EP4395601A1

EP4395601A1 - Hair treatment device that diffuses steam onto the hair

Info

Publication number: EP4395601A1
Application number: EP22765572.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mélissa CHAMPEAUX; Gabin Vic; Ngoc-Ian LUSSAN; Constance Magne
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2021-09-03
Filing date: 2022-08-26
Publication date: 2024-07-10
Also published as: FR3126602B1; KR20240050439A; FR3126602A1; JP2024532504A; WO2023031030A1; US20240374007A1; CN117881320A; JP7826459B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair treatment device (10), comprising - at least one steam outlet (30) for emitting steam onto the hair, - a system (40) for supplying steam to said at least one steam outlet (30), - at least one detector (50) for detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair, - a steam control unit (59) configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet (30), by the steam supply system (40) when at least one predefined condition is met, this condition being a hair contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector (50).

Description

Title: Hair treatment device that diffuses steam onto the hair

The present invention relates to a hair treatment device, in particular a hair brush, comprising at least one steam outlet for applying steam to the hair, and also to an associated hair treatment method.

Prior art

Many types of hair- styling appliances for shaping the hair, in particular by straightening, curling or crimping, are known. By way of example, there may be mentioned straightening or curling irons, or else hair brushes. These appliances may comprise one or more heated or heating treatment surfaces. The general structure of such appliances is well known.

However, conventional treatment devices, in particular conventional brushes, only allow a shaping of the hair that is not very durable unless their use is accompanied by the implementation of a treatment with a composition based on active chemical agents.

Heating treatment devices, in particular heating brushes, have been proposed for better effectiveness. Documents US2018125223, US2016007708 and EP2849605, which describe heating brushes, may be cited, for example

To enhance the treatment, some devices provide for steam to be dispensed towards the surface to be treated, in particular a lock of hair or the whole head of hair in the case of hair- styling appliances. Brushes with water vapour emission have thus been proposed. This is particularly the case in Documents DE19822718 and KR20030085159.

Also known, in particular from Patent Applications KR20090110464 and KR20160008488, are hair treatment devices, in particular in the context of hair straighteners in the form of tongs, comprising sensors for detecting contact between the user’s hand and the gripping handle to prevent the appliance from heating when not in use. Patent Application KR101452985, for its part, describes an acceleration sensor for reducing the electrical consumption.

Document JPH04193203 describes the use of a humidity sensor in a brush without steam emission to determine when the hair is dry. JP2016073526 describes the use of a detector for detecting pressure or bending on one or more teeth to actuate a hair imaging system to determine the state of the hair, and International Application WO2014111646 describes several sensors, in particular motion sensors or an accelerometer, an optical sensor and an electrical field sensor for determining and remotely transmitting data on the movements and the state of the hair according to the movements, and temperature and/or humidity sensors in order to refine the analysis of the state of the hair according to the atmospheric data.

Devices for treating hair by means of steam pose a potential safety problem owing to the use of steam in the vicinity of the hair and the scalp.

In the context of hair straighteners in the form of tongs, the tongs do not come into contact with the scalp, only with the hair, and the steam is confined between the arms, making it safer. Furthermore, it is possible to readily detect the closure of the tongs, which indicates the use of the device.

In the context of brushes, the steam emission surface may be large, in particular for brushes with a flat head. Moreover, the bristles or teeth of the brush are intended to act in the direct vicinity of the scalp, which accentuates the risks associated with the use of steam.

Moreover, any use of steam before contact between the treatment device and the hair generates excess consumption of water. This is all the more pronounced when the volume of the reservoir is often constrained, in particular if it is to be integrated into a portable appliance.

There is therefore a need for a hair treatment device, in particular of the brush type, which saves on water and allows the safe emission of steam.

Summary of the invention

The invention meets this need with the aid of a hair treatment device comprising at least one steam outlet for emitting steam onto the hair, a system for supplying steam to said at least one steam outlet, at least one detector for detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair, a steam control unit configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the steam supply system when at least one predefined condition is met, this condition being a contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector. The fact of controlling the emission of steam according to the contact or proximity detection makes it possible to ensure safe use of the appliance by avoiding the emission of steam in the absence of contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair. This also makes it possible to limit the water consumption necessary for the formation of steam.

Preferably, the treatment device has an elongate shape along a main axis. As a variant, the treatment device has a different, non-elongate shape.

Preferably, the treatment device comprises a handle and a head. The handle makes it easier to grip the device and allows additional elements to be added to the device, in particular a user interface, a water reservoir and/or a cosmetic product reservoir and/or one or more sensors.

The head of the treatment device may have any shape in cross section. Preferably, the head of the treatment device, in particular of the brush, has a substantially polygonal, in particular substantially rectangular or substantially square, or substantially oval or circular, cross section. Other cross-sectional shapes are possible, such as a cross section with a polygonal outline on one side and a non-polygonal, in particular rounded, outline on the other side.

