ATTACHMENT FOR A HAIR CARE APPLIANCE

Abstract

An attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment including a main body, a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member, an airflow inlet for receiving airflow from a hair care appliance, a first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and the main body. The attachment has a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attachment for a hair care appliance and a hair care appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hair care appliances are generally used to treat or style hair, and some hair care appliances may treat or style hair using airflow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment comprising: a main body; a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member; an airflow inlet for receiving airflow from a hair care appliance; and a first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and a first side of the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and a second side of the main body, wherein the attachment comprises a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.

The attachment of the first aspect may help to control the direction of airflow from the attachment. In the attachment of the first aspect, the first, second and third airflow outlets are provided in both the first and second configurations. This may help to prevent undesirable airflow leakage from parts of the attachment. For example, in arrangements where the first airflow outlet (or equally the second or third airflow outlet) is only present in one but not both of the first and second configurations, airflow may undesirably escape from the attachment at an interface where the first airflow outlet would have been present.

As airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in a first configuration, and in a second direction different to the first direction, this may help to reduce the likelihood of airflow from one of the first, second and third airflow outlets flowing in a substantially different direction to the airflow from the other of the first, second and third airflow outlets.

In the first configuration, airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets may be configured to attach to an outer surface of the main body, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member respectively.

In the second configuration, airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets may be configured to attach to the first hair engaging member, the second hair engaging member and an outer surface of the main body respectively.

The first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be moveable relative to the main body. For example, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main body. Movement of the first and second hair engaging members relative to the main body may move the attachment between the first and second configurations. This may allow the user to easily move the attachment between the first and second configurations.

The first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be operatively connected such that movement of one of the first and second hair engaging members causes movement of the other of the first and second hair engaging members. For example, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be mechanically connected. This may allow both the first and second hair engaging members to be moved by applying a force to one of the first and second hair engaging members. This may improve the ease of use of the attachment.

The main body and the first and second hair engaging members may be substantially elongate. This may allow a greater amount of the user's hair to be engaged by the hair engaging member, which may decrease the time taken to style the user's hair.

A longitudinal axis of the first hair engaging member may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second hair engaging member. This may allow the first and second hair engaging members to be aligned with each other.

The first and second airflow outlets may extend along a length of the first hair engaging member and the second and third airflow outlets may extend along a length of the second hair engaging member. This may help to provide uniform airflow out of the attachment along the length of the hair engaging members.

The hair engaging member may comprise a substantially non-porous base portion and a plurality of bristles attached to the base portion. This may reduce the likelihood to airflow flowing through the hair engaging members, rather than through the airflow outlets. This may provide greater control over airflow from the attachment which may increase the quality of styling the user's hair.

A width of each of the first, second and third airflow outlets in the first configured may be different in the second configuration. This may allow the characteristics of the airflow out of the attachment to be changed between the first configuration and the second configuration. This may allow the characteristics of the airflow out of each of the first, second and third airflow outlets to be controlled to increase the efficiency and/or efficacy of the attachment.

The first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be shaped so as to guide airflow through the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in the first configuration and in a second direction in the second configuration. This may allow the airflow to be directed without the need for additional element to direct airflow in the attachment. This may help to simplify the attachment.

In the first configuration the first and second hair engaging members are in a first orientation and in the second configuration the first and second hair engaging members are in a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is different to the second orientation.

Respective lower surfaces of the first and second hair engaging members comprise a curve having an apex, and the curve is asymmetric about the apex. This may facilitate guiding of airflow in different directions when the first and second hair engaging members are in the first and second orientations. The first and second hair engaging members may be located such that the first and second hair engaging members are symmetric about a central longitudinal axis of the attachment.

The attachment may comprise a first airflow separator downstream of the first airflow outlet in the first configuration, and a second airflow separator downstream of the third airflow outlet in the second configuration, the first airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in the first configuration, and the second airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in the second configuration. This may make it possible to control a location at which airflow separates from the outer surface via provision of the first and second airflow separators. This may help to ensure that separation of the airflow from the outer surface occurs close to a location which may provide optimal performance. In arrangements which do not comprise an airflow separator, it may be difficult to control when/where airflow separates from the outer surface which may lead to inconsistent and undesirable separation of airflow from the outer surface. In use, this may lead to a user's hair being subject to turbulent airflow which may lead to undesirable styling results.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair care apparatus comprising: a handle unit; an air flow generator disposed in the handle unit; and the attachment according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The attachment may be releasably attachable to the handle unit. This may enable a user to selectively provide the functionality of the attachment according to the first aspect.

