HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a haircare appliance, and an attachment for a haircare appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Haircare appliances are generally used to treat or style hair, and some haircare appliances may treat or style hair using airflow. To provide versatility in treating and styling hair some haircare appliances provide airflow at a variable flow rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising an air inlet, and an air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture located on a first side of the attachment, and a second aperture located on a second side of the attachment opposite to the first side of the attachment, the attachment configured such that engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair increases airflow through the first aperture and decreases airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair increases airflow through the second aperture and decreases airflow through the first aperture.

The attachment according to the first aspect of the present invention may be advantageous as the attachment is configured such that engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair increases airflow through the first aperture and decreases airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair increases airflow through the second aperture and decreases airflow through the first aperture. In particular, this may increase airflow through the aperture on the side of the attachment that is engaged with hair in use, whilst decreasing airflow through the aperture on the opposing side of the attachment that is not engaged with hair in use. This may allow a greater volume of airflow to be provided on one side of the attachment relative to the other side of the attachment in use, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process.

The attachment and haircare appliance may comprise a central axis, for example a central longitudinal axis, the first and second sides of the attachment may be located on opposing sides of the central axis, and the first and second apertures may be located on opposing sides of the central axis. The first and second sides of the attachment e may be located on opposing sides of a plane containing the central axis, and the first and second apertures may be located on opposing sides of the plane.

The attachment may be configured such that engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair decreases airflow through the second aperture to substantially zero, and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair decreases airflow through the first aperture to substantially zero. This may provide very little to no airflow through the aperture on the side of the attachment not engaged with hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process.

Each of the first and second apertures may comprise a respective maximal cross-sectional area, and the attachment may be configured such that the first aperture comprises its maximal cross-sectional area when the airflow through the second aperture is zero, and the second aperture comprises its maximal cross-sectional area when the airflow through the first aperture is zero. This may provide a significant majority of the airflow through the attachment, if not all of the airflow through the attachment, to the side of the attachment that is engaged with hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process.

The first and second apertures may each comprise a variable cross-sectional area, for example a cross-sectional area variable between a maximal cross-sectional area and a minimal cross-sectional area.

The attachment may comprises a fixed member and a movable member movable relative to the fixed member, movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member may occur in response to engagement of hair with either of the first and second sides, and movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member may vary the airflow through any of the first and second apertures. Use of a movable member may provide a simple mechanical mechanism for varying airflow through the first and second apertures without varying the flow rate of the airflow generator.

The movable member may comprise a plurality of bristles, and the movable member may be movable in response to the bristles engaging hair in use. Bristles may provide a reliable mechanical engagement with hair in use, which may result in reliable variability of airflow through the first and second apertures in response to engagement with hair in use.

The attachment may comprise a main airflow path, the fixed member may define first and second channels leading from the main airflow path to the movable member, the first and second apertures may be formed in the movable member, and movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member may vary alignment of the first aperture with the first channel and alignment of the second aperture with the second channel. Thus airflow through the first and second apertures may be selectively varied by movement of the movable member to vary alignment of the first and second apertures with the first and second channels. Use of corresponding channels and apertures may provide a simple mechanism for varying airflow through the first and second apertures in use.

The movable member may extend about the fixed member, for example at a greater radial distance from the central axis than the fixed member. The movable member may extend annularly about the fixed member. The movable member may be rotatable about the fixed member, for example with the central axis defining an axis of rotation of the movable member.

Full alignment of the first aperture with the first channel may provide maximal airflow through the first aperture, whilst full misalignment of the first aperture with the first channel may provide minimal airflow through the first aperture. Full alignment of the second aperture with the second channel may provide maximal airflow through the second aperture, whilst full misalignment of the second aperture with the second channel may provide minimal airflow through the first aperture. The attachment may be configured such that the second aperture is fully misaligned with the second channel when the first aperture is fully aligned with the first channel, and the first aperture is fully misaligned with the first channel when the second aperture is fully aligned with the second channel. The movable member may comprise a solid body within which the first and second apertures are formed, the solid body may occlude the second aperture when the first aperture is fully aligned with the first channel, and the solid body may occlude the first aperture when the second aperture is fully aligned with the first channel.

The movable member may be biased into a rest configuration in which the first aperture is partially aligned with the first channel, and the second aperture is partially aligned with the second channel. This may allow for airflow to be provided through both the first and second aperture in the rest configuration. The rest configuration may comprise a configuration in which the attachment is not engaged with hair in use. Airflow through the first and second apertures may be at a level intermediate the maximal and minimal airflow levels through the first and second apertures in the rest configuration. Airflow levels through the first and second apertures may be substantially equal in the rest configurations.

Engagement of hair with the first side of the attachment may move the movable member from the rest configuration to increase airflow through the first aperture and decrease airflow through the second aperture. Engagement of hair with the second side of the attachment may move the movable member from the rest configuration to increase airflow through the second aperture and decrease airflow through the first aperture.

