KR20160102549A - Device for treating the hair and associated refill - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refill for an appliance for treating hair,
A reservoir 23 for containing a hair care product,
- a dispensing end piece (53) for dispensing the product contained in the reservoir (23)
- at least one component of a flap-valve pump for feeding the product contained in the reservoir (23) to the dispensing end piece (53).

Description

DEVICE FOR TREATING THE HAIR AND ASSOCIATED REFILL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for treating hair, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a method for shaping hair, including refining of cosmetics, especially for straightening, curling, Lt; / RTI > devices.

Typically, hair straighteners consist of two arms connected together with the aid of a hinge that allows the arms to be opened and closed, and at least one heating element arranged on the arms. During the operation of styling a tuft of hair, the tuft is introduced between the two arms in the open position, and then the two arms are manually closed over the hair of the tuft. The tufted hair is then subjected to heat output by the heating element until the two arms are opened and the hair of the tuft is separated.

Patent application WO 2009/078046 discloses a hair styling appliance comprising two arms connected together to open and close an appliance, at least one heating element and at least one Wherein the hair treatment device allows dispensing of the hair care product during operation. The hair treatment device is composed of a support material impregnated with a hair care product and is suitable for use once.

WO 2009/015027 and US 2009/0025247 disclose hair straightening devices that can be applied by contacting the hair care product with the hair. The hair care product to be applied is contained in a detachable refill for applying it. The detachable refill comprises a reservoir containing a gelled version of the hair care product, and orifices for dispensing and applying the product, the orifices being formed directly through the walls of the reservoir. The refill is introduced by sliding into a housing disposed in one of the two arms of the hair straightener.

There is a need to further improve the devices for applying the hair care product so that the user can easily refill the device with the hair care product and / or change the hair care product to be applied.

It is also advantageous in that a sufficient amount of hair care product can be applied without styling the thicker hair and without changing the refill so that one refill can be reused multiple times.

According to first aspects, the object is to provide a refill for an appliance for treating hair,

- a reservoir for hair care products,

A dispensing end piece for dispensing the product contained in the reservoir,

- at least one component of a flap-valve pump that feeds the product contained in the reservoir to the dispensing end piece.

The reservoir in the refill allows for a sufficient amount of hair care product to dispense the multi-dose product.

By virtue of the fact that the refill includes at least one component of the flap-valve pump, it is easier to change the reservoir by reducing the number of connections guaranteed, and if the refill supports all of the components of the flap- The number of connections can advantageously be reduced to zero.

The use of a flap-valve pump improves the operation of such a pump, since a single push on a component of the pump that changes the volume of the pumping chamber may be sufficient to dispense a batch of product. Thus, more complex mechanisms, such as peristaltic pump mechanisms, can be avoided.

The refill can be handled as one. Thus, once the refill is installed in the device using the refill, the at least one component of the reservoir, the dispensing end piece and the flap-valve pump are introduced into the device together.

Preferably, the refill extends along a longitudinal axis, and the at least one component is located along the longitudinal axis between the reservoir and the dispensing end piece. This can improve their operation. Preferably, this component directly connects the reservoir to the dispensing endpiece.

Preferably, the internal volume of the reservoir changes during use of the refill. This may allow for an airless operation that is desirable for better preservation of the product.

The maximum capacity of the reservoir is preferably 2 ml to 20 ml.

The hair care product is preferably in a liquid state in the reservoir, i. E. At room temperature or at a higher temperature, for example at 25-95 < 0 > C. In this case, the article may initially be in a solid or kneaded state at room temperature in the reservoir, and may be heated in the reservoir to sufficiently distribute the fluid by a dispensing mechanism provided to feed the applicator member. Thus, the product is fluid in the reservoir upon application. Preferably, the product is a liquid at room temperature.

Once the product is initially solid and fluidized within the refill, the area around the applicator member is preferably not heated to more easily control the temperature of the product.

The reservoir preferably extends along the longitudinal axis and the length of the reservoir is preferably less than half the total length of the refill measured along the longitudinal axis. This makes handling the refills easier. This can also simplify their construction by arranging the reservoirs, the flap-valve pump components and the distribution end pieces at their ends.

The dispensing end piece and the reservoir are preferably offset parallel with each longitudinal axis not in agreement and also with a distance of 10 mm to 40 mm. This can lead to refills and easier manufacture of the device intended to accommodate this refill.

The components of the flap-valve pump, particularly the flap-valve pump, preferably have a pumping chamber and an elastically deformable diaphragm that at least partially defines the pumping chamber. The flap-valve pump may be air-free type.

The flap-valve pump may include an end piece for connection to the reservoir and an end piece for connection to the dispensing end piece, particularly an end piece intended to be inserted into the flexible duct of the dispensing end piece. Preferably, the flap-valve pump forms a rigid assembly spaced from the diaphragm.

The refill may include a pumping chamber, a diaphragm, and end pieces for connection to the reservoir and the dispensing end piece. In such a case, it is sufficient to configure the device accommodating the refill to force the diaphragm to deform the diaphragm and to change the volume of the pumping chamber. This force can be applied when the device is closed in the hair.

The dispensing endpiece is preferably pre-filled with a hair care product. This eliminates the need to operate the pump several times before using the refill initially. The pumping chamber is also pre-filled with the product.

In a variation, the dispensing end piece may be at least partially, and more preferably, entirely filled with the product, as the internal volume of the reservoir is reduced, particularly when introducing refills into the appliance, particularly when refilling the appliance. In this case, the flap-valve pump can cause the product to flow from the reservoir to the dispensing endpiece, and the valves open under the pressure of the product contained in the reservoir.

