FR3101526A1 - Hair treatment device comprising a heating comb - Google Patents

Abstract

Hair treatment device comprising a heating comb Hair treatment device (1) comprising: - two movable arms (5, 6) relative to one another between a close configuration for treating the hair and a configuration spaced apart for engagement between them of hair to be treated, - a heating combing member (70, 70a, 70b) extending on one of the two arms (6), the combing member (70, 70a, 70b) comprising a row of teeth (72) of which at least two teeth (72) are fixed with respect to one another and spaced from each other by a distance d less than or equal to 2 mm measured between the longitudinal axes of the teeth ( Y). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Hair treatment device comprising a heating comb

The present invention relates to hair treatment devices, in particular hair straightening devices, as well as treatment methods using such devices.

The invention relates more particularly to devices comprising two arms movable relative to each other, which can assume a spaced apart configuration for introducing a lock between them and a close configuration for processing the lock, the arms being movable in this close configuration along the wick. The arms most often carry, in such devices, two heating elements in contact with which the hair is brought during use of the device.

Numerous devices of this type, sometimes also called straightening irons, have already been proposed, for the treatment of the hair with or without the application of a hair product.

Usually, hair straighteners consist of two arms connected to each other by means of a hinge which allows the opening and closing of the latter and of at least one heating element arranged on the arms. When styling a lock of hair, the latter is introduced between the two arms in the open position, then the two arms are manually closed over the lock of hair. The lock of hair is then subjected, until the opening of the two arms and the extraction of the lock of hair, to the heat emitted by the heating element.

International applications WO 2017/077221 and WO 2017/077222 describe a hair straightening device of the type described above comprising a comb making it possible to separate the lock of hair introduced between the arms into a plurality of fine locks before the heat treatment by a heating element.

We know from international applications WO 2010/081968 and WO 2010/08169 and from European patent application EP 2 208 433 a hair straightening device of the type mentioned above comprising a heated straightening zone comprising a plurality of flattened teeth aligned to split the lock of hair introduced between the arms into a plurality of fine locks.

International application WO 2017/039239 describes a hair straightening device comprising two arms, one of the arms carrying at least one row of teeth spaced apart by a distance of between 3.5 mm and 4.5 mm and the the other arm carrying a row of recesses each intended to receive a tooth when the arms are in the closed position. In the closed position, the teeth fit into the recesses leaving in the latter interstitial spaces of between 0.32 mm and 0.52 mm to reduce the excess pressure exerted by the first and second heating elements directly on the hair to avoid the hair breakage due to temperature and mechanical pressure. Such a device generates mechanical pressure on the hair which can weaken the latter.

There is a need to further improve treatment devices and more particularly hair treatment devices in order to obtain uniform and effective straightening of the hair.

The subject of the invention, according to a first of its aspects, is a hair treatment device comprising:
- two arms movable relative to each other between a close configuration for treating the hair and a spaced configuration for engagement between them of the hair to be treated,
- a heated combing member extending over one of the two arms, the combing member comprising a row of teeth of which at least two teeth are fixed relative to each other and spaced apart by a distance less than or equal to 2 mm measured between the longitudinal axes of the teeth.

The presence of the combing member makes it possible to exert traction on the hair so that it extends substantially straight between the two arms during the straightening step. This, combined with the heating exerted by the combing member, allows effective treatment of the hair.

The fact that the device comprises a heating combing member with a spacing of the teeth as mentioned also makes it possible to divide the hair into a plurality of locks of hair whose quantity of hair per lock is substantially calibrated and limited in number by the spacing teeth. The quantity of hair per lock between two teeth is calibrated and limited in number so that the heating of the hair by the combing member is substantially homogeneous over the entire hair, which increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

The fact that the two teeth are fixed relative to each other avoids any pinching of the hair placed between the teeth which could damage them.

Preferably, the treatment is a hair straightening treatment.

Preferably, the two arms extend along respective longitudinal axes. Preferably, the two arms are connected by a hinge present at their proximal end, this hinge defining an axis of rotation preferably oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the arms.

The two arms can define half-handles extended towards their distal end by jaws, the combing member extending over the jaw of the arm on which it extends.

Preferably, the device comprises a heating plate intended to come into contact with the hair, and better still two heating plates each arranged on an arm. This or these heating plates can be made of a good heat-conducting material, in particular metal, defining a hot surface of contact with the hair, the temperature of which is for example greater than or equal to 90° C., better still between 90 and 250 °C, even better understood 150 and 230°C.

Preferably, the heating plate or plates have a flat surface.

