EP3338589B1 - Hair-styling apparatus provided with a resilient lock-guide device - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of hairdressing appliances for curling hair, and particularly to such hairdressing appliances equipped with a steam production system which comprises a liquid reservoir, a wick impregnated with the liquid and a heating element on which comes into contact said wick.

In addition, such a hairdressing appliance comprises a mandrel and a tile, these elements being articulated to form a clamp so as to allow the pinch of a lock of hair to wrap around the mandrel and thus loop it.

State of the art

It is known from patent applications WO0167915A2 and EP1894488A1 using a wick to move liquid in the reservoir of a hair-looping device to a heating element to produce steam. More precisely, the wick, in contact with the liquid contained in the reservoir, will imbibe the liquid, by capillarity, thus allowing the transfer of the liquid from the reservoir to the heating element. This known solution makes it possible to produce steam, which has the effect of improving and facilitating the styling, the hold and the appearance of the hairstyle, and in particular the loops that can be made from this type of apparatus. .

In particular, such an apparatus comprises a tank mounted at the end of the loopback apparatus which is separated from a heating element by the wick. The wick and the reservoir are movably mounted relative to the heating element to allow the user to choose whether or not he wishes to produce steam during use of the apparatus. When the user wishes to produce steam, he exerts a pressure on the tank which has the effect to move the latter and the wick towards the heating element. The wick is then in contact with the heating element, which has the effect of vaporizing the liquid it contains at its end and therefore produce steam which is then rejected on the hair.

Such devices generally give satisfaction to their users but nevertheless have certain disadvantages, particularly in terms of their durability and reliability. Indeed, as the movements of the wick, when the user presses on the tank, the wick comes into contact with the heating element. During this contact, the end of the latter, under the effect of the effort exerted by the user, but also heat, will settle, that is to say, locally deform. Specifically, the overall length of the wick will decrease while its diameter will locally increase. As a result, as and when used, less contact between the wick and the heating element and therefore less good production of steam. The effectiveness of the loopback device is then reduced, so much so that steam production can even become impossible if the wick is too packed, too damaged and no longer comes into contact with the heating element. As a result, there is a lack of reliability and limited durability of the hairdressing apparatus.

Another disadvantage of these known devices is their maintenance. Indeed, given the presence of heated liquid, which is usually water, tartar tends to form in the wick. The user must then disassemble the latter to descale, for example by soaking in an acid solution (vinegar for example). But given the flexibility of the wick, disassembly and reassembly of the wick is particularly tedious and delicate, especially if the wick is worn, that is to say if it was previously compacted, since the latter will then have been deformed, as has been detailed previously. This results for the user, particularly when reassembling the wick after descaling, great difficulties, or even sometimes an impossibility of reassembly if the wick is too deformed.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

An object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling device for hair curling which is particularly reliable and robust, in particular by avoiding the settlement of the wick as and when the use of the looping device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device for looping the hair which offers the user easy maintenance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device for looping the hair, the construction of which is particularly simple, economical and reliable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair styling device for looping hair that produces steam quickly and continuously when the user wishes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hairdressing appliance which is particularly ergonomic to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling device that is particularly simple and intuitive to use.

The objectives are achieved by using a hair styling device for looping the hair comprising a mandrel, a liquid reservoir, a heating element integrated in the mandrel, a wick communicating with the reservoir so as to be soaked with liquid, said wick extending between a proximal end intended to come into contact with the heating element and a distal end fed with liquid from the reservoir, and means for guiding the wick configured to enable it to be moved from a passive position to a position active member in which said wick is in contact with the heating element for creating steam, characterized in that said guide means comprise an elastic guiding device in contact with the periphery of said wick at the proximal end.

