EP4676271A1

EP4676271A1 - Hair treatment device

Info

Publication number: EP4676271A1
Application number: EP24710085.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurent CLARISSOU; Constance Magne
Original assignee: SEB SA; LOreal SA
Current assignee: SEB SA; LOreal SA
Priority date: 2023-03-10
Filing date: 2024-03-08
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: FR3146394A1; WO2024188883A1; CN121057526A

Abstract

Hair treatment device The invention relates to a hair treatment device, notably for shaping, comprising: - two hair treatment jaws that are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart configuration and a moved-together configuration; - two hair treatment soleplates, each extending over one of the two jaws towards the other one of the two jaws, facing one another in the moved-together configuration of the jaws; - at least one heating element extending into at least one of the two jaws, configured to heat one of the treatment soleplates; - a row of teeth extending inside one of the treatment soleplates towards the other treatment soleplate in the moved-together configuration of the two jaws, with the teeth being made of a material with thermal conductivity of more than 20 Wm^-1.K^-1; - a steam outlet arranged on one of the jaws and configured to emit steam into the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws.

Description

Title: Hair treatment device

The present invention relates to hair treatment devices, notably for straightening and/or curling hair, and to treatment methods using such devices.

More specifically, the invention relates to devices comprising two jaws that are able to move relative to one another and are able to assume a spaced-apart configuration for introducing a lock of hair between said jaws and a moved-together configuration for treating the lock of hair, with the jaws being movable along the lock of hair in this moved-together configuration. In such devices, the jaws usually support one or more heating elements with which the hair is brought into contact when the device is used.

Prior art

Many devices of this type, sometimes also called straightening irons or straighteners, have already been proposed for treating hair with or without applying a hair product.

Usually, hair straighteners are made up of two arms that are connected together using a hinge that allows said arms to open and close, and of at least one heating element disposed on one of the arms. During operations for styling a lock of hair, said lock of hair is introduced between the two arms in the open position and then the two arms are manually closed over the lock of hair. This lock of hair is then heated by the heat emitted by the one or more heating elements until the two arms are opened and the lock of hair is removed.

Straightening devices of the type described above are known, comprising heating teeth extending between the two arms. International applications WO 2010/081968 and WO 2017/039239 describe hair straightener-type styling appliances comprising such teeth on the sides. International application WO 2008/052210 describes a device with a row of teeth at the centre of an internal treatment surface.

Devices comprising steam outlets are also known. Patent application EP 2622988 describes a hair straightening device comprising a row of steam outlets at the centre of the straightening plates in a groove of said row.

The Babyliss I-Pro 230 hair straightener is known to have central steam outlets on one of the jaws and a retractable plastic comb extending from the other jaw. Finally, straightening devices are known that have both steam outlets and combing teeth. Patent US 8455796 describes a hair straightener that applies steam and has a row of teeth in the centre of one of the treatment soleplates. The position of the steam outlets is not specified. International applications WO 2020/083735 and WO 2021/089384 and patent applications EP 3192390, CN 204796989, CN 205848984 and CN 206101957 describe hair treatment devices having steam outlets and teeth extending laterally from the treatment soleplates.

A need exists to further improve hair treatment devices, notably in order to benefit from an efficient device, for straightening or curling, for example, which is reliable, easy to produce and practical to use irrespective of its direction of use.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention addresses this need with a hair treatment device, comprising: two hair treatment jaws that are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart configuration for inserting hair to be treated between said jaws and a moved-together configuration for treating the hair; two hair treatment soleplates, each extending over one of the two jaws towards the other one of the two jaws, facing one another when the jaws are in the moved-together configuration and configured so as to pinch together hair extending between the two jaws when the jaws are in the moved-together configuration; at least one heating element extending into at least one of the two jaws, configured to heat at least one of the two hair treatment soleplates; at least one row of teeth extending inside at least one of the treatment soleplates towards the other treatment soleplate in the moved-together configuration of the two jaws, with the teeth preferably being made of a material with thermal conductivity of more than 20 W.m^.K'¹; at least one steam outlet arranged on at least one of the jaws and configured to emit steam into the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws.

