RU2672613C1 - Replaceable unit for hair care device with a connecting relief element - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal usage items.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to replaceable unit (20) for a hair care device, comprising body (23) having cavity (30), which is at least partially formed by two opposite walls (34, 36; 38, 40) and bottom (42) and outward through opening (31), and application element (26) inserted into cavity (30) in body (23) along the axis of the inlet and protruding out of cavity (30) through opening (31). At least one of walls (34, 36; 38, 40) and the bottom contain at least one connecting relief element (32), which interacts with the application element to prevent its removal from cavity (30), however, specified connecting relief element (32) is designed in such a way that the insertion force of the application element into the cavity is less than the extraction force.EFFECT: replaceable unit for a hair care device is offered.18 cl, 31 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to devices for hair care, more specifically, but not exclusively, to devices for shaping hair, more specifically, their straightening, curling or crimping, containing a removable unit of cosmetic products.

More specifically, the invention relates to devices comprising two clamps configured to move relative to each other and adopt a diluted configuration for inserting a strand of hair between said clamps, and a reduced configuration for caring for the strand, the clips being able to move along the strand in this reduced configuration. In such devices, the clamps are often provided with two heating elements with which the hair is contacted during operation of the device.

State of the art

Various devices of this type, which are sometimes called “straightening irons,” have already been proposed.)

Hair straighteners usually consist of two levers connected to each other by means of a hinge that allows you to open and close these levers, and from at least one heating element located on the levers. In the process of laying the hair strand, said strand is inserted between the two levers in the open position, then the two levers are manually closed on the strands of hair. The hair strand is then exposed to the heat generated by the heating element until both arms are opened and the hair strand is removed.

WO 2009/078046 describes a hair styling device comprising two levers connected together to enable opening and closing of the device, at least one heating element and at least one socket for receiving a hair care device, the device for hair care is made with the possibility of dosing funds for hair care during the operation. The hair care device is made of auxiliary material impregnated with a hair care product and is suitable for single use.

Documents WO 2009/015027 and US 2009/0025247 disclose a hair straightening device that allows the application of a hair care product by contact with hair. The applied hair care product is contained in a removable removable unit for its application. The removable removable unit has a reservoir containing gel hair care products and holes for dispensing and applying this agent, said holes being made passing directly through the wall of the tank. A replacement unit is inserted into the casing located on one of the two levers of the hair straightener by sliding.

WO 2013/045331 discloses an applicator for applying hair care products to a hair, comprising a cartridge with a care product that is fixed to the applicator housing. The cartridge contains a porous substrate impregnated with a care product.

Application WO 2013/090896 relates to a device for hair care, and more particularly to a device for styling hair containing a substrate with a substance for care, more specifically a porous impregnated material to be applied to hair or skin. This substrate is attached to a special accessory, which, in turn, is removably mounted on the device for hair care. The substrate has a T-shape, so that it can be inserted into the reciprocal groove made in the specified accessories.

There is a need for further improvement of devices for applying hair care products so that the user can easily fill the device with hair care products and / or replace the product to be applied.

Disclosure of the invention

In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, its object is a removable unit for a device for hair care, containing:

- a housing having a cavity, which is at least partially formed by two opposite walls and the bottom and is open in the direction of the outside through the hole; and

- an application element introduced into the cavity in the housing along the input axis X and protruding from the cavity through the hole.

At least one of the walls and the bottom of the cavity contains at least one connecting relief element interacting with the application element to prevent it from being removed from the cavity, wherein said connecting relief element is made in such a way that the input force of the application element into the cavity is less than extraction force.

The application element can be easily inserted into the cavity and removed from it with great difficulty. Due to this, it is possible to properly fix the application element in the cavity.

Input and extraction of the application element is carried out along the same path, but in opposite directions.

The connecting embossed element may be adapted to damage the application element during its extraction. Thus, the application element cannot be reused, which makes it possible to reduce the health hazard of the user in connection with reuse.

