Patent Publication Number: US-2016235178-A1

Title: Hand held appliance

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage application under 35 USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/GB2014/052851, filed Sep. 18, 2014, which claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 1317103.8, filed Sep. 26, 2013 and United Kingdom Application No. 1317104.6, filed Sep. 26, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a hand held appliance, in particular a hair care appliance such as a hairdryer or hot styling brush. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Blowers and in particular hot air blowers are used for a variety of applications such as drying substances such as paint or hair and cleaning or stripping surface layers. In addition, hot air blowers such as hot styling brushes are used to style hair from a wet or dry condition. 
     Generally, a motor and fan are provided which draw fluid into a body; the fluid may be heated prior to exiting the body. The motor is susceptible to damage from foreign objects such as dirt or hair so conventionally a filter is provided at the fluid intake end of the blower. Conventionally such appliances are provided with a nozzle which can be attached and detached from the appliance and changes the shape and velocity of fluid flow that exits the appliance. Such nozzles can be used to focus the outflow of the appliance or to diffuse the outflow depending on the requirements of the user at that time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect, the invention provides a hand held appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end, an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle. 
     Preferably, a filter is provided within the handle. 
     The appliance comprises an end wall extending across the outer wall at the second end. Preferably, the end wall comprises a plurality of apertures, preferably the plurality of apertures extend through the end wall. It is preferred that the apertures extending through the end wall form part of the fluid inlet into the appliance. 
     Preferably, the plurality of apertures comprises a fluid inlet into the appliance. In a preferred embodiment the end wall is flexible. Preferably, the end wall is made from a plastic material. It is preferred that the plastic material is one of polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). 
     Preferably, the end wall comprises a rim and a lip extending radially inwards of the rim. It is preferred that the lip is spaced from the rim by an extension from the rim. Preferably, a pair of lips is provided. It is preferred that the appliance comprises a recess for accommodating the lip(s). Preferably, the recess is formed in an inner surface of the handle. It is preferred that a pair of recesses is provided. 
     Preferably, the handle further comprises a removable filter. It is preferred that the removable filter is washable. Preferably, the filter is removable when the end wall is detached from the handle. 
     In a preferred embodiment the appliance comprises a filter scaffold which is retained with respect to the filter. Preferably, the filter scaffold extends beyond the filter providing access to pull the filter from the handle. 
     It is preferred that the handle has an outer wall having an outer surface which is externally accessible and an inner surface which defines an internal area of the handle. Preferably, the end wall extends radially across the outer wall. It is preferred that the end wall matches an outer diameter of the outer wall. Alternatively, the end wall has a larger diameter than the wall. It is preferred that the end wall includes an outer lip extending outwardly at least partially around an outer perimeter of the end wall. 
     Preferably, the end wall includes a further aperture defined by an inner rim of the end wall. 
     According to another aspect, the invention provides a hand held appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end, an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle and wherein the end wall includes a further aperture defined by an inner rim of the end wall. 
     It is preferred that the further aperture is disposed in the centre of the end wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment the appliance comprises a power cable for providing power from a power source to the appliance wherein the power cable extends through the further aperture. Preferably, the power cable is located within a housing which extends radially around the power cable. 
     Preferably, appliance includes a power cable and the power cable enters the appliance through the end wall. It is preferred that the filter includes an opening or further aperture for accommodating the power cable. Preferably, the plurality of apertures in the end wall is spaced from the opening or further aperture. It is preferred that the filter abuts the power cable. 
     It is preferred that the housing comprises a recess extending radially around the housing. Preferably, the further aperture comprises a lip extending radially inwardly of the inner rim and the lip is adapted to cooperate with the recess. 
     It is preferred that when the end wall is detached from the handle, the end wall is retained on the power cable. 
     The invention also provides a hand held appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end, an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle and a power cable for providing power from a power source to the appliance wherein the power cable extends through the end wall wherein when the end wall is detached from the handle, the end wall is retained on the power cable. 
     In a preferred embodiment the appliance comprises a fan unit for drawing fluid into the appliance. Preferably, the fan unit draws fluid through the end wall. It is preferred that the fan unit is in the handle. 
     Preferably, the second end of the handle comprises a plurality of apertures extending at least partially radially around the handle and along the handle from the second end. 