The term, “emitting steam into the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws”, is understood to mean that the steam outlet is positioned on the jaw comprising the row of teeth and/or is oriented so as to emit steam towards the row of teeth between the jaws. The steam outlet can emit steam over the teeth of the row of teeth and/or parallel to the teeth of the row of teeth and/or between the teeth of the row.

The term, “ extending inside one of the treatment soleplates", is understood to mean that the treatment soleplate extends on either side of the row of teeth.

The term “teet/z”, sometimes also called “ bristles'' or ''spikes'', is understood to mean elements protruding from the device between which hair is received during the treatment. The teeth can assume any shape.

The conductivity of the teeth as mentioned above allows rapid heating of the teeth and efficient heat transfer to the hair in contact with the teeth and extending between the adjacent teeth. This ensures that the hair is quickly heat treated at the desired temperature, thus providing excellent styling results and rapid styling.

Combining heating of the teeth and applying steam allows the hair treatment to be improved. Notably, this allows a higher temperature to be maintained in the steam application spaces, notably the spaces between the teeth when the steam is sprayed into these spaces. This also allows the hair to be heated with dry heat before or after applying steam, which improves the steam treatment of the hair.

The fact that the row of teeth extends inside the treatment soleplate means that good treatment performance can be provided irrespective of the direction of use of the device.

The device can comprise a hand-held piece. The device can comprise a base to which the hand-held piece is connected.

The device, notably the hand-held piece, can comprise two arms, the distal parts of which each form one of the two jaws; these two arms are preferably hinged together at their proximal ends, opposite the jaws, and can each comprise a half-handle, next to the hinge, with which the user can grasp and handle the device, notably by pressing on these half-handles in order to move the jaws from the spaced-apart configuration to the moved- together configuration. In other words, the user will then close the tongs formed by the arms.

Preferably, each jaw has an elongated shape and extends along a longitudinal axis, which is preferably a rectilinear axis.

Preferably, the device comprises a reservoir for the fluid that is to be vaporised. The reservoir can be integrated into the hand-held piece, notably into one of the half-handles. As a variant, the device comprises a base fluidically connected to the hand-held piece and which integrates the reservoir for fluid to be vaporised. The device, notably the hand-held piece, can comprise a vaporisation chamber and/or a pump supplying the vaporisation chamber with fluid from the reservoir.

Preferably, the fluid to be vaporised is water.

Treatment soleplate

Preferably, the treatment soleplates are external surfaces of matching shape on their facing areas, and notably are substantially flat. As a variant, the treatment soleplates are non-planar on their facing areas, and notably are curved, hollow or corrugated, with matching shapes. For example, a soleplate facing the other soleplate has a generally concave outer surface, and the other soleplate has a generally convex shape that conforms to the shape of the generally concave surface when the two soleplates are moved together.

At least one of the treatment soleplates, notably the treatment soleplate inside which the row of teeth extends, can comprise a continuous surface over more than 20%, better still more than 40%, or even more than 50%, even better still more than 70%, of its surface that is intended to come into contact with the hair with a curvature with a constant sign, and notably being substantially flat. Preferably, the two treatment soleplates each comprise a continuous surface over more than 20%, better still more than 40%, or even more than 50%, even better still more than 70%, of its surface that is intended to come into contact with the hair with a curvature with a constant sign, and notably being substantially flat.

The term, “surface with a curvature with a constant sign”, is understood to mean that the surface has no inflection, in other words that it remains only convex, or only concave.

Preferably, the treatment soleplates have outer surfaces on their facing areas, excluding the steam outlet area and the row of teeth area, which are smooth, i.e., without any raised or recessed reliefs.

Preferably, the treatment soleplates have, as a front view, a substantially polygonal, notably a rectangular or square, outline.

Preferably, the treatment soleplates are substantially the same length and/or the same width.

Preferably, the treatment soleplates each have an elongated shape along the corresponding jaw, notably along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of this jaw. Preferably, at least one of the treatment soleplates, preferably both treatment soleplates, are made of a heat-conducting material.

