EP3731691A1

EP3731691A1 - Detachable hairstyling appliance

Info

Publication number: EP3731691A1
Application number: EP18830887.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicolas Lauchet; Valentin JAVELLE
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-12-28
Publication date: 2020-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-28
Also published as: CN210018212U; WO2019129873A1; FR3076188A1; EP3731691B1; CN109984442A; CN109984442B; FR3076188B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hairstyling appliance (1) comprising a main body (2) that incorporates a motor (3) and a means (4) for entraining a lock of hair to be styled (C), set in motion by said motor (3), said hairstyling appliance (1) being characterized in that it comprises first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) that are attached to the motor (3) and to the entraining means (4), respectively, said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) being movable relative to one another between a coupled configuration and an uncoupled configuration.

Description

DEBRAYABLE STYLING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to the general technical field of styling or hairdressing apparatus, preferably for domestic use, and more specifically to portable electric styling apparatus intended to ensure shaping of the hair, and in particular a smoothing thereof.

The present invention more particularly relates to a styling apparatus designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising at least one main body which carries an engine and a drive means of a lock of hair to be styled mounted movable relative to the main body and intended to be moved by said motor to move said lock of hair relative to the main body.

It is known to use electrical styling devices to shape the hair, and in particular to curl or smooth.

Some of these devices are provided with a rotating mandrel for winding a lock of hair to loop automatically. In particular, a hair-wrapping apparatus is known, the rotating mandrel of which is connected to an electric drive motor by means of a torque limiting device composed of two disks which are respectively borne by the motor output shaft. and the mandrel. These two discs are pressed against each other so as to frictionally adhere to one another and thus ensure a mechanical transmission between the motor and the mandrel. In the case where the motor is subjected to a load too high, which exceeds a predetermined level, the discs will slide relative to each other instead of rotating together and thus interrupt the mechanical connection between the motor and the mandrel. Such a safety device makes it possible to prevent possible damage to the motor or even possible injury to the user in the case where the hair is stuck in the mandrel (for example due to the presence of knots in the hair), or in the case where the engine control device fails. These styling devices known, if they give overall satisfaction, nonetheless present some disadvantages.

One of these disadvantages resides in the fact that the hair drive device (mandrel) is likely to be moved by the motor in inappropriate configurations that do not necessarily imply the presence of an abnormally high torque likely to trigger the torque limiter.

In particular, the motor is capable of driving the mandrel in rotation, even when the means (movable tile) making it possible to associate the hair with the mandrel are in a non-functional configuration (which is the case for example if the tile is found in an open position).

The design of the known styling devices therefore does not ensure that the hair drive means can not be set in motion if the device is in a predetermined specific configuration. This is of course a source of risk both for the device itself and for the user. The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to remedy the various drawbacks enumerated above and to propose a new styling device which, while having a particularly simple and reliable design, provides a high degree of security of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new styling device particularly compact and easy to use.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new styling device of particularly intuitive use.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new styling device particularly robust. Another object of the invention is to propose a new hair styling device whose design makes it possible to improve the quality and the reproducibility of the hair shaping result obtained.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new styling device of particularly simple and inexpensive construction.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new hair styling device that is particularly safe.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new hair styling device that makes it possible to smooth hair extremely easily, quickly and efficiently.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a styling apparatus designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising at least one main body which embeds a motor and a drive means of a motor. strand of hair to be styled movably mounted relative to the main body and intended to be moved by said motor to move said strand of hair relative to the main body, said styling apparatus being characterized in that it comprises first and second complementary coupling parts respectively attached to the motor and to the drive means, said first and second complementary coupling parts being movable relative to each other between on the one hand a coupled configuration in which said first and second parts mating complements are in mutual contact to allow the motor to set in motion the means of drive, and on the other hand an uncoupled configuration in which said first and second complementary coupling parts are spaced apart from each other, so that the motor is unable to set in motion the means of training.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent and will appear in more detail from a reading of the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting illustration, in which: - Figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, a styling apparatus according to the invention which is in its first configuration, wherein the drive means of the apparatus is in a functional state allowing the establishment a mechanical drive connection between the drive means and a lock of hair to be combed, said styling apparatus constituting in this case an automatic straightener.

- Figure 2 illustrates, in a schematic cutaway view, the apparatus of Figure 1.

- Figure 3 illustrates, in a schematic axial sectional view, the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3, which this time is in its second configuration, which corresponds to a state of release of the drive means in which it can not be established. driving mechanical connection between the drive means and the lock of hair to be capped.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in a diagrammatic cutaway view, the apparatus of FIG. 4.

- Figure 6 illustrates, in a schematic axial sectional view, the apparatus of Figure 5.

- Figure 7 illustrates, in a schematic axial sectional view inverted with respect to that of Figure 6, the apparatus of Figures 5 and 6.

- Figure 8 schematically illustrates an apparatus according to the invention in use.