     The invention provides a hand held appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end, an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle and wherein the second end of the handle comprises a plurality of apertures extending at least partially radially around the handle and along the handle from the second end. 
     Preferably, the handle has an inner wall and an outer wall extending along and around the inner wall wherein the inner wall comprises a plurality of perforations extending at least partially along the inner wall. 
     Preferably, the inner wall comprises a plurality of perforations extending at least partially around the inner wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment the outer wall comprises a plurality of perforations extending at least partially around the outer wall. Preferably, the outer wall comprises a plurality of perforations extending at least partially along the outer wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment perforations of the outer wall are spaced from the perforations of the inner wall. Thus there is no overlap between the perforations of the outer wall and the perforations of the inner wall. 
     Preferably, the handle comprises a first end and a second end. 
     In a preferred embodiment the inner wall has a first end and a second end and the inner wall extends from the first end of the handle towards the second end of the handle. 
     Preferably, the outer wall of the handle extends from the first end towards the second end of the handle. In a preferred embodiment the outer wall extends to the second end of the handle. 
     Preferably, perforations in the outer wall are adjacent the second end of the handle. In a preferred embodiment the perforations in the outer wall extend along the handle towards the first end. 
     Preferably, the perforations in the outer wall are longitudinally spaced from the perforations in the inner wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment the appliance comprises a filter disposed within the outer wall extending across and around the perforations in the outer wall. 
     Preferably, the filter extends from the second end of the handle. Preferably, the filter extends from the second end towards the first end. In a preferred embodiment the filter extends from the second end of the handle to abut the second end of the inner wall. 
     Preferably, the second end of the inner wall is curved. 
     In a preferred embodiment the inner wall comprises at least one supporting rib which projects between the inner wall and the outer wall. Preferably, the at least one supporting rib is curved around the inner wall. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one supporting rib extends longitudinally along the inner wall. 
     Preferably, a lining material is provided between the outer wall and inner wall of the handle. 
     In a preferred embodiment the perforations in the outer wall comprise a fluid inlet into the handle. 
     Preferably, the appliance comprises a fluid flow path extending along the handle from the fluid inlet, the fluid flow path being at least partially defined by the inner wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment the handle comprises a fan unit. Preferably, the inner wall comprises a housing for housing the fan unit in the handle. In a preferred embodiment the housing is between a first end of the handle and a second end of the handle. 
     Preferably, the first end of the handle is an upstream end of the handle. In a preferred embodiment the second end of the handle is a downstream end of the handle. 
     Preferably, the second end of the handle includes a fluid inlet. 
     In a preferred embodiment the inner wall includes a plurality of perforations between the second end and the housing for the fan unit. 
     Preferably, the inner wall is unperforated between the housing for the fan unit and the first end of the handle. 
     In a preferred embodiment the inner wall is formed from a first part and a second part. Preferably, the first part and the second part join together to form a continuous inner wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment the first part extends from a first end of the inner wall to a second end of the inner wall. 
     Preferably, the second part extends from a first end of the inner wall to a second end of the inner wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment the first part and the second part of the inner wall are connected together via connecting struts. Preferably, the connecting struts are reinforcing ribs for the inner wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment the inner wall comprises a first portion adjacent the second end of the handle comprising a plurality of perforations, a second portion being unperforated and comprising the housing for the fan unit and a third portion extending from the second portion towards the first end of the inner wall which is unperforated. 
     According to another aspect, the invention provides a hand held appliance comprising an inlet, an outlet, a fluid flow path flowing from the inlet to the outlet and, a filter wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of apertures and the filter extends about each of the plurality of apertures. 
     As the filter extends about each one of the plurality of apertures any fluid that flows through the plurality of apertures flows through the filter. 
     Preferably, the appliance comprises an outer wall wherein the inlet is in the outer wall. It is preferred that the apertures extend at least partially along the outer wall. 
     Preferably, the outer wall is tubular. It is preferred that the apertures extend at least partially around the outer wall. 
     Preferably, the filter is a foam block. It is preferred that the filter is cylindrical. 
     It is preferred that the inlet extends from the second end towards the first end. 
     Preferably, the filter extends further from the second end than the inlet. 
     Preferably, the filter extends about the plurality of apertures through the end wall. It is preferred that the filter extends across the end wall. 