At least one of the treatment soleplates, preferably both treatment soleplates, can be made of a good heat-conducting material, when the device is used the treatment soleplates exhibit a temperature, for example, of more than 50°C, preferably ranging between 90°C and 230°C, advantageously between 180°C and 210°C. The treatment soleplates can be made of metal, preferably aluminium, notably with hard anodisation.

At least one of the treatment soleplates, preferably both treatment soleplates, can have thermal conductivity of at least 20 W.m^.K'¹. Such conductivity allows rapid heating of the one or more treatment soleplates and allows efficient heat transfer to the hair extending between the treatment soleplates.

The two treatment soleplates can be made of the same material.

At least one of the treatment soleplates, notably the treatment soleplate from which the teeth extend, can comprise a hair contact surface that is substantially flat without discontinuities, with the exception of the teeth and/or steam outlets. As a variant, at least one of the treatment soleplates, notably the treatment soleplate supporting the steam outlet, has a surface groove into which the steam outlet extends.

Heating element

The device can comprise at least two heating elements, each for heating one of the treatment soleplates.

The one or more heating elements can comprise, notably be made up of, one or more heating resistors or any other suitable heating means.

The one or more heating elements can each assume a substantially parallelepipedal shape.

The one or more heating elements can be housed in housings of the one or more corresponding jaws.

A thermal paste can be disposed at the interface between the one or more heating elements and the one or more corresponding treatment soleplates.

The heating elements can have electrical power that is greater than or equal to 50 W, or even 100 W, 200 W or 500 W.

The device can comprise a switch for turning on the one or more heating elements. For example, the switch can allow the one or more heating elements or a control circuit to be switched on, which control circuit controls the one or more heating elements and which, for example, regulates the temperature and powers the one or more heating elements so as to comply with a setpoint temperature.

The switch can be controlled by the user via a selector, for example, a button with two or three positions.

The selector also can be used to vary the temperature of the one or more heating elements. The maximum temperature that can be reached by the one or by each treatment soleplate thus can be adapted to the type of hair to be treated and/or to the nature of the treatment to be performed. The same device thus can be used to treat several types of hair.

The device according to the invention can include an electrical power supply. For example, electrical power is supplied by means of accumulators and/or batteries and/or by means of an electrical cable connected to a mains socket or to a mains adapter, notably an electrical power supply connected to the base, with the base being electrically connected to the hand-held piece.

The electrical power supply notably can allow the one or more heating elements to be directly or indirectly powered via a control circuit.

Row of teeth

In the case of a single treatment soleplate heated by one or more heating elements, the row of teeth preferably extends inside the heated treatment soleplate.

Preferably, the row of teeth is surrounded by the treatment soleplate.

Preferably, the row of teeth extends into the space between the two jaws in the moved- together configuration of the jaws.

Preferably, the row of teeth extends along an axis of extension parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jaw, notably of the corresponding soleplate.

Preferably, the teeth of the row of teeth are aligned with each other along the axis of extension. As a variant, the teeth of the row of teeth are arranged differently along the axis of extension, notably they can alternately extend on either side of the axis of extension following two alignments. Preferably, the row of teeth extends longitudinally over more than 50%, better still more than 70%, even better still more than 80%, of the length of the corresponding soleplate.

The row of teeth can transversely extend at a distance from the nearest lateral edge of the treatment soleplate that is greater than or equal to 20%, better still greater than or equal to 30%, even better still greater than or equal to 40% of the width of the treatment soleplate. Preferably, the row of teeth extends in a longitudinal median plane of the treatment soleplate. The fact that the row of teeth extends substantially into the middle of the treatment soleplate means that substantially equivalent treatment results can be provided, irrespective of the direction of use of the device.

Preferably, the teeth of the row of teeth are made of a heat-conducting material, notably of iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite, or ceramic.

Each tooth can be a single-piece.

The teeth can be flexible or rigid, and, where applicable, can have a ball or a rounded head on their tip.

The teeth can be devoid of steam outlet holes.

Preferably, the teeth are solid.

Alternatively, the teeth of the row of teeth can have one or more steam outlet holes.

The teeth can be joined together at their bases by a common support. The teeth and the common support can be made of the same material, notably as a single-piece.

