Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an attachment for a haircare appliance, and to a haircare appliance comprising the attachment.

Background of the Invention

A haircare appliance may comprise an attachment for drying or styling hair. Air may be discharged from the attachment at different speeds and/or directions in order to achieve different drying and/or styling results.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance comprising: an inlet for receiving an airflow; a body comprising one or more pairs of outlets, each pair of outlets comprising a first outlet and a second outlet; and a valve moveable relative to the body between a first position in which the valve occludes the first outlet and the airflow is discharged from the second outlet of each pair of outlets, and a second position in which the valve occludes the second outlet and the airflow is discharged from the first outlet of each pair of outlets, wherein the valve comprises a sealing element that contacts the body at a position between the first and second outlets of each pair of outlets.

Accordingly, by moving the valve, air may be discharged from either the first outlets or the second outlets. The outlets may be configured such that the airflow is discharged in different directions and/or at different speeds according to the position of the valve. For example, the attachment may be generally cylindrical in shape and the outlets may be configured such that the airflow is discharged from the first outlets in a clockwise direction, and from the second outlets in a counterclockwise direction. In another example, the size of the first outlets may be smaller than the second outlets such that the airflow is discharged from the first outlets at a higher speed. Leak paths may exist between the valve and the body. For example, when the valve is in the first position, part of the airflow may flow between the valve and the body, in a direction from the second outlets to the first outlets, whereupon it is discharged from the first outlets. Similarly, when the valve is in the second position, part of the airflow may flow between the valve and the body, in a direction from the first outlets to the second outlets, whereupon it is discharged from the second outlets. The valve therefore comprises a sealing element that contacts the body at a position between the first outlet and the second outlet. As a result, leakage along this leak path may be significantly reduced, thus improving the performance of the attachment.

The body may comprise spines that project inwardly, and, for each pair of outlets, the sealing element may abut a first spine when the valve is the first position to occlude the first outlet, and the sealing element may abut a second spine when the valve is in the second position to occlude the second outlet. The sealing element therefore provides at least two sealing points when the valve is in each of the first position and the second position. In particular, the sealing element abuts a spine(s) to occlude the first outlet or the second outlet of each pair of outlets. Additionally, the sealing element contacts the body at a position between the first outlet and the second outlet of each pair of outlets. As a result, leakage of the airflow through the occluded outlet may be further reduced.

The body may comprise a plurality of pairs of outlets, and each of the spines may be located between adjacent pairs of outlets. The sealing element may then abut a first side of each of the spines when the valve is in the first position, and the sealing element may abut against a second side of each of the spines when in the valve is in the second position. This then provides a relatively compact arrangement in that the valve abuts the same spine in order to occlude the first outlet of one of the pairs of outlets when in the first position, and to occlude the second outlet of the another of the pair of outlets when in the second position. The sealing element may comprise a first lip seal and second lip seal for each of the pair of outlets. The first lip seal then contacts the body at a first sealing position between the first and second outlets when the valve is in the first position, and the second lip seal contacts the body at a second sealing position between the first and second outlets when the valve is in the second position. By having two lip seals for each pair of outlets, a seal may be achieved between the valve and the body without unduly impeding movement of the valve relative to the body. For example, the first lip seal may contact the body only when the valve approaches the first position, and the second lip seal may contact the body only when the valve approaches the second position. Additionally or alternatively, the provision of two lip seals may create a more restrictive leak path between the valve and the body. As a result, a further reduction in leakage may be achieved.

The valve may move in a first direction when moving to the first position, and may move in a second opposite direction when moving to the second position. The first seal may then be angled rearwardly relative to the first direction and the second seal may be angled rearwardly relative to the second direction. As a result, the seals may deform in a more controlled way when contacting the body. Additionally, as the valve is moved between the two positions, the lips seals are less likely to be lifted by the airflow, which might otherwise cause the lip seals to contact the body during movement of the valve, thus potentially making it more difficult to move the valve.

The body may comprise a projection that projects inwardly towards the valve, and/or the valve may comprise a projection that projects outwardly towards the valve, and the projection may be located at position between the first and second outlets of one or more of the pair of outlets. The projection therefore creates a restriction within the leak path between the valve and the body. As a result, leakage along the leak path may be further reduced. The valve may comprise a plurality of openings through which the airflow passes, the openings may align with the second outlets when the valve is in the first position, and the openings may align with the first outlets when the valve is in the second position. By employing openings that align with the outlets when the valve is in either the first position or the second position, leakage between the valve and the body may be further reduced.