Preferably, the device comprises two flat heating plates each arranged on an arm and coming opposite one another in close configuration of the arms.

Preferably, the combing member extends along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm on which it extends.

Preferably, the combing member extends laterally to the heating plate carried by the same arm, preferably upstream of the heating plate when using the device on the hair. This makes it possible to distribute the hair along the combing member prior to their passage in contact with the heating plate or plates, which distributes the hair on the heating plate and improves the effectiveness of the straightening.

As a variant, the combing member extends over or within the heating plate carried by the same arm.

Preferably, the combing member is made of a metallic material, preferably aluminum or its alloys, copper or its alloys or steel.

The combing member can be separated from the heating element carried by the same arm by a buffer zone limiting heat transfers between the combing member and the heating plate or plates. The buffer zone can have a thermal conductivity less than or equal to 0.5, better still 0.065 Wm ⁻¹ .K ⁻¹ , for example the buffer zone can be an empty space between the teeth and the heating plates.

The arm opposite to that on which the combing member extends is preferably devoid of reliefs extending between the teeth of the comb. Preferably, the opposite arm comprises a surface devoid of reliefs, in particular teeth or hollows, coming opposite the combing member in a configuration close to the hair.

The device may comprise several combing members. Preferably, the combing members are arranged on the same arm, in particular on either side of the heating plate carried by the same arm. All the combing members can be heated and comprise a row of teeth of which at least two teeth are fixed relative to each other and spaced apart at their end by a distance less than or equal to 2 mm. Preferably, the arm opposite to that over which the combing member extends has no combing reliefs.

As a variant, the device comprises a single combing member.

Preferably, the combing member or members are fixed relative to the arm carrying it or them.

As a variant, the combing member or members are removable with respect to the arm carrying it or them.

Preferably, the combing member or members include a heat source, in particular one or more electrical resistors connected to an electrical source.

Preferably, the combing member or members comprise a base from which the teeth extend, the base comprising a heat source, the teeth, preferably made of metal, being heated by thermal conduction from the base towards the teeth. As a variant, the heat source extends in each tooth, in particular each tooth comprises a thermal resistance.

Preferably, the combing member(s) and the heating plate(s) are powered independently of each other, in particular by different electrical sources. The combing member(s) can be heated while the heating plate(s) are not, or conversely the combing member(s) and the heating plate(s) are heated simultaneously.

The treatment is preferably carried out at a surface temperature of the combing member of between 90° C. and 250° C., better still between 150 and 230° C.

Preferably, the overall heating power delivered by the hair treatment device to the hair is at least 500 W. By "overall heating power delivered by the hair treatment device", we understand the cumulative heating power delivered by the heating plate(s) and by the heating combing member.

Preferably, the row of teeth of the combing member or members extends along the longitudinal axis of the arm on which it extends.

Preferably, the space between the two adjacent teeth of the combing member(s) is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm.

Preferably, all the teeth of the row of teeth of the combing member or members are fixed relative to the arm carrying it or them.

Preferably, all the adjacent teeth of the row of teeth of the combing member(s) are spaced apart from each other by a distance less than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, better between 0, 8 mm and 1.5 mm, measured between the longitudinal axes of the teeth.

Preferably, all of the adjacent teeth of the row of teeth of the combing member(s) are spaced apart by the same distance.

Preferably, all the teeth of the row of teeth of the combing member(s) are aligned with each other, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the arm over which they extend.

Alternatively, the teeth of the row of teeth are staggered, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the arm on which they extend.

Preferably, the combing member or members comprise a single row of teeth.

The teeth are preferably of a height less than or equal to 15 mm, better between 5 mm and 15 mm, even better between 7 mm and 12 mm.

The teeth are of non-elongated cross-section, in particular circular or regular polygonal.

Preferably, the teeth of the row of teeth all extend in the same direction, in particular in a direction forming an angle between 30 and 135°, better between 60° and 120°, even better substantially equal to 90°, with the flat surface of the heating plate carried on the same arm.

The device may comprise a member for applying a cosmetic product. This is, for example, a felt or foam tip, porous and loaded with the product.

The invention also relates, according to a second of its aspects, to a process for treating, in particular straightening, the hair using the device according to the first aspect of the invention, in which a lock of hair is exposed during movement of the device along the latter, to combing by the combing member and to heating by the combing member. A wick can be processed in a single pass.

Additionally, a heat treatment is advantageously carried out, by passing the wick in contact with at least one heating plate of the device, better still by passing between two heating plates of the device facing each other.

Preferably, the process for treating the hair comprises a step of applying at least one cosmetic composition to the hair before, during or after and preferably before the step of combing and heating by the combing member.