The connecting relief element can be configured to separate from the wall or bottom on which it is installed, in particular as a result of breaking off, in the process of removing the application element from the cavity, as a result of which this relief element cannot be reused.

The difference ΔF between the force of input of the application element into the cavity and the force of its extraction from it may be greater than or equal to 3 N, preferably greater than or equal to 4 N.

Preferably, the application element is made of a porous material, in particular synthetic or natural fibers, all of which are oriented in substantially the same direction and are connected to form a felt. The density of the fibers of the application element may be from 0.080 g / cm ³ to 0.400 g / cm ³ . Such a material makes it possible, in particular, to package and apply a cosmetic product.

In one embodiment, the application element comprises at least two parts with different fiber densities and / or fiber orientations. For example, one of the two parts may form a reservoir for the product, and the second may provide the possibility of applying cosmetic products.

Preferably, the application element is impregnated with a cosmetic.

Preferably, the application member is compressible. In the process of introducing the application element into the cavity, the specified application element may undergo local deformation upon contact with the connecting relief element and formed with a greater or lesser approximation to the shape of the cavity. In the process of removing the application element from the cavity, the connecting relief element can hold the application element in it, interacting partially with it and partially with the fibers of the application element.

The application element may contain pre-cut sections made so that during the extraction of the specified application element from the cavity they are torn, as a result of which reuse of the application element becomes impossible.

Preferably, the connecting embossed element extends from said wall or said bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber direction of the application element. With this configuration, the connecting embossed element due to the interaction with the fibers of the application element in the direction perpendicular to this last is made with the ability to break the fibers, thereby damaging the application element and preventing the possibility of reuse.

Preferably, the cavity has a height H defined along the input axis X from the hole, wherein the connecting relief element extends along the input axis X by a length l less than the indicated height H.

Preferably, the connecting embossed element is asymmetric with respect to its median transverse plane. Such asymmetry makes it possible to obtain, in particular, characteristics of the input of the application element other than the characteristics of its extraction.

Preferably, the connecting embossed element has a thickness e measured in a plane perpendicular to said wall or said bottom, which changes along the X axis of the insertion. Preferably the thickness e

- increases along the entire length l of the connecting relief element along the X axis of the input of the application element, or

- the first part is increased by the length l ₁ along the axis X input, and then decreases during the second part ₂ of length l along the X-axis input, wherein the ratio of the lengths l ₂ / l ₁ is less than 1, preferably less than or equal to 0.5, and even more preferably less than or equal to 0.2, or

- increases on the first part l _{1 of the} length along the input axis X, and then remains constant on the second part l ₃ along the input axis X, and the thickness of the second part is less than the maximum thickness e _{max of the} first part.

Due to this, it is possible to obtain a connecting relief element with a more gentle slope in the direction of entry of the application element than a slope in the direction of extraction. This allows for more complex extraction of the application element.

In the case when the connecting relief element is located on one of the opposite walls, the opposite walls may not have a connecting relief element above some nonzero height h, measured from the bottom of the cavity. As a consequence of this, the application element after it is inserted into the cavity passes, at least in part, under the connecting relief element in the cavity. This ensures, in particular, a more reliable interaction of the connecting relief element with the application element, and in particular with its fibers, in the direction of its extraction.

Preferably, the connecting relief element or each of the connecting relief elements has:

- the first surface facing the hole and having an average slope, forming an angle α with the input axis X, less than or equal to 45 °, and

- a second surface facing outward from the hole and having an average inclination forming an angle β with the input axis X greater than or equal to 45 °, preferably greater than or equal to 80 °, more preferably greater than or equal to 90 °.

The first surface and the second surface may form an angle γ of less than or equal to 110 ° at the point of convergence, preferably less than or equal to 90 ° and / or greater than 45 °.

