Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D1/00—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor
  • A45D1/02—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor with means for internal heating, e.g. by liquid fuel
  • A45D1/04—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor with means for internal heating, e.g. by liquid fuel by electricity
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D1/00—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor
  • A45D1/06—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor with two or more jaws
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D2/00—Hair-curling or hair-waving appliances ; Appliances for hair dressing treatment not otherwise provided for
  • A45D2/001—Hair straightening appliances
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D1/00—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor
  • A45D2001/008—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor with vapor generation, e.g. steam

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of hairdressing devices for straightening the hair, of the straightener type, and very particularly to such hairdressing devices equipped with a steam production system which comprises a liquid reservoir, a wetted wick. liquid and a heating element on which said wick comes into contact.
• such an apparatus comprises a reservoir mounted inside the smoothing apparatus which is separated from a heating element by the wick.
• the wick and the reservoir are mounted movable relative to the heating element to allow the user to automatically activate the production of steam when he closes the arms of the appliance, that is to say when performs a straightening of a lock of hair. More precisely, when the user closes the straightening forceps, this has the effect of moving the reservoir as well as the wick in the direction of the heating element.
• the wick is then in contact with the heating element, which has the effect of vaporizing the liquid which it contains at its end, and consequently of producing vapor which is then rejected on the hair via orifices located inside the straightening plates.
• Such devices generally give satisfaction to their users but nevertheless have certain drawbacks, in particular from the point of view of their durability and reliability. Indeed, as the wick moves, that is to say each time the user closes the arms of the device, the wick comes into contact with the heating element. During this contact, the end of the latter, under the effect of the force exerted by the user, but also of the heat, will settle, that is to say deform locally. More specifically, the overall length of the wick will decrease while its diameter will locally increase. This then results, as and when used, less good contact between the wick and the heating element and therefore a less good production of steam.
• An objective of the invention is to propose a hairstyling device for straightening the hair which is particularly reliable and robust, in particular by avoiding the packing of the wick as and when the straightening device is used.
• Another objective of the invention is to propose a hairstyling device for straightening the hair which offers the user easy maintenance.
• Another objective of the invention is to provide a hairstyling device for straightening hair, the construction of which is particularly simple, economical and reliable.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling device for straightening hair that produces steam quickly and continuously.
• a hairstyling device for straightening the hair comprising a straightening surface having at least one flat portion intended to come into contact with a lock of hair, a reservoir of liquid, a heating element, a wick communicating with the reservoir so as to be soaked with liquid, said wick extending between a distal end intended to come into contact with the heating element and a proximal end supplied with liquid from the reservoir, and means for guiding the wick configured to allow its displacement from a passive position to an active position in which said wick is in contact with the heating element for the creation of steam, characterized in that said guide means comprise an elastic guide device in contact with the periphery of said wick at the distal end.
• the elastic guide device is designed to be able to deform elastically according to an axial deformation, said axial deformation corresponding substantially to the axis of the wick, that is to say to the direction in which the latter extends.
• said direction corresponds to the axis along which the drill bit moves between its passive position and its active position.
• the elastic guide device maintains the peripheral surface of the wick in a direction perpendicular to the wick.
• the distal end of the wick which is intended to come into regular contact with the heating element to produce steam, is remarkably maintained and guided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wick which makes it possible to limit or even eliminate the phenomenon of tamping of the wick.
• the wick remains free to move axially, and to compress axially, which in particular makes it possible to optimize its contact with the heating element.
• the active position of the device that is to say the position producing steam, is not constrained by the length of the wick.
• electrical means make it possible to activate said heating element which advantageously comprises a vaporization plate against which the wick comes into contact in the active position.
• said heating element which advantageously comprises a vaporization plate against which the wick comes into contact in the active position.
• said hairstyling device which is the subject of the invention, it advantageously comprises a unit for controlling the temperature of the heating element.
• said elastic guide device is permeable to air in order to allow the reservoir to be vented, and this in order to compensate for the depression linked to the emptying of the liquid from the reservoir through the wick.
• said elastic guide device comprises a helical spring and said wick is arranged inside said spring, which makes it possible to propose a simple, robust and economical assembly.
• the diameter of the spring is between 2 mm and 8 mm and preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm.
• the length at rest of the spring is between 15 mm and 45 mm and preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm.
• said guide means comprise a wick holder with the interior of which is arranged said helical spring.
• the wick holder comprises a channel for conveying air to the reservoir, in order to prevent the reservoir from being in depression as the liquid is drained.
