Field of the Invention

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

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

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment comprises: a main body comprising an outer surface; a hair engaging member; an airflow inlet for receiving airflow from the hair care appliance; an airflow outlet between the main body and the hair engaging member, wherein airflow from the airflow outlet is configured to attach to the outer surface; and an airflow separator downstream of the airflow outlet, the airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in use.

An attachment according to the first aspect may allow for the controlled separation of airflow from the outer surface. For example, it may be possible to control a location at which airflow separates from the outer surface via provision of the airflow separator. This may help to ensure that separation of the airflow from the outer surface occurs close to a location which may provide optimal performance. In arrangements which do not comprise an airflow separator, it may be difficult to control when/where airflow separates from the outer surface which may lead to inconsistent and undesirable separation of airflow from the outer surface. In use, this may lead to a user’s hair being subject to turbulent airflow which may lead to undesirable styling results. Providing an airflow separator as in the first aspect may result in greater control of airflow from the attachment and may help to provide a more consistent uniform airflow downstream of the air outlet. This may lead to improved styling of the user’s hair.

The airflow separator may comprise a recess in the main body. This may help to prevent the hair of a user from becoming caught in the airflow separator. Moreover, a recess in the main body may help to maintain a desirable overall visual appearance of the attachment. The airflow separator may comprise an elongate recess formed in the main body. The airflow separator may comprise a single recess, or may comprise a plurality of recesses.

A depth of the recess may be at least 0.1mm. For example, the depth of the recess may be at least 0.3mm or at least 0.5mm. This may help to reduce the likelihood of airflow re-attaching to the outer surface downstream of the airflow separator. The size of the airflow separator may be minimised to improve the visual appearance of the attachment. Moreover, this may help to reduce the size of any region in which dirt could become trapped during/after use. This may help to increase the lifetime of the attachment and may also reduce the amount of cleaning required by the user.

A ratio between a width and a depth of the recess may be at least 1: 1. For example, the ratio between the width and the depth of the recess may be between 1.5: 1 and 3: 1. The ratio between the width and the depth of the recess may be at least 2: 1. Such a ratio between the width and the depth of the recess may help to control the point at which separation of the airflow from the outer surface occurs.

The airflow separator may be spaced downstream of the airflow outlet by between 7mm and 10mm. For example, between 8mm and 9mm. The airflow separator may be spaced downstream of the airflow outlet by around 8.5mm. A flow rate of air through the airflow outlet may be between 9 litres per second and 13 litres per second. For example, between 12 litres per second and 13 litres per second. The flow rate of air through the airflow outlet may be around 12.5 litres per second. The airflow outlet may have a width between 1.3mm and 1.7mm and a length between 85mm and 105mm. For example, the airflow outlet may have a width between 1.4 and 1 ,6mm and a length between 90mm and 100mm. The airflow outlet may have a width of around 1.5mm and a length of around 95mm.

The airflow separator may comprise a projection which protrudes from the outer surface. Such a projection may be easily cleaned after use by the user.

The airflow separator may be configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface by providing a rapid change in profile of a surface downstream of the airflow outlet. This may be achieved, for example, by providing the recess or the projection as described above. The airflow separator may comprise a region of the outer surface downstream of the airflow outlet which comprises a surface roughness which is greater than the rest of the outer surface. Such a surface roughness may be caused by a series of protrusions and/or recesses on the region of the outer surface.

The airflow separator may be integral with the main body. For example, the main body and the airflow separator may be formed as a unitary piece. This may help to simplify assembly of the attachment as it is not necessary to separately attach the airflow separator. Moreover, this may also help to ensure that the airflow separator does not become detached or misaligned with the attachment, which may result is undesirable airflow from the attachment.

