ATTACHMENT FOR A HAIR CARE APPLIANCE

An attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment including a main body, a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member, an airflow inlet for receiving airflow from a hair care appliance, a first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and the main body. The attachment has a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment comprising: a main body; a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member; an airflow inlet for receiving airflow from a hair care appliance; and a first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and a first side of the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and a second side of the main body, wherein the attachment comprises a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.

The attachment of the first aspect may help to control the direction of airflow from the attachment. In the attachment of the first aspect, the first, second and third airflow outlets are provided in both the first and second configurations. This may help to prevent undesirable airflow leakage from parts of the attachment. For example, in arrangements where the first airflow outlet (or equally the second or third airflow outlet) is only present in one but not both of the first and second configurations, airflow may undesirably escape from the attachment at an interface where the first airflow outlet would have been present.

As airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in a first configuration, and in a second direction different to the first direction, this may help to reduce the likelihood of airflow from one of the first, second and third airflow outlets flowing in a substantially different direction to the airflow from the other of the first, second and third airflow outlets.

In the first configuration, airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets may be configured to attach to an outer surface of the main body, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member respectively.

In the second configuration, airflow from the first, second and third airflow outlets may be configured to attach to the first hair engaging member, the second hair engaging member and an outer surface of the main body respectively.

The first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be moveable relative to the main body. For example, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main body. Movement of the first and second hair engaging members relative to the main body may move the attachment between the first and second configurations. This may allow the user to easily move the attachment between the first and second configurations.

The first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be operatively connected such that movement of one of the first and second hair engaging members causes movement of the other of the first and second hair engaging members. For example, the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be mechanically connected. This may allow both the first and second hair engaging members to be moved by applying a force to one of the first and second hair engaging members. This may improve the ease of use of the attachment.

The main body and the first and second hair engaging members may be substantially elongate. This may allow a greater amount of the user's hair to be engaged by the hair engaging member, which may decrease the time taken to style the user's hair.

A longitudinal axis of the first hair engaging member may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second hair engaging member. This may allow the first and second hair engaging members to be aligned with each other.

The first and second airflow outlets may extend along a length of the first hair engaging member and the second and third airflow outlets may extend along a length of the second hair engaging member. This may help to provide uniform airflow out of the attachment along the length of the hair engaging members.

The hair engaging member may comprise a substantially non-porous base portion and a plurality of bristles attached to the base portion. This may reduce the likelihood to airflow flowing through the hair engaging members, rather than through the airflow outlets. This may provide greater control over airflow from the attachment which may increase the quality of styling the user's hair.

A width of each of the first, second and third airflow outlets in the first configured may be different in the second configuration. This may allow the characteristics of the airflow out of the attachment to be changed between the first configuration and the second configuration. This may allow the characteristics of the airflow out of each of the first, second and third airflow outlets to be controlled to increase the efficiency and/or efficacy of the attachment.

The first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member may be shaped so as to guide airflow through the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in the first configuration and in a second direction in the second configuration. This may allow the airflow to be directed without the need for additional element to direct airflow in the attachment. This may help to simplify the attachment.

In the first configuration the first and second hair engaging members are in a first orientation and in the second configuration the first and second hair engaging members are in a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is different to the second orientation.

Respective lower surfaces of the first and second hair engaging members comprise a curve having an apex, and the curve is asymmetric about the apex. This may facilitate guiding of airflow in different directions when the first and second hair engaging members are in the first and second orientations. The first and second hair engaging members may be located such that the first and second hair engaging members are symmetric about a central longitudinal axis of the attachment.

The attachment may comprise a first airflow separator downstream of the first airflow outlet in the first configuration, and a second airflow separator downstream of the third airflow outlet in the second configuration, the first airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in the first configuration, and the second airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in the second configuration. This may make it possible to control a location at which airflow separates from the outer surface via provision of the first and second airflow separators. This may help to ensure that separation of the airflow from the outer surface occurs close to a location which may provide optimal performance. In arrangements which do not comprise an airflow separator, it may be difficult to control when/where airflow separates from the outer surface which may lead to inconsistent and undesirable separation of airflow from the outer surface. In use, this may lead to a user's hair being subject to turbulent airflow which may lead to undesirable styling results.