More specifically, the elastic guide device is designed to be able to deform elastically according to an axial deformation, said axial deformation substantially corresponding to the axis of the wick, that is to say to the direction in which the latter extends. Preferably, said direction corresponds to the axis in which the wick moves between its passive position and its active position. Thus, the elastic guide device maintains the peripheral surface of the wick in a direction perpendicular to the wick. In other words, the proximal end of the wick, which is intended to come into regular contact with the heating element to produce steam, is remarkably maintained and guided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wick. the wick which allows to limit or even eliminate the phenomenon of tamping the wick. On the other hand, given the elasticity of the guiding device in the axial direction, the wick remains free to move axially, and to compress axially, which allows in particular to optimize its contact with the heating element. In addition, the active position of the apparatus, ie the position producing steam, is not constrained by the length of the wick.

Preferably, electrical means are used to activate said heating element which advantageously comprises a vaporization plate against which the wick comes into contact in the active position. According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, it advantageously comprises a control unit of the temperature of the heating element. In addition, a detection system is configured to trigger the control unit during the transition to the active position of the wick.

Preferably, said elastic guiding device is permeable to air to allow venting of the reservoir, and this to compensate for the depression due to the emptying of the reservoir liquid through the wick.

Advantageously, said elastic guiding device comprises a helical spring and said wick is arranged inside said spring, which allows to propose a simple assembly, robust and economic.

Advantageously, the diameter of the spring is between 2 mm and 8 mm and preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. The rest length of the spring is between 15 mm and 45 mm and preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm.

In addition, said guide means comprise a wick holder inside which said helical spring is arranged. Such an arrangement makes it possible to have a device for guiding the wick that is particularly precise, robust and reliable, while allowing the air to pass, in particular between the turns of the spring, as will be detailed hereinafter.

Advantageously, the wick holder comprises a channel for conveying air to the reservoir, and this to prevent the reservoir from being in depression as and when the liquid is drained.

Preferably, said elastic guide device extends between said proximal and distal ends of the wick, in other words, extends over the entire length of the wick. In addition, said elastic guiding device comprises a stop adapted to come into contact with said distal end, which advantageously makes it possible to block the movement of the wick in at least one direction of axial displacement.

According to a particular embodiment, and which may constitute an invention as such, the hair styling device for the curling of the hair comprises a mandrel, a liquid reservoir, a heating element integrated in the mandrel, a wick communicating with the reservoir so as to be soaked with liquid and means for guiding the wick configured to allow its movement from a passive position to an active position in which said wick is in contact with the heating element for the creation of steam, said wick comprising a plurality of strands in contact with each other, said strands extending longitudinally. In other words, the wick is composed of several distinct threads or filaments, and the meeting, the juxtaposition, the assembly of the latter make it possible to form the wick, for example in the manner of a cable. The wick is therefore not made of a continuous material but rather of an assembly of materials. Thus, the physical properties of each of the strands are different from the physical properties of the wick formed by the assembly of these strands. Advantageously, the wick consists of different strands juxtaposed parallel to each other so as to form a cylinder comprising several strands.

Still according to this embodiment, each strand is preferably a strand of fiberglass. This embodiment makes it possible to provide a wick made of a particularly heat-resistant material, which will give the latter, and therefore the hairdressing appliance, great durability and high reliability.

This specific construction allows in particular to be able, depending on the number of strands that are available in the wick to be able to vary the flow of liquid that is transferred from the reservoir to the heating element. Advantageously, the more the number of strands will be important less the flow will be important, since there is very little free space in the wick. Conversely, the less the number of strands will be important, the greater the flow will be important. Preferably, the lock comprises 14 strands.

In a particularly advantageous manner, each strand has a length of between 30 mm and 90 mm and preferably between 50 mm and 70 mm, each of said strands being folded back on itself so as to divide its length by two. Advantageously, the length of each of the strands is about 60 mm, which allows, by folding them on themselves, to form a wick having a length of 30 mm. Preferably, the fold of the strands forms the distal end of the wick while the free end of the strands forms the proximal end.

Alternatively, in a manner known per se, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the wick is made of a continuous and uniform material, sufficiently porous to allow the displacement of the liquid by capillarity.

Preferably, the wick is integral with the reservoir, the guide means being configured to move the reservoir and the wick from the passive position to the active position. Preferably, the reservoir is positioned at the distal end of the mandrel, that is to say at the end farthest from the gripping zone of the apparatus. Thus, when the user exerts pressure on the reservoir, this has the effect of moving the wick in the active position.