     According to a seventh aspect the invention provides a hair care appliance comprising an inlet, an outlet, a fluid flow path flowing from the inlet to the outlet and, a filter wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of apertures and the filter extends about each of the plurality of apertures. 
     According to an eighth aspect, the invention provides a hair care appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end and an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle. 
     Also provided is a hair care appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end, an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle and wherein the end wall includes a further aperture defined by an inner rim of the end wall. 
     Also provided is a hair care appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end, an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle and wherein when the end wall is detached from the handle, the end wall is retained on the power cable. 
     Also provided is a hair care appliance comprising a body, a handle having a first end connected to the body and a second end distal to the first end, an end wall extending across the handle at the second end of the handle wherein said end wall is detachable from the handle and wherein the second end of the handle comprises a plurality of apertures extending at least partially radially around the handle and along the handle from the second end. 
     Preferably, the hair care appliance is a hairdryer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an appliance according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross section through the appliance of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 a , 3 b  and 3 c    show different views of an appliance with an exploded inlet; 
         FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of an appliance according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded side view of the different handle parts; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the inner handle; 
         FIG. 7  shows an assembled inner handle; 
         FIG. 8  shows an angled view of an inlet; 
         FIG. 9  shows the inlet of  FIG. 8  with the detachable portion detached; 
         FIG. 10  shows a plan view of the filter block and detachable portion; 
         FIG. 11  shows an isometric view of an alternative inner wall; 
         FIG. 12  shows the inner wall of  FIG. 11  assembled; 
         FIG. 13 a    shows an isometric view of an alternative appliance; 
         FIG. 13 b    shows the appliance of  FIG. 13 a    without the detachable portion; 
         FIG. 14 a    shows the alternative appliance of  FIG. 13 a    with an exploded inlet; 
         FIG. 14 b    shows the detachable portion of  FIG. 14 a    in more detail; 
         FIG. 14 c    shows the filter scaffold of  FIG. 14 a    in more detail; 
         FIG. 15  shows a cross section through the inlet of the alternative appliance of  FIG. 13 a   ; and 
         FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    show the cross section of  FIG. 15  in more detail. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a hairdryer  10  with a handle  20  and a body  30 . The handle has a first end  22  which is connected to the body  30  and a second end  24  distal from the body  30  and which includes a primary fluid inlet  40 . Power is supplied to the hairdryer  10  via a cable  50 . 
     The body  30  has a first end  32  and a second end  34  and can be considered to have two parts. A first part  36  which extends from the first end  32  which is generally tubular and a second part  38  which extends from the second end  34  to join the first part  36 . The second part  38  is cone shaped and varies in diameter along its length from the diameter of the first part  36  of the body  30  to a smaller diameter at the second end  34  of the body. In this example, the second part  38  has a constant gradient and the angle a subtended from the outer wall  360  of the first part  36  of the body  30  is around 40°. 
     The handle  20  has an outer wall  200  which extends from the body  30  to a distal end  24  of the handle. At the distal end  24  of the handle an end wall  210  extends across the outer wall  200 . The cable  50  enters the hairdryer through this end wall  210 . The primary fluid inlet  40  in the handle  20  includes first apertures that extend around and along  42  the outer wall  200  of the handle and second apertures that extend across  46  and through the end wall  210  of the handle  20 . The cable  50  is located approximately in the middle of the end wall  210  so extends from the centre of the handle  20 . The end wall  210  is orthogonal to the outer wall  200  and an inner wall  220  of the handle. 
     It is preferred that the cable  50  extends centrally from the handle  20  as this means the hairdryer is balanced regardless of the orientation of the handle  20  in a users&#39; hand. Also, if the user moves the position of their hand on the handle  20  there will be no tugging from the cable  50  as it does not change position with respect to the hand when the hand is moved. If the cable were offset and nearer one side of the handle then the weight distribution of the hairdryer would change with orientation which is distracting for the user. 
     Upstream of the primary fluid inlet  40 , a fan unit  70  is provided. The fan unit  70  includes a fan and a motor. The fan unit  70  draws fluid through the primary fluid inlet  40  towards the body  30  through a primary fluid flow path  400  that extends from the primary fluid inlet  40  and into the body  30  where the handle  20  and the body  30  are joined  90 . The primary fluid flow path  400  continues through the body  30  towards the second end  34  of the body, around a heater  80  and to a primary fluid outlet  440  where fluid that is drawn in by the fan unit exits the primary fluid flow path  400 . The primary fluid flow path  400  is non linear and flows through the handle  20  in a first direction and through the body  30  in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. 