The hair care appliance may comprise a heater for heating airflow generated by the air flow generator.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair care appliance comprising: a main body; a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member; an airflow inlet; a first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and the main body; and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the airflow inlet to the first, second and third airflow outlets; wherein the attachment comprises a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.

Optional features of aspects of the present invention may be equally applied to other aspects of the present invention, where appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a hair care appliance according to an example;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a handle unit of the hair care appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic isometric view of an attachment according to an example;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the attachment of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of the attachment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example attachment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the example of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of hair engaging members of the attachment of FIG. 3 in isolation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A haircare appliance according to the present invention, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in FIG. 1.

The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 12, and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 12.

The handle unit 12 comprises a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20, as can be seen schematically in FIG. 2.

The housing 14 is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14, and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14, and comprises heating elements 30 to optionally heat the airflow.

The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32, a control module 34 and an RFID reader 24. The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the housing 14, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold). In the example of FIG. 1, the user interface comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged. The RFID reader 24 is to interrogate an RFID tag that forms part of the attachment 100. Although RFID has been discussed here, other forms of wireless or wired communication may be used.

The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16, and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16 in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 18 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

Examples of the attachment 100 are shown schematically in FIGS. 3, 4, 5a, 5b and 6 (FIGS. 5a and 5b collectively referred to as FIG. 5). In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the attachment 100 comprises a main body 101 having an outer surface 102, an airflow inlet 103, and first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b. The main body 101 and the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b are substantially elongate. A longitudinal axis of each of the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the main body 101.

Each of the hair engaging members 104a, 104b comprises a plurality of bristles 105 which extend away from the main body 101. In use, the bristles 105 are configured to engage with the hair of a user in use.

In the example of FIG. 3, a first airflow outlet 106a is between the first hair engaging member 105a and the main body 101, a second airflow outlet 106b is between the first hair engaging member 105a and the second hair engaging member 105b, and a third airflow outlet 106c between the second hair engaging member 105b and the main body 101.

In use, a flow of air is received from the handle unit 12 at the airflow inlet 103. The air may be heated or may be cool depending on a setting selected by the user on the handle unit 12. The flow of air subsequently passes through the air inlet 103 and out of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c. The flow rate of the air through the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c is configured to be around 12.5 litres per second. In some examples, the flow rate of the air is between 9 litres per second and 13 litres per second.

As airflow flows out of the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c, it attaches to the outer surface 102. This airflow may subsequently detach from outer surface 102 at an inconsistent point along the outer surface 102. This may lead to turbulence in the airflow from the attachment 100, which may negatively affect the quality of styling a user's hair.

As more clearly seen in the plan view of FIG. 4, the attachment 100 shown in FIG. 3 comprises first and second airflow separators 107a, 107b (the second airflow separator 107b is not visible in FIG. 3) which extend along the length of the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c respectively. In the example of FIG. 4, the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c have a length of about 95 mm. In some examples, the length of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c is between 85 mm and 105 mm. The airflow separators 107a, 107b are downstream of the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c. The airflow separators 107a, 107b are configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface 102. The airflow separators 107a, 107b allow for the controlled separation of airflow from the outer surface 102, which can increase the quality of styling a user's hair. The first and second airflow separators 107a, 107b are spaced from the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c respectively by about 8.5 mm.

In some examples, first and second airflow separators 107a, 107b are spaced from the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c respectively by between 7 mm and 10 mm.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show schematic cross-sectional views of the attachment 100 of FIG. 4 taken along line A-A. FIG. 5a schematically shows the attachment 100 in a first configuration and FIG. 5b schematically shows the attachment 100 in a second configuration. As shown in FIG. 5, the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b are in a first orientation relative to the main body in the first configuration and in a second orientation relative to the main body in the second configuration. The first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b are movable between the first and second orientations, to move the attachment 100 between the first and second configurations, about respective upper 112a and lower 112b pivot points, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The upper pivot points 112a are defined by a common pin 113 movable within slots 114 formed in a portion 115 located internally of the main body 101. In view of the common pin 113, movement of one of the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b results in movement of the other of the second and first hair engaging members 104b, 104a.