The styling apparatus 1 according to the invention is designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand. It is therefore a portable and manual device, preferably intended for use in a home environment by a user who does not have professional skills in styling or hairdressing, that is to say in the form of hair, and in particular hair straightening. Preferably, and according to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the styling apparatus 1 forms a straightening iron which allows a user to smooth his hair, preferably by input of heat and pressure. Preferably and as illustrated, the apparatus 1 forms an automatic straightener, that is to say that the apparatus 1 is designed to limit the active intervention of the user, who has no technical gestures , specific, to perform, such as gestures and operations that could perform a hairdresser to achieve a similar result. The automatic nature of the apparatus 1 allows in particular the apparatus 1 to ensure by itself the relative movement of the lock of hair to be combed and the apparatus 1. Preferably, the apparatus 1 is designed to be substantially fixed (relative to the head of the user) while setting the lock of hair in motion.

The invention is however not limited to this specific embodiment and it is for example quite possible that the styling apparatus 1 forms a curling iron, an embossing iron, or any other shaping apparatus hair, automatic or not. For the sake of brevity, the description which follows will nevertheless be centered exclusively on a styling apparatus 1 providing a smoothing function.

The apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises, as illustrated in the figures, at least one main body 2, which advantageously comprises itself a housing, made for example of injected plastic material. The main body 2 may be in the form of a monolithic piece (as illustrated in the figures) or alternatively in the form of an assembly of possibly moving parts relative to each other (variant not shown). The apparatus 1 advantageously comprises a handle 2A intended to be manually gripped to manipulate the apparatus 1. The handle 2A is advantageously formed by the rear part 200 of the aforementioned housing and extends for example itself backwards by a cord power supply (not shown), and forwards by an active portion 201 for receiving strands of hair C to shape (in this case smooth).

The main body 2 carries a motor 3, which is for example an electric motor, and preferably as illustrated a geared motor. Engine 3 includes advantageously a rotary motor shaft 3A which can either be formed directly by the output shaft of the motor 3 (variant not shown), or be set in motion by the output shaft 3B of the motor (variant shown), preferably by means of a reduction system, which comprises for example two pinions 30A, 30B, carried respectively by the drive shaft 3A and the output shaft 3B. The invention is however not limited to the implementation of a motor 3 equipped with a rotary motor shaft 3A. The motor 3 may alternatively be formed by a linear actuator for example, without departing from the scope of the invention.

As illustrated, the main body 2 also carries a drive means 4 of a lock of hair C to cap C. Said drive means 4 is mounted movably relative to the main body 2 and is intended to be set in motion by the motor 3 to itself move said lock of hair C relative to the main body 2, for example at a speed between 1 and 5 cm / s, preferably about 2 cm / s. The drive means 4 is thus designed to scroll the lock of hair C to be coiffed relative to the main body 2, and is therefore firstly designed to establish a mechanical connection drive, for example by friction or adhesion, with the lock of hair C, and secondly connected to the motor 3, for example to the rotary motor shaft 3A, in order to be set in motion by said motor 3. The drive means 4 is advantageously intended to automate the styling operation, for example for winding the lock of hair C to be styled around a mandrel to obtain a curling effect of the hair, or (according to the illustrated embodiment) to scroll the lock of hair to capping C between advantageously complementary shaping surfaces, such as, for example, smoothing plates, embossing plates (plates of complementary corrugated shapes), or even plates having asperities or protuberances ( teeth and / or pimples for example).

The driving means 4 advantageously evolves between on the one hand a functional state (illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8) in which a mechanical drive connection (for example by friction or pinching) can be established between the drive means 4 and said lock of hair C and secondly a release state (Figures 4 to 7) in which said drive mechanical connection can not be established. The drive means 4, in its release state, is advantageously intended to receive the lock of hair C, which it will then be able to move when it goes into its functional state. For this purpose, the drive means 4 comprise, for example, a motorized roller 40 and, on the other hand, a pressing means 41, arranged in the active zone 201, as illustrated in the figures. The pressing means 41 is advantageously formed by a non-motorized (free rotation) pressing roll mounted movably relative to the motorized roller 40 between:

^■ a close position (Figures 1 to 3 and 8), wherein the pressing means 41 is sufficiently close to the motorized roller 40 for pressing said hair strand C against said motorized roller 40 to establish a mechanical drive connection friction of said lock of hair C, according to for example the principle of two opposite rolls of a rolling mill;

^■ and a spaced apart position (Figure 4-7), wherein the pressing means 41 is sufficiently away from the motorized roller 40 does not press said lock of hair against said C motorized roller 40.

In this preferred embodiment, the driving means 4 is in its functional state when the pressing means 41 occupies its close position, and in its release state when the pressing means 41 occupies its spaced apart position. Thus, in the remote position, the user can insert a lock of hair C to cap C between the motorized roller 40 and the pressing means 41, then the pressing means 41 is brought into its close position and will thus squeeze the lock of hair C against the motorized roller 40, thus allowing the roller 40 to frictionally drive the wick C, the pressing roller which advantageously constitutes the pressing means 41 itself being rotated in a direction S2 inverse to the direction of rotation S1 motorized roller 40 by the lock of hair C and set in motion. The motorized roller 40, as well as the roll advantageously forming the pressing means 41, is preferably made of a material that promotes the local adhesion of the hair, for example a material of the rubber, elastomer or foam type optionally impregnated with a product of care or a cosmetic product for the hair. The drive means 4 advantageously comprises a rotary receiver shaft 4A, which is advantageously intended for communicating to said motorized roller 40 the motive power produced by the motor 3. For this purpose, and as will be explained in more detail below, the rotary motor shaft 3A is intended to drive in rotation the rotary receiver shaft 4A .