The dispensing end piece may have at least one dispensing orifice, more preferably a plurality of dispensing orifices, which may be particularly closed at rest and open under the pressure exerted by the hair care product. This distribution orifice (s) is preferably formed through a wall, which is particularly deformable, and preferably a wall defined by a flexible duct, which is particularly suitable for use with flap-valve pump tactics By a connecting end piece, it is particularly connected to the pumping chamber at one of the ends. Each of the dispensing orifices may be formed by a slot having edges that are coupled at rest.

The volume of the hair care product delivered from the dispensing end piece per operation of the flap-valve pump may be between 0.01 ml and 0.5 ml.

The refill preferably has an inlet valve located upstream of the pumping chamber, particularly on an end piece for connection to the reservoir, which opens in a flow direction from the reservoir to the pumping chamber. The refill preferably has an outlet valve disposed downstream of the pumping chamber which opens in a flow direction from the pumping chamber to the dispensing endpiece. If appropriate, the aforementioned dispensing orifices (s) can form an outlet valve if they are formed through an elastically deformable wall. This is particularly advantageous because the distribution orifices then have the dual function, i.e. the function of distributing the product and the function of acting as an outlet valve. This makes it easier to manufacture the flap-valve pump, since it makes it possible to prevent the use of a specific valve between the pumping chamber and the dispensing end piece. In a variant, the outlet valve may be arranged in an end piece for connection to the dispensing end piece.

The flap-valve pump is preferably formed by a single portion comprising at least one of an inlet valve and an outlet valve and a pumping chamber. Such a single part can be produced by molding the material.

The refill preferably includes an applicator member to which the article is fed by the dispensing end piece. The applicator member preferably at least partially covers the dispensing end piece. The applicator member may comprise a porous material and / or a material capable of releasing or diffusing the cosmetic, especially an open cell foam. If desired, the applicator member may be made with a relatively small thickness, for example, 10 mm or less.

The refill may comprise a support for dispensing end pieces and / or flap-valve pumps and / or reservoirs, more preferably a dispensing end piece, flap-valve pumps and reservoirs. In a variant, the support can support the dispensing end piece and can be fastened to the flap-valve pump by an end piece for connecting the pump to the dispensing end piece, And is fastened to the reservoir by an end piece for connecting the pump to the reservoir.

Preferably, the refill forms an integral part which is easy to handle.

The applicator member may be mounted in a fixed or detachable manner to a support at least partially covering the dispensing end piece. The support may have at least one opening that at least partially overlaps the dispensing endpiece and allows the product to pass from the dispensing endpiece to the applicator member. Preferably, the applicator member is brought into contact with the dispensing end piece.

The dispensing end piece is preferably formed to increase the volume by elastic deformation under pressure of the product so that it is filled with the product when the pump is activated. Thus, the product can be focused on the dispensing end piece to be dispensed as soon as the filling operation is stopped. This allows the applicator member to be fed in a delayed manner, eliminating the need to focus a large number of products in the applicator member itself, thereby reducing product loss during product changes. This assumes that the volume of the pumping chamber does not increase again until all the products that are focused by the elastic deformation of the end piece are dispensed. This is typically done by closing the device on the hair during the duration of processing a swath, Is operated. If there is a non-return valve between the dispensing endpiece and the pumping chamber, then the device can be opened before all of the product being focused by the elastic deformation of the dispensing endpiece is dispensed.

The refill may include a member for closing the refill when not in use, particularly a membrane seal or cover adapted to at least partially cover the applicator member. Such a closure member can be initially disassembled by the user by being fitted to the refill and fitted into the device and / or using the refill.

A further object of the present invention is a device for treating hair,

At least two arms which can be moved with respect to each other between a shape to be moved together for treating the hair and a spaced shape for inserting the hair to be treated between the arms,

- a refill according to the present application, wherein the refill is supported by at least one of the arms.

The use of a refill allows the user to easily apply different hair care products by simply changing the refill.

The two arms are connected by a hinge extending along and preferably at the proximal end of each longitudinal axis, the hinge being rotatable about a plane oriented preferably perpendicularly to the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the arms Axis.

The two arms may define half-handles extending by the jaws toward the distal ends of the arms.

The maximum thickness of the arms measured at the jaws is preferably greater than the maximum thickness measured at the half-handles; The maximum thickness of each arm is preferably 10 to 40 mm, more preferably 17 to 32 mm.

By moving the arms together, the flap-valve pump is preferably operated to feed the product to the dispensing endpiece.

The refill may be received in a housing that includes the refill in the arm.

The arm opposite the arm supporting the refill may have a relief to actuate the flap-valve pump in a shape that is moved together among the arms. Such relief preferably projects to an extent adjustable by the user depending on the dose to be dispensed.

The refill may have at least one extension extending outwardly of the arm, preferably from the arm side, or having a lateral extension of the same height, particularly on the side of the flap on the flap on the arm, Allows the user to see the presence.

The device has an electrical switch on the same arm as the refill, which is actuated by refill, in particular to be able to detect the presence of a refill on the arm.

The applicator member is arranged to contact the hair when the arms are closed. The arm opposite the arm supporting the refill may define a reverse bearing surface such that it is pressed against the applicator member with some pressure by the reverse bearing surface.

Preferably, the device is manufactured such that the product is automatically fed to the applicator member while the device is being used. Thus, the user does not have to worry about applying a specific operation on the device to apply the product. The closing portion of the arm can actuate the pump, which allows the product, especially a single dose, to be supplied to the applicator member. The unit dose is preferably 0.015 ml to 0.5 ml.

The applicator member is preferably supplied with the product by temporarily focusing the product under pressure by means of a dispensing end piece. Due to the presence of the product under pressure within the dispensing endpiece, as soon as the jaws are moved together, the jaws can be moved together to continue feeding the product to the applicator member while the device is moved along a tufted hair.

