WO2016079407A1

WO2016079407A1 - Hairstyling device comprising a thermal insulation means

Info

Publication number: WO2016079407A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/053092
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eddy NGO
Original assignee: Seb S.A.
Priority date: 2014-11-18
Filing date: 2015-11-16
Publication date: 2016-05-26
Also published as: FR3028393B1; ES2690875T3; EP3220769B1; CN107072369B; EP3220769A1; FR3028393A1; CN107072369A

Abstract

The invention relates to a straightener-type hairstyling device (1) comprising: two arms (2, 3) mounted on a hinge (4), at least one of said arms (2) comprising a casing (21) having a proximal end (EP) forming a gripping zone (ZP) and a distal end (ED) incorporating a heating plate (5), and said arms (2, 3) being designed to form a clamp that allows hair to be styled by the heating plate (5); and at least one accessory (9a, 9b, 9c) detachably assembled to the arms (2) and having a base (91) intended to slide in a groove (23) in the arm (2), which is is intended to receive and maintain the base (91). According to the invention, the device comprises a thermal insulation means (10) forming a bearing zone (ZA) intended to cover the distal end (ED) of the casing (21) at least partially, and said accessory (9a, 9b, 9c) comprises a coupling means (11) solidly connecting the thermal insulation means (10) to the base (91).

Description

HAIRING APPARATUS WITH THERMAL INSULATION MEANS

[01] The present invention relates to the technical field of hairdressing apparatus for shaping hair. The invention relates more particularly to the technical field of devices of the type smoothing iron comprising at least one heating smoothing plate.

[02] Many types of known straightening irons comprise two jaws mounted on a hinge to form a clamp capable of passing between an open position and a closed position. Hair straighteners known to date often include in each of the jaws a heating element under a smoothing plate, the assembly being contained in a housing of the jaw. During the use of the apparatus, the smoothing plate is often heated to more than 130 ° C which causes an increase in the temperature of the housing by thermal transmission. When it is a vapor straightener, the presence of a steam chamber in the jaw is likely to further increase the temperature of the housing.

[03] However, according to the use of these devices, some hairdressers or users are led to use a hand to maintain the closure of the clamp to be able to make loops or to obtain a better smoothing result and this, in a manner more efficient at the opposite end of the hinge that has the hottest area of the housing. The fact that the fingers are in direct contact with this part of the housing presents a risk of burning or at least an unpleasant sensation when in contact with this part. [04] In order to remedy this problem, several documents are known with a thermal insulation system on the jaw housing to avoid direct contact with the fingers.

[05] For example, EP2433519 discloses a straightener comprising two jaws mounted on hinge, each jaw comprising on the end opposite the hinge a piece attached to the housing. This piece allows a pleasant grip of the device with the thumbs during its closure while providing a thermal insulation of the case. However, such a room integrated in the housing is not sufficient to lower the temperature because of the heat conduction transmitted to the room. In addition, this insert does not allow to have a smooth surface of the housing.

Another known EP26871 18 in the name of the applicant describes a straightener comprising a comb on at least one side of the smoothing plate, the comb being detachably mounted relative to the straightener housing. Nevertheless, this document does not provide any means of thermal insulation of the apparatus.

[07] The object of the present invention is to remedy at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a hairdressing appliance with less risk of burn and a more pleasant feeling when in contact with the housing.

[08] Another object of the invention is a hairdressing apparatus having a casing with a smooth surface that is adapted to several types of shaping of the hair, such as smoothing and styling.

[09] Another object of the invention is a hairdressing apparatus comprising a compact thermal insulation means, low cost and easy to produce in large quantities.

[010] Another object of the invention is an ergonomic hairdressing apparatus which is easy to handle during use.

[01 1] These goals are achieved with a hair straightener, comprising

two arms mounted on a hinge whose at least one arm comprises a housing having a proximal end forming a gripping zone and a distal end incorporating a heating plate, said arms being configured to form a clamp allowing said heating plate to be shaped hair;

- At least one accessory detachably assembled with said arm and having a base for sliding in a groove of the arm for receiving and holding said base.