According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the main body 2 carries a clamping device 5 moving between an introduction configuration and a hair lock configuration C. The introduction configuration (illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7) allows the user to introduce in the clamping device 5 at least one lock of hair C. This is an opening configuration for positioning one or more locks of hair C in the device of 5. In the tightening configuration, the clamping device 5 exerts a tightening on the hair or locks of hair C concerned (s), that is to say that the clamping device 5 exerts, when is in tightening configuration, a local pressure on the hair or strand (s) of hair hosted (s) in the clamping device 3, to shape the hair (s) of hair C thus clamped (s) ). For this purpose, the clamping device 5 itself comprises at least one first jaw 6 mounted to move relative to the main body 2 between at least one open position (FIGS. 4 to 7) and a closed position (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8). respectively corresponding to said introduction configuration and said clamping configuration. The first jaw 6 is advantageously arranged substantially facing a complementary support element (formed for example by a second jaw 7) with which it is intended to cooperate to release or enclose the lock of hair C, depending on whether it is in the open position or in the closed position. The complementary support element in question may be fixedly mounted relative to the main body 2, or conversely be mounted movably relative to the main body 2 (as shown) and may be in this case for example in the form of a second jaw 7 which will be described in more detail below. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the main body 2 thus advantageously forms a fixed casing within which the moving parts of the clamping device 5 and the drive means 4 move.

Advantageously, the drive means 4 is designed to scroll the lock of hair C to be capped in the clamping device 5 in the clamping configuration, so as to slide said lock of hair C between and against both the jaw 6 and the complementary support element, which is advantageously formed by the second jaw 7. For this purpose, the drive means 4 is advantageously arranged downstream of the clamping device 5 relative to the direction of movement of the lock of hair C. This means that a portion of wick subjected to the clamping device 5 will not have been in contact with the drive means 4 before tightening, and will meet said drive means 4 only after having been shaped by the clamping device 5. Preferably, the first jaw 6 embeds at least a portion of the drive means 4 (as illustrated in the figures), or alternatively all of the drive means 4. In the example illustrated in the figures, the first jaw 6 thus embeds the motorized roller 40, while the pressing means 41, advantageously formed by a roll in free rotation (non-motorized) is in turn preferably embarked on the element of ap complementary embodiment, advantageously formed by the second jaw 7. In this preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the motorized roller 40 thus moves with the first jaw 6, while the pressing means 41 moves in this case with the second jaws 7.

Advantageously, according to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first jaw 6 is designed to move between its open and closed positions while remaining parallel to itself. In other words, when the first jaw 6 moves from its open position to its closed position it remains permanently parallel to itself, that is to say that its orientation relative to the main body 2 remains fixed and unchanged , only varying the position of the first jaw 6 relative to the main body 2 (that is to say the distance between the first jaw 6 of the main body 2). The attitude of the first jaw 6 thus remains advantageously unchanged when the first jaw 6 moves from its open position to its closed position, that is to say that the attitude / inclination of the first jaw 6 remains the same. whatever the position (open, closed, intermediate ...) of the first jaw 6.

The first jaw 6 defines for example a pressure surface 6A intended to come locally in contact with the lock of hair C to be shaped, said pressure surface 6A being substantially parallel to a median mean plane P _M. The pressure surface 6A defined by the first jaw 6 is, for example, in the context of a device styling device designed to smooth the hair, a substantially flat surface, as well as the opposite pressure surface 7A defined by the complementary support element (second jaw 7 for example) with which it is intended to cooperate to grip the wick C. The pressure surface 6A defined by the first jaw 6 is thus advantageously permanently parallel to the median mean plane P _M when the first jaw 6 moves from its open position to its closed position and vice versa. This characteristic makes it possible to exert a particularly homogeneous and uniform force on the lock of hair C to be shaped, independently of the position of the latter in the clamping device 5. However, the invention is of course not limited to the implementation of planar pressure surfaces 6A, 7A, and it is for example quite possible that at least one of said pressure surfaces 6A, 7A has for example an irregular, undulating surface (for example to achieve loops, waves or waves) or other, to obtain a shaping effect different from a smoothing effect. At least one of said pressure surfaces 6A, 7A may also comprise one or more protuberances, such as teeth or spikes, for example. The pressure surfaces 6A, 7A are preferably of complementary, conjugate shapes (for example one is convex and the other concave, or the surfaces 6A, 7A have respective teeth arranged in staggered rows or, as illustrated, the two surfaces 6A, 7A are substantially flat and flat).

