Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D20/00—Hair drying devices; Accessories therefor
  • A45D20/04—Hot-air producers
  • A45D20/08—Hot-air producers heated electrically
  • A45D20/10—Hand-held drying devices, e.g. air douches
  • A45D20/12—Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
  • A45D20/122—Diffusers, e.g. for variable air flow

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus for drying and / or shaping the hair, more particularly a hair dryer, comprising a device for varying the outlet section of the air flow blown by the latter.
• Hair dryers for private or professional use generally comprise a housing provided with a handle and equipped with means for circulating air between an inlet grille in the housing and an outlet orifice thereof, as well as means for heating the supply air.
• the air circulation means are constituted by a fan driven by an electric motor. The problem that often arises with these devices is how to modify the intensity and the shape of the air flow leaving it in order to adapt it to different styles of hairstyle.
• Each accessory constitutes an outlet nozzle of determined shape and function and, therefore, to switch from one form to another or to vary the type of drying, it is necessary to change the accessory.
• This has the drawback of having to change several accessories during drying, which becomes annoying especially since the accessories are mounted near the heating means.
• Another disadvantage is to multiply the number of accessories, and therefore to occupy an important place in the storage space provided for the device, while having a limited number of shapes and intensities of the air flow.
• two drawers pivot perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the device and protrude laterally to obtain the flat jet position, which means that the device delivers a deflected air jet on the sides, and not concentrated in the center to fix the hairstyle locally; in addition, the two side drawers increase the size and size of the nozzle.
• This accessory is a diffuser intended to be fixed at the outlet of a hair dryer, the diffuser comprising a hollow body provided at a blowing end with air outlet orifices and other orifices through which hollow fingers pass through. 'free end of which are also formed outlets for the air blown by the device.
• the apparatus also includes a device capable of varying the length of the fingers so that they move more or less away from the scalp and that they send a diffuse air flow.
• This type of accessory does not allow to obtain a concentrated air flow to fix the hairstyle and it is also very bulky.
• a diffuser having a large volume also does not accelerate an air flow. If a small acceleration takes place, it disturbs the air flow which has become very turbulent due to a large number of variation in sections, which generates difficulties in regulating the temperature of the air flow leaving the diffuser.
• the object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a hair dryer provided with a device for continuously varying the outlet section of the air flow blown by the device, making it possible to progressively pass from one multidirectional burst flow to a concentrated unidirectional flow and vice versa, while using a compact device and of simplified construction.
• Another object of the invention is a hair dryer provided with a device allowing the shape of the outlet section of the air flow blown by the device to be varied, while allowing the shape of the section thus modified to be viewed. .
• a further object of the invention is a hair dryer provided with a device for varying the air flow which is efficient, reliable in operation and easy to industrialize for a lower manufacturing cost.
• a hair dryer comprising a housing comprising means for circulating an air flow between an inlet end and an outlet end of said housing, as well as a device arranged near the end of outlet making it possible to modify the outlet section of the air flow, said device comprising at least two flaps arranged in the air flow as well as means for pivotally actuating said flaps, owing to the fact that said device comprises a tubular nozzle disposed between the two flaps and movable axially with respect to the air flow.
• the device modifying the air flow outlet section therefore comprises at least two pivoting flaps arranged on either side of a tubular nozzle, preferably arranged in the center of the device, the longitudinal axis of the device being in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the hair dryer, parallel to the air flow.
• the flaps are arranged to pivot around the pivot axes which can be parallel, perpendicular or even inclined relative to the air flow so as to close during their movement the air flow outlet section.
• this outlet section varies between a maximum value when the shutters allow the flow of air blown by the device to pass, orienting it or not towards the outside, and a minimum value when they close this passage.
• the tubular nozzle being located between the two flaps, the air flow is channeled out of the device through the latter when the air outlet section is closed by the flaps.
• the nozzle being axially movable, it arrives to project relative to the housing during its movement, which allows the user to orient it well with respect to the shaping or drying area of the hair.
• the nozzle can be moved at the same time as the flaps by the same mechanism or by using separate actuation mechanisms, or, as a variant, it could be displaced in a time-shifted manner, the actuation mechanism used being able to initially move the flaps and the nozzle thereafter or vice versa.
• the blown air can take any direction printed by the outlet duct of the device or it can be guided, in particular outwards by the shape of the flaps.
• the flaps pivot, they fold down towards the nozzle so as to direct the air flow in the space between the flaps and the nozzle. This gives a diffuse air flow in multiple directions at the beginning and a concentrated unidirectional air flow at the end, as well as all the intermediate positions between these two extreme positions, the passage from one position to the other being possible. do it continuously or intermittently.
• said nozzle is movable in translation.
• the device according to the invention comprises control means which actuate at the same time the movement of the nozzle and that of the flaps.
