Title: Device for treating the hair

The present invention relates to a device for treating hair, notably a hairbrush, comprising at least one steam outlet for applying steam to the hair, and to an associated method for treating the hair.

Prior art

Numerous types of hairstyling appliances or accessories that enable hair to be shaped, notably by straightening, curling or crimping, are known. By way of example, mention may be made of hair straighteners, curlers or hairbrushes.

Conventional brushes allow the hair shaping achieved to be only short-lived, unless their use is accompanied by a treatment with a composition based on active chemical ingredients.

Heated treatment devices, notably heated brushes, have been proposed for greater effectiveness. Mention may be made, for example, of documents US2018125223, US2016007708 and EP2849605 which describe such heated brushes.

To improve the treatment, certain devices have provision for distributing steam towards the surface that is to be treated. Hairstyling brushes that emit steam produced from water have thus been proposed. Such is the case in particular with documents DE 19822718 and KR20030085159.

Hair treatment devices, notably in the context of hair straighteners in the form of tongs, comprising sensors that sense contact with the hand of the user on the grip via which they are held so as to avoid enabling the heating of the appliance when it is not in use, are also known, notably from patent applications KR20090110464 and KR20160008488. Patent application KR101452985 itself describes an acceleration sensor for reducing electrical power consumption.

Document JPH04193203 describes the use of a humidity sensor in a brush that does not emit steam in order to determine when the hair is dry. JP2016073526 describes the use of a pressure or bending detector on one or a plurality of teeth in order to actuate a hair imaging system aimed at determining the condition of the hair, and international application WO2014111646 describes a plurality of sensors, notably motion sensors or an accelerometer, an optical sensor and an electric field sensor for determining and transmitting at a distance data regarding the motion and the condition of the hair on the basis of the motion, and temperature and/or humidity sensors to refine the analysis of the condition of the head of hair on the basis of atmospheric data.

Devices for treating hair with steam may be unpleasant for the user because of the use of steam in proximity to the scalp, notably when this emission of steam is premature.

In the context of hair straighteners in the form of tongs, the tongs do not come into contact with the scalp, only the hair, and the steam is confined between the arms of the tongs, making it safer. In addition, it is easily possible to detect the closing of the tongs that indicates that the device is in use.

In the context of brushes, the steam emitting surface area may be great, particularly in the case of flat-head brushes. Moreover, the bristles or teeth of the brush are intended to act in direct proximity to the scalp, thereby accentuating the risks associated with the use of steam.

Moreover, the use of steam before the device is being held in the hand and moved leads to an overconsumption of water. This is of more special concern given that the volume of the reservoir is often small, notably if it needs to be integrated into a portable appliance.

There is therefore a need to have the benefit of a hair treatment device, notably of the brush type, that is economical on water and able to make the emission of steam safe.

Summary of the invention

The invention meets this need with the aid of a device for treating hair, comprising: at least one steam outlet for emitting steam onto the hair, a steam supply system for supplying said at least one steam outlet, at least one hold detector detecting that the device is being held in the hand, at least one motion detector detecting that the device is in motion, a steam control unit configured to allow the supply of and/or automatically supply steam from the steam supply system to the steam outlet when at least a dual predefined condition is satisfied, this dual condition being the condition of the device being held in the hand and in motion, as verified using data generated by the hold detector and motion detector of the device. Controlling the emission of steam according to the dual condition of detecting that the device is being held in the hand and in motion makes the use of the device safer, notably by avoiding the emission of steam when the device is not being held in the hand and in motion. This also makes it possible to limit the consumption of water needed to create the steam.

Device

As a preference, the treatment device has an elongate shape along a main axis. As a variant, the treatment device is of some other, non-elongate, shape.

As a preference, the treatment device comprises a grip zone configured to accept the hand of the user.

As a preference, the treatment device comprises a handle and a treatment head. The grip zone may be at least partially defined by the handle. The latter makes the device easier to grasp and allows additional elements to be added to the device, notably a user interface, a water reservoir and/or cosmetic product reservoir and/or one or more sensors, notably hold and motion detectors. In one variant of the invention, at least one of these additional elements is situated in the device head described hereinafter.

The head of the treatment device may have any shape in cross section. As a preference, the head of the treatment device has a substantially polygonal, in particular substantially rectangular or substantially square, or substantially oval or circular cross section. Other shapes of cross section are possible, such as a cross section with a polygonal contour on one side and a non-polygonal, notably rounded, cross section on the other side.

As a preference, the treatment device, notably the head, comprises a treatment surface intended to come into contact with, or to face, the hair. This treatment surface may be flat or domed towards the outside. This treatment surface may have a substantially polygonal, notably rectangular or square, circular or oval outline.

As a preference, the treatment device, notably the head, comprises an external surface, opposite to the treatment surface. This external surface may at least partially define the grip zone of the device.

The grip zone may be defined by the external surface of the device, the handle or part of the handle and of the external surface of the head.

The device may comprise teeth extending from the treatment surface. What is meant by “teet/z”, sometimes also known as “pins” or “bristles'” are the projecting elements or protuberances between which the hair is received as the device is passed through the head of hair. The teeth may have any shape. The teeth may be flexible or rigid and if applicable may have a ball or a rounded head at their end.