Advantageously, the first jaw 6 is mounted in a circular translation relative to the main body 2 between its open and closed position (and vice versa). If the recourse to a circular translational movement is preferred, since it makes it possible in particular to limit the risks of inadvertent blocking and the cost associated with a conventional rectilinear translational movement, it is however quite possible that the styling apparatus 1 alternatively can implement a first jaw 6 mounted in translation relative to the main body 2, for example by means of a slide connection, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the first jaw 6 is mounted in a circular translation relative to the main body 2 according to a deformable parallelogram assembly. For this purpose, the main body 2 preferably carries a first rod 8 and a second link 9 which each extend between a respective first end 8A, 9A connected (by a hinge, preferably by a pivot connection) to said main body 2 and a respective second end 8B, 9B (by a hinge , preferably by a pivot connection) to said first jaw 6. Each of said first and second links 8, 9 is thus advantageously at least rotatably mounted relatively on the one hand to the main body 2 and on the other hand to the first jaw 6 according to respective axes of rotation which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane in which the circular translation movement of the first jaw 6 is inscribed. The implementation of such a deformable parallelogram assembly by means of the first and second links 8, 9 thus makes it possible to move the first jaw 6 relative to the main body 2 between an expanded state (corresponding to the closed position) and a retracted state ( corresponding to the open position).

As mentioned previously and in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the clamping device 5 advantageously comprises a second jaw 7 arranged facing the first jaw 6 so that in the clamping configuration, said first and second jaws 6, 7 are close enough to each other to enclose between them a lock of hair C to be combed, while in the introduction configuration they are sufficiently distant from each other to release said lock of hair C. second jaw 7 can be fixedly mounted relative to the main body 2, but is preferably mounted movably relative to said main body 2 between an open position and a closed position respectively corresponding to the clamping configuration and the configuration of introduction of the clamping device. 5.

Advantageously, the second jaw 7 is also mounted in circular translation relative to the main body 2 between its open and closed positions. This circular translation assembly is advantageously obtained by means of a deformable parallelogram-type assembly which is preferably similar to that described above with regard to the first jaw 6. In this preferred embodiment, the main body 2 embeds a third and a fourth link 10, 11 which each extend between a respective first end 10A, 11A connected to the main body 2 and a respective second end 18B, 11B connected to the second jaw 7. The third link 10 and the first rod 8 are substantially identical, or at least symmetrical, while the second link 9 and fourth link 11 are also substantially identical, or at least symmetrical. The styling apparatus 1 thus advantageously has, at least in its active zone 201, a symmetrical construction with respect to the first and second jaws 6, 7 relative to the median plane of symmetry P _M which corresponds, in the illustrated embodiment. in the figures, at the contact plane of the first and second jaws 6, 7 in their respective closed positions, said median plane P _M being advantageously parallel to the axes of rotation of the first, second, third and fourth links 8, 9, 10, 11.

Preferably, the first and second jaws 6, 7 are designed to move simultaneously in respective circular translation movements in opposite directions. This means that when the clamping device 5 moves from its clamping configuration to its insertion configuration, the first and second jaws 6, 7 move away simultaneously, and in respective symmetrical movements, from each other. until reaching their respective open positions corresponding to a maximum spacing between said first and second jaws 6, 7. The first and second jaws 6, 7 thus move advantageously in phase, so that when they are each in its respective closed position, the clamping device 5 then occupies its clamping configuration. Preferably, said clamping device 5 is provided with a heating means for both tightening and heating the lock of hair C. For example, at least one of said first and second jaws 6, 7 has a heating character, so that the respective pressure surface 6A, 7A that it defines has a heating character. The clamping device 5 is, in this advantageous case, capable of both clamping (pressing) and heating locally (preferably by conduction) the lock of hair C, which makes it possible to optimize the shaping effect, and allows in particular to obtain a smoothing effect relatively effective and durable.

The main body 2 also advantageously incorporates manually operable control means 12 for moving the styling apparatus 1 from a first operating configuration to a second operating configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 of FIG. part and 4 to 7 on the other hand. In other words, the control means 12 is intended to be positively actuated by a user, manually, to modify the state of the styling apparatus 1 in direct response to the manual actuation of the control means 12 The control means 12 is preferably distinct from the driving means 4, that is to say in particular that the drive means 4 can not be used to move the styling apparatus 1 from its first to its second configuration by manual operation. Preferably, said first configuration corresponds to said functional state of the drive means 4, while the second configuration corresponds to said release state of the drive means 4. This means that in this advantageous embodiment illustrated in the figures, when the The styling apparatus 1 is in its first configuration, the driving means 4 is able to set in motion the lock of hair C, that is to say that the pressing means 41 is in its close position, while when the styling apparatus 1 is in its second configuration, the pressing means 41 is this time in its spaced apart position to release the lock of hair C. Preferably, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said control means 12 is connected to the clamping device 5 to move the latter from one of its introduction and clamping configurations to the other.

