The present invention relates to a hair care device with a handle, a function head having hair treatment means, preferably comprising a bristle and/or a tooth field and/or air blower outlet means, as well as with an ion discharging device for releasing ions, which has at least one ion outlet and can be actuated by an actuating switch.
Recently, there have been hair care devices such as hair dryers and hair brushes have been known, which, in addition to their primary function, release ions as an auxiliary application, i.e. releasing an air stream for the purposes of drying the hair or combing, brushing, and shaping the hair. Such types of ions are typically molecules charged with negative electrons. With the aid of such an ion application, the hair and the hair care can be improved, particularly the static charging of the hairs and a corresponding sticking out of the hairs can be prevented; in addition, an improved wetting capacity can be achieved.
From US 2005/284495, a hair brush or a hair dryer with an integrated brush attachment is known having an ion outlet which releases ions in the direction of the function head, both on the back side of the device facing away from the bristle field, and on the front side of the device which bears the bristle field. However, said known hair care device could be improved with respect to the handling of the ion discharging device; in particular, the ion emitter is at risk of damage and soiling due to its projecting arrangement.
Furthermore, US 2005/194016 discloses a foldable hair brush, in the form similar to a mobile telephone, whose folding leg bears a bristle field and whose other folding leg has an ion discharging device. The ion outlet in this case is in the area of the folding hinge on the front, which is arranged on the aforementioned second folding leg, so that the ions are directed toward the bristle field when the device is unfolded and that the ions exit in the front from the hinge area when the device is folded. The ion function can be switched on and switched off via a laterally arranged sliding switch. This known hair care device is also disadvantageous with respect to its handling. On one hand, the aforementioned sliding switch is difficult to operate while, on the other hand, the ion discharging device in this case is also at risk of damage and soiling
Starting from this point, the object of the present invention is to create an improved hair care device of the type mentioned, which will avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and further developed upon the latter in an advantageous manner. In particular, the handling of the hair care device should be simplified, the ion discharging device should be protected from damage, and soiling of the device should be avoided.
Said object is achieved according to the invention by means of a hair care device according to Claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
Thus, it is proposed that the ion discharging device be protected from external effects when the ion discharging device is not in operation. When the ion function is not required, the ion outlet can be covered in order to protect the ion discharging device from external effects, mechanical damage, and soiling. According to the invention, the hair care device is characterized by a closure device for closing the ion outlet. In order to achieve particularly easy handling, a particular provision is that the closure device can be opened or closed by the aforementioned actuating switch for actuating the ion discharging device. The aforementioned actuating switch in this case can function simultaneously as an on/off switch or a power level switch, i.e. it may have or actuate an electric switching means which switches the ion discharging device on and off or changes its power level. The actuating switch hereby has a dual function to the extent that it mechanically protects the ion discharging device, on one hand, and actuates from a technical control perspective, on the other. This simplifies handling of the hair care device significantly, because the closure device can be automatically actuated, so to speak, when the ion discharging device is switched on or switched off. In addition, there is the advantage that the ion discharging device is not just protected for the purposes of transport but that the hair care device can also be used without the ion function.
The closure device may be configured in essentially different ways. According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closure device may have a closure element, which is attached in a moving manner, and which can be moved onto or over the ion outlet such that the closure element covers the ion outlet in its closure position. In this case, the closure element may be attached in a sliding manner, in the form of a slide, to a device housing. Alternatively, the closure element may also be designed in the form of a flap, which is attached to swivel on the housing, and which can be swiveled via the ion outlet when the latter is not being used.
The closure element is advantageously coupled to the actuating switch in a manner such that actuation of the closure element simultaneously actuates the actuating switch and vice versa. In particular, the actuating switch can simultaneously form the closure element, wherein the actuating switch can be designed, for example, in the form of a sliding switch, which can be pushed over the ion outlet or which comprises a sliding part that can be slid over the ion outlet.
Alternative or in addition, a provision, in an especially advantageous manner, can be that the ion outlet is attached in a moving manner such that it can be retracted into a device housing and/or can be placed behind a housing contour.
Various designs are possible with respect to the moving attachment of the ion outlet. Advantageously, the ion outlet can be designed as a swiveling flap, which can be swiveled, in an advantageous manner, into a device housing and/or device body contour in order to cover the ion outlet and which, on the other hand, can be swiveled outward in order to bring the ion outlet into its exposed operating position. The closure device in this case can be formed solely by the moving ion outlet and the corresponding device contour. Alternatively, the closure device can additionally have a closure element of the aforementioned type, which can be moved over the ion outlet, particularly in its retracted position. Advantageously, a coupling can be provided between the closure element and the movability of the ion outlet, particularly designed such that the movement of the closure element moves the ion outlet thereby placing the latter into its retracted position. For example, when the ion outlet is designed as a swiveling flap, the latter can have a back forming a ramp, upon which the closure element designed as a slide can be slid, so that the ion outlet retracts into the device body.
