EP3331398B1 - Hair curling device with inclined mandrel and inclined curler - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of hair styling devices for looping hair locks, in particular those which have an automated winding device of the wick to perform its looping.

State of the art

Such hairdressing devices for looping locks of hair, with a device for automatically winding the wick to make it loop, are already known to those skilled in the art (see US2015 / 0216281 ). For example, patent applications published under the numbers FR2373986A1 , DE2816289A1 , WO2009077747A2 , WO2012080751A2 , WO2013186547A1 describe such hairdressing appliances. According to this type of design, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a housing which comprises a winding chamber having an opening for introducing the lock of hair, a mandrel arranged in this winding chamber and a winder configured to wind the wick. hair around the mandrel.

In the patent application FR2373986A1 , the winder has a spiral shape with teeth so that when starting the device, the lock of hair can be grasped and wound around the heating mandrel.

In the patent application DE2816289A1 , the winder comprises a cylinder shape coaxially disposed around a portion of the mandrel in a winding chamber of the housing. The mandrel has a conical head which extends outside the winder and the winding chamber of the housing. The retractor comprises a notch with a hook which allows to wind the wick around the reel and around the conical head of the chuck, while performing a movement of the hair styling device against the scalp.

The hair styling devices to be described above, described in FR2373986A1 and DE2816289A , are complex to use and are not ergonomic. In addition, they do not allow effective looping of the hair because the wrapped hair is not held close to the mandrel for the proper formation of the loop.

In the patent application WO2009077747A2 , the casing of the hairdressing apparatus comprises a slot arranged in the direction of the length of a winding chamber, through which penetrates the lock of hair to be wound around the mandrel. Lateral guide blades are arranged V and longitudinally outside the slot to receive a wick. The reel has the shape of a disk disposed around the mandrel. The disk is larger than the housing, so that it passes through the slot and the guide blades. The disc has a radial notch which opens out on its peripheral contour and forms a hook, so that said notch can be positioned through the slot and between the guide blades, which facilitates the positioning of the lock of hair in the notch for grasping said wick. Once the wick is in position in the notch, it is wrapped around the mandrel in the winding chamber, from the scalp to the end of the wick. The design of this winder forces the seized wick to wind on both sides of the disk, which generates a tension on the hair throughout their winding, which may therefore be damaged. In addition, the wick can easily get stuck in the winding chamber of the housing due to this winding on both sides of the disc. This design is also very bulky.

In the patent application WO2012080751A2 , the hairdressing device to curl is in the form of a clamp formed of two arms. The housing is arranged at the end of one of the two arms and has an insertion slot which extends longitudinally on the housing in the direction of a winding chamber with which said slot communicates. The housing includes external guide elements which are arranged outside the slot forming a V and guide the lock of hair for its introduction through the slot in the winding chamber. In a manner comparable to the hair styling apparatus described previously in the document WO2009077747A2 , the reel is in the form of a disc with a hook shape which passes through the slot to be positioned between the guide elements. The second arm comprises at its end a second housing which has a receiving area of the guide elements and a bearing surface, which allows the bearing surface to push the lock of hair towards the slot while by being guided by the guide elements, then allowing the retractor to grip said wick for its winding around the mandrel. This design also has a large footprint. In addition, its design is complex, which complicates its industrialization and increases its manufacturing cost.

In the patent application WO2013186547A1 , as for the patent application WO2012080751A2 , the housing defines a winding chamber in which extends a mandrel whose one end is fixed to the housing and one end is free and adjacent to an extraction opening on which opens the winding chamber. The reel is also in the form of a disc with a notch forming a hook which allows to grasp the wick to wind it around the mandrel. In a first implementation, the housing comprises a large insertion opening for positioning the wick in the winding chamber. In a second variant, the housing comprises an insertion slot which extends longitudinally and communicates with the winding chamber, above the mandrel, V-shaped guide elements being arranged outside the slot to facilitate the positioning of the wick facing the slot. According to these various variants, the curling hairdresser comprises an insertion device configured to push the wick inside the insertion opening or the insertion slot and position it in the notch on the disk. This design is complex and implements a large number of parts, making it difficult to industrialize and increasing its manufacturing cost. In addition, this design also increases its bulk.

Summary of the invention

The present invention has the main objective of implementing a hairdressing apparatus for easily grasp the wick for winding, while overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of hairdressing appliances to curl anterior.

Another objective is to provide a curly hairstyling device for effective treatment of the hair, while being easy and convenient to use.

Another objective is to avoid any jamming or entanglement of the wick inside the winding case, and to make regular curls without damaging the hair.

Another object of the present invention is to loop the lock of hair substantially along its entire length without reducing the efficiency of the hairdressing apparatus and without risking burning the scalp.

To these effects, the invention relates to a hairdressing appliance for the closure of a lock of hair, also called a hairdressing device to be curled, according to claim 1. The hairdressing appliance comprises a handle that extends longitudinally along a first axis X1 and a housing which is secured to the handle. The manipulating handle may have various forms aesthetic and ergonomic so as to allow proper grip.