The connecting relief element may have at least one rib at the convergence of the first and second surfaces, in particular a longitudinal rib and / or a transverse rib.

The connecting relief element may have a substantially triangular shape in longitudinal section, in particular when the specified connecting relief element is located on one of the opposite walls, or the shape of an arrow with a tip facing the hole of the cavity, in particular when the connecting relief element is located at the bottom.

If the connecting relief element is located on one of the opposite walls, it may have a cross-sectional shape, which is or is not semicircular, mainly polygonal, in particular rectangular, square or triangular. When the connecting relief element is located at the bottom, it may have a cross-sectional shape that is or is not circular, mainly polygonal.

The maximum thickness e _{max of the} connecting relief element, measured in a plane perpendicular to the indicated wall or to the indicated bottom to which it is attached, can be from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

The connecting relief element can extend along the insertion axis X to a length l from 1 mm to 30 mm, preferably from 5 mm to 15 mm.

The connecting relief element may have a maximum width k, measured parallel to said wall, from 0.2 mm to 5 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

Preferably, the connecting relief element is molded together with the housing.

In accordance with one of the options, the connecting relief element is installed in the cavity. The connecting relief element may be made of a different material than the material of the housing.

The connecting relief element may have a narrowed portion, in particular a portion of a smaller width, which is designed so that it breaks when the user removes the application element from the cavity.

At least one of the walls or the bottom may contain many connecting relief elements. At least one of the walls or the bottom may contain connecting relief elements in an amount of less than 10, preferably from 3 to 8 connecting relief elements.

All connecting relief elements may be the same. In accordance with one of the options, at least one of the connecting relief elements is different from the rest.

One of the two opposite walls and / or the bottom may not have a connecting relief element, or each element of two opposite walls and / or the bottom may have at least one connecting relief element.

The connecting relief elements on one of the opposite walls can be located opposite the connecting relief elements on the other of the opposite walls. In accordance with one of the options, the connecting relief elements on one of the opposite walls alternate with the connecting relief elements on the other of the opposite walls.

One of two opposite walls may contain at least one protruding clamped relief element. The other of the two opposite walls preferably comprises connecting relief elements, wherein the pressing relief element presses the application element against the connecting relief elements on the other of the side walls.

Preferably, the opposing walls are flat and parallel to each other. The bottom may be flat.

Preferably, the cavity has an oblong shape in a direction perpendicular to the axis of entry.

Preferably, the cavity is closed, not counting the area where the hole is located.

Preferably, the cavity has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Preferably, the housing of the plug-in unit is U-shaped in cross section.

Preferably, the application element has a shape that is responsive to the shape of the cavity, in particular the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

The cavity may be limited by a front wall and a rear wall located opposite the front wall, two opposite side walls and a bottom, which the application element can abut. At least one of the elements — the front wall, the back wall, side walls, and the bottom — comprises a connecting relief element.

The housing of the replaceable unit may be made of a thermoplastic material, in particular polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), elastomer, polypropylene, a copolyester, in particular Tritan®, or some mixture thereof, in particular sweep PBT and PET.

The application element is preferably immediately laid in its place in the cavity.

Another object of the invention is a device for hair care, containing:

- two levers made with the possibility of moving relative to each other between a closed configuration for hair care and a divorced configuration for entering the hair to be taken care of between these levers, moreover, one of the levers contains a casing;

- a removable unit according to the invention, as described above, located removably in the casing.

Using a replaceable unit allows the user to easily apply various hair care products by simply replacing the replaceable unit.

In addition, this allows the user to change the replaceable unit when the unit is no longer in a cosmetic product or is not enough.

The lever opposite to that on which the replaceable unit is located may have a steam outlet, and preferably also a comb.

Preferably, in particular, in cases where it is necessary to straighten the hair, the device comprises a heating element intended to come into contact with the hair, preferably two heating elements, each of which is located on the lever. This or each of these heating elements may contain a plate made of a material that is a good heat conductor, which forms a hot surface for bringing into contact with the hair, and the temperature of this surface, for example, is greater than or equal to 95 ° C, preferably from 90 to 230 ° C.

