This application is the United States national phase of International Application No. PCT/FR2013/050565 filed Mar. 18, 2013, and claims priority to French Patent Application No. 12 52582 filed Mar. 22, 2012, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
The present invention relates to an appliance for dressing or styling hair, more particularly to an electric straightening iron or electric curling iron or electric root lift appliance, for styling hair by any type of heat.
Most hairstyling appliances such as, for example, straightening irons and crimping or curling irons, comprise two hot or heated treatment surfaces that grip a lock of hair by switching from an open position allowing the insertion of the hair to a closed position for bringing it in contact between the two surfaces.
The aim of all of these hairstyling devices is to ensure good styling without, however, applying excessive traction to the lock of hair, notably traction applied by the lateral edges of the treatment surfaces as the treatment surfaces are moved along the lock of hair.
Several solutions have been conceived for reducing the traction exerted on the hair by the lateral edges of the treatment surfaces.
A first type of solution relates notably to plates mounted so as to be able to move, for instance on springs, rockers, etc. A second type of solution relates to the arrangement and the shape of the treatment plates. As a rule the treatment plate protrudes relative to the housing and its lateral edges are angular and apply unwanted traction to the hair. The solution adopted is to give the lateral edge a rounded shape for reducing the traction.
In practice, however, these solutions are not sufficiently effective and do not sufficiently reduce the traction applied by the edges of the treatment surfaces, and the hair is still damaged. Furthermore, the user must apply a certain effort to keep the straightener gripping the hair in the closed position and to slide it along the lock. Hence the prior art appliances neither address nor solve the following problem: combining efficacy in styling by the treatment surfaces with minimum traction on the hair.
The object of the present invention is to provide an electric hairstyling appliance having at least one heating treatment surface the styling of which is effective and which applies minimum traction to the hair.
Another object of the present invention is to enable straightening over essentially the entire length of the lock without the risk of damaging the hair.
Another object of the present invention is to create root lift and give volume to the hair without the risk of damaging it.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance capable of styling hair in a rapid and effective manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance capable of creating a hair style that lasts for a prolonged period.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance capable of applying a cosmetic simultaneously with the styling.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance capable of improving the heat transfer with a lock of hair to be treated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance capable of ensuring good ergonomics and comfortable use along with reliable operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance of simplified, compact construction and capable of being mass produced at low cost.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance capable of providing the heat in a safe or protective manner to the hair without the risk of burning the hair and/or the scalp.
Another object of the invention is to manufacture an appliance capable of providing a temperature suitable to the type of hair, for example fine, thick, dense or thin hair.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling appliance that allows effective treatment of the hair and which is easy and practical to use.
These objects are achieved with a hairstyling appliance for styling hair comprising a first housing and a second housing facing the first housing, the housings of longitudinal axis being connected in a pivoting manner by a hinge so as to define an open and closed position of the appliance; the first housing having a first hair treatment surface which is intended to be heated by a first heating means; the second housing having at least one second hair treatment surface which is intended to come into contact with the first surface in order to grip the hair in the closed position; the appliance containing just two cylinders arranged on each side of one of the treatment surfaces, the cylinders being mounted so as to be able to rotate about their longitudinal axis. Hence as the user slides the appliance along the treated lock, the cylinders each roll upstream and downstream of the treatment surfaces and avoid applying significant traction to the lock. The fact that the cylinders are freely rotating and therefore easily “drivable” by the passage of the lock of hair keeps the hair from rubbing against the housing or against the sides of the treatment surface. The cylinders are drivable in rotation solely by the displacement of the appliance along the hair. Furthermore, the radius formed by the cylinders makes it possible to reduce the hair “marking” phenomenon considerably. The cylinders are essentially identical.
According to the invention, both cylinders are mounted so as to be able to rotate freely about their respective longitudinal axis. They therefore turn according to the direction and the speed of the movement of the appliance along the lock.
According to the invention, the longitudinal axes of both cylinders can be parallel. This makes it possible to apply a reduced traction in a symmetrical manner on each side of the hair treatment surface.
According to the invention, the two cylinders can be arranged directly adjacent to said hair treatment surface. “Directly adjacent” means that each cylinder is near each edge of the treatment surface without another part being sandwiched between the edge and the cylinder. They are separated by a small gap necessitated by the design of the appliance.
According to the invention, the axis of both cylinders and each of the two treatment surface edges adjacent to the cylinders can be essentially coplanar. This means that in addition to being close, they are situated at essentially the same level so as not to create modifications in the styling by simply adding small cylinders.
According to the invention, the cylinders can be arranged on each side of the first treatment surface. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the second housing can therefore have its longitudinal edges arranged on each side of the second treatment surface and facing the cylinders in the closed position. This embodiment makes it possible to manufacture a compact appliance with optimum treatment surfaces.
Alternatively, according to a second embodiment of the invention, the second housing can comprise two troughs, which are each arranged on each side of the second treatment surface such that, in the closed position, each one holds a cylinder. This embodiment makes it possible to manufacture a symmetrical appliance with essentially identical treatment surfaces.
Alternatively, according to a third embodiment of the invention, the second housing covers just the first treatment surface. This embodiment makes it possible to manufacture a compact appliance with essentially identical treatment surfaces.
According to the invention, the second treatment surface can be essentially cylindrical and the first treatment surface can have the shape of a tile covering, in the closed position, the second treatment surface along an axis of overlap of 160° to 190°, preferably approximately equal to 180°. This corresponding shape configuration makes it possible to create a wave at a selected location on the lock, for example at the root of the lock. The hair treatment zone defined in the closed position by the gripping of the two surfaces on the lock can be non-planar, for example curved, preferably arched. The two mini-rollers adjacent to the treatment zone are arranged on the selected jaw such that the lateral edges of this zone do not leave marks on the lock due to the passage of the appliance along the lock.