As a preference, the treatment device is a brush.

A “brush” is understood to be a device for treating the hair that is constituted of a single arm bearing a plurality of teeth, extending from the treatment surface, and between which the hair is received when the brush passes through the head of hair. The brush may have a single row of teeth but preferably has a plurality of rows of teeth.

The device according to the invention is able to treat hair effectively by brushing the hair and applying steam in a single action, only following detection that it is being held in the hand and detection that it is in motion.

Hold detector

As a preference, the hold detector is arranged on the handle of the device.

As a variant, notably in the absence of a handle, the hold detector is arranged on an external surface of the device opposite to the treatment surface.

The hold detector may comprise one or a plurality of contact or proximity, strain, pressure, temperature, sound or vibration sensors, or a mechanical sensor against which the user presses when the device is held in the hand.

The sensor or sensors may be selected from mechanical, optical, notably infrared, resistive, capacitive, acoustic or thermal sensors or may be one or a plurality of microswitches. As a preference, the sensor or sensors are capacitive or infrared.

The sensor or sensors may be arranged on a surface of the handle on the side of the device opposite to the treatment surface and/or on a surface of the handle that is on the same side of the device as the treatment surface.

The sensor or sensors may be positioned flush with or set back from the surface of the device in a housing therein. As a variant, the sensor or sensors may project and possibly retract upon use.

The hold detector may be configured to detect the proximity of the hand at a distance less than or equal to 5 cm, or better less than or equal to 2 cm, from the or from each sensor. As a preference, the control unit determines actual holding on the basis of the data supplied by the hold detector. Actual holding is determined notably when contact with the detector or when proximity at a distance less than or equal to the aforementioned value is detected by the hold detector. The hold detector may comprise a single sensor arranged on a surface of the device, notably of the handle, on the side of the device opposite to the treatment surface. As a variant, the sensor is arranged on a surface of the handle on the same side of the device as the treatment surface.

The hold data may be analogue, logic or digital.

As a variant, the hold detector comprises at least two sensors, one on a surface of the handle opposite to the treatment surface and the other on a surface of the handle on the same side of the device as the treatment surface, so as to detect contact or proximity of the hand on both sides of the handle in order to ensure that the device is actually being held in the hand rather than laid on a surface. In that case, the control unit determines actual holding only when both sensors are detecting actual contact or proximity.

Motion detector

As a preference, the motion detector comprises a contactless sensor, which is to say one that does not require direct contact of the sensor with the keratinous matter. The motion detector may consist of one or a plurality of contactless sensors.

As a preference, the contactless sensor or sensors are integrated into the device without extending over the surface thereof, notably in the handle of the device.

The motion detector may comprise an accelerometer.

The accelerometer may be configured to be capable of measuring the linear accelerations experienced along at least one axis perpendicular to the main axis of the device and/or along an axis parallel to the main plane of the device.

As a preference, the accelerometer is configured to be capable of measuring the linear accelerations experienced along at least two mutually perpendicular axes. Even better still, the accelerometer is configured to be capable of measuring the linear accelerations experienced along three orthogonal axes.

The motion detector may comprise a gyrometer capable of measuring the rotational movements experienced about an axis perpendicular to the main axis of the device and substantially parallel to the treatment surface. As a preference, the gyrometer is configured to be capable of measuring the rotational movements experienced about at least two mutually perpendicular axes, notably at least two measurement axes of the accelerometer. Better still, the gyrometer is configured to be capable of measuring the rotational movements experienced about three orthogonal axes, notably about the 3 measurement axes of the accelerometer.

As a preference, the motion detector comprises the accelerometer and the gyrometer as described above. Thanks to the raw data detected by the accelerometer and the gyrometer, the movements of the device may be determined and the movement data taken into consideration by the control unit.

The control unit may eliminate the acceleration due to gravity g through logic filtering operations or through the use of an additional multiaxis inclinometer comprised within the motion detector.

As a variant, or in addition, the motion detector may comprise a detector that comes into contact with the keratinous matter and detects the movement of the keratinous matter in contact with it.

As a preference, the motion detector is not configured to detect contact of the device with the hair when the device is motionless. There is therefore no emission of steam upon contact with the hair in the absence of motion of the device over the hair.

The motion detector may comprise a feeler projecting out from the treatment surface of the device and configured to detect strain applied to the feeler. In the case of a brush, the feeler may be a tooth of the brush or a mechanical element distinct from the teeth of the brush.

The feeler may be mounted with the ability to move in one or a plurality of directions capable of allowing detection of motion of the device relative to the head of hair or the scalp. It will, for example, be a feeler capable of moving in translation, in bending, or in some other way.

As a preference, the feeler is able to move, notably by pivoting from a rest position about at least one axis of rotation, and the motion detector may be a force sensor, notably sensing a return force resulting from the motion of the feeler pivoting about the axis of rotation and configured to detect and/or measure the motion, notably the angle of pivoting, of the feeler. The condition whereby the device must be in motion may be satisfied when at least the motion is detected or when the measurement of the amplitude of the motion, notably the angle of pivoting, reaches or exceeds a setpoint value.