     The body  30  includes an outer wall  360  and an inner duct  310 . The primary fluid flow path  400  extends along the body from the junction  90  of the handle  20  and the body  30  between the outer wall  360  and the duct  310  towards the primary fluid outlet  440  at the second end  34  of the body  30 . 
     Another fluid flow path is provided within the body; this flow is not directly processed by the fan unit or the heater but is drawn into the hairdryer by the action of the fan unit producing the primary flow through the hairdryer. This fluid flow is entrained into the hairdryer by the fluid flowing through the primary fluid flow path  400 . 
     The first end  32  of the body includes a fluid inlet  320  and the second end  34  of the body includes a fluid outlet  340 . Both the fluid inlet  320  and the fluid outlet  340  are at least partially defined by the duct  310  which is an inner wall of the body  30  and extends within and along the body. A fluid flow path  300  extends within the duct from the fluid inlet  320  to the fluid outlet  340 . At the first end  32  of the body  30 , a side wall  350  extends between the outer wall  360  and the duct  310 . This side wall  350  at least partially defines the fluid inlet  320 . At the second end  34  of the body a gap is provided between the outer wall  360  and the duct, this gap defines the primary fluid outlet  440 . The primary fluid outlet  440  is annular and surrounds the fluid flow path. The primary fluid outlet  440  may be internal so the primary fluid flow path  400  merges with the fluid flow path  300  within the body  30 . Alternatively, the primary fluid outlet  440  is external and exits from the body  30  separately to the fluid from the fluid flow path  300  at the fluid outlet  340 . 
     The outer wall  360  of the body converges towards the duct  310  and a centre line A-A of the body  30 . Having an outer wall  360  that converges towards the duct  310  has the advantage that the primary flow exiting the primary fluid outlet  440  is directed towards the centre line A-A of the body  30 . The fluid exiting the primary fluid outlet  440  will cause some external entrainment of fluid  490  from outside the hairdryer due to the movement of the fluid from the primary outlet  440 . This effect is increased by the outer wall  360  converging towards the duct  310 . Partly this is because the primary flow is focused rather than divergent and partly this is because of the slope of the outer wall  360  of the body  30  towards the second end  34  of the hairdryer. 
     The duct  310  is an internal wall of the hairdryer that can be accessed from outside the hairdryer. Thus, the duct  310  is an external wall of the hairdryer. The duct  310  is recessed within the body  30  so the side wall  350  that connects between the outer wall  360  and the duct  310  is angled with respect to the outer wall  360 . 
     A PCB  75  including the control electronics for the hairdryer is located in the body  30  near the side wall  350  and fluid inlet  320 . The PCB  75  is ring shaped and extends round the duct  310  between the duct  310  and the outer wall  360 . The PCB  75  is in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path  400 . The PCB  75  extends about the fluid flow path  300  and is isolated from the fluid flow path  300  by the duct  310 . 
     The PCB  75  controls such parameters as the temperature of the heater  80  and the speed of rotation of the fan unit  70 . Internal wiring (not shown) electrically connects the PCB  75  to the heater  80  and the fan unit  70  and the cable  50 . Control buttons  62 ,  64  are provided and connected to the PCB  75  to enable a user to select from a range of temperature settings and flow rates for example. 
     In use, fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path  400  by the action of the fan unit  70 , is optionally heated by the heater  80  and exits from the primary fluid outlet  440 . This processed flow causes fluid to be entrained into the fluid flow path  300  at the fluid inlet  320 . The fluid combines with the processed flow at the second end  34  of the body. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the processed flow exits the primary fluid outlet  440  and the hairdryer as an annular flow which surrounds the entrained flow that exits from the hairdryer via the fluid outlet  340 . Thus fluid that is processed by the fan unit and heater is augmented by the entrained flow. 
