FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to arrangements of and improvement in grooming appliances, particularly electrically powered grooming appliances. Grooming appliances may involve, but are not limited to, shavers, trimmers, razors and hair removal appliances such as epilators.

More particularly, the disclosure relates to a skin treatment device for such a grooming appliance which is arranged to provide an additional treatment or function as a supplement or in addition to the primary grooming function, such as hair cutting, trimming, shaving or removing. The additional treatment may involve cooling, skin care, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Grooming appliances in accordance with the present disclosure typically required an electrically operated motor which operates an operating head. Grooming, particularly hair trimming, shaving and removing typically involves a certain relative movement of parts of the operating head. For instance, a stationary element and a movable element are provided, both of which are metal-made. The movable element may be set into a movement with respect to the stationary element so as to effect a grooming (cutting, trimming, shaving or tweezing) action. Hence, as a result, a certain heat generation due to friction is involved and cannot be avoided.

Electric hair cutting appliances are a major representative of grooming appliances, and are generally used to shave or trim (human) body hair, in particular facial hair and head hair to allow a person to have a well-groomed appearance. Frequently, electric hair cutting appliances are used for cutting animal hair.

In at least some operation modes, the operating head of a grooming appliance contacts a (haired) skin portion of the to-be-treated subject (hereinafter referred to as user which does not exclude that the appliance is handled and operated by another person e.g. a hair dresser or barber).

The operating head, particularly heat conductive components thereof, steadily heats up when the appliance is constantly operated. The longer the device is operated, the higher the temperature of involved components and the temperature perceived by the user. The sense by which an individual senses temperature is called thermoreception. For temperature perception, a number of receptors is provided in the skin. The receptor density differs for different body regions. In the face region, the receptor density is considerably high.

In regions having a subtropical and tropical climate, but also in regions that belong to the temperate zone, an ambient maximum temperature may be at least occasionally high enough so that a temperature rise in connection with the appliance's operation results in a maximum temperature at the operating head which is experienced as being unpleasant by the user.

At least in some jurisdictions, normative regulations have to be complied with to so as to obtain an official sales approval or a certification for grooming appliances. Also in respect of an allowed temperature rise at potentially skin-contacting parts, regulations have to be adhered to.

However, it has been observed that particularly in subtropical and tropical climate regions, the actual temperature rise at the operating head is too large, in spite of the fulfilment of respective regulations.

Several attempts have been made to address overheating issues. US

2015/0367521 Al discloses an electric hair grooming appliance comprising a handle; a motor housed within the handle; a head disposed on the handle, wherein the head comprises a blade set having a plurality of blades that cooperate to remove hair, at least one of the blades being operatively connected to the motor; and a cooling system disposed at least in part within the handle, wherein the cooling system comprises a thermoelectric cooling device for removing heat from the blade set during operation of the appliance. Similar arrangements are known in theory for decades. Respective cooling systems in hair grooming appliances have several drawbacks. For instance, power consumption cannot be neglected as the operating time of battery powered appliances is considerably reduced. Further, thermoelectric cooling elements (e.g. Peltier elements) require a certain level of energy which again produces heat. Further, production and assembly efforts for respectively equipped appliances would significantly increase.

It is to be noted that German Offenlegungsschrift DE 23 43 493 Al discloses a electric shaving device which is to generate, during use, a pleasant smell. The device generates an airflow which is to flow across the exit of a channel linked to an ampule filled with fragrance. Hence, there is still room for improvement in temperature management for grooming appliances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a skin treatment device for a grooming appliance, particularly for a hair cutting appliance, and a respectively equipped grooming appliance that enable an operation under considerably high ambient temperatures without causing an unpleasant user experience. Preferably, the temperature perceived by the user can be kept within reasonable ranges, even when the device is constantly operated so as to accomplish a typical grooming operation.