Preferably, the cosmetic composition comprises at least one organic acid or one of its salts.

FIG. 1 represents schematically and in perspective a hair treatment device according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a view along III of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a variant of the device of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a variant of the device of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a variant of the device of Figure 2,

Figure 7 is a variant of the device of Figure 2,

FIG. 8 represents the comparative straightening performances after passing over the hair of two devices, one of them being according to the invention, and

FIG. 9 represents the comparative straightening performances after two passages over the hair of two devices, one of them being according to the invention.

detailed description

There is shown in Figure 1 the handpiece 2 of an example of hair treatment device according to the invention.

This handpiece 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 that are movable relative to each other between a separated configuration (not shown) for introducing a lock of hair between them and a close treatment configuration, illustrated in figure 1.

The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by respective upper 5 and lower 6 arms, which in the example considered are interconnected at one end by a joint 8, the handpiece 2 thus forming a clamp.

The arms 5 and 6 define, between the joint 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half-handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press to bring the jaws 3 and 4 closer together.

An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 in the separated configuration, this elastic return member being for example a spring arranged around an axis of the joint 8.

The invention is not limited to a particular way of connecting the arms 5 and 6 together and the jaws 3 and 4 can be made mobile in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of an articulation is widely preferred for the ergonomics it brings.

The jaws 3 and 4 define between them a zone for treating the hair, intended to receive a lock of hair to be treated, along which the handpiece 2 is moved during the treatment, for example in the direction going from the root towards the tip of the hair.

In the example considered, the device is configured to comb the hair and to perform a thermal treatment of the hair by contact with one or more hot surfaces.

The direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 on the hair is preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X thereof.

The handpiece 2 is connected by a cord 14, in the example considered, to a base station, not shown, fixed during the treatment, connected to the mains.

This base station provides the power supply for the handpiece 2 and can also perform additional functions for processing electrical signals received from the handpiece 2. The cord 14 which connects the handpiece 2 to the base station may thus comprise various electrical conductors.

A user interface, not shown in the figures, may be present on the handpiece to allow the user, for example, to switch on or off certain components thereof.

A heat treatment is provided by one or two heating plates and preferably by two heating plates 14 and 15, visible in particular in FIG. 6, carried respectively by the upper 5 and lower 6 arms, each defining a hot surface 16 of contact with the hair.

The heating plates 14 and 15 are made of any material suitable for the treatment to be carried out, for example a metal, a ceramic or a glass.

The surface condition of the plates, in the zone of contact with the hair, depends on the desired treatment, and the plates are preferably smooth when the device aims to straighten the hair.

The length l of the plates defines the extent of the treatment zone perpendicular to the direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 relative to the hair. The hot surfaces 16 defined by the plates are for example flat and of rectangular contour, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

One of the plates is for example fixedly mounted on the corresponding arm while the other is so articulated, for example using a ball joint, so as to allow the plates to extend parallel to the to each other and to a median plane of treatment in a closed jaw configuration. If necessary, at least one of the plates is arranged on one of the arms 5 and 6 while being supported by a structure forming a spring.

The heating plates 14 and 15 can each include an electrical resistor electrically powered by the base station, preferably with temperature regulation by means of one or more sensors arranged close to the heating resistors or in contact with the plates.

The handpiece 2 comprises a heating combing member constituted by a heating comb 70, preferably extending over the lower arm 6. The comb 70 preferably extends over the lower arm 6 along a longitudinal axis P parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm, in particular along the heating plate carried by the lower arm and laterally to the latter.

Preferably, as illustrated, the length of the comb 70 is at least equal to that of the plates defining the hot surfaces 16.

Preferably, the comb 70 comprises a single row of teeth 72 aligned.

In a variant not shown, the comb 70 comprises a single row of non-aligned teeth, for example arranged in staggered rows, or a plurality of rows of aligned teeth.

In the illustrated embodiments, all the teeth are identical, but it may be otherwise. For example, the teeth could be of different heights, shapes or orientations, the comb could comprise an alternation of teeth of two different types.

Preferably, the teeth 72 taper towards their free end. Their cross section is preferably not elongated, in particular circular, polygonal

Preferably, the teeth 72 each extend along a longitudinal axis Y. The longitudinal axis Y of each tooth 72 can form an angle α with the flat surface of the heating plate carried by the same arm comprised between 60 and 120°, for example substantially equal to 90°. The longitudinal axis Y of each tooth 72 can form an angle β with the longitudinal axis P of the comb substantially equal to 90°.