       FIGS. 3 a , 3 b  and 3 c    show perspective exploded views of the primary fluid inlet  40  of the hairdryer  10  in more detail. The appliance  10  includes a body  30  and a handle  20 . The handle  20  is tubular and the outer wall  200  of the handle  20  is a cylindrical sleeve made from a rolled sheet of metal such as aluminium, an aluminium alloy or a steel. The handle connects to the body  30  at a first end  22  and at the distal, second end  24  a primary fluid inlet  40  is provided. The primary fluid inlet  40  is a first means of filtering fluid that enters the primary fluid flow path  400 . 
     A foam block  48  is provided which in use is inserted into the second end  24  of the handle  20 . The foam block  48  is a second means of filtering the fluid that passes through the primary fluid inlet  40  into the primary fluid flow path  400 . It is advantageous that the foam block  48  extends beyond of further towards the first end  22  of the handle than the primary fluid inlet  40  as this ensures that fluid that has entered the primary fluid inlet  40  has passed through the foam block  48  so has had two stages of filtration. 
     The foam block  48  shown is cylindrical and substantially fills the area within the handle  20  at the primary fluid inlet  40 . This is to ensure that all fluid that enters the primary fluid inlet through first apertures  42  that extend around and along the handle and fluid that enters through second apertures  46  that extend across and through the end wall  210  of the handle  20  passes through this second stage of filtration. The foam block  48  extends longitudinally from the second end  24  of the handle  20  further than the first apertures  42  of the primary fluid inlet  40 . 
     If the primary fluid inlet  40  extended solely around and along  42  the outer wall of the handle  20 , the foam block  48  could comprise a rectangular block formed into a ring and positioned against the inner surface of the outer wall  200  of the handle  20 . There would be no need to cover the end wall  210  of the handle  200  as no fluid would enter the handle  20  through the end wall  210 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of an appliance according to the invention;  FIG. 5  shows an exploded side view of the different handle parts;  FIG. 6  a perspective view of the inner handle; and  FIG. 7  an assembled inner handle. 
     The handle  20  has an outer wall  200  and an inner wall  220  which at least partially defines the primary fluid flow path  400  through the handle  20 . The inner wall  220  extends from the body  30  to a downstream end  220   a  towards the second end  24  of the handle  20  but, the inner wall  220  does not extend as far as the first apertures  42  that form part of the primary fluid inlet  40 . The inner wall  220  abuts the foam block  48  at the downstream end  220   a.  The inner wall  220  is spaced from the first apertures  42  of the primary fluid inlet  40 . 
     The inner wall  220  is shaped to guide fluid flow around changes in cross-sectional area of the primary fluid flow path  400 . For example at the downstream end  220   a  of the inner wall  220  the inner wall curves from the outer wall  200  radially inwards along the primary fluid flow path  400 . This curved section  228  guides fluid that exits from the filter block  48  into the inner wall  220  which has a reduced diameter to that of the outer wall  200  to accommodate a lining material  222  that is positioned between the inner wall  220  and the outer wall  200 . The lining material  222  is a foam or a felt which at least attenuates noise (has a silencing effect) produced when fluid is drawn into the handle  20  by the fan unit  70 . For clarity, the lining material  222  has been shown around only a part of the inner wall  220 . In reality, the lining material  22  would substantially fill each octant of the inner wall  220  defined by the reinforcing ribs  226 . To enable contact between the lining material  222  and the fluid flowing in the primary fluid flow path  400  and thus attenuation of noise, the inner wall  220  is provided with perforations  224  that extend around and at least partially along the length of the inner wall  220 . As the inner wall  220  does not extend over the first apertures  42  of the primary fluid inlet  40 , the perforations  224  within the inner wall  220  are longitudinally spaced from the first apertures  42  of the primary fluid inlet  40 . 
     The outer wall  360  of the body  30  and a first part  220   c  of the inner wall  220  of the handle  20  are moulded as a single piece. A second part  220   b  of the inner wall  220  forms together with the first part  220   c  a continuous inner wall  220  extending around the inside of the outer wall  200 . The inner wall  220  extends from the body towards the primary fluid inlet  40  of the handle. In this example, the inner wall  220  does not overlap with the primary fluid inlet  40  in the outer wall  200  of the handle  20 . Between the end  220   a  of the inner wall  220  and the end wall  210  of the handle  200  is a foam block  48 . 