The housing comprises a winding chamber having a shape of revolution defined along a second axis X2, the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 defining a plane P. The housing also comprises an insertion slot which extends over the length the housing in the plane P, more or less parallel to the second axis X2, and which opens into the winding chamber, the lock of hair being introduced into the chamber winding through this slot. This slot is positioned on the housing on the side opposite to the position of the handling handle. The housing also comprises an extraction opening arranged at one of its two lateral faces, on which the winding chamber opens.

Remarkably, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a mandrel which has an end fixed to the housing and a free end disposed in the winding chamber, near the extraction opening, and which extends into the chamber of winding along a third axis X3 defined in the plane P passing through the second axis X2 and the slot. Preferably, the slot is arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane P. In addition, the third axis X3 is inclined relative to the first axis X1 at an angle α so that the free end of the mandrel is further away from the handle manipulating that fixed end of said mandrel.

Furthermore, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a hollow winder having a surface of revolution along the third axis X3, which is arranged with a first spacing around the mandrel in the winding chamber, coaxially with said mandrel along the third axis X3 . The reel is rotatably mounted in at least one direction along the third axis, preferably in both directions of rotation. The winder comprises on its surface of revolution hooking means which are configured to catch the wick in the initial position of the winder, then to rotate said wick during the rotation of said winder. In addition, the retractor is configured to successively grasp or hook the proximal end of the wick, wrap concomitantly the wick around the mandrel and said reel, and then completely wrap said wick around said mandrel, during its rotation.

This design of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to introduce the wick into the insertion slot, while positioning it obliquely with respect to the mandrel and the reel, and then to introduce the wick into the attachment means on the surface of revolution of the winder, without the need to incline the wick relative to the slot. This greatly facilitates the manipulation of the apparatus, the user introducing the wick in the slot naturally holding the handle of manipulation, without any complications regarding its positioning, then comes to press the extraction opening against the scalp so that the end of the lock of hair, located near the roots , is positioned in the attachment means.

In addition, this design of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to decompose the winding chamber into two concentric chambers, an inner chamber defined by the first spacing between the mandrel and the winder and an outer chamber defined by the external spacing to the reel, inside the winding chamber. This makes it possible to wrap the lock of hair around both the mandrel and the winder. The reel, which surrounds the mandrel in its length, has a greater winding diameter than that of the mandrel, which allows to wind the hair around the reel with less tension. There is little risk of damaging the hair. In addition, the longitudinal shape of the mandrel and the winder allows to wind the lock of hair on relatively large surfaces, which avoids any jamming hair.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, the angle α is between 50 and 80 degrees, preferably 70 degrees.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the second axis X 2 is arranged perpendicularly to the first axis X 1. According to this configuration, the housing is disposed perpendicular to the handling handle, the mandrel and the reel being inclined in the winding chamber. In an alternative embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the second axis X2 and the third axis X3 are parallel to each other, preferably coincidental. This configuration keeps the mandrel and the reel in the axis of the winding chamber of the housing, and tilt the housing relative to the handle while retaining the advantage of facilitating the positioning of the lock of hair in the slot and in the attachment means of the winder. Many variants can also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. As such, in variants of embodiments of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the second axis X2 is inclined with respect to the first axis X1, on the same side as the third axis X3, by an angle φ between the inclination angle α of said third X3 axis and 90 degrees (α <φ <90 °).

In one embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the winder comprises a free edge disposed on the free end of the mandrel side. In addition, the reel comprises a notch, constituting said hooking means, which extends over the surface of revolution of said reel and opens out on the free edge, said notch being configured to let the bit into the first spacing between the mandrel. and the winder, in the initial position of said winder. According to this embodiment, gripping means are formed on at least one of the two ends of the notch, intersecting the free edge, preferably on both ends. These gripping means preferably have the form of hooks. A single hook is possible when the rotation of the winder is in one direction. Preferably, the rotation of the reel takes place in both directions along the third axis X3, and two hooks are arranged vis-à-vis at the two aforementioned ends of the notch. Preferably, according to this embodiment, the notch comprises a trapezoidal shape with its small base adjacent to the free edge. However, it is possible to envisage variant shapes of the notch, for example a circular or oval shape.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the winder has a cylindrical shape along the third axis X3. In a preferred embodiment, the winder comprises a conical shape along the third axis X3, the conical shape having an expansion in the direction of the free end of the mandrel.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the insertion slot comprises two walls which extend longitudinally in the direction of the second axis X2 and which form between them a V configured to promote the penetration of the wick into the winding chamber. Thus, unlike the prior art which provides complementary elements forming a V arranged outside the slot, the invention provides to directly integrate the shape of the V in the thickness of the housing, which can significantly reduce the size of the hairdressing appliance.