Further, is desirable to present a skin treatment device that is configured for retrofitting or upgrading existing appliances. Preferably, the skin treatment device also provides a surplus value, particularly in the field of skin care. Further, it would be advantageous to present a skin treatment device which can be implemented with little efforts and which may be operated in an energy-efficient fashion.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure a skin treatment device for a grooming appliance, particularly for a hair cutting appliance, is presented, the skin treatment device comprising:

a flow generating unit, particularly a powered flow generating unit, and - a fluid reservoir arranged to receive and gradually dispense a treatment liquid, wherein, when the device is operated, the flow generating unit is arranged to generate a flow that entrains a fraction of the treatment liquid stored in the reservoir unit and that propels the flow against a treatment skin portion of a user.

This aspect is based on the insight that any flow-cooling effect may be improved by cooling the flowing fluid itself. As a result, the skin is not only cooled by a fluid having ambient temperature, but by a fluid being at least slightly cooler than the ambient temperature. To this end, phase transition of an evaporating liquid may be used which cools the passing gaseous fluid. The resulting cooling flow has a cooling or soothing effect on the skin.

The cooling fluid flow is an air flow based on ambient air which is enriched with the evaporated liquid. In alternative embodiments the cooling fluid flow is enriched with small liquid fractions as well. Further, the cooling flow may be enriched with a treatment additive or agent, as will be discussed in connection with further exemplary embodiments. The treatment liquid may be generally water, or may be water-based. The treatment liquid may be enriched with a treatment additive or agent which is also present in the cooling flow when the treatment liquid (or an evaporated conversion phase thereof) is entrained by the passing flow.

The cooling fluid flow may be directed towards the processed skin portion, i.e. a portion that is/was in contact with the operating head, or is at least located nearby. Further, the cooling flow may be directed towards the operating head itself so as to cool respective elements thereof. However, in accordance with at least some major embodiments as disclosed herein, a major fraction of the cooling flow contacts and acts on the skin.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprises an absorbent substance, preferably an absorbent material selected from the group consisting of fabric material, cloth material, sponge material, paper material, foamed material, cellulose material, wick material, mesh material, felt material and combinations thereof. Generally, an open-pored material may be used which may on the one hand temporarily store the liquid and gradually dispense water (through evaporation), and which may, of the other hand, enable a through-flow of the air-based flow. The material may be temporarily soaked, impregnated and may be therefore present in a sodden or wet state when the appliance is operated.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprises a liquid receiving storage formed from the absorbent substance, wherein the liquid receiving storage is arranged to absorb a liquid, preferably water, which is entrained by the passing flow. The water may evaporate and humidify the passing air flow. A water capacity of the liquid receiving storage may be in the range of about 0.5 to 5.0 ml (milliliter). It has been observed that an amount of less than 1.0 ml, preferably 0.5 ml of water may be sufficient to generate a considerable cooling effect, given the duration of a standard grooming operation, e.g. a (skin) shaving operation.

Generally, the liquid receiving storage may be arranged as an integral shape part, for instance an integrally shaped molded component. Preferably, the liquid receiving storage is arranged to be refilled, i.e. to be soaked or impregnated repeatedly for several times. For instance, the device may be arranged to be refilled by placing the device under a running water tab. In another embodiment, the liquid receiving storage may be removed and separately refilled or impregnated.

In accordance with a further refined embodiment, the liquid receiving storage is arranged as a replaceable part. This has the advantage that in case of wear or in case of consumption only the replacement part needs to be replaced. Hence, the liquid receiving storage may be also referred to as consumable part. Accordingly, it may be beneficial that the device comprises a housing section arranged to provide an access to the liquid receiving storage so as to facilitate removing old ones and inserting new liquid receiving storage parts.

As used herein, the hair removal device may be arranged as a shaver or trimmer, but also as an epilator, and suchlike.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the device, the fluid reservoir and the flow generating unit form a cold evaporation system which further comprises a flow routing arrangement comprising an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the cold evaporation system being arranged for cooling the flow passing therethrough, based on cold evaporation, and wherein the outlet portion is arranged to route the cooled flow against the treatment skin portion of the user.

So as to convert the liquid into the gaseous state, a certain vaporization enthalpy is required. The energy needed to evaporate the liquid is taken from the passing air flow. As a result, the temperature of the air is reduced. Hence, the cold evaporation system may be arranged as an evaporative cooler that acts as a booster for the cooling performance.

It has been observed that a temperature drop of about 6 to 9° degrees may be achieved at the level of the treatment skin which may attributed to the energy consumption of the phase-changing liquid.