     The first apertures  42  that extend along and around the outer wall  200  are machined, punched or laser cut from the sheet metal that the outer wall  200  is formed from. The outer wall  200  slides over the inner handle  220  to form the finished product. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10  in particular, the primary fluid inlet  40  is intended to prevent hair and non-fluid hair care products (mousses and waxes for example) from entering the primary fluid flow path  400 . The external surface of the primary fluid inlet  40  can be wiped in order to remove hair, fibres and dust and unblock the apertures  42  of the primary fluid inlet  40 . The foam block  48  is preferably a reticulated foam block and is intended to prevent hair ingress and airborne particles from entering the primary fluid flow path  400 . As this foam block  48  is not eternally accessible for cleaning or replacement, the primary fluid inlet  40  has been provided with a detachable portion  44  which when removed enables a user to remove the foam block  48  from inside the outer handle  200  for cleaning or replacement. 
     The detachable portion  44  includes the end wall  210  of the handle  20  and has an external rim  430  which includes a lip  440  which extends over the end  200   a  of the outer wall  200  and across at least the radius of the outer wall  200  of the handle. The detachable portion  44  also includes the second apertures  46  that form part of the primary fluid inlet  40  into the handle  20 . 
     In this example the lip  440  extends beyond the outer wall  200  of the handle  20  which enables a user to grip the end wall  44  at the lip  440  to peel it from the end  200   a  of the handle. The detachable portion  44  is made from a flexible material such as a plastic or rubber enabling it to be manipulated on and off the distal end  24  of the handle  20 . 
     The detachable portion  44  also includes an inner portion  402  which when attached to the second end  24  of the handle extends inside the outer wall  200  this ensures a good seal is made between the two parts  42 ,  44  of the primary fluid inlet  40 . 
     The detachable portion  44  includes a further aperture  406  through which a power cable  50  extends into the handle  20 . The further aperture  406  is central to the detachable portion  44 . The power cable  50  is fixed to the handle  20  so when the detachable portion  44  of the primary fluid inlet  40  is removed from the end  24  of the handle it remains on the power cable  50 . These means that the detachable portion  44  cannot be accidentally misplaced when the foam block  48  is being removed for washing or replaced. To return the detachable portion  44  to the end  24  of the handle one simple pulls the detachable portion  44  along the power cable  50  and then pushes it onto the end  24  of the handle. 
     The foam block  48  is cylindrical with a central aperture  48   a  ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 10 ) for accommodating the power cable  50 . In order to remove the filter block  48  from the power cable  50 , a slit  148  is provided through the thickness of the foam block  48 . The foam block  48  is flexible enough to be pulled apart at the slit  148  enabling the foam block  48  to be removed from surrounding the power cable  50 . 
     To ensure that all fluid that enters the primary fluid inlet  40  through the second apertures  46  formed in the detachable portion  44  is filtered by passing through the foam block  48 , the second apertures  46  are spaced from the further aperture  406  provided in the detachable portion  44 . The diameter of the central aperture  48   a  of the foam block  48  is smaller than the diameter of the further aperture  406  of the detachable portion  44  plus two times the distance between the innermost row  46   a  of the second apertures  46  and the further aperture  406  of the detachable portion  44 . This ensures an overlap of the foam block  48  with all of the second apertures  46 . 
     As the detachable portion  44  is flexible, it seals around the outer edge of the power cable  50  preventing fluid from entering the fluid flow path without passing through the primary fluid inlet  40 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 7  in particular, the inner wall  220  has a number of different functions. One function is to delimit lining material  222  which is disposed within the handle  20 . The inner wall  220  pushes and squashes the lining material  222  against the outer wall  200  ensuring that the primary fluid flow path  400  is not restricted by the lining material  222 . For reasons of clarity, the lining material  222  has only been shown along and around a portion of the inner wall  220  but in practice the lining material  222  is substantially continuous between the outer wall  200  and inner wall  220  of the handle  200 . The lining material  222  is a foam or a felt and provides an acoustic barrier and thermal barrier for the handle  20 . 
     Another function of the inner wall  220  is to provide a housing  230  in which a fan unit  70  is disposed. The housing  230  is cylindrical and has an inwardly protruding ledge  232 , 234  disposed one at each end of the housing  230  which maintain the position of the fan unit  70  within the handle  20 . The fan unit  70  draws fluid into the primary fluid inlet  40  and along the primary fluid flow path  400  to the body  30 . This process produces noise and vibrations which are in part attenuated by the lining material but are also attenuated by the shape of the inner wall  220  and perforations  224  provided along and around the inner wall  220 . 
