WO2019129874A1

WO2019129874A1 - Automatic hair-styling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2019129874A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/097119
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas Lauchet; Valentin JAVELLE
Original assignee: Seb S.A.
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-12-28
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: CN109984444A; EP3731692B1; FR3076190A1; CN109984444B; CN210248818U; EP3731692A1; FR3076190B1

Abstract

- The invention concerns a hair-styling apparatus (1) designed so as to be gripped and handled by hand and comprising a main body (2) that carries at least one motorised roller (3) mounted so as to be able to rotate relative to the main body in order to cause a lock of hair (C) to be styled to move by friction relative to the main body (2), said hair-styling apparatus (1) being characterised in that said main body (2) also carries guide means (5) for guiding said lock of hair (C) arranged relative to said motorised roller (3) to keep said lock of hair (C) pressed against said motorised roller (3) according to an angular contact sector (α) of at least 30°.

Description

AUTOMATIC COIFFAGE APPARATUS

The present invention relates to the general technical field of styling or hairdressing apparatus, preferably for domestic use, and more specifically to portable electric styling apparatus intended to ensure shaping of the hair, and in particular a smoothing thereof.

The present invention relates more particularly to a styling apparatus designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising a main body which embeds at least one motorized roller rotatably mounted relative to the main body for frictionally moving a lock of hair to be combed relatively. to the main body.

Electric straighteners are well known. They are generally in the form of a V-shaped clip, generally shaped "sugar tongs", whose jaws are made of hot plates. These known straightening irons allow the user to come exercise, by means of the clamp in question, a local pressure on a lock of hair while heating the latter, which smooths the lock of hair concerned.

These known devices, if they give overall satisfaction, nonetheless have some disadvantages.

In the first place, these known devices have a purely manual character, forcing the user, for example, to move himself the smoothing iron along a given bit to shape the latter over its entire length. This is not only tedious and uncomfortable for the user, but can also affect the final result of formatting. Indeed, the way to use the device (manual pressure exerted, gestures ...) may vary from one user to another, and even, for a given user, from one lock to another.

These known devices, besides the fact that they are impractical to use, therefore do not guarantee to obtain a consistent and repeatable result. The objects assigned to the invention are therefore intended to remedy the various disadvantages listed above and to propose a new styling device which is particularly easy and quick to use, and whose design not only limits the manual intervention of the user. user, but also to allow a hair lock on most of its length.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new styling device whose design allows a particularly reliable automatic operation.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new hair styling device which makes it possible to obtain hair smoothing which is particularly effective under comfortable conditions of use.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new styling device of particularly simple and compact construction.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new hair styling device that is particularly robust and reliable. Another object of the invention is to propose a new styling device of ergonomic design and particularly intuitive use.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a styling apparatus designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising a main body which embeds at least one motorized roller rotatably mounted relative to the main body to put in motion by friction a lock of hair to be combed relative to the main body, said styling apparatus being characterized in that said main body also carries means for guiding said lock of hair arranged relative to said motorized roller to keep said lock of hair against said motorized roller according to an angular contact sector of at least 30 °. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent and will appear in more detail from a reading of the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting illustration, in which: - Figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, a styling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention and the clamping device is in the clamping configuration, said styling apparatus constituting in this case a iron to smooth automatically. - Figure 2 illustrates, in a first schematic cutaway view, the apparatus of Figure 1.

- Figure 3 illustrates, in a second schematic cutaway view, where parts have been omitted for the sake of clarity, the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

- Figure 4 illustrates, in a perspective view, a detail of the apparatus of Figure 3.

- Figure 5 illustrates, in a front view, the apparatus of Figure 4.

- Figure 6 illustrates, in a schematic cross-sectional view, the apparatus of Figures 1 to 5.

- Figure 7 is a partial view from above, in a front sectional plane, of the apparatus of the preceding figures.

- Figure 8 illustrates, in a perspective view, the apparatus of the preceding figures with this time the clamping device in the introduction configuration.

FIG. 9 illustrates, in a cutaway schematic view, the apparatus of FIG. 8.

- Figure 10 illustrates, in a front view, a detail of the apparatus of Figures 8 and 9.

- Figure 11 illustrates, in a schematic cross-sectional view, the apparatus of Figures 8 to 10. - Figure 12 is a partial view from above, in a front sectional plane, of the apparatus of Figures 8 to 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view, along a sagittal sectional plane, of the apparatus of FIGS. 8 to 12. FIG. 14 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, a styling apparatus according to a second embodiment. of the invention with its clamping device in clamping configuration.

- Figure 15 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, the styling apparatus of Figure 15 with its clamping device in the introduction configuration.

- Figure 16 schematically illustrates an apparatus according to the invention in use.

The styling apparatus 1 according to the invention is designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand. It is therefore a portable and manual device, preferably intended for use in a home environment by a user who does not have professional skills in styling or hairdressing, that is to say in the form of hair, and in particular hair straightening. Preferably, and in accordance with the various embodiments illustrated in the figures, the styling apparatus 1 forms a straightening iron which allows a user to smooth his hair, preferably by providing heat and pressure. Preferably and as illustrated, the apparatus 1 forms an automatic straightener, that is to say that the apparatus 1 is designed to limit the active intervention of the user, who has no technical gestures , specific, to perform, such as gestures and operations that could perform a hairdresser to achieve a similar result. The automatic character of the apparatus 1 allows in particular the apparatus 1 to ensure by itself the relative movement of the lock of hair to be combed and the apparatus 1. Preferably, the apparatus 1 is designed to be substantially fixed (relative to the head of the user) while setting in motion the lock of hair. The invention is however not limited to this specific embodiment, and it is for example quite possible that the styling apparatus 1 forms a curling iron, an embossing iron, or any other apparatus for setting hair shape, automatic or not. For the sake of brevity, the description which follows will nevertheless be centered exclusively on a styling apparatus 1 providing a smoothing function.

The apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises, as illustrated in the figures, at least one main body 2, which advantageously comprises itself a housing, made for example of injected plastic material. The main body 2 may be in the form of a monolithic part (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13) or alternatively in the form of an assembly of parts possibly movable relative to one another (variant of FIGS. ). The apparatus 1 advantageously comprises a handle 2A intended to be manually gripped to manipulate the apparatus 1. The handle 2A is advantageously formed by the rear part 200 of the aforementioned housing and extends for example itself backwards by a cord power supply (not shown), and forwards by an active portion 201 for receiving strands of hair C to shape (in this case smooth).

As illustrated in the figures, the main body 2 carries at least one motorized roller 3 rotatably mounted relative to the main body 2 to frictionally move a lock of hair C to be capped relative to the main body 2. The motorized roller 3 advantageously has a shape substantially cylindrical circular guide curve. The motorized roller 3 is thus designed to scroll the lock of hair C to cap relative to the main body 2, for example at a speed for example between 1 and 5 cm / s, preferably equal to about 2 cm / s. It is for this reason on the one hand designed to establish a mechanical connection drive with the lock of hair C (in this case by friction, that is to say by local and temporary adhesion of the lock of hair C to the surface of the roll 3), and secondly connected to a motor 4, in order to be rotated by the latter and thus be able to impart a movement to the lock of hair C to be shaped. The motorized roller 3 is able to scroll the wick C at an ideal speed (for example in accordance with the above values) to obtain a satisfactory styling result. The roller motorized 3 thus makes it possible to automate the styling operation, for example to obtain a smoothing effect (in accordance with the illustrated embodiment) by scrolling the lock of hair C to be combed between smoothing plates, like this will be described in more detail in the following. The invention is however not limited to the implementation of a smoothing and the motorized roller 3 may be alternately intended to set in motion the lock of hair C in order to give the latter rather a looping, a corrugation or any other desired shaping effect. The motor 4 is for example an electric motor, and even more preferably a geared motor. The engine 4 thus comprises, for example, a rotary motor shaft 4A which can either be formed directly by the output shaft of the motor 4 (variant not shown), or be set in motion by the output shaft 4B of the motor (variant illustrated to Figures 1 to 13), preferably by means of a reduction system, which comprises for example two pinions 40A, 40B respectively carried by the drive shaft 4A and the output shaft 4B. As illustrated, the motorized roller 3 is rotatably mounted relative to the main body according to a first axis of rotation XX 'which preferably extends perpendicularly to the mean direction of movement of the lock of hair C. In other words, the lock of hair C is driven by the motorized roller 3 in transverse displacement relative to the direction of longitudinal extension of the motorized roller 3.

In order to promote local adhesion of the lock of hair C to the motorized roller 3, the latter is at least superficially made of a suitable material, for example a material based on elastomer, rubber, silicone, foam (optionally impregnated with a care product or a cosmetic product for the hair) ... The use of other materials is however possible (metal materials or plastics for example). As illustrated in the figures, the first axis of rotation X-X 'of the motorized roller 3 advantageously extends substantially parallel to the mean direction of longitudinal extension of the styling apparatus 1, and in particular of its handle 2A.

According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the main body 2 also includes guide means 5 of the hair lock C arranged relative to the motorized roller 3 for maintaining said lock of hair against said motorized roller 3 in an angular contact sector at least equal to 30 °, independently of the orientation of the apparatus 1 in the space relative to the lock of hair C and with respect to the head of the user. In other words, the guide means 5 are designed so that the lock of hair C comes locally bearing, preferably uniformly, against a surface portion of the motorized roller 3 which extends between two half-planes PA, PB sharing a common border constituted by the first axis of rotation X-X ', said two half-planes PA, PB being inclined with respect to each other by an angle at least equal to 30 °.

Thanks to the guiding means 5, which can take any suitable shape, the lock of hair C thus surrounds locally the motorized roller 3 according to an angular sector sufficient for both:

^■ allow sufficient local adhesion of the lock of hair C motorized roller 3 to implement a perfectly reliable and safe drive of the lock of hair C by the motorized roller 3;

^■ and minimize the diameter of the motorized roller 3 in order to allow the styling apparatus 1 to engage the lock of hair C as close to its root, that is to say closer to the end of the lock of hair C connected to the skull of the user.

The use of specific guidance leading to implement an angular contact sector has at least equal to 30 ° regardless of the orientation of the device 1 relative to the user, ensures a reliable drive of the lock of hair C and allows to engage the lock of hair C with the styling apparatus 1 located closest to the skull, thus maximizing the length of the wick C subjected to shaping treatment operated by the apparatus 1. The invention thus allows to benefit from an excellent compromise between drive reliability of the lock of hair C on the one hand and maximization of the wick length smoothed on the other hand. Advantageously, in order to promote the above compromise, the angular contact sector a is at least 45 °, and even more preferably at least 90 °. The angle has defines, in function of the diameter of the motorized roller 3, the portion of the perimeter of the motorized roller 3 in contact with the hair. The value of the angle α and that of the diameter of the motorized roller 3 are advantageously chosen with respect to each other (taking into account the tribological properties of the material forming the surface of the roll 3) to obtain the best possible compromise between reliability of the training of the hair on one hand and congestion on the other hand. For example, it has been demonstrated that a motorized roller 3 whose surface is made of silicone, having a diameter at least equal to 8 millimeters with a guide allowing an angular contact sector at least equal to 90 ° is particularly satisfactory both from the point of view of the reliability of the training of the hair by the roll 3 that of the practicality and the quality of the result (possibility to come closer to the skull).

It is also conceivable, with a view to minimizing the diameter of the motorized roller 3, to use an even greater angular contact sector, for example at least equal to 120 °. In general, the smaller the diameter of the motorized roll 3, the greater the angular sector of contact a will be selected, in order to benefit from a reliable drive of the lock of hair C. Indeed, the greater the angular contact sector has between the hair and the motorized roller 3 is important, the more the adhesion between the hair and the roller 3 is high, which promotes the reliability of the drive of the wick C by the motorized roller 3.