In accordance with a refined embodiment, the fluid reservoir and the flow generating unit form a direct cold evaporation system. Accordingly, the evaporating liquid and the cooling flow are in direct contact. This has the advantage that the air is humidified which may further improve the perceived cooling effect.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, at least one treatment additive or agent is embedded in the absorbent substance and arranged to be at least gradually solved and entrained by the flow generated by the flow generating unit.

Hence, the cooling flow may be arranged as a flow comprising a humidified and further enriched fluid. The liquid receiving storage may on the one hand, store the evaporation liquid for a short time, e.g. for the duration of a standard grooming operation. On the other hand, the liquid receiving storage may store the at least one treatment additive or agent for a considerably longer time, e.g. for several weeks, depending on an actual usage intensity and frequency.

Further, the liquid water may act as a solvent and a carrier for the at least one treatment agent. When a portion of the water is evaporated and forms a part of the flow, a fraction or number of particles of the at least one treatment agent is embedded in the resulting enriched flow.

For instance, an aromatic fragrance may be deposited in the absorbent substance. Further, moisturizing substances may be used. For instance, a fragrance or a lotion including oil, menthol, aloe or aloe vera may be used. The treatment agent may be a vitalizing agent or cooling agent that further boosts the cooling effect.

Preferably, a mixture of the at least one treatment additive or agent and the water forms a volatile fluid which may be entrained by the passing flow. Hence, the agent or additive is at least partially water-soluble and arranged to be at least partially taken away by the passing flow.

Several exemplary compounds for the treatment agent may be envisaged. The treatment agent or additive may take the form of a granulate state or powder state, or may be present in a liquefied state. The liquefied state may involve gels, lotions and balms. Further, mixtures involving dispersions and emulsions may be used.

A further example for the treatment agent or additive may be menthol crystals which provide a skin-refreshing and cooling effect. Also aloe vera products and compounds based thereon may have similar effects.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the device further comprises an input interface arranged to attach the device to a housing of the grooming appliance, and an output interface arranged to receive an operating head, particularly a cutting head, of the grooming appliance.

Hence, the device is particularly suited for upgrading appliances or extending their scope of application. The device may imitate the interface anyway provided between a housing portion and the operating head of at least some embodiments of grooming appliances.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the device further comprises a drive shaft extension for a drive train of the grooming appliance. In doing so, the flow generating unit may use the already present power unit of the appliance. Further, an inherent on/off control is provided as the flow generating unit may be operated when the operating head, particularly cutting elements thereof, is operated.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the drive shaft extension extends through the flow generating unit and the fluid reservoir. Preferably, the drive shaft extension extends from the input interface to the output interface. A benefit of this embodiment is that the above mentioned interface imitation may be even further improved as the drive shaft extension may serve as a coupling link between the housing and the operating head.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the flow generating unit comprises a fan arranged to be operated by a drive train of the grooming appliance. The fan may be arranged as an axial fan comprising a fan wheel the axis of which is arranged parallel to the drive shaft extension. Further, the drive shaft extension may extend through a central portion of the fan wheel. The fan may be driven by the drive shaft extension, e.g. by providing a respective driving engagement contour therebetween.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the flow generating unit comprises a piezo-based actuator for generating the flow. In accordance with this

embodiment, the flow generating unit may use the power supply anyway provided in the appliance. Also an actuator based on piezo elements, a so-called piezo-actuator, may generate a considerable fluid flow which may be used for cooling purposes. Generally,