Advantageously, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a locking / unlocking system configured to maintain the reservoir and the wick in the active position, which prevents the user from having to keep the reservoir and the wick in said active position during the entire loopback operation. This advantageous embodiment makes it possible, thanks to the possible axial deformation of said elastic guiding device and the wick, not to have a hyperstatic system, insofar as neither the elastic guiding device nor the wick can interfere with the system. locking / unlocking. Thus the mechanical stop of the reservoir in the active position is performed solely by the locking system and not by the wick since the latter and the elastic guide device can move and / or deform axially elastically.

Advantageously, the hairdressing apparatus further comprises a tile hinged on the apparatus for forming a clamp with the mandrel so as to move the tile between a free position of the mandrel for positioning a lock of hair, and a position of support against the mandrel, allowing the pinch of the lock of hair to then perform the looping operation.

In addition, the locking / unlocking system comprises a first locking element disposed on the reservoir and arranged to cooperate with a second locking element disposed at a distal end of the tile. These locking elements ensure the holding in position of the tank vis-à-vis the tile when said tile is in the bearing position against the mandrel and said tank is moved to the active position. Preferably, according to this embodiment of the hairdressing appliance, the first locking element and the second locking element are configured to snap into each other. However, variants of first and second locking elements could be envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention. Preferably, the first locking member comprises a U-shaped elastic piece provided with a constriction and the second locking member comprises a pad arranged on an inner face of the tile. The shrinkage maintains the elastic piece engaged on the stud. Preferably, the locking / unlocking system comprises means for returning the wick to said passive position. This ensures an automatic stopping of the steam, without requiring additional manipulation of the hair styling apparatus. Preferably, the return means of the locking / unlocking system comprise a spring, the latter being distinct from the spring of the guide means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the locking / unlocking system is configured to maintain the active position of the reservoir and the wick when the tile is in the bearing position against the mandrel. This will start the looping and spraying operation only after pinching the lock of hair. Conversely, the locking / unlocking system is configured to allow the release of the reservoir and the wick to its passive position when the tile is in the open position of the mandrel. However, it is possible to provide alternative embodiments according to which the locking / unlocking system fulfills the aforementioned holding and clearance functions, independently of the position of the tile with respect to the mandrel.

According to a preferred variant of the invention, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a counting unit of a duration, a system for detecting the active position of the wick configured to trigger the counting unit as soon as it moves into the active position and a signaling system configured to transmit a signal to a user when the counting unit reaches a defined duration. Thus, the design of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention makes it possible to start a count of a duration as soon as the lock passes in the active position, which prevents the user from having to count the duration of steam application and having to activate an additional button to start said counting, all these operations being launched automatically when the user manipulates the hairdressing apparatus to move the wick soaked with liquid into the active position. Advantageously, the detection system comprises means for detecting a temperature drop of said vaporization plate, said temperature drop being representative of the beginning of the vaporization step. Alternatively, the detection system comprises a switch arranged in the mandrel and means for connecting the switch to the counting unit and the hairdressing apparatus is configured so that the passage in the active position allows to directly actuate the light switch. Alternatively, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a body, the detection system comprising at least one rod extending inside the mandrel and a switch arranged in the body allowing the manipulation of said apparatus, the body being extended by the mandrel and the hairdressing apparatus is configured so that the passage in the active position allows to actuate the switch through the at least one rod.

Preferably, the signaling system is configured to emit a sound signal. However variants can be envisaged with a signaling system configured to transmit any other type of signal identifiable by the user, such as a visual signal.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 illustre une vue d'ensemble d'un appareil de coiffure tel que défini par l'invention avec une tuile en appui contre un mandrin ;
• la figure 2 illustre une vue en perspective d'un sous-ensemble de l'appareil de la figure 1, ledit sous-ensemble comprenant un réservoir, un porte-mèche, un dispositif de guidage élastique et une mèche.
• la figure 3 illustre une vue en perspective éclatée des différents éléments constituant le sous-ensemble de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 illustre une vue détaillée en perspective du réservoir de liquide à l'extrémité du mandrin de la figure 1, mettant en évidence un élément de verrouillage femelle ;
• la figure 5 illustre une vue détaillée en perspective de l'extrémité de la tuile de la figure 1, mettant en évidence un élément de verrouillage mâle ;
• les figures 6 et 7 schématisent deux variantes d'un système de détection de la position active de la mèche ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de l'extrémité de l'appareil de la figure 1 équipé du sous-ensemble de la figure 2.