Preferably, the treatment device comprises a treatment surface intended to come into contact with or face the hair. Preferably, this treatment surface is flat or domed towards the outside. Preferably, this treatment surface has a substantially polygonal, in particular rectangular or square, circular or oval outline.

Preferably, the treatment device comprises means for heating the treatment surface.

Preferably, the contact or proximity detector is arranged at the head of the treatment device.

Preferably, the treatment device is a brush comprising a plurality of teeth.

A “brush” is understood to be a device for treating the hair that is constituted of a single arm comprising a treatment surface bearing a plurality of teeth, between which the hair is received when the brush passes through the head of hair. The brush may have a single row of teeth but preferably has a plurality of rows of teeth.

The term “teeth”, sometimes also referred to as “spikes” or “bristles”, should be understood to mean elements which project from the brush or protuberances of the brush between which the hair is received when the brush passes through the hair. The teeth may have any shape. The teeth may be flexible or rigid, and, where applicable, may have a rounded head or ball at their tip.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to effectively treat the hair by brushing the hair and by applying steam in a single action, only when effective contact with the hair or effective proximity to the hair is detected.

Teeth

Preferably, the teeth extend from the treatment surface of the brush.

The teeth may extend in at least one row of teeth, preferably at least two rows of teeth, the rows of teeth each preferably extending parallel to the main axis of the brush.

Preferably, the treatment surface of the brush has a substantially rectangular shape in front view and the teeth extend in several rows of teeth, each extending along the main axis of the brush in the case of a brush having a treatment surface with a substantially rectangular outline.

Preferably, the row or rows of teeth each comprise at least 3 teeth, preferably from 10 to 40 teeth, more preferably from 15 to 40 teeth.

Preferably, the brush comprises means for heating the teeth for heating at least some of the plurality of teeth, in particular at least two of the teeth, preferably at least one or more rows of teeth. The means for heating the teeth may be the heating means for heating the treatment surface. Combining the heating of the teeth and the application of steam helps improve the treatment of the hair. In particular, it allows a higher temperature to be maintained in the steam application spaces, in particular the spaces between the teeth when the steam is projected into these spaces. It also allows the hair to be heated with dry heat before or after the application of steam, which improves the steam treatment of the hair.

At least some of the teeth of the brush may be made from a heat-conductive material, in particular from iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite, or ceramic. The brush may comprise means for heating teeth for heating at least some of the teeth, in particular at least two of the teeth, preferably at least one or more rows of teeth, in particular for heating all of the teeth made from a heat-conductive material.

Preferably, the heat-conductive material has a thermal conductivity greater than 10 Wnr'K’¹, better than 50 Wm^K'¹, better than 100 Wm^K'¹. Preferably, the heat- conductive material is selected from metals, in particular copper, aluminium, iron and steel. Alternatively, the heat-conducting material may be ceramic

The heating means may be constituted by one or more heating resistors or any other heating means.

Preferably, the teeth have a height ranging from 2 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 5 mm to 20 mm.

Preferably, the teeth have no surface protrusions.

Preferably, at least some of the teeth, preferably all of the teeth, are attached to the brush, in particular fastened into holes in the treatment surface. As a variant, at least some of the teeth, preferably all of the teeth, are integrated into the treatment surface; for example, the teeth are in one piece with the treatment surface.

The teeth may extend perpendicularly to the treatment surface or be inclined with respect to said treatment surface.

Preferably, the teeth all extend along mutually parallel axes.

Steam outlet

The treatment device may comprise one or more steam outlets.

Preferably, the steam outlet or outlets extend in a steam outlet area of the device delimited by the peripheral outer edges of the steam outlet or outlets, the steam outlet area extending along an axis of extension extending over more than 70%, preferably more than 80%, of the dimension of the treatment surface along the axis of extension. Preferably, this axis of extension is parallel to the main axis of the device.

The device may comprise a steam outlet, in particular a single steam outlet, extending along the axis of extension, in particular along the entire length of the steam outlet area. In this case, the steam outlet may have an opening with a surface area of greater than or equal to 5 mm².

The device may comprise a plurality of steam outlets extending along at least one row of steam outlets extending along the axis of extension, in particular along the entire length of the steam outlet area.

Preferably, the steam outlets open into the device onto a common steam dispensing chamber.

The steam outlets of the row of steam outlets may alternate with teeth arranged in a row of teeth, in particular the teeth of the brush in the case of a brush, in particular teeth made from a heat-conductive material of the brush, as mentioned above. As a variant, the steam outlets are in an area of the brush that has no teeth.

Preferably, the steam outlet or outlets extend over the treatment surface of the device. In the case of a brush as described above, the steam outlet or outlets extend over the treatment surface or over teeth which emanate therefrom.

The steam outlet or outlets may extend into one or more peripheral areas of the treatment surface of the device.

As a variant, the steam outlet or outlets may extend into one or more inside areas of the treatment surface of the device. In the case of a brush, the steam outlet or outlets may be bordered laterally by teeth, in particular rows of teeth, in particular teeth made from a heat-conductive material, as mentioned above.

