having an elongated shape, and being open at two longitudinal ends.

7. Head according to any one of the preceding claims, the porous applicator element (70) having a cylindrical shape.

8. Head according to the preceding claim, the porous application element having a cylindrical shape of semicircular directrix.

9. Head according to any one of the preceding claims, the porous application element being retained by friction in the housing.

10. Head according to claim 6, the porous application element comprising fibers oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

1. A head according to any one of the preceding claims, the porous applicator element having faces at its longitudinal ends (71) impervious to the product.

12. Set for the application of a product (1), comprising:

a head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and,

a reservoir (20) containing the product, communicating with the product supply orifice (30).

13. Assembly according to the preceding claim, comprising fixing means: (3) on an electric hair treatment apparatus.

14. Electric hair treatment apparatus, comprising a portion (10) having a heating surface and an assembly (1) as defined in one of claims 12 and 13, fixed on this portion.