The following description of a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus highlights the features that are the subject of the present invention. This description is based on figures, among which:

• the figure 1 illustrates an overview of a hairdressing apparatus as defined by the invention with a tile resting against a mandrel;
• the figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a subset of the device of the figure 1 said subassembly comprising a reservoir, a wick holder, an elastic guide device and a wick.
• the figure 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the different elements constituting the subset of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the liquid reservoir at the end of the mandrel of the figure 1 , highlighting a female lock member;
• the figure 5 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the end of the tile from the figure 1 , highlighting a male locking member;
• the Figures 6 and 7 schematize two variants of a system for detecting the active position of the wick;
• the figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the end of the apparatus of the figure 1 equipped with the subset of the figure 2 .

detailed description

As illustrated in figure 1 , the hairstyling apparatus 1 comprises a body 2, a mandrel 3, a tile 4. The body 2 is configured to allow a user to manipulate said hairstyling apparatus 1 during use. The mandrel 3 is cylindrical and extends the body 2 along a longitudinal axis X. The body 2 comprises an inlet 200 of a power cord, for example an electrical cord. In the present description, this arrival 200 advantageously constitutes the point of reference with respect to which the distal and proximal expressions refer to: thus the expression "proximal end" refers to an end situated on the side of said arrival 200 whereas on the contrary the term "distal end" refers to an end opposite said inlet 200.

The tile 4 is of circular shape adapted (that is to say of complementary shape) to that of the mandrel 3. The proximal end 5 of the tile 4 is fixed to a handling finger 6 which is articulated vis-à- distal end screw 7 of the body 2. A pressure on the rear portion 8 of the handling finger 6 moves the tile 4 to an unobstructed position of the mandrel 3, to allow the introduction of a lock of hair between the mandrel 3 and the tile 4 A spring 9, arranged between the distal end 7 of the body 2 and the handling finger 6 along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis X, makes it possible to move the tile 4 in the bearing position against the mandrel 3, such that illustrated in figure 1 , when one stops pressing said finger of manipulation 6, which allows the pinch of a lock of hair (not shown) positioned between said mandrel 3 and said tile 4.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and at the figure 8 , the hairdressing apparatus 1 comprises a reservoir 10 of liquid which has an opening 11 at its proximal end 12. This opening 11 makes it possible to fill the reservoir 10 with liquid. Preferably, the reservoir 10 is filled with the water.

The hairdressing apparatus 1 further comprises a heating element 21 integrated in the mandrel 3, that is to say located inside the mandrel 3, as can be seen on the figure 8 . In particular, said heating element 21 comprises, on the one hand, a vaporization plate 17 and, on the other hand, a heating means such as, for example, a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), which makes it possible to heat said vaporization plate 17 by thermal conduction. Preferably, the vaporization plate 17 comprises a disc oriented perpendicular to the X axis and whose diameter substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the mandrel 3. The heating element 21 furthermore makes it possible to heat the mandrel 3, in a manner known as such.

The hairdressing apparatus 1 also comprises a wick 13 communicating with the opening 11 of the reservoir 10, which allows it to be soaked with liquid. More specifically, and as can be seen in the various figures, the wick 13 extends between a proximal end 16 intended to come into contact with the heating element 21, and in particular with the spray plate 17, and one end distal 20 supplied with liquid by the reservoir 10, for example by being in contact with the latter and / or by penetrating inside the latter. In other words, the proximal end 16 is located on the side of the mandrel 3 while the distal end 20 is located on the side of the reservoir 10. Preferably, the wick 13 is a cylindrical wick.

