WO2014167217A1

WO2014167217A1 - Steam hairdressing appliance provided with a system for connecting to a tap of the public water distribution system

Info

Publication number: WO2014167217A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/050802
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eddy NGO
Original assignee: Seb S.A.
Priority date: 2013-04-08
Filing date: 2014-04-03
Publication date: 2014-10-16
Also published as: FR3004083A1; CN205106709U; FR3004083B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hairdressing appliance (1) comprising a portable treatment unit (2) designed to heat hair and to project steam over the hair, characterised in that said hairdressing appliance comprises a water supply device (11) designed to connect the portable treatment unit to a tap (12) of the public water distribution system.

Description

STEAMING HAIRSTYLE EQUIPMENT EQUIPPED WITH A

CONNECTING TO A FAUCET OF THE PUBLIC WATER NETWORK

The present invention relates to a steam styling apparatus which is intended to treat the hair by heating and steaming in order to form them. Such a hairdressing device allows for example, according to its configuration, to perform the smoothing, curling or embossing hair.

In a traditional manner, hairdressing devices that allow the smoothing, wrapping or embossing of the hair, comprise a portable treatment unit including two arms, or jaws, each having a surface that can be flat or curved. The two arms are articulated together to form a clamp configured to pinch the hair between the two surfaces disposed vis-a-vis, when bringing the two arms together. These two arms also include a gripping zone for opening and closing the clamp and its handling during styling. At least one of these two surfaces comprises a heating device for the treatment by heating the hair when they are pinched between the two surfaces. Smoothing a lock of hair is done by pinching the wick between the two surfaces and moving the clamp closed along this wick, from the root to the tip. Curling a lock of hair is done by pinching the wick between the two surfaces and at least partially winding this wick around the surfaces, the heat to fix the hair loop.

To improve the shaping of the hair, it is possible to use in addition to the treatment by heating, a steam treatment, said vapor being sprayed onto the hair. As such, the Applicant has already developed a steam styling appliance which is described in the patent application published under the number FR 2 967 017 A1. In addition to the technical characteristics described above, the hairdressing appliance according to FR 2 967 017 A1 comprises a base remote from the portable treatment unit and connected to it. The base includes a water reservoir and a pump for, when activated, to pump water into the reservoir to feed the clamp. One of the arms of the portable treatment unit comprises a vaporization chamber equipped with a heating device. When the hairdressing appliance has reached its optimum conditions of use and the user wishes to use steam for its styling, the pump injects water into the steam chamber; this water vaporizes under the action of the heating device and the steam is projected onto the hair. Thus, the clamp allows the treatment of hair by heating and steam. There are also known hairdressing appliances for hair treatment by heating and steam, which have a mini water tank arranged directly on a portable treatment unit. This water tank is configured to soak a foam in contact with a heating device on the treatment unit configured for this purpose, which also allows a hair treatment by steam in addition to a treatment of said hair by heat. This design therefore has no remote base, unlike the patent FR 2 967 017 A1 cited above, but has the disadvantage vis-à-vis it to have a strongly limited capacity requiring frequent filling of the water tank . The object of the present invention is to design a variant of a hairdressing appliance equipped with a heat and steam hair treatment unit whose design is simplified with respect to hairdressing appliances for treatment by heat and steam such that currently known.

To this end, the invention relates to a hairdressing appliance which comprises a portable treatment unit configured to heat the hair and to spray water vapor on the hair. Remarkably, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a water supply device configured to connect the portable treatment unit to a faucet of the public water network. Such a design has the advantage of avoiding the presence of a remote base of the hairdressing apparatus comprising a water storage tank or, for the known design variant of the prior art, a mini water tank connected directly to the treatment unit. This makes it possible to limit the size of the apparatus and to guarantee a water supply permanently during the entire styling operation, without having to worry about a sufficient reserve of water in the tank as a result of the removal of a such tank. This design also eliminates the presence of a pump on the hairdressing apparatus which, according to the invention, directly uses the pressure of the water on the public water network. This also helps to reduce the clutter of the hairdressing apparatus.

According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the water supply device comprises a water flow regulating valve which is configured to regulate the flow rate and the pressure of the water coming from the public water network. . In addition, the water supply device comprises means for connecting the control valve upstream to the valve and downstream to a solenoid valve arranged on the processing unit. This solenoid valve is configured to be electronically controlled by the treatment unit and to open or close the water supply of this treatment unit.

According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the treatment unit comprises at least one arm provided with a vaporization chamber. In addition, the solenoid valve is configured to supply, via a supply conduit, said vaporization chamber of the at least one arm. However, it could provide two arms each provided with a vaporization chamber and a solenoid valve configured to supply, through conduits, the two spray chambers.

According to a particular design of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the processing unit comprises two arms articulated together and forming a clamp. At least one has a vaporization chamber. The processing unit is configured to control the opening of the solenoid valve after closing the clamp, for example, when closing the clamp.