The teeth 72 are spaced apart by a distance d , measured between the longitudinal axes Y of the teeth, less than or equal to 2 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm.

Preferably, the height h of the teeth 72 is less than or equal to 15 mm, better still between 7 and 12 mm.

The comb 70 can be fixed on the lower arm 6. Alternatively, the comb 70 is removably mounted on the lower arm 6, as shown in Figure 4. When removable, it is preferably received in a housing of the lower arm 6 at its base. The comb could be mounted in the same way on the lower arm.

Preferably, the comb 70 is made of a metallic material, in particular aluminum or its alloys, copper or its alloys or steel.

The comb 70 includes a heat source 74 electrically connected to a power supply device. This power supply device may be the same as that supplying the heating plates 14 and 15, as shown in Figure 2 or be different, as shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the power supply device is different , in particular when the comb 70 is removable.

The heat source 74 may comprise one or more heating resistors 76 at the base of the comb and the teeth 72 may be heated by thermal conduction from the base towards the end of the teeth. As a variant, the thermal resistor(s) extending into the teeth 72. The comb may comprise, in each tooth 72, a core of a heating resistor 78.

The comb may comprise a temperature regulation system using one or more sensors arranged close to the heating resistor(s) or in contact with the comb.

The heat source is not limited to that described above.

The treatment is preferably carried out at a comb temperature of between 90 and 250°C, better still between 150 and 230°C.

Preferably, the overall heating power delivered by the styling appliance is at least 30 W.

Preferably, the comb 70 is separated from the heating plates 14 and 15 by a buffer zone 85 making it possible to limit the heat exchanges between the heating plates 14 and 15 and the comb 70. For example, the plates 14 and 15 and the comb 70 can be separated by a space empty of any thermal conductor.

Preferably, the power supply to comb 70 is separate from the power supply to heating plates 14 and 15. Alternatively, the power supply is the same.

Preferably, the device is made so that a portion of hair engaging between the jaws 3 and 4 and moving relative thereto when the handpiece is pulled from the root of the hair towards their tip, successively undergoes a combing by passing through the heating comb 70 and heat treatment by passing between the hot surfaces 16.

The handpiece 2 can advantageously include a mark 108 on the top, visible to the user, such as an arrow, informing him of the correct direction of movement of the device.

The presence of the comb 70 is advantageous in that it divides the lock into small clumps of hair, which tends to increase the contact surface of the hair with the hot surfaces 16 and improve the straightening action. The fact that the comb is heated improves smoothing by standardizing the heat treatment on the hair. The comb 70 can further contribute to increasing the traction exerted on the hair, which can improve their shaping, in particular in the case of straightening.

The heat treatment fixes the shape of the hair.

Numerous modifications can be made to the device which has just been described, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, comb 70 extends between two pairs of heating elements 14 and 15.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 6, the device comprises two heating combs 70a and 70b arranged on either side of the heating plates 14 and 15.

The device can also be configured to perform a steam treatment and/or apply a hair product in the form of one or more cosmetic compositions. In the example illustrated in Figure 7, the device comprises a vaporization member 18 and an applicator member 23 for a cosmetic product arranged upstream of the comb 70.

The vaporization unit 18 consists of a resistive element present in an evaporation chamber 19 supplied with water by the base station. The latter may comprise an electrically driven pump, preferably peristaltic, taking the water to be sent to the handpiece 2 in a water tank. The pump is for example as disclosed in publication FR 2 967 018. The evaporation chamber can be made in accordance with the teaching of application EP 2449909A1 or otherwise, and communicating with at least one steam outlet.

The evaporation chamber 19 is arranged on one of the arms, namely the lower arm 6 in the example considered, and the steam outlet is provided on the same arm 6, in particular upstream of the comb.

The applicator member 23 is arranged so as to come into contact with the hair extending through the treatment zone.

The cosmetic product is preferably contained in a concealed reservoir carried by the upper arm 5 of the handpiece 2.

The applicator member 23 is supplied with the aid of a product dispensing mechanism which is actuated automatically when the handpiece 2 is used.

A supply system makes it possible to supply the applicator member 23 with product, other than by capillarity from the reservoir. This supply system comprises in the example considered a dispenser tip 30, visible in Figure 7, connected by a flexible conduit to the reservoir and an applicator member 23 made of a material permeable to the cosmetic product, preferably a cell foam open.

The comb 70 can also contribute to homogenizing the product deposited upstream on the hair by the applicator member 23.