According to the invention, the apparatus comprises a means of thermal insulation forming a bearing area for at least partially covering the distal end of said housing, and said accessory comprises a connecting means integrally connecting said thermal insulation means to the base.

[012] The thermal insulation means is integrated in the accessory which is itself removable from the housing. The thermal insulation means is not in direct contact with the housing which makes it possible to eliminate or at least limit the thermal conduction between the heated housing and the thermal insulation means. The support zone on the opposite side of the housing is kept at room temperature, even during use of the device, which allows the gripper to be gripped in the bearing zone without causing burns or damage. unpleasant sensation.

[013] In addition, the thermal insulation means is spaced from the housing by a distance D of between 0.5 mm and 4 mm in order to minimize thermal conduction. The air occupying this space acts as thermal insulation. [014] Advantageously, said arm comprises a locking system for locking in the assembled position the base of the at least one accessory on the arm. When the locking system is undone, the accessory is in a retracted position in which the sliding of the accessory on this arm is allowed. The accessory is removable from the housing and the thermal insulation means. The user may choose not to use them in order to have a smooth surface on the housing. This allows a multiuse of the device such as iron to smooth or curling iron.

[015] In addition, the base of the accessory comprises a longitudinal bar for insertion into the groove, said connecting means being arranged at the end disc (ED) when the accessory is mounted on the arm. The isolation means is then on the same end of the longitudinal bar which corresponds to the distal end (ED) of the arm.

[016] Advantageously, the groove is arranged in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the arm to facilitate the introduction of the accessory. [017] To facilitate the manufacture of the device, the accessory, the connecting means and the thermal insulation means form a single piece. [018] In order to better isolate the accessory heat, the thermal insulation means comprises on the support zone (ZA) a cover having a thermal conduction lower than that of the housing. This cover which is a thin layer may be made of a material such as silicone or rubber, deposited by overmoulding on the bearing zone (ZA).

[019] For the sake of limiting heat conduction, it would be preferable to minimize the contact surface between the gripping zone and the heated housing when contact is created by the support of the insulation means. For this, said thermal insulation means has on the opposite side to the bearing zone (ZA) a protrusion intended to bear on the housing.

[020] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the accessory has on the base a series of protruding teeth relative to the heating plate forming a comb for disentangling the hair to facilitate the heat treatment. [021] The apparatus comprises at least two accessories each comprising a series of teeth of different size to adapt to different types of hair.

[022] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the accessory has on the base a series of silk tufts perpendicular to the heating plate forming a brush for brushing the hair during the heat treatment to make them brighter.

[023] Of course, the accessory may have a smooth surface without comb or brush on the longitudinal bar for those who use the straightener without comb or brush. According to one characteristic of the invention, the arm comprises means for vaporizing fluid and means for dispensing steam towards a lock of hair. Such a steam styling apparatus has hot areas which are due to the vaporization chamber contained in the housing having a high temperature. The use of thermal insulation means in such an apparatus is particularly effective for thermal protection during use of the apparatus. [025] These objects are also achieved with an accessory intended to be mounted on the arm of a hairdressing appliance of the type smoothing detachably, having a base for sliding in a groove of the arm for receiving and holding said base, the accessory comprising thermal insulation means forming a bearing zone intended to at least partially cover the distal end of said housing.

[026] The invention will be better understood from the study of the embodiments taken as non-limiting and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective overall views of a hairdressing apparatus comprising an accessory according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an arm of the apparatus without the accessory,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an accessory according to the first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 is a front view of the accessory of FIG. 4 mounted on the apparatus,

- Figures 6 and 7 are front views of the accessory according to a third and a second embodiment. - Figure 8 is an overall sectional view of the hairdressing apparatus according to a variant of the invention.

[027] As illustrated in Figure 1, the hairstyling device 1 is straightener type and comprises two arms 2, 3 which are articulated to each other by pivoting by means of a pivot connection 4 of the hinge type. Thus, the two arms 2, 3 constitute a clamp which allows either an angular spacing between these two arms 2, 3, or an approximation one against the other of these two arms 2, 3 to allow the pinching of hair arranged between said two arms 2, 3.