Preferably, the agent is applied to a strand of hair inserted into the device before steam is supplied and / or straightened with a heating element (s) and / or combed. As a result, the hair introduced between the levers can come into contact with the application element even before steam and heating elements act on it during the movement of the strand between the device levers.

Preferably, the hair care device according to the invention is a straightener having flat heating elements, in particular that come into contact in a closed lever configuration.

The invention can be better understood from the following detailed description of non-limiting illustrative options for its implementation and consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which:

- in FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hair care device;

- in FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along II-II in FIG. one;

- in FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a removable unit housing;

- in FIG. 4 shows a top view in IV of FIG. 3;

- in FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view along V-V in FIG. 3 and 4;

- in FIG. 6 shows a connecting relief element in accordance with FIG. 3-5 in cross section according to VI-VI in FIG. 5;

- in FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing of a removable unit;

- in FIG. 8 shows a top view of VIII in FIG. 6;

- in FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along IX-IX of FIG. 7 and 8;

- in FIG. 10 shows the connecting relief member shown in FIG. 7-9, in cross section along XX in FIG. 9;

- in FIG. 11A-11M are cross-sectional views of embodiments of interchangeable block housings;

- in FIG. 12A-12E show top views of embodiments of connecting relief elements;

- in FIG. 13A-13C show top views of embodiments of removable unit housings.

In the rest of the description, identical or similar elements or elements having identical or similar functions have the same reference numbers in the drawings. To reduce the description does not provide descriptions for each of the figures of the drawings, but describes only the differences between the different options for implementation.

In FIG. 1 and 2 show the handle 2 of an example hair care device according to the invention.

This handle 2 has two clamps 3 and 4, made with the ability to move relative to each other from a divorced configuration (not illustrated), necessary to enter a strand of hair between these clamps, in a closed configuration, necessary for hair care.

The clamps 3 and 4 are located respectively on the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6, which in this example are connected to each other at one end by means of a swivel joint 8, so that the handle 2 forms forceps.

Each of the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6 preferably has a total length of 22 cm to 37 cm, preferably 31 cm, and forms, between the hinge joint 8 and the clamps 3 and 4, corresponding half handles 10 and 11, which the user can press to close clamps 3 and 4.

Preferably, an elastic return element (not shown) is provided for returning the clamps 3 and 4 to the spaced configuration, this elastic return element being, for example, a spring located around the pivot pin 8.

The invention is not limited to a specific method of connecting the upper lever 5 and the lower lever 6 together, while the clamps 3 and 4 can be made to move in any other way, without going beyond the scope of legal protection of the present invention. However, the presence of a swivel is largely preferred for the ergonomics that it provides.

Clips 3 and 4 form between themselves a region for hair care, and this region is designed to contain the strands of the hair to be taken care of, and during care, the handle 2 moves along the specified strand, for example, in the direction from the root to the end of the hair.

In this example, the handle 2 is made with the possibility of applying cosmetic products, hair care with steam and thermal hair care by contact with two hot surfaces 15 and 16.

The hair movement direction D of the handle 2 shown in FIG. 4, preferably substantially perpendicular to the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6.

In this example, the handle 2 is connected via wire to a base station (not shown), fixed during maintenance and connected to the electrical network.

This base station provides power to the handle 2, as well as water supply to it for generating steam, and can also perform additional functions of processing electrical signals received from the handle 2. The wire 18 connecting the handle 2 to the base station can thus contain various electrical conductors and a water supply tube.

The handle 2 may or may not have a user interface (not shown in the drawings) to allow the user, for example, to launch some components.

The cosmetic product is applied using a removable unit 20, placed on one of the two levers 5 or 6, in this case, on the upper lever 5 which comes into contact with the clamping element 21. The specified element can be made removable.