Preferably, the device, in particular the system for supplying steam to the steam outlet or outlets, supplies the steam outlet or outlets with a steam flow rate of less than or equal to 5 mL/min'¹, preferably between 0.2 and 4 mL/min'¹, more preferably between 0.4 and 2 mL/min'¹, preferably between 0.5 and 0.95 mL/min'¹.

The device, in particular the steam supply system, preferably comprises at least one vaporization chamber supplying steam to the steam outlet or outlets. The vaporization chamber may be in the head of the device or in the handle.

The cross section of the steam outlet or outlets may be of any shape, in particular substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially round or oval shape.

The or each steam outlet has an opening with a surface area of less than or equal to 20 mm², preferably less than or equal to 10 mm², more preferably less than 5 mm², very preferably less than 2 mm².

The device may have a reservoir of product to be vaporized, in particular water, in particular having a volume ranging from 1 mL to 50 mL. The reservoir may be located in the handle and/or in the head.

The device, in particular the steam projection system, may comprise a pump between the water reservoir and the steam outlet or outlets, in particular between the reservoir and the vaporization chamber.

Detector

The contact or proximity condition may be information on positive detection of hair contact or proximity, in particular when the latter generates positive or negative detection information, or a match between a value measured by the contact or proximity sensor and a threshold or a setpoint value range, the threshold or the setpoint value range being predetermined to characterize the contact or proximity of the hair with or to the device.

Preferably, the detector comprises one or more sensors chosen among mechanical, optical, resistive, capacitive, thermal, motion, magnetic and sound sensors.

The sensor or sensors may be one or more contact, proximity, stress, motion, pressure, bending or temperature sensors, or one or more infrared sensors, sound sensors or vibration sensors.

The detector may comprise at least one sensor detecting a mechanical interaction between the hair and the treatment device, in particular the treatment surface, at least one tooth or the sensor.

The detector may comprise a proximity sensor, in particular an infrared sensor, detecting the proximity of the hair with respect to the sensor, in particular at a distance such that the hair is in contact with the treatment device. For example, the sensor may be arranged flush with or set back from the treatment surface in a housing of the latter; in the case of a brush, the sensor may detect the proximity of the hair with respect to the sensor at a distance corresponding to the coming into contact of the hair with the teeth. The term “periphery of the treatment surface” is to be understood as the area of the treatment surface extending between the centre and the edge and closer to the edge than to the centre.

The term “border of the head of the brush” is to be understood as the area of the head of the brush adjacent to the periphery of the treatment surface and outside of the treatment surface. The border corresponds, for example, to an edge face of the brush.

Preferably, the sensor or sensors are arranged on or in the head of the treatment device. They may be arranged outside the treatment surface, for example at the border of the head of the treatment device. They may also be arranged on the treatment surface, for example at the periphery of the treatment surface and/or below the treatment surface. In the context of a brush, in a general manner the sensor or sensors may be arranged on one or more teeth, at the periphery of the treatment surface or at the border of the head of the brush and/or below the treatment surface.

The detector may comprise an infrared sensor, preferably arranged on the head of the device, in particular at the periphery of the treatment area or at the border of the treatment head. This placement of the sensors allows a situation to be prevented in which they are subjected to excessive temperatures which could damage them. Preferably, the infrared sensor is configured to detect the presence of the hair at a distance from the sensor of less than or equal to 15 mm. Preferably, the infrared sensor is configured to detect the presence of the hair at a distance of less than or equal to the maximum height of the teeth of the brush, in particular less than or equal to the height of the teeth of the brush that are adjacent to the sensor. It is therefore necessary that the hair penetrates between the teeth of the brush so that it can be detected. This prevents the emission of steam when the brush is moved towards the skin, for example. The distance for detecting the hair by the sensor may be greater than or equal to 50%, preferably 70%, of the maximum height of the teeth of the brush, in particular of the height of the teeth of the brush that are adjacent to the sensor. This makes it possible in particular to anticipate the penetration of the hair into the brush by detecting the hair before it has completely penetrated into the brush, which improves the treatment.

In the case of a device comprising means for heating the treatment surface and/or the teeth, the detector may comprise a temperature sensor, preferably arranged at the head of the device, in particular on the treatment surface or on at least one of the teeth, the control unit being configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the supply system when at least a decrease in the temperature, in particular of the treatment surface or of the teeth, below a setpoint temperature, characteristic of contact or proximity between the device and the hair, is detected by the temperature sensor. Specifically, the hair is at a lower temperature than the device such that contact with or proximity to the hair leads to a lowering of temperature detectable and measurable by the temperature sensor.

The detector may comprise a stress sensor, preferably arranged at the head of the device. The stress sensor may be configured to detect a compressive or shear stress applied to a treatment surface and/or to at least one tooth and/or to a feeler present on or in the vicinity of the treatment surface and associated with the sensor.