Preferably, according to this embodiment, the slot comprises a longitudinal end portion, opposite to the position of the extraction opening, in which the two walls are interconnected and form an integral V in one piece with the bottom of the V which is rounded and configured to guide and let the wick spin during its winding around the mandrel and the winder. This longitudinal portion is disposed upstream of the mandrel and the winder, on the housing. This design also helps to reduce any tension on the wick during its winding around the reel and the mandrel. According to one variant, the slot comprises a longitudinal end portion, opposite to the position of the extraction opening, in which the two walls are interconnected and form a curved bottom, more or less spoon-shaped, configured to guide and let the wick spin during its winding around the mandrel and the winder. This longitudinal portion is disposed upstream of the mandrel and the winder, on the housing.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, the insertion slot comprises two walls which extend longitudinally in the direction of the second axis and which each have ribs arranged transversely with respect to the second axis X2. These ribs are distributed along each wall and are configured to promote the penetration of the wick into the winding chamber. These ribs have the advantage of implementing linear contacts between the slot and the lock of hair during its introduction, which reduces friction and limits the risk of jamming of the wick at the slot. Preferably, according to this embodiment, the ribs each have a disc portion shape, which allows to gradually reduce the passage section of the slot, in the manner of a V arranged between said two walls, and thus allows to guide the wick during its introduction into said slot. Form variants could be envisaged for these ribs, while also promoting a reduction in the passage section of the slot, for example a shape triangular. Preferably, according to this embodiment, the ribs on each wall have between them variable dimensions with a variable distribution on each wall.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the insertion slot comprises two walls which extend longitudinally in the direction of the second axis X 2 and which each have corrugations propagating along said walls. These corrugations are configured to promote the penetration of the wick into the winding chamber. These undulations have the advantage of reducing the contacts between the slot and the lock of hair during the introduction of the latter, which reduces friction and limits the risk of jamming of said lock at the slot.

In another embodiment, the slot combines the characteristics of at least two of the three aforementioned embodiments, namely in particular the presence of the two walls forming a V and / or the presence of the corrugations on the two walls and / or the presence of the ribs on these two walls. These various characteristics each constitute guide means arranged in the slot and configured to promote the penetration of the wick into the winding chamber. Of course, other variants of guide means could be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, it comprises a stationary finger arranged at the contour of the extraction opening, or in the direct vicinity of this contour, in front of the free end of the mandrel. The shape of the immovable finger is configured vis-à-vis the free end of the mandrel to block the rotation of the wick around the mandrel without risk of passing said finger during the rotation of the winder, and to promote the demolding of the wick looped along the mandrel at the end of the looping operation. The presence of such a non-moving finger advantageously makes it possible to simplify the design of the hairstyling appliance, unlike the existing systems of the prior art, which are much more complex, such as for example the apparatus described in the patent application. WO2012080751A2 which provides for a retractable finger moved by actuating means to be disposed in an active position of blocking the wick at the contour of the extraction opening or, conversely, in an unobstructed position to allow demolding of the curly lock.

Preferably, the stationary finger is arranged perpendicularly to the third axis and parallel to the plane P. In addition, the stationary finger has at least one blocking lateral face configured so that the line d1, which passes through the base of the blocking lateral face and which perpendicularly intersects the third axis X3, forms with said blocking lateral face an angle β between 0 and 35 degrees, preferably 25 degrees. This advantageously makes it possible to slide the strand of hair towards the base of the immobile finger rather than towards its end, which avoids passing over said finger during the winding of the wick.

Preferably, the stationary finger is arranged perpendicular to the third axis X3 and parallel to the plane P. In addition, said finger is configured to extend from the peripheral contour of the free end of the mandrel towards the third axis X3, on a height h1 between 6 mm and 18 mm, preferably 12 mm. This also helps to prevent the wick goes beyond the finger motionless during winding, without being harmful to the release of the curly lock.

Preferably, the immovable finger is arranged perpendicular to the third axis and parallel to the plane P. In addition, said finger is spaced from the free end of the mandrel by a distance e1 of between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably 3 mm. mm. This also allows a good understanding between the locking of the wick during its winding around the mandrel, without risk of overriding the finger still, and the proper demolding of the curly lock without the risk of relaxing it.

Preferably, the mandrel comprises a diameter D of between 20 mm and 25 mm, preferably 22 mm, for a stationary finger having the aforementioned characteristics.

Preferably, the stationary finger comprises an inner face disposed opposite the free end of the mandrel. This inner face has a curved shape configured to accompany the release of the lock of curly hair through the extraction opening. The inner face comprises a lower end contiguous to the contour of the extraction opening, which extends into a more or less pronounced beak shape, which prevents the curly lock from passing below the immobile finger during demolding and do not get stuck.

Preferably, according to this embodiment of the hairdressing appliance, removable fixing means are arranged between the immovable finger and the contour of the extraction opening. This advantageously allows to replace the finger with another having slight changes in shape, for example to better adapt the hair styling device to the type of hair to curl.