As illustrated in the figures, the main body 2 carries a clamping device 6 of said lock of hair C to be capped. The clamping device 6 is intended to ensure the local shaping of the lock of hair C, by exerting on the latter a mechanical stress (pressure), accompanied preferably by a heat input, for example to ensure a smoothing of the lock of hair C. The clamping device 6 advantageously comprises a first pressure surface 7 and a second pressure surface 8 movable relative to one another between:

^■ one hand an insertion configuration (Figures 8 to 13 and 15) that said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 are sufficiently spaced from each other to allow the insertion therebetween of said wick hair C, ^■ on the other hand a clamping configuration (Figures 1-7, 14 and 16) that said pressure surfaces 7, 8 are sufficiently close together to clamp therebetween said C strand of hair, which is then placed in a plane means P _M corresponding to the interface of said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8. The clamping force exerted by said pressure surfaces 7, 8 is for example between 10 and 50 N, for example of the order of N. The introduction configuration is thus an opening configuration allowing the user to position one or more strands of hair C in the clamping device 6, while in the clamping configuration, the clamping device 6 exerts a tightening on the locks or hair C concerned, that is to say, it exerts a local pressure on the locks or hair C hosted within it.

Each of said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8, intended locally to come into contact with the lock of hair C to shape it, is advantageously substantially flat in order to provide a smoothing effect of the hair. In this preferred embodiment, the first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 are, at least in the clamping configuration, both parallel to the average plane P _M , which materializes the contact plane, in clamping configuration, of said first and second second pressure surfaces 7, 8. The invention is of course absolutely not limited to the implementation of first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 planes, and it is for example quite possible that at least l one of said pressure surfaces 7, 8 for example has an irregular surface, corrugated (for example to make loops, waves or waves) or other, to obtain a shaping effect different from a smoothing effect. At least one of said pressure surfaces 7, 8 may also include one or more protuberances, such as teeth or pins for example. The pressure surfaces 7, 8 are preferably of complementary, conjugate shapes (for example one is convex and the other concave, or the surfaces 7, 8 have respective teeth arranged in staggered rows, or else, as illustrated, the two surfaces 7, 8 are substantially flat and flat). Advantageously, the clamping device 6 is provided with a heating means for both tightening and heating the lock of hair C to be shaped. The heating means may for example be embedded in one and / or the other of said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8, in order to preferably heat the hair by conduction while pressing them. In this case, the heating means advantageously comprises resistive heating elements, for example of the heating element type CTP (Positive Temperature Coefficient). Preferably, each of said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 forms a controlled heating surface at a temperature advantageously between 100 and 200 ° C, for example regulated at about 170 ° C. Preferably, the motorized roller 3 is "cold", that is to say that it is not heated and is therefore substantially at room temperature, which promotes rapid cooling of the wick C at the outlet of the device tightening 6.

This cooling is favored by the use of an angular contact sector at least equal to 30 °, which allows to benefit from a significant heat exchange surface. This cooling, to which the motorized roller 3 contributes advantageously, can contribute to the improvement of the shaping effected by the clamping device 6.

Advantageously, the first pressure surface 7 is mounted in circular translation relative to the main body 2 between an open position corresponding to the introduction configuration and a closed position corresponding to the clamping configuration. The recourse to such a circular translational movement, which is implemented in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 13, allows the first pressure surface 7, when it moves from its open position to its closed position (and reciprocally) to remain permanently parallel to itself. In other words, the first pressure surface 7 advantageously has in this case an orientation and a constant attitude relative to the main body 2. This feature allows to exert a particularly uniform and uniform force on the lock of hair C to put in shape, regardless of the positioning of the lock of hair C in the clamping device 6. This allows in particular to prevent inadvertent pinching of some of the hair constituting the lock C to be capped. Preferably, according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 13, the second pressure surface 8 is also mounted movably relative to the main body 2 between open and closed positions respectively corresponding to the introduction configuration and the clamping configuration. Even more preferably, said second pressure surface 8 is also mounted to circular translation relative to the main body 2 between its open and closed positions (and vice versa). Advantageously, according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 13, the first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 are designed to move simultaneously in respective circular translation movements in opposite directions. This means that when the clamping device 6 moves from its clamping configuration to its insertion configuration, the first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 move away from each other simultaneously, in symmetrical respective movements. relative to the average plane P _M , until reaching their respective open positions corresponding to a maximum spacing between said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8. The first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 advantageously move in phase, so that when they are each in their respective closed position, the clamping device 6 then occupies its clamping configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13, the styling apparatus 1 advantageously comprises a control means 9 mounted to move relative to the main body 2. The control means 9 is preferably connected to the clamping device 6 and is manually operable to pass said clamping device 6 of its clamping configuration (FIGS. 1 to 7) to its introduction configuration (FIGS. 8 to 13). The control means 9 comprises, for example, at least one first push-button 90 (or a trigger) pivotally mounted relative to the main body 2 and intended to urge the first pressure surface 7 to pass it in response to actuation. manual of the first push button 90, from its closed position to its open position. Preferably, the control means 9 also comprises a second push button 91 designed to control meanwhile the displacement of the second pressure surface 8 between its closed and open positions. For example, the main body 2 advantageously includes a first link 10 and a second link 11 which each extend between a respective first end 10A, 11A (by a articulation, preferably by a pivot connection) to said main body and a second end respectively 10B, 11B connected (by a hinge, preferably by a pivot connection) to said first pressure surface 7. The implementation of such a deformable parallelogram assembly, by means of the first and second links 10, 11 thus makes it possible to move the first surface 7 relative to the main body 2 between an expanded state (corresponding to the closed position) and a retracted state (corresponding to the open position) . In this preferred embodiment, the first push button 90 and the first link 10 are provided with respective interengaging surfaces for transmitting to said first link 10 a manual control effort applied by the user to the pushbutton 90. , in order to pass the clamping device 6 from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration.