The valve may comprise an opening for each pair of outlets. Each opening may then align with a second outlet of one of the pairs of outlets when the valve is in the first position, and each opening may align with a first outlet of another of the pairs of outlets when the valve is in the second position. Each opening therefore aligns with two different outlets depending on the position of the valve. This then has the benefit that a valve having fewer openings may be employed, thus reducing the number of potential leak paths. Additionally, a smaller amount of travel may be required to move the valve between the first and second positions.

The body and the valve may each be cylindrical in shape. Then this has the advantage that hair may be wrapped around the attachment for drying and/or styling. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment may be used on different sides of the head without having to reorient the attachment.

The valve may rotate relative to the body between the first position and the second position. As a result, a relatively compact arrangement may be achieved for the attachment.

The attachment may have a longitudinal axis and each of the outlets may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. As a result, the attachment may be used to dry and/or style a relatively wide tress of hair.

The airflow may be discharged from the first outlet in a clockwise direction, and from the second outlet in a counterclockwise direction. The attachment may therefore be used to curl hair, with the direction of the curl being determined by the direction of the airflow. By providing an attachment that is capable of providing both clockwise and counterclockwise airflow, a user is able to quickly and conveniently change the direction in which curls are formed.

The attachment may comprise a user-actuated selector for moving the valve between the first position and the second position. This then has the advantage that a user is able to select whether the airflow is discharged from the first outlets or the second outlets.

The selector may comprise a dial that rotates to move the valve between the first position and the second position. A rotatable dial provides the user with a relatively intuitive way for changing the position of the valve. This is particularly true where the valve rotates relative to the body. For example, the user may rotate the dial clockwise and counterclockwise in order to select the first outlets or the second outlets.

The selector may be bistable and may have two stable positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the valve. This then has the advantage that the selector, and thus the valve, are less likely to be moved inadvertently during use of the haircare appliance. Additionally, a user is not required to accurately position the selector during use.

The present invention further provides a haircare appliance comprising a blower for generating an airflow, and an attachment as described in any one of the preceding paragraphs.

The haircare appliance may comprise a handle unit that houses the blower. The attachment may then be removably attached to a handle unit. This then has the advantage that the handle unit may be used with other types of attachment, such as a styling brush or hair dryer nozzle. Alternatively, the attachment may be permanently attached to the handle unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a haircare appliance;

Figure 2 is a simplified section through a handle unit of the haircare appliance;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of electrical components of the handle unit;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of an attachment of the haircare appliance;

Figure 5 is a side view of the attachment;

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the attachment;

Figure 7 are horizontal sections through the attachment along the line A-A of Figure 6, in which a valve of the attachment is (a) in a first position, and (b) in a second position;

Figure 8 illustrates a user changing the position of the valve of the attachment;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section through the attachment along the line B-B of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is part of a horizontal slice through the attachment along the line A-A of Figure 6, in which potential leak paths are highlighted; and Figure 11 is the same horizontal slice as that of Figure 10.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The haircare appliance 10 of Figures 1 to 3 comprises a handle unit 20 and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 20.

The handle unit 20 comprises a housing 30, a blower 40, a heater 50 and a control unit 60.

The housing 30 is tubular in shape and comprises an inlet 31 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 30 by the blower 40, and an outlet 32 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 30. The blower 40 is housed within the housing 30 and comprises a fan 41 driven by an electric motor 42. The heater 50 is also housed within the housing 30 and comprises heating elements 51 to optionally heat the airflow.

The control unit 60 comprises user controls 61 and a control module 62.

The user controls 61 are provided on the surface of the housing 30 and are used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (e.g. high, medium, low), and to select an air temperature (e.g. hot, warm, cold). In this example, each of the user controls 61 comprises a sliding switch. However, other forms of user control may be used such as buttons, dials or touchscreen.

The control module 62 is responsible for controlling the blower 40 and the heater 50 in response to inputs from the user controls 61. For example, in response to inputs from the user controls, the control module 62 may control the power or speed of the blower 40 in order to adjust the flow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 50 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 11 , the attachment 100 comprises a body 110, a valve 120, and a dial 130.

The body 110 is cylindrical in shape, is open at one end and is closed at the other end. The open end serves as an inlet 111 of the body 110. The body comprises one or more pairs of outlets 112, 113 located around the body 110. Each outlet 112,113 comprises a slot that extends along the length of the body 110. In the particular example shown in the Figures, the body 110 comprises five pairs of outlets 112,113 that are spaced evenly about the body 110.

