EP2827735B1 - Hairstyling appliance - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for hairstyling or shaping the hair, more particularly of the type electric straightener or electric curling iron or electrical root loosening device for shaping the hair by any type of heat.

State of the art

Most hair shaping devices, such as hair straighteners and curling or curling irons, have two hot or heated treatment surfaces that pinch a strand of hair from an open position allowing the hair to be straightened. inserting the hair into a closed position for contacting the surfaces.

All these hairstyling devices are intended to ensure good shaping of the hair without applying too much traction on the lock of hair when the treatment surfaces are trained along the lock of hair, traction applied in particular by the side edges of the treatment surfaces.

To reduce the pull on the hair at the side edges of the treatment surfaces, several solutions have been considered.

The document JP 2001 104036 describes one.

A first type of solution concerns in particular moving mounted plates for example on spring, on rocker ... A second type of solution relates to the arrangement and shape of the treatment plates. In general the treatment plate is protruding relative to the housing and its side edges are angular and apply unwanted traction on the hair. The solution adopted is to give the lateral edge a rounded shape to reduce traction.

But these solutions are in practice not effective enough and do not reduce enough the traction applied by the edges of the treatment surfaces, the hair is still damaged. In addition, the user must apply a certain force to maintain in the closed position the straightener pinching the hair and to slide it along the wick. Thus the apparatus of the state of the art do not pose and do not solve the following problem: combine shaping efficiency by the treatment surfaces with minimal traction on the hair.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an electric hairdressing appliance having at least one heating treatment surface whose shaping is effective and applies minimal traction on the hair.

Another object of the present invention is to allow to smooth the hair over substantially the entire length of the lock of hair without the risk of damaging them.

Another object of the present invention is to allow to take off the roots of the hair, to give volume to the hair without the risk of damaging them.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device capable of shaping the hair quickly and efficiently.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device capable of shaping the hair over an extended period of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device capable of applying cosmetics simultaneously to the shaping.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device capable of improving thermal transfer with a lock of hair to be treated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hairdressing device capable of ensuring good ergonomics and comfortable use, while being reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hairdressing device of simplified structure, compact and can be industrialized for a low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device capable of providing heat in a safe or protective manner to the hair, without the risk of burning the hair and / or the scalp.

Another object of the invention is to produce an apparatus capable of providing a temperature adapted to the type of hair, for example fine, thick, dense or sparse hair.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling device that allows an effective treatment of the hair, while being easy and convenient to use.

These goals are achieved with a hair styling device for shaping hair comprising a first housing and a second housing next to the first housing; the casings of longitudinal axis being pivotally connected by a hinge to define an open and closed position of the apparatus; the first housing having a first hair treatment surface and to be heated by a first heating means; the second housing having at least a second hair treatment surface for contacting the first surface for gripping the hair in the closed position; the apparatus containing only two cylinders arranged on each side of one of the treatment surfaces, the cylinders being rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axis. Thus, when the user passes the device along the treated wick, the rolls each roll upstream and downstream surfaces of treatment and avoid applying a pronounced traction on the wick. The fact that the cylinders are free to rotate, and therefore easily "drivable" by the passage of the lock of hair, avoids the friction thereof on the housing or on the sides of the treatment surface. The cylinders are rotatable only by the movement of the device along the hair. In addition, the radius formed by the cylinders can greatly reduce the phenomenon of "marking" of the hair. The cylinders are substantially identical.

According to the invention, the two cylinders are movably mounted in free rotation around their respective longitudinal axis. They rotate according to the direction and speed of movement of the device along the wick.

According to the invention, the longitudinal axes of the two cylinders can be parallel. This makes it possible to symmetrically apply a decreased traction on each side of the working surface of the hair.

According to the invention, the two cylinders can be arranged directly adjacent to said treatment surface. By "directly adjacent" is meant that each cylinder is close to each edge of the treatment surface without another piece being interposed between the edge and the cylinder. They are separated by a small spacing required by the construction of the apparatus.

According to the invention, the axis of the two cylinders and each of the two edges of the treatment surface adjacent to the cylinders can be substantially coplanar. This means that, in addition to being close, they are located substantially at the same level so as not to create a modification of the formatting by the simple addition of small cylinders.

According to the invention, the cylinders can be arranged on each side of the first treatment surface. Thus, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the second housing may have its longitudinal edges arranged on each side of the second treatment surface and facing the cylinders in the closed position. This mode produces a compact device with optimal treatment surfaces.