Advantageously, the second pressure surface 8 is also mounted in a circular translation relative to the main body 2 by means of a pair of rods 12, 13 in an arrangement which is preferably symmetrical to that used for the first pressure surface 7 described in the foregoing. The main body 2 thus includes a third and a fourth link 12, 13 which each extend between a respective first end 12A, 13A connected to the main body 2 and a respective second end 12B, 13B connected to the second pressure surface 8.

In order to implement the simultaneous and symmetrical displacement of the first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 mentioned above, the two push buttons 90, 91 are advantageously connected to one another by a force transmission means, formed for example by a transmission rod 14, so that the actuation force exerted on one of the push buttons 90, 91 is reflected automatically and concomitantly with the other push button 91, 90 and vice versa. It is thus advantageously possible for the user to operate the control means 9 with a single finger, while maintaining the apparatus 1 with the rest of the same hand. The apparatus 1 thus allows, in its particularly advantageous form illustrated in the figures, a shaping of the hair (smoothing for example) using a single hand. The use of first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 mounted in circular translation relative to a fixed main body 2 is however not mandatory, and it is possible for example, without going beyond the scope of the invention, instead of using, in accordance with the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 interconnected by a hinge, so as to allow the relative pivoting of the first and second surfaces pressure 7, 8 instead of a circular translational movement. In the second alternative embodiment of Figures 14 and 15, the main body 2 thus consists of two subassemblies 200, 210 articulated relative to each other so as to form a clamp whose jaws bear in the the first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8.

Advantageously, the tightening configuration of the clamping device 6 is a return configuration and the styling apparatus 1 comprises for this purpose a return member of the clamping device 6 in the clamping configuration. In other words, the return member is designed to exert, directly or indirectly, a return force, preferably permanently, on the clamping device 6 to constrain the latter to remain in the clamping configuration in the absence of user bias exerted via the control means 9. This means that at rest, the styling apparatus 1 is designed so that its clamping device 6 is by default in the clamping configuration. In other words, the apparatus 1 adopts, in the absence of external stresses, a natural closed / tight configuration corresponding to the clamping configuration. This makes it possible to obtain an optimal hair shaping result independent of the know-how and dexterity of the user. For example, the return device is designed so that the clamping force exerted by the clamping device 6 in the clamping configuration is between substantially 10 and 50 N, and is preferably substantially equal to 30 N.

Thanks to this characteristic, the pressure exerted locally by the clamping device 6 on the lock of hair C to be shaped does not depend on a manual effort exerted by the user, but only on the return member. It is thus possible to overcome the closing force applied by the user, which facilitates the use of the device 1 and promotes the achievement of an optimal result whatever the know-how and skills of the user. The latter may be in various forms, and for example exert an elastic restoring force, by means of a spring or other elastic body, or a magnetic restoring force (in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. ), by the joint implementation of a magnet (permanent or electromagnet) and an element of ferromagnetic material cooperating with said magnet. For example, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 13, each of the first and third links 10, 12 embeds a respective permanent magnet 15, 16 which cooperates with a plate of ferromagnetic material 150, 160 respectively fixedly attached to the main body 2. Thus, in the absence of user bias on one and / or the other of the pushbuttons 90, 91, said first and third links 10, 12 are recalled, thanks to the respective magnets 15, 16 they board, against the corresponding ferromagnetic material plate 150, 160, thus maintaining the first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 pressed against each other along the contact plane inscribed in the mean plane P _M.

Advantageously, and in accordance with the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the guiding means 5 comprise said clamping device 6, that is to say that the clamping device 6 is part of the guide means and thereby contributes to ensuring an adequate positioning of the lock of hair C relative to the motorized roller 3 for locally holding said lock of hair C in surface contact with the motorized roller 3 according to an angular contact sector at least equal to 30 ° as described above. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the clamping device 6 is preferably arranged upstream of the motorized roller 3 in consideration of the direction of movement D of the lock of hair C relative to the main body 2. The motorized roller 3 is thus advantageously designed to pull the lock of hair C through the clamping device 6, so as to slide the lock of hair C between the first and second pressing surfaces 7, 8 in their respective closed positions corresponding to the clamping configuration ( see Figure 16). In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the motorized roller 3 is advantageously arranged to be substantially adjacent, and preferably immediately adjacent, to the clamping device 6, so that under the effect of the traction exerted by the motorized roller 3 on the lock of hair C, a portion of said lock of hair qui coming out of the clamping device 6 then comes into contact with the motorized roller 3 which is at the outlet of the clamping device 6 (in consideration of the direction D of movement of the lock C relative to the main body 2). According to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the figures, the guide means 5 are advantageously arranged relative to said motorized roller 3 and clamping device 6 so that the lock of hair C moves downstream of the angular sector of contact a, in consideration the direction of displacement D of said lock of hair C relative to the main body 2, in a mean direction A which intersects the average plane P _M. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lock of hair C will thus be directed downwards (see FIG. 16), along a direction A, under the effect of the rotation, according to a first direction S1, of the motorized roller. 3.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the angular contact sector a is substantially less than or equal to 135 °, to avoid marking the lock of hair or impart to it an unwanted shaping, for example a waving or a looping, which would go against the expected result and the shaping (for example a smoothing) carried out by the pressing surfaces 7, 8. Even more preferably, the angular contact sector a is both substantially greater than or equal to at 90 ° and substantially less than or equal to 135 °. This preferred range 90 ° - 135 ° in which is advantageously included the angular sector a allows in particular:

to maximize the arc length of contact between the lock of hair C and the motorized roller 3, while avoiding to impart an unwanted shaping (in particular of the loop or ripple type) to the hair or to "mark" these last ; the shaping (which is preferably a smoothing) is advantageously provided by forming means separate and distinct from the motorized roller 3; said forming means are for example formed by a clamping device 6 described in the following. and / or to direct down the wick Ç at the outlet of the apparatus 1, in a clear direction (direction A corresponding advantageously to the desired direction of final positioning of the hair) which is advantageously parallel to the face, and corresponds substantially at the natural position of the wick, along the head.