A comparative study was conducted to show the improvement in smoothing performance obtained with the device according to the invention. In this comparative study the following two devices were investigated:

• Device 1 (according to the invention): straightening iron as described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3 comprising straightening heating plates, one on each arm and a heating comb in a lateral position with respect to the lower plate. The comb has teeth perpendicular to the plane of said plate, with a distance between the teeth of 1 mm.
• Device 2: hair straightener substantially identical to that of device 1, with the exception of the spacing of the teeth of the comb which is 3 mm.

A treatment is carried out using these two devices on locks of so-called natural Caucasian hair of type 4 in the curliness scale ranging from 0 for straight hair to 8 for curly hair of the African type, described in the article De la Mettrie R, et al. Shape variability and classification of human hair: a worldwide approach. Human Biology . 2007; 79:265-28 .

During the comparative study 3 locks of hair A, B and C are used.

The treatments according to the following two tests are carried out.

Test 1 according to Figure 8:

• A is the control lock not undergoing any heat treatment. It corresponds to a rating of 4 in the curliness scale.
• B is treated by the device 1 by passing it at 5 cm/s and at 210°C. It corresponds to a rating of 2 in the curliness scale.
• C is treated by the device 2 by passing it at 5 cm/s and at 210°C. It corresponds to a rating of 2.5 in the curliness scale.

Test 2 according to Figure 9:

• A is the control lock not undergoing any heat treatment. It corresponds to a rating of 4 in the curliness scale.
• B is treated by the device 1 by two passages at 5 cm/s and at 210°C. It corresponds to a rating of 1.5 in the curliness scale.
• C is treated by the device 2 by two passages at 5 cm/s and at 210°C. It corresponds to a rating of 2 in the curliness scale.

It has therefore been observed that the device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to gain half a level of smoothing compared to the device 2. The difference obtained is clearly visible on the photos of the tests represented in FIGS. 8 and 9. The wick B according to the invention clearly appears less wavy and therefore more smooth than lock C for both tests.

Claims (17)

Hair treatment device (1) comprising:
- two movable arms (5, 6) relative to each other between a close configuration for treating the hair and a spaced configuration for engagement between them of the hair to be treated,
- a heated combing member (70, 70a, 70b) extending over one of the two arms (6), the combing member (70, 70a, 70b) comprising a row of teeth (72) of which at least two teeth (72) are fixed relative to each other and spaced apart by a distance d less than or equal to 2 mm measured between the longitudinal axes of the teeth (Y). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the opposite arm (5, 6) comprises a surface devoid of relief coming opposite the combing member (70, 70a, 70b) in a configuration close to the arms (5, 6). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising several heating combing members (70, 70a, 70b) arranged on the same arm (5, 6), in particular on either side of the heating plate carried by the same arm / Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, comprising a single combing member (70). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the combing member(s) (70, 70a, 70b) comprise a heat source (74), in particular an electrical resistor (76) connected to an electrical source. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distance between the two adjacent teeth (72) of the combing member(s) (70, 70a, 70b) d, measured between the longitudinal axes of the teeth (72), is less or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which all the adjacent teeth of the row of teeth of the combing member or members are spaced by the same distance. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which all the teeth (72) of the row of teeth of the combing member or members (70, 70a, 70b) are fixed with respect to the arm carrying it or them. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which all the teeth (72) of the row of teeth of the combing member(s) (70, 70a, 70b) are aligned with one another, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the arm (5, 6) on which they extend. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the teeth (72) have a height h less than or equal to 15 mm, better between 5 mm and 15 mm, even better between 7 and 12 mm. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a heating plate (14, 15) intended to come into contact with the hair, and better still two heating plates (14, 15) each arranged on an arm (5, 6). Device according to Claim 11, in which the combing member (70) extends laterally to the heating plate (14, 15) in a configuration close to the arms (14, 15), preferably upstream of the heating plate (14 , 15) when using the device on the hair. Device according to Claim 11, in which the combing member (70) extends over or within the heating plate (14, 15) carried by the same arm (5, 6). Device according to any one of Claims 11 to 13, in which the combing member (70) is separated from the heating plate (14, 15) carried by the same arm (5, 6) by a buffer zone (80) limiting heat transfers between the combing member (70) and the heating element (14, 15). Device according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, in which the combing member(s) (70, 70a, 70b) and the heating plate(s) (14, 15) are powered independently of each other, in particular by different electrical sources. Process for the treatment, in particular straightening, of the hair using the device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a lock of hair is exposed during the movement of the device along it, to combing by the combing member and to heating by the combing member. Treatment process according to the preceding claim, in which at least one cosmetic composition comprising at least one organic acid is applied before, during or after and preferably before the treatment to the lock of hair.