The body 110 comprises a sleeve 114 and a plurality of slats 115. The sleeve 114 is cylindrical in shape and comprises a plurality of openings 116 arranged into columns 117,118 that extend along the length of the sleeve 114. More particularly, the openings 116 are arranged into one or more pairs of columns 117,118. Again, in the particular example shown in the Figures, the sleeve 114 comprises five pairs of columns 117,118 that are spaced evenly around the sleeve 114.

Each pair of columns 116,117 is separated by a spine 119, and each of the slats 115 is attached to a respective spine 119, e.g. by snap fit. Each slat 115 extends either side of the spine 119 and overlies each of the columns of openings 117,118. The longitudinal edges of the slat 115 are spaced radially from the sleeve 114 to define a pair of outlets 112,113 that extend along the length of the body 110.

The valve 120 is cylindrical in shape and sits within the body 110. The valve comprises a plurality of slots 121 that extend along the length of the valve 120. In the particular example shown in the Figures, the valve 120 comprises five slots 121.

The valve 120 is moveable relative to the body 110. More particularly, the valve 120 rotates relative to the body 110 about a longitudinal axis 140 of the body 110. The valve 120 is moveable between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, shown in Figure 7(a), the valve 120 abuts one side of each of the spines 119 of the body 110 to occlude each of the first columns of openings 117 in the body 110. Additionally, each of the slots 121 in the valve 120 align with one of the second columns of openings 118 in the body 110. When in the second position, shown in Figure 7(b), the valve 120 abuts the opposite side of each of the spines 119 of the body 110 to occlude each of the second column of openings 118 in the body 110. Each of the slots 121 in the valve 120 then aligns with one of the first columns of openings 117 in the body 110. During use, when the attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 20, the airflow generated by the handle unit 20 enters the interior of the body 110 via the inlet 111. From there, the airflow moves radially outward through the slots 121 in the valve 120. The airflow then passes through the openings 116 in the body 110. More particularly, the airflow passes through either the first columns of openings 117 or the second columns of openings 118 according to the position of the valve 120. The airflow is then turned by the slats 115 and is discharged from the body 110 via the first outlet 112 or the second outlet 113 of each pair of outlets.

When the valve 120 is in the first position (Figure 7(a)), the valve 120 occludes the first outlet 112 and airflow is discharged from the second outlet 113 of each pair of outlets. As a result, the airflow is discharged from the attachment 100 in a clockwise direction. When the valve 120 is in the second position (Figure 7(b)), the valve 120 occludes the second outlet 113 and airflow is discharged from the first outlet 112 of each pair of outlets. As a result, the airflow is discharged from the attachment 100 in a counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, by changing the position of the valve 120, the direction of the airflow discharged from the attachment 100 may be changed from clockwise to counterclockwise.

The dial 130 is located at the closed end of the body 110 and is attached to the valve 120 (in this example, by means of a screw 134). The dial 130 is used to move the valve 120 between the first and second positions. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, a user may grip and twist or rotate the dial 130 so as to move the valve 120 between the two positions. As a result, a user is able to change the direction in which the airflow is discharged from the attachment 100. More particularly, a user is able to select whether the airflow is discharged in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Referring now to Figure 9, the attachment 100 comprises one or more springs 135 and the dial 130 comprises one or more tabs 131 , each of which engages with a respective spring 135. In the example shown in Figure 9, the attachment 100 comprises three springs 135 and the dial 130 comprises three tabs 131 . The springs 135 bias the dial 130 (and thus the valve 120) into the first position or the second position. In the example shown in Figure 9, the dial 130 is biased into the first position. As the dial 130 rotates from the first position, each of the tabs 131 pushes against a respective spring 135, causing the biasing force of the spring 135 to increase. As the dial 130 traverses the midpoint between the first position and the second position, the biasing force of each of the springs 135 acts in cooperation with rather than in opposition to the rotation. As a result, the dial 130 is biased towards the second position by the springs 135. The dial 130 may therefore be regarded as bi-stable and has two stable positions corresponding to the first and second positions. This then has the advantage that the dial 130 and the valve 120 are less likely to move inadvertently during use of the haircare appliance 10. Additionally, misalignment of the valve 120 relative to the body 110 may be avoided since the dial 130 is biased into either the first position or the second position. The user is not therefore required to accurately position the dial 130 during use.