The hairstyling apparatus 1 also comprises means for guiding the wick 13, and in particular a tubular piece 14 also called wick holder 14, fixedly mounted but removable on the reservoir 10 and intended to receive (or support or maintain) wick 13, as can be seen from Figures 2, 3 and 8 . More particularly, the wick holder 14 comprises an internal bore 141 extending over the entire length of the wick holder 14 along the axis X and intended to receive in particular the wick 13.

The means for guiding the wick 13 are configured to enable it to move from a passive position (position which does not allow the production of steam) to an active position (position allowing the production of steam) in which said wick 13 is in contact with the vaporizer plate 17 for steam creation, and vice versa.

To this end, the reservoir 10 and the wick holder 14 are mounted in sliding connection on the distal end 15 of the mandrel 3, which makes it possible to translate said elements and the wick 13 along the longitudinal axis X, vis-à- screw of said mandrel 3, so as to move the assembly (reservoir 10, wick holder 14 and wick 13) of an active position in which the proximal end 16 of the wick 13 bears against a spraying plate 17, as illustrated in figure 8 , position allowing the creation of steam, to a passive position according to which the proximal end 16 of the wick 13 is disengaged from said vaporization plate 17. Preferably, when the wick 13 is in the passive position, the proximal end 16 is distant of the heating element 21, in particular of the vaporization plate 17, with a distance of between 3 mm and 10 mm, which makes it possible to guarantee the total stopping of steam production. Preferably, the path separating the passive position and the active position is between 5 mm and 15 mm, and is advantageously substantially equal to 10 mm.

The means for guiding the wick 13 further comprise an elastic guiding device, such as a preferably helical spring 18, which is in contact with the periphery of the wick 13, that is to say with the outer surface of the wick. the wick 13, at the proximal end 16 of the wick 13. More specifically, as illustrated by the figures 3 and 8 , the wick 13 is inside the spring 18 so that the section of the latter is constrained by the section of the spring 18. According to this preferred embodiment, the spring 18 extends between the proximal ends and distal 16, 20 of the wick 13, that is to say it extends over the entire length of the wick 13, thus achieving a perfect guide and maintenance of the latter. In other words, the elastic guide device, in this case the spring 18, is in contact with the periphery of the wick 13 over its entire length. Preferably, the rest length of the spring is substantially equal to 30 mm, this length corresponding to the preferred length of the wick 13.

According to the preferred embodiment described here, the wick 13 is of circular section and the inner diameter of the spring 18, which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the wick 13, is substantially equal to 5 mm. Thus, thanks to the spring 18 which surrounds the wick 13, the latter is constrained in a volume whose section is fixed, preventing it from settling and / or deforming, in the radial direction, that is to say say in the direction perpendicular to the X axis.

However, this volume in which the wick 13 is maintained is elastically deformable in the axial direction, that is to say in the direction of the X axis. In other words, this arrangement allows to contain (c ') that is to say to constrain) the wick 13 in a volume stable in diameter, said diameter being substantially equal to 5 mm, and whatever the position (passive position or active position) and the state (wet or dry) ) of the wick 13. Indeed, even if the wick is soaked with liquid, which naturally tends to increase its diameter, and even after many contact with the spray plate 17 (which tends to pack it) , the diameter of the wick 13 remains constant throughout its length. In addition, the dimensional characteristics of the wick 13 remain constant over time, even after many uses, which makes it possible not to disturb the proper functioning of the apparatus, whether in the production of steam by the spray plate or at the level of the locking system which will be detailed later.

Advantageously, the wick 13 is mounted tightly within the spring 18, and is therefore immobilized inside the spring 18. Thus the dismantling of the apparatus according to the subassemblies illustrated in FIG. figure 3 is facilitated and the maintenance of the apparatus, and in particular the cleaning of the wick 13, is facilitated, as will be detailed later.