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

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

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

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair care appliance comprising: a main body; a first hair engaging member and a second hair engaging member; an airflow inlet; a first airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the main body, a second airflow outlet between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member, and a third airflow outlet between the second hair engaging member and the main body; and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the airflow inlet to the first, second and third airflow outlets; wherein the attachment comprises a first configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a first direction in use, and a second configuration in which airflow is directed out of the first, second and third airflow outlets in a second direction different to the first direction, in use.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A haircare appliance according to the present invention, generally designated10, is shown schematically inFIG.1.

The haircare appliance10comprises a handle unit12, and an attachment100removably attachable to the handle unit12.

The handle unit12comprises a housing14, an airflow generator16, a heater18, and a control unit20, as can be seen schematically inFIG.2.

The housing14is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet22through which an airflow is drawn into the housing14by the airflow generator16, and an air outlet24through which the airflow is discharged from the housing14. The airflow generator16is housed within the housing14, and comprises an impeller26driven by an electric motor28. The heater18is also housed within the housing14, and comprises heating elements30to optionally heat the airflow.

The control unit20comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface32, a control module34and an RFID reader24. The user interface32is provided on an outer surface of the housing14, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold). In the example ofFIG.1, the user interface comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged. The RFID reader24is to interrogate an RFID tag that forms part of the attachment100. Although RFID has been discussed here, other forms of wireless or wired communication may be used.

The control module34is responsible for controlling the airflow generator16, and the heater18in response to inputs from the user interface32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface32, the control module34may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator16in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater18in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

Examples of the attachment100are shown schematically inFIGS.3,4,5a,5band6(FIGS.5aand5bcollectively referred to asFIG.5). In the example illustrated inFIGS.3to6, the attachment100comprises a main body101having an outer surface102, an airflow inlet103, and first and second hair engaging members104a,104b. The main body101and the first and second hair engaging members104a,104bare substantially elongate. A longitudinal axis of each of the first and second hair engaging members104a,104bis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the main body101.

Each of the hair engaging members104a,104bcomprises a plurality of bristles105which extend away from the main body101. In use, the bristles105are configured to engage with the hair of a user in use.

In the example ofFIG.3, a first airflow outlet106ais between the first hair engaging member105aand the main body101, a second airflow outlet106bis between the first hair engaging member105aand the second hair engaging member105b, and a third airflow outlet106cbetween the second hair engaging member105band the main body101.

In use, a flow of air is received from the handle unit12at the airflow inlet103. The air may be heated or may be cool depending on a setting selected by the user on the handle unit12. The flow of air subsequently passes through the air inlet103and out of the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106c. The flow rate of the air through the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106cis configured to be around 12.5 litres per second. In some examples, the flow rate of the air is between 9 litres per second and 13 litres per second.

As airflow flows out of the first and third airflow outlets106a,106c, it attaches to the outer surface102. This airflow may subsequently detach from outer surface102at an inconsistent point along the outer surface102. This may lead to turbulence in the airflow from the attachment100, which may negatively affect the quality of styling a user's hair.

As more clearly seen in the plan view ofFIG.4, the attachment100shown inFIG.3comprises first and second airflow separators107a,107b(the second airflow separator107bis not visible inFIG.3) which extend along the length of the first and third airflow outlets106a,106crespectively. In the example ofFIG.4, the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106chave a length of about 95 mm. In some examples, the length of the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106cis between 85 mm and 105 mm. The airflow separators107a,107bare downstream of the first and third airflow outlets106a,106c. The airflow separators107a,107bare configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface102. The airflow separators107a,107ballow for the controlled separation of airflow from the outer surface102, which can increase the quality of styling a user's hair. The first and second airflow separators107a,107bare spaced from the first and third airflow outlets106a,106crespectively by about 8.5 mm.