More preferably, the control means 12 is connected to the clamping device 5 to move the latter, when the control means 12 is manually actuated, from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration, said clamping device 5 being of preferably recalled constantly in its tightening configuration by a suitable return device. Advantageously, the first configuration of the styling apparatus 1 thus corresponds to the tightening configuration of the clamping device 5, whereas the second configuration of the styling apparatus 1 corresponds to the configuration of introduction of the clamping device 5. The control means 12 is for example movably mounted relative to the main body 2 between a first position (extended position of FIGS. 1 to 3) corresponding to the first configuration (and advantageously to the clamping configuration) and a second position (FIGS. 7) corresponding to the second configuration (introductory configuration). The control means 12 can by example be mounted pivotally (as shown) and / or translational relative to the main body 2 between its first and second positions, which correspond for example respectively to an expanded state of the control means 12, wherein the control means 12 protrudes of the main body 2 towards the outside of the latter, and has a retracted state of the control means 12 in which the latter is erased inside the main body 2, under the effect for example of a manual pressure exerted by the user. The control means 12 thus advantageously comprises at least one first push button 12A (or a trigger) pivotally mounted relative to the main body 2 along a first pivot axis parallel to the pivot axes of the first and second links 8, 9. to transform the movement of the control means 12 into movement of the first jaw 6, said first rod 8 and control means 12 are provided with respective interengaging surfaces 80, 120 cooperating to transmit to said first rod 8 a manual effort of control applied to the control means 12, for passing said first jaw 6 from its closed position to its open position. The inter-engagement surface 120 provided with the control means 12 advantageously forms a cam, preferably a pivoting cam, which comes to urge the complementary engagement surface 80 of which the first link 8 is provided, in order to transform the rotational movement of the control means 12 (and in this case of the first push-button 12A) in the rotational movement of the rod 8, rotational movement which advantageously drives the displacement in circular translation of the first jaw 6 from its closed position in its open position.

The aforementioned return device preferably exerts a restoring force at least on the first link 8, and comprises for example at least one magnet 13 attached to the first link 8, so that the latter carries said magnet 13. recall also comprises in this case a plate 14 of ferromagnetic material fixed (for example by gluing) to the main body 2, so that a magnetic attraction force is permanently established between the magnet 13 and the plate 14 This magnetic attraction force forms the restoring force exerted by the return device on the first jaw 6 to permanently recall the clamping device in its tightening configuration, and advantageously to thus permanently recall the styling apparatus 1 his first configuration which advantageously corresponds to the tightening configuration of the clamping device 5. In other words, the apparatus 1 adopts, in the absence of external stresses, a natural closed / tight configuration corresponding to the clamping configuration. This makes it possible to obtain an optimal hair shaping result independent of the know-how and dexterity of the user. For example, the return device is designed so that the clamping force exerted by the clamping device 5 in the clamping configuration is between substantially 10 and 50 N, and is preferably substantially equal to 30 N.

In the clamping configuration, the magnet 13 comes to press against the plate 14, under the effect of the magnetic attraction force, and is permanently maintained in this position. When the user exerts on the push-button 12A a pressure towards the inside of the casing forming the main body 2, the inter-engagement surface 120 carried by the push-button 12A in question will come to push back, by camming , the link 8 against the restoring force, thus pivoting said link 8 to bring the first jaw 6 from its closed position to its open position.

However, it is perfectly possible to use not a magnet but any other means likely to exert a restoring force, and for example a spring mounted between the main body 2 and one of the rods 8, 9, or even mounted directly between the main body 2 and the first jaw 6.

Preferably, the control means 12 also comprises a second push button 12B advantageously identical to the first push button 12A and preferably arranged symmetrically to the latter relative to the median middle plane PM as illustrated. In order to preferably implement synchronized simultaneous movements of the first and second jaws 6, 7, the control means 12 is advantageously connected to both the first and second jaws 6, 7 to simultaneously drive the latter from their respective closed positions. at their respective open positions In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the two pushbuttons 12A, 12B are connected to each other by a transmission rod 15, so that the actuation force exerted on the one or the other of the push buttons 12A, 12B is automatically reflected on the other pushbutton 12B, 12A and vice versa.

As illustrated in the figures, the styling apparatus 1 comprises first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 respectively attached to the motors 3 and to the drive means 4. The first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are movable relative to each other between on the one hand a coupled configuration (Figures 1 to 3) in which said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are in mutual contact to allow the motor 3 to set in motion the driving means 4, and on the other hand an uncoupled configuration (FIGS. 4 to 7) in which the said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are at a distance from one another, so that the motor 3 is unable to set the driving means 4 in motion. In other words, in the coupled configuration the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are in contact with each other. act one of the other so as to generate between them a mechanical connection (for example plane support type) for transmitting the movement of the motor 3 to the drive means 4, so that the latter puts itself in motion the lock of hair C relative to the main body 2. On the contrary, in uncoupled configuration the first and second complementary parts 16, 17 are kept spaced from each other, for example by several millimeters or even a few centimeters, so as to no longer be in contact, which breaks the kinematic chain between the motor 3 and the drive means 4 and thus prevents any transmission of a possible force from the motor 3 to the driving means 4. Thanks to this technical feature, which allows to establish in uncoupled configuration an interstitial space between said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 in all points of the latter , the risk of inadvertent operation of the driving means 4, while the styling apparatus 1 is in a configuration where the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are uncoupled, is minimized.