Alternatively, according to a second embodiment of the invention, the second housing may comprise two gutters each arranged on each side of the second treatment surface and to each receive a cylinder in the closed position. This mode makes it possible to produce a symmetrical apparatus and with substantially identical processing surfaces.

Alternatively, according to a third embodiment of the invention, the second housing covers only the first treatment surface. This mode makes it possible to produce a compact apparatus and with substantially identical treatment surfaces.

According to the invention the second treatment surface may be substantially cylindrical and the first treatment surface may have the shape of a tile covering in the closed position the second treatment surface in a covering axis of between 160 ° and 190 °, preferably approximately equal to 180 °. This counter-shaped configuration makes it possible to create a ripple at a chosen location of the wick, for example at the root of the wick. The hair treatment zone defined in the closed position by the nip of the two surfaces on the wick may be non-planar, for example curved, preferably arcuate. The two mini-rolls adjacent to the treatment zone are arranged on the chosen macho so that the lateral edges of this zone do not mark the wick because of the passage of the apparatus along the wick.

According to the invention, the second treatment surface may be formed by a cylinder attached to the second housing and rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

According to the invention, the two treatment surfaces can be flat smoothing surfaces.

According to the invention, the rolls have a diameter of between 3 and 6 mm, preferably between 4 and 5mm. The relative ratio between the diameter of the small cylinders and the spacing between these two cylinders is between 1/3 and 1/5, preferably equal to about 1/4. The diameter of the cylinders is relatively small compared to the spacing between the two cylinders provided for the treatment surface. If the spacing is occupied by a smoothing plate, the width of the plate is about 25 mm. If the spacing is occupied by a half-cylinder or a cylinder, its diameter is about 19mm.

According to the invention, the cylinders can be made of metal or plastic. Any material resistant to a temperature above about 50 ° C is suitable. The shape and material are chosen to make the surface of the cylinder as smooth as possible.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rollers may comprise pins, which may be arranged in longitudinal rows, overlapped or not, and / or bristles, this to help distribute the hair homogeneously.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rolls can be heated by conduction using at least the energy of the adjacent heating element. The part may be the treatment surface arranged between the two rollers, it may alternatively or additionally be the treatment surface arranged on the other arm of the apparatus, with the conduction by the treatment surface between the two rollers.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rollers may be vibrating to help comb the hair and eliminate any knots.

According to the invention, the rolls may be covered with a porous material impregnated with a cosmetic type fluid agent or may be covered with a solid cosmetic agent that can be deposited by liquefaction or by rubbing on the hair. This allows a cosmetic application at the same time as the smoothing of the wick. The rolls may consist of a cosmetic in solid form, liquefiable under the effect of the heat of the apparatus or depositable by contact or friction on the hair.

According to the invention, the second treatment surface may be intended to be heated by a second heating means.

1. a) Appliquer l'appareil à la racine d'une mèche de cheveux et le pincer statiquement pendant plusieurs secondes,
2. b) ensuite faire pivoter l'appareil autour de son axe longitudinal (L) d'environ un quart de tour vers le bas,
3. c) et ensuite glisser l'appareil le long de la mèche jusqu'à son extrémité.

The invention also relates to a method of using the apparatus according to the invention comprising the following steps:

1. a) Apply the device to the root of a lock of hair and pinch it statically for several seconds,
2. (b) then rotate the apparatus about its longitudinal axis (L) about a quarter of a turn downwards,
3. c) and then slide the device along the wick to its end.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure 1 illustre une vue de l'appareil selon l'invention ;
• La figure 2 illustre une vue en perspective en position fermée, en coupe transversale de l'appareil selon un premier mode de l'invention ;
• La figure 3 illustre une vue en perspective en position ouverte en coupe transversale de l'appareil selon un premier mode de l'invention ;
• La figure 4 illustre une vue en perspective en position ouverte de l'appareil selon un premier mode de l'invention ;
• La figure 5 illustre une vue éclatée en perspective en position ouverte de l'appareil selon un premier mode de l'invention ;
• La figure 6 illustre une vue en coupe du premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• Les figures 7 et 8 illustrent une vue en coupe du deuxième et du troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood by studying the embodiments taken as non-limiting and illustrated here:

• The figure 1 illustrates a view of the apparatus according to the invention;
• The figure 2 illustrates a perspective view in closed position, in cross section of the apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 3 illustrates a perspective view in open position in cross section of the apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 4 illustrates a perspective view in the open position of the apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view in the open position of the apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention;
• The Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a sectional view of the second and third embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention:

As illustrated in figure 1 to 5 the invention relates to a hair styling apparatus 1 for shaping hair comprising a first housing or arm 10 defining a longitudinal axis L and a second housing or arm 20 of longitudinal axis L 'disposed facing one of the other and pivotally connected by a hinge 30 to define an open and closed position of the apparatus. The first arm 10 includes a portion defining a first treatment surface 12. A first heating means 13 is arranged to heat at least the first treatment surface 12 and said surface can take the form of a treatment plate 12. The second arm 20 comprises at least one portion defining a second treatment surface 22 comprising a second heating element 23. The second treatment surface 22 is intended to come into contact with the first treatment surface 12 to receive the hair in the closed position. The two cylinders 14, 15 are arranged on each side of one of the treatment surfaces 12, 22, the rollers being mounted for rotation about their longitudinal axis Δ14; Δ15. This is a free rotation, that is to say that the cylinders are not motorized and are not locked immobile. Their longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm supporting them. The cylinder can be a cylinder of revolution. Only two cylinders 14, 15 movable in rotation are provided on an arm, without other movable cylinders are arranged opposite: the principle is that the lock of hair is in contact with a cylinder at a time that rolls along the wick. The wick is not arranged in contact between two cylinders moving and in contact.

The first heating means 13, like the second heating means 23, may be an electrical resistance, in particular a PTC resistor. Such a resistance has the particular advantage of a small footprint for a good thermal heating efficiency; in addition, it has thermal self-regulation properties. In a second variant embodiment, the heating element 13, 23 may be a ceramic resistor or may consist of an electrically resistant flexible film. The treatment surface 12, 22 may be metal, for example aluminum, or any other material that has a good compromise between thermal conductivity and cost. A Printed card (not shown) is held by the hood and allows control when heating the device. The second arm has a display 31, for example numeric, to display the controlled heating temperature of the plates in operation. A switch 32 is provided to control the heating temperature.

The two cylinders 14, 15 are mounted on the housing movable in free rotation around their respective longitudinal axis Δ14; Δ15 and respectively on two extensions 18 and 19 of the arm 10. The longitudinal axes of the two cylinders 14, 15 are parallel. The two cylinders 14, 15 are arranged directly adjacent to the treatment surface 12. They are in continuity with the treatment surface. As represented in figure 3 each of the axes (Δ14; Δ15) of the two cylinders 14,15 and each of the two edges 16,17 of the treatment surface adjacent to the rolls 14,15 are substantially coplanar in the plane P.

The rolls are arranged on each side of the first processing surface 12. With regard to the arrangement of any opposing shapes opposite the two rolls, three embodiments are illustrated in FIG. Figures 6, 7 and 8 , but they are not limiting embodiments within the reach of the skilled person. According to a first mode illustrated in figure 6 the second housing 20 has its longitudinal edges 20 ', 20 "arranged on each side of the second treatment surface 22 and facing the cylinders 14, 15 in the closed position. figure 7 , the second housing 20 comprises two gutters (24, 25) each arranged on each side of the second processing surface (22) and each to receive a cylinder (14, 15) in the closed position. The gutter is substantially a counter-form of the cylinder. According to a third mode illustrated in figure 8 the second housing 20 covers only the first treatment surface 12.

Regarding the shape and mobility of the treatment surfaces that "shape" the lock of hair, several embodiments have been envisaged. A first mode is illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 , a second mode is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 . In the first mode, the second treatment surface 22 is substantially cylindrical and the first treatment surface 12 has the shape of a tile or concave plate covering in the closed position the second treatment surface 22 along an overlap axis of between 160 ° and 190 °, preferably about 180 ° . The tile may be heated by a heating element 13 inserted into a plate tangential to said tile forming a single piece to optimize heat transfer. The second treatment surface 22 is formed by a cylinder attached to the second housing and rotatable about its longitudinal axis (I) illustrated in FIG. figure 5 . The rotation of this cylinder is free. In the second mode, the two treatment surfaces (12, 22) are flat smoothing surfaces, which is then a "conventional" straightener containing two small rollers or cylinders in free rotation on each side of a plate treatment only and arranged flush with the flat smoothing surface.