The stress sensor may be a piezoelectric sensor, in particular arranged in the head, for example at the treatment surface and/or at a tooth, configured to detect and/or measure a compressive and/or shear stress applied by the hair to the treatment surface, to the tooth and/or to the feeler. The stress sensor may be arranged at a border of the treatment head or at the periphery of the treatment surface to prevent it from being subjected to excessive temperatures which could damage it. Preferably, the piezoelectric sensor is arranged at the treatment surface to detect a shear stress applied to the treatment surface by the movement of the brush over the hair. The control unit may be configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the steam supply system at least when the detected stress value is greater than or equal to a setpoint value.

The stress sensor may be configured to detect the stress applied to at least one feeler extending from the treatment surface of the device. In the case of a brush, the feeler may be a tooth of the brush or a mechanical element separate from the teeth of the brush.

The feeler may be mounted movably in one or more directions able to allow the detection of contact between the brush and the hair or the scalp. The feeler is, for example, a feeler which is movable by translation, by bending or in some other way.

Preferably, the feeler is movable, in particular able to pivot, from a rest position about at least one axis of rotation, and the stress sensor may be a sensor for detecting a force, in particular a return force, resulting from the pivoting movement of the feeler about the axis of rotation, configured to detect and/or measure the movement, in particular the pivoting angle, of the feeler. The control unit may be configured to authorize the supply of steam, or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the steam supply system when at least the movement is detected or when the measurement of an amplitude of the movement, in particular the pivoting angle, is greater than or equal to a setpoint value.

The feeler may extend from the treatment surface in the form of at least one tooth, in particular a tooth substantially identical to at least one tooth of the brush. The feeler may extend from the treatment surface parallel to at least one tooth of the brush.

The stress sensor may comprise a rotatable potentiometer on which the feeler is mounted, the detector being configured to measure the voltage at the output of the potentiometer which is characteristic of the movement of the feeler, in particular which is characteristic of a pivoting angle of the feeler. The stress sensor may comprise a Hall-effect sensor on or in the feeler and two magnets arranged on either side of the axis of rotation, the sensor being configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field and/or to determine therefrom the value at the sensor. The control unit may be configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the steam supply system at least the sensor detects a magnetic field. The motion sensor may comprise at least two microswitches arranged on either side of the axis of rotation and configured to be actuated when the feeler is moving, for example when it pivots about the axis of rotation by a threshold angle. The threshold angle may be a function of the position of the microswitches with respect to the feeler. The control unit may be configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the steam supply system when at least one of the two microswitches is actuated.

The detector may comprise an elastic return member for returning the feeler to a rest position in the absence of external force. The rest position is in particular a neutral reference position of the teeth, substantially perpendicular to a fastening base and/or having an axis of elongation substantially parallel to an axis of elongation of the neighbouring teeth. The elastic retaining member may comprise one or more springs connecting the feeler on either side of the axis of rotation to a support fixed relative to the axis of rotation.

In addition to the sensors described above, the device may comprise a gripping detector, in particular arranged at the handle of the device, to detect the gripping by the user of the device. The control unit may be configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the supply system when at least two conditions are met, namely, on the one hand, the contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector and, on the other hand, a gripping condition verified from information generated by the gripping detector. The gripping detector may be an infrared, inductive, capacitive or sound detector, or a microswitch. The gripping condition detected may be information on positive detection of the gripping by the user generated by the gripping detector.

Control unit

The control unit may be configured to prevent the supply of steam by the steam supply system when the device is switched off and before the hair contact or proximity condition is met after switching on the device.

Preferably, the control unit is configured to prevent the supply of steam by the steam supply system when the contact or proximity condition is no longer met over a period greater than or equal to a predefined time delay, for example equal to 5 s, preferably 2 s, more preferably 1 s, preferably 0.5 s. The control unit is configured to supply steam to the steam outlet by the steam supply system preferably when at least two conditions are met, namely, on the one hand, the contact or proximity condition and, on the other hand, a temperature condition in a vaporization chamber for supplying steam to the steam outlet or outlets; the supply of steam may be triggered, on the one hand, when positive contact or proximity information is generated or when there is a match between a value measured by the contact or proximity detector and a threshold or a setpoint value range, the threshold or the setpoint value range being chosen to characterize the contact or proximity of the hair with or to the device, and when, on the other hand, the temperature in the vaporization chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature, in particular 100°C.

The control unit may be configured to supply steam to the steam outlet by the supply system when at least three conditions are met, namely the contact or proximity condition, the temperature condition in the vaporization chamber, greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature, in particular 100°C, and a temperature condition of the treatment surface or of the teeth, greater than or equal to a predetermined treatment temperature, in particular 120°C.

The device may comprise a detector for detecting the temperature of the vaporization chamber and/or the treatment surface or the teeth.

The device may comprise a switching on member, in particular of the switch type, triggering the electrical supply of the device, in particular triggering the heating of the vaporization chamber and/or triggering the heating of the means for heating the treatment surface and/or the teeth and/or triggering the detection of contact and/or proximity with or to the hair.