The movable member may comprise a monolithic structure, for example a single-piece member. This may reduce component count and cost relative to, for example, a multi-piece movable member, and may reduce a risk of failure in use.

The first and second apertures may be shaped such that airflow through the first and second apertures comprises a component tangential to attachment. This may provide increased control over styling using the attachment compared to, for example, attachment that provides airflow through the first and second apertures in a solely radial direction, as hair may typically extend in a tangential direction relative to the attachment in use to obtain greater hair coverage and reduced drying and/or styling times.

The fixed member and the movable member may each at least partially define the first and second apertures such that movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member varies a cross-sectional area of any of the first and second apertures. In such a manner the movement of the movable member in response to engagement with hair may vary the airflow through the first and second apertures by varying the cross-sectional area of the first and second apertures.

Engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair may move the movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture and decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair may move the movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the second aperture and decrease the cross-sectional area of the first aperture. This may enable automatic adjustment of airflow through one of the first and second apertures in response to adjustment of airflow through the other of the second and first apertures.

Each of the first and second apertures may comprise a respective minimal cross-sectional area, engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair may move the movable member to decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture to its minimal cross-sectional area, and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair may move the movable member to decrease the cross-sectional area of the first aperture to its minimal cross-sectional area. This may enable a greater volume of airflow to be provided through one aperture relative to the other aperture, for example through the aperture on the side of the attachment engaged with hair, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed through the aperture on the side of the attachment not engaged with hair, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process. The minimal cross-sectional area of each of the first and second apertures may be zero.

The movable member may comprise a first movable portion that at least partially defines the first aperture, and a second movable portion that at least partially defines the second aperture, movement of the first movable portion may cause movement of second movable portion, and movement of the second movable portion may cause movement of the first movable portion. This may allow for automatic adjustment of the second aperture in response to adjustment of the first aperture, and vice versa, which may enable characteristics of airflow provided through the first and second apertures to be varied automatically upon engagement with hair, for example by providing diffuse or concentrated airflow dependent on the cross-sectional area of the aperture in question.

Movement of the first movable portion in a first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture, movement of the second movable portion in the first direction may decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture, movement of the first movable portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction may decrease the cross-sectional area of the first aperture, and movement of the second movable portion in the second direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the second aperture. This may enable selective provision of a greater amount of airflow from the first aperture relative to the second aperture, or vice versa.

The first and second movable portions may be movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to an outer surface of the attachment, for example in a direction away from and/or toward the attachment The first and second movable portions may be movable in a direction tangential to the outer surface of the attachment, for example in a direction along an outer periphery of the attachment. The first and second movable portions may be linearly movable. The first and second movable portions may be rotationally movable. The first and second movable portions may be movable in at least two planes of motion.

Movement of the first and second movable portions may be constrained such that the first and second apertures comprise respective maximal and minimal cross-sectional areas at boundaries of motion of the first and second movable portions. This may ensure that, for example, displacement of the first and second movable portions at maximal distances relative to other components of the attachment provides maximal and minimal cross-sectional areas for the first and second apertures and, for example, maximal and minimal airflow through the first and second apertures for a given flow rate of the airflow generator.

The first aperture may comprise its maximal cross-sectional area when the second aperture comprises its minimal cross-sectional area, and the first aperture comprises its minimal cross-sectional area when the second aperture comprises its maximal cross-sectional area. This may enable selective provision of a greater amount of airflow from the first aperture relative to the second aperture, or vice versa

The first and second movable portions may be biased to a rest configuration in use, and the first and second apertures may comprise cross-sectional areas intermediate their maximal and minimal cross-sectional areas when the first and second movable portions are in their respective rest configurations. This may, for example, enable airflow to pass through both the first and second apertures in the rest configuration, before increasing airflow through one of the first and second apertures and decreasing airflow through the other of the second and first apertures when the movable members are moved in use in response to engagement with a side of the attachment with hair. The first and second movable portions may be biased to the rest configuration in the absence of engagement of hair with the attachment.

The first and second movable portions may be biased to the rest configuration by airflow flowing through the attachment in use. This may ensure that airflow is able to pass through both the first and second apertures in the rest configuration. The first and second movable portions may be biased to the rest configuration by airflow flowing at a flow rate greater than a pre-determined threshold. The first and second movable portions may be located such that the first and second apertures comprise their minimal cross-sectional area in the absence of airflow flowing through the attachment.

The airflow generator may be configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet at an airflow rate greater than 4 L/s, greater than 6 L/s, greater than 8 L/s, greater than 10 L/s, greater than 12 L/s, or greater than 14 L/s.

The first and second movable portions may be biased to the rest configuration against the force of a biasing member. This may ensure that the movable portions move away from the rest configuration in the absence of an airflow flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet in use. The biasing member may comprise a plurality of biasing members, for example at least one biasing member per movable portion. The biasing member may comprise a spring.