It will be appreciated that a dial 130 having two stable positions may be achieved in other ways. By way of example, the body 110 may comprise one or more inverted v-shaped ramps against which the dial 130 is biased by means of one or more springs. Rotating the dial 130 from the first position causes the dial 130 to move up one side of the ramp against the biasing force of the spring. Upon transitioning the apex in the ramp, the dial 130 is biased down the other side of the ramp by the spring to the second position.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a sectional slice of part of the attachment 100. The valve 120 is in the first position and therefore occludes the first outlet 112 of each pair of outlets. The airflow is then discharged from the second outlet 113 of each pair of outlets. However, there exists two potential leak paths, labelled A and B in Figure 10, along which part of the airflow may travel and be discharged from the occluded outlet 112.

When the valve 120 is in the first position, the valve contacts one side of each of the spines 119 of the body 110 to occlude each of the first outlets 112. If the valve 120 were formed as a single, hard component then, owing to geometric tolerances in the valve 120 and the body 110, gaps may exist between the valve 120 and one or more of the spines 1 19 to create the leak paths labelled A in Figure 10.

When moving between the first and second positions, the valve 120 rotates relative to the body 110. In order to reduce friction and ensure that the valve 120 may rotate relatively easily between the two positions, the valve 120 is spaced radially from the body 110. This spacing then creates a potential leak path, labelled B in Figure 10, between the valve 120 and the body 110. Part of the airflow then moves along this leak path in a direction from the second outlet 113 to the first outlet 112.

Although Figure 10 illustrates potential leak paths when the valve 120 is in the first position, it will be appreciated that similar leak paths exist when the valve 120 is in the second position.

In order reduce airflow along these leak paths, the valve 120 comprises a sleeve 122 onto which a sealing member 124 is attached.

The sleeve 122 is cylindrical in shape, is open at one end and is closed at the other end. The slots 121 of the valve 120 are formed in the sleeve 122. The sealing member 124 has been omitted from Figure 4, so that the sleeve 122 and the slots 121 may be more easily seen. The sealing member 124 is formed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, and may be attached to the sleeve 122 by overmoulding. Alternatively, the sealing member 124 may be formed in a separate process and then attached to the sleeve 122, perhaps through the use of fastening features or adhesive, in a manual or automated assembly process. The sealing member 124 comprises four seals for each pair of outlets 112, 113 in the body 120: two face seals 125, 126 and two lip seals 127,128.

When the valve 120 is in the first position, one the face seals 125 and one of the lip seals 127 contact the body 120. Conversely, when the valve 120 is in the second position, the other of the face seals 126 and the other of the lip seals 128 contact the body 120.

Each of the face seals 125,126 contacts and is deformed by the spines 119 of the body 120 to occlude leak paths of the type labelled A. More particularly, a first face seal 125 contacts and is deformed by a first spine 119 when the valve 120 is the first position to occlude a first outlet 112, and a second face seal 126 abuts a second spine 119’ when the valve 120 is in the second position to occlude a second outlet 113. The deformation of the face seals 125,126 acts to absorb geometric tolerances in the sleeve 122 of the valve 120 and the body 110, such that an effective seal may be formed between the valve 120 and the spines 119,119’.

Each of the lips seals 127,128 contacts and is deformed by the body 110 at a position between the first outlet 112 and the second outlet 113. More particularly, a first lip seal 127 contacts the body at a first sealing position between the first and second outlets 112,113 when the valve 120 is in the first position, and a second lip seal 128 contacts the body 120 at a second sealing position between the first and second outlets 112,113 when the valve 120 is in the second position. In this particular example, only one of the pair of lip seals 127,128 contacts the body 120 at any one time. Moreover, the first lip seal 127 contacts the body 120 only when the valve 120 approaches the first position, and the second lip seal 128 contacts the body 120 only when the valve 120 approaches the second position. This then has the benefit that an effective seal may be formed between the valve 120 and the body 110 without unduly impeding rotation of the valve 120 relative to the body 110.