The teeth of the row of teeth can extend into one or more holes of the corresponding treatment soleplate, notably into through holes. Each tooth can extend into a corresponding hole. As a variant, the teeth are linked together at their bases by a common support and the common support can extend into a housing of the treatment soleplate, whether or not it has a through passage.

The teeth of the row of teeth can be distinct from the treatment soleplate into which they extend. Thus, the teeth of the row of teeth are not integral with the treatment soleplate but are attached inside the treatment soleplate.

The teeth can be made from a different material to that of the treatment soleplate. Preferably, the teeth are fixed relative to the treatment soleplate. It is understood from this feature that the teeth notably cannot be retracted into the jaw that supports them.

The teeth of the row of teeth can each have a common base or support that comes into direct contact with the heating element. The bases of the teeth or the common support can extend under the treatment soleplate, with the teeth being in the holes of the treatment soleplate, or the common support can extend into a through housing of the treatment soleplate. This allows the teeth to be heated directly, which improves the heating of the teeth and notably allows them to be heated if the heat conduction of the treatment soleplate is weaker.

As a variant, at least some of the teeth, and better still all the teeth, are integral with the treatment soleplate. The teeth are then preferably heated by thermal conduction through the treatment soleplate.

Preferably, the row of teeth comprises at least 2 teeth, better still between 2 and 50 teeth, and even better still between 5 and 25 teeth.

Preferably, the teeth protrude from the outer surface of the treatment soleplate at their level by a height ranging between 2 mm and 50 mm, better still between 5 mm and 20 mm.

Preferably, the teeth are devoid of surface protrusions.

The teeth can extend perpendicular to the outer surface of the treatment soleplate or can be inclined at an angle other than 90° to the treatment soleplate.

Preferably, the teeth all extend along axes parallel to each other, notably axes perpendicular to the outer surface of the treatment soleplate.

Preferably, the device comprises a single row of teeth extending inside one of the two treatment soleplates as described above, notably opposite the steam outlet.

As a variant, the device can comprise several rows of teeth extending inside the one or more treatment soleplates. Each feature of the row of teeth described above can be applied, individually or in combination, to one of the rows of teeth or to each row of teeth of the device. In this case, one of the rows of teeth can face the steam outlet area and the other row of teeth can be located in the steam outlet area, notably the teeth of said row of teeth can alternate with a plurality of steam outlets or the teeth of said row of teeth can be hollow and comprise at least one steam outlet on their surface. As a variant, the rows of teeth of the device extend inside a single treatment soleplate, notably the treatment soleplate not supporting a steam outlet. The device can comprise one or more additional rows of teeth extending outside or on the periphery of the treatment surface of the jaw on which it extends, notably teeth remote from the one or more heating elements made of a thermally insulating material, notably with thermal conductivity ranging between 0.2 and 0.5 Win 'K

Steam outlet

The device can comprise a single steam outlet elongated along the longitudinal axis of the jaw and configured to emit steam into the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws. In a first variant, the steam outlet extends over the jaw not supporting the row of teeth facing the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws in order to emit steam towards the row of teeth. In a second variant, the steam outlet extends over the jaw on which the row of teeth extends and extends laterally to the row of teeth, with the steam outlet being configured so that the steam is obliquely emitted towards the row of teeth.

Alternatively, the device can comprise a plurality of steam outlets. The steam outlets then can be disposed as a row, preferably as a single row, configured to emit steam into the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws. The row of steam outlets can extend longitudinally along an axis of extension substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jaw and/or of the treatment soleplate. Preferably, the steam outlets are aligned. Preferably, the steam outlets are identical. Preferably, the steam outlets are evenly spaced apart from each other along the axis of extension of the row of steam outlets.

The row of steam outlets can extend over the jaw not supporting the row of teeth, notably facing the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws. Preferably, each steam outlet extends between two adjacent teeth of the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws. As a variant, each steam outlet extends opposite a tooth of the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws.

As a variant, the row of steam outlets extends from the jaw supporting the row of teeth. The steam outlets can emerge between the teeth of the row of teeth, notably alternating with the teeth of the row of teeth, or can emerge from the teeth of the row of teeth. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one tooth, better still at least some of the plurality of teeth, can be hollow, and can comprise a steam outlet. Preferably, the hollow teeth provided with steam outlets are aligned along the same axis of extension.