The feeler may extend from the treatment surface in the form of at least a tooth, notably a tooth substantially identical to at least one tooth of the device. The feeler may extend from the treatment surface parallel to at least one tooth of the device.

The motion detector may comprise a rotary potentiometer on which the feeler is mounted, the detector being configured to measure the output voltage of the potentiometer which is characteristic of the motion of the feeler and in particular is characteristic of an angle of pivoting of the feeler. The motion detector may comprise a Hall-effect sensor on or in the feeler and two magnets positioned one on each side of the axis of rotation, the detector being configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field and/or to determine the strength thereof at the detector. The condition whereby the device must be in motion may be satisfied when the detector detects a magnetic field.

The motion detector may comprise at least two microswitches positioned one on each side of the axis of rotation and configured to be actuated when the feeler is in motion, for example when it pivots by a threshold angle about the axis of rotation. The threshold angle may be dependent on the position of the microswitches with respect to the feeler. The condition whereby the device must be in motion may be satisfied when at least one of the two microswitches is actuated.

The detector may comprise an elastic return member returning the feeler to the rest position in the absence of external force. The rest position is notably a neutral reference position of the teeth, substantially perpendicular to a fixing base and/or with an axis of elongation substantially parallel to an axis of elongation of the neighbouring teeth. The elastic maintaining member may comprise one or more springs connecting the feeler, on each side of the axis of rotation, to a support that is fixed relative to the axis of rotation.

The control unit may determine whether there is actual motion of the device on the basis of the data supplied by the motion detector. The fact that the device is actually in motion may be determined when the motion detected about at least one axis, notably the axis perpendicular to the main axis of the device substantially parallel to the treatment surface, or about at least one axis, notably the axis perpendicular to the main axis of the device substantially parallel to the treatment surface, exceeds a threshold motion and/or speed of motion value, preferably for a duration greater than or equal to a threshold duration. The threshold value for motion along the axis perpendicular to the main axis of the device substantially parallel to the treatment surface may be a movement by 1 cm or more. The threshold value for speed of motion along the axis perpendicular to the main axis of the device substantially parallel to the treatment surface may be greater than or equal to 4 mm/s. The threshold duration may be greater than or equal to 2 s.

Dual condition of being held and in motion

The dual condition of being held and in motion is notably satisfied when the control unit determines, as described above, that the device is simultaneously actually being held in the hand, and, as described above, is actually in motion.

Teeth

The teeth may extend in at least two rows of teeth, the rows of teeth preferably each extending parallel to the main axis of the device, notably of the brush.

As a preference, the treatment surface of the device, notably of the brush, is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed face-on and the teeth extend in several rows of teeth, each extending along the main axis of the device, notably of the brush.

As a preference, the row or rows of teeth each comprise at least 3 teeth, better still between 10 and 40 teeth, even better still between 15 and 40 teeth.

As a preference, the device, notably the brush, comprises tooth-heating means for heating at least part of the plurality of teeth, notably at least two of the teeth, or better still at least one or a plurality of rows of teeth. The tooth-heating means may be the means used for heating the treatment surface. The combination of heating the teeth and of applying steam makes it possible to improve the treatment of the hair. It notably makes it possible to maintain a higher temperature in the steam application spaces, notably the spaces between the teeth in instances in which the steam is sprayed into these spaces. It also allows the hair to be heated with dry heat before or after the application of steam, and this improves the steam treatment of the hair.

At least part of the teeth of the device, notably of the brush, may be made of a heat conducting material, notably of iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite, or ceramic. The device, notably the brush, may comprise tooth-heating means for heating at least part of the teeth, notably at least two of the teeth, better still at least one or a plurality of rows of teeth, and in particular for heating all of the teeth made from a heat-conducting material. The heating means may consist of one or a plurality of heating resistors or any other heating means.

As a preference, the teeth have a height greater than or equal to 2 mm and less than or equal to 50 mm, or better still, greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm.

As a preference, the teeth have no surface protrusions.

As a preference, at least part of the teeth, better still all the teeth, are attached to the device, notably to the brush, notably fixed in holes in the treatment surface. As a variant, at least part of the teeth, better still all the teeth, are integrated into the treatment surface, for example the teeth are of one piece with the treatment surface.

The teeth may extend perpendicularly to the treatment surface or be inclined with respect to said treatment surface.

As a preference, the teeth all extend along mutually parallel axes.

Steam

The treatment device may comprise one or a plurality of steam outlets.

In a variant, the steam outlet or outlets extend in a steam outlet zone of the device, which zone is delimited by the peripheral exterior edges of the treatment surface.

In another variant, the steam outlet or outlets extend in a steam outlet zone of the device, which zone is situated inside the treatment surface.

The steam outlet zone may be elongate along an axis of extension extending over more than 70%, or better still more than 80%, of the dimension of the treatment surface along the axis of extension. As a preference, this axis of extension is parallel to the main axis of the device.

The device may comprise a steam outlet, notably a single steam outlet, that is elongate along an axis of extension either parallel to the main axis of the device or perpendicular to this axis, notably over the entire length of the steam outlet zone. In this case, the steam outlet may have an opening with a surface area greater than or equal to 5 mm ² .