The cylinders 14, 15 have a diameter of between 3 and 6 mm, preferably between 4 and 5 mm. They can be made of metal, for example aluminum, or plastic, for example silicone-type polymer, EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), PPS (polypropylene) ... The rolls can be covered with a material porous impregnated with fluid agent, in this case the cylinder is a rod surrounded by a hollow roll of porous material. The fluid agent may be water, or a fluid containing a cosmetic function fixation, coloring, thermal protection ... Depending on the direction of passage of the device on the wick, the fluid may be different in each roll of porous material. The cylinders can be dismountable, cleanable or even interchangeable.

Description in operation

Thus, in operation, the user begins by turning on the device which then controls the temperature of the treatment surface or surfaces. An indicator light 33 can warn that the heating phase is over and that the apparatus is ready for use. The user then grabs a strand of hair and introduces the wick, for example at the root, of it between the surfaces of the hair. treatment and closes the device to pinch statically for several seconds the wick (3 seconds for example). Then the user can rotate the device about its longitudinal axis (L) about a quarter of a turn downward, and then slide the device along the wick to its end and release of the wick.
When the rolls are covered with solid or fluid cosmetics, the contact or even the heat and / or the friction on the hair allows a removal of the homogeneous cosmetic.
When the treatment surfaces are a roll facing a tile, then the user will hold the apparatus with the roll down and the tile up at the root, this will take off the root of the wick and keep this form for 1 or 2 days.
Of course, the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments which have been given by way of example. Modifications are possible, in particular 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 as claimed.

Claims (16)

1. Hairstyling appliance (1) for styling hair, comprising a first housing (10) and a second housing (20) facing the first one (10); the housings (10, 20) having a longitudinal axis (L, L') being connected in a pivoting manner by a hinge (30) to define open/close positions for the appliance;

   - the first housing (10) having a first hair treatment surface (12) intented to be heated by a first heating system (13);

   - the second housing (20) having at least one second hair treatment surface (22) intended to come into contact with the first surface (12) in order to grip the hair in the closed position;

   characterised in that it only has two cylinders (14, 15) arranged on each side of one of the treatment surfaces (12, 22), the cylinders being mounted to be able to rotate around their longitudinal axis (Δ14; Δ15) and being rotated only by the movement of the hair straightener down to the ends of the hair.
2. Appliance according to the previous claim where the two cylinders (14, 15) can rotate around their respective longitudinal axis (Δ14; Δ15).
3. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where the longitudinal axis (Δ14; Δ15) of the two cylinders (14, 15) are parallel.
4. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where both cylinders (14, 15) are arranged directly adjacent to said treatment surface (12).
5. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where the axis of the two cylinders (14, 15) and each of the two edges (16, 17) of the treatment surface adjacent to the cylinders (14, 15) are substantially coplanar.
6. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where the cylinders are arranged on either side of the first treatment surface (12).
7. Appliance according to claim 6 where the second housing (20) has its longitudinal edges (20', 20") arranged on either side of the second treatment surface (22) and facing the cylinders (14, 15) in the closed position.
8. Appliance according to claim 6 where the second housing (20) comprises two grooves (24, 25) each arranged on either side of the second treatment surface (22) to each receive a cylinder (14, 15) in the closed position.
9. Appliance according to claim 6 where the second housing (20) only covers the first treatment surface (12).
10. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where the second treatment surface (22) is substantially cylindrical and where the first treatment surface (12) has the shape of a tile, covering, in the closed position, the second treatment surface (22), e.g. along an axis of recovery between 160° and 190°, preferably close to 180°.
11. Appliance according to the previous claim where the second treatment surface (22) comprises a cylinder attached to the second housing which rotates around its longitudinal axis (I).
12. Appliance according to one of claims 1 to 9 where the two treatment surfaces (12, 22) are both smooth.
13. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where the cylinders (14, 15) have a diameter between 3 and 6 mm, ideally between 4 and 5 mm.
14. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where the cylinders are metal or plastic.
15. Appliance according to one of the previous claims where the second hair treatment surface (22) is designed to be heated by a second heating system (23).
16. Appliance operation method according to one of the previous claims including the following steps:

    a) Apply the device to the root of a lock of hair and clasp together in a fixed position for several seconds,

    b) then rotate the appliance around its longitudinal axis (L) about a quarter turn downwards,

    c) and then slide all along the lock of hair.

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