• said elastic guide device extends between said distal and proximal ends of the wick, in other words, extends over the entire length of the wick.
• said elastic guide device comprises a stop capable of coming into contact with said proximal end, which advantageously makes it possible to block the movement of the drill bit in at least one direction of axial movement.
• the hairdressing apparatus for straightening the hair comprises a straightening surface having at least one flat portion intended to come into contact with a lock of hair, a liquid reservoir, a heating element, a wick communicating with the reservoir so as to be soaked with liquid and means for guiding the wick configured to allow its displacement from a passive position to an active position in which said wick is in contact with the heating element for generating steam, said wick comprising a plurality of strands in contact with each other, said strands extending longitudinally.
• the wick is made up of several distinct wires or filaments, and the joining, juxtaposition, and assembly of these make it possible to form the wick, for example in the manner of a cable.
• the wick is therefore not made of a continuous material but rather of an assembly of materials.
• the physical properties of each of the strands are different from the physical properties of the wick formed by the assembly of these strands.
• the wick consists of different strands juxtaposed parallel to each other so as to form a cylinder comprising several strands.
• each strand is preferably a strand of glass fiber.
• This embodiment makes it possible to propose a wick made of a material which is particularly resistant to heat, which will give the latter, and therefore the hairdressing apparatus, great durability and great reliability.
• the wick comprises 14 strands.
• each strand has a length of between 30 mm and 90 mm and preferably between 50 mm and 70 mm, each of said strands being folded back on itself so as to divide its length by two.
• the length of each of the strands is about 60 mm, which allows, by folding them back on themselves, to form a wick having a length of 30 mm.
• the bending of the strands forms the proximal end of the wick while the free end of the strands forms the distal end.
• the wick is made of a continuous and uniform material, sufficiently porous to allow the displacement of the liquid by capillarity.
• the wick is integral with the reservoir, the guide means being configured to move the reservoir and the wick from the passive position to the active position.
• the hairdressing apparatus comprises a first arm and a second arm, the first arm comprising said smoothing surface and the second arm comprising a bearing surface, the first and second arms being mounted articulated with respect to each other between a spaced configuration in which said smoothing surface and bearing surface are spaced from each other and a lock of hair is able to be introduced between said surface smoothing and support surface and a close configuration in which said smoothing surface and support surface are close to each other and are capable of pinching the lock of hair, at least one of said first or second arms comprising the drill bit and the elastic guide device.
• the device then forms a clamp capable, under the action of the user, of pinching a lock of hair so as to apply pressure to the lock of hair which is then found pinched between the surface smoothing and the support surface.
• the user gives the device a translational movement along the lock, the combined effect of the pressure on the lock of hair and the displacement then contributes to smoothing the lock of hair, as is well known as as such with this kind of device called "straightener".
• FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a hair styling device as defined by the invention in the form of pliers, commonly called “straightener", the device being in close configuration;
• FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along the median longitudinal plane P, the device being in the spaced configuration.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along the median longitudinal plane P, the device being in close configuration.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the smoothing and support surfaces of the device of Figure 1.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed and perspective view of a sub-assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1, said sub-assembly comprising a wick holder, an elastic guide device and a wick according to the invention;
• FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the different assemblies constituting the sub-assembly of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is a detail view of Figure 3
• the hairdressing apparatus 1 comprises a first arm 2 and a second arm 4, also called jaws, articulated to each other by means of a hinge comprising in particular a hinge spring 3 and a pivot connection 7, as is well known as such.
• the first arm 2 has a smoothing surface 5 having at least one flat portion intended to come into contact with a lock of hair.
• flat portion is meant a portion which is not wavy or curved and this over an area of a few square centimeters, for example at least 2 cm 2 . However, it is not necessary for said flat portion to be continuous.
• said smoothing surface comprises a smoothing plate, generally made up of a plate of metallic rectangular shape as can be seen in FIG. 4 and intended to come into contact with a lock of hair.
• at least said smoothing surface 5 comprises one or more vapor diffusion devices 15 as can be seen in FIG. 4.
• the second arm 4 has a bearing surface 6 which itself preferably comprises another smoothing plate, that is to say a flat surface, as can be seen on Figure 4 and as is well known as such.
• the support surface may include a non-planar, or partially planar, surface, for example by having teeth or pins as explained above.
• the hairdressing apparatus 1 further comprises one or more heating means configured to heat the smoothing and / or support surfaces 5, 6.