As a variant, the device comprises two rows of teeth and one row of steam outlets, with one row of teeth extending opposite the row of steam outlets and one row of teeth extending on the same side as the row of steam outlets, the two rows of teeth extending opposite each other and the teeth of one row alternating with the teeth of the other row in the moved-together configuration of the jaws.

Preferably, the one or each steam outlet is a through opening emerging on one side towards the other jaw and on the other side into a steam distribution chamber supplied with steam from a vaporisation chamber or directly into a vaporisation chamber.

The one or more openings can pass through one of the two treatment soleplates or a vaporisation component mounted on the jaw in an opening in one of the two treatment soleplates or a space between two parts of the treatment soleplate.

Preferably, the surface facing the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws has a groove facing the teeth forming a housing for the end of the teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws. The one or more steam outlets can extend into this groove facing the teeth. The groove may or may not be a through groove in the corresponding treatment soleplate or can be a space between two parts of the corresponding treatment soleplate. Such a groove allows the jaws to close properly despite the presence of the teeth, by forming a housing for the teeth when the jaws are in the moved-together configuration. It also allows the steam to be confined to the hair in this area.

The device can also comprise a groove, into which the row of teeth can extend. Preferably, the height of the teeth is greater than the depth of the groove.

The groove can extend inside the treatment soleplate. In particular, the groove can continuously extend over more than 20%, better still more than 40%, or even more than 50%, even better still more than 70%, or even more than 90%, of the length of the treatment soleplate.

Preferably, the one or more steam outlets emit steam with an overall steam flow rate for all the steam outlets for the device that is less than or equal to 5 ml.min'¹, better still ranging from 0.2 to 4 ml.min'¹, even better still ranging from 0.4 to 2 ml.min'¹, preferably ranging from 0.5 to 0.95 ml.min'¹. Preferably, the steam outlet or the row of steam outlets extends into the median plane of the corresponding treatment soleplate.

Treatment method

A further aim of the invention is, according to another aspect thereof, a method for treating hair using the device according to the invention, comprising inserting a lock of hair between the jaws in the spaced-apart configuration of the jaws and closing the jaws onto the hair in order to pinch the hair between the treatment soleplates and moving the device along the lock of hair, with the jaws remaining in the moved-together configuration.

Preferably, the total flow rate of steam exiting the one or more steam outlets can range from 0.5 to 2 g/min, better still from 0.7 to 2 g/min.

Preferably, the method is a hair straightening treatment.

The features of the device described above apply to the method in combination or separately from each other.

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

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

The method can comprise at least one step of applying a cosmetic product to the lock of hair before or after using the device of the invention, and preferably before.

The cosmetic product can be a composition for cleaning, dyeing, bleaching, conditioning or shaping the hair. Preferably, the cosmetic product is a hair shaping composition, notably a composition for curling, setting or, preferably, relaxing or straightening the hair.

The cosmetic products that can be used according to the method of the invention can be liquids, gels, milks or creams in the form of single emulsions (O/W or W/O) or multiple emulsions, or solids.

The cosmetic product can contain one or more active agents selected from reducing agents and, in particular, thiols, oxidizing agents and, in particular, hydrogen peroxide or persalts such as persulfates, colouring agents and, in particular, pigments, direct dyes or oxidation dyes, temporary shaping agents and, in particular, styling polymers that are preferably anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic, conditioning agents and, in particular, silicones, mineral or plant oils, plant waxes, cationic surfactants or cationic polymers, alkaline agents or acids. Even more preferably, the cosmetic product contains one or more agents selected from oxidizing agents, reducing agents or alkaline agents of the hydroxide type.

Brief description of the drawings

[Fig. 1] is a schematic perspective view of an example of a device according to the invention;

[Fig. 2] is a schematic section view of the device of figure 1;

[Fig. 3] is a schematic section view of a variant of the device;

[Fig. 4] is a schematic section view of a variant of the device; and

[Fig. 5] is a schematic section view of a variant of the device.