The opposite arm of the arm supporting the refill may have a vapor outlet, and preferably also a comb. It can be proven advantageous to use two combs located on the downstream side and the upstream side of each of the areas for applying the cosmetic product so as to improve the uniform distribution of the product to the hair.

These combs are advantageously parallel to one another and can have the same number of teeth.

If appropriate, the device is made to be capable of fastening at least one of the combs, more preferably each comb, in a detachable manner.

Preferably, in particular to straighten the hair, the device comprises a heating element, more preferably two heating elements, adapted to be in contact with the hair, each heating element being arranged on the arm. The heating element (s) may each include a plate formed of a material that is a good thermal conductor defining a hot surface to be in contact with the hair, the temperature of the surface being, for example, 95 ° C or higher, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 230 C

Preferably, the product is applied to the tarsal hair introduced into the device before applying and / or combing the steam and / or straightening it up by the heating element (s). Thus, the hair introduced between the arms can come into contact with the applicator member before being exposed to the steam and heating elements as the tufts move between the arms of the device.

The device for treating hair according to the invention may be a flat heating element, in particular a straightening with flat heating elements brought into contact in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a device for treating hair produced in accordance with the present application, wherein the refill is shown on the arm receiving the refill.
Figure 2 shows the device from Figure 1, in which the refill is in the position on the flap.
Figure 3 is a front view of the device from Figure 2 after the flap is closed.
Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a refill that can be used in the device in Figure 1 by itself.
Figure 5 shows a side view of the refill from Figure 4;
Figure 6 is an exploded view of the refill from Figure 4;
Figure 7a shows a top view of one embodiment of the dispensing end piece per se.
Figure 7b is a view similar to Figure 7a of the deformed end piece.
Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a variant device according to the invention.
Figure 9 shows the device from Figure 8 before the refill is fitted.
10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device according to the present invention showing an array of various components.
Figs. 11 and 12 show the end pieces for deformation distribution per se.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a handpiece 2 of an embodiment of a device for treating hair according to the present invention.

This handpiece 2 has two jaws 3, 4 that can be moved relative to each other between a spaced shape (not shown) for introduction between the jaws of a tufted hair and a co-moving shape for processing .

The jaws 3 and 4 are respectively supported by an upper arm 5 and a lower arm 6 which are connected together at one end by a folding section 8 in this embodiment , The handpiece 2 forms tongues.

Each of the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6 preferably has an overall length of 22 cm to 31 cm and is provided between each fold-handle 8 and the jaws 3, 4, , And the user can press against the half-handle to move the jaws 3, 4 together.

Upper arm 5 and the lower arm (6) extends along the respective longitudinal axes (X _1, X _2), the longitudinal axes are preferably mutually parallel when the closure jyodeul 3,4 .

A resilient return member (not shown) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3, 4 to the spaced apart shape, and the resilient return member is, for example, a spring disposed around the foldable pin 8.

The present application is not limited to a specific manner of connecting the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6 together, and the jaws 3 and 4 may be formed to be movable in several different ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, it is highly desirable to provide an ergonomic aspect in the presence of the folded portion.

The jaws (3, 4) are defined between one region and another region for treating the hair, the region being adapted to receive a tuft of hair to be treated, the handpiece (2) For example, from the hair root to the end.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 2 is configured to apply cosmetics, configured to process hair by steam, and configured to effect thermal processing of the hair by contacting one or more hot surfaces.

The handpiece (2) direction of movement (D) is, as, shown in Figure 3, preferably, the longitudinal axes (X _1, X ₂₎ of the upper arm 5 and the lower arm (6), over the hair It is substantially vertical.

The handpiece 2 is connected, by line, to a base station (not shown) which is fixed during processing and connected to the mains, in that embodiment.

This base station can enforce additional functions of ensuring power supply to the handpiece 2 and also ensuring the supply of water to produce steam and also processing the electrical signals received from the handpiece 2. Thus, the line 13 connecting the handpiece 2 to the base station may include various conductors and a water supply pipe.

The user interface (not shown in the drawings) may or may not be present in the handpiece 2 so that the user may, for example, initiate any of their components.

Application of the cosmetic is ensured by the applicator member 15 arranged to contact the hair extending through the treatment area.

The applicator member 15 is supplied with a product by means of a dispensing end piece, which will be described later, with the aid of a dispensing mechanism, which automatically dispenses, for example, a quantity of product to the hair during use of the handpiece 2 So that the mass of one gram of hair formed of 20 cm long hair is 0.015-0.4 g, more preferably 0.01 < RTI ID = 0.0 > g < / RTI > in the case of care products or in the case of more thermal straightening, dyeing or chemical straightening products, To 0.2 g of product, and the amount received thereafter is, for example, 0.5 to 10 g.

The upper arm 5 may comprise a swivel flap 18, as shown in Figures 1-3, which sweeps and separates the refill 20 according to the present invention as soon as the product is used And the closed configuration shown in Fig. 3 for using the device to process the hair.

The refill 20 includes a reservoir 23 containing an article to be coated and a head 25 including an applicator member 15.

The flap 18 is attached to the proximal portion of the arm 5 that acts as the half-handle 10 during use of the handpiece 2, for example, by a hinge 28, Folded.

In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal portion 18a of the flap 18 also defines the gripping surface of the half-handle 10.

The flap 18 may be folded to open the device toward the rear when viewed in Fig. This may make it easier to construct the device and to manufacture the hinge 28 to provide a possible open access for the user to insert or replace the refill 20.

The angular movement a of the flap 18 is advantageously at least 90 degrees to facilitate introduction of the refill 20 into the handpiece 2 during insertion or replacement of the refill.