Although only one of the lip seals 127, 128 contacts the body 110 at any one time, the other lip seal nevertheless presents a restriction to the leak path between the valve 120 and the body 110. As a result, potential leaks along paths of the type labelled B may be further reduced. Indeed, in order to further restrict these leak paths, the sleeve 122 of the valve 120 comprises a plurality of projections 123, each of which projects outwardly towards the body 110 at a point between the first outlet 112 and the second outlet 113. In this particular example, each projection 123 is located between the two lip seals 127,128. In addition to further reducing potential leaks, the projections 123 have two further benefits. First, the projections 123 help to centre the valve 120 within the body 110, i.e. such that the two are substantially concentric. Second, should the valve 120 move radially relative to the body 110 during rotation of the valve 120, the projections 123 rather than the sealing member 124 contact the body 110. The sleeve 122 of the valve 120 has a lower coefficient of friction than that of the sealing member 124. Consequently, rotation of the valve 120 is not unduly impeded by the valve 120 contacting the body 110.

In this particular example, the projections are provided on the valve 120. However, the same behaviour and benefits would be realised if the projections were provided on the body 110; that is to say that the body 110 may comprise projections that project inwardly towards the valve 120 at positions between each pair of outlets 112,113. The valve 120 rotates in a first direction (e.g. clockwise in the Figures) when moving to the first position, and rotates in a second opposite direction (e.g. counterclockwise) when moving to the second position. The first lip seal 127 is then angled rearwardly relative to the first direction and the second lip seal 128 is angled rearwardly relative to the second direction. As a result, the lip seals 127,128 deform in a more controlled way upon rotating the valve 120. If, by contrast, the lips seals 127,128 were angled in the opposite directions, the trailing lip seal may be lifted by the airflow that moves along the leak path. The trailing seal could then conceivably contact the body 110 and be rolled backwards by the movement of the valve 120 relative to the body 110, creating unwanted friction.

For each pair of outlets 112,113 in the body 110, the sealing element 124 provides two sealing points when the valve 120 is in the first position or the second position. In particular, one of the face seals 125, 126 contacts a spine 119 of the body 120 to occlude the first outlet 112 or the second outlet 113. Additionally, one of the lips seals 127,128 contacts the body at a position between the first outlet 112 and the second outlet 113. As a result, leakage of the airflow through the occluded outlet is reduced.

Whilst a particular geometry has been described for the sealing element 124, it will be appreciated that alternative geometries are possible. By way of example, rather than a pair of lip seals 127,128, the sealing element 124 may comprise a single seal (e.g. a bubble seal) that contacts the body 110 to create a seal at a position between the first and second outlets 112,113.

With the attachment 100 described above, the valve 120 is moved between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the first outlet 112 of each pair of outlets is occluded by the valve 120 and an airflow is discharged from the second outlet 113. Conversely, when in the second position, the second outlet 113 of each pair of outlets is occluded by the valve 120 and airflow is discharged from the first outlet 112.

In the example described above, the outlets 112,113 are configured such that the airflow is discharged in a clockwise direction when the valve 120 is in the first position, and in a counterclockwise direction when the valve 120 is in the second position. Moreover, the airflow is discharged from the outlets 112,113 in directions that are substantially tangential to the external surface of the body 110. As a result, the airflow attaches to the external surface of the body 110 by the Coanda effect. This then has the benefit that hair presented to the attachment 100 is attracted to and wraps around the body 110.

In other examples, the outlets 112,113 may be configured such that the airflow is discharged in alternative directions to that described above and/or at different speeds. For example, the outlets 112,113 may be configured such that, when the valve 120 is in the first position, the airflow continues to be discharged in a direction tangential to the external surface of the body 110. However, when the valve 120 is in the second position, the airflow may be discharged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the external surface of the body 110. In another example, the first outlet 112 and the second outlet 113 may be of different sizes such that the airflow is discharged from the outlets at different speeds.

Whilst the attachment 100 described above is cylindrical in shape and is intended for use in curling hair, the provision of a valve that moves relative to a body to occlude one of a pair of outlets may be used with other types of attachments. By way of example, the attachment may take the form of a brush having bristles. The body may comprise one or more pairs of outlets through which an airflow is discharged in the direction of the bristles, and the valve may slide, pivot, rotate or otherwise move between the first position and the second position to occlude one of each pair of outlets. The attachment 100 is removably attached to the handle unit 10 of the haircare appliance 10. This then has the advantage that the handle unit 10 may be used with other types of attachment, such as a styling brush or hair dryer nozzle. Nevertheless, the haircare appliance 10 could conceivably comprise an attachment 100 that is permanently attached to the handle unit 20.

Whilst particular examples and embodiments have thus far been described, it should be understood that these are illustrative only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.