According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, it comprises heating means configured to heat the lock of hair inside the winding chamber. Preferably, the heating means are arranged in the mandrel. However, it is possible to envisage heating means arranged in the winding chamber for heating the wick during its concomitant winding around the mandrel and the winder.

In one embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the box further comprises an inner cage arranged in the winding chamber around the winder, with a second spacing relative to said winder. The inner cage is configured to extend the guide of the lock of hair inside the winding chamber towards the reel, after passing through the slot. This also allows to confine the wick inside the housing around the reel, without risk of dispersion in the winding chamber.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 illustre une vue tridimensionnelle d'un appareil de coiffure à boucler selon un premier mode de réalisation ;
• La figure 2 illustre une vue en coupe de la partie de l'appareil de coiffure à boucler correspondant au boîtier, selon ce premier mode de réalisation ;
• Les figures 3 et 4 illustrent le boîtier de l'appareil de coiffure à boucler en vues de face avant et de face arrière, selon ce premier mode de réalisation ;
• La figure 5 illustre une vue tridimensionnelle d'un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'enrouleur ;
• La figure 6 illustre une vue tridimensionnelle du mandrin, de l'enrouleur, de la cage interne et du doigt immobile dans leur position d'assemblage à l'intérieur du boîtier de l'appareil de coiffure à boucler ;
• Les figures 7 et 8 illustrent respectivement une vue de côté et une vue de face avant du mandrin et du doigt immobile dans leur position d'assemblage à l'intérieur du boîtier de l'appareil de coiffure à boucler ;
• La figure 9 illustre une variante de réalisation du doigt immobile ;
• la figure 10 illustre une vue tridimensionnelle d'un second mode de réalisation de l'appareil de coiffure selon l'invention ;
• la figure 11 illustre la partie de l'appareil de coiffure à boucler correspondant au boîtier, selon ce second mode de réalisation, mettant en évidence la conception de la fente ;
• la figure 12 illustre une variante de la fente sur l'appareil illustré en figures 10 et 11.

The following description makes it possible to highlight the object of the invention, in support of figures, among which:

• The figure 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a hairdressing device to be buckled according to a first embodiment;
• The figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of that part of the hairdressing appliance to be buckled corresponding to the case, according to this first embodiment;
• The Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the case of the hairdressing apparatus to be curled in front and rear view according to this first embodiment;
• The figure 5 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of the winder;
• The figure 6 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the mandrel, the reel, the inner cage and the immovable finger in their assembly position inside the casing of the hairdressing appliance to be buckled;
• The Figures 7 and 8 respectively illustrate a side view and a front view of the mandrel and the stationary finger in their assembly position inside the casing of the hairdressing appliance to be buckled;
• The figure 9 illustrates a variant embodiment of the immobile finger;
• the figure 10 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention;
• the figure 11 illustrates the portion of the curling hairstyle corresponding to the housing, according to this second embodiment, showing the design of the slot;
• the figure 12 illustrates a variant of the slot on the device illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 .

detailed description

In the rest of the description, the same references are used to describe the similar characteristics according to the different embodiments.

In the remainder of the description, the term "apparatus" will be used to designate the hair styling device according to the invention, unless otherwise specified.

On the figure 1 , the apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 and a handling handle 3. The apparatus 1 is electrically connected to a source supplying power by an electric cable 4 and comprises control buttons 5, 6 for operating heating means and means for driving in rotation of a winder described in more detail below.

As illustrated in particular in Figures 2 to 4 the handling handle 3 extends longitudinally along a first axis X1.

As illustrated Figures 1 to 4 , the housing 2 comprises a slot 7 allowing the introduction of the lock of hair (not shown) in a winding chamber 8 defined inside the housing 2, in which is achieved the looping of said wick. The casing 2 also comprises, on the side of its front lateral face 2b, an extraction aperture 9 through which the wick is demolded or removed after its closure. The winding chamber 8 comprises more or less a cylindrical form of revolution which is defined along a second axis X2 corresponding to the longitudinal direction of said housing 2. The first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are perpendicular to each other and define a plane P, illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 , constituting a plane of symmetry of the housing 2, as well as of the handling handle 3. The slot 7 is disposed in this plane P on the housing 2, on the opposite side to the position of the handling handle 3.

As illustrated on Figures 1 to 3 and 6 the apparatus 1 comprises a mandrel 10 which comprises a fixed end 10a connected to the housing 2. The mandrel 10 also comprises a free end 10b which is positioned near the extraction opening 9 in the winding chamber 8. The mandrel 10 extends longitudinally inside the winding chamber 8 along a third axis X3 which defines with the first axis X1 an inclination angle α of between 50 ° and 80 °. Preferably, this angle of inclination α is 70 °. This inclination of the mandrel 10 advantageously allows to position its free end 10b further away from the end 3a of the handle 3 than its fixed end 10a, which will facilitate the positioning of the wick for its winding, as is specified below. The third axis X3 is defined in the plane P illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 . The slot 7 is arranged symmetrically with respect to this plane P, as illustrated in particular by the Figures 3 and 4 .