Preferably, the switching on member triggers the heating of the vaporization chamber and the heating of the means for heating the treatment surface and/or the teeth, and the control unit is configured to trigger the detection of contact and/or proximity with or to the hair by the detector when at least two other conditions are met, a temperature condition in the vaporization chamber, greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature, in particular 100°C, and a temperature condition of the treatment surface or the teeth, greater than or equal to a predetermined treatment temperature, in particular 120°C.

The switching on member may also start a timer configured to measure the time from the starting of the device, the control unit being configured to supply steam to the steam outlet by the steam supply system when at least two conditions are met, namely the contact or proximity condition and a condition of duration from the switching on measured by the timer that is greater than or equal to the time for the temperature of the vaporization chamber to rise to the predetermined vaporization temperature and/or to the time for temperature of the treatment surface and/or the teeth to rise to the predetermined treatment temperature.

The control unit may be configured to actuate a pump for supplying water to the vaporization chamber when the condition or conditions mentioned above are met.

The control unit may be configured to electrically supply the supply system, in particular a pump for supplying steam to the outlet or outlets or a pump for supplying the vaporization chamber, so as to authorize the supply of steam to the steam outlets when the condition or conditions mentioned above are met, the supply of steam to the steam outlets requiring, for example, manual actuation by the user.

The supply system may comprise a valve for supplying steam to the steam outlet or outlets, the control system being configured to open the valve for supplying steam to the steam outlet or outlets when the condition or conditions mentioned above are met.

The emission of steam may take place automatically after switching on the device provided that temperature and contact or proximity conditions are met; as a variant, the reaching of these conditions may not suffice, and an additional instruction on the part of the user may then be deemed necessary even though the conditions are met, in order for the emission of steam to be able to take place. The device may then comprise a button or switch to manually trigger the emission of steam through the outlet or outlets when the latter is authorized by the control unit.

Method

The invention also relates to a method for treating the hair with the aid of the device according to the invention, comprising: detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair using the detector, supplying steam to the steam outlet when the supply of steam is authorized or activated by the control unit.

The features of the device described above apply to the method in combination or individually. Preferably, the method comprises heating the treatment surface. In the case of a brush, the method may comprise heating at least some of the teeth of the brush, in particular the teeth which are made from a heat-conductive material, in particular made from a metal.

The supply of steam may be performed automatically by the control unit or manually by the user when it is authorized by the control unit.

The method may comprise the manual switching on of the device.

The method may comprise the electrical supply of the supply system by the control unit to authorize the supply of steam to the steam outlet or outlets when the condition or conditions mentioned above are satisfied.

The method may comprise the electrical supply or the automatic activation of a pump or of a valve by the control unit when the condition or conditions mentioned above are satisfied.

The method may comprise the opening of a supply valve by the control unit when the condition or conditions mentioned above are satisfied.

The method may comprise the manual triggering of the emission of steam through the outlet or outlets when the latter is authorized by the control unit, in particular by the switching on of the supply system, in particular the pump, electrically supplied beforehand by the control unit.

The method may be repeated several times in order to completely treat some or all of the hair.

Preferably, the brush is moved through the hair at a speed of between 0.5 cm/s and 50 cm/s.

The method may comprise applying at least one cosmetic product to the hair before or after using the device of the invention.

The method may comprise one or more steps of rinsing the hair.

Brief description of the drawings

[Fig. 1] schematically shows in perspective an example of a brush,

[Fig 2] is a side view of the brush of Figure 1,

[Fig 3] is a front view of the brush of Figure 1,

[Fig 4] is a view in section along IV-IV of the brush of Figures 1 to 3,

[Fig. 5] is a view in section along V-V of the brush of Figures 1 to 3, [Fig. 6] schematically shows various steps of an example of a treatment method with the brush of Figures 1 to 5,

[Fig. 7] is a schematic representation in cross section of a variant of a contact detector,

[Fig. 8] is a schematic representation in cross section of a variant of a contact detector,

[Fig. 9] is a schematic representation in cross section of a variant of a contact detector,

[Fig. 10] shows a variant of a feeler of a contact detector,

[Fig. 11] shows a variant of a feeler of a contact detector,

[Fig. 12] schematically shows a variant of a brush,

[Fig. 13] schematically shows a variant of a brush,

[Fig. 14] schematically shows a variant of a brush, and

[Fig. 15] schematically shows various steps of an example of a treatment method with the brush of Figure 1.

Detailed description

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate an example of a hair brush 10 according to the invention.

Although a hair brush is shown by way of example, the present invention also relates to other steam-dispensing devices, and in particular to other hair treatment devices which are capable of dispensing steam onto hair.

The brush 10 has a gripping handle 15 and a treatment head 20. Seen from above, the head 20 may be substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners, as may be seen in Figure 3, but it could be shaped differently. The head could in particular be substantially polygonal, oval or round when seen from above.