The device may comprise a plurality of steam outlets extending in at least one row of steam outlets extending along the axis of extension or perpendicular to this axis, preferably along the axis of extension notably over the entire length of the steam outlet zone. As a preference, the steam outlets open in the device onto a common steam dispensing chamber.

The steam outlets of the row of steam outlets may alternate with teeth arranged as a row of teeth, notably the teeth of the brush in the case of a brush, particularly teeth made of a heat-conducting material of the brush, as mentioned hereinabove. As a variant, the steam outlets are in a tooth-free zone of the brush.

As a preference, the steam outlet or outlets extend over the treatment surface of the device. In the case of a brush as described hereinabove, the steam outlet or outlets extend over the treatment surface or over teeth emanating therefrom.

The steam outlet or outlets may extend in one or a plurality of peripheral zones of the treatment surface of the device.

As a variant, the steam outlet or outlets may extend in one or a plurality of internal zones of the treatment surface of the device. In the case of a brush, the steam outlet or outlets may be flanked laterally by teeth, notably rows of teeth, notably teeth made from a heat-conducting material such as those mentioned hereinabove.

As a preference, the device, notably the steam supply system supplying steam to the steam outlet or outlets, supplies the steam outlet or outlets with a steam flow rate less than or equal to 5 mL.min ¹ , better still ranging from 0.2 to 45 mL.min ¹ , even better still ranging from 0.4 to 2 mL.min ¹ , and preferably ranging from 0.5 to 0.95 mL.min ¹ .

The device, notably the steam supply system, preferably comprises at least one steam-generating chamber supplying the steam outlet or outlets with steam. The steamgenerating chamber may be in the head of the device or in the handle.

The steam outlet or outlets may, in cross section, have any shape, notably substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially round or ovoid.

The or each steam outlet has an opening with a surface area less than or equal to 20 mm ² , better still less than or equal to 10 mm ² , even better still less than 5 mm ² , very preferably less than 2 mm ² .

The device may have at least one reservoir of product to be vaporized, notably water, notably having a volume ranging from 1 mL to 50 mL. The reservoir may be situated in the handle or in the head. There may also be two reservoirs, one in the handle and one in the head. The device, notably the steam spraying system, may comprise a pump between the water reservoir and the steam outlet or outlets, notably between the reservoir and the steam-generating chamber.

Control unit

The control unit may be configured to prevent the steam supply system from supplying steam when the device is switched off.

The control unit may be configured to prevent the steam supply system from supplying steam before the dual condition of being held in the hand and in motion is satisfied after the device is switched on.

As a preference, the control unit is configured to prevent the steam supply system from supplying steam when the dual condition of being held in the hand and in motion is no longer satisfied for a duration greater than or equal to a predefined timed period, for example equal to 5 s, or better still 2 s, or even better still 1 s.

The device may comprise at least one temperature detector detecting the temperature either at the steam-generating chamber and/or at the treatment surface and/or at the teeth. The device may comprise a temperature detector detecting the temperature at the steam-generating chamber and a temperature detector detecting temperature at the treatment surface and/or the teeth. As a preference, the temperature detector is located at the head of the device, notably on the treatment surface or on at least one of the teeth so as to detect the temperature of the treatment surface or of at least one of the teeth.

The control unit is configured to supply steam from the steam supply system to the steam outlet preferably when, on the one hand, the dual condition of the device being held in the hand and in motion and, on the other hand, a condition on the temperature in a steam-generating chamber that supplies steam to the steam outlet or outlets are both satisfied; the supply of steam may then be triggered when the control unit determines, on the one hand, that the device is actually being held in the hand and actually in motion, and, on the other hand, when the temperature in the steam-generating chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature, preferably 100°C.

The control unit may also be configured to supply steam from the supply system to the steam outlet when the dual condition of the device being held in the hand and in motion, the condition whereby the temperature in the steam-generating chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature notably 100°C, and a condition whereby the temperature of the treatment surface or of the teeth is greater than or equal to a predetermined treatment temperature, notably 120°C, are satisfied.

The device may comprise a switch-on member, notably of the breaker switch type, triggering the supply of electrical power to the device, notably triggering the heating of the steam-generating chamber and/or triggering the heating of the means for heating the treatment surface and/or the teeth and/or triggering the detection of holding and detection of motion.

As a preference, the switch-on member triggers the heating of the steamgenerating chamber and the heating of the means for heating the treatment surface and/or the teeth, and the control unit is configured to trigger the detection of holding and the detection of motion when at least two other conditions are satisfied, these being a condition whereby the temperature in the steam-generating chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined vaporization temperature, notably 100°C, and a condition whereby the temperature of the treatment surface or of the teeth is greater than or equal to a predetermined treatment temperature notably 120°C.

The switch-on member may also start a timer configured to measure the time since the switching-on of the device, the control unit being configured to supply steam from the steam-supply system to the steam outlet when at least two conditions are satisfied, namely, the dual condition of holding and of motion and a rendition whereby the time since the switch-on as measured by the timer, is greater than or equal to the time taken for the temperature in the steam-generating chamber to come up to the predetermined vaporization temperature and/or the time taken for the temperature of the treatment surface and/or for the teeth to come up to the predetermined treatment temperature.