In some examples, first and second airflow separators107a,107bare spaced from the first and third airflow outlets106a,106crespectively by between 7 mm and 10 mm.

FIGS.5aand5bshow schematic cross-sectional views of the attachment100ofFIG.4taken along line A-A.FIG.5aschematically shows the attachment100in a first configuration andFIG.5bschematically shows the attachment100in a second configuration. As shown inFIG.5, the first and second hair engaging members104a,104bare in a first orientation relative to the main body in the first configuration and in a second orientation relative to the main body in the second configuration. The first and second hair engaging members104a,104bare movable between the first and second orientations, to move the attachment100between the first and second configurations, about respective upper112aand lower112bpivot points, as illustrated inFIG.8. The upper pivot points112aare defined by a common pin113movable within slots114formed in a portion115located internally of the main body101. In view of the common pin113, movement of one of the first and second hair engaging members104a,104bresults in movement of the other of the second and first hair engaging members104b,104a.

As illustrated by arrows inFIG.5a, in the first configuration airflow flows from the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106cin a first direction. In the first configuration, airflow from the first airflow outlet106ais configured to attach to the outer surface102, airflow from the second airflow outlet106bis configured to attach to a surface108aof the first hair engaging member104aand airflow from the third airflow outlet106cis configured to attach to a surface108bof the second hair engaging member104b.

As again illustrated by arrows inFIG.5b, in the second configuration, airflow flows from the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106cin a second direction, different from the first direction. Airflow from the first airflow outlet106ais configured to attach to the surface108aof the first hair engaging member104a, airflow from the second airflow outlet106bis configured to attach to the surface108bof the second hair engaging member104band airflow from the third airflow outlet106cis configured to attach to the outer surface102of the main body101.

As the outer surface102is curved in the example ofFIG.5a, airflow that attaches to the outer surface102follows the curved surface around the attachment100. This may generate coanda flows at the outer surface102. When the user brings the attachment100into engagement with their hair, the coanda flows may cause the user's hair to be attracted towards the curved outer surface102.

In the example shown inFIG.5a, the airflow separators107a,107bare recesses in the main body101of the attachment100. The recesses are shaped so as to cause a rapid change in the profile of the outer surface102. The depth of each recess helps to ensure that airflow does not re-attach to the outer surface102downstream of the respective airflow separator107a,107b. In some examples the depth of the recess is at least 0.1 mm, for example, the depth of the recess is at least 0.3 mm or at least 0.5 mm. In some examples, a ratio between a width and a depth of the recess is at least 1:1, for example between 1.5:1 and 3:1. In some examples, the ratio between the width and the depth of the recess is at least 2:1. In some examples, the depth of the recess is about 0.7 mm and the width of the recess is about 1.2 mm.

The airflow separators107a,107bhave a uniform cross-sectional shape along with the length of the first or third airflow outlet106a,106crespectively. This may help to ensure that airflow separates from the outer surface102at a consistent distance from the respective airflow outlet106a,106calong the length of the airflow outlet106a,106c. This in turn may lead to more controlled and consistent airflow from the attachment100which may result in improved styling results of the user's hair.

Although the airflow separators107a,107bshown in the example ofFIG.5are recesses, in an example shown inFIG.6, the airflow separator107acomprises a projection which protrudes from the outer surface102. As with the recess inFIG.5, the projection ofFIG.6causes a rapid change in the profile of the outer surface102which causes airflow to detach from the outer surface102. The height of the projection is configured so as to prevent airflow re-attaching to the outer surface102downstream of the airflow separator107a.