Advantageously, said guide means 5 also comprise a pressing roller 17 intended to locally press the lock of hair C against the motorized roller 3 to advantageously allow, or at least promote, the frictional drive of said lock of hair C by the motorized roller 3. As illustrated in the figures, the pressing roller 17 advantageously has a length substantially similar to that of the motorized roller 3 and is thus intended to act as a counter cylinder so that the lock of hair C to be combed is locally interposed and pressed between the motorized roller 3 and the pressing roller 17 (see Figure 16), according to for example the principle of two opposite rollers of a rolling mill. The pressing roller 17 is advantageously designed to be able to adopt at least one pressing configuration in which it is able to come to exert pressure on the lock of hair C to press against the motorized roller 3. Advantageously, the pressing roll 17 is also advantageously designed to be able to adopt an unobstructed configuration in which it is sufficiently far away from the motorized roller 3 to not contribute to pressing the lock of hair C against the latter. Preferably, the pressing roll 17 is in the pressing configuration when the clamping device 6 is in the clamping configuration, and in the unengaged configuration when the clamping device 6 is in the insertion configuration.

The pressing roller 17, which, like the motorized roller 3, preferably has a cylindrical shape with a circular guide curve, advantageously has a diameter that is substantially identical to that of the motorized roller 3. It is however perfectly conceivable, without it being possible to of the invention, the diameter of the pressing roller 17 is lower (as shown in Figure 7) or on the contrary higher than that of the motorized roller 3. The pressing roller 17 is advantageously mounted to free rotation, that is to say that it is preferably not motorized and can rotate freely about a second axis of rotation Y-Y ', which is advantageously arranged parallel to the first axis XX 'of rotation of the motorized roller 3, in the pressing configuration.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 13, the second axis of rotation YY 'of the pressing roll 17 is advantageously permanently arranged (that is to say in both press configuration and unobstructed configuration) in a parallel manner. to the first axis of rotation XX 'of the motorized roller 3. In contrast, in the alternative embodiment of Figures 14 and 15, the first and second axes of rotation X-C', YY 'are parallel to each other only when the roller pressing device 17 is in the pressing configuration (FIG. 14) and is instead inclined relative to each other (FIG. 15) when the pressing roller 17 adopts its unobstructed configuration.

Advantageously, the pressing roll 17 is disposed downstream of the angular contact sector a, in consideration of the direction of movement D of said lock of hair C relative to the main body 2. Thus, particularly advantageously, the contact zone (Corresponding to the angular sector of contact a) between the lock of hair C and the motorized roller 3 is disposed between on the one hand the clamping device 6, which guides the lock of hair C upstream of the angular contact sector a according to an entry direction (inscribed in the plane P _M ), and secondly the pressing roller 17, which guides the lock of hair C downstream of the angular sector of contact has in an exit direction (direction A), said inlet and outlet directions being intersecting so as to enable the lock of hair C to be pressed against the motorized roller 3 along said angular contact sector a, favoring a reliable drive by adherence of the lock wick. hair C by the motorized roller 3.

The pressing roller 17 is also preferably unheated, and is therefore substantially at room temperature, to promote the cooling of the wick mentioned above. Advantageously, the pressing roll 17, when it is in the pressing configuration, therefore presses the lock of hair C against the motorized roll 3 thus enabling said motorized roll 3 to frictionally drive the lock C, the pressing roll. 17 itself being rotated by the lock of hair C and set in motion in a second direction S2 opposite said first direction of rotation S1. The pressing roller 17, just like the motorized roller 3, is preferably made of a material that promotes the local adhesion of the hair, for example a material of rubber, elastomer or foam type. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the pressing roller 17 is freely rotatable, but it is perfectly possible, according to an alternative variant not shown, that the pressing roller 17 is also directly motorized.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, said motorized roller 3 and pressing roller 17 are respectively secured to the first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8, so that the motorized roller 3 advantageously moves with the first surface. 7, while the pressing roller 17 advantageously moves with the second pressing surface 8. Thus, the pressing roller 17 advantageously reaches its pressing configuration when the clamping device is in the clamping configuration, and reaches its configuration. released when the clamping device 6 is in the introduction configuration. It is alternatively possible for the motorized roller 3 to be secured to the second pressure surface 8 and for the roller 17 to be integral with the first pressure surface 7.

Advantageously, the first axis of rotation XX 'forms, in the clamping configuration, on the one hand the boundary of a first half-plane P1 which is parallel to said mean plane P _M and extends towards the outside of the apparatus 1, and on the other hand the boundary of a second half-plane P2 within which the second axis Y-Y 'is inscribed, said second half-plane P2 being either coincidental with the first half-plane P1 (where the two rollers 3, 17 are side by side, with their first and second axes of rotation C-C ', YY' respectively inscribed both in a plane parallel to the mean plane P _M ), or inclined relative to the latter of a angle b less than 60 °, preferably less than or equal to 45 °. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first axis of rotation XX 'fits in a first plane perpendicular to the average plane P _M while the second axis of rotation YY 'is in a second plane also perpendicular to the average plane PM and parallel to said first plane, the second plane in question being distinct from the first plane and further away from the clamping device 6 than is the first plane, so that the first plane is interposed between the second plane and the clamping device 6. In other words, the pressing roll 17, when is in pressing configuration (advantageously corresponding to the clamping configuration of the clamping device 6) is advantageously not vertically aligned with the motorized roller 3, but is instead arranged substantially laterally relative to the latter (see figures), so that it is further outside the apparatus 1 than is the motorized roll 3. This means that the press roll 17 is shifted out of the apparatus 1 by ratio to the motorized roller 3 so that the plane of contact Pc between the two rollers 3, 17, which is perpendicular to the plane P2 in which are inscribed both the first axis of rotation XX 'and the second axis of rotation Y-Y is inclined with respect to the mean plane P _M , for example by an angle (measured clockwise from the mean plane P _M to the contact plane Pc) greater than 10 °, preferably greater than 45 °, and advantageously between 45 ° and 135 °. For example, the contact plane Pc (which is substantially tangential to both the motorized roller 3 and the press roller 17) is substantially perpendicular to the average plane P _{M, in} accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 14. This arrangement makes it possible to directing the lock of hair C, at the exit of the interface zone of the rollers 3, 17, in a non-coplanar direction with the average plane P _M , preferably so as to orient the lock of hair C downwards, so as to to automatically reposition the wick C in its natural position, along the head, after it has undergone thermomechanical shaping treatment performed in this case in the mean plane P _M by the clamping device 6. This arrangement also makes it possible to promote a driving contact between the lock of hair C and the motorized roll 3 sufficiently large to guarantee reliable movement of the lock of hair C, without having to resort to a motorized roll 3 of e too large diameter that would make the device 1 bulky and prevent approaching the device 1 closer to the skull of the user. Advantageously, said pressing roller 17 and motorized roller 3 are designed to move relative to each other between:

^■ a close position (Figures 1 to 7 and 14), preferably corresponding to the clamping configuration of the clamping device 6, wherein the pressing roller 17 is sufficiently close to the driven roller 3 to press said hair strand C against said roller motorized 3 in order to establish a frictional mechanical connection of said lock of hair 7,

^■ and a separated position (Figures 8 to 13 and 15) preferably corresponding to the configuration of introduction of the tightening device 6, wherein the pressing roller 17 is sufficiently away from the motorized roller 3 so as not to press said C strand of hair against the motorized roller 3.

As illustrated in the figures, and as mentioned above, the motorized roller 3 is advantageously secured to the first pressure surface 7 so as to move with it, while the pressing roller 17 is secured to said second pressure surface. 8 so as to move with it, said close positions being then reached when said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 are in the clamping configuration, while the spaced position is reached when said first and second pressure surfaces 7, 8 are in the introductory configuration.

Advantageously, and in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 13, the clamping device 6 comprises a first frame 18 mounted to move relative to the main body 2 between a clamping position corresponding to the clamping configuration and an insertion position corresponding to the introduction configuration, said first frame 18 carrying the first pressure surface 7 and the motorized roller 3. The first frame 18 is thus advantageously designed to move in circular translation relative to the main body 2, in order to move the first surface pressure 7 between its clamping and insertion configurations (and vice versa) and the motorized roller 3 between its close and spaced positions (and vice versa). Advantageously, the clamping device 6 further comprises at least one second frame 19 also mounted movable relative to the main body 2 between a clamping position corresponding to the clamping configuration and an insertion position corresponding to the introduction configuration of the clamping device 6. The second frame 19 advantageously embeds said second pressure surface 8 and a support 20 which embeds The first and second frames 18, 19 preferably advantageously respectively form first and second movable jaws relative to the main body 2 intended to grip the lock of hair C to be smoothed, while allowing sliding between the said strands. bit of said lock of hair C under the effect of the movement of the latter generated by the motorized roller 3 in cooperation with the pressing roller 17. The pressing roller 17 is rotatably mounted along the second axis YY 'relative to the support 20 , the displacement of the second frame 19 relative to the main body 2 at the same time causing the movement of the r pressing die 17 and the second axis of rotation YY 'relative to the main body 2. The support 20 is itself advantageously mounted to move relative to the second frame 19 between at least one rest position that it occupies as the second frame 19 is in the insertion position and an engagement position that it occupies when the second frame 19 reaches its clamping position. Thanks to this mobility of the pressing roller 17, and therefore the second axis of rotation YY 'of the latter, relative to the second frame 19, the styling apparatus 1 can adapt to the characteristics of the lock of hair C, and in particular to the thickness of the latter, adjusting, preferably automatically, the size of the interstitial space between the pressing roller 17 and the motorized roller 3, so as to promote an adherent local contact, while avoiding a possible entrapment of the hair C between the rollers 3, 17.

More specifically, the support 20 is advantageously rotatably mounted along a third axis of rotation ZZ 'integral with the second frame 19 and which therefore moves with the latter. Preferably, the engagement position of the support 20 is thus floating, to adapt to the thickness of the lock of hair C. In other words, the support 20 is advantageously mounted floating relative to the second frame 19, of so as to be able to move freely relative to the second frame 19, preferably pivoted along the third axis of rotation ZZ 'relative to the second frame 19 between its rest and engagement positions. This allows adapting the position of the pressing roll 17 to the thickness of the lock of hair C interposed between said motorized rollers 3 and pressing roll 17.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the support 20 and the main body 2 are provided with respective complementary engagement surfaces 201, 21 which cooperate to transform the displacement of the second frame 19 (preferably in a circular translational movement) relative to the main body 2 in rotation of the support 20 relative to the second frame 19, thereby to control the passage of the support 20 from its rest position to its engagement position and vice versa. For this purpose, the interengagement surface 21 of which the support 20 is provided forms a cam path against and along which one or more cam follower (s) (for example of spherical shape as illustrated) moves the interengagement surface 201 of the support 20. Preferably, a resilient return means is also provided to constantly return the interengagement surfaces 201, 21 against each other. This return means is, for example, in the form of a spring which permanently forces the cam follower (s) integral with the support 20 against the cam surface 201 integral with the main body 2. Cam-controlled floating mounting thus makes it possible to automatically bring the pressing roll 17 into a perfectly functional position relative to the motorized roll 3 during the transition from the introduction configuration to the tightening configuration of the clamping device 6.

It is alternatively possible to envisage, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the passage of the support 20 from its rest position to its engagement position is obtained by direct engagement of the pressing roller 17 by the motorized roller 3, so that when closing the device 1 (passage of the introduction configuration to the tightening configuration), the pressing roller 17 rolls against and on the motorized roller 3 to be pushed back laterally and reach its close position allowing the training of the wick.