• These heating means are not described in detail in the present patent application since they are well known to those skilled in the art.
• These heating means may for example comprise one or more thermistors with a positive temperature coefficient, called PTC generally disposed in direct contact with the smoothing and support surfaces 5, 6, for example in cavities 22 and 23 as illustrated in Figure 4.
• the first and second arms 2, 4 are mounted articulated with respect to each other between a spaced configuration, visible in FIG. 2, in which said smoothing surface 5 and bearing surface 6 are spaced apart from one another. the other, and a close-up configuration, visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, in which said smoothing surface 5 and bearing surface 6 are brought closer to one another.
• the discarded configuration, or open position, in which a lock of hair is able to be introduced between said smoothing surfaces 5 and support surface 6, generally corresponds to a rest position of the hairdressing appliance 1, in particular thanks to the presence of the hinge spring 3.
• an appliance rest position in which the appliance would, on the contrary, be in close configuration, or closed configuration. In the close configuration, said smoothing 5 and support 6 surfaces are able to pinch the lock of hair.
• Said first and second arms 2, 4 are configured to allow a user to manipulate said hairstyling device 1 during its use, and in particular so as to pass it from the spread configuration to the close configuration.
• each of the smoothing 5 and support 6 surfaces is located near one end of the first and second arms 2, 4 while facing each other, that is to say disposed of so that it is face to face when the device is in close configuration as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
• the first arm 2 includes an inlet 200 for a power cord, for example an electrical cord.
• a power cord for example an electrical cord.
• This electrical cord is used in particular to supply electrical energy to the device's heating means.
• this arrival 200 advantageously constitutes the point of reference with respect to which the distal and proximal expressions refer: thus the expression “proximal end” refers to an end situated on the side of said arrival 200 while on the contrary the expression “distal end” refers to an end situated opposite said arrival 200.
• the hairdressing apparatus 1 comprises a reservoir 10 of liquid.
• the reservoir 10 is filled with water.
• the reservoir 10 is elongated and extends generally in a direction of extension similar to that of one of the two arms, for example the first arm 2, along an axis X. Nevertheless, the reservoir 10 could have a completely different shape without departing from the scope of the present invention.
• the reservoir 10 is removably mounted in a housing 8 provided in the first arm 2.
• the first arm 2 has a passage opening opening into the housing 8 and intended for the passage of the reservoir 10, and an element of shutter 81, such as a shutter, pivotally mounted on the first arm 2 between an open position in which the shutter element 81 at least partially frees the passage opening and allows removal or mounting of the reservoir 10 in the housing 8, and a closed position in which the closure element 81 at least partially closes the passage opening and prevents removal or mounting of the reservoir 10 in the housing 8.
• the element shutter 81 is shown in the closed position in Figure 2 and in the open position in Figures 1 and 3 and comprises for example a flap.
• the hairdressing appliance 1 also comprises a heating element 21, advantageously located under the smoothing surface, that is to say, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, located inside the first arm 2 , as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• said heating element 21 comprises on the one hand a vaporization plate 17 and on the other hand a heating means such as for example a thermistor with positive temperature coefficient ( CTP), which makes it possible to heat said vaporization plate 17 by thermal conduction.
• the vaporization plate 17 comprises a disc oriented perpendicular to the axis X.
• the heating element 21 optionally also makes it possible to heat the smoothing surface 5.
• the hairdressing appliance 1 also comprises a wick 13 communicating with and integral with the reservoir 10, which allows it to be soaked with liquid. More specifically, and as can be seen in the various figures, the wick 13 extends between a distal end 16 intended to come into contact with the heating element 21, and in particular with the vaporization plate 17, and one end proximal 20 supplied with liquid by the reservoir 10, by example by being in contact with the latter and / or by penetrating inside the latter as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• the wick 13 is a wick of cylindrical shape.
• the liquid in this case, the water it contains will evaporate, steam is then produced and then routed to the vapor diffusion devices 15, for example a series of holes, according to a construction well known to those skilled in the art.
• the hair styling device 1 is configured to allow the movement of the lock 13 from a passive position to an active position.
• the passive position corresponds to a position where the wick is not in contact with the heating element 21 and therefore does not allow the water to evaporate.
• the hairdresser 1 does not produce steam.
• the active position corresponds to a position where the wick is in contact with the heating element 21, and more particularly with the vaporization plate 17.
• the water contained in the wick can evaporate and the hairdressing appliance 1 can produce steam by a mechanism well known to those skilled in the art.