According to this particular design of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the processing unit comprises an electronic management card and a device detection of open and closed positions of the clamp. Preferably, this detection device is a contactor arranged between the two arms which detects the open or closed position of the clamp and transmits information to the management electronic card, said electronic management card controlling the solenoid valve according to the information received.

According to this particular design of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the two arms each comprise a heating surface, the heating surfaces being configured to pinch a lock of hair when closing the clamp. One could, however, provide a treatment unit with two arms, only one of which would include a heating surface, without departing from the scope of the invention.

According to the hairdressing apparatus that is the subject of the invention, the connection means comprise a flexible hose whose one end is connected to the control valve and a second end is connected to the solenoid valve on the treatment unit. Preferably, the control valve will be configured to be connected directly to the tap of the public network. However, it can be envisaged in an alternative embodiment that the connection means also comprise a second pipe arranged upstream of the control valve and a first end of which is connected to said control valve and a second end is connected to said valve.

According to this design of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the connection means may comprise a connection system arranged between the pipe and the solenoid valve. This connection system is configured to allow the connection and disconnection of the pipe vis-à-vis the treatment unit. This facilitates the storage of the hairdresser's treatment unit by leaving the control valve connected to the tap, which also saves time during the next use of the appliance. According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the water supply device comprises a water filtration system. This limits limescale deposits in the treatment unit.

According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the latter comprising at least one heating surface configured to allow the smoothing of the hair. In this case the hairdressing apparatus comprises two arms each equipped with a heating surface of flat shape. Alternatively, this hairdressing appliance can however be configured to allow the looping of hair. In this case, the hairdressing apparatus comprises two arms, one of which comprises a heating surface of cylindrical shape. In another variant, this hairdressing appliance can be configured to allow the embossing of the hair. In this case, the hairdressing apparatus comprises two arms each equipped with a heating surface of corrugated shape. It could further provide a hairdressing apparatus whose arms are equipped with removable heads or removable heating surfaces respectively performing these functions of smoothing, looping and embossing.

The following description highlights the features and advantages of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention. This description is based on figures, considered in a non-limiting manner and among which: FIG. 1 illustrates a straightening styling apparatus that highlights the water supply device;

- Figure 2 schematizes the principle of operation of the hairdressing appliance.

In Figure 1, the hairdressing apparatus 1 object of the invention is a hair straightener. This comprises a portable processing unit 2. This portable processing unit 2 is electrically powered by means of an electrical connection socket (not shown). The portable treatment unit 2 comprises two arms 3, 4 - also called jaws - hinged together by means of a pivot connection 5, which allows to form a clamp. The two arms 3, 4 each comprise on their inner face and at their distal portion 3a, 4a, a heating surface 6, 7. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the heating surfaces are flat, in the form of two plates. Naturally, variations can be envisaged with curved heating surfaces, such as in particular on hairdressing appliances of the hair-looper type, or even corrugated heating surfaces, such as in particular on hairdressing appliances of the hair-embossing type. It may further be envisaged variants with only one of the two surfaces being heated, the other surface only contributing to the pinch of the lock of hair for shaping.

The two arms 3, 4 each comprise a proximal portion 3b, 4b. These two proximal portions 3b, 4b can concomitantly be gripped with one hand, which allows the manipulation of the portable treatment unit 2 and the closure of the clamp when the two proximal portions 3b, 4b are clamped. When closing the clamp, the heating surfaces 6, 7 arranged opposite each other come into contact with each other, which allows the pinch of a lock of hair disposed between these two heating surfaces 6 , 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second arm 4 comprises, at its distal portion 4a, a vaporization chamber 8 which allows the creation of vapor and the projection of this vapor on the lock of hair pinched between the two heating surfaces 6, 7 when closing the clamp.

In one embodiment, the portable treatment unit 2 of the hairdressing apparatus 1 according to the invention may have similar technical characteristics to those described in the patent application FR 2 967 017 A1 filed by the applicant, regarding the implementation of implementing the heating surfaces 6, 7 and the vaporization chamber 8, with all the advantages that such a design provides. Variants are of course conceivable for these elements, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the heating surfaces 6, 7 and the vaporization chamber 8 each comprise a heating device consisting of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor, said CTP, and a device for measuring the temperature of the heating device consisting of a thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient, called CTN. In an alternative embodiment with only one of the two surfaces being heated, the other surface only contributing to the pinching of the lock of hair for its shaping, said processing unit comprises only two thermistors with positive temperature coefficient and two thermistors with a negative temperature coefficient, or even on certain known variants, a single thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient measuring the temperature of the two thermistors with a positive temperature coefficient. The portable processing unit 2 comprises an electronic card 9 which is configured to manage the activation of the two heating surfaces 6, 7 and the vaporization chamber 8. This electronic card 9 is arranged inside one of the two arms 3, 4, for example in the proximal portion 4b of the second arm 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the processing unit 2 comprises a magnetic sensor 10 of the type with a flexible blade, called ILS, which enables detecting the closed position of the clamp according to which the two heating surfaces 6, 7 are brought together and pinch a lock of hair. In a variant, the flexible blade switch could be replaced by a magneto-resistive sensor, called MRS.