Preferably, in order to optimize the contact between the rollers 3, 17 and the lock of hair C, the rollers 3, 17 remain permanently parallel to each other, in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 13. Preferably, the styling apparatus 1 comprises first and second complementary coupling parts 23, 24 respectively attached to the motor 4 and the motorized roller 3. More specifically, the drive shaft 4A advantageously carries the first coupling part 23 , while a receiving shaft 3A integral with the motorized roller 3 carries the second coupling part 24. The first and second complementary coupling parts 23, 24 are advantageously movable relative to one another on the one hand a coupled configuration (FIGS. 1 to 7), corresponding to the close position of said press rolls 17 and motorized roll 3, wherein said first and second coupling complementary parts 23, 24 are in mutual contact to allow the motor 4 to put on in movement the motorized roller 3, and on the other hand a disengaged configuration (FIGS. 8 to 7), corresponding to said position separated from said roll pressing water and motorized roller 3, wherein said first and second complementary coupling parts 23, 24 are at a distance from each other, so that the motor 4 is then unable to set in motion the 3. In other words, in coupled configuration the first and second complementary coupling parts 23, 24 are in contact with each other so as to generate between them a mechanical connection for transmitting the movement of the motor 4 motorized roller 3, so that the latter itself moves the lock of hair C relative to the main body 2. On the contrary, in uncoupled configuration the first and second complementary parts 23, 24 are kept apart one of the other, so as not to be in contact, which breaks the kinematic chain between the motor 4 and the motorized roller 3 and thus prevents any transmission of a possible effort in from the motor 4 to the rotary receiver shaft 3A. The passage from the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration is thus advantageously concomitant with the transition from the clamping configuration to the introduction configuration of the clamping device 6, and is also controlled by manual actuation of the control member 9. Advantageously , the styling apparatus 1 also comprises a torque limiter designed to automatically disconnect said motor shafts 4A and 3A when the two following conditions are met: ^■ said complementary first and second coupling parts 23, 24 are mated configuration

^■ and the torque transmitted to the driven shaft 3A reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value, for example between 40 and 120 mN, preferably equal to 80 mN.m.

The torque limiter is therefore advantageously designed to play its role only when the first and second complementary coupling parts 23, 24 are coupled, and it allows in this case to interrupt automatically (without user intervention) the transmission between the motor 4 and the roller 3, if for example a jamming of the drive device formed by the rollers 3, 17 occurs. The torque limiter can take any known form, and consist for example of a friction torque limiter or friction-free torque limiter (for example with teeth, roller or ball). According to a particularly preferred embodiment and illustrated in the figures, the first and second complementary coupling parts 23, 24 themselves form, in their coupled configuration, said torque limiter. In this case, said first and second complementary coupling parts 23, 24 are advantageously, in a coupled configuration, interengaged by adhesion (to form a friction torque limiter) or by an obstacle (to form a frictionless torque limiter , for example with teeth, balls or rollers), and slip relative to each other as soon as the above-mentioned threshold value is reached.

Preferably, the main body 2 also carries a combing means 22 of said lock of hair C to be set in motion by said motorized roller 3. The combing means 22 is advantageously arranged upstream of the clamping device 6 relative to the direction of displacement D of the wick C. The combing means 22 comprises for example a plurality of teeth or bristles arranged in rows or tufts, so as to form a comb or a brush. The combing means 22 advantageously makes it possible to divide the wick C to be shaped into a plurality of small elementary locks, and to distribute them well over the treatment surfaces formed by the pressing surfaces 7, 8. The combing means 22 thus allows the wick C to be well spread between the jaws to promote its shaping by the surfaces 7, 8, which are preferentially heating. Preferably, the combing means 22 also provides a tensioning function of the lock of hair C, in particular by opposing a local frictional resistance of the lock of hair C to the traction operated by the motorized roller torque 3 / roll of 17 conjugated pressing. In the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 to 13, the combing means 22 is itself pivotally mounted between a folded position that it occupies when the clamping device 6 is in the introduction configuration, to facilitate the installation of the wick C within the clamping device 6, and a raised position that it occupies when the clamping device 6 is in the clamping configuration. The passage from one of said folded and raised positions to the other is advantageously automatic and obtained for example by means of a cam-type drive to transform the movement of the first frame 18 into movement of the combing means 22. For example, the combing means 22 is provided with a cam surface 22A which cooperates with a complementary surface 22B forming a cam follower fixed to the first frame 18, the combing means 22 being advantageously constantly recalled, for example by means of a spring, in its raised position, and pushed into its folded position by cooperation surfaces 22A, 22B when the first frame 18 returns to its insertion position from its engagement position. However, it is perfectly possible, in accordance with the alternative embodiment of Figures 14 and 15, that the combing means is fixedly mounted. The mobile assembly such as that of Figures 1 to 13 is however preferred because it allows a particularly effective tensioning and combing.

The invention ultimately allows, particularly in its preferred embodiment of Figures 1 to 14, to automatically smooth strands of hair particularly reliable, simple and fast, while allowing positioning of the styling apparatus 1 closer to the User's skull to smooth hair strands to a maximum length.

The invention thus relates to a styling apparatus 1 which is preferably specifically intended to smooth the hair and whose closed position of the surfaces of pressure 7, 8 corresponds to the natural configuration (idle configuration) of the apparatus 1. In this natural rest position, which corresponds to the clamping configuration of the clamping device 6, the motorized rollers 3 and the press rollers 17 are in position. close position, while the control means 9 is in an extended position of elastic return.

The exercise of a pressure on the control means 9, against the elastic restoring force which is exerted permanently on the latter, makes it possible to move the apparatus 1 from its stable configuration of rest to a unstable open configuration in which the apparatus 1 is maintained by manual action of the user on the control means 9 to force the latter to occupy its second position. Once the apparatus 1 in the open configuration, the pressing roller 17 is remote from the motorized roller 3 (position removed), while the clamping device 6 is in the introduction configuration. As soon as the user releases the manual effort he exerts on the control means 9, the apparatus 1 spontaneously returns to its natural rest configuration (closed configuration described above).

The operation and use of the apparatus 1 are for example the following.