As illustrated by arrows in FIG. 5a, in the first configuration airflow flows from the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c in a first direction. In the first configuration, airflow from the first airflow outlet 106a is configured to attach to the outer surface 102, airflow from the second airflow outlet 106b is configured to attach to a surface 108a of the first hair engaging member 104a and airflow from the third airflow outlet 106c is configured to attach to a surface 108b of the second hair engaging member 104b.

As again illustrated by arrows in FIG. 5b, in the second configuration, airflow flows from the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c in a second direction, different from the first direction. Airflow from the first airflow outlet 106a is configured to attach to the surface 108a of the first hair engaging member 104a, airflow from the second airflow outlet 106b is configured to attach to the surface 108b of the second hair engaging member 104b and airflow from the third airflow outlet 106c is configured to attach to the outer surface 102 of the main body 101.

As the outer surface 102 is curved in the example of FIG. 5a, airflow that attaches to the outer surface 102 follows the curved surface around the attachment 100. This may generate coanda flows at the outer surface 102. When the user brings the attachment 100 into engagement with their hair, the coanda flows may cause the user's hair to be attracted towards the curved outer surface 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 5a, the airflow separators 107a, 107b are recesses in the main body 101 of the attachment 100. The recesses are shaped so as to cause a rapid change in the profile of the outer surface 102. The depth of each recess helps to ensure that airflow does not re-attach to the outer surface 102 downstream of the respective airflow separator 107a, 107b. In some examples the depth of the recess is at least 0.1 mm, for example, the depth of the recess is at least 0.3 mm or at least 0.5 mm. In some examples, a ratio between a width and a depth of the recess is at least 1:1, for example between 1.5:1 and 3:1. In some examples, the ratio between the width and the depth of the recess is at least 2:1. In some examples, the depth of the recess is about 0.7 mm and the width of the recess is about 1.2 mm.

The airflow separators 107a, 107b have a uniform cross-sectional shape along with the length of the first or third airflow outlet 106a, 106c respectively. This may help to ensure that airflow separates from the outer surface 102 at a consistent distance from the respective airflow outlet 106a, 106c along the length of the airflow outlet 106a, 106c. This in turn may lead to more controlled and consistent airflow from the attachment 100 which may result in improved styling results of the user's hair.

Although the airflow separators 107a, 107b shown in the example of FIG. 5 are recesses, in an example shown in FIG. 6, the airflow separator 107a comprises a projection which protrudes from the outer surface 102. As with the recess in FIG. 5, the projection of FIG. 6 causes a rapid change in the profile of the outer surface 102 which causes airflow to detach from the outer surface 102. The height of the projection is configured so as to prevent airflow re-attaching to the outer surface 102 downstream of the airflow separator 107a.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b are moveable between the first and second configurations. In this example, the first hair engaging member 104a is mechanically connected to the second hair engaging member 104b such that movement of one of the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b causes movement of the other of the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b. In use, the attachment 100 switches between the first and second configurations depending on the direction in which the user moves the attachment 100 through their hair. For example, in relation to FIGS. 5a and 5b, when the user moves the attachment 100 in a direction towards the right of the page, the attachment 100 is in the first configuration (as shown in FIG. 5a), and when the user moves the attachment in a direction towards the left of the page, the attachment 100 is in the second configuration (as shown in FIG. 5b).

As shown in FIG. 5, airflow flows through all of the airflow outlets (i.e. through the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c) in the first configuration and in the second configuration. If one of the first, second or third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c was closed in the first or second configuration, airflow may leak out of said closed airflow outlet. By having the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c open in both the first and second configurations, this helps to remove the chance of airflow leaking out of a closed airflow outlet, for example in an undesired direction which could cause undesirable flow characteristics having the potential to interrupt a desired styling process.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b of the example of FIG. 3 in closer detail. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c are substantially free of any intervening member (i.e. the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c are substantially free of any blockages). This helps to reduce the chance of the flow rate of air through the airflow outlets being restricted.

The first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b comprise a non-porous base portion 109 and the plurality of bristles 105 are attached to the base portion 109. In the example of FIG. 7, the plurality of bristles 105 are attached to the base portion 109 by an upper portion 110 which holds the bristles 105. In other examples, the bristles 105 are directly attached to the base portion 109. The non-porous base portion 109 helps to inhibit and substantially prevent airflow flowing through the hair engaging member 104a, 104b. For example, in arrangements which do not comprise the non-porous base portion 109, air may pass through gaps between individual bristles of the respective first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b. By inhibiting and/or preventing such airflow through the hair engaging members 104a, 104b, this may provide greater control of airflow exiting the attachment 100 which may lead to improved styling results of a user's hair.