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 , 5 and 6 , the apparatus 1 comprises a reel 11 which is hollow and has a shape of revolution along the third axis X3. The reel 11 is positioned coaxially relative to the mandrel 10, along this third axis X3, and defined therewith a first spacing 12 illustrated in particular in FIG. figures 2 and 6 . As illustrated in particular in figure 5 , the reel 11 comprises at its first longitudinal end 11a splines 13 arranged to allow the securing of the reel 11 to a toothed wheel (not shown) which meshes with a worm (not shown) driven in rotation by a motor (not shown), which drives the rotation of the reel 11 along the third axis X3. Preferably, the direction of rotation of the motor is reversible, which makes it possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the winder 11. The motor, the toothed wheel and the worm are not illustrated for a better reading of the figures, these being also within the reach of the skilled person. Other gearing means can be envisaged between the motor and the reel 11, also within the reach of those skilled in the art.

As illustrated especially with regard to figures 2 , 5 and 6 , the reel 11 has a conical shape which extends in expansion along the third axis X3 towards the free end 10b of the mandrel 10. The reel 11 comprises a notch 14, or cutout, which extends over its surface of revolution and which opens on the free edge 15 at the second longitudinal end 11b of said winder 11. This notch 14 preferably comprises a trapezoidal shape with its small base 14a, illustrated in dash-lines on the figure 5 disposed at the free edge 15. However, other forms could be envisaged for this notch 14, for example a more or less cylindrical or oval shape. Similarly, the winder 11 could have a cylindrical surface of revolution. However, preference will be given to the conical surface of revolution and the trapezoidal notch 14 which favor a better winding of the wick along the winder 11. At the two ends 14b, 14c of the notch 14, intersecting with the free edge 15, two hooks 16a, 16b are arranged vis-à-vis in the extension of said free edge 15, preferably with a slight outward shift relative thereto, as illustrated in FIG. figure 5 . These two hooks 16a, 16b are spaced apart by a width corresponding more or less to that of the slot 7. In position initial of the reel 11, at the beginning of the looping operation, the notch 14 and the two hooks 16a, 16b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane P, in the extension of the slot 7, as illustrated in figure 3 , which makes it possible to introduce the part of the lock of hair situated close to the scalp into this notch 14. The rotational drive of the reel 11 then allows one of the two hooks 16a, 16b, according to the direction of rotation of the motor, to enter the wick to start its winding, which is detailed below. The rotation of the reel 11 in both directions around the third axis X3 makes it possible to produce loops in both directions. One could, however, provide a single direction of looping, in which case a single hook would suffice and the configuration of the notch 14 could be adapted. In the initial position, the angle of inclination α between the two axes X1 and X3, as mentioned above, advantageously makes it possible to position the notch 14 and the two hooks 16a, 16b situated in the vicinity of the free edge 10b of the mandrel 10 and close to the slot 7, with an inclination relative to the handling handle 3. This facilitates the introduction of the wick into the slot 7 by positioning it obliquely with respect to the reel 11 for insertion into the notch 14, while normally manipulating the handling handle 3.

As illustrated on figures 2 and 6 , the apparatus 1 comprises an inner cage 17 which is disposed in the winding chamber 12. Preferably, this inner cage 17 comprises a portion 18 having a cylindrical revolution shape along the third axis X3, arranged coaxially around the reel 11 along the third axis X3, with a second spacing 19 relative to said reel 11. Thus the first spacing 12 between the mandrel 10 and the reel 11 defines an inner chamber and the second spacing 19 between the reel 11 and the portion 18 of the inner cage 17 defines an outer chamber. The inner cage 17 further comprises two flanges 20a, 20b which extend in the winding chamber 8 parallel to the plane P and symmetrically along this plane P, the respective upper edges 21a, 21b of these flanges 20a, 20b being configured to be positioned adjacent the slot 7, which best guides the wick to the reel 11 by confining said wick in the winding chamber 12 within the second spacing 19 of the cage 17. This internal cage 17 allows also to arrange the components of the apparatus 1 in the housing 2 while avoiding any risk of contact of the wick with these components during the positioning of said wick in the winding chamber 8.

As illustrated on Figures 1 to 4 , the slot 7 comprises two walls 22a, 22b which are arranged vis-vis, symmetrically with respect to the plane P, in the thickness of the housing 2. These walls 22a, 22b extend over the entire length of the housing 2 and form between them, in a plane of section P1 perpendicular to the plane P, a V which promotes the introduction of the wick into said slot 7. In their parts 23a, 23b, located on the side of the side face 2a of the housing 2 opposed to the side face 2b of said housing 2 which has the extraction opening 9 and which comes into contact with the scalp during the looping, the walls 22a, 22b are connected and form between them a whole V in one piece with a bottom 24 which is rounded and which guides the hair strand by leaving it spin in the direction of the length of the housing 2, that is to say in the direction of the second axis X2. These parts 23a, 23b are located upstream of the mandrel 10 and the reel 11, in the direction of advance of the wick during its winding. Preferably, these two walls 22a, 22b consist of a single piece independent of the housing 2, which allows to implement the slot 7 in a different color from that of the housing 2, so as to visualize it more easily when the introduction of the lock of hair. In addition, removable fixing means are arranged between the housing 2 and the walls 22a, 22b to allow their removal, for example to replace them with others having a different angle of V or other wick guiding characteristics. in the slot 7. These removable attachment means (not shown) may consist of screwing or snapping the walls 22a, 22b on the housing 2, for example.