The user first grasps a lock of hair C with one hand and grasps with his other hand the apparatus 1 while preparing to position it against his scalp, or at least close to it, so that the motorized roller 3 and the pressing roller 17 are arranged near the scalp while the combing means 22 is disposed opposite said rollers 3, 17, further away from the scalp.

The user then actuates the control means 9 to thereby force the apparatus 1 to leave its normally closed configuration to reach its unstable open configuration. The user can then move the apparatus 1 to easily place the lock of hair C inside the apparatus 1, both between the motorized roll 3 and the pressing roll 17 on the one hand and between the first and second pressure surfaces on the other hand, as well as between the teeth of the combing device 22. Once the lock of hair C in place inside the device 1, the user releases the means of control 9 so that the apparatus 1 is recalled in its normally closed configuration, wherein the drive means formed by the rollers 3, 17 is then capable of driving the lock of hair C to be shaped. The wick C will then travel at a suitable speed in the combing device 22, then in the clamping device 6 (between the pressing surfaces 7, 8) which appropriately clamps the hair to smooth the wick C in a particularly durable manner. , fast and automatic.

Claims

1 - styling apparatus (1) designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising a main body (2) which carries at least one motorized roller (3) rotatably mounted relative to the main body for frictionally moving a wick of hair (C) to be capped relative to the main body (2), said styling apparatus (1) being characterized in that said main body (2) also carries guide means (5) of said lock of hair (C) arranged relative to said motorized roller (3) for maintaining said lock of hair (C) pressed against said motorized roller (3) in an angular contact sector (a) of at least 30 °.

2 - styling device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said angular contact sector (a) is at least 45 °, and even more preferably at least equal to 90 °.

3 - styling device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said angular contact sector (a) is substantially less than or equal to 135 °.

4 - styling device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said main body (2) embeds a clamping device (6) of said lock of hair (C) to be capped, said guide means (5) comprising said clamping device (6). 5 - styling device (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that said clamping device (6) is disposed upstream of said motorized roller (3) relative to the direction of movement (D) of said lock of hair (C) ) relative to the main body (2).

6 - styling device (1) according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that said clamping device (6) comprises a first and a second pressure surface (7), (8) movable relative to each other enter : on the one hand, an introduction configuration according to which said first and second pressure surfaces (7), (8) are sufficiently spaced apart from each other to allow insertion of said lock of hair (C ).

- And secondly a clamping configuration according to which said pressure surfaces (7), (8) are sufficiently close together to enclose between them said lock of hair (C) which is then in a corresponding mean plane (PM) at the interface of said first and second pressure surfaces (7), (8).

7 - styling device (1) according to claims 5 and 6 characterized in that said guide means (5) are arranged relative to said motorized roller (3) and clamping device (6) for the lock of hair (C) moves downstream of said angular contact sector (a), in consideration of the direction of movement (D) of said lock of hair (C) relative to the main body (2), in a mean direction (A) which intersects said medium plane (PM).

8 - styling device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7 characterized in that said clamping device (6) is provided with a heating means for both tighten and heat the lock of hair (C) .

9 - Styling device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8 characterized in that said main body (2) also embeds a combing means (22) of said lock of hair (C) to be put in motion by said motorized roller (3), said combing means (22) being arranged upstream of the clamping device (6) relative to the direction of movement (D) of said wick (C).

10 - styling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said guide means (5) comprise a pressing roller (17) intended to come locally press said lock of hair (C) against the motorized roller to allow friction training of said lock of hair

(O) · 11 - styling device (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said pressing roller (17) is disposed downstream of said angular contact sector (a), in consideration of the direction of movement of said lock of hair ( C) relative to the main body (2).

12-styling device (1) according to claims 6 and 11 characterized in that said motorized roller (3) and pressing roller (17) are rotatable respectively to a first and a second axis of rotation (X-X ') and (Y-Y ') and are respectively secured to the first and second pressure surfaces (7), (8), the first axis of rotation (X-X') forming in the clamping configuration on the one hand the border a first half-plane (P1) which is parallel to said mean plane (PM) and extends outwardly of the apparatus (1) and secondly the boundary of a second half-plane (P2 ) in which the second axis (Y-Y ') is inscribed, said second half-plane (P2) being either coincident with said first half-plane (P1), or inclined relative to the latter by an angle (b ) less than 60 °, preferably less than or equal to 45 °.

13 - styling device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12 characterized in that said pressing roller (17) and motorized roller (3) are designed to move relative to each other between:

^■ a close position, wherein the pressing roller (17) is sufficiently close to the motorized roller (3) for urging said lock of hair (C) against said motorized roller to establish a mechanical drive connection of said friction lock of hair (C).

^■ and a separated position, wherein the pressing roller (17) is sufficiently distant from the motorized roller (3) so as not to press said lock of hair (C) against said motorized roller.

14-styling device (1) according to claims 6 and 13 characterized in that said motorized roller (3) is integral with said first pressure surface (7) so as to move with it, while said pressing roller ( 17) is secured to said second pressure surface (8) so as to move with it, said close position being reached when said first and second pressure surfaces (7), (8) are in the clamping configuration, whereas said spaced position is reached when said first and second pressure surfaces (7), (8) are in the introduction configuration.

15-styling device (1) according to claim 14 characterized in that said clamping device (6) comprises at least one second frame (19) movably mounted relative to said main body between a clamping position corresponding to the clamping configuration and an insertion position corresponding to the introduction configuration, said second frame (19) carrying said second pressure surface (8) and a support (20) which itself embeds said pressing roll (17), said support (20) being itself movably mounted relative to said second frame (19) between at least one rest position which it occupies as long as the second frame (19) is in the insertion position and an engagement position that it occupies when the second frame (19) reaches its clamping position. 16-styling device (1) according to claim 15 characterized in that said engagement position is floating to adapt to the thickness of said lock of hair (C).

17-styling apparatus (1) according to claim 15 or 16 characterized in that said support (20) is pivotally mounted relative to said second frame (19) between its rest and engagement positions.

18-styling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it forms a straightening iron.