Movement of the first movable portion to increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture may decrease an internal air pressure of the attachment in use, and the decrease in internal air pressure may cause movement of the second movable portion to decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture. This may provide an automatic mechanism for decreasing the cross-sectional area of the second aperture in response to increasing the cross-sectional area of the first aperture, or vice versa. For example, an internal air pressure of the attachment may be sufficient to bias the first and second movable portions such that the first and second apertures comprise the same cross-sectional area, whilst movement of the first movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture may decrease the internal air pressure of the attachment. Such a decrease in internal air pressure may mean that the internal air pressure is no longer sufficient to retain the second movable portion in its initial position, and so the second movable portion may move to decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture in response to the decrease in internal air pressure of the attachment.

Movement of the first movable portion may cause the first movable portion to contact and cause movement of the second movable portion. Movement of the second movable portion may cause the second movable portion to contact and cause movement of the first movable portion. Such physical contact between the first and second movable portions may provide a reliable way of causing motion of the other of the second and first movable portions in use. The first or second movable portion may rotate about a periphery of the attachment to contact the other of the second or first movable portion.

The first and second movable portions may be linked by at least one mechanical link. Such a mechanical link may ensure that movement of the first movable portion causes movement of the second movable portion, and vice versa. The mechanical link may enable reciprocal motion of the first and second movable portions. The first and second movable portions may be directly linked by at least one mechanical link, or indirectly linked by at least one mechanical link.

The at least one mechanical link may be resiliently deformable such that movement of the first movable portion causes movement of the second movable portion. This may, for example, ensure that the first and second movable portions can return to their original positions in the absence of an applied force in use. Deformation of the at least one mechanical link in response to movement of the first movable portion in a first direction may cause movement of the second movable portion in the first direction.

The attachment may comprise a third movable portion, the first, second and third movable portions spaced about a periphery of the attachment, and adjacent movable portions may be linked by a mechanical link. In such a manner movement of any of the movable portions may impact on any combination of the other movable portions.

Each movable member may be linked to the other movable members by a single mechanical link. Use of a single mechanical link may reduce component count and/or cost compared to a similar arrangement that utilises a plurality of mechanical links, and may reduce a risk of failure in use.

The attachment may comprise a plurality of fixed members and a plurality of movable portions that each at least partially define a plurality of apertures. Each movable portion may be located intermediate adjacent fixed members such that each movable portion at least partially defines a plurality of apertures. For example the first movable portion may be located between the first and second fixed members such that the first movable portion and the first fixed member define the first aperture, and the first movable portion and the second fixed member define a third aperture. Movement of the first movable portion in a first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture whilst decreasing a cross-sectional area of the third aperture, and movement of the first movable portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the third aperture whilst decreasing the cross-sectional area of the first aperture. In such a manner a cross-sectional area of an aperture may be increased upon movement of a movable portion in either of two directions.

The second movable portion may be located between the first and second fixed members such that the second movable portion and the second fixed member define the second aperture, and the second movable portion and the first fixed member define a fourth aperture. Movement of the second movable portion in a first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the second aperture whilst decreasing a cross-sectional area of the fourth aperture, and movement of the second movable portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the fourth aperture whilst decreasing the cross-sectional area of the second aperture.

Movement of the first movable portion to increase the cross-sectional area of either the first or third apertures may cause movement of the second movable portion to decrease the cross-sectional area of both of the second and fourth apertures. Movement of the second movable portion to increase the cross-sectional area of either the second or fourth apertures may cause movement of the first movable portion to decrease the cross-sectional area of both of the first and third apertures.

The fixed member may be shaped such that airflow through the first and second apertures comprises a component tangential to the attachment. This may provide increased control over styling using the attachment compared to, for example, a attachment that provides airflow through the first and second apertures in a solely radial direction, as hair may typically extend in a tangential direction relative to the attachment in use to obtain greater hair coverage and reduced drying and/or styling times.

The first and second fixed members may be shaped such that airflow through the first and third apertures moves in substantially opposing directions. The first and second fixed members may be shaped such that airflow through the second and fourth apertures moves in substantially opposing directions. This may enable airflow to be provided in different directions depending upon the direction in which the attachment is moved relative to hair in use.

The attachment may comprise at least three movable members and at least three fixed members.

The attachment may comprise a heater to heat the airflow generated by the airflow generator in use.

The attachment may comprise a plurality of apertures located about a periphery of the attachment, the plurality of apertures including the first aperture and the second aperture, the attachment configured such that engagement of the attachment with hair in the region of any of the plurality of apertures increases airflow through that aperture, and decreases airflow through an opposing aperture on the opposite side of the attachment. This may enable selective provision of varying airflow about the periphery of the attachment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a haircare appliance comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture located on a first side of the haircare appliance, and a second aperture located on a second side of the haircare appliance opposite to the first side of the haircare appliance, the haircare appliance configured such that engagement of the first side of the haircare appliance with hair increases airflow through the first aperture and decreases airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the haircare appliance with hair increases airflow through the second aperture and decreases airflow through the first aperture.