Preferably, the passage of one of the coupled / uncoupled configurations to the other can be controlled positively, directly or indirectly, by the user. This means that the transition from the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration (or vice versa) does not result from a purely automated process, which could, for example, be triggered spontaneously in an abnormal operating situation (for example in the event of an overload due to a entrapment of the hair or of one or the other of the motor and receiver shafts 3A, 4A The passage from the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration therefore advantageously depends in this case, directly or indirectly, on a positive action, voluntary, exercised by the user on the styling apparatus 1.

For example, as illustrated in the figures, the control means 12 is connected to at least one of said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 to control the passage of the latter of one of the configurations coupled and uncoupled to the other, and preferably to control the passage of the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration. To this end, the rotary motor shaft 3A advantageously carries the first coupling part 16, while the rotary receiving shaft 4A of the drive means 4 carries the second coupling part 17. Thus, the user can control the displacement relative coupling complementary parts 16, 17 by actuating the control means 12, which will allow it to move the motorized roller 40, and therefore the receiving shaft 4A carried by the latter, relative to the rotary motor shaft 3A which it does not move inside the main body 2 (except for the rotation it performs on itself).

Thus, the control means 12 is advantageously designed to control simultaneously, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the figures:

^■ the passage of said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 of one of the configurations coupled and uncoupled to each other,

^■ and the passage of one of said first and second configuration to another.

Advantageously, the styling apparatus 1 comprises a return member of said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 in their coupled configuration. This return member is for example constituted by the return device (element 13 and ferromagnetic plate 14) described in the foregoing and for reminding the clamping device 5 in clamping configuration.

In this case, the return member provides a double return function of the clamping device 5 in clamping configuration and return of the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 in their coupled configuration. As mentioned above, the return member 13, 14 also advantageously remembers the control means 12 in its first position, which is therefore a return position. The first position of the control means 12 corresponds, in the illustrated embodiment, to the coupled configuration of the complementary coupling parts 16, 17, while its second position of the control means 12 corresponds when it to the uncoupled configuration, said first position is therefore a stable return position while the second position is an unstable position.

Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control means 12 and the return member 13, 14 advantageously provide multiple functions, including the following:

^■ the control means 12 controls both the passage of the clamping device 5 to its clamping configuration in its insertion configuration, as well as also and simultaneously the passage of the drive means 4 of its functional state to its state release, as well as simultaneously and simultaneously the passage of the complementary coupling parts 16, 17 of their configuration coupled to their uncoupled configuration;

^■ the return member 13, 14 recalls meanwhile the control means 12 in its first position which corresponds not only to the mated configuration of the parts 16, 17, but also to the first configuration of the apparatus 1 and to the the operating state of the drive means 4, and simultaneously recalls the clamping device 5 in its clamping configuration, and the drive means 4 in its operative state. Advantageously, when the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are in coupled configuration, said motor shafts is a receiver 3A, 4A are substantially aligned (see FIGS. 2 and 3), whereas when said first and second complementary parts Coupling 16, 17 are in uncoupled configuration, said motor shafts and receiver 3A, 4A are substantially misaligned (see Figures 5 to 7). This means that in this particularly advantageous embodiment, the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are, in their uncoupled configuration, not only out of contact with each other, but also off-axis, because of the aforementioned shift of the motor shafts and receiver 3A, 4A, which are no longer coaxial uncoupled configuration. This shift of the motor and receiver shafts 3A, 4A, and therefore of the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 which they respectively carry, further strengthens the safety of use by guaranteeing a complete kinematic break, since the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are separated by several millimeters. In addition, the kinematic break is quick to implement since the rotational drive is immediately interrupted by the misalignment of the motor and receiver shafts 3A, 4A, independently of any mechanical part (spring for example). Such speed of uncoupling is particularly useful and sought after in the event of a knot in the hair, to avoid the user feeling the pulling or pulling of his hair. In addition, the shift of the motor and receiver shafts 3A, 4A is a simple solution for uncoupling the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 since this shift can remarkably be linked to the movement of other parts of the device. The safety and reliability of the device are thus remarkably improved.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the second coupling part 17, which is advantageously mounted on the first jaw 6, moves relatively to the main body 2 and to the first coupling part 16 by circular translation between an uncoupled position. (Figures 4 to 7) corresponding to the uncoupled configuration and a coupled position (Figures 1 to 3) corresponding to the coupled configuration. The use of a circular translation movement, if preferred, is however not mandatory and it is for example alternatively possible to resort to two successive rectilinear translation movements in respective directions which are perpendicular to each other.

Advantageously, the styling apparatus 1 also comprises a torque limiter designed to automatically disconnect said motor shafts 3A and receiver 4A when the following two conditions are met:

^■ said complementary first and second coupling parts 16, 17 are mated configuration

^■ and the torque transmitted to the driven shaft 4A reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value, for example between 40 and 120 mN, preferably equal to 80 mN.m.