     The inner wall  220  is provided with reinforcing ribs  226  which spiral around the outer diameter of the inner wall  220 . The reinforcing ribs  226  provide a structural support for the handle  20  in the event that the hairdryer  10  is dropped or knocked. In this embodiment, the lining material  222  is cut into pieces which fit between the reinforcing ribs  226  however, the lining material could be provided as a continuous piece. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options from the point of assembly, attenuation of noise and vibrations and effectiveness of the reinforcing ribs  226 . 
     Further longitudinal reinforcing ribs are provided in the form of connecting struts  236 . The connecting struts extend longitudinally along the cooperating edges of the first part  220   c  and second parts  220   b  of the inner wall  220 . The connecting struts have two functions, one is to reinforce the inner wall  220  and the other is to provide a positive connection between the first part  220   c  and the second part  220   b  of the inner wall. 
     The use of reinforcing ribs means that the inner wall  220  can be made thinner for the same strength of handle which reduces the weight of the product. The perforations  224  also reduce the weight of the inner wall  220  in addition to the other benefits they bring. 
     The inner wall  220  is made from two parts a first part  220   c  which extends from and is moulded integrally with the outer wall  360  of the body  30  and a second part  220   b  which is moulded separately. This enables easier assembly of the fan unit  70  within the handle  20  than a one piece inner wall. 
     An alternative arrangement of an inner wall  250  is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The inner wall  250  is formed from two parts, a first part  250   a  which is integrally moulded with the body  30  and a second part  250   b  which joins with the first part  250   a  to form a complete inner wall  250 . 
     The inner wall  250  extends from a first end  252  which is connected to the body  30  to a second end  254  distal to the body  30 . At the second end  254  and extending part of the way along to the fan unit housing  230  a plurality of perforations  256  are formed around the inner wall  250  this forms a first portion  260  of the inner wall. A second portion  262  of the inner wall comprises the housing  230  for the fan unit  70 . The large aperture  258  is split into two by connecting struts  266 . The connecting struts  266  have two main functions; a first function is to provide a point of connection between the first part  250   a  and the second part  250   b  of the inner wall  250 . A third portion  264  of the inner wall extends from an upper end of the fan housing  230  to the first end  252  of the inner wall. This third portion  264  of the inner wall  250  has no apertures or perforations. 
     A lining material  270  is provided along the first portion  260  of the inner handle  250 . For clarity, the lining material  270  has only been shown on the first part  250   a  of the inner wall, in use, the lining material  270  would extend all the way around the first section  260  of the inner wall  250 . This lining material  270  is provided as two pieces one provided with respect to the first part  250   a  and one for the second part  250   b  of the inner wall. 
     The lining material  270  is provided to reduce noise produced when fluid is drawn into the primary fluid inlet  40  by the action of the fan unit  70 . The lining material  270  is most effective when directly exposed to the fluid flowing in the primary fluid flow path  400 . However, where the flow of fluid is being channelled into the inner wall  250  after being filtered by the foam block  48  it is beneficial to have the lining material  270  disposed behind a flow directing surface. The second end  254  of the inner wall  250  is shaped and curved  258  to provide a smooth flow path for fluid as it moves from the filter block  48  into the primary fluid flow path  400 . 
     The perforations  256  of the inner wall  220  are of a diameter which is chosen to attenuate noise most effectively. Diameters of 1 mm to 10 mm are suitable; the smaller diameters being better for obtaining a good sound power (reducing sound over the main human sound range) and the larger diameters are good for high frequency attenuation. The perforations preferably form at least 40% of the surface area of the inner wall  220 ,  250 . 
     By having the lining material  222  disposed behind the inner wall  220 ,  250  one is able to use a greater thickness of lining material than if the lining material  222  was directed exposed to the primary fluid flow path. This is because the diameter of the primary fluid flow path  400  is determined by the inner wall  220 ,  250  which squashes the lining material  220  in to the gap between the inner wall  220 ,  250  and the outer wall  200  of the handle  20 . 