The haircare appliance may comprise a handle unit within which the airflow generator is disposed, and an attachment comprising the air outlet, the attachment removably attachable to the handle unit. Providing the air outlet described above as part of a removable attachment may allow the functionality described herein to be selectively provided by a user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a haircare appliance comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture located on a first side of the haircare appliance, and a second aperture located on a second side of the haircare appliance opposite to the first side of the haircare appliance, the first and second apertures each comprising a variable cross-sectional area, the haircare appliance configured such that engagement of the first side of the haircare appliance with hair increases the cross-sectional area of the first aperture and decreases the cross-sectional area of the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the haircare appliance with hair increases the cross-sectional area of the second aperture and decreases the cross-sectional area of the first aperture.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a haircare appliance according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a handle unit of the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of the attachment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 3 in a rest configuration;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 3 engaged with hair in use;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 7 in a rest configuration;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 7 engaged with hair in use;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 10 in a rest configuration;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 10 engaged with hair in use;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 13 in the absence of any applied forces;

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 13 in a rest configuration;

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 13 engaged with hair in use;

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a fifth embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1 in a rest configuration; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 17 engaged with hair in use.

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 and a control module 34. 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 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.

The attachment 100 is shown schematically in FIGS. 3 to 6. The attachment 100 comprises a main body 106, and a plurality of bristle beds 108.

The main body 106 is generally cylindrical in form, and is open at one end and closed at the other end. The open end serves as an inlet 110 into the main body 106. The main body 106 has a plurality of slots 112 within which the bristle beds 108 are mounted, with movement of the bristle beds 108 within the slots 112 causing air outlets 114 of the attachment 100 to be selectively opened between longitudinal edges of the bristle beds 108 and the slots 112, as will be discussed hereafter. Each air outlet 114 may be thought of as an aperture defined between the bristle bed 108 and the adjacent portion of the main body 106.

The bristle beds 108 may be thought of as movable members of the attachment 100, and each comprises a plurality of bristles 116 upstanding from a body portion 118. As can be seen from FIG. 5, each body portion 118 of a bristle bed 108 is shaped to conform to adjacent portions of the main body 106. This means that when the body portion 118 of a bristle bed 108 contacts adjacent portions of the main body 108, the air outlets 114 that are selectively defined by that bristle bed 108 are closed, such that substantially no airflow can pass through the air outlets 114.

The bristle beds 108 are thicker than the adjacent portions of the main body 106, such that innermost regions of the bristle beds 108 extend radially inwardly of innermost regions of the main body 106 when the body portion 118 is fully engaged with the main body 106, for example when the air outlets 114 are fully closed. Each bristle bed 108 is attached to an adjacent bristle bed 108 about the periphery of the attachment by a spring 120, with each spring 120 extending between radially innermost portions of the bristle beds 108. Although shown here as a single spring 120 connecting adjacent bristle beds 108, it will be appreciated that in practice multiple springs may be used to connect adjacent bristle beds 108, for example with springs spaced apart along a longitudinal extent of the bristle beds. Use of multiple springs may provide even opening of the air outlets 114 in use.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when airflow flows through the attachment 100 in use, and when the attachment 100 is not engaged with hair, the internal air pressure of the attachment biases the bristle beds 108 radially outwardly from the main body 106 into a rest configuration, such that each air outlet 114 is opened by a small amount. In such a rest configuration diffuse airflow may be provided about the periphery of the attachment through each air outlet 114.

When bristles 116 of a bristle bed 108 engage with hair in use, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the force applied to the bristle bed 108 via the engagement with, and relative movement to, hair pulls that bristle bed 108 to move the bristle bed 108 within the slot 112, thereby varying a cross-sectional area of the air outlets 114 defined by that bristle bed 108. For example, in FIG. 6 a cross-sectional area of a first air outlet 114a defined by a first bristle bed 108a is increased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, whilst a cross-sectional area of a second air outlet 114b defined by the first bristle bed 108a is decreased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction. In such a manner an increased amount of airflow may pass through the first air outlet 114a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 108 with hair in use. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction will decrease the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 114a whilst increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 114b.

The bristle beds 108 are movable within the slots 112 in response to engagement of hair with the attachment 100 such that movement of the bristle beds occurs in both a radial and a circumferential direction. This may provide greater flexibility of motion compared to either radial or circumferential motion alone.

As previously mentioned, each of the bristle beds 108 is linked to adjacent bristle beds 108 by a spring 120. Thus movement of one bristle bed 108 relative to the main body 106 also causes movement of the other bristle beds 108 relative to the main body 106.