electromechanical flow generating units may involve a bellows, e.g. a deflectable membrane arranged to suck and to pressurize a fluid.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the flow generating unit is arranged downstream of the fluid reservoir. In accordance with this embodiment, the fluid reservoir is arranged at the inlet side of the flow generating unit. Hence, the generating unit may suck in air that flows through or passes the fluid reservoir. Hence, the air may be humidified at the fluid reservoir and may be enriched with the at least one treatment additive or agent. Having passed the flow generating unit, particularly a fan or a flow generating bellows thereof, the air flow is propelled against the user for cooling the treatment skin.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the device comprises an inlet flow grille and an outlet flow grille, wherein the outlet flow grille is arranged is such a way that at least a fraction of the output flow passes an operating head, particularly a cutting head, of the grooming appliance, and contacts the treatment skin portion adjacent to the operating head. For instance, a main flow path or direction may be basically parallel to a main elongation direction of the appliance. Hence, the inlet flow grille may substantially face a bottom side of the appliance. The outlet flow grille may substantially face a top side. At the inlet flow grille, fresh air may be sucked in without interfering with the outlet flow at the outlet side.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure a grooming appliance, particularly a hair cutting appliance, is presented, the appliance comprising a housing, an operating head and a skin treatment device in accordance with at least one aspect or embodiment as disclosed herein.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the grooming appliance is operable in a first configuration, wherein the skin treatment device is interposed between the housing and the operating head, and in a second configuration, wherein the operating head is directly attached to the housing. The first configuration may be referred to as cooling configuration. The second configuration may be referred to as non-cooling configuration.

In accordance with this aspect, a modular device is provided which imitates an existing interface between the housing and the operating head. Hence, the device is particularly qualified for retrofitting and/or upgrading existing appliances. Further, the device may form part of an upgrade kit for an appliance, for instance for hot tropical and subtropical regions.

Further, when there is no need of skin cooling, for instance at night or in winter times, the device may be simply detached.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure there is presented a set of liquid receiving storages, the set comprising a plurality of storages, wherein the storages may be of the same type or of a different type of agent flavor composition. For instance, the storages may comprise or may be enriched with different water-soluble treatment additives or agents, or respective compounds thereof. Storages may be of a refreshing type, a perfume type, a soothing type, a cooling type, an antiseptic type, an essential oil type, and a combined type implementing at least some of the foregoing types.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. In the following drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective top view of a hair grooming appliance arranged as a trimmer, an operating head of the appliance shown in a detached state;

Fig. 2 shows a further perspective top view of a hair grooming appliance in accordance with the arrangement of Fig. 1, wherein a skin treatment device in accordance with the present disclosure is attached thereto;

Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective top view of the skin treatment device in accordance with the arrangement of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a perspective top view of a hair grooming appliance arranged as a shaver, wherein a skin treatment device in accordance with the present disclosure is attached thereto;

Fig. 5 shows an exploded perspective top view of the skin treatment device in accordance with the arrangement of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows a top view of the skin treatment device in accordance with the arrangements of Figs. 2 to 5;

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the skin treatment device of Fig. 6 along the line VII- VII in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a further cross- sectional side view of the skin treatment device according to Fig. 7 in an exploded state;

Fig. 9 shows a schematic simplified perspective view of a set of liquid receiving storages arranged for usage in a skin treatment device in accordance with at least one aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 10 shows a simplified schematic cross sectional view of an alternative arrangement of a flow generating unit arranged to be used in a skin treatment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows in an exploded view a grooming appliance 10 which is arranged as a hair cutting appliance. The appliance 10 is shown in a state where a housing 12 and an operating head 14 are separated from one another. In other words, the operating head 14 is detached from the housing 12. The appliance 10 is particularly arranged as a trimming appliance which may be however also used for hair shaving which involves hair cutting very close to the level of the skin. At the operating head 14, a blade set 16 is provided which may involve for instance a stationary blade and a movable cutter blade, wherein the movable cutter blade is arranged to be moved with respect to the stationary blade.

The appliance 10, in particularly the housing 12 thereof, has a generally elongated but somewhat curved shape. At a top end of the housing 12, the operating head 14 may be attached thereto. A bottom end which is facing away from the top end of the housing 12 may be also referred to as handle end.

At the housing 12, an interface 20 is provided at the top end thereof. A corresponding mating interface 22 is provided at the operating head 16. The interfaces 20, 22 may engage one another so as to attach the operating head 14 to the housing 12. At the interface 20, at least one receptacle 24 is provided which may involve a recess. At the interface 22, at least one plug is provided which may involve at least one protrusion.

Preferably, the receptacle 24 and the plug 26 are adapted to one another so as to enable a defined fit of the operating head 14 at the housing 12. Preferably, the operating head 14 including the blade set 16 may be attached to the housing 12 in a releasable fashion. This may for instance involve a snap-on or a snap-in mounting. Consequently, snap-on locking elements may be provided which may facilitate attaching and detaching the operating head 14.