The closing or opening movement of the flap 18 may be assisted by an elastic return member, for example a helical spring or a leaf spring, disposed in the region of the hinge 28, if appropriate. This return member can press the flap 18 toward the open position of the return member to energize the elastic position energy when the flap 18 is closed. The use of such a returning assisted return member is particularly advantageous when a member that locks the flap 18 in the closed position is also mounted in the device. In such a case, if the user acts on the locking member to unlock the flap 18, the flap 18 can advantageously be opened automatically to the full possible open position or, alternatively, .

A movement retarder may be provided to the flap 18 when the resilient return member tends to bias the flap 18 toward the open or closed position.

The flap 18 is snap-fastened in a closed position in various manners, preferably at least one relief supported by the flap 18, to a corresponding shape supported by the base of the arm 5, 5). For example, as shown, the flap 18 supports at least one elastically deformable tab 31 that can be snap-fastened to a corresponding engagement relief 32 provided in the base of the arm 5. If appropriate, means for locking / unlocking by the user to maintain the flap 18 in the closed position is provided. In this case, the user has to act on such an unlocking means before opening the flap 18. This can reduce the risk of opening the flap 18, for example, if the handpiece 2 is accidentally dropped.

As soon as the refill is fitted into the device, the flap 18 may have any suitable form at least partially covering the refill 20, particularly if the head 25 and the reservoir 23 are not aligned.

The flap 18 is configured such that the distal portion 18b of the flap 18 located in the region of the jaw 3 is in contact with the flap 18 in a position where it opens at about 90 degrees, Can be shaped to be offset upwardly relative to the proximal portion 18a of the flap 18 used to fold over the foldable fins of the horizontal arms on the base of the upper arm 5, Thus, the flap 18 may include an intermediate portion 18c that generally extends upwardly and forwardly.

The flap 18 may be joined in some other way to the base of the arm 5 and may be folded by the distal portion 18b, for example in the region of the jaw 3.

1 to 3, the refill 20 is fastened to the flap 18, which is folded into a closed position such that the refill 20 is in the shape of use on the handpiece 2.

In a variant, the refill 20 can be supported by the arm 5 and the flap 18 covers the refill 20 in the closed position.

The flap 18 may include reliefs 80 that allow the refill 20 to be fastened while in the open position on the flap 18.

The flap 18 is configured to provide a refill 20 to the user for viewing the level of the product at the reservoir 23 and / Of a transparent window (not shown) of the opaque material.

The housing 33 may include at least one opening 36 that faces the lower arm 6 to apply the hair product contained in the reservoir 23 to one tuft of hair. This opening 36 at least accommodates the applicator member 15, and more preferably the refill 20, while introducing the refill 20 into the housing 33 and has a corresponding elongated shape.

The refill 20 may have a variety of shapes and the reservoir 23, as shown, for example, may be located on the proximal side of the handpiece 2, in particular in the area of the half-handle 10, The head 25 may be located in the region of the jaws 3.

When the folding pin 8 of the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6 approaches the center of mass of the product contained in the reservoir 23 and in particular to reduce the inertia of the handpiece 2, Is received in the half-handle 10 as shown in Figures 1-3. Less inertia makes the handpiece easier to handle and makes it less difficult for the user to support.

The handpiece 2 can be configured to automatically detect the presence of the refill 20 in the housing 33. [

This detection can be carried out, for example, electronically by a contact operated by the refill 20 if the refill is fitted in the handpiece 2. This contact is supported by, for example, the base of the upper arm 5 and is actuated by the reservoir 23. In a variant, the presence of the refill 20 on the base of the upper arm 5 can be detected by virtue of the presence of the flap 18, for example on the contactor's flap 18, Varies depending on whether or not the refill 20 is present.

Closure of the flap 18 may itself be detected automatically, for example, only allowing operation of the handpiece 2 as soon as it is proved that the flap 18 is in the closed position.

When the flap 18 is in the closed position, a communication portion remains between the interior and exterior of the housing 33 that receives the refill 20, allowing the user to see that the refill 20 is present on the device. In particular, the refill 20 may remain visible after the flap 18 is closed, as shown in Fig.

The refill 20 may optionally be manufactured to have an extension visible outside the device as soon as the flap 18 is closed and the user may view the extension 18 without opening the flap 18 It can also be seen that there is a refill in the device.

The flap 18 can support a member (not shown) for closing the applicator member 15 when the handpiece 2 is not in use, allowing the handpiece to be used, especially without application of the product.

Embodiments of the refill 20, which can be used in particular for the handpiece 2, as shown in Figures 1-3, will now be described more particularly with reference to Figures 4-6.

The reservoir 23 can be made of a rigid body and a driven piston or flexible pouch and can extend along the longitudinal axis _Xres .

The applicator element 15 is supplied with a product by a dispensing end piece 53 extending along the longitudinal axis X _em of the head 25.

The dispensing end piece 53 is configured to deliver the product in one direction, preferably through at least one dispensing orifice 68 as seen in Figures 7a and 7b, closed at rest, and the pressure of the upstream product Lt; / RTI >

Preferably, the dispensing end piece 53 extends along the longitudinal axis X _em .

4, the longitudinal axes X _res , X _{em of the} reservoir 25 and the distribution end piece 53 are parallel to each other and at a distance of, for example, 24 to 32 mm c < / RTI >

The longitudinal axes X _res , X _em may preferably extend parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the refill 20 and in the plane M shown in Fig. 5, 83a. ≪ / RTI >

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the dispensing end piece 53 may include a plurality of dispensing orifices 68 disposed in series with one another to deliver the product along the applicator member 15.