In particular, and as seen in FIG. 6, where bristle beds 108 are engaged with hair in use to move and increase a cross-sectional area of air outlets 114 defined by those bristle beds 108, bristle beds 108 not in contact with hair move within their slots 112 to close their corresponding air outlets 114. As can be seen, opposing bristle beds 108 move in the same direction in response to engagement of one of the bristle beds 108 with hair, for example with one bristle bed 108 being pulled by hair and an opposing bristle bed 108 being pulled in the same direction by the springs 108.

Thus air outlets 114 on a first side 122 of the attachment 100 engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, whilst air outlets 114 on a second side 124 of the attachment 100 not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, with air outlets 114 on the second side 124 of the attachment 100 being closed in response to an increase in cross-sectional area of air outlets 114 on a first opposing side 122 of the attachment 100. This may enable a greater volume of airflow to be provided through one side of the attachment 100 relative to the other opposing side of the attachment 100, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process. The first 122 and second 124 sides of the attachment 100 are located on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis C of the attachment 100.

The springs 120 return the bristle beds 108 to the rest configuration when disengaged from hair in use. An increase in cross-sectional area of an air outlet 114 may also reduce an internal air pressure of the main body 106, which may assist in moving the bristle beds 108 not in contact with hair to close their corresponding air outlets 114 under the action of the springs 120.

As seen in FIG. 6, the slots 112 in the main body 106, and the bristle beds 108, are shaped such that airflow through the air outlets 114 in use is in a direction having a tangential as well as a radial component. This may assist in directing airflow along a length of hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and decreased dry times.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 6, motion of any of the bristle beds 108 causes motion of the other bristle beds 108 to selectively open and close air outlets 114 of the attachment 100. In a slight modification of the attachment 100 of FIGS. 3 to 6, each bristle bed 108 may be attached to a central column of the main body 106 by one of the springs 120. In such a modified version, a decrease in internal pressure of the attachment 100 caused by movement of a bristle bed 108 to increase a cross-sectional area of an air outlet 114 on one side of the attachment 100 may assist in moving the bristle beds 108 not in contact with hair to close their corresponding air outlets 114 under the action of the springs 120.

A further embodiment of an attachment 200 for use with the handle unit 12 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9.

The attachment 200 of FIGS. 7 to 9 is similar to the attachment 100 of FIGS. 3 to 6, in that the attachment of FIGS. 7 to 9 comprises a main body 202 and bristle beds 204 located in slots 206 formed in the main body 202. Here, however, there are two bristle beds 204 located in each slot, with each bristle bed 204 at least partially defining a single air outlet 208 with an adjacent portion of the main body 202.

Each bristle bed 204 comprises a body portion 210 having a generally L-shaped cross-sectional profile, as seen in FIG. 8, with a plurality of bristles 212 extending outwardly from the body portion 210. Each bristle bed 204 either has a projection or a corresponding recess depending on its position within the slot 206.

The main body 202 is generally cylindrical in form, and comprises a central column 214 and the plurality of slots 206. Each bristle bed 204 is pivotable about the central column 214, and each bristle bed 204 is connected to its corresponding adjacent portion of the main body 202 by a spring 216. The springs 216 bias the bristle beds 204 into contact with the corresponding adjacent portions of the main body 202 in the absence of airflow through the attachment 200. Although shown here with springs 216 connecting each bristle bed 204 to its corresponding adjacent portion of the main body 202, embodiments are also envisaged where a compression spring is located between bristle beds 24 in the same slot 206, or where the body portion 210 of the bristle beds 204 is its resiliently deformable to remove the need for the spring 216. The bristle beds 204 are dimensioned such that each bristle bed 204 has a circumferential extent that is less than half of a circumferential extent of the slot 206 within which the bristle bed 204 is disposed. Thus when the bristle beds 204 are biased into contact with the corresponding adjacent portions of the main body 202, a gap exists within adjacent bristle beds 204 within the same slot 206, and each bristle bed 204 within the same slot 206 is movable relative to the other bristle bed 204 in the same slot 206.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, when airflow flows through the attachment 200 in use, and when the attachment 200 is not engaged with hair, the internal air pressure of the attachment biases the bristle beds 204 circumferentially away from the corresponding adjacent portions of the main body 202 into a rest configuration, such that each air outlet 208 is opened by a small amount. In such a rest configuration diffuse airflow may be provided about the periphery of the attachment 200 through each air outlet 208.

When bristles 212 of a bristle bed 204 engage with hair in use, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the force applied to the bristle bed 204 via the engagement with, and relative movement to, hair pulls that bristle bed 204 to move the bristle bed 204 within the slot 206, thereby varying a cross-sectional area of the air outlet 208 defined by that bristle bed 204. Movement of a bristle bed 204 within a slot 206 to increase a cross-sectional area of its air outlet 208 decreases a cross-sectional area of the air outlet 208 defined by the other bristle bed 204 in the same slot 206.