At the housing 12 of the appliance 10 a drive train 30 is provided which is not explicitly illustrated in Fig. 1. The drive train 30 may involve a motor which may be for instance powered by a battery. Further, the drive train 30 may involve a drive shaft arrangement. Further, a transmission unit may be interposed between the motor and an output shaft of the drive train 30.

At the top end of the housing 12, where the interface 20 is provided, a driving element 32 is provided which is arranged to engage and drive a corresponding drivable element 34 of the operating head 14 when the operating head 14 and the housing 12 are attached to one another.

In the configuration as shown in Fig. 1, no particular cooling features are provided at the appliance 10. However, with particular reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, it can be seen that also the appliance 10 as shown in Fig. 1 can be equipped with an additional unit so as to provide a cooling feature.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the appliance 10 already described in connection with Fig. 1. However, in Fig. 2, the appliance is arranged to be operated in a cooling configuration. Rather, in Fig. 1 the appliance 10 is arranged to be operated in a non- cooling configuration.

In the arrangement of Fig. 2, a skin treatment device 40 which may be also referred to as skin cooling device is provided and interposed between the housing 12 and the operating head 14. The skin treatment device 40 will be hereinafter referred to as device.

The device 40 is shown in Fig. 2 in an assembled state. In Fig. 3, a corresponding exploded view of the device 40 in isolation is shown.

As can be best seen from Fig. 3, the device 40 comprises a housing 42 which may involve an inlet portion 44, an outlet portion 46, and a central portion 48 arranged therebetween. The inlet portion 44 is facing the bottom side of the appliance 10, when in a mounted state. The outlet portion 46 is facing the top side of the appliance 10, when in the mounted state. In other words, when the device 40 is mounted between the housing 12 and the operating head 14, the outlet portion 46 faces the operating head 14 and the inlet portion 44 faces the housing 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the outlet portion 46 and the central portion 48 are arranged as an integral part. However, alternative

configurations of the housing 42 or the device 40 may nevertheless be envisaged.

The device 40 further comprises a flow generating unit 50 and a fluid reservoir

52. The flow generating unit 50 and the fluid reservoir 52 are arranged in the housing 42. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the fluid reservoir 52 is associated with a bottom end of the device 40 and therefore faces the housing 12 in the mounted state. The flow generating unit 50 is associated with the top side of the device 40 and therefore faces the operating head 14 in the mounted state.

The flow generating unit 50 may particularly involve a fan 56. The fan 56 may comprise at least one fan blade or wheel 58. The fan blade 58 comprises a shaft mounting contour, particularly a shaft mounting opening 60.

The fan 56 is arranged as an axial fan having a rotation axis which is basically parallel to or even congruent with a rotation axis defined by the driving element 32 and/or the drivable element 34, refer also to Fig. 1.

The fan 56 is arranged to generate an air-based flow from the bottom end of the appliance 10 to the top end thereof. In other words, the flow generated end propelled by the flow generating unit 50 is directed from the housing 12 towards the operating head 14 and, consequently, towards a skin region of the user that is currently processed.

The flow generating unit 50 and the fluid reservoir 52 define a cold

evaporation system 64. The flow generating unit generates a flow that actually passes and at least partially passes through the fluid reservoir 52 and that may be cooled by an evaporating liquid (typically water) stored in the fluid reservoir 52. As a result, the air flow generated by the flow generating unit 50 is considerably cooled down and humidified, due to the evaporated water. This has a cooling and refreshing effect on the skin.

To this end, the cold evaporation system 64 cooperates with a flow routing arrangement 66 which is basically formed by the housing 42, particularly by the inlet portion 44 and the outlet portion 46 thereof. The flow routing arrangement 66 comprises an inlet portion 68 and an outlet portion 70, refer also to Fig. 2. The inlet portion 68 describes the region of the housing 42 wherein inlet air is sucked in. The outlet portion 70 describes a region of the housing 42 where the outlet flow is blowed out. The inlet portion 68 comprises respective holes, slots or perforations in the inlet portion 44 of the housing 42. The outlet portion 70 comprises respective holes, slots or perforations in the outlet portion 46 of the housing 42. As already indicated above, the flow routing arrangement 66 including the inlet portion 68 and the outlet portion 70 ensures that at least a major fraction of the flow that is processed by the device 40 is guided from a bottom end to a top end of the appliance 10.