The head 20 may have a substantially flat treatment surface 21. It is of course conceivable to have a curved, in particular outwardly convex, treatment surface 21, for example being substantially cylindrical in cross section with a closed or semicylindrical outline.

The head 20 comprises teeth 23a and 23b arranged in a plurality of rows that extend from the treatment surface 21. The rows of teeth 23a and 23b extend along a main axis X of the brush. The rows of teeth may comprise from 8 to 40 teeth; in this case 8 teeth have been shown for illustrative purposes. The teeth may be attached to the brush, in particular being made from a different material to that which defines the treatment surface. The brush may comprise a single row of teeth, in which case it is referred to as a comb.

The head 20 may comprise, as illustrated, a plurality of steam outlets 30 emerging from the treatment surface 21, which may alternate with the teeth 23 of one of the rows of teeth, in this instance the central row. As a variant, the head comprises a single elongate steam outlet. The steam outlet or outlets may be separate from the area of the teeth 23a and in particular arranged along an edge of the treatment surface 21. Alternatively, the steam outlets may be made in the teeth 23, and in particular emerge on a side of the teeth.

In the embodiments illustrated, the teeth 23b which extend from the periphery of the treatment surface 21 are in the form of spikes made from a non-heat-conductive material and are identical to one another. The teeth 23a which are distributed in rows over the whole of the treatment surface are made from a heat-conductive material, in particular from iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite or ceramic, optionally provided with a coating. They are identical to one another. As a variant, the teeth 23a and respectively 23b may have different materials, heights, shapes and/or orientations. The teeth 23a and 23b may adopt a completely different arrangement on the treatment surface 21.

The teeth 23a or 23b are spaced apart from one another by a distance d, measured between the longitudinal axes Y of the teeth, less than or equal to 40 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 10 mm.

Preferably, the teeth 23a and 23b each extend along a longitudinal axis Y. The longitudinal axis Y of each tooth 23a and 23b may form an angle a with the treatment surface 21 of between 60 and 120°, for example substantially equal to 90°.

Preferably, the height h of the teeth 23a and 23b is less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably between 2 and 50 mm, more preferably between 5 and 35 mm.

The treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23a may be heated. Preferably, the treatment surface 21 and the teeth 23 are heated.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the teeth 23a are heated by heating means. For example, the brush 10 comprises one or more heating resistors 35, in particular in the head, and the teeth 23a are heated by heat conduction from the head to the distal end of the teeth. Preferably, the electrical resistor or resistors 35 are situated in the head of the brush, as shown. In a variant that has not been illustrated, the heating resistor or resistors 35 extend into the teeth 23a in the form of a heating core.

The brush 10 may comprise a system, not illustrated here, for regulating the temperature by virtue of one or more sensors arranged in the vicinity of the heating resistor or resistors or in contact with the brush and/or at the end of at least one of the teeth.

The steam outlets 30 are supplied with steam, in the example illustrated, by a steam supply system 40 comprising an elongate rail 45 that extends in a direction parallel to the main axis X and is arranged in the head of the brush.

The steam outlets 30 are orifices that open onto the rail, for example between 6 and 10 orifices, which are preferably spaced apart evenly along the rail 45 and each have an axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the median treatment plane such that the steam is emitted perpendicularly to the treatment surface along an axis W.

The steam outlets 30 may have any shape, being in particular square, rectangular, round or elliptical.

The steam outlets 30 extend over a steam outlet area at the centre of the brush, delimited by the lateral edges of the peripheral steam outlets and extending along an axis of extension, in particular parallel to the main axis X. The steam outlet area extends preferably over a length e greater than or equal to 80% of the dimension .s' of the treatment surface along this axis.

The rail 45 is supplied with steam by a vaporization chamber 42, heated by a heating element, which is itself supplied with product to be vaporized by a reservoir 48. The reservoir may be situated in the brush, in particular the handle or the head, as illustrated in Figure 5. In a variant that has not been illustrated, the reservoir is offset into an external base to which the brush is connected by a duct for supplying product to be vaporized.

The reservoir of product, in particular water, may have a volume ranging from 1 mL to 50 mL when it is in the handle or in the head of the brush.

The brush comprises a hair contact detector 50. This detector 50 may comprise a stress sensor 52 configured to detect a mechanical stress applied to a feeler 55, in particular a mechanical stress applied by the hair. The feeler 55 may be a tooth substantially identical to the teeth 23a, but it could be different. The stress sensor 52 may be a stress gauge of the piezoelectric type which detects a shear stress applied to the feeler 55, in particular by the hair.

The brush comprises a control unit 59, which is external or housed in the brush, in particular at the handle, for controlling the brush according to information provided in particular by the detector 50. The control unit authorizes or triggers the emission of steam through the steam outlet or outlets 30 when one or more conditions are met, including at least one condition of contact between the hair and the brush that is verified from information generated by the detector 50, in particular information on positive detection of hair contact or a match between a value measured by the detector and a threshold or a setpoint value range characterizing the presence of contact between the device and the hair.