As can be seen on the figures 3 and 8 said spring 18 comprises a stop 181 adapted to come into contact with the distal end 20 of the wick 13. In particular, said stop 181 is constituted by a turn of the spring 18 which is folded so as to form a radius of the spring 18 Thus, the stop 181 opposes the displacement of the wick 13 located inside the spring 18 so as to block a degree of freedom in an axial translation of said wick 13, and in particular in a direction 32. Thus the wick 13 is prevented by said abutment 181 from penetrating into the reservoir when the wick 13 bears on the spraying plate 17.

As can be seen on the figure 8 , the spring 18 and the wick 13 are both intended to be mounted inside the wick holder 14 and in particular inside its inner bore 141 along the axis X, for example according to the principle of a slide connection or a sliding pivot connection.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated by the figures, the length of the wick holder 14, or more precisely the length of its inner bore 141 in which the spring 18 is located, is designed so that the spring is constrained (that is, that is compressed) by a few millimeters, preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm, when the hairdressing appliance 1 is in the active position. Therefore, and as previously mentioned, the wick 13 is also constrained. In other words, the wick 13 and the spring 18 are both compressed by a few millimeters in the active position of the hairdressing appliance 1, which makes it possible to optimize the contact between the proximal end 16 of the wick 13 and the spray plate 17 and by consequently to improve the production of steam. Conversely, when the device evolves in a passive position, the wick and the spring are relaxed (at their rest position). In other words, the spring 18 and the wick 13 are caused to move in an X-axis translation inside the inner bore 141 of the wick carrier 14. This compression of the wick 13 allows a remarkable manner to confer on the hairstyling apparatus 1 a pumping effect when it is moved into the active position, making it possible to drive off any air present in the wick holder 14, and consequently to improve the efficiency of the hairstyling apparatus 1. Indeed, the air being rapidly driven by this pumping effect, the transfer of liquid is carried out more rapidly between the tank 10 and the vaporization plate 17, which makes it possible to produce steam more rapidly and thus to minimize the expectation of the user and the phenomenon of priming necessary with known prior art devices. In addition, the repeated translational movement of the wick 13 and the spring 18 in the wick holder 14 makes it possible to limit the scale formation since the latter will be eliminated as the wick 13 and the spring 18 move.

Such an assembly, namely the wick 13 arranged inside the spring 18, itself arranged inside the wick holder 14 ensures excellent guidance and maintenance of the wick 13 and the reservoir 10 during the axial displacement (when the user exerts pressure on the tank 10 to obtain steam), while allowing an air vent tank 10. Indeed, to allow the flow of the liquid in the tank 10 to the heating element by means of the wick 13, it is essential that the latter is not in depression, in other words, it is essential to ensure a vent tank 10 so that the pressure does not fall not inside the latter as it empties its liquid.

The assembly proposed by the invention, and in particular the presence of the spring 18 between the wick 13 and the wick holder 14 allows the air to circulate the along the turns of the spring 18 and consequently to flow between the wick 13 and the wick holder 14 to the inside of the reservoir, thus allowing the good transfer of the liquid with the aid of the wick 13. Preferably, the internal bore 141 of the wick holder 14 comprises a channel 142 for conveying air to the reservoir, the latter being advantageously formed by one or more circumferential grooves in said inner bore 141 along the X axis, as can be seen on the figure 8 . Thanks to the spring 18 which contains the wick 13, said grooves can not be obstructed by the wick 13, even when the wick is soaked with liquid, thus ensuring a good venting of the reservoir and therefore a good flow of the liquid that it contains through the wick 13.

The assembly formed by reservoir 10, the wick holder 14, the wick 13 and the spring 18 is removable from the distal end 15 of the mandrel, which allows access to the opening 11 on said reservoir 10, to perform its filling in liquid. For this, the proximal end 12 of the reservoir 10 is removably assembled, in particular by snapping, with the bottom 19 of the wick holder 14. Thus, it is possible for the user to easily dismount the hairdressing appliance 1 according to the subsets visible to Figures 2 and 3 . More precisely, the user can first extract the subset of the figure 2 constituted by the reservoir 10, the wick holder 14, the wick 13 and the spring 18. Then in a second step, the user can remove the wick holder 14 and the elements that it contains (wick 13 and spring 18) of the tank 10 to access the opening 11 to easily fill the tank 10.