• the hairdressing apparatus 1 also comprises means for guiding the wick 13, and in particular a tubular piece 14 also called wick holder 14, mounted in a fixed (integral) but removable (removable) manner on the reservoir 10 and intended to receive (or support or maintain) the wick 13, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 to 7. More particularly, the wick holder 14 comprises an internal bore 141 extending over the entire length of the wick holder 14 according to the X axis and intended to receive in particular the wick 13.
• the guide means of the wick 13 are configured to allow its displacement from the passive position (position not allowing the production of steam) to the active position (position allowing the production of steam) in which said wick 13 is in contact with the vaporization plate 17 for the creation of vapor, and vice versa.
• the reservoir 10 and the wick holder 14 are mounted in slide connection inside the first arm 2, which allows said elements and the wick 13 to be translated along the axis X longitudinal, so as to move the assembly (reservoir 10, wick holder 14 and wick 13) from an active position in which the distal end 16 of the wick 13 comes to bear against a vaporization plate 17, such that illustrated in FIG.
• the wick 13 when the wick 13 is in passive position, the end distal 16 is distant from the heating element 21, in particular from the vaporization plate 17, by a distance of between 3 mm and 10 mm, which makes it possible to guarantee the total stopping of the production of steam.
• the stroke separating the passive position and the active position is between 5 mm and 15 mm, and is advantageously substantially equal to 10 mm.
• the lock under the effect of the hinge spring 3 which will open the device, thanks to a kinematics opposite to that previously described, will be in the passive position and the production of steam will cease .
• the means for guiding the wick 13 further comprises an elastic guiding device 18, such as a preferably helical spring, which is in contact with the periphery of the wick 13, that is to say with the outer surface of the wick 13, at the distal end 16 of the wick 13. More precisely, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the wick 13 is located inside the spring 18 so as to that the section of the latter is constrained by the section of the spring 18. At least one of said first or second arm 2, 4, in this case the first arm 2 according to the illustrated embodiment, includes the wick 13 and the elastic guide device 18.
• an elastic guiding device 18 such as a preferably helical spring
• the spring 18 extends between the distal and proximal ends 16, 20 of the wick 13, that is to say that it extends over the entire length of the wick 13, making thus perfect guidance and maintenance of the latter.
• the elastic guide device 18, in this case the spring is in contact with the periphery of the wick 13 over its entire length.
• the length at rest of the spring is substantially equal to 30 mm, this length corresponding to the preferred length of the wick 13.
• the wick 13 is of circular section and the internal diameter of the spring 18, which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the wick 13, is substantially equal to 5 mm.
• the spring 18 which envelops the wick 13 the latter is constrained in a volume whose section is fixed, thus preventing it from compacting and / or deforming, in the radial direction, that is to say - say in the direction perpendicular to the X axis.
• this volume in which the wick 13 is held is elastically deformable in the axial direction, that is to say in the direction of the axis X.
• this arrangement makes it possible to contain (c ' that is to say, to constrain) the wick 13 in a volume stable in diameter, said diameter being substantially equal to 5 mm, regardless of the position (passive position or active position) and the state (wet or dry ) from wick 13.
• the diameter of the wick 13 remains constant over its entire length.
• the dimensional characteristics of the wick 13 remain constant over time, even after many uses, which allows not to disturb the proper functioning of the device, either in terms of steam production by the vaporization plate or at the level of the locking system which will be detailed later.
• the wick 13 is mounted clamped inside the spring 18, and is therefore immobilized inside the spring 18.
• the disassembly of the device according to the subassemblies illustrated in FIG. 6 is facilitated and the maintenance of the device, and in particular the cleaning of the wick 13, is facilitated, as will be detailed later.
• said spring 18 comprises a stop 181 capable of coming into contact with the proximal end 20 of the drill bit 13.
• said stop 181 consists of a turn of spring 18 which is folded so as to form a radius of the spring 18.
• the stop 181 is opposed to the movement of the wick 13 located inside the spring 18 so as to block a degree of freedom according to an axial translation of said wick 13.
• the wick 13 is prevented by said abutment 181 from entering the tank when the wick 13 is in contact with the vaporization plate 17.
• the spring 18 and the wick 13 are both intended to be mounted inside the wick holder 14 and in particular inside its internal bore 141 according to l axis X, for example according to the principle of a sliding connection or a sliding pivot connection.