In Fig. 3, the fluid reservoir 52 is exemplarily arranged as a liquid receiving storage 74 that is provided in the form of a disk or ring. The liquid receiving storage 74 comprises and is preferably made from an absorbent substance 76. As already indicated above, the absorbent substance 76 is preferably arranged to receive and temporarily store a defined (small) amount of water which may be evaporated so as to cool the passing air flow. Further, the absorbent substance 76 preferably comprises an additional treatment agent or additive which may for instance involve a fragrance, a moisturizing agent, a soothing agent, a refreshing agent, and such like. For instance, the additional treatment agent may involve menthol crystals. Preferably, the absorbent substance 76 is arranged to store and gradually dispense the treatment agent or additive for a much longer period than the water.

Preferably, the treatment agent or additive is water-soluble. Hence, when the user wets or soaks the liquid receiving storage, a small fraction of the embedded treatment agent or additive is solved. As a result, when the stored water is gradually evaporated and entrained by the passing air flow, also the solve agent or additive may be entrained and propelled against the skin.

In at least some embodiments, the device 40 is arranged as a modular device which may be interposed between the housing 12 and the operating head 14 of a respectively configured appliance 10. Hence, one and the same appliance 10 may be operated in a state as shown in Fig. 1, i.e. without the device 40, and in a state as shown in Fig. 2, i.e. including the device 40.

For attaching the device 40 to the appliance 10, an input interface 80 and an output interface 82 is provided. Preferably, the input interface 80 resembles or imitates the interface 22 or the operating head 14. Preferably, the output interface 82 imitates or resembles the interface 20 of the housing 12 of the appliance 10. Hence, the device 40 may be arranged between the housing 12 and the operating head 14, whereas the respective interfacing sections are, so-to-say, duplicated, enabling the operation of the appliance 10 in both states as shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2.

At the output interface 82, at least one receptacle 84 is provided which resembles or imitates the receptacle 24. Hence, a recess for the plug 26 of the operating head 14 is provided. Further, the device 40 comprises a drive shaft extension 86 which defines, in the mounted state, a link between the driving element 32 and the drivable element 34 which are shown in Fig. 1. Hence, the drive shaft extension 86 extends the drive train 30 of the appliance 10. Consequently, a driving element 88 is provided at the drive shaft extension 86 at the output interface 82. The driving element 88 resembles or imitates the driving element 32 and is therefore arranged to be coupled with or to engage the drivable element 34 of the operating head 14.

At the input interface 80, the housing 42 of the device 40 comprises a retraining wall 90 which is arranged to snugly engage a corresponding neck wall of the housing 12 in the vicinity of the interface 20 thereof.

At the inlet portion 44 of the housing 42, an inlet opening 92 is provided. For instance, the opening 92 may define an inlet through which the fluid reservoir 52 may be filled or refilled. As indicated above, the fluid reservoir 52 may be simply refilled by holding the device 40 or the appliance 10 to which the device 40 is attached under a water tab.

The inlet portion 68 of the flow routing arrangement 66 comprises an inlet flow grille 96. The outlet 70 of the flow routing arrangement 66 comprises an outlet flow grille 98. The inlet flow grille 96 is formed in the inlet portion 44 of the housing 42. The outlet flow grille 98 is formed in the outlet portion 46 of the housing 42.

Reference is made to Fig. 4 and to Fig. 5. Fig. 4 exemplifies a grooming appliance 110 which is arranged as a shaving appliance. The appliance 110 comprises a housing 112 and an operating head 114. The operating head 114 comprises three blade sets 116.

The appliance 110 according to Fig. 4 is arranged as a single-purpose shaving appliance. By contrast, the appliance 10 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 primarily arranged as a double-purpose appliance which may be used for trimming and shaving hair. However, as discussed above, further grooming appliances may be envisaged which may implement the device 40 as discussed herein.