Such dispensing orifice (s) 68 may be elongated slots along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X _em of the dispensing end piece 53, as shown in Fig. 7A. In a variant, the orifices 68 are preferably oriented along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispensing end piece 53, as shown in Figure 7B. The mass centers of the dispensing orifices 68 are preferably aligned along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis X _em of the dispensing end piece 53. The length p of each dispensing end piece 68 may range from 1 to 5 mm. The dispensing orifices 68 can have the same lengths and can be evenly distributed along the dispensing end piece 53. The distance w between two successive dispensing orifices 68 is, for example, 1 to 5 mm.

Preferably, the dispensing end piece (s) 53 are elastically deformable such that the internal volume can be increased to focus the product coming out of the reservoir 23 before the product is dispensed, and the dispensing orifice (s) But only after volume increase. Therefore, the product distribution can be distributed over a period longer than the period of continuing the filling operation of the distribution end piece 53. [

Dispensing of the extended product is useful to ensure precisely possible uniform application along the treated tufts and to reduce the risk of the presence of an inappropriate amount of product.

Preferably, the system for feeding the applicator member has a distribution of the product after moving the jaws 3, 4 together in excess of 10 s, in particular 10-30 s, for example approximately 20 s, For a mean duration of processing a cue for the cue.

A particularly simple and effective way of obtaining a distribution of the extended product is to use an elastomeric material to produce a dispensing end piece 53 with a once-plugged tubular shape and, for example, a hardness of the shore 55, And to provide a plurality of dispensing orifices 68 in the dispensing endpiece in the form of slots that are closed at rest and can be opened by elastic deformation under the pressure of the upstream product, as shown in FIG. 7B. The slots are made to be closed by a suitable seal, preferably by cutting, at rest.

The dispensing end piece 53 has a wall thickness of, for example, 0.3 to 2 mm, for example a tubular body having an inner diameter of 3.2 mm and an outer diameter of 5 mm and made of silicone or some other material such as EPDM (rubber) Body.

Preferably, the applicator member 15 comes into contact with the dispensing end piece 53 next to the orifices 68 to absorb the delivered product as soon as the product exits.

The reservoir 23 may be disposable. In a variant, the refill 20 may comprise a valve (not shown) for filling the reservoir 23 so that it can fill the reservoir 23 if the reservoir is emptied or partially emptied.

A dispensing end piece 53 is provided with the aid of a flap-valve pump 103 supported by the refill 20. The handpiece 2 can, for example, with the aid of an actuating member which can be actuated by the user apart from moving the two arms 5, 6 together or, alternatively, moving the arms together, And is made to operate the pump 103.

The flap-valve pump 103 may include a diaphragm 105 positioned opposite the actuating member, which controls the amount of product delivered by the pump 103, for example, The height can be adjusted to. The pumping chamber 114 may have a bellows, if appropriate.

The flap-valve pump 103 includes a body integrally formed with the end pieces 109 and 111 which are used to connect the reservoir 23 and the duct 65, respectively, (53).

The flap-valve pump 103 includes a pumping chamber 114 that is partially defined by the diaphragm 105.

An end piece 109 for connection to the reservoir 23 can receive an inlet valve (not shown) which is opened when the volume of the pumping chamber 114 increases upon operation of the diaphragm 105, When the volume decreases, it is closed. The pump 103 may also include an outlet valve that may be incorporated into the pump 103, which is located, for example, in the region of the end piece 93 for connection to the duct 65.

In an alternative embodiment, the outlet valve is formed by the dispensing orifice (s) 68 of the dispensing end piece 53, and such dispensing orifice is formed by the inherent elasticity of the material forming the duct 65, It is opened by the influence of the pressure and is closed again when the pressure is reduced.

The refill 20 may comprise a support 83 for receiving at least the dispensing end piece 53 which supports the reservoir 23 and the flap valve pump 103 for dispensing, Thereby ensuring the position of the movable member 53.

6, the reservoir 23 can be fastened to the pump 103 in the presence of an O-ring seal 116 on the inlet end piece 109. As shown in Fig.

If the diaphragm 105 is deformed by bearing on the operating relief 95 on the lower arm 6, the internal space of the pumping chamber 114 decreases. The inlet valve is closed and the product is discharged towards the distribution end piece 53. The outlet orifice (s) 68 can be closed again after opening due to the pressure of the product and then once the pressure has decreased after the discharge of the product.

When the working relief 95 moves away from the diaphragm 105, the diaphragm returns to its initial shape due to inherent elasticity, causing an increase in the volume of the pumping chamber 114, which returns to its initial volume . The corresponding depressurization opens the inlet valve and allows the product to exit the reservoir 23.

The flap 18 is generally centered about a longitudinal axis Y parallel to the longitudinal axis X ₁ of the upper arm 5 or as shown in Figures 8 and 9, Parallel to the folding pin of the lower arm 6 and the upper arm 5 and more preferably coincident with the folding pin of the lower arm 6 and the axis Y transverse to the longitudinal axis X ₁ of the upper arm 5, As shown in Fig. Since it is easier to manufacture the handpiece 2, it may be advantageous to make the folding flap the same as the arm.

However, since the necessity of strengthening the flap 18 can be reduced by reducing the width length, the flap 18 is manufactured so as to be folded about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X ₁ of the arm 5 .

The flap 18 may be folded about a fixed rotational axis, or the folding movement in the variant may be more complicated, especially by virtue of the hinge 28, Permitting translational movement to ensure parallelism of the surfaces to be brought into contact with the base of the flap 18 and the arm 5 supporting the flap. In such a case, the hinge 28 may comprise, for example, bearings with somewhat rectangular holes, optionally with an elastic return member tending to press such pins against one end of the rectangular housing, Conductive pins can move.