The control unit may be configured to actuate a pump supplying the steamgenerating chamber with water when at least the conditions of holding and of motion are satisfied, better still when the conditions of holding and of motion and the temperature condition are satisfied.

The control unit may be configured to electrically power the supply system, notably a pump supplying steam to the outlet or outlets or a pump supplying the steamgenerating chamber, so as to allow the steam outlets to be supplied with steam when the condition or conditions of holding and of motion are satisfied, or better still when the conditions of holding and of motion and the temperature condition are satisfied, the supply of steam to the steam outlets requiring for example manual actuation on the part of the user.

The supply system may comprise a valve for supplying the steam outlet or outlets with steam, the control unit being configured to open the valve supplying the steam outlet or outlets with steam when the above-mentioned condition or conditions are satisfied.

The emission of steam may take place automatically following the switching-on of the device as soon as the conditions of temperature and of holding and motion are satisfied; as a variant, the fulfilling of these conditions may not be sufficient and an additional instruction on the part of the user may then be deemed necessary even though the conditions have been met, in order for the emission of steam to take place. The device may then comprise a button or breaker switch for manually triggering the emission of steam via the outlet or outlets when such emission is authorized by the control unit.

The control unit may comprise microcontrollers arranged in the treatment device, notably in the handle of the device.

Application of a cosmetic product

The device may comprise at least one member for applying a cosmetic product.

The applicator member for applying a cosmetic product is arranged in such a way as to come into contact with the hair. The applicator member for applying cosmetic product is preferably porous, elastically compressible, and may advantageously be made from an open-cell cellular material such as a PE (polyethylene) foam for example. The applicator member may be made from any material that is able to release or diffuse the cosmetic product.

The applicator member may be removable.

The brush may have a cosmetic-product reservoir.

As a preference, the cosmetic product delivered is in the fluid state. The expression “zh the fluid stale'' should be understood as meaning liquid at ambient temperature (25°C) or at a higher temperature, between 25 and 50°C for example, and at atmospheric pressure. In this case, the product may initially be in the solid or pasty state at ambient temperature in the reservoir and be heated up within the reservoir in order to make it sufficiently fluid to be dispensed by the dispensing mechanism provided to supply the applicator member. The product is thus fluid in the reservoir at the time of application. The reservoir may be equipped with an electrical resistor, for example a fine screen-printed resistor, making it possible to bring the temperature of its contents to above 50°C for example.

The cosmetic product may be a composition for cleaning, dyeing, bleaching, conditioning or shaping the hair. As a preference, the cosmetic product is a hair shaping composition, notably a composition for curling, setting or preferably relaxing or straightening the hair.

The cosmetic product may contain one or more active agents chosen from reducing agents and in particular thiols, oxidizing agents and in particular hydrogen peroxide or persalts such as persulfates, coloring agents and in particular pigments, direct dyes or oxidation dyes, temporary shaping agents and in particular styling polymers that are preferably anionic, amphoteric or nonionic, conditioning agents and in particular silicones, mineral or plant oils, plant waxes, cationic surfactants or cationic polymers, alkaline agents or acids.

Even more preferably, the cosmetic product contains one or more agents chosen from oxidizing agents, reducing agents or alkaline agents of the hydroxide type.

Method

The invention also relates to a method for treating hair using the device according to the invention, and involving: detection that the device is being held in the hand, using the hold detector, detection that the device is in motion, using the motion detector, supplying steam to the steam outlet when said supply of steam is authorised or activated by the control unit when at least a predefined dual condition is satisfied, this dual condition being a condition of the device being held in the hand and in motion, as verified using data generated by the hold detector and the motion detector of the device.

The features of the device described above are applicable to the method in combination or individually.

As a preference, the method involves heating the treatment surface. In the case of a brush, the method may involve heating at least part of the teeth of the brush, notably teeth that are made from a heat-conducting material, notably a metal. The supply of steam may be performed automatically by the control unit or manually by the user when such supply is authorized by the control unit.

The method may involve switching the device on manually.

The method may involve the control unit electrically powering the system so as to allow steam to be supplied to the steam outlet or outlets when the aforementioned condition or conditions are satisfied.

The method may involve electrical powering or automatic activation of a pump or a valve by the control unit when the supply of steam is authorized or activated by the control unit.

The method may involve the opening of a valve by the control unit when the supply of steam is authorized or activated by the control unit.

The method may involve the manual triggering of the emission of steam via the outlet or outlets when such emission is authorised by the control unit, notably by the switching-on of the supply system, notably the pump, already electrically powered by the control unit.

The method may be repeated several times for the complete treatment of part or all of the head of hair.

As a preference, the brush is passed through the hair at a speed of between 0.5 cm/s and 50 cm/s.

The method may involve applying a cosmetic product to the lock of hair before or after using the brush of the invention, and preferably before.

The cosmetic product may be a composition for cleaning, dyeing, bleaching, conditioning or shaping the hair. As a preference, the cosmetic product is a hair shaping composition, notably a composition for curling, setting or preferably relaxing or straightening the hair.