The torque limiter is therefore advantageously designed to play its role only when the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are coupled. It allows in this case to interrupt automatically (without user intervention) the transmission between the motor 3 and the drive means 4 when the threshold value is reached or exceeded, which can occur when for example the hair of the user comprise nodes or in case of improper use of the device 1. The torque limiter is intended to prevent any risk for the user or the motor 3 when the drive means 4 sets in motion the wick of hair C, the first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 cooperating to transmit to the output shaft 4A the rotary movement of the drive shaft 3A. The torque limiter can take any known form, and consist for example of a friction torque limiter or friction-free torque limiter (for example with teeth, roller or ball).

The torque limiter can for example connect two portions of the motor shaft 3A or two portions of the receiver shaft 4 together. However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment and illustrated in the figures, the first and second complementary parts coupling 16, 17 themselves form, in their coupled configuration, said torque limiter. Preferably, said coupling pieces 16, 17 are respectively formed by a first and a second disc intended to come into facial contact as illustrated, to form both a friction clutch (in this case disc / disk type) and a torque limiter (for example by friction).

In this particularly advantageous embodiment, the first and second complementary coupling parts 16 and 17 thus vary between:

an uncoupled configuration, in which they are at a distance and out of contact with each other, and therefore unable to ensure a transmission of torque between the motor shafts 3A and receiver 4A;

a coupled configuration in which they are in contact with each other so as to be able to communicate the rotation of the motor shaft 3A to the output shaft 4A as long as the torque transmitted to the output shaft 4A is below a predetermined threshold value, beyond which said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17, while still remaining in contact, moves relative to each other, which interrupts the transmission of torque between the motor shaft 3A and the output shaft 4A.

Preferably, in a coupled configuration, said first and second complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are interengaged by adhesion (to form a friction torque limiter) or by an obstacle (to form a frictionless torque limiter, for example with teeth, balls or rollers) thus forming the above-mentioned torque limiter. The use of an interengagement of the coupling parts 16, 17 by means of a gear system is advantageous because it makes it possible to produce a sound (clicking) when the torque limiter is triggered, thus alerting the user.

The invention makes it possible, in this particularly advantageous embodiment, to guarantee a particularly high level of safety by combining an out of contact of the complementary coupling parts 16, 17, preferably under the direct control of the user. manipulation of the control means 12) and an automatic torque limiter function, which is not controlled directly by the user but depends on the conditions of use of the drive means 4 and the motor 3. Advantageously, the main body 2 also carries a combing means 21 of said lock of hair C intended to be driven by the driving means 4, said combing means 21 being advantageously arranged upstream of the clamping device 5 relative to the direction The combing means 21 comprises for example a plurality of teeth or bristles arranged in rows or tufts, so as to form a comb or a brush. The combing means 21 advantageously makes it possible to divide the wick C to be shaped into a plurality of small elementary locks, and to distribute them well over the treatment surfaces formed by the pressing surfaces 6A, 7A. The combing means 21 thus allows the wick C to be well spread between the jaws 6, 7 to promote its shaping by the heating jaws 6, 7. Preferably, the combing means 21 also provides a tensioning function of the lock of hair C, in particular by opposing a local resistance by friction to the movement of the lock of hair C towards the driving means 4. The combing performed by the combing means 21 however increases the risk of malfunction of the apparatus 1, because the hair nodes can get caught between the teeth of the combing means, resulting in a resistance that can degrade the engine. The implementation of a torque limiter as explained above, however, can very significantly limit this risk. The invention thus relates to a styling apparatus 1 which is preferably specifically intended to smooth the hair and whose closed position of the jaws 6, 7 corresponds to the natural configuration (rest configuration) of the apparatus 1. In this natural position resting, the complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are in the coupling configuration, ready to transmit the driving torque produced by the motor 3, the pressing means 41 occupying its close position while said device tightening 5 is in tightening configuration.

In this natural rest configuration of the apparatus 1, the control means 12 is in its first position, which is advantageously an elastic return position. The exercise of a pressure on the control means 12, against the elastic restoring force which is exerted permanently on the latter, makes it possible to move the apparatus 1 from its stable rest configuration to a open configuration unstable wherein the apparatus 1 is maintained by manual action of the user on the control means 12 to force the latter to occupy its second position. In this open configuration, the complementary coupling parts 16, 17 are uncoupled configuration, the pressing means 41 is in the spaced apart position while the clamping device 5 is in the introduction configuration. As soon as the user releases the manual effort he exerts on the control means 12, the apparatus returns spontaneously to its natural resting configuration (closed configuration described above).

The operation and use of the apparatus 1 are for example the following. The user first grasps a lock of hair C with one hand and grasps with his other hand the apparatus 1 while preparing to position it against his scalp, or at least close to it, so that the drive means 4 is disposed near the scalp while the combing means 21 is disposed opposite the drive means 4, further away from the scalp. The user then actuates the control means 12 to thereby force the apparatus 1 to leave its normally closed configuration to reach its unstable open configuration. The user can then move the apparatus 1 to easily place the lock of hair C inside the apparatus 1, both between the driving means 4 and the pressing means 41 on the one hand and between the first jaw 6 and the second jaw 7 on the other hand, as well as between the teeth of the combing device 21. Once the lock of hair C in place inside the device 1, the user releases the control means 12 so that the apparatus 1 is recalled in its normally closed configuration, in which the motor 3 is then able to drive the driving means 4. The latter will then scroll at an appropriate speed the wick C in the combing device 21, then in the clamping device 5 which appropriately clamps the hair to smooth the wick C in a particularly durable, fast and automatic manner.