The airflow separator and the main body may comprise separate components which are connected together. For example, the airflow separator may be formed separately to the main body and subsequently attached to the main body. The connection between the airflow separator and the main body may be permanent or non-permanent. For example, the airflow separator may be bonded onto the main body. Alternatively, the airflow separator may be attached to the main body through an interference fit to allow subsequent removal of the airflow separator. The airflow separator being separately formed from the main body may allow the airflow separator to be retrofitted to any suitable attachment. This may help to reduce costs of manufacture as the same tooling for the main body without the airflow separator can be used. When the attachment of the airflow separator to the main body is non-permanent, the airflow separator may be separable from the main body. For example, the airflow separator may be removable to enable repair or replacement. This may help to increase the lifetime of the attachment as it is possible to replace the airflow separator without also replacing the main body. Moreover, it may allow for the replacement of the airflow separator without the need for a skilled technician, meaning that the user may be able to replace the airflow separator in the event of breakage.

The main body and the hair engaging member may be substantially elongate and arranged such that a longitudinal axis of the main body is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hair engaging member. The airflow outlet may extend along substantially all of the length of the hair engaging member. The airflow separator may extend along substantially all of the length of the airflow outlet. This may help to ensure that separation of the airflow occurs at a constant distance relative to the airflow outlet along the length of the attachment. This may help to produce substantially uniform airflow from the attachment along the length of the attachment which may improve the quality of styling the user’s hair in use.

The cross-sectional shape of the airflow separator may be uniform along the length of the airflow outlet. This may help to ensure that the airflow separates at a consistent distance from the airflow outlet along the length of the air outlet. This may help to ensure that the attachment produces consistent styling results along the length of the attachment.

The hair engaging member may comprise a lower surface, wherein a profile of the lower portion is configured to guide airflow toward the airflow outlet. This may help to control the direction of airflow through the airflow outlet. Moreover, this may reduce the need for other elements in the haircare appliance to direct airflow which may help to simplify the attachment. The hair engaging member may comprise a first hair engaging member, the airflow outlet may comprise a first airflow outlet and the airflow separator may comprise a first airflow separator. The attachment may comprise a second hair engaging member, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and the main body and a second airflow separator downstream of the second airflow outlet. Providing multiple airflow outlets may help to increase the volume of airflow out of the attachment which may help to improve the efficiency of styling the user’s hair in use. Having first and second airflow separators may help to ensure that airflow is separated from the outer surface whether from the first or the second airflow outlet.

The first and second hair engaging members may be moveable relative to the main body between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets may be configured to attach to the outer surface, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member respectively. In the second configuration airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets may be configured to attach to the first hair engaging member, the second hair engaging member and the outer surface respectfully. This may allow airflow from the attachment to be directed in different directions in the first configuration and in the second configuration. This may result in greater flexibility to the use of the attachment. For example, this may result in the attachment being usable in multiple orientations relative to the user’s hair.

In the first configuration the first airflow separator may be configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in use and in the second configuration the second airflow separator may be configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in use. This may help to ensure that airflow does not stay attached to the outer surface in both the first and second configurations. As such, the attachment may be used equally by a user in both the first and second configurations. The outer surface may be curved downstream of the airflow outlet such that airflow attaches to the curved surface. The airflow separator downstream of the airflow outlet may be configured to cause airflow to detach from the curved surface. This may help to form a coanda flow downstream of the air outlet but upstream of the separator for desired styling characteristics, before controlling where the separation of the airflow occurs to inhibit uncontrolled separation of the airflow from the curved surface.

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

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

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

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair care appliance comprising: a main body comprising an outer surface; an airflow inlet; a hair engaging member; an airflow outlet between the main body and the hair engaging member, wherein airflow from the airflow outlet is configured to attach to the outer surface; an air flow generator for generating an airflow from the airflow inlet to the airflow outlet; and an airflow separator downstream of the airflow outlet, the airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in use.

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

Figure 1 illustrates a hair care appliance according to an example; Figure 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a handle unit of the hair care appliance of Figure 1;

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

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of the attachment of Figure 3;

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of the attachment of Figure 3;

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

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

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

Detailed Description of the Invention

A haircare appliance according to the present invention, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in Figure 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 Figure 2. The housing 14 is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14, and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14, and comprises heating elements 30 to optionally heat the airflow.