• the length of the wick holder 14, or more precisely the length of its internal bore 141 in which the spring 18 is located is designed so that the spring is constrained (that is, i.e. compressed) by a few millimeters, preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm, when the hairdressing appliance 1 is in active position. Therefore, and as mentioned above, the wick 13 is also stressed. In other words, the wick 13 and the spring 18 are both compressed by a few millimeters in the active position of the hair styling device 1, which makes it possible to optimize the contact between the distal end 16 of the wick 13 and the vaporization plate 17 and therefore improve the production of steam.
• the wick and the spring are relaxed (to their rest position).
• the spring 18 and the wick 13 are caused to move along a translation of axis X inside the internal bore 141 of the wick holder 14.
• This compression of the wick 13 allows so remarkable to confer on the hairdressing apparatus 1 a pumping effect during the transition to the active position, making it possible to expel the air possibly present in the wick holder 14, and consequently to improve the efficiency of the apparatus hairstyle 1.
• Such an assembly namely the wick 13 arranged inside the spring 18, itself arranged inside the wick holder 14 ensures excellent guidance and maintenance of the wick 13 and the reservoir 10 during axial displacement (when the user exerts pressure on the reservoir 10 to obtain steam), while allowing the reservoir 10 to be vented.
• the latter is not under vacuum, in other words, it is essential to ensure a venting of the tank 10 so that the pressure does not drop not inside the latter as it empties of its liquid.
• the arrangement proposed by the invention and in particular the presence of the spring 18 between the wick 13 and the wick holder 14 allows the air to circulate along the turns of the spring 18 and therefore to circulate between the wick 13 and the wick holder 14 as far as the interior of the reservoir, thus allowing good transfer of the liquid using the wick 13.
• the internal bore 141 of the wick holder 14 comprises a channel 142 for conveying the air towards the reservoir, the latter advantageously being formed by one or more grooves peripheral to said internal bore 141 along the axis X, as can be seen in FIG. 5. Thanks to the spring 18 which contains the wick 13, said grooves cannot be obstructed by wick 13, even when the latter is soaked with liquid, thus guaranteeing good ventilation of the reservoir and consequently good flow of the liquid that it contains through wick 13 .
• the assembly formed by the reservoir 10, the wick holder 14, the wick 13 and the spring 18 is removable from the reservoir 10, which gives access to an opening 11 on said reservoir 10, for filling it with liquid.
• Any assembly means can be used to assemble the wick holder 14 and the reservoir, such as for example a bayonet system located on the bottom 19 of the wick holder as illustrated in FIG. 6.
• a bayonet system located on the bottom 19 of the wick holder as illustrated in FIG. 6.
• the handling and maintenance operations of the wick 13, and in particular its descaling, for example, according to a practice well known as such consisting in dipping the latter in vinegar, are greatly facilitated by the invention, in since the wick 13 is surrounded by a radially rigid body, in this case the spring 18. More precisely, the user can firmly grasp the spring 18 and wick 13 sub-assembly between his fingers without fear of damaging the wick 13 since the latter is protected by the spring 18. In addition, the rigidity of said sub- the assembly is increased, which greatly facilitates the disassembly operations and especially the reassembly of said sub-assembly in the internal bore 141 of the wick holder 14.
• the spring 18 allows the wick 13 to compress along the axis X but without deforming radially, which makes it possible to remarkably improve the operation of the locking / unlocking system.
• the spring 18 and of the wick 13 will be able to move and / or compress axially, even if the movement of the reservoir 10 continues slightly along the axis X.
• there can be no blocking effect linked to a wick which would possibly be too long compared to the stroke of the reservoir 10. Consequently, the handling of the hairdressing apparatus 1 is thereby made easier for the user.
• the foregoing description makes it possible to grasp the essence of the invention, without limiting its scope.
• other variants remain possible, particularly as regards the implementation and arrangement of the elastic guide device or even in the constitution of the wick itself.

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• Hair Curling (AREA)
• Cleaning And Drying Hair (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

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Citations (3)

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• 2018
  • 2018-06-12 FR FR1855136A patent/FR3082106B1/fr active Active
• 2019
  • 2019-06-07 ES ES19728466T patent/ES2910351T3/es active Active
  • 2019-06-07 WO PCT/EP2019/065022 patent/WO2019238581A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2019-06-07 KR KR1020207034859A patent/KR102699832B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2019-06-07 EP EP19728466.4A patent/EP3806693B1/fr active Active
  • 2019-06-11 CN CN201910501392.2A patent/CN110584294A/zh active Pending

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