For example, in FIG. 8 a cross-sectional area of a first air outlet 208a defined by a first bristle bed 204a is increased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, whilst a cross-sectional area of a second air outlet 208b defined by a second bristle bed 204b in the same slot 206 is decreased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction, with the first bristle bed 204a contacting the second bristle bed 204b to cause such movement. In such a manner an increased amount of airflow may pass through the first air outlet 208a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 204a with hair in use. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction will decrease the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 208a whilst increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 204b.

The bristle beds 204 are movable within the slots 206 in response to engagement of hair with the attachment 200 such that movement of the bristle beds 204 occurs in a circumferential direction. This may provide a decreased profile for the attachment 200 compared to an attachment with radially outward motion of a bristle bed.

The springs 216 return the bristle beds 204 to the rest configuration when disengaged from hair in use. An increase in cross-sectional area of an air outlet 208 reduces an internal air pressure of the main body 202. Such a decrease in internal air pressure of the main body 202 means that the internal air pressure is no longer sufficient to bias the bristle beds 204 not engaged with hair to the rest configuration. Thus bristle beds 204 not engaged with hair are moved to close their corresponding air outlet 208 under the action of the springs 216.

Thus an air outlet 208 on a first side 220 of the attachment 200 engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, whilst air outlets 208 on a second side 222 of the attachment 200 not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, with air outlets 208 on the second side 222 of the attachment 200 being closed in response to an increase in cross-sectional area of air outlets 208 on a first opposing side 220 of the attachment 200. This may enable a greater volume of airflow to be provided through one side of the attachment 200 relative to the other opposing side of the attachment 200, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process. The first 220 and second 222 sides of the attachment 200 are located on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis C of the attachment 200.

The attachment 200 of FIGS. 7 to 9 is therefore similar to the attachment of FIGS. 3 to 6 in that motion of one bristle bed 204 causes motion of at least one another bristle bed 204 in use.

As seen in FIG. 9, the bristle beds 204, are shaped such that airflow through the air outlets 208 in use is in a direction having a tangential as well as a radial component. This may assist in directing airflow along a length of hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and decreased dry times.

A further embodiment of an attachment 300 is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 10 to 12.

The attachment 300 of FIGS. 10 to 12 is similar to the attachment 100 of FIGS. 3 to 6 and the attachment 200 of FIGS. 7 to 9, in that the attachment 300 of FIGS. 10 to 12 comprises a main body 302 and bristle beds 304 located in slots 306 formed in the main body 302. Here, however, each slot 306 is comparatively large, with each slot 306 having a circumferential extent only slightly less than half of a circumferential extent of the main body 302 as a whole, such that there are only two slots 306 with a single bristle bed 304 disposed in each slot 306. Each bristle bed 304, along with an adjacent portion of the main body 302, at least partially defines two air outlets 308.

Each bristle bed 304 comprises a body portion 310 with a plurality of bristles 312 extending outwardly from the body portion 310. The body portion 310 comprises inwardly facing projections 314 for contacting the main body 302 in use, and the inwardly facing projections 314 may control motion of the bristle beds 304 relative to the main body 302.

The main body 302 is generally cylindrical in form, and comprises a central column 316 and the plurality of slots 306. Each bristle bed 304 is connected to the central column 316 by a spring 318, as seen in FIG. 11. Although shown here as one spring 318, it will be appreciated that in practice multiple springs many be used along a length of the bristle bed 304 to provide even motion along the length of the bristle bed 304. The springs 318 bias the respective bristle beds to a rest configuration, illustrated in FIG. 11, in which airflow flows through each of the air outlets 308. In such a rest configuration diffuse airflow may be provided about the periphery of the attachment 300 through each air outlet 308.

When bristles 312 of a bristle bed 304 engage with hair in use, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the force applied to the bristle bed 304 via the engagement with, and relative movement to, hair pulls that bristle bed 304 to move the bristle bed 304 within the slot 306, thereby varying a cross-sectional area of each of the air outlets 308 defined by the bristle bed 304. As seen in FIG. 12, movement of a bristle bed 304 causes the bristle bed 304 to leave the slot 306 and move circumferentially around the periphery of the attachment to the slot 306 on the opposing side of the attachment 300, as will be discussed hereafter.

Movement of a bristle bed 304 within a slot 306 to increase a cross-sectional area of one of the air outlets 308 defined by the bristle bed 304 decreases a cross-sectional area of the other air outlet 308 defined by the bristle bed 304.

For example, in FIG. 12 a cross-sectional area of a first air outlet 308a defined by a first bristle bed 304a is increased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, whilst a cross-sectional area of a second air outlet 308b defined by the same bristle bed 304a is decreased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction. In such a manner an increased amount of airflow may pass through the first air outlet 308a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 304a with hair in use. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction will decrease the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 308a whilst increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 308b. The springs 318 return the bristle beds 304 to the rest configuration when disengaged from hair in use.

The bristle beds 304 are movable within the slots 306 in response to engagement of hair with the attachment 300 such that movement of the bristle beds 304 occurs in both a radial and a circumferential direction. This may provide greater flexibility of motion compared to either radial or circumferential motion alone.