As illustrated on Figures 1 to 4 , transverse ribs 25, 26 are respectively implemented on the two walls 22a, 22b, these transverse ribs 25, 26 each having a disc portion shape. On the Figures 1 to 4 it is found that the wall 22b comprises eight transverse ribs 26, in the form of a disk portion, which have dimensions and spacings between them which are different. It is the same for the transverse ribs 25 on the other wall 22a. These transverse ribs 25, 26 allow to have linear contacts with the lock of hair, which reduces the friction of the wick in the slot 7 during its introduction. The disk portion shape of these transverse ribs 25, 26 also makes it possible to have a more or less V-shaped flared shape between the transverse ribs 25, 26 arranged facing the two walls 22a, 22b of the slot. 7, which also promotes the positioning of the wick in the slot 7. This disc shape could be replaced by the transverse ribs 25, 26 by a triangular, which would also make it possible to form a V shape between the transverse ribs 25, 26 disposed vis-a-vis the walls 22a, 22b.

As illustrated on Figures 1 to 3 , 6 and 7 , the apparatus 1 comprises a stationary finger 27, or fixed finger, consisting of a rigid piece which is fixed at the contour 9a of the extraction opening 9. This stationary finger 27 has several functions. Firstly, the stationary finger 27 makes it possible to immobilize the wick in rotation during its winding so as to prevent the wick from rotating around the mandrel 10. In addition, this stationary finger 27 must ensure the demolding of the wick. buckled without damaging it. The stationary finger 27 is oriented perpendicular to the mandrel 10, that is to say perpendicular to the third axis X3, as illustrated in particular in FIG. figure 2 and 7 . The inclination of the stationary finger 27 thus depends on the inclination of the angle α. During the winding of the wick around the mandrel 10, it is blocked by one of the two lateral locking faces 28a, 28b of said immovable finger 27, in the direction of rotation of the winder 11. These two faces locking side 28a, 28b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane P. In order that the hair does not have a facility to bypass the still finger 27 during winding, it is best that the angle β formed between the face locking side 28a and a straight line d1 from the center 29 of the mandrel 10 to the base 30 of the locking side face 28a, as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 , forms an angle between 0 ° and 35 °. Preferably this angle β is 25 °. It is the same for the second lateral locking face 28b which is arranged symmetrically to the first locking side face 28a, along the plane P. In this way, the lock of hair tends to slide towards the base 30 of the finger stationary 27 only towards its end 27a.

Always to make sure that the lock of hair does not tend to pass over the immobile finger and rotate around the mandrel 10 during winding, it is necessary that the immovable finger 27 sufficiently covers the free end 10b of the chuck 10, and that its distance to the chuck 10 is the smallest. In order to allow this sufficient recovery, the immovable finger 27 extends from the cylindrical contour of the mandrel 10 over a height h1 between 6 mm and 18 mm, preferably a height h1 equal to 12 mm. A higher height h1 may penalize demolding, and a lower height h1 may not lock the wick enough. Regarding the distance to the mandrel 10, the stationary finger 27 is spaced from the free end 10b of the mandrel 10 by a distance e1 of between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably this distance e1 being equal to 3 mm. This distance e1 depends on the height h1 retained for the stationary finger 27. Preferably, a ratio r of four is provided between the height h1 and the distance e1 (r = h1 / e1 = 4), this ratio r being able to be between two and five (2 <r <5).

For this aforementioned configuration of the immovable finger 27 vis-à-vis the mandrel 10, said mandrel 10 has a diameter D between 20 mm and 25 mm, preferably 22 mm.

The stationary finger 27 comprises an inner face 31 disposed opposite the free end 10b of the mandrel 10. The inner face 31 is curved or concave, as illustrated in particular in the FIGS. figures 3 and 8 , which allows to accompany the expulsion of the lock of curly hair during demolding. The lower end 31a of this inner face 31 must be as far as possible below the mandrel 10, so that during demolding, the hair does not pass behind this immovable finger 27, which would block them. This lower end 31a should not be too sharp a tip, but have a rounded shape to properly direct the curly lock on the inner face 31, and not on the underside of the immobile finger 27. In the illustrated embodiment in figure 9 , the stationary finger 27 comprises an inner face 31 curved with its lower end 31a which extends in the form of curved nose 32 disposed in the continuity of said inner face 31, which makes it possible to promote the removal of the lower end 31a towards the inner face 11c of the winder 11c, illustrated in particular in Figures 5 and 6 .