[028] These arms 2, 3 each comprise a housing 21, 31 and a heating system. In addition to electric heating means (not shown) and thermal control and regulation means (not shown), these heating systems each comprise a heating plate 5, 6, taking the form of a flat surface as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These flat heating surfaces 51, 61 are arranged on the inner faces of the arms 2, 3. Thus, during a nip the two flat heating surfaces are arranged in look at each other and concomitantly allow to perform a heat treatment of the hair, to perform their smoothing.

[029] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, one of the two arms 2 has a proximal end (EP) forming a gripping zone (ZP) and a distal end (ED) incorporating the heating plate 5. Said arm 2 comprises a 9a accessory according to a first embodiment, the accessory being mounted in sliding connection on a side 5a of the heating plane surface 51. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slide connection consists of a guide groove 23 arranged on the arm 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X of said arm 2 and, of a longitudinal bar 91 arranged on the accessory 9a in the direction of the longitudinal axis X and which is the base of the accessory 9a. The longitudinal bar 91 engages and slides in both directions inside the groove 23, in the direction of the longitudinal axis X, which allows sliding in one direction or the other, to mount the 9a accessory on the arm 2 or, conversely, disassemble. The arm 2 further comprises a locking system for locking the accessory 9a in the assembled position on the arm. The construction of the groove 23 and the possible locking system are described in the patent applications FR2993438 and FR1363686 in the name of the applicant and do not require further description here.

[030] As shown in Figure 4, the accessory 9a comprises at one of its ends a connecting means 1 1 presented in the form of a strap 1 1 which is a curved portion intended to partially cover the disc end ( ED) of the arm 2 following its outer contour. The accessory 9a is connected by said ramp 1 1 to a thermal insulation means 10 which is a substantially flat piece having a bearing zone (ZA) accessible from outside the housing 21. The size of this support zone (ZA) is ideally greater than or equal to the size of the thumb, which allows to simply press the thumb without aiming. For example, the width of the bearing zone (ZA) is between 10 mm and 45 mm. The surface value of the support zone is between 2cm ² and 16cm ² . The bearing zone (ZA) may also have a ribbed surface 14, for example comprising protruding lines making it easier to grip the apparatus and to reduce the burning sensation.

[031] The insulation means 10 comprises on the opposite side of the bearing zone (ZA) a gaudron 13 which is a protruding line 13. Said gaudron 13 ensures the single contact between the hot housing and the bearing zone (ZA) when the insulation means 10 is biased. All the rest of the insulation

10 remains spaced from the housing at a minimum distance D, between 0.5 mm and 4 mm .. This allows to minimize the material contact as well as the thermal conduction, the support zone (ZA) thus remains little heated.

[032] In the selection of the material, said ramp 1 1 can be made of a deformable material such as plastic, which allows its deformation and restoration with or without support effort on the isolation means. The ramp

1 1 can also be rigid, in which case a gaudron is no longer necessary since no contact is possible between the insulation means 10 and the housing 21.

According to an example of the invention, it is a one-piece piece made of plastic which comprises the accessory 9a, the connecting means 1 1 and the insulation means 10. The one-piece piece 9a may be made of polyamide ( PA) loaded or not with glass fibers, or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) loaded or unloaded, or polysulfone (PSU).

[033] According to a variant not illustrated, the insulating means 10 comprises on the support zone (ZA) a low thermal conduction layer. It is possible to incorporate a silicone or rubber over-molding on the support zone (ZA) to better insulate the accessory from heat. Preferably, the overmolded cover has a thermal conduction lower than that of the housing 21, of the order of 0.16 W / (m ^■ K). In addition, the silicone or the rubber allows a pleasant touch and a better resistance to the temperature to perform the overmolding.

[034] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, and according to a first embodiment of the apparatus, the accessory 9a comprises a series of teeth 94 protruding from the longitudinal bar 91 forming a comb to unravel and to style the hair during their smoothing and to distribute regular wick on the plate. The teeth 94 are preferably arranged perpendicular to the heating plate 5 and can be housed in a longitudinal cavity 32 located in the arm 3 opposite.