As mentioned previously, movement of a bristle bed 304 causes the bristle bed 304 to leave the slot 306 and move circumferentially around the periphery of the attachment to the slot 306 on the opposing side of the attachment 300. In particular, and as seen in FIG. 12, when engaged with hair and tension is applied by the hair in a first direction, the first bristle bed 304a rotates anti-clockwise about a periphery of the attachment 300 and moves about the main body 302 such that the first bristle bed 304a contacts a second bristle bed 304b and displaces the second bristle bed 304b within its slot 306. In doing so, a portion of the first bristle bed 304a covers part of one slot 306 whilst another portion of the first bristle bed 304a is located within the other slot 306.

In such a manner, a cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 308a defined by the first bristle bed 304a is increased, whilst airflow through the second air outlet 308b defined by the first bristle bed 304a, and airflow through the air outlets 308 defined by the second bristle bed 304b, is blocked.

Thus an air outlet 308 on a first side 320 of the attachment 300 engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, whilst air outlets 308 on a second side 322 of the attachment 300 not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, with air outlets 308 on the second side 322 of the haircare appliance 10 being closed in response to an increase in cross-sectional area of air outlets 308 on a first opposing side 320 of the attachment 300. This may enable a greater volume of airflow to be provided through one side of the attachment 300 relative to the other opposing side of the attachment 300, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process. The first 320 and second 322 sides of the attachment 300 are located on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis C of the attachment 300.

The attachment 300 of FIGS. 10 to 12 is therefore similar to the attachment 100 of FIGS. 3 to 6, and the attachment of FIGS. 7 to 9, in that motion of one bristle bed 304 causes motion of at least one another bristle bed 304 in use.

A further embodiment of an attachment 400 is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 13 to 16.

The attachment 400 of FIGS. 13 to 16 is similar to the attachment 100 of FIGS. 3 to 6, the attachment 200 of FIGS. 7 to 9, and the attachment 300 of FIGS. 10 to 12, in that the attachment 100 of FIGS. 13 to 16 comprises a main body 402 and bristle beds 404 located in slots 406 formed in the main body 402. Here the bristle beds 404 have a width less than an outermost width of the slots 406, and are located radially inwardly of the main body 402 such that the bristle beds 404 cannot move radially outwardly from the main body 402 through the slots 406. Each bristle bed 404, along with an adjacent portion of the main body 302, at least partially defines two air outlets 408.

Each bristle bed 404 comprises a body portion 410 with a plurality of bristles 412 extending outwardly from the body portion 410. The bristle beds 404 are connected together by a continuous resilient band 414. Although shown here as a single continuous resilient band 414, it will be appreciated that a number of continuous resilient bands may be provided, for example spaced longitudinally along a length of the bristle beds 404, to provide even motion along the length of the bristle beds 404.

As seen from FIG. 14, the continuous resilient band 414 is generally circular in the absence of any applied force, with the continuous resilient band 414 having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the main body 402 in the absence of any applied force.

When airflow flows through the attachment 400 in use, and the attachment is not engaged with hair, the internal air pressure of the attachment 400 forces the bristle beds 404 radially outwardly, but the resilience of the continuous resilient band 414 is such that the bristle beds 404 do not close the air outlets 408. This is referred to as a rest configuration, and is illustrated in FIG. 15. In the rest configuration airflow through each air outlet 408 is substantially equal, and diffuse airflow may be provided about the periphery of the attachment 400 through each air outlet 408.

When bristles 412 of a bristle bed 404 engage with hair in use, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the force applied to the bristle bed 404 via the engagement with, and relative movement to, hair pulls that bristle bed 404 to move the bristle bed 404 within the slot 406, thereby varying a cross-sectional area of the air outlets 408 defined by that bristle bed 404. For example, in FIG. 15 a cross-sectional area of a first air outlet 408a defined by a first bristle bed 404a is increased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, whilst a cross-sectional area of a second air outlet 408b defined by the first bristle bed 404a is decreased in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction. In such a manner an increased amount of airflow may pass through the first air outlet 408a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 404a with hair in use. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction will decrease the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 408a whilst increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 404b.

The bristle beds 404 are movable within the slots 406 in response to engagement of hair with the attachment 400 such that movement of the bristle beds occurs in both a radial and a circumferential direction. This may provide greater flexibility of motion compared to either radial or circumferential motion alone.

As previously mentioned, each of the bristle beds 404 is linked to adjacent bristle beds 404 by the continuous resilient band 414. When a bristle bed 404, for example the first bristle bed 404a of FIG. 16, is engaged with hair in use, forces from such an engagement apply forces to the bristle bed 404 that cause the bristle bed 404 to move slightly radially inwardly toward the centre of the attachment 400. Such a radial motion causes the continuous resilient band 414 to relax slightly in the region of the bristle bed 404 that is engaged with hair. This enables motion of the remaining bristle beds 404, aided by airflow within the interior of the attachment 400, to move to close their corresponding air outlets 408.