Detailed description

Throughout the remainder of the description, elements that are identical or have identical functions bear the same reference signs. For the sake of the conciseness of the present description, they are not described for each of the figures, with only the differences between the embodiments being described.

Figures 1 to 3 show an example of a hair treatment device 2 according to the invention.

This device 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart configuration (not shown) for introducing a lock of hair between said jaws, and a moved-together configuration for treatment, illustrated in figure 1.

The jaws 3 and 4 are supported by an upper arm 5 and a lower arm 6, respectively, which, in the considered example, are connected together at one of their ends by a hinge 8, the device 2 thus forming tongs.

The arms 5 and 6 define, between the hinge 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half-handles 10 and 11, on which the user can press in order to move the jaws 3 and 4 together and thus pinch the hair extending between the two jaws.

The width of the arms 5 and 6 at the half-handles 10 and 11 is less than that at the jaws 3 and 4. As a variant, the widths could be substantially identical, or the width of the arms 5 and 6 at the half-handles 10 and 11 could even be greater than that at the jaws 3 and 4.

The jaws 3 and 4 each have a convex outer surface and a substantially flat inner surface. A resilient return component (not visible) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to the spaced-apart configuration, with this resilient return component being, for example, a spring disposed around a pin of the hinge 8.

The invention is not limited to a particular manner of connecting the arms 5 and 6 together and the jaws 3 and 4 may be rendered movable in some other way without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of a hinge is mainly preferred for the ergonomics it provides.

The device 2 extends, for example, along a longitudinal axis X. The device 2 has a line 17 designed to be able to supply the energy required for operating the device. The line 17 thus can be an electric line designed to connect the device to the electrical network. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the line also could be a fluidic line designed to supply the device with fluid (water, for example).

The device can comprise an electric battery, thus avoiding an electric line for connecting the device to the electrical network.

The device can comprise a water reservoir for producing steam.

A user interface, not shown in the figures, can be present on the device 2 in order to allow the user to control the operation of the device.

The device 2 comprises two internal treatment soleplates 16 and 17 for heating hair, each on one of the two jaws 3 and 4 facing one another in the moved-together configuration of the jaws 3 and 4, so as to together define a heated treatment zone in the moved-together configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4. The two internal treatment soleplates 16 and 17 for heating hair are, for example, configured to pinch together the hair extending between the two jaws 3 and 4 in the moved-together configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4.

The treatment soleplates 16 and 17 are preferably made of a heat-conducting material, notably of iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite, or ceramic. The heat- conducting material can have thermal conductivity of at least 20 W.m^.K'¹.

Each treatment soleplate 16 or 17 is associated with at least one heating element, not shown, in the jaw configured to heat the treatment soleplate.

As a variant, not shown, a single jaw 3 or 4 can integrate one or more heating elements. The two treatment soleplates 16 and 17 can be heat conductive. As a variant, only one treatment soleplate is heat conductive, with the other treatment soleplate forming a counter-bearing surface. The treatment soleplates 16 and 17 are substantially flat surfaces that come into contact with the hair, but this does not have to be the case. They could have matching corrugated shapes or matching curved shapes, for example.

The treatment soleplates 16 and 17 and the heating elements are mounted on the jaws in a known manner.

During use, the treatment soleplates 16 and 17 can be heated to a temperature above 50°C, better still ranging between 90°C and 230°C.

In the illustrated examples, the device 2 comprises a row of teeth 20 extending from the jaw 4 towards the other jaw 3 in the moved-together configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4, and is arranged on said jaw 4 inside one of the two treatment soleplates 16. The row of teeth 20 extends into the space defined between the two jaws 3, 4 in the moved-together configuration of the jaws 3, 4.

The row of teeth 20 is surrounded by the treatment soleplate 16.

In the illustrated example, the row of teeth 20 is single, but this does not have to be the case.

The row of teeth 20 extends longitudinally and parallel to the longitudinal axis Y2 over substantially the entire length of the corresponding treatment soleplate 16, but this does not have to be the case and it could extend over only a portion of the treatment soleplate 16.