In an advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the ion outlet can also be designed in the form of a retractable and extendable pushbutton, wherein, in the position in which it is retracted into the device body, the ion outlet or its opening is retracted in the device body, whereas, in an extended position of the pushbutton, the ion outlet or its opening is exposed.
When the closure device is designed with an ion outlet attached in a moving manner, the aforementioned ion outlet can be coupled to the actuating switch and/or formed by the actuating switch, so that the closure movement of the ion outlet between its retracted, covered position behind the device contour and its extended, exposed position can simultaneously be used as an actuating movement for the actuating switch. For example, when the ion outlet is designed in the form of a retractable and extendable pushbutton, the actuating switch can be designed as a pushbutton switch.
To facilitate operation of the closure device, pretension means, which pretension the closure device into its open position, can be allocated to the closure device in a further embodiment of the invention. In order to still be able to hold the closure device in its closed position, detachable holding means are advantageously provided, which can counteract the pretension of the pretension means. The holding means in this case may be designed in different ways. For example, they may be formed in the aforementioned manner by the closure element, which is movable over the retractable and extendable ion outlet, which, in turn, is tensioned by the aforementioned pretension means, for example is tensioned in its open position in the form of a spring. Alternatively or in addition, holding means in the manner of a so-called touch-latch fitting, as is known with drawers, and/or in the form of a rotary/latching mechanism, as is known with ballpoint pens, can be provided, which can be locked and then released in the same direction in an alternating manner, i.e. upon the first push that exceeds a latch point, the latching engages upon the backward movement, whereas the next excessive push releases the latch and there is no stopping the backward movement. This principle is particularly well known with ballpoint pens, with which a one-time push extends the point and the point can be retracted by another push.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating switch can also be utilized for actuating auxiliary functions of the hair care device; in particular, it can have an auxiliary function switching means for actuating a light or other functions of the device.
To enable an ion exit that is not covered by hair or the user's hand, the ion outlet, in a further embodiment of the invention, can be arranged on a device back side facing away from the hair treatment means, particularly the bristle field. Advantageously, the ion outlet is aligned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center plane of the hair care device and/or directed toward the function head of the hair care device, such that an ion cloud results over the back side of the function head. The ion outlet in this case may be aligned essentially parallel with respect to the back side surface, so that the ions escape essentially parallel to the back side of the device, via the device back side. Alternatively or in addition, an ion discharge that is deflected in a slightly steep-angled manner can be provided. The ion outlet can be tilted at an angle of from 0° to 45° with respect to the surface of the back side.
In order to still be able to facilitate simple operation and actuating of the device, the actuating switch may be arranged on a device side opposite the ion outlet, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. If the ion outlet is arranged on the device back side in the aforementioned manner, the actuating switch may be arranged on the device front side, on which the hair treatment means of the function head, particularly its bristle field, is also arranged. In this manner, the actuating switch can be ergonomically operated, particularly with a thumb, which is typically lying on the device front side. To this end, the actuating switch can advantageously lie in the area of the device body, on which the thumb of a user's hand comes to rest with a typical grip.
The actuating switch in this case can have more than two positions, particularly with the aforementioned coupling with the closure device. In particular, a provision can be that, in a first position of the actuating switch, the closure device is closed and the ion discharging device is switched off, whereas, in a second position of actuating switch, the closure device is open and the discharging device is still switched off, whereas, in turn, in a third position of the actuating switch, the closure device is open and the ion discharging device is activated. In this manner, the ion discharging device can, for example, be briefly switched off without having to close the ion outlet. Advantageously, the three positions of the actuating switch may be selected by means of a movement of the actuating switch in the same or the opposite direction, for example configured such that when the actuating switch is designed as a sliding switch, the three positions lie along one line and the aforementioned second position lies between the first and third positions, wherein the latter may also form the end positions of the switch at the same time.
The actuating switch does not, however, have to be designed as a sliding switch. In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating switch may also comprise a flip switch that is attached to the housing in a manner so as to flip. According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating switch may also comprise a retractable and extendable pressure switch attached to the housing.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating switch may also have multiple actuating elements, each of which are movable, to which various functions are assigned. In particular, the arrangement of the actuating elements can be of a manner such that a first actuating element is attached to a second actuating element, in a moving manner, such that the two actuating elements can move together due to operation of the second actuating element and that the first actuating element can additionally be moved relative to the second actuating element. In particular, two pressure switches, which are located within one another, can be provided, of which one is designed in the shape of a ring to accommodate the other.
Advantageously, one of the actuating elements may be connected to the electric or electronic control means for switching on/off or for changing the switching level of the ion discharging device, while the other actuating element is connected to the closure device for closing the ion outlet.
In an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closure device may have cleaning agents for cleaning the ion discharging device. These cleaning agents can essentially have various designs and configurations. Advantageously, a cleaning element that is retractable in the ion outlet can be provided, which can be designed particularly as a brush, sponge, or textile ball. In this manner, soiling that gets into the ion outlet not just during operation or when the closure device is open can also be removed. Simultaneously, the cleaning element also forms additional protection for the sensitive tip of the ion emitter.