According to the invention, the second treatment surface can be formed by a cylinder attached to the second housing and able to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
According to the invention, both treatment surfaces can be flat straightening surfaces.
According to the invention, the cylinders have a diameter of 3 to 6 mm, preferably 4 to 5 mm. The relative ratio between the diameter of the small cylinders and the gap between these two cylinders is 1/3 to 1/5, preferable equal to around 1/4. The diameter of the cylinders is relatively small compared to the gap between the two cylinders provided for the treatment surface. If the gap is occupied by a straightening plate, then the width of the plate is around 25 mm. If the gap is occupied by a half-cylinder or a cylinder, then the diameter of the latter is around 19 mm.
According to the invention, the cylinders can be made of metal or plastic. Any material resistant to a temperature above ca. 50° C. is suitable. The shape and the material are selected so as to render the surface of the cylinder as smooth as possible.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rollers can have spikes that can be arranged in longitudinal rows, overlapped or not, and/or bristles in order to help spread the hair in a uniform manner.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rollers can be heated by conduction using at least the energy from the adjacent heating element. The element can be the treatment surface arranged between the two rollers, alternatively or additionally it can be the treatment surface arranged on the other arm of the appliance, with conduction via the treatment surface between the two rollers.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rollers can be vibratory in order to help comb the hair and remove any tangles.
According to the invention, the cylinders can be covered with a porous material saturated with a liquid cosmetic agent or covered with a solid cosmetic agent that can be deposited by liquefying or by rubbing on the hair. This allows a cosmetic application at the same time as the straightening of the lock. The rollers can consist of a cosmetic in solid form, which can be liquefied under the effect of the heat of the appliance or deposited by contact or even by rubbing on the hair.
According to the invention, the second treatment surface can be designed to be heated by a second heating means.
The invention also relates to a method for using the appliance of the invention, comprising the following steps:
The invention will be more clearly understood by studying modes of embodiment, which are not limiting in any way and illustrated here:
As illustrated in
The first heating means 13, just like the second heating means 23, can be an electrical resistor, notably a PTC resistor. Notably, such a resistor has the advantage of a low bulk for a high heating efficiency, plus it has auto-regulating heating properties. In a second alternative embodiment, the heating element 13, 23 can be a ceramic resistor or even consist of an electrically resistant flexible film. The treatment surface 12, 22 can be made of metal, for example of aluminum, or of any other material that offers a good compromise between thermal conductivity and cost. A circuit board (not shown) is held by the top cover and permits the control of the heating of the appliance. The second arm has a (e.g., digital) display 31 for displaying the set heating temperature of the plates in operation. Provision is made of a switch 32 for controlling the heating temperature.
The two cylinders 14, 15 are mounted on the housing so as to be able to rotate freely about their respective longitudinal axis Δ14; Δ15 and on two extensions 18 and 19, respectively, of the arm 10. The longitudinal axes of the two cylinders 14, 15 are parallel. The two cylinders 14, 15 are arranged directly adjacent to the treatment surface 12. They are in the continuity of the treatment surface. As shown in
The cylinders are arranged on each side of the first treatment surface 12. As regards the arrangement of possible corresponding shapes facing the two cylinders, three embodiments are illustrated in
Several embodiments have been conceived regarding the shape and mobility of the treatment surfaces that will “shape” the lock of hair. A first embodiment is illustrated in
The cylinders 14, 15 have a diameter of 3 to 6 mm, preferably of 4 to 5 mm. They can be made of metal, for instance aluminum, or of plastic, for instance a silicone polymer, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), PPS (polypropylene), etc. The cylinders can be covered with a porous material saturated with a liquid agent, in this case the cylinder is a rod surrounded by a hollow roller of porous material. The liquid agent can be water or a fluid containing a cosmetic with a fixing, coloring, heat protection, or other function. According to the direction of travel of the appliance on the lock, the fluid can be different in each roller of porous material. The cylinders can be detachable, cleanable, or even interchangeable.
In operation, the user thus starts by turning on the appliance, which then controls the heating of the treatment surface or surfaces. An indicator light 33 can show that the heating phase is complete and that the appliance is ready to use. The user takes a lock of hair and inserts the lock, for instance at the root of the latter, between the treatment surfaces and closes the appliance in order to grip the lock statically for several seconds (for instance 3 seconds). The user then pivots the appliance about its longitudinal axis (L) by about a quarter of a turn downwards, and then slides the appliance along the lock until reaching the tip and releasing the lock.
When the rollers are covered with a solid or liquid cosmetic, the contact and possibly also the heat and/or the rubbing on the hair enables an even deposition of the cosmetic.
When the treatment surfaces are a roller facing a tile, the user will then hold the appliance (with the roller facing down and the tile facing up) at the root, which permits a root lift of the lock and the latter to keep this shape for 1 or 2 days.
Obviously the invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described and illustrated, which were merely given as examples. Modifications are still possible, notably in terms of the constitution of the various elements or by substituting equivalent techniques, without exceeding the scope of protection of the invention in any way.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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12 52582 | Mar 2012 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/FR2013/050565 | 3/18/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2013/140073 | 9/26/2013 | WO | A |
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Entry |
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Machine Translation of Keisuke et al. reference. |
Machine Translation of Koyama reference. |
Keisuke et al. images. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150047667 A1 | Feb 2015 | US |