When the brush is being used, it is passed over the hair at a speed preferably ranging from 0.5 cm/s to 50 cm/s. The hair may or may not be combed before the brush is used. When the brush passes into the hair, the latter come into contact with the feeler and exert a stress, in particular a bending stress, on the feeler. It is this stress which is measured by the stress sensor 52.

Preferably, when steam is emitted through the steam outlets 30, it is emitted with a flow rate ranging from 0.5 to 0.95 mL/min'¹, and the speed of the steam emitted at the mouth of the steam outlets preferably ranges from 30 cm/s to 5 m/s.

The brush may comprise a user interface 18 allowing the user to enter various input data, in particular an operating temperature, a steam flow rate or a characteristic of the hair, or to deactivate one or more functions of the brush, in particular the application of steam or the application of heat. The interface may also allow the brush to transmit information to the user, in particular the temperature of the treatment surface or of the teeth, or the end of heating of the vaporization chamber and/or of the treatment surface and/or of the teeth.

Figure 6 illustrates operating steps of the brush.

In step 100, the brush is switched on by the user. Switching on may take place for example by connecting the appliance to the mains and/or by pressing an on switch present on the brush, for example on the handle, in particular in the case of portable appliances. This switching on triggers a rise in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23a, in step 102, and a rise in temperature of the vaporization chamber 42, in step 104, with the supply of steam to the steam outlets not being activated. The rises in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23a and of the vaporization chamber 42 are maintained as long as the treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23a and the vaporization chamber 42 have not reached setpoint temperatures, as is illustrated by steps 106 and 108 and the arrows 110 and 112.

When the two setpoint temperatures are reached in step 114, the brush can indicate this to the user, in particular via the lighting of an LED. Where appropriate, if it is not already switched on, the detector 50 is switched on in step 116.

The control of the temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23a and of the vaporization chamber 42 may be carried out with the aid of one or temperature sensors.

The brush may also switch on the detector only after a predetermined time, this period being greater than the heating period necessary for the rise in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23 a and the vaporization chamber 42 to the setpoint temperatures.

In step 118, the detector 50 measures a value and compares it with a threshold or with a setpoint value range characteristic of the contact between the hair and the brush. As long as the measured value does not reach this threshold or is not in the setpoint value range, no steam is emitted, as is illustrated by step 120 and the arrow 122. As soon as the detected value crosses the threshold or is in the setpoint value range, the control unit 59 triggers the emission of steam in step 124.

The emission of steam is stopped when the brush is switched off or when the value detected by the detector 50 is below the threshold or outside the setpoint value range for a predefined period, for example less than or equal to 2 s, preferably less than or equal to 1 s, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 s, in step 126.

Figures 7 to 9 illustrate variants of the detector 50 which differ from the detector described above in terms of the structure of the stress sensor 52.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, the stress sensor 52 is a rotatable potentiometer 60 on which there is mounted a feeler 55 which is pivotable about an axis F. The feeler 55 is maintained in a rest position by two springs 62 on either side of the axis F laterally connecting the feeler 55 to a fixed base 64. The device is configured to determine the setting in motion of the feeler 55.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the stress sensor 50 may comprise a Hall-effect sensor 70 on or in the feeler and two associated magnets 72. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the stress sensor 50 may comprise two microswitches 80 arranged on either side of the feeler and configured to be actuated when said moving feeler 55 comes into contact with one of them.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate different forms of pivotably mounted movable feelers 55. In the example of Figure 10, the feeler 55 comprises a flattened tooth 90 and spikes 92 on either side of the tooth 90 that extend from a base 94, the latter being pivotably mounted on a support 96. The base 94 is maintained in a rest position by retaining springs. In the example of Figure 11, the feeler 55 comprises a single tooth 90 having a distal end in the form of a fork.

In the variant illustrated in Figure 12, the detector 50 may be other than a stress sensor. It may be, for example, a temperature sensor for detecting a local temperature drop of the surface 21 or of the teeth 23 characteristic of the presence of hair in proximity to the sensor. This detector 50 may also be a proximity sensor, in particular an infrared sensor, for detecting the proximity of the hair. In the case of a sensor of this type, the detection distance is preferably less than or equal to the height h of the teeth.

The detector may be arranged on the head 20 of the branch substantially at the centre thereof, as is illustrated in Figures 1 to 12, or be arranged at the periphery thereof, outside or inside the treatment surface 21, as is illustrated in Figure 13.

In a variant illustrated in Figure 14, the brush comprises a gripping detector 98 at the handle, in particular a mechanical actuator on the piece or an infrared sensor which detects gripping of the brush by the user. The emission of steam is then triggered only when both gripping and contact with the hair are simultaneously detected.