If appropriate, a window may be provided so that the user can see the extent to which the reservoir 23 has been emptied. In an alternative embodiment, each time the operation of moving the jaws 3, 4 together increases the counter initialized at the time of installation of the new refill 20, this counter is used to alert the user that a complete bleed of the reservoir 23 is imminent . Given a dead volume that needs to be charged prior to dispensing the product, when a specific number of operations of the jaws 3, 4 is required prior to impregnating the applicator member 15 into the product, May be used to signal to the user that it is ready to be dispensed. When electrically detecting that the jaws 3, 4 move together, the counting can be electronically enabled by the base station.

In another variant, the system for feeding the product to the applicator member 15 is driven in a driving manner due to the electric motor housed in the arm 5 or possibly in the assembly forming the refill 20.

If appropriate, the refill 20 may include an identifier recognized by the device, which allows at least one of the following additional functions:

Automatic adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the device according to knowledge of the nature of the product by the base station following recognition of the identifier,

Display of information to guide the user in operation to be performed according to the characteristics of the product contained in the refill 20,

Assuming that the device knows the dispensed number of doses, for example by counting the number of times the jaws 3, 4 have been moved together, the capacity of the fitted reservoir 23 and the output of a signal Knowledge,

If the presence of the reservoir 23 is not detected, passage to a predefined state of the device, for example an output of a warning signal, and

- Prevent operation in case of non-recognition of the identifier with authentication function.

The refill 20 may be mechanically and / or electronically identified. In the case of being electronically identified, the refill 20 may have electronic chips containing useful information, and one of the arms 5 or 6 may have corresponding reading means.

In the illustrated embodiments, the heat treatment is ensured by the two heating elements 120, 122 seen in Figure 10, which are supported by the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6, respectively , Each heating element having a plate defining a hot surface 125 for contacting the hair.

The plates of the heating elements 120, 122 are made of any material suitable for the process to be performed, for example metal, ceramic or glass.

The surface conditions of the plates of the heating elements 120, 122 in the area of contact with the hair follow the desired treatment, and preferably the plates are flat when the device is intended to straighten the hair.

The length of the plates defines the range of the processing region perpendicular to the moving direction D of the handpiece 2 with respect to the hair. The hot surfaces 125 defined by the plates are, for example, flat and have a rectangular contour.

One of the plates is mounted, for example, in a fixed manner to the corresponding arm, so that the plates extend parallel to the intermediate processing plane in the closed configuration of the jaws, while the other is mounted, for example, And is mounted in a folded manner. If appropriate, at least one of the plates is disposed in one of the arms 5, 6 and is supported by a spring-forming structure.

The heating elements 120 and 122 preferably each include an electrical resistor electrically energized by the base station that is temperature controlled by one or more sensors disposed about or in contact with the heating resistors can do.

As shown in Fig. 10, the treatment by the steam is ensured by the vaporizing member composed of the resistance element provided in the evaporation chamber to which water is supplied by the base station. The base station may comprise an electrically driven pump, preferably a peristaltic pump, which draws water from the reservoir of water to the handpiece 2. The pump is disclosed, for example, in publication FR 2 967 018.

The evaporation chamber may be manufactured as taught in application EP 2449909A1, or otherwise communicates with at least one vapor outlet.

The evaporation chamber is arranged in one of the arms, i.e. the lower arm 6 in the embodiment, and the steam outlet is provided in the same arm 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, the steam outlet is in the form of a ramp 128 having an elongated shape in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X ₂ of the lower arm 6.

The ramp 128 may have a plurality of orifices for spraying steam, for example six to ten orifices, which are preferably distributed uniformly along the ramp 128 and are each provided with an intermediate processing plane Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > substantially < / RTI >

The vaporization member is electrically energized by the base station, and the temperature sensor is advantageously disposed in the evaporation chamber. The base station may be fabricated to control the power supply of the vaporization member to maintain the temperature of the vapor exiting the vaporization chamber at a value between < RTI ID = 0.0 > 110 C < / RTI >

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, the applicator member 15 is disposed opposite the reverse bearing surface 130 defined by the block supported by the lower arm 6. This reverse bearing surface 130 is preferably in the form of a half cylinder of a substantially rotating body with its bus bars parallel to the longitudinal axis X ₂ of the lower arm 6. In a variant, the reverse bearing surface 130 may be a roller.

Bearing surface 130 may assist in delivering the steam exiting lamp 128 to the hair.

When the jaws 3 and 4 are closed the reverse bearing surface 130 is brought into contact with the applicator member 15 and preferably the reverse bearing surface 130 is moved over a distance k of, The applicator member 15 is slightly compressed.

The radius of curvature r of the reverse bearing surface 130 measured about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm is, for example, 2 to 10 mm.

The reverse bearing surface 130 is movable relative to the jaw 4 supporting the reverse bearing surface and the movement of the reverse bearing surface can be controlled by a control member, , 6) are moved together to control the amount of dispensed product. Preferably, this adjustment member acts on the height of the reverse bearing surface 130. Bearing surface can reach the maximum height and thus can be in the maximum compression position of the applicator member 15. In this way, This shape may allow the applicator member to be wiped after use.

The reverse bearing surface 130 may also be defined as a member configured to define a protective cap for the applicator member 15 when not in use. Thus, such a member may partially, preferably, entirely cover the applicator member 15 to improve the retention of the product still impregnating the applicator member 15. [

The handpiece 2 may preferably include a comb (not shown) that is releasably fastened to the lower arm 6. [ The comb is made of, for example, a rigid thermoplastic material and has an elongated shape along the longitudinal axis X ₂ of the lower arm 6. [

Due to the presence of the comb, it is advantageous to divide the tufts into bundles, which tend to increase the contact surface of the hair with the hot surfaces 125 and improve the straightening action. In addition, by separating the tufts, the surface area for exchanging with steam and cosmetics is also increased, and an advantage of the treatment effect is obtained. The comb can also assist in increasing traction on the hair, which can improve hair styling, especially when straightened. The comb may also assist in homogenizing the product placed on the upstream side of the hair by the applicator member 15. [

Advantageously, when the handpiece 2 is pulled in the direction D from the hair follicle to the end of the hair relative to one another and a part of the hair introduced between the jaws 3, By passing between the reverse bearing surfaces 130, the device is made to continue to heat treatment by passing between the hot surfaces 125 and the steam by passing the cosmetics in line through the ramp 128 spraying the vapor.