The interchangeable unit 20 comprises a housing 23 and an application member 26 positioned so that it can come into contact with hair passing through the care zone.

The interchangeable unit 20 may be attached to the lever 5 or 6 in any way, in particular, as shown in FIG. 2, by sliding the ribs of the housing 23 into the groove of the reciprocal form.

The housing 23 has a cavity 30 that is opened outwardly through an opening 31 into which, in the manufacture of the plug-in unit, an application element 26 is inserted along the input and output axis X (hereinafter referred to as the “input axis X”). The housing 23 contains connecting relief elements 32 extending into the cavity 30.

The replacement unit is shown in more detail in FIG. 3-6.

The casing 23 has a substantially general rectangular parallelepiped shape and is elongated along the longitudinal axis Z. In cross section, the casing 23 is U-shaped, as shown in FIG. 5.

The housing 23 comprises a front wall 38 and a rear wall 40, opposed to each other and connected by two side walls 34 and 36 and the bottom 42.

Each of the connecting relief elements 32 is asymmetric with respect to their middle axis M.

The connecting relief elements 32 extend from two opposite side walls 34 and 36 of the housing 30 and are identical. Each side wall 34 or 36 contains five connecting relief elements, however, this number is not necessary. The connecting relief elements 32 on one of the two walls 34 and 36 are located opposite the connecting relief elements 32 on the other of these walls.

The connecting relief elements 32 are elongated along the insertion axis X and have a substantially triangular shape in longitudinal section, as shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen in Fig.6, in cross section these connecting relief elements have a substantially rectangular shape, and their maximum width k is less than their maximum thickness e _max .

Each connecting relief element 32 comprises a first flat surface 46 that faces the hole 31 and is parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the cavity 30, and a second flat surface 48 that faces the bottom 42.

The first surface 46 forms an angle α of about 10 ° with the input axis X and extends along the entire length l of the connecting relief element 32. The second surface 48 is substantially perpendicular to the input axis X. The first surface 46 and the second surface 48 have a common edge 49. The first and second surfaces 46 and 48 form with each other an angle γ equal to β-α, i.e. approximately 80 ° in the case under consideration. Thus, as shown in the drawings, the connecting embossed element 32 may have a thickness e increasing along its entire length l.

The first flat surface 46 is connected to the wall 34 or 36, from which it extends, by two flat surfaces 50 and 52, which form the sides of the connecting relief element 32. The surfaces 50 and 52 form an angle with the longitudinal axis X equal to the angle α formed by the first surface 46.

Connecting relief elements 32 are molded together with the housing 23.

The housing 23 and the connecting relief elements 32 are made of a thermoplastic material, in particular polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene, a copolyester, in particular Tritan®, an elastomer or a mixture thereof, in particular a mixture of PBT and PET

The connecting relief elements 32 extend along the length l from the opening 31 towards the bottom 42, which in this case is about 10 mm. The maximum thickness e _{max of the} connecting relief elements 32, measured from the wall 34 or 36, is in this case about 1.5 mm. The maximum width k of the connecting relief elements 32, measured parallel to the wall 36, is in this case about 1 mm.

The cavity 30 has a width K of about 8 mm, a length L of about 90 mm, and a height of H of about 15 mm.

The side walls 34 and 36 do not have connecting relief elements 32 above a height h measured from the bottom, which is equal to H-l, that is, in this case about 5 mm.

In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces 46 and 48 are connected by a rounded portion 49.

The application element 26 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, in particular with dimensions equal to the dimensions of the cavity 30.

Such an interchangeable unit 20 is particularly suitable when the application element 26 is a felt that:

- has a shape responsive to the shape of the cavity 30;

- formed by fibers, all of which are oriented essentially along the longitudinal axis Z of the cavity 30; and

- has a fiber density of from 0.080 g / cm ³ to 0.400 g / cm ³ .