The row of teeth 20 preferably extends to the centre of the treatment soleplate 16. As a variant, as illustrated in figure 3, the row of teeth 20 could be offset from the centre of the treatment soleplate, while extending at a distance d from the nearest lateral edge of the treatment soleplate 18 that is greater than or equal to 20% of the width 5 of the treatment soleplate 16.

The teeth of the row of teeth 20 are preferably identical and aligned with each other on the axis of extension of the row, but this does not have to be the case, notably the teeth could alternate on either side of the axis of the row.

In the illustrated example, the teeth extend into one or more holes in the treatment soleplate 16. The teeth of the row 20 may be individual, i.e., not connected to each other at their base. The teeth of the row of teeth 20 can be distinct from the treatment soleplate 16 into which they extend. In particular, the teeth of the row of teeth 20 are not integral with the treatment soleplate 16 but are attached inside the treatment soleplate.

As a variant, the teeth of the row 20 are connected together by a common support. The common support can be formed by the treatment soleplate 16, with the teeth being integral with the treatment soleplate or a common support separate from the treatment soleplate extending under the treatment soleplate, with the teeth extending into the holes, or extending into a through or non-through housing in the treatment soleplate 16 or a space between 2 parts of the treatment soleplate 16.

The teeth 20 are solid.

Preferably, the teeth 20 are made of a heat-conducting material such as those mentioned for the treatment soleplates. The base of the teeth may or may not come into contact with the heating element.

The device 2 also comprises one or more steam outlets 30 on at least one of the two jaws, extending over one of the jaws 3 or 4 and emitting steam towards the row of teeth 20.

The steam outlet 30 can be elongated along the longitudinal axis of the corresponding jaw and form a steam emission slot facing the row of teeth 20. The steam outlet 30 can be single in this case.

Alternatively, the device can comprise a row of steam outlets 30 spraying steam into the row of teeth 20. The steam outlets 30 can be aligned with each other. The row of steam outlets 30 can face the row of teeth 20 and the steam outlets 30 can spray steam towards the row of teeth 20 or parallel thereto facing the jaws 3 and 4 in the moved-together configuration, as illustrated in figure 2. The steam outlets 30 can each extend between two adjacent teeth 20 of the row of teeth, or each face one of the teeth 20.

As a variant, the row of steam outlets 30 can be on the same jaw as the row of teeth 20 and each steam outlet 30 can emerge between two adjacent teeth 20 of the row of teeth 20 and spray steam between the teeth 20, as illustrated in figure 4. Alternatively, the steam outlets 30 could emerge on the surface of the teeth through holes in the surface of the teeth.

The steam outlets 30 can emerge outwards on one side between the jaws 3 and

4 and on the other side emerge into a distribution chamber, not shown, that is fluidically connected to a vaporisation chamber or directly into a vaporisation chamber. The vaporisation chamber is supplied with fluid from the reservoir in the hand-held piece or in a base connected to the hand-held piece.

Preferably, as illustrated, the device comprises, on the jaw not supporting the row of teeth 20, a groove 50 facing the row of teeth 20 in the moved-together configuration of the jaws. The groove 50 extends inside the treatment soleplate 17. The groove 50 accommodates the end of the teeth 20 in the moved-together configuration of the jaws in order to improve the treatment by improving the penetration of the teeth into the hair extending between the jaws 3 and 4 in the moved-together configuration and by confining the steam in the area of the row of teeth 20. The depth p of the groove 50 can be greater than or equal to 70% of the thickness e of the treatment soleplate on said jaw. The one or more steam outlets 30 can emerge into the groove 50 when they extend opposite the row of teeth 20.

As a variant, as illustrated in figure 5, the device has several pairs of rows of teeth 20 and one or more associated steam outlets 30.

The invention is not limited to the two examples that have been described above. The features of the two embodiments can be combined insofar as such a combination is technically feasible. For example, the through or non-through treatment soleplates can be in a plurality of parts each heated by a heating element, with the one or more pairs of rows of teeth 20 and the one or more associated steam outlets 30 extending between the different parts. The steam outlets on the row of teeth side can extend into a recess, notably a recess between two parts of the treatment soleplate or a recess in the treatment soleplate. The rows of teeth of the triplets formed by a row of teeth 20, a row of steam outlets 30 and a groove 50 on the jaws 3 and 4 may not all extend over the same jaw.