The handpiece 2 advantageously has an indication at the top thereof, for example an arrow, which the user can see, and this indication informs the user of the correct direction of movement of the device.

The steam treatment can improve the penetration of the product placed on the upstream side of the hair. The heat treatment can dry the hair and fix the shape of the hair.

Various modifications may be made to the devices described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In a variant not shown, there are no heating elements 120, 122 and associated hot surfaces 125, and the device is configured to only effect application of the cosmetic product, and may be configured to apply steam to the hair, Respectively.

Each of the arms 5,6 may have a plurality of heating elements 120,122 which allow the handpiece 2 to be used in any direction of movement on the hair, if appropriate. Even though there are a plurality of heating elements 120, 122 in each of the arms 5 or 6, the device can also maintain the desired direction of movement D during processing.

The heating elements 120, 122 supported by one and the same arm (5 or 6) include plates of the same width and can operate simultaneously.

To provide a symmetrical treatment, regardless of the direction of movement, the device may include two vapor outlets on one side of the member 15 for applying cosmetics and between the hot surfaces 120, 122.

If there are a plurality of heating elements 120,122 in each of the arms 5,6 then the member 15 for applying the cosmetic may be placed farther away from the heating elements 120,122, Only the outlet is present between the plates.

It is preferred to move across the hair to ensure that the cosmetic is deposited first.

In a variant not shown, at least one of the heating elements 120, 122 is made to be able to rotate in contact with the hair when the handpiece 2 is moved along the tuft to be treated, . The other heating elements 120, 122 may have a concave curved shape suitable for receiving the rollers when moving the jaws 3, 4 together.

The steam spray direction may not be perpendicular to the intermediate processing plane, for example, to increase the area impacted by the steam jet at a slope of 0 to 20 degrees with respect to the vertical line. The jets exiting the respective outlet orifices of the lamp (also known as nozzles) are sufficiently diverted to cause a substantially uniform exposure of the tufts in the width direction.

The device according to the invention is preferably used in a base station; In a variant, the handpiece 2 comprising the reservoir of water required to produce the steam is autonomous.

The cosmetic applied by the device according to the invention may be any type of hair care product. The expression hair care cosmetic refers to a composition comprising one or more active ingredients for hair care use, in particular a product as specified in Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993. Liquid or gaseous forms of water that do not contain any additives for hair care purposes do not constitute cosmetics within the meaning of the present invention. Cosmetics may be intended to facilitate hair styling. Examples of active ingredients are given, for example, in paragraphs [0031] and [0032] of publication US 2010/0307528 A1. The product may have a water-soluble or water-insoluble base.

In the previously described embodiments, the cosmetic is not heated other than heat loss due to the presence of the heating elements 120, 122 and the vapor spray between the jaws 3, 4. In one variant, the cosmetic may be heated by special heating means to increase the temperature of the cosmetic before application, for example by a heating resistor which is printed on a sleeve which is placed on or in contact with the reservoir, do. This temperature increase may have the effect of reducing the viscosity and making it easier to apply.

The applicator member 15 may be made in some manner other than a foam, for example, a felt, frit or brush.

The refill 20 includes at least one closure member that can be placed on the applicator head 25, in particular removably on the applicator member 15, to protect the applicator member from external environmental conditions when not used for product application . The closure member can be applied to the refill 20 if the refill is on or not on the handpiece 2. When the refill 20 is positioned in the housing 33 of the handpiece 2, the closure member can cover the applicator member 15. [ The closure member may be detachable from the device or may be an element that is permanently present on the device in an alternative embodiment. The member defining the reverse bearing surface 130 is separable and can be used as a member to close the refill 20, particularly when rounded.

In view of the longitudinal shape of the refill 20, it is not constant to distribute the product through uniformly distributed dispensing orifices 68 of constant size. The distribution orifices around the reservoir are subjected to greater pressure than the orifices located at the ends and consequently more open and distribute more product towards the applicator member 15. [ Subsequent variations may allow more uniform dispensing of the product toward the applicator member 15 along the dispensing end piece 53.

The distribution orifices 68 of the dispensing end piece 53 are spaced at a variable distance w in a variant as shown in Figure 11 and then the density of the dispensing orifices 68 is reduced Piece 53 as shown in FIG. Preferably, the density of the dispensing orifices 68 is increased as the distance from the reservoir 23 increases to uniformly distribute the product in the direction of the applicator member 15.

The dispensing orifices 68 of the dispensing end piece 53 have a variable width p depending on their position on the dispensing end piece 53 in a variant as shown in Fig. Preferably, the width p of the dispensing orifices is increased as the distance from the reservoir 23 is increased to evenly distribute the product in the direction of the applicator member 15.

Bearing surface 130 is obliquely inclined with respect to the applicator member 15 to apply a variable pressure on the applicator member 15 in an alternative embodiment. Preferably the pressure exerted on the applicator member 15 by the reverse bearing surface 130 is applied to the reservoir 23 such that the product is evenly distributed to the hair strands introduced between the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6. [ As the distance increases.

The device can be used by moving the jaws 3, 4 along the tuft to straighten the hair. The device can also be used by winding the tufts around the jaws (3 or 4) by curling the hair by sliding the tufts over the jaws (3 or 4).