The example shown in FIG. 7-10, differs from the example shown in FIG. 3, in the form of connecting relief elements 32. In cross section, as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting relief elements 32 are in the form of a right-angled triangle. Each connecting relief element 32 has two first flat surfaces 46a and 46b extending in the longitudinal direction along the entire length l of the connecting relief element 32, as well as a second surface 48. This latter is identical to that described above. The first two flat surfaces 46a and 46b extend from the wall 36 toward the common longitudinal edge 60.

An angle λ of approximately 45 ° is formed between them. The edge 64 and the first two surfaces 46a and 46b form an angle α of approximately 5 ° with the insertion axis X. The angle γ between the first surfaces 46a, 46b and the second surface 48 is approximately 85 °. The first surface 60 is perpendicular to the wall 36.

The maximum thickness e _max and the maximum width k of the connecting relief elements 32 are equal in this case to approximately 0.8 mm.

Such an interchangeable unit 20 is particularly suitable when the application element 26 is a felt that:

- has a shape responsive to the shape of the cavity 30;

- formed by fibers, all of which are oriented essentially along the longitudinal axis Z of the cavity 30; and

- has a fiber density of from 0.080 g / cm ³ to 0.400 g / cm ³ .

The examples shown in FIG. 11A-11M, differ from the examples shown in the previous figures of the drawings, the shape of the connecting relief elements 32 in longitudinal section and / or their position.

In the example shown in FIG. 11A, connecting relief elements 32 are used, having in the longitudinal section the shape of a half of a herringbone. Each connecting relief element 32 has a plurality of edges 49 facing the bottom 42 of the housing 23.

In the example shown in FIG. 11B, connecting relief elements 32 are used, attached to the walls 34 and 36 of the housing 23 and extending over the entire height H of the cavity 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 11C, connecting relief elements 32 are used, each of which has an edge 49 facing the bottom 42. The second surface 48 forms an angle β greater than 90 °, preferably greater than or equal to 135 °. Connecting relief elements 32 undergo elastic deformation. In the process of introducing the application element 26, the connecting relief elements 32 are deformed, bending more towards the bottom of the cavity 30, as a result of which the angle β increases and the distance of the edge from the wall 34 or 36 decreases. When removing the application element 26, the connecting relief elements 32 can be deformed towards the hole 31, as a result of which the angle β will decrease, and the distance of the tip 70 from the wall 34 or 36 will increase, while deformation will lead to even more compression of the application element 26, which more difficult to extract.

In accordance with one of the options, the connecting relief elements 32 described above are non-deformable. In the process of removing the application element 26, the connecting embossed elements 32 can engage this latter, thereby preventing it from being removed.

In the example shown in FIG. 11D, connecting relief elements 32 attached to the walls 34 and 36 of the housing 23 are used. The connecting relief elements 32 are formed by notching and bending the plates 72 and 74 and are mounted on the side walls 34 and 36 of the housing 23. These connecting relief elements are formed by parts of the plates 72 and 74, which are bent toward the internal volume of the cavity. The connecting relief elements 32 face downward and form, with walls 34 or 36, from which they extend, an angle θ less than or equal to 90 °.

The first surface (s) 46 or 46a and 46b of each connecting relief member 32 of those shown in FIG. 11E are convex outwardly.

The second surface 48 of each connecting relief element 32 of those shown in FIG. 11F forms an angle β with an input axis X of less than 90 °. Thus, the connecting relief element 32 comprises a first portion 32a increasing in size towards the bottom 42 and having a length l ₁ , and a second portion 32b decreasing in size towards the bottom 42 and having a length l ₂ . The ratio of lengths l ₂ / l _{1 is} less than 0.2.

The first surface 46, 60 or 62 of each connecting relief element 32 of those shown in FIG. 11G is concave outward.