Preferably, the stationary finger 27 is fixed detachably vis-à-vis the contour 9a of the extraction opening 9 or close thereto. For this purpose, the stationary finger 27 comprises a lower part 33 provided with an orifice 34 allowing a fastening by screws 35 vis-à-vis the front lateral face 2b of the casing 2, as illustrated by the figures 2 , 7 and 8 . Other means of removable attachment could be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. This removable attachment advantageously makes it possible to replace the immovable finger 27 to best adapt it to the type of hair to be curled or when it is worn, in order to limit as much as possible the friction of the curled lock during demolding.

As illustrated on the figure 2 , the apparatus 1 comprises a heating element 36 arranged inside the mandrel 10 so as to heat and heat the lock of hair. Such a heating element 36 is known to those skilled in the art, so it will not be detailed. It is also possible to envisage other heating means arranged in the winding chamber 8, for example on the inner cage 17 so as to heat the wick in the second spacing 19 between said inner cage 17 and the winder 11.

The housing 2 of the apparatus 1 is manipulated by the handling handle 3, its side face 2a, which has the extraction opening 9, being positioned against the scalp during the various operations of the looping. The arrangement of the handle 3 in the extension of the slot 7, facilitates the handling of the device 1. At the beginning of looping operation, after setting the heating element 36 to a set temperature by the user, the wick is positioned inside the slot 7 and then guided by the flanges 20a, 20b into the second spacing 19. Due to the inclination of the reel 11 and the mandrel 10 vis-à-vis the handle of 3, the introduction of the wick in the notch 14 occurs naturally, without the wick being inclined relative to the housing 2 and the slot 7 to perform its proper introduction into the notch 14. The rotation of the reel 11 is then triggered by one of the control buttons 5 or 6, which allows one of the hooks 16a, 16b - depending on the direction of rotation - to grab or catch the wick near the leather scalp. The configuration of the reel 11 with its surface of revolution arranged around the mandrel and its notch 14, advantageously allows the lock of hair around the mandrel 10 to be wound in the inner chamber defined by the first spacing 12, and around the surface of revolution of the winder 11 in the outer chamber defined by the second spacing 19. During this simultaneous winding on the reel 11 and the mandrel 10, the wick spins in the bottom 24 of the walls 22a, 22b of the slot 7. Once the end of the wick has spun in the bottom 24 and is wound around the reel 11, said reel continues to rotate, which allows to continue to wind said wick around the mandrel 10 until all of the wick is wound around said mandrel 10. The reel 11 then stops turning , the heating element 36 then remaining activated while keeping the wick wound around the mandrel 10 for a few seconds. Then the apparatus 1 is remote from the scalp, the curly lock is then moved along the mandrel 10 towards the stationary finger 27 which, when the apparatus is moved away from the head, will accompany the loop towards the extraction opening 9 to properly unmold the curly lock.

Alternative embodiments of guide means are conceivable within the scope of the invention. In particular embodiments of the slot 7 may be provided with only V-shaped walls 22a, 22b, without any transverse rib 25, 26, or conversely transverse ribs 25, 26 may be provided on walls parallel to one another, forms transverse ribs disc portion or triangle alone to define a flared or V-shaped. It is also possible to provide corrugations 37, 38 arranged along the length of the two walls 22a, 22b between the transverse ribs 25, 26 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 which also contribute to reducing the friction of the lock of hair on said two walls 22a, 22b. One could also provide these undulations 37, 38 on the two walls 22a, 22b forming a V, without the presence of the transverse ribs 25, 26.

On the variant embodiment of the apparatus 1, illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 the slot 7 comprises two walls 22a, 22b which are inclined at a distance from each other and which have corrugations 37, 38 as previously described for the embodiment variant of the Figures 1 to 9 . Similarly, we find on the figure 11 the parts 23a, 23b of the two walls 22a, 22b which consist of a single piece with a bottom 24 common, as described for the previous variant, with a slight difference since the bottom 24 is not rounded but flat, as seen on this figure 11 .

In another variant embodiment of the apparatus 1, illustrated in FIG. figure 12 , the slot 7 comprises two walls 22a, 22b which are inclined V between them and which have corrugations 37, 38 as described above. In addition, the parts 23a, 23b of the two walls 22a, 22b consist of a single piece with a bottom 24 common which has a curved or spoon shape, as seen on this figure 11 , this shape also for guiding the lock of hair in the slot 7, during its winding around the reel 11 and the mandrel 10.

According to these two aforementioned embodiments of the apparatus 1, the design variants of the reel 11 and the stationary finger 27, as described above, also apply.

One can also provide variants of immovable finger 27 or other locking means without departing from the main scope of the invention.