The device may be used in a high temperature state without producing steam or operating the heating elements 120 or 122.

In one variation, the vapor outlet and the applicator member 15 occupy substantially the same position relative to the travel distance D of the device over the tufts of the hair. In this case, the steam outlet orifice (s) is formed, for example, through a reverse bearing surface and the applicator member 15 is held in abutment against the reverse bearing surface when the jaws 3, 4 are closed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the production of steam is effected in the lower arm 6 and the application of the product is carried out in the upper arm 5. The arrangement can be reversed.

The product can be dispensed only when the dispensing end piece 53 can not be resiliently deformed and the jaws 3, 4 move together. The elastically deformable chamber which houses the product can also be interposed in the path of the product between the pressure element 95 and the duct 65 in which the dispensing end piece 53 abuts and is supported, , Or can be moved by the elastically deformable diaphragm or move without inherent elasticity, but it is deformed to involve volume increase and the product continues to dispense as soon as the jaws 3, 4 are moved together And comes into contact with the elastic returning member which generates the necessary pressure.

The housing in the device receiving the refill may comprise at least one light source.

This light source allows the user to see the presence of refills while operating the device.

By manufacturing the refill at least partially with a material that allows viewing of the contained cosmetic, the light source allows the user to more easily determine the level of cosmetic material remaining in the refill.

It may therefore appear advantageous to fabricate a refill with at least a portion of the reservoir made of a transparent or translucent material and to arrange the light source to illuminate the reservoir.

Preferably, the flap has a window that allows viewing at least the lighted portion of the reservoir so that the user can know the level of product remaining while the flap is in the closed position. If appropriate, the color of the light source may vary depending on some parameters, for example to signal the process temperature has been reached or the level of the product or water is low.

The expression "comprising" should be understood to have the same meaning as "including at least one ", and the limits are included in all ranges of the indicated values.

Claims (22)

1. A refill (20) for an appliance for treating hair,
A reservoir 23 for containing a hair care product,
- a dispensing end piece (53) for dispensing the product contained in the reservoir (23)
- at least one component of a flap-valve pump which feeds the product contained in the reservoir (23) to the dispensing end piece (53). The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the refill extends along a longitudinal axis (Z) and the at least one component is located along the longitudinal axis (Z) between the reservoir (23) and the dispensing end piece (53) A refill for an appliance to process. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The reservoir extends along a longitudinal axis (X _res) of the reservoir, wherein the longitudinal axis (X _res) length (L _res) of the reservoir as measured along the measured refill along the same axis (X _res) Is less than or equal to the total length (L _rech ) of the hair. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein said dispensing end piece (53) and said reservoir have respective longitudinal axes (X _em , X _res ) that are not coincident and in particular parallel. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the reservoir has a volume of 2 ml to 20 ml, the refill for an appliance for treating hair. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The volume of the hair care product delivered per operation of the flap-valve pump is between 0.01 ml and 0.5 ml. The refill for an appliance for treating hair. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Wherein the flap-valve pump has a pumping chamber and an elastically deformable diaphragm that at least partially defines the pumping chamber. 8. The method of claim 7,
The flap-valve pump (95) is of the no-air type, for a refill for an appliance for treating hair. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
Wherein the refill has an inlet valve disposed upstream of the pumping chamber and the inlet valve is open in a flow direction from the reservoir to the pumping chamber. 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
Wherein the refill has an outlet valve disposed downstream of the pumping chamber and wherein the outlet valve is open in a flow direction from the pumping chamber to the dispensing endpiece (53). 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The dispensing end piece may have at least one dispensing orifice, more preferably a plurality of dispensing orifices, and the orifices may be particularly closed at rest and open under the pressure exerted by the hair care product, The orifice (s) are formed through a wall, said wall being particularly deformable, preferably a wall defined by a flexible duct, said flexible duct being particularly connected to said pumping chamber at one of its ends Refills for the appliance to process hair. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the dispensing orifice (68) is formed by at least one slot having edges joined at rest. 13. The method according to claim 10, 11 or 12,
The dispensing orifice (s) form an outlet valve, the refill for an appliance for treating hair. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
Wherein the flap-valve pump is formed as a single portion comprising at least one of an inlet valve and an outlet valve and a pumping chamber. 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The dispensing end piece (53) is pre-filled with the hair care product. 16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
Wherein the refill comprises an applicator member to which a product is fed by the dispensing end piece, the applicator member preferably at least partially covers the dispensing end piece, the applicator member preferably comprising a porous material and / Or a material capable of releasing or diffusing cosmetics, in particular an open cell foam. 17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The refill comprises a support (83) for supporting the dispensing end piece and / or the flap-valve pump and / or the reservoir, more preferably the dispensing end piece, the flap-valve pump and the reservoir , Refills for appliances to process hair. 18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
And a member for closing said refill (20) when not in use. A hair treatment device (2)
At least two arms (5, 6), at least two arms (5, 6), which can be moved with respect to each other between a shape moved together for processing said hair and a spaced shape for inserting a hair to be treated between said arms The dogs 5, 6,
A refill (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the refill (20) is supported by at least one of the arms (5; 6) , A device for hair treatment. 20. The method of claim 19,
And actuates the flap-valve pump (95) by moving the arms (5, 6) together. 21. The method according to claim 19 or 20,
The arm (6; 5) opposite the arm supporting the refill 20 has a relief 96 which operates the flap-valve pump 95 in the co- , And the relief (96) protrudes to an extent adjustable by the user, depending on the dose dispensed. 22. The method according to one of claims 19 to 21,
The device is a straightener and each of the two arms 5, 6 includes a heating element 120, 122, and each of the heating elements 120, 122 is preferably in contact with the hair And a plate defining a hot surface (125) to be subjected to heat treatment.

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