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

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

Examples of the attachment 100 are shown schematically in Figures 3, 4, 5a, 5b and 6 (Figures 5a and 5b collectively referred to as Figure 5). In the example illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, the attachment 100 comprises a main body 101 having an outer surface 102, an airflow inlet 103, and first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b. The main body 101 and the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b are substantially elongate. A longitudinal axis of each of the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the main body 101. Each of the hair engaging members 104a, 104b comprises a plurality of bristles 105 which extend away from the main body 101. In use, the bristles 105 are configured to engage with the hair of a user in use.

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

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

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

As more clearly seen in the plan view of Figure 4, the attachment 100 shown in Figure 3 comprises first and second airflow separators 107a, 107b (the second airflow separator 107b is not visible in Figure 3) which extend along the length of the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c respectively. In the example of Figure 4, the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c have a length of about 95mm. In some examples, the length of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c is between 85mm and 105mm. The airflow separators 107a, 107b are downstream of the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c. The airflow separators 107a, 107b are configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface 102. The airflow separators 107a, 107b allow for the controlled separation of airflow from the outer surface 102, which can increase the quality of styling a user’s hair. The first and second airflow separators 107a, 107b are spaced from the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c respectively by about 8.5mm. In some examples, first and second airflow separators 107a, 107b are spaced from the first and third airflow outlets 106a, 106c respectively by between 7mm and 10mm.

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

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

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

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

The airflow separators 107a, 107b have a uniform cross-sectional shape along with the length of the first or third airflow outlet 106a, 106c respectively. This may help to ensure that airflow separates from the outer surface 102 at a consistent distance from the respective airflow outlet 106a, 106c along the length of the airflow outlet 106a, 106c. This in turn may lead to more controlled and consistent airflow from the attachment 100 which may result in improved styling results of the user’s hair. Although the airflow separators 107a, 107b shown in the example of Figure 5 are recesses, in an example shown in Figure 6, the airflow separator 107a comprises a projection which protrudes from the outer surface 102. As with the recess in Figure 5, the projection of Figure 6 causes a rapid change in the profile of the outer surface 102 which causes airflow to detach from the outer surface 102. The height of the projection is configured so as to prevent airflow re-attaching to the outer surface 102 downstream of the airflow separator 107a.

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

As shown in Figure 5, airflow flows through all of the airflow outlets (i.e. through the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c) in the first configuration and in the second configuration. If one of the first, second or third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c was closed in the first or second configuration, airflow may leak out of said closed airflow outlet. By having the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c open in both the first and second configurations, this helps to remove the chance of airflow leaking out of a closed airflow outlet, for example in an undesired direction which could cause undesirable flow characteristics having the potential to interrupt a desired styling process. Figure 7 schematically shows the first and second hair engaging members 104a, 104b of the example of Figure 3 in closer detail. As shown in Figure 6, each of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c are substantially free of any intervening member (i.e. the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c are substantially free of any blockages). This helps to reduce the chance of the flow rate of air through the airflow outlets being restricted.

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

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

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

The width of each of the first, second and third airflow outlets 106a, 106b, 106c is different in the first configuration to in the second configuration. For example, in the first configuration the first airflow outlet 106a has a width of between 1.3mm and 1.5mm, the second airflow outlet 106b has a width of between 1.6mm and 1.8mm, and the third airflow outlet 106c has a width between 1 ,9mm and 2.1mm. In the second configuration, the first airflow outlet 106a has a width of between 1 ,9mm and 2.1mm, the second airflow outlet 106b has a width of between 1.6mm and 1.8mm, and the third airflow outlet 106c has a width between 1.3mm and 1.5mm. This may provide greater control of the directionality of airflow toward the desired first and second directions in the respective first and second configurations.

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

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