[035] Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise at least two comb-type accessories each comprising a series of differently sized teeth. For example combs with teeth of different height, thickness or shape etc.

According to a second embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 7, an accessory 9c comprises a series of silk tufts 93 such as hard bristles or soft bristles, forming a brush enabling the hair to be brushed during treatment to make them brighter.

[037] According to a third embodiment as visible in Figure 6, an accessory 9b comprises only the longitudinal bar 91, the insulating means 10 and the strap 1 1, without any comb or brush tooth. [038] One can also offer several types of aforementioned accessory to users so that they can change them if necessary.

[039] In the case where the apparatus is equipped with a vaporization system as illustrated in FIG. 8, the apparatus 1 comprises a base 1000 with a fluid reservoir 19, a portable unit 100 comprising means for vaporization 7 'of the fluid, steam distribution means 22 for the hair, a bead 24 comprising at least one pipe for the passage of fluid and arranged between the fluid reservoir 19 and the vaporization means 7', portable unit 100 comprises heating plates 5, 6 intended to come into contact with the hair and the fluid evaporation means 7 'are provided in the portable unit 100. The base is remote from the portable unit, and posable on a workplan. The configuration of such a device is described in the patent 2,967,017 in the name of the applicant and does not require further description. According to this configuration, the arm 2 comprises means for dispensing the vapor 22 in the form of a series of orifices intended for the vapor distribution, as visible in Figure 3. Preferably, the accessory 9a, 9b, 9c is arranged between the heating plate 5 and the orifices 22.

[041] Of course, the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments which have been given by way of example. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1 hair styling apparatus (1) comprising: - two arms (2, 3) mounted on a hinge (4), at least one arm (2) of which comprises a housing (21) having a proximal end (EP) forming a gripping zone (ZP) and a distal end (ED) incorporating a heating plate (5), said arms (2, 3) being configured to form a clamp allowing said heating plate (5) to shape hair; at least one accessory (9a, 9b, 9c) detachably assembled with said arm (2) and having a base (91) for sliding in a groove (23) of the arm (2) for receiving and holding said base (2); 91) - characterized in that the apparatus comprises a means (10) of thermal insulation forming a bearing zone (ZA) intended to at least partially cover the distal end (ED) of said housing (21), and said accessory (9a, 9b, 9c) comprises a connecting means (1 1) integrally connecting said thermal insulation means (10) to the base (91).

2. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thermal insulation means (10) is spaced from the housing (21) by a distance D, between 0.5 mm and 4 mm.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said arm (2) comprises a locking system for locking in the assembled position the base (91) of the at least one accessory (9a, 9b, 9c) on this arm (2).

4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (91) of the accessory (9a, 9b, 9c) comprises a longitudinal bar (91) for insertion into the groove (23), said means link (1 1) being arranged at the distal end (ED) when the accessory (9a, 9b, 9c) is mounted on the arm (2).

5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (23) is arranged in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the arm (2).

6. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the accessory (9a, 9b, 9c), the connecting means (1 1) and the thermal insulation means (10) form a single piece.

7. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thermal insulation means (10) comprises on the support zone (ZA) a cover having a thermal conduction lower than that of the housing (21).

8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said thermal insulation means (10) has on the side opposite the bearing zone (ZA) a protuberance (13) intended to bear on the housing (21).

9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the accessory (9a) has on the base (91) a series of teeth (94) protruding relative to the heating plate (5).

10. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least two accessories (9a) each comprising a series of teeth (94) of different size.

1 1. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the accessory (9c) has on the base (91) a series of silk tufts (93) perpendicular to the heating plate (5).

12. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arm (2) comprises means for vaporization (7 ') of fluid and steam distribution means (22) towards a lock of hair .

13. Accessory intended to be mounted on the arm of a straightener-style hairdressing appliance according to one of the preceding claims in a detachable manner, having a base (91) intended to slide in a groove of the arm intended to receive and maintain said base, the accessory comprising a thermal insulation means forming a bearing zone (ZA) for at least partially covering the distal end (ED) of said housing (21).