The hairstyling apparatus 1 comprises a feeding device 1 1 which makes it possible to supply water to the vaporization chamber 8 directly from a tap 12 of the public water network. The public water network has the advantage of delivering a pressurized water, which makes it possible to overcome the presence of a pump on the hairdressing appliance 1. This feed device 1 1 comprises a control valve 13 which comprises connection means configured to screw connection and sealingly said control valve 13 to a tip of the valve 12 present at the place of use of the device Hairdressing 1. However, it is possible to provide a connecting pipe between the regulation valve 13 and the valve 12 to move said regulation valve 13 towards said valve 12. The feed device 1 1 comprises a solenoid valve 14 which is arranged inside the proximal portion 4b of the second arm 4, in which the vaporization chamber 8 is also arranged. This solenoid valve 14 is connected to the control valve 13 by means of a flexible hose made for example of silicone or polyvinyl chloride. It is possible to envisage a direct connection of the first end 15a of the pipe 15 to the regulation valve 13. Similarly, it is possible to envisage a direct connection of the second end 15b of the pipe to the solenoid valve 14. In this case, the pipe 15 enters the second arm 4 and an overmolding 16 is provided at the rear end 4c of the second arm 4. It is also conceivable that the pipe 15 has a first portion 15c disposed outside the treatment unit 2 and connected to the control valve 13 and a second portion 15d disposed inside second arm 4 and connected to the solenoid valve 14. In this case, a quick connection system 17 is arranged between the first portion 15c and the second portion 15d and allows a watertight connection between said portions 15c, 15d. For example, the quick-connect system 17 may consist of a male end that snaps or screws tightly on a socket between which is arranged a seal. Such a quick connection system can also be envisaged between the end 15a of the pipe 15 and the regulation valve 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a conduit 18 is arranged between the solenoid valve 14 and an inlet nozzle 8a of the vaporization chamber 8. When the solenoid valve 14 is opened, the water circulates in this conduit 18 and the water is expelled into the vaporization chamber 8. This water comes into contact with the heating device in said vaporization chamber 8, which makes it possible to create vapor which is expelled outside the second arm 4 at the level of the two heating surfaces 6, 7, via a nozzle or orifice-type ejection system (not shown).

When closing the two arms 3, 4, the magnetic sensor 10 transmits information to the electronic card 9. Depending on the programming cycle of the electronic card 9 and the temperature of the heating device in the vaporization chamber 8, said electronic card 9 controls the opening or closing of the solenoid valve 14.

The feed device 11 also comprises a filtration system 19, of the filter cartridge type, which is preferably arranged at the outlet of the tap 12 and upstream of the control valve 13, as illustrated in FIG. It is also possible to arrange a filtration system downstream of the control valve 13 composed of an ion exchange resin to soften and demineralize the water of the public network before it is used with the treatment unit 2. characteristics remain possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Hairdressing apparatus (1) comprising:

a portable treatment unit (2) configured to heat the hair and to spray water vapor on the hair,

- a water supply device (1 1) configured to connect the portable treatment unit to a tap (12) of the public water network,

Characterized in that the water supply device (1 1) comprises a water flow regulating valve (13), connecting means (15, 17) of the regulating valve, upstream, to the tap ( 12) and, downstream, a solenoid valve (14) arranged on the treatment unit (2).

2. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the treatment unit (2) comprises at least one arm (4) provided with a vaporization chamber (8), the solenoid valve (14) being configured to feed the vaporization chamber of the at least one arm.

3. Hairdressing apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the treatment unit (2) comprises two arms (3, 4) articulated together and forming a clamp, at least one of which is provided with a vaporization chamber (8), said treatment unit being configured to control the opening of the solenoid valve (14) following closure of the clamp.

4. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the processing unit (2) comprises an electronic card (9) management and a detection device (10) of the open and closed positions of the clamp.

5. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the two arms (3, 4) each comprise a heating surface (6, 7), the heating surfaces being configured to pinch a lock of hair when closing the clamp.

Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting means comprise a flexible hose (15) having a first end (15a) connected to the regulating valve (13) and a second end (15b) is connected to the solenoid valve (14) on the treatment unit (2).

Hairdressing apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein a connection system (17) is arranged between the pipe (15) and the solenoid valve (14) and configured to allow the connection and disconnection of the screw pipe. with respect to the processing unit (2).

8. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water supply device (1 1) comprises a filtration system (19) of the water.

9. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, which comprises at least one heating surface (6, 7) configured to allow the smoothing, wrapping and / or embossing hair.