• said control means comprise a ring movable in rotation.
• the device for varying the air flow outlet section is arranged at the air outlet end of the hair dryer, for this it is configured to adapt to the shape of the housing, it is therefore cylindrical in shape.
• a ring having the same shape and a diameter of a value comparable to that of the air outlet duct of the hair dryer can be easily rotated by the hand of the user, the movement of the ring can then be used to operate the nozzle and / or the flaps. This gives the advantage of having a compact construction while benefiting from a good amplitude of the control movement.
• the device of the invention comprises a first mechanism which transforms the rotational movement of the ring into a translational movement of the nozzle and a second mechanism which transforms the translational movement of the nozzle or of rotation of the ring into a pivoting movement of the flaps, at least one of said mechanisms being controlled by the rotary ring.
• the rotation of the ring can act directly on the pivoting of the flaps which in turn act on the movement of the nozzle or, conversely, the ring can drive the nozzle which in turn drives the flaps.
• Such a construction allows, by a simple actuation of the rotary ring, to obtain all the desired movements of the flaps and of the nozzle in a simple and efficient manner in operation.
• said first mechanism consists of a lug secured to the outer surface of a nozzle body which moves in a helical groove made on the inner surface of the control ring.
• said second mechanism consists of a lug, integral with one end of the flap, moving in an inclined groove made on the inner surface of the nozzle body.
• the translational movement of the nozzle body, supporting the nozzle in its central part, is used to pivot the shutter when a lug, integral with one of the ends of the shutter, follows the path imposed by an inclined groove made on the inner surface of the nozzle body.
• This construction being very simple to carry out, is very well suited to the training of several flaps at the same time, while remaining compact.
• the lug secured to one of the flaps moves in a groove inclined in one direction and the lug secured to the opposite flap moves in a groove diametrically opposite the first and inclined in the opposite direction.
• the values of the free area of the outlet section vary during the movement of the flaps in a range between 2: 1 and 14: 1, preferably between 3: 1 and 8: 1.
• the device of the invention is removably attached to the housing of the hair dryer.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hair dryer equipped with a device for varying the air outlet section according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device for varying the air outlet section of Figure 1;
• FIG. 2a shows a partial sectional view along the plane A-A of the upper part of the nozzle body of the device of the invention
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 using a section plane passing through the axes of rotation of the flaps;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an axial section of the device of Figure 1 showing the flaps in the maximum open position and the nozzle completely recessed;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an axial section of the device of Figure 1 illustrating the shutters closed on the nozzle which is completely extended.
• the hair dryer produced in accordance with the invention comprises a housing 1 inside which are arranged a fan actuated in rotation by an electric motor ensuring the circulation of air between an inlet 4 located at the rear of the housing 1 and an outlet 5 located at the opposite end, means for heating the air flow circulating inside the device as well as connections to an electrical supply.
• the device is switched on and off by actuating a switch 9.
• the hair dryer also includes a device 3 making it possible to modify the shape of the air outlet section S, this device being fixed to the air outlet end 5.
• the device 3 can be permanently fixed to the end 5 of the housing 1 or it can also be removably mounted relative to the housing 1, for example by a bayonet fixing, by a forced assembly, etc.
• the device 3 comprises a tubular support 10 which carries the other elements of the device and which comprises, at one of its ends, pins 11 which engage in channels of corresponding shape at the end 5 of the housing 1 to fix the device 3 to the device by a bayonet type fixing.
• the opposite end of the support 10 ends in a peripheral rim 15 serving as a stop for a peripheral ring 28.
• the support 10 comprises, on a part of its outer surface, two notches 16 arranged parallel to its longitudinal axis, on the right and 'other of the latter, and forming guides in translation for a nozzle body 12 which will be described later.
• the cages 18a, 18b each have the shape of a cylinder sector and comprise through holes 19a for receiving the axes of rotation 22a, 23a of the upper flaps 6a, 8a, and respectively through holes 19b for receiving the axes of rotation 22b, 23b lower flaps 6b, 8b.
• the cages are produced in the form of two separate parts, fixed by pressure in the windows 14, this in order to simplify the manufacture and then facilitate the assembly of all the parts of the device.
• each flap 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b has the shape of a curved fin, having a longitudinal section in an arc.
• Each upper flap 6a, 8a has two projections forming pivot axes 22a, 23a respectively located at the ends of the flap so that each axis is supported in rotation in a corresponding orifice 19a made on the cage 18a, respectively in an orifice 17a made on the inner surface of the tubular support 10. It is the same for the lower flaps 6b, 8b which each have two pivot axes 22a, 22b rotatably supported by holes 19b, 17b.
• each upper flap 6a, 8a has on one side a guide pin 20a, 21a in an inclined groove 24a, 25a produced on the inner surface of the nozzle body 12.
• the movement of the pin 20a, 21a in the corresponding groove 24a, 25a controls the pivoting of each flap 6a, 6b.
• the lower flaps 6b, 8b pivot around their respective axes during the displacement of the guide pins 20b, 21b in corresponding inclined grooves 24b, 25b formed in the inner surface of the nozzle body 12.