The cosmetic product may contain one or more active agents chosen from reducing agents and in particular thiols, oxidizing agents and in particular hydrogen peroxide or persalts such as persulfates, coloring agents and in particular pigments, direct dyes or oxidation dyes, temporary shaping agents and in particular styling polymers that are preferably anionic, amphoteric or nonionic, conditioning agents and in particular silicones, mineral or plant oils, plant waxes, cationic surfactants or cationic polymers, alkaline agents or acids. Even more preferably, the cosmetic product contains one or more agents chosen from oxidizing agents, reducing agents or alkaline agents of the hydroxide type.

The method may involve one or more steps of rinsing the hair.

Brief description of the drawings

[Fig 1] is a schematic perspective depiction of an example of a brush,

[Fig 2] is a side view of the brush of Figure 1,

[Fig 3] is a face-on view of the brush of Figure 1,

[Fig 4] is a view in section on IV-IV of the brush of Figures 1 to 3,

[Fig 5] is a schematic depiction of a brush variant,

[Fig 6] is a schematic depiction of various steps of an example of a method of treatment using the brush of Figures 1 to 4,

[Fig 7] is a view in section of a brush variant,

[Fig 8] is a schematic depiction in cross section of a contact detector variant, [Fig 9] is a schematic depiction in cross section of a contact detector variant, [Fig 10] is a schematic depiction in cross section of a contact detector variant, [Fig 11] depicts a variant form of feeler for a contact detector, and

[Fig 12] depicts a variant form of feeler for a contact detector.

Detailed description

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate an example of a hairbrush 10 according to the invention.

Although illustrated by way of example in the form of a hairbrush, the present invention also relates to other devices that dispense steam, particularly other hair treatment devices able to dispense steam onto the hair.

The brush 10 has a handle 15 for grasping and a treatment head 20. The head 20 may, when viewed from above, be of substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners, as visible in Figure 3, but its form could be different. The head could, when viewed from above, be substantially polygonal, oval or round in particular.

The head 20 may have a substantially flat treatment surface 21. Naturally it is entirely conceivable to have a treatment surface 21 that is curved, notably bulging convexly outwards, for example one that is substantially cylindrical in section with a closed contour, or semicylindrical. The head 20 has teeth 23 a and 23b arranged as a plurality of rows that extend from the treatment surface 21. The rows of teeth 23a and 23b extend along a main axis X of the brush.

The rows of teeth may have at least 3 teeth, better still, from 10 to 40 teeth, even better still, from 15 to 40 teeth; 8 teeth have been depicted here, for illustrative purposes. The teeth may be attached to the brush, being made notably of a different material from the treatment surface.

The head 20 may, as illustrated, comprise a plurality of steam outlets 30 opening onto the treatment surface 21 and which may alternate with the teeth 23 of one of the rows of teeth, in this instance the central row. In a variant, the head comprises a single elongate steam outlet. The steam outlet or outlets may be distinct from the zone containing the teeth 23a and notably arranged along an edge of the treatment surface 21. Alternatively, the steam outlet or outlets may be produced in the teeth 23 and notably open onto a side thereof.

In the embodiments illustrated, the teeth 23b that extend from the periphery of the treatment surface 21 are in the form of pins made from a material that is not a conductor of heat, and are identical to one another. The teeth 23a which are distributed in rows over the entire treatment surface are made of a heat-conducting material, notably of iron, aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, graphite or ceramic, optionally provided with a coating. They are all identical to one another. As a variant, the teeth 23a and, respectively, 23b may be of different materials, heights, shapes and/or orientations. The teeth 23a and 23b may adopt any other arrangement on the treatment surface 21.

The teeth 23a or 23b are spaced apart from one another by a distance d, measured between the longitudinal axes Y of the teeth, less than or equal to 40 mm, preferably of between 1 mm and 10 mm.

As a preference, the teeth 23a and 23b each extend along a longitudinal axis Y. The longitudinal axis Y of each tooth 23a and 23b may form an angle a with the treatment surface 21 of between 60 and 120°, for example substantially equal to 90°.

As a preference, the height h of the teeth 23a and 23b is less than or equal to 50 mm, better still is between 2 and 50 mm, even better still between 5 and 35 mm.

The treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23a may be heated. As a preference, the treatment surface 21 and the teeth 23 are heated. As can be seen in Figure 4, the teeth 23a are heated by heating means. The brush 10 comprises for example one or more heating resistors 35, notably in the head, and the teeth 23a are heated by conduction of heat from the head to the distal end of the teeth.

As a preference, the electrical heating resistor or resistors 35 are situated in the head of the brush, as illustrated. In a variant which has not been illustrated, the heating resistor or resistors 35 extend into the teeth 23a in the form of a heating core.

The brush 10 may have a system, not illustrated here, for regulating the temperature by virtue of one or more sensors disposed in the vicinity of the heating resistor or resistors or in contact with the brush and/or at the end of at least one of the teeth.

The steam outlets 30 are supplied with steam, in the example illustrated, by a steam supply system 40 comprising an elongate rail 45 that extends in a direction parallel to the main axis X and is arranged in the head of the brush.