Claims

1 - styling apparatus (1) designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising at least one main body (2) which embeds a motor (3) and a drive means (4) of a wick of hair styling (C) movably mounted relative to the main body (2) and intended to be moved by said motor (3) to move said lock of hair (C) relative to the main body (2), said styling (1) being characterized in that it comprises first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) respectively attached to the motor (3) and to the driving means (4), said first and second complementary parts of coupling (16, 17) being movable relative to each other between a coupled configuration in which said first and second coupling parts (16, 17) are in mutual contact to allow the motor ( 3) to put in motion the drive means (4), and on the other hand a disengaged configuration in which said first and second coupling complementary parts (16, 17) are spaced from one another, so that the motor (3) is unable to move the drive means (4).

2 - styling device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said main body (2) also carries a manually operable control means (12) for passing the styling apparatus (1) a first configuration of operating at a second operating configuration, said control means (12) being connected to at least one of said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) to control the passage of the latter from one of the configurations coupled and uncoupled to each other.

3 - styling device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said control means (12) is designed to simultaneously control: ^■ the passage of said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) of one of the configurations coupled and uncoupled to each other,

^■ and the passage of one of said first and second configurations to the other.

4 - styling device (1) according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said control means (12) is distinct from said drive means (4).

5 - styling device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that said control means (12) is movably mounted relative to the main body (2) between a first position corresponding to said coupled configuration and a second position corresponding to said uncoupled configuration, said first position being a return position.

6 - styling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the drive means (4) evolves between firstly a functional state in which can be established a mechanical drive connection ( 4) between the drive means and said lock of hair (C) and on the other hand a release state in which said drive mechanical connection can not be established.

7 - styling device (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that the drive means (4) comprises firstly a motorized roller (40) and secondly a mounted pressing means (41) relatively motorized roller (40) between:

^■ a close position, wherein the pressing means (41) is sufficiently close to the motorized roller (40) for urging said lock of hair (C) against said motorized roller (40) to establish a mechanical drive connection friction of said lock of hair (C),

^■ and a separated position, wherein the pressing means (41) is sufficiently distant from the motorized roller (40) not to press said lock of hair (C) against said motorized roller (40), the drive means (4) being in its functional state when the pressing means (41) is in its close position, and in its release state when the pressing means (41) is in its remote position.

8 - styling device (1) according to claims 2 and 7 characterized in that said first configuration corresponds to the functional state of said drive means

(4), while said second configuration corresponds to the release state of the drive means (4).

9 - styling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a return member (12, 14) of said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) in their coupled configuration.

10-styling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said main body (2) embodies a clamping device (5) evolving between an introduction configuration and a wick lock configuration ( Ç), said clamping device (5) itself comprising at least a first jaw (6) movably mounted relative to said main body (2) between at least one open position and a closed position respectively corresponding to said introduction configuration and to said clamping configuration.

11-styling device (1) according to claims 2 and 10 characterized in that said control means (12) is connected to the clamping device (5) to pass the latter of one of its introduction configurations and clamping to the other.

12-styling device (1) according to claims 2 and 10 characterized in that said first configuration corresponds to the clamping configuration of said clamping device (5), while said second configuration corresponds to the introduction configuration of said device tightening (5).

13-styling device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12 characterized in that said drive means (4) is adapted to scroll said lock of hair (C) in the clamping device (5) in clamping configuration, said driving means (4) being arranged downstream of the clamping device (5) relative to the running direction of said lock of hair (C).

14-styling device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13 characterized in that said first jaw (6) embeds at least partly said drive means (4).

15-styling device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 14 characterized in that said first jaw (6) is mounted in a circular translation relative to the main body (2) between its open and closed positions.

Characterized in that said clamping device (5) is provided with a heating means for both tightening and heating the lock of hair.

17- styling apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said motor (3) comprises a rotary motor shaft (3A) while said drive means (4) comprises a rotary receiver shaft (4A) , said rotating motor shaft (3A) and receiving shaft (4A) bearing respectively the first and the second complementary coupling parts (16, 17).

18-styling apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that it comprises a torque limiter designed to automatically disconnect said shafts motor and receiver (3A, 4A) when the following two conditions are met: - said first and second complementary parts d coupling (16,

17) are in paired configuration

and the torque transmitted to the receiver shaft (4A) reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

19-styling apparatus (1) according to claim 17 or 18 characterized in that when said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) are in coupled configuration, said motor and receiver shafts (3A, 4A) are substantially aligned, whereas when said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) are in uncoupled configuration, said motor and receiver shafts (3A, 4A) are substantially misaligned. -Capping device (1) according to claim 18 or 19 characterized in that said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) form, in their coupled configuration, said torque limiter. -Capping device (1) according to claim 20 characterized in that in coupled configuration, said first and second complementary coupling parts are inter-engaged by adhesion or obstacle to thereby form said torque limiter. -Capping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it forms a smoothing iron.