• the device 3 also includes an elongated tubular nozzle 7 made in one piece with an annular nozzle body 12.
• the nozzle 7 is connected to the body 12 by lugs 13 which are provided to slide in the slots 16 of the tubular support 10 and thus ensure the translational guidance of the nozzle body 12.
• the nozzle body 12 has on its inner surface, in two diametrically opposite zones, channels or grooves 24a, 25a inclined in one direction in the upper part of this surface, respectively 24b, 25b inclined in the opposite direction in the lower part of the latter.
• the grooves 24,25 form a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the device. The value of the angle of inclination, as well as the length of each groove are calculated to allow the complete pivoting of each flap between a maximum open position and a maximum closed position, as will be explained below.
• the nozzle body 12 has a lug 27 on its outer surface, a lug which is designed to engage in a helical groove 30 formed on the inner surface of a peripheral control ring 28.
• the sliding of the nozzle body 12 is controlled by a control ring 28 which surrounds the tubular body 10 and the nozzle body 12. It therefore has a helical groove 30 on its inner surface in which engages the lug 27 of the nozzle body 12.
• An internal flange 31 of the ring 28 prevents the ring from moving forward because it abuts against the rim 15 of the tubular support 10.
• the ring 28 is prevented from moving in axial translation, but it can rotate around the longitudinal axis of the device 3, which is an extension of the longitudinal axis of the hair dryer.
• the various constituent parts of the device 3 can be executed, for example in a plastic material, by an injection technique, the moving parts can advantageously be made in a plastic material of the POM type, or in a plastic material loaded with bisulphide. molybdenum, or any other material with good anti-friction properties. Alternatively, friction can be reduced by lubricating the moving parts or their guides, using a grease or an oil film.
• the displacement in axial translation of the nozzle body 12 is controlled with the nozzle 7 by action of the groove 30 on the lug 27.
• the amplitude of the movement of the nozzle 7 is delimited, on the one hand by the rim 15 of the tubular support 10 and, on the other hand, by the rear rim 32 of the control ring 28.
• the translational movement of the nozzle body 12 in turn controls the pivoting of the upper flaps 6a, 8a in one direction and, at the same time, the lower flaps 6b, 8b in the opposite direction.
• Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the device 3 in two extreme operating positions.
• the nozzle 7 is completely inside the support body 10 of the device 3 and the upper flaps 6a, 8a and lower 6b, 8b are oriented towards the periphery of the support 10, in their position of maximum spacing relative to the nozzle 7.
• the air flow blown by the device guided by the curved walls of the flaps and by the straight walls of the nozzle, follows the directions indicated by the arrows in Figure 4, it is a diffuse flow in several directions.
• the value of the area of the free air outlet section is in this case maximum.
• the control ring 28 has been turned as much as possible, so that the nozzle 7 is in the fully extended position relative to the front end of the support 10 and the flaps are folded down. so as to completely close off the space existing between the support 10 and the nozzle 7.
• the air blown by the device exits only through the central part via the nozzle 7 by following the arrow indicated in FIG. 5.
• the air flow obtained in this case is a concentrated air flow, of axial direction.
• the value of the free air outlet surface here reaches its lower limit position, this value being close to that of the section of the nozzle 7.
• the value of the air outlet section and, consequently, the intensity of the air flow can be varied continuously, by turning the control ring 28 in one direction or the other. can take any intermediate position between the two extreme positions shown in Figures 4 and 5.
• the angle of inclination of the two upper flaps 6a, 8a can be identical for the two flaps, or different for each of them. Consequently, the two flaps can perform a rotational movement of the same amplitude or of different amplitudes.
• the number of flaps to be used is not limited to two, one can use several on each side of the nozzle, knowing that the shutter capacity of flaps increases with their number, but also the complexity of the control mechanism.
• any other mechanism for controlling the axial displacement of the nozzle can be used, in particular one can envisage using a mechanism of the pinion and rack type, of the toothed wheel and worm type, or any other type of mechanism capable of transforming a rotary movement of the peripheral control ring into an axial translation movement of the central nozzle. Motorized control for actuating such a mechanism could also be envisaged.

Landscapes

• Cleaning And Drying Hair (AREA)
• Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
• Massaging Devices (AREA)
• Brushes (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8857311

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Cited By (6)

Families Citing this family (20)

Citations (5)

• 2000
  • 2000-12-06 FR FR0015832A patent/FR2817450B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2001
  • 2001-11-28 DE DE60114657T patent/DE60114657T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-11-28 AU AU2002216149A patent/AU2002216149A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-11-28 ES ES01999298T patent/ES2249495T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-11-28 CN CN01819950.XA patent/CN1197502C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-11-28 AT AT01999298T patent/ATE308257T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-11-28 WO PCT/FR2001/003770 patent/WO2002045543A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-11-28 BR BRPI0115831-7A patent/BR0115831B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-11-28 EP EP01999298A patent/EP1339299B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-11-28 RU RU2003120079/12A patent/RU2262282C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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