In the example shown inFIG.5, the first and second hair engaging members104a,104bare moveable between the first and second configurations. In this example, the first hair engaging member104ais mechanically connected to the second hair engaging member104bsuch that movement of one of the first and second hair engaging members104a,104bcauses movement of the other of the first and second hair engaging members104a,104b. In use, the attachment100switches between the first and second configurations depending on the direction in which the user moves the attachment100through their hair. For example, in relation toFIGS.5aand5b, when the user moves the attachment100in a direction towards the right of the page, the attachment100is in the first configuration (as shown inFIG.5a), and when the user moves the attachment in a direction towards the left of the page, the attachment100is in the second configuration (as shown inFIG.5b).

As shown inFIG.5, airflow flows through all of the airflow outlets (i.e. through the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106c) in the first configuration and in the second configuration. If one of the first, second or third airflow outlets106a,106b,106cwas closed in the first or second configuration, airflow may leak out of said closed airflow outlet. By having the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106copen in both the first and second configurations, this helps to remove the chance of airflow leaking out of a closed airflow outlet, for example in an undesired direction which could cause undesirable flow characteristics having the potential to interrupt a desired styling process.

FIG.7schematically shows the first and second hair engaging members104a,104bof the example ofFIG.3in closer detail. As shown inFIG.6, each of the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106care substantially free of any intervening member (i.e. the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106care substantially free of any blockages). This helps to reduce the chance of the flow rate of air through the airflow outlets being restricted.

The first and second hair engaging members104a,104bcomprise a non-porous base portion109and the plurality of bristles105are attached to the base portion109. In the example ofFIG.7, the plurality of bristles105are attached to the base portion109by an upper portion110which holds the bristles105. In other examples, the bristles105are directly attached to the base portion109. The non-porous base portion109helps to inhibit and substantially prevent airflow flowing through the hair engaging member104a,104b. For example, in arrangements which do not comprise the non-porous base portion109, air may pass through gaps between individual bristles of the respective first and second hair engaging members104a,104b. By inhibiting and/or preventing such airflow through the hair engaging members104a,104b, this may provide greater control of airflow exiting the attachment100which may lead to improved styling results of a user's hair.

As shown inFIG.7, the profile of a lower surface111a,111bof the first and second hair engaging members helps to direct airflow towards and out of the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106c. In particular, the profile of the lower surfaces111aand111bof the first and second hair engaging members comprises a curve which is asymmetric about an apex of the curve. By profiling the lower surfaces111aand111bin such a manner the lower surfaces111aand111bcan guide airflow through the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106cin the first and second directions illustrated inFIGS.5aand5b.

In the example shown inFIG.7, a width of each of the first, second and third airflow outlet106a,106b,106cis different. For example, the first airflow outlet106ahas a width of between 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm, the second airflow outlet106bhas a width of between 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm, and the third airflow outlet106chas a width between 1.9 mm and 2.1 mm. By the airflow outlets106a,106b,106chaving different widths, the rate of flow of air through each of the airflow outlets may be different.

The width of each of the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106cis different in the first configuration to in the second configuration. For example, in the first configuration the first airflow outlet106ahas a width of between 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm, the second airflow outlet106bhas a width of between 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm, and the third airflow outlet106chas a width between 1.9 mm and 2.1 mm. In the second configuration, the first airflow outlet106ahas a width of between 1.9 mm and 2.1 mm, the second airflow outlet106bhas a width of between 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm, and the third airflow outlet106chas a width between 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm. This may provide greater control of the directionality of airflow toward the desired first and second directions in the respective first and second configurations.

The features of the attachment100described above can lead to desirable flow characteristics in use, for example with airflow directed in substantially the first direction in the first configuration and in substantially the second direction in the second configuration, without undesired flow in other directions. In particular, use of the first, second and third airflow outlets106a,106b,106ccan provide airflow in either the first direction or the second direction without leakage of airflow from sealed outlets in undesirable directions, whilst use of the airflow separators107a,107bmay control where airflow separates from the outer surface102, thereby avoiding uncontrolled flow separation which can cause regions of turbulence in use.

Although described above in relation to a removable attachment100, it will be appreciated that other examples in which the attachment100and the handle unit12of the haircare appliance10are a single piece structure, or not releasable from one another, are also envisaged.