In the example shown in FIG. 11H, connecting relief elements 32 are used in the form of reeds perpendicular to the input axis X, which are located in recesses 74 made in wall 34 or 36. These connecting relief elements are deformable. When the application element 26 is inserted, the connecting relief elements 32 can bend towards the bottom of the cavity 30, while the angle β becomes greater than 90 °. During the extraction of the application element 26, the connecting relief elements 32 can be deformed in the direction of the hole 31, while the angle β decreases, compressing the application element 26 even more during deformation, making it more difficult to remove it.

In the example shown in FIG. 11I, the housing 23 has clamping relief elements 76 located opposite the connecting relief elements 32. During the insertion of the application element 26 into the cavity 30, these pressing projections allow the said application element 26 to be pressed against the connecting relief element 32 opposite it, which makes it even more reliable retention of this application element 26. In the example under consideration, the pressing relief elements 76 extend along the entire height H of the cavity 30, are made symmetrical with respect to iju to their central axis and are shaped like pads.

In the examples shown in FIG. 11J-11M, the connecting relief element 32 is a bottom relief element 42 having an arrow shape with a tip 80 oriented in the direction of the opening 31 of the cavity 30. The distal end 82 of the arrow extending to a length l ₁ is fixed to a leg 84 of constant thickness. Said distal end extends from the tip 80 towards the bottom 42. The stem 84 has a constant thickness, being thinner than the maximum thickness e _max distal end 82. Starting from the edge 80 and following in the direction of the base legs 84, the thickness increases along the length l ₁ from the distal end 82 and then remains constant along a length l ₃ corresponding to at least part of the leg 84. The distal end 82 may be in the form of an inverted letter V, as shown in FIG. 11J, the shape of a triangle, as shown in FIG. 11K, or the shape of an inverted V with flanges parallel to the bottom 42, at each end of the V-shaped part, as shown in FIG. 11L As shown in FIG. 11M, the distal end may have a recess 86 at the tip 80.

The examples shown in FIG. 12A-12E differ from the examples shown in FIGS. 3-10 in the cross-sectional shape of the connecting relief elements 32. The connecting relief elements 32 may have the shape of an isosceles triangle, as shown in FIG. 12a, a semicircle shape as shown in FIG. 12B, the shape of a half polygon, in particular a half hexagon, as shown in FIG. 12C, or a rectangle with a maximum width k greater than its maximum thickness e _max as shown in FIG. 12D. In the example shown in FIG. 12E, the connecting relief member 32 has a tapered region 90, in particular at the point of convergence with the wall 34. This tapered region 90 may break when the user tries to remove the patch 26.

The examples shown in FIG. 13A-13C are different from the examples shown in FIG. 3-10, the position of the connecting relief elements 32 on the housing 23.

In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the housing 23 comprises two connecting relief elements 32 that are located respectively on opposing walls, a front wall 38 and a rear wall 40.

In the example shown in FIG. 13B, the housing 23 comprises connecting relief elements 32 on one of the side walls 34 or 36.

In the example shown in FIG. 13C, the housing 23 comprises connecting relief elements 32 at the bottom 42.

The invention is not limited to the examples of the embodiments described above, the features of which can be combined with one another within the framework of options that were not illustrated here.

For example, the housing may include connecting relief elements located on opposite side walls, on the front wall, and on the rear wall.

The application element may contain at least two parts with different fiber densities and / or with different orientations.

The expression "containing (something)" should be understood as synonymous with the expression "containing at least one."