In addition, the operations of handling and maintenance of the wick 13, and in particular its descaling, for example, according to a practice well known as such consisting in plunging the latter in vinegar, are greatly facilitated by the invention, in the extent to which the wick 13 is wrapped by a radially rigid body, in this case the spring 18. More specifically, the user can firmly grasp the spring subassembly 18 and wick 13 between his fingers without fear of damaging the wick 13 since the latter is protected by the spring 18. In addition, the rigidity of said subset is increased which greatly facilitates disassembly operations and especially reassembly of said subassembly in the inner bore 141 of the wick holder 14.

A locking / unlocking system 22 is arranged on the hairdressing apparatus 1 to hold the reservoir 10, the wick holder 14 and the wick 13 in the aforementioned active position. As illustrated on Figures 1 to 5 , this locking / unlocking system 22 is implemented between the contour wall 23 of the reservoir 10 and the distal end 24 of the tile 4. The contour wall 23 comprises a groove 25 opening on its proximal end 26, such that illustrated in figure 4 . This groove 25 receives a U-shaped elastic piece 27, said elastic piece 27 having a constriction 28, as illustrated by FIG. figure 4 . This elastic piece 27 constitutes a first locking element.

As illustrated in figure 5 , a stud 29 extends on the side of the inner face of the tile 4, at its distal end 24. The stud 29 constitutes a second locking element configured to be housed in the elastic piece 27.

As explained above, the spring 18 allows the wick 13 to compress along the X axis but without deforming radially, which allows to remarkably improve the operation of the locking / unlocking system. Indeed, given the axial displacement of the spring 18 and the wick 13, the latter, once they are in contact with the vaporizer plate 17 will be able to move and / or compress axially, even if the movement of the reservoir 10 continues slightly along the X axis. Thus, there can be no blocking effect linked to a wick which would possibly be too long compared to the stroke of the tank 10. Therefore, the manipulation of the hairstyling device 1, especially at the time of its blocking in the active position is facilitated for the user.

When the tile 4 bears against the mandrel 3, in the position of pinching a lock of hair, and the tank 10 is in position passive, the stud 29 is positioned in the groove 25 outside the resilient piece 27. When the reservoir 10 is then moved into the active position, said elastic piece 27 is engaged on the stud 29 in a direction parallel to the X axis until the narrowing 28 exceeds said stud 29, thus allowing the snap-fastening of the elastic piece 27 on the stud 29 or vice versa, which ensures the maintenance of the reservoir 10 in this active position and, consequently maintaining the wick 13 impregnated with liquid against the spray plate 17. The apparatus therefore produces steam and remains automatically, that is to say without action of the user, in this position.

As illustrated in figure 8 , return means 31, such as a spring are arranged between the spray plate 17 and the wick holder 14, this spring for exerting a force on the wick holder 14, in the direction of an arrow representing the direction 32 corresponding to the transition from the active position to the passive position. These return means of the locking / unlocking system are independent and distinct from the spring 18.

The snap of the stud 29 in the elastic piece 27 ensures the holding in position of the tank 10 vis-à-vis the tile 4, despite the force exerted by said spring 31. On the contrary, when the tile 4 is moved in the position disengaged vis-à-vis the mandrel 3 by the user, the stud 29 is disengaged from the elastic piece 27 in a movement substantially perpendicular to the axis X, which allows the spring 31 to push back the bit holder 14 and the tank 10 (and the wick 13) in the passive position, stopping the production of steam. Thus, when the user lifts the tile 4 to extract the lock of hair, this has the immediate effect of automatically passing the wick 13 in the passive position, and therefore stop the production of steam.