Claims

1. Hair treatment device, notably for shaping, comprising: two hair treatment jaws (3, 4) that are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart configuration for inserting hair to be treated between said jaws (3, 4) and a moved- together configuration for treating the hair; two hair treatment soleplates (16, 17), each extending over one of the two jaws (3, 4) towards the other one of the two jaws (3, 4), facing one another when the jaws (3, 4) are in the moved-together configuration and configured so as to pinch together hair extending between the two jaws (3, 4) when the jaws are in the moved-together configuration; at least one heating element extending into at least one of the two jaws (3, 4), configured to heat at least one of the two hair treatment soleplates (16, 17); at least one row of teeth (20) extending inside at least one of the treatment soleplates (16) towards the other treatment soleplate (17) in the moved-together configuration of the two jaws (3, 4), with the teeth of the row of teeth (20) being distinct from the treatment soleplate (16) inside which they extend, the teeth being made of a material with thermal conductivity of more than 20 W.m^.K’¹; at least one steam outlet (30) arranged on at least one of the jaws (3, 4) and configured to emit steam into the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws.

2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the row of teeth (20) transversely extends at a distance from the nearest lateral edge (18) of the treatment soleplate (16) that is greater than or equal to 20%, better still greater than or equal to 30%, even better still greater than or equal to 40% of the width of the treatment soleplate.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the row of teeth (20) extends in a longitudinal median plane of the treatment soleplate (16).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the teeth of the row of teeth (20) are made of iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite or ceramic.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a single row of teeth (30) extending inside one of the two treatment soleplates (16, 17), notably opposite the steam outlet.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steam outlet (30) is a through opening (16, 17) emerging on one side towards the other jaw (3, 4) and on the other side into a steam distribution chamber supplied with steam from a vaporisation chamber or directly into a vaporisation chamber.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steam outlet (30) is single and elongated along the longitudinal axis (Yl, Y2) of the jaw (3, 4) and is configured to emit steam into the row of teeth (20) in the moved-together configuration of the jaws (3, 4).

8. Device according to Claim 7, wherein the steam outlet (30) extends over the jaw (3, 4) not supporting the row of teeth (20) facing the row of teeth (20) in the moved- together configuration of the jaws (3, 4) in order to emit steam towards the row of teeth.

9. Device according to Claim 7, wherein the steam outlet (30) extends over the jaw (3, 4) supporting the row of teeth (20) and extends laterally to the row of teeth (20), with the steam outlet (30) being configured so that the steam is obliquely emitted towards the row of teeth (20).

10. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, comprising a row of steam outlets (30) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jaw (3, 4) and configured to emit steam into the row of teeth (20) in the moved-together configuration of the jaws (3, 4).

11. Device according to Claim 10, wherein the row of steam outlets (30) extends over the jaw (3, 4) not supporting the row of teeth (20) facing the row of teeth (20) in the moved-together configuration of the jaws, with the steam outlets (30) extending between the adjacent teeth (20) of the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws (3, 4) or each facing a tooth (20) of the row of teeth in the moved-together configuration of the jaws (3, 4).

12. Device according to Claim 10, wherein the row of steam outlets (30) extends from the jaw (3, 4) supporting the row of teeth (20), with the steam outlets (30) emerging between the teeth (20) of the row of teeth, notably alternating with the teeth (20) of the row of teeth, or emerging from the teeth of the row of teeth.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, with the surface facing the row of teeth (20) in the moved-together configuration of the jaws (3, 4) having a groove (50) facing the teeth (20) forming a housing for the end of the teeth (20) in the moved- together configuration of the jaws (3, 4).

14. Method for treating hair using the device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising inserting a lock of hair between the jaws in the spaced-apart configuration of the jaws and closing the jaws onto the hair in order to pinch the hair between the treatment soleplates and moving the device along the lock of hair, with the jaws remaining in the moved-together configuration.

15. Method according to Claim 14, comprising at least one additional step of applying a cosmetic product to the lock of hair before or after using the device of the invention, and preferably before.