The steam outlets 30 are orifices that open onto the rail, for example between 6 and 10 orifices, which are preferably spaced apart evenly along the rail 45 and each have an axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the median treatment plane such that the steam is emitted perpendicularly to the treatment surface along an axis W.

The steam outlets 30 may have any shape, notably square, rectangular, round or elliptical.

The steam outlets 30 extend for example over a steam outlet zone at the centre of the brush, delimited by the lateral edges of the peripheral steam outlets, and elongate along an axis of extension notably parallel to the main axis X. The steam outlet zone preferably extends along a length e greater than or equal to 80% of the dimension s of the treatment surface along this axis.

The rail 45 is supplied with steam by a steam-generating chamber 42, heated by a heating element, which is itself supplied with product to be vaporized by a reservoir 48. The reservoir may be situated in the brush, notably the handle or the head, as illustrated in Figure 7. In a variant which has not been illustrated, the reservoir is located remotely in an external base to which the brush is connected by a supply duct supplying product that is to be vaporized.

The reservoir of product, notably water, may have a volume of between 1 mL and 50 mL when it is in the handle or in the head of the brush. The brush comprises a hold detector detecting that the brush 50 is being held in the hand and preferably situated at the handle 15 of the brush, and a motion detector 60 integrated into the brush, notably into the handle.

The hold detector 50 may comprise a contact or proximity sensor of infrared or capacitive type making it possible to detect either contact of the hand with the brush, notably the handle, or proximity of the hand to the brush, notably the handle, less than 5 cm away.

The motion detector 60 may comprise an accelerometer and/or a gyrometer.

The accelerometer may be configured to be capable of measuring the linear accelerations experienced along at least one axis, notably an axis D perpendicular to the main axis of the device and substantially parallel to the treatment surface.

As a preference, the accelerometer is configured to be capable of measuring the linear accelerations experienced along at least two mutually perpendicular axes. Even better still, the accelerometer is configured to be capable of measuring the linear accelerations experienced along three orthogonal axes.

The gyrometer is capable of measuring the rotational movements experienced about at least one axis, notably the axis D.

As a preference, the gyrometer is configured to be capable of measuring the rotational movements experienced about at least two mutually perpendicular axes, notably at least two measurement axes of the accelerometer. Better still, the gyrometer is configured to be capable of measuring the rotational movements experienced about three orthogonal axes, notably about the 3 measurement axes of the accelerometer.

As a preference, the motion detector 60 comprises the accelerometer and the gyrometer as described above. Thanks to the raw data detected by the accelerometer and the gyrometer, the control unit can determine the movements, the speed and/or the orientation of the device.

The motion detector may comprise an additional multiaxis inclinometer for eliminating the acceleration due to gravity.

The brush comprises a control unit 59 that is external or preferably housed in the brush, notably in the handle, allowing the brush to be controlled on the basis of data supplied notably by the detectors 50 and 60. The control unit authorises or triggers the emission of steam through the steam outlet or outlets 30 when at least a dual condition of being held in the hand and in motion is satisfied, the dual condition of the brush being held in the hand and in motion involving actual contact or proximity of the hand and actual motion of the device, these being determined by the control unit 59 on the basis of the data supplied by the detectors 50 and 60.

When the brush is being used, it is held in the hand and then moved through the hair at a speed preferably of between 0.5 cm/s and 50 cm/s. The hair may or may not be combed before the brush is used. When the brush is being held in the hand and moved, the hold detector 50 detects contact or proximity of the hand and the motion detector 60 detects that the appliance is moving, particularly along at least one axis of movement, notably the axis D. The control unit 59 from this therefore determines that the device is actually being held in the hand and actually in motion, and authorises or actuates the emission of steam.

As a preference, when steam is emitted by the steam outlets 30 it is emitted at a flow rate ranging from 0.5 to 0.95 mLmin ¹ and the speed of the steam emitted as it leaves the steam outlets preferably ranges from 30 cm/s to 5 m/s.

The brush may comprise a user interface 18 allowing the user to enter various input data, notably an operating temperature, steam flow rate, a characteristic of the hair, or to deactivate one or more functions of the brush, notably the application of steam or the application of heat. It may also allow the brush to transmit data to the user, notably the temperature of the treatment surface or of the teeth, the end of heating of the steamgenerating chamber and/or of the treatment surface and/or of the teeth.

In the variant illustrated in Figure 5, the emission of steam is halted when the brush stops or when the control unit determines, from the data from at least one of the motion detector 60 and the hold detector 50 an absence of being actually held in the hand or an absence of actual motion, for a predefined duration, for example less than or equal to 2 s, better still less than or equal to 1 s, better less than or equal to 0.5 s, or until holding is no longer detected, in step 134 defined below.

The device may comprise an applicator member 65 for applying a cosmetic product.

The applicator member 65 for applying a cosmetic product is disposed in such a way as to come into contact with the hair. The applicator member 65 for applying a cosmetic product is preferably porous, elastically compressible, and may advantageously be made of an open-cell cellular material, such as a PE (polyethylene) foam for example. The applicator member may be made from any material that is able to release or diffuse the cosmetic product.

The applicator member may be removable.

The brush may have a cosmetic-product reservoir, which is not shown.