Claims (28)

1. A replaceable unit (20) for a hair care device, comprising: - a housing (23) having a cavity (30) formed at least partially by two opposite walls (34, 36; 38, 40) and the bottom (42) and open outward through the hole (31); and - an application element (26) inserted into the cavity (30) in the housing (23) along the input axis (X) and protruding outward from the cavity (30) through the hole (31); moreover, at least one of the walls (34, 36; 38, 40) and the bottom (42) contain at least one connecting relief element (32) interacting with the application element (26) to prevent it from being removed from the cavity (30), wherein said connecting relief element (32) is asymmetric with respect to its average transverse plane (M) so that the force of insertion of the application element into the cavity is less than the force of extraction, the input and extraction of the application element being carried out on the same track ectorii, but in opposite directions. 2. The replacement unit according to claim 1, in which the difference ΔF between the force of input of the application element into the cavity and the force of its extraction from it is greater than or equal to 3 N. 3. A replaceable unit according to claim 1 or 2, in which the cavity (30) has an oblong shape in a direction perpendicular to the axis of entry. 4. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which the cavity (30) has a height H, determined along the axis (X) of the input from the hole (31), while the connecting relief element (32) extends along the input axis (X) along the length

less than the specified height N. 5. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which the connecting relief element (32) protrudes into the cavity (30) and has a thickness e, measured in a plane perpendicular to the specified wall (34, 36; 38, 40), variable along the axis (X) of the input, when this thickness e - increases along the entire length

connecting relief element (32); or - increases in the first part

length along the axis (X) of the input and decreases in the second part

lengths along the axis (X) of the input, and the ratio of lengths

less than 1, preferably less than or equal to 0.5, more preferably less than or equal to 0.2; or - increases in the first part

length along the axis (X) of the input, and then remains constant on the second part

along the axis (X) of the input, and the thickness of the second part is less than the maximum thickness e _{max of the} first part. 6. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, in which the connecting relief element (32) or each of the connecting relief elements (32) has: - the first surface (46; 46a; 46b) facing the hole (31) and having an average inclination forming an angle α with the axis (X) of input less than or equal to 45 °; and - a second surface (48), facing outward from the hole (31) and having an average inclination, forming an angle β with the input axis (X) greater than or equal to 45 °, preferably greater than or equal to 80 °, more preferably greater than or equal to 90 °. 7. The replacement unit according to claim 6, in which the first surface (46; 46a; 46b) and the second surface (48) form at their convergence an angle γ less than or equal to 110 °, preferably less than or equal to 90 ° and / or more 45 °. 8. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, in which the maximum thickness e _{max of the} connecting relief element (32), measured in a plane perpendicular to the specified wall (34; 36; 38; 40) or to the specified bottom (42) to which it is attached, is from 0 2 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 2 mm. 9. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, in which the connecting relief element (32) runs along the axis (X) of the input length

from 1 to 30 mm, preferably from 5 to 15 mm. 10. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, in which at least one of the walls (34; 36; 38; 40) or the wall (42) contains many connecting relief elements (32). 11. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, in which one of the two opposite walls (34; 36; 38; 40) and / or the bottom (42) does not have a connecting relief element (32). 12. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, in which two opposite walls (34; 36; 38; 40) each have at least one connecting relief element (32). 13. A replacement unit according to claim 12, in which the connecting relief elements (32) on one of the opposite walls (34; 36; 38; 40) are located opposite the connecting relief elements (32) on the other of the opposite walls (34; 36; 38 ; 40). 14. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-13, in which the application element (26) is made of a porous material, in particular synthetic or natural fibers, all of which are oriented in substantially the same direction and are formed to form felt. 15. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, wherein the applicator member (26) has a fiber density of between 0.080 g / cm ³ to 0.400 g / cm ^3. 16. A replacement unit according to claim 15, wherein the connecting relief element (s) (32) extends from said wall (34, 36, 38, 40) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber direction of the application element (26). 17. Replaceable unit according to any one of paragraphs. 1-16, in which the application element is impregnated with the tool. 18. A device for hair care, containing: - two levers (3, 4), made with the possibility of moving relative to each other between a closed configuration for hair care and a divorced configuration for inputting hair to be left between these levers, moreover, one of the levers (3; 4) contains a casing; - replaceable unit (20) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-17 mounted removably in the casing.

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