Advantageously, the hairstyling apparatus 1 comprises a system for detecting the active position of the reservoir 10, the wick holder 14 and the wick 13, according to which steam is generated. This detection system comprises, for example, means 33 for detecting a temperature drop of said vaporization plate 17, these detection means 33 themselves having a temperature sensor, preferably a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. This temperature sensor is positioned in contact with the internal face 34 of the vaporization plate 17 (that is to say, of the face not being in contact with the wick 13), as schematized on FIG. figure 6 . When the proximal end 16 of the wick 13 comes into contact with the outer face 35 of the vaporizer plate 17, said vaporizer plate 17 undergoes a sudden drop in temperature, which is detected by the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor transmits the temperature drop information to an electronic control unit integrating a counting unit which has a duration, for example ten seconds, during which it is necessary to maintain the creation of steam and the heating of the mandrel 3 this time can be set by the user according to indexed values of the duration of exposure to steam, for example 5, 8 or 10 seconds, this adjustment being accessible from a User interface on the hairdressing appliance 1. Once the time has elapsed, the counting unit transmits the information to the electronic control unit which triggers an audible signal, for example a beep, or even a light signal, indicating to the user. user to disengage the tile 4 vis-à-vis the mandrel 3, in order to clear the tank 10 and the wick 13 in the passive position and thus stop the creation of steam, avan t remove the lock of curly hair.

The figure 7 schematically a second embodiment of a system for detecting the active position of the reservoir 10, the wick holder 14 and the wick 13 in contact on the spray plate 17. According to this variant, the detection system comprises a switch 38 is arranged at the distal end 15 inside the mandrel 3. This switch 38 is connected by connection means 39 such as a cable to the electronic control unit which integrates the counting unit and which is housed in the housing. body 2 of the hairdressing apparatus 1, said cable passing through the mandrel 3 over its entire length. A portion 40 of the reservoir 10 is configured to actuate a push button 41 of the switch 38 during the displacement of the reservoir 10, the wick holder 14 and the wick 13 in the active position, the switch then triggering the unit of counting (not shown) located in the electronic control box.

The preceding description makes it possible to grasp the essence of the invention without limiting its scope. Thus, other variants remain possible, in particular as to the implementation and arrangement of the elastic guide device or in the constitution of the wick itself.

Other characteristics are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it would be possible to provide a cover (not shown) for opening the distal end 37 of the reservoir 10 to fill it with liquid without having to disassemble said reservoir 10 with respect to the distal end 15 of the mandrel 3.

Claims (15)

1. Hairstyling appliance (1) for curling hair comprising a mandrel (3), a liquid tank (10), a heating element (21) integrated in the mandrel, a hair strand (13) communicating with the tank (10) so as to be soaked with liquid, said hair strand (13) extending between a proximal end (16) intended to come into contact with the heating element (21) and a distal end (20) supplied with liquid from the tank (10), and means for guiding the hair strand (13) configured to make it possible for the movement thereof from a passive position to an active position wherein said hair strand is in contact with the heating element (21) to create steam, characterised in that said guide means comprise an elastic guide device (18) in contact with the periphery of said hair strand (13) at the level of the proximal end (16).
2. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the elastic guide device (18) is permeable to air.
3. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said elastic guide device (18) comprises a coil spring and in that said hair strand (13) is arranged inside said spring.
4. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the diameter of the spring is between 2 mm and 8 mm and preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm.
5. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the length when idle of the spring is between 15 mm and 45 mm and preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm.
6. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that said guide means comprise a hair strand holder (14) inside which is arranged said coil spring.
7. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the hair strand holder (14) comprises a channel (142) for conveying air to the tank (10).
8. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastic guide device (18) extends between said proximal and distal ends (16, 20) of the hair strand (13).
9. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said elastic guide device (18) comprises an abutment (181) capable of coming into contact with said distal end (20).
10. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hair strand (13) comprises a plurality of strands in contact with one another, said strands extending longitudinally.
11. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that each strand is a glass fibre strand.
12. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that each strand has a length of between 30 mm and 90 mm and preferably between 50 mm and 70 mm, each of said strands being folded on itself so as to split the length thereof in two.
13. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the folding of the strands forms the distal end (20), while the free end of the strands forms the proximal end (16).
14. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hair strand (13) is secured to the tank (10), the guide means being configured to move the tank (10) and the hair strand (13) from the passive position to the active position.
15. Hairstyling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a locking/unlocking system (22) configured to ensure the holding of the tank (10) and the hair strand (13) in the active position.

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