As a preference, the cosmetic product is in the fluid state at the time of use.

The cosmetic-product reservoir may be equipped with an electrical resistor, for example a fine screen-printed resistor, making it possible to bring the temperature of its contents to 40-50°C, for example in order to liquefy it.

As a preference, the cosmetic product is a hair shaping composition, notably a composition for curling or setting and, preferably, relaxing or straightening the hair.

The cosmetic product may contain one or more active agents chosen from reducing agents and in particular thiols, oxidizing agents and in particular hydrogen peroxide or persalts such as persulfates, coloring agents such as pigments, direct dyes or oxidation dyes, temporary shaping agents such as styling polymers that are preferably anionic, amphoteric or nonionic, conditioning agents such as silicones, mineral or plant oils, plant waxes, cationic surfactants and cationic polymers, alkaline agents or acids.

Even more preferably, the cosmetic product contains one or more agents chosen from oxidizing agents, reducing agents or alkaline agents of the hydroxide type.

Figure 6 illustrates steps in the operation of the brush.

In step 100, the brush is switched on by the user. The switching-on may be performed for example by plugging the appliance into the mains and/or by pressing an “on” switch present on the brush, for example on the handle, particularly in the case of portable appliances. This switch-on triggers the increase in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23a in step 102, and the increase in temperature of the steam-generating chamber 42, in step 104, the supply of steam to the steam outlets is not activated. The increases in temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23 a and of the steamgenerating chamber 42 are maintained for as long as the treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23a and the steam-generating chamber 42 have not reached setpoint temperatures, as illustrated by steps 106 and 108 and arrows 110 and 112.

The hold detector 50 and motion detector 60 are switched on when the device is switched on. When the two setpoint temperatures are reached in step 114, the brush may indicate this to the user, notably by illuminating an LED.

The temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or of the teeth 23 a and of the steam-generating chamber 42 may be controlled using one or more temperature sensors.

The brush may also switch on the hold detector only after a predetermined period of time, the duration of this being greater than the heating time needed for the temperature of the treatment surface 21 and/or the teeth 23 a and the steam-generating chamber 42 to reach the setpoint temperatures.

In step 116, the hold detector 50 detects contact or proximity of the hand, and the control unit 59 determines whether or not the device is actually being held in the hand.

In step 118, the motion detector 60 detects the motion of the device and the control unit 59 determines whether or not the device is actually in motion, notably on the basis of the movement or speed of movement detected during a predetermined period of time. The control unit 59 may deduce positive motion data when the detected speed of movement is greater than or equal to 4 mm/s for a duration of more than 2 s.

So long as the control unit does not detect actual holding and actual motion, no steam is emitted, as illustrated by steps 120 and 124 and arrows 122 and 126. As soon as actual holding and actual motion are deduced in step 130, the control unit 59 triggers the emission of steam in step 132.

Conversely, in step 134, when holding is no longer detected for a duration greater than or equal to a predefined timed period, for example equal to 5 s, better still 2 s, even better still 1 s, better 0.5 s, the emission of steam is halted.

In a variant illustrated in Figures 7 to 12, the motion detector 60 may be a detector of contact with the hair. The motion detector 60 may be configured to detect mechanical strain applied to a feeler 55 as the brush moves through the hair. The feeler 55 may be a tooth substantially identical to the teeth 23a, but could be different. The motion detector 60 may be a strain gauge of piezoelectric type which detects a shear strain applied to the feeler 55, notably by the hair.

When the brush is being used, it is passed through the hair at a speed preferably ranging between 0.5 cm/s and 50 cm/s. The hair may or may not be combed before the brush is used. As the brush passes through the hair, the hair comes into contact with the feeler and, through the motion of the brush, applies a strain, notably a bending strain, to the feeler. It is this strain that is measured by the motion detector 60. The motion condition may be satisfied when a strain is detected or when a strain above a predetermined threshold is detected.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the motion detector 60 is a rotary potentiometer on which a feeler 55 able to move by pivoting about an axis F is mounted. The feeler 55 is maintained in the rest position by two springs 62 one on each side of the axis F and laterally connecting the feeler 55 to a fixed base 64. The device is configured to determine the onset of motion of the feeler 55.

In the embodiment of Figure 9, the motion detector 60 may comprise a Halleffect sensor 70 on or in the feeler, and two associated magnets 72.

In the embodiment of Figure 10, the motion detector 60 may comprise two microswitches 80 positioned one on each side of the feeler and configured to be actuated when said feeler 55 in motion comes into contact with one of them.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate various forms of mobile feeler 55 mounted with the ability to pivot. In the example of Figure 10, the feeler 55 comprises a flattened tooth 90 and pins 92 on each side of the tooth 90 and extending from a base 94, the latter being pivotmounted on a support 96. The base 94 is maintained in a rest position by maintaining springs. In the example of Figure 11, the feeler 55 comprises a single tooth 90 having a fork-shaped distal end.

The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. The detector may adopt any form so long as it is able to detect holding and motion contactlessly.

The brush may have an applicator member for applying a cosmetic product, which is not shown.

The steam outlet or outlets and/or the teeth may differ from those described and be arranged differently on the brush.