Advantageously, the cleaning agents may be attached to the closure element, which is attached in a moving manner, of the closure device, so that the aforementioned cleaning element is automatically moved into the ion outlet when the closure element moves on or over the ion outlet. If an attachment of the ion outlet is carried out so as to move in the aforementioned manner, the cleaning element may also be configured to be fixed or moving on the device housing or the device body, so that the cleaning element can retract into the ion outlet when the ion outlet retracts into its closed position.
In order to facilitate the handling of the device as a whole, a modular device construction with multiple device modules, which can be separated from one another, is provided in a further embodiment of the invention. Advantageously, the function head in this case is allocated to a different device module than the ion discharging device. In particular, the function head can be removed or replaced from the further device body, so that various function heads can be attached to the device, so that, for example, various handling functions are executable or so that different users can use their own function heads. The ion discharging device in this case is advantageously provided at the main body of the device, so that each exchangeable function head does not have to have its own ion discharging means. In addition, the separation of the function head and the ion discharging device is advantageous because the function head can be more easily cleaned or even washed. Advantageously, the function head is configured so as to be free of electric fixtures.
In order to be able to remove and/or replace the function head in a simple manner, tool-free removable connecting means, which may be held in place with friction and/or positive engagement, are advantageous. For example, sliding and/or latching brackets and pockets may be provided, with the assistance of which the function head can be solidly attached to the device body, but still easy to remove.
These and other features are based on the claims as well as on the following description and can form the subject matter or a preferred embodiment of the present invention alone or in sub-combination, regardless of their summary in the claims. The invention is illustrated in more detail in the following by means of preferred exemplary embodiments and corresponding drawings. The drawings show the following:
The hair care device 1 shown in
Advantageously, the hair care device 1 has a modular construction with multiple modules that can be placed on one another. In particular, the function head 4 is configured separately from the device main body 20, wherein preferably positive-engagement-functioning connecting means, for example in the form of latching brackets and pockets, which enable tool-free removal and reattachment of the function head 4, are provided between the two modules.
Furthermore, an ion discharging device 8 provided on the device main body 20 forming the handle 3, which comprises an ion emitter designed in a known manner, which is located in the interior space of the device main body 20 and is connected to an ion outlet 9, which is arranged in the area of the housing 2 of the device main body 20, cf.
The aforementioned ion outlet 9 in the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown, an actuating switch 10, in the form of a sliding element or slide 22, is provided for actuating the retractable ion outlet 9; the actuating switch 10 is arranged on the housing surface and can be moved along said surface. The aforementioned slide 22 in this case can be slid over the ion outlet 9, so that said outlet is pressed into the housing 2 by swiveling. The back of the ion outlet 9 and an access section of the slide 22 form a wedge-shaped or diagonal-shaped surface pair, which converts the sliding movement of the slide 22 parallel to the housing surface into a swivel movement of the ion outlet 9, which is essentially vertical with respect to the aforementioned housing surface.
As
The retractable design of the ion outlet 9 together with the housing contour, into which the ion outlet 9 can be swiveled, form the closure device 11 mentioned at the beginning of the document, with the assistance of which the ion outlet 9 is closeable.
Advantageously, the actuating switch 10 comprises electric and/or electronic control and/or switching means 24, in addition to the sliding element and/or slide 22, with the help of which the power of the ion discharging device 8 is controlled, in particular with which the ion discharging device 8 can be switched on and off. The aforementioned switching means 24 are advantageously coupled to the slide 22, so that the ion discharging device 8 can be activated or deactivated at the same time the ion outlet 9 is closed or opened.
Advantageously, a cleaning agent for cleaning the ion outlet 9 and for cleaning the ion discharging device 8 is provided on the closure element 12. The cleaning agent in this case comprises a cleaning element 16 designed as a soft body, which moves into the aforementioned ion outlet 9 when the closure element 12 moves onto the ion outlet 9. The tip of the cleaning element 16 in this case can advantageously be moved onto the tip of the ion discharging device 8, in order to clean the latter as well. If the closure element 12 is moved away from the ion outlet 9, the cleaning element 16 also moves out of the ion outlet 9 and carries away any soiling found therein, cf.
As
The ion outlet 9 or the pushbutton-like switching element having the ion outlet 9 advantageously and simultaneously forms the actuating switch 10, by means of which the ion discharging device 8 can be activated or deactivated and/or by means of which its power level can be controlled. To this end, corresponding switching means 24 in the interior of the device housing 2 can be actuated by the actuating switch 10.
As
As
As
An alternative embodiment of such an actuating switch 10 having two actuating elements 18 and 19 is shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2007 035 245 | Jul 2007 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2008/005978 | 7/22/2008 | WO | 00 | 8/10/2010 |
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WO2009/015802 | 2/5/2009 | WO | A |
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