Thus air outlets 408 on a first side 416 of the attachment 400 engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, whilst air outlets 408 on a second side 418 of the attachment 400 not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, with air outlets 408 on the second side 418 of the attachment 400 being closed in response to an increase in cross-sectional area of air outlets 408 on a first opposing side 416 of the attachment 400. This may enable a greater volume of airflow to be provided through one side of the attachment 400 relative to the other opposing side of the attachment 400, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process. The first 416 and second 418 sides of the attachment 400 are located on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis C of the attachment 400.

As seen in FIG. 16, the slots 406 in the main body 402, and the bristle beds 404, are shaped such that airflow through the air outlets 408 in use is in a direction having a tangential as well as a radial component. This may assist in directing airflow along a length of hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and decreased dry times.

Each of the attachments 100,200,300,400 described above are similar in that motion of one bristle bed causes motion of at least one another bristle bed in use.

A further embodiment of an attachment 500 is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 17 and 18.

The attachment 500 comprises a main body 502 and a movable member 504 located radially outwardly of the main body 502. The main body 502 is fixed, and comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body with a plurality of channels 506 formed therein. The plurality of channels 506 are spaced about a periphery of the main body 502.

The movable member 504 comprises a solid body 508, a plurality of apertures 510 formed in the main body 508, and a plurality of bristles 512 extending outwardly from the main body 508. The plurality of apertures 510 are spaced about a periphery of the main body 508, and define air outlets of the attachment 500. The movable member 504 is rotatable about the main body 502 in use, for example in one embodiment by pivoting about a central column (not shown) of the main body 502.

The movable member 504 is biased to a rest configuration, illustrated in FIG. 17, by a spring (not shown), for example a torsion spring, in which each aperture 510 is partially aligned with a respective one of the channels 506. Thus airflow is able to flow through each of the apertures 510 in a rest configuration. This may provide diffuse airflow about the entire periphery of the attachment 500 in the rest configuration.

When bristles 512 of the movable member 504 are engaged with hair in use, the movable member 504 rotates about the periphery of the main body 502, with motion of the movable member 504 relative to the main body 502 constrained by the spring. The apertures 510 and channels 506 are located such that when the movable member 504 moves in a first direction about the main body 502 apertures 510 on a first side of the attachment 500 are fully aligned with channels 506 on the same side, whilst apertures 510 on the opposing side of the attachment 500 are fully misaligned with channels 506 on that side of the attachment 500.

For example, in the illustration of FIG. 18 the movable member 504 has moved about the main body 502 in an anti-clockwise direction in response to engagement of hair with bristles 512. This causes apertures 510 on a first side 514 of the attachment 500, for example a first side of central axis C, to be fully aligned with corresponding channels 506, whilst apertures 510 on a second side 516 of the attachment 500 opposite to the first side 514 are fully misaligned with corresponding channels 506, ie with the channels 506 blocked by the solid body 508 of the movable member. Thus airflow is able to escape through the first side 514 of the attachment 500, whilst airflow cannot escape through the second side 516 of the attachment 500. It will be appreciated that a force applied by hair in an opposite direction will enable airflow through the second side 516 of the attachment 500 whilst disabling airflow through the first side 514 of the attachment 500.

In a similar manner to other attachments 100,200,300,400 described herein, apertures 510 on the first side 514 of the attachment 500 engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, whilst apertures 510 on the second side 516 of the attachment 500 not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area. This may enable a greater volume of airflow to be provided through one side of the attachment 500 relative to the other opposing side of the attachment 500, which may provide increased efficiency, for example with less wasted airflow directed away from hair in use, and may provide increased styling control with airflow primarily directed only in a desired direction in use, thereby decreasing the risk of stray airflow affecting a styling process.

As seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, the channels 506 in the main body 502, and apertures 510 in the movable member 504, are shaped such that airflow through the apertures 510 in use is in a direction having a tangential as well as a radial component. This may assist in directing airflow along a length of hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and decreased dry times.

Each of the attachments 100,200,300,400,500 described above are similar in that airflow through one side of the attachment is increased in response to engagement with hair, whilst airflow through the opposite side of the attachment not engaged with hair is decreased.

Embodiments are also envisaged where, rather than the haircare appliance 10 comprising a handle unit 12 and an attachment 100,200,300,400,500 the haircare appliance 10 is a single-piece unit, for example taking the form of the combined handle unit 12 and attachment 100,200,300,400,500 previously described.

Whilst embodiments described herein have been depicted with “first” and “second” sides, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that in practice whichever side of the attachment 100,200,300,400,500 is engaged with hair may be considered a “first side” as discussed herein, with the opposite side of the attachment 100,200,300,400,500 not engaged with hair considered a “second side” as discussed herein.

Similarly, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the number of bristle beds of the attachments 100,200,300,400,500 described herein may vary from those shown, for example with attachments having at least two bristle beds envisaged.

HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

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