In this case, the operation may proceed as illustrated in figure 15, which repeats certain steps of Figure 6 and supplements them. In step 116, the contact or proximity detector 50 and the gripping detector 98 are switched on. The gripping detector determines a detection value in step 128. If the gripping detection value corresponds to gripping in step 130 and if the stress measured in step 118 reaches the threshold or is in the setpoint value range, then the control unit 59 triggers the emission of steam in step 124.

The emission of steam is maintained until the brush is switched off or until the value detected by the detector 50 is below the threshold or outside the setpoint value range for a period of less than or equal to 2 s, preferably less than or equal to 1 s, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 s, or until gripping is no longer detected, in step 126. The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. The detector may take any form as long as it makes it possible to detect hair contact or proximity with or to the handpiece.

The brush may comprise a cosmetic product application member, which is not illustrated.

The steam outlet or outlets and/or the teeth may be different from those described and arranged differently on the brush.

Claims

1. Hair treatment device (10), comprising at least one steam outlet (30) for emitting steam onto the hair, a system (40) for supplying steam to said at least one steam outlet (30), at least one detector (50) for detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair, a steam control unit (59) configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet (30) by the steam supply system (40) when at least one predefined condition is met, this condition being a hair contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector (50).

2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the treatment device is a brush comprising a plurality of teeth (23a, 23b).

3. Device according to Claim 2, comprising means (35) for heating the teeth for heating at least some of the plurality of teeth (23a), in particular at least two of the teeth, preferably at least one or more rows of teeth.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact or proximity condition is information on positive detection of hair contact or proximity, in particular when the latter generates information on positive detection of hair contact or proximity by the positive or negative detector, or a match between a value measured by the contact or proximity detector (50) and a setpoint value range, the setpoint value range being predetermined to characterize the contact or proximity of the hair with or to the device.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (50) comprises one or more sensors chosen among mechanical, optical, resistive, capacitive, thermal, motion, magnetic and sound sensors.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (50) comprises at least one sensor detecting a mechanical interaction between the hair and the treatment device, in particular the treatment surface or at least one tooth.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (50) comprises a stress sensor (52) configured to detect a compressive or shear stress applied to a treatment surface (21) and/or to at least one tooth and/or to a feeler (55) present on or in the vicinity of a treatment surface (21) and associated with the stress sensor (52).

8. Device according to Claim 7, wherein the stress sensor is a piezoelectric sensor (52) configured to detect and/or measure a compressive or shear stress applied by the hair to the treatment surface (21), to the tooth (23a, 23b) and/or to the feeler (55).

9. Device according to Claim 7, wherein the feeler (55) is movable, in particular able to pivot, from a rest position about at least one axis of rotation F, with a device configured to detect and/or measure the movement of the feeler (55).

10. Device according to Claim 9, wherein the detector (50) comprises an elastic return member (60) for returning the feeler (55) to a rest position in the absence of external force, the rest position being in particular a neutral reference position of the teeth, substantially perpendicular to a fastening base and/or having an axis of elongation substantially parallel to an axis of elongation of the neighbouring teeth.

11. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the detector (50) comprises a proximity sensor, in particular an infrared sensor detecting the proximity of the hair with respect to the sensor, in particular at a distance such that the hair is in contact with the treatment device.

12. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, comprising means for heating a treatment surface (21) and/or teeth (23a), the detector (50) comprising a temperature sensor, the control unit (59) being configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet (30), by the supply system (40) when at least a decrease in the temperature, in particular of the treatment surface (21) and/or of the teeth (23a), below a setpoint temperature, characteristic of contact or proximity between the device and the hair, is detected by the temperature sensor.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gripping detector (98) for detecting gripping by the user of the device, the control unit (59) being configured to authorize the supply of steam, and/or to automatically supply steam to the steam outlet, by the supply system when at least two conditions are met, namely, on the one hand, the contact or proximity condition verified from information generated by the contact or proximity detector (50) and, on the other hand, a gripping condition verified from information generated by the gripping detector (98).

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (59) is configured to prevent the supply of steam by the steam supply system (40) when the device (10) is switched off, before the hair contact or proximity condition is met after switching on the device or when the contact or proximity condition is no longer met over a period greater than or equal to a predefined time delay, for example equal to 5 s, preferably 2 s, more preferably 1 s, preferably 0.5 s.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (59) is configured to supply steam to the steam outlet (30) by the steam supply system (59) when at least two conditions are met, namely, on the one hand, the contact or proximity condition and, on the other hand, a temperature condition in a vaporization chamber (42) for supplying the steam outlet (30), the supply of steam preferably being triggered when positive contact or proximity information is generated or when there is a match between a value measured by the contact or proximity detector (50) and a threshold or a setpoint value range, the threshold or the setpoint value range being chosen to characterize the contact or proximity of the hair with or to the device, and when, on the other hand, the temperature in the vaporization chamber (42) is greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature, in particular 100°C.

16. Method for treating hair with the aid of the device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: detecting contact or proximity of the device with or to the hair using the detector (50), supplying steam to the steam outlet (30) when the supply of steam is authorized or activated by the control unit (59).