       FIGS. 13 a    to  16  show various views of an alternative detachable portion  244 . This detachable portion  244  is made from a rigid plastic material which push fits onto the end  220   a  of the outer wall. The detachable portion  244  has an end face  246  which includes the second apertures  46  that form part of the primary fluid inlet  40  into the handle  20 . The detachable portion  244  is generally ‘U’-shaped having an outer rim  300  which includes a finger grip  302 . The finger grip  302  is essentially a recess that extends part way into the rim  300  to provide purchase for a finger nail or coin, for example, which can be used to lever the detachable portion  244  off the end  200   a  of the handle  20 . 
     Two radially opposed finger grips  302  may be provided ( FIGS. 14 b   ,  16 ). This makes removal an easier task as the detachable portion  244  can be pulled along a longitudinal axis defined by the handle  20  and the power cable  50 . 
     This detachable portion  244  abuts the end  200   a  of the handle  20  at the outer rim  300  and is secured into position at the end of the handle  20  via a pair of resilient clips  308 . The resilient clips  308  are ‘L’-shaped and include an extension up  208   a  from an inner rim  304  of the detachable portion  244 . The inner rim  304  defines a central aperture  306  of the detachable portion through which the power cable  50  enters the handle  20 . At the distal end of the extension up  208   a  from the inner rim  304 , the resilient clips  308  have a lip  308   b  which extend radially inwardly of the rim  304  into the space defined by the central aperture  306  of the detachable portion  244 . 
     The power cable  50  is housed within the handle  20  in a housing  52  which extends around the power cable  50 . This housing includes a circular recess  54  adapted to retain the resilient clips  308 . When the detachable portion  244  is inserted into the end  200   a  of the handle  20 , the lip  308   b  of the resilient clip  308  is pushed radially outwards by the housing  52  until the detachable portion  244  is in its&#39; attached position at which point the lips  308   b  move into the circular recess  54  holding the detachable portion  244  in place. 
     To remove the detachable portion  244  one simply pulls on the finger grip(s)  302  with sufficient force to flex the lips  308   b  of the resilient clips  308  far enough for it to pop out of the circular recess  54 . 
     The recess within the housing  52  need not be circular; it could instead be a pair of recesses sized and spaced to receive the pair of lips  308   b.  This could be advantageous as it would provide control of the orientation of the detachable portion  244  with respect to the housing  54  and thus the handle  20 . 
     It is preferred that a pair of finger grips  302  is used and that a finger grip  302  and a resilient clip  308  are paired so radially located at the same position around the detachable portion  244 . This means that any force on a finger grip  308  is transferred directly across the detachable portion  244  to the relevant resilient clip  308 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 b , 14 a  and 14 c   , in order to facilitate the removal of the filter block  48  from within the handle  20 , a filter scaffold  480  may be provided. The filter scaffold  480  has a number of ribs  482  which extend along the length of the filter block  48  at an inner surface  48   b  of the filter block  48  that is defined by the central aperture  48   a  of the filter block ( FIGS. 3 b   ,  10  and  14   b ). The ribs  482  include retaining features  484  which extend radially outwards of the ribs  482  into the material of the filter block  48 . In this example, the retaining features  484  are arrow shaped, however other shapes could be used. At the downstream end  480   a  of the filter scaffold a pair of downwardly extending lugs  486  are provided. When the filter  48  and filter scaffold  480  are located within the handle  20  these downwardly extending lugs  486  are externally accessible ( FIG. 13 b   ) so can be gripped and pulled downwardly from the end  200   a  of the handle pulling the filter block  48  out of the handle  20 . 
     Although the outer wall  200  of the handle  20  has been described as being made from a rolled sheet of metal, alternatives methods of manufacture and materials could be used; these include, but are not limited to, an extruded tube and a plastic extrusion/moulded tube or a composite tube such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic. 
     The invention has been described in detail with respect to a hairdryer however, it is applicable to any appliance that draws in a fluid and directs the outflow of that fluid from the appliance. 
     The appliance can be used with or without a heater; the action of the outflow of fluid at high velocity has a drying effect. 
     The fluid that flows through the appliance is generally air, but may be a different combination of gases or gas and can include additives to improve performance of the appliance or the impact the appliance has on an object the output is directed at for example, hair and the styling of that hair. 
     The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.