As shown in FIG. 7, the profile of a lower surface 111a, 111b of the first and second hair engaging members helps to direct airflow towards and out of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c. In particular, the profile of the lower surfaces 111a and 111b of the first and second hair engaging members comprises a curve which is asymmetric about an apex of the curve. By profiling the lower surfaces 111a and 111b in such a manner the lower surfaces 111a and 111b can guide airflow through the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c in the first and second directions illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, a width of each of the first, second and third airflow outlet 106a, 106b, 106c is different. For example, the first airflow outlet 106a has a width of between 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm, the second airflow outlet 106b has a width of between 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm, and the third airflow outlet 106c has a width between 1.9 mm and 2.1 mm. By the airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c having different widths, the rate of flow of air through each of the airflow outlets may be different.

The width of each of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c is different in the first configuration to in the second configuration. For example, in the first configuration the first airflow outlet 106a has a width of between 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm, the second airflow outlet 106b has a width of between 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm, and the third airflow outlet 106c has a width between 1.9 mm and 2.1 mm. In the second configuration, the first airflow outlet 106a has a width of between 1.9 mm and 2.1 mm, the second airflow outlet 106b has a width of between 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm, and the third airflow outlet 106c has a width between 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm. This may provide greater control of the directionality of airflow toward the desired first and second directions in the respective first and second configurations.

The features of the attachment 100 described above can lead to desirable flow characteristics in use, for example with airflow directed in substantially the first direction in the first configuration and in substantially the second direction in the second configuration, without undesired flow in other directions. In particular, use of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c can provide airflow in either the first direction or the second direction without leakage of airflow from sealed outlets in undesirable directions, whilst use of the airflow separators 107a, 107b may control where airflow separates from the outer surface 102, thereby avoiding uncontrolled flow separation which can cause regions of turbulence in use.

Although described above in relation to a removable attachment 100, it will be appreciated that other examples in which the attachment 100 and the handle unit 12 of the haircare appliance 10 are a single piece structure, or not releasable from one another, are also envisaged.

Claims

1. An attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment comprising: a main body;a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member;an airflow inlet for receiving airflow from a hair care appliance; anda first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and the main body,wherein the attachment comprises a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.

2. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein in the first configuration, airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets is configured to attach to an outer surface of the main body, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member respectively.

3. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein in the second configuration, airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets is configured to attach to the first hair engaging member, the second hair engaging member and an outer surface of the main body respectively.

4. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member are moveable relative to the main body and wherein movement of the first and second hair engaging members relative to the main body moves the attachment between the first and second configurations.

5. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member are operatively connected such that movement of one of the first and second hair engaging members causes movement of the other of the first and second hair engaging members.

6. The attachment according to claim 5, wherein the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member are mechanically connected.

7. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first and second hair engaging members are substantially elongate, and wherein the first and second airflow outlets extend along substantially all of the length of the first hair engaging member and the second and third airflow outlets extend along substantially all of the length of the second hair engaging member.

8. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first hair engaging member and/or the second hair engaging member comprises a substantially non-porous base portion and a plurality of bristles attached to the base portion.

9. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first, second and third airflow outlets in the first configuration is different to the width of the first, second and third airflow outlets respectively in the second configuration.

10. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member are shaped so as to guide airflow through the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in the first configuration and in a second direction in the second configuration.

11. The attachment according to claim 10, wherein respective lower surfaces of the first and second hair engaging members comprise a curve having an apex, and the curve is asymmetric about the apex.

12. The attachment according to claim 11, wherein the first and second hair engaging members are located such that the first and second hair engaging members are symmetric about a central longitudinal axis of the attachment.

13. The attachment according to claim 3, comprising a first airflow separator downstream of the first airflow outlet in the first configuration, and a second airflow separator downstream of the third airflow outlet in the second configuration, the first airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from an outer surface of the main body in the first configuration, and the second airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface of the main body in the second configuration.

14. A hair care appliance comprising: a handle unit;an air flow generator disposed in the handle unit; andthe attachment of claim 1.

15. The hair care appliance as claimed in claim 14, wherein the attachment is releasably attachable to the handle unit.

16. A hair care appliance comprising: a main body;a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member;an airflow inlet;a first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and the main body; andan airflow generator for generating an airflow from the airflow inlet to the first, second and third airflow outlets;an attachment comprising a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.