Other embodiments of the apparatus 1 are also conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. On the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 the second axis X2, in which the revolution form of the housing 2 is defined, is perpendicular with respect to the first axis X1, that is to say inclined by an angle φ equal to 90 ° with respect to said second axis X2 . On the embodiment variant illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 the second axis X2 coincides with the third axis X3 of the mandrel 10 and the reel 11, that is to say that the second axis X2 is inclined at an angle φ relative to the first axis X1 corresponds to 1 inclination angel α of the third axis X3 with respect to said second axis X2. One could also provide a second axis X2 parallel to the third axis X3, without being confused with it. It would also be possible to provide an inclination angle φ of the second axis X2 with respect to the first axis X1 which lies between the angle of inclination α of the third axis X3 and 90 °, that is to say α <φ < 90 °. Thus in the value range of the angle α between 50 ° and 80 °, as defined above: when the angle α is 50 °, the angle φ may be between 50 ° and 90 °; when the angle α is 80 °, the angle φ can be between 80 ° and 90 °; and for the preferred value of the angle α equal to 70 °, the angle φ may be between 70 ° and 90 °.

Claims (15)

1. Hair styling appliance (1) for curling a strand of hair, comprising a grip handle (3) defined longitudinally along a first axis (X1) and a housing (2) attached to the grip handle, the housing comprising:

   - a winding chamber (8) having a shape of revolution around a second axis (X2), the first axis (X1) and the second axis (X2) defining a plane (P),

   - an insertion slot (7) which extends along the length of the housing in the plane (P) of the side opposite the grip handle, and which leads to the winding chamber,

   - and an extraction opening (9) arranged in a lateral face (2b) of the housing to which the winding chamber leads, characterised in that the appliance comprises:

   - a mandrel (10) which has one end (10a) fixed to the housing and a free end (10b) arranged close to the extraction opening, and which extends in the winding chamber along a third axis (X3) defined in the plane (P), the third axis being inclined with respect to the first axis along an angle (α) such that the free end is farther from the grip handle than the fixed end,

   - a hollow winder (11) with a surface of revolution along the third axis, which is arranged with a first spacing (12) around the mandrel in the winding chamber, coaxial with the said mandrel along the third axis, the winder being rotatably mounted in at least one direction along the third axis and having on its surface of revolution catching means (14, 16a, 16b) which are configured to catch the strand in the winder's initial position, and then to rotate the said strand during the rotation of the winder, the said winder being configured to successively grasp the proximal end of the strand, concomitantly wind the strand around the mandrel and the said winder, and then completely wind the said strand around the said mandrel, during its rotation.
2. Hair styling appliance (1) according to claim 1, in which the angle (α) is between 50 and 80 degrees, preferably 70 degrees.
3. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the second axis (X2) is perpendicular to the first axis (X1).
4. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the second axis (X2) and the third axis (X3) are parallel to each other, preferably coincident.
5. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the second axis (X2) is inclined with respect to the first axis (X1), on the same side as the third axis (X3), by an angle (φ) between the angle of inclination (α) of the said third axis and 90 degrees (α<φ<90°).
6. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the winder (11) has a free edge (15) arranged on the side of the free end (10b) of the mandrel (10), and a notch (14) which extends on the surface of revolution of the said winder and leads to the free edge, the said notch being configured to allow the strand to penetrate the first spacing (12) between the mandrel and the winder, in an initial position of the said winder.
7. Hair styling appliance (1) according to claim 6, in which gripping means (16a, 16b) are formed on at least one of the two ends (14b, 14c) of the notch (14), secant to the free edge (15), preferably on both ends.
8. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, in which the notch (14) has the shape of a trapezoid with its small base (14a) adjacent to the free edge (15).
9. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the winder (11) has a conical shape along the third axis (X3), the conical shape presenting an expansion in the direction of the free end (10b) of the mandrel (10).
10. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the insertion slot (7) has two walls (22a, 22b) which extend longitudinally in the direction of the second axis (X2) and which form between them a V configured to help the strand penetrate the winding chamber (8).
11. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, which has a stationary finger (27) arranged at the contour (9a) of the extraction opening (9), the shape of which stationary finger is configured with respect to the mandrel (10) to prevent the rotation of the strand around the mandrel without risk of bypassing the said finger during the rotation of the winder (11), and to help release the curled strand along the mandrel.
12. Hair styling appliance (1) according to claim 11, in which the stationary finger (27) is perpendicular to the third axis (X3) and parallel to the plane (P), and has at least one lateral locking face (28a, 28b) configured so that the straight line (d1), which passes through the base (30) of the lateral locking face and perpendicularly cuts the third axis, forms with said lateral locking face an angle (β) of between 0 and 35 degrees, preferably 25 degrees.
13. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, in which the stationary finger (27) is perpendicular to the third axis (X3) and parallel to the plane (P), said finger being configured to extend from the peripheral contour of the free end (10b) of the mandrel (10) in the direction of the third axis, at a height (h1) of between 6mm and 18mm, preferably 12mm.
14. Hair styling appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, which comprises heating means (36) configured to heat the strand of hair inside the winding chamber (8).
15. Hair styling appliance (1) according to claim 14, in which the heating means (36) are arranged in the mandrel (10).

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