Accordingly, also the appliance 110 of Fig. 4 is equipped with a skin treatment device 40 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment already discussed with reference to Fig. 2 and to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows a corresponding exploded view which is in at least some respect similar to the arrangement of Fig. 3. Again, the device 40 comprises a flow

generating unit 50 and a fluid reservoir 52. Further, an inlet portion 68 and an outlet portion 70 of a flow routing arrangement 66 are provided. Also the inlet flow grille 96 and the outlet flow grille 98 are indicated in Fig. 5. As with the embodiment of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the device 40 comprises an input interface 80 and an output interface 82. Therefore, also the appliance 110 of Fig. 4 may be operated in a cooling configuration, as shown in Fig. 4 and in a non- cooling configuration, wherein no device 40 is provided between the housing 112 and the operating head 114. Consequently, in the non-cooling configuration, the housing 112 and the operating head 114 may be directly attached to one another.

Further reference is made to Fig. 6 and to the corresponding cross-sectional views of Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 6 shows a top view of the device 40 as shown in Figs. 2 to 5. Fig. 7 shows a cross- sectional view taken along the line VII- VII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows a corresponding exploded view.

Particularly the drive shaft extension 86 is shown in more detail in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. As already indicated above, the drive shaft extension 86 comprises a driving element 88 at the top side of the device 40 associated with the output interface 82. Further, the drive shaft extension 86 comprises a drivable element 100 facing a bottom side of the device 40 and associated with the input interface 80. The drivable element 100 resembles or imitates the drivable element 34 of the operating head 14, refer also to Fig. 1. Between the drivable element 100 and the driving element 88, a shaft 102 is provided. The shaft 102 transfers a rotating movement and a corresponding torque from the (input) drivable element 100 to the (output) driving element 88.

As can be best seen from Fig. 8, the flow generating unit 50, particularly the fan 56 may be arranged to be engaged and rotated by the drive shaft extension 86. In particular, a joint 104 may be defined between the drivable element 100 and the fan 56. In alternative configurations, the shaft 102 may comprise a respective shape for rotationally driving the fan 56.

Once the flow generating unit 50 is actuated, a fluid flow indicated by an arrow 106 in Fig. 7 is induced. Hence, an input flow is sucked at the inlet portion 68 of the flow routing arrangement 66. The flow 106 at least partially passes the fluid reservoir 52 or passes through the fluid reservoir 52. A resulting cooled and enriched flow exits the device 40 through the outlet portion 70 of the flow routing arrangement 66. Eventually, the flow 106 is propelled against the currently processed skin of the user so as to cool down the skin.

Fig. 9 exemplarily illustrates a set 120 comprising a plurality of liquid receiving storages 74, 124 that may form the fluid reservoir 52. The storage 74 comprises an absorbent substance 76. The storage 124 comprises an absorbent substance 126. In the absorbent substances 76, 124, treatment agents or additives may be deposited. The treatment agents or additives may be of the same type, but may be also of a different type. The storages 74, 124 of the set 120 of Fig. 9 may be arranged as disposable or consumable storages. Hence, once the deposited treatment agent or additive is consumed, the respective storage 74, 124 may be replaced by a fresh one.

Reference is made to Fig. 10 illustrating an alternative arrangement of a fluid generating unit. In Fig. 10, a fluid generating unit 150 is provided which does not comprise a fan 56 as shown for instance in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. By contrast, the flow generating unit 150 of Fig. 10 comprises a piezo-actuator 156 which is operatively coupled with a bellows or membrane 158. The membrane 158 delimits a cavity 160. At the cavity 160, at least one inlet valve 162 and at least one outlet valve 164 is provided. Both the inlet valves 162 and the outlet 164 may be arranged as check valves enabling a directed fluid flow through the cavity 160. The piezo-actuator 156 may be operated so as to periodically deflect the membrane 158 which may take a convex and a concave shape. Correspondingly, an input flow may be sucked in at the at least one input valve 162, pressurized and may be outputted or propelled via the output valve 164. Hence, also a non-fan arrangement of the flow generating unit may be implemented and used in a respective skin treatment device 40.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.