Patent Publication Number: US-11026490-B2

Title: Assembly comprising a styling tool and a collecting device

Description:
The present invention relates to devices for treating the hair and their accessories, and more particularly, but not exclusively, those intended for shaping the hair, in particular for straightening, curling or crimping the hair. 
     The invention relates more particularly to an assembly comprising a styling tool and a collecting device that has the function of collecting a runoff which may be produced by the styling tool as it passes through the hair. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Within the scope of a treatment of the hair by a professional or consumer, it is known to use tools to be moved along the length of the hair. During the passage of the tool, the users may need to remove excess water or a cosmetic product from the hair. 
     The passage of a straightening iron over hair soaked with water and/or cosmetic product can in particular cause an undesirable runoff of water and/or cosmetic product. 
     In particular, there exist professional care services during which the stylist applies a product to wet hair and then passes a straightening iron over this hair. During this passage of the straightening iron, the product melts and is carried over the lock by the pressure of the gripper of the iron which wrings the hair. This results in significant runs along the straightening iron and at the end of the lock, and these can bring about soiling, this being particularly problematic since some cosmetic hair products can be oxidizing agents or irritants. 
     There is thus a need to collect the runoffs associated with the passage of a styling tool through the hair, so as to make this act clean and risk-free for the person undergoing the treatment. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention aims to meet this need and its subject is, according to a first of its aspects, an assembly comprising: 
     a styling tool, in particular a straightening iron, to be moved along a lock of hair to which water and/or a cosmetic composition has been applied, and 
     a collecting device coupled to the styling tool so as to collect a runoff generated during the movement of the tool over the hair on account of the presence of water and/or said composition on the hair, the collecting device having a reservoir for picking up the runoff. 
     The term “runoff” should be understood as meaning a discharge of fluid, that is to say a liquid or a foam for example, from the hair, in particular under the effect of a wringing pressure and/or heat produced by the styling tool as it passes over the hair. 
     The expression “cosmetic composition” should be understood as meaning any cosmetic product intended to treat the hair fibre. This composition may be in the liquid, solid or pasty state before being applied to the hair. 
     The collecting device may comprise a fastening system designed to permanently fasten the device to the styling tool. In one variant, it may also, advantageously, allow removable fastening and the possibility of easily fastening the device to and removing it from the styling tool, and preferably in a satisfactory manner for left-handers and right-handers. In the case of permanent fastening, all or part of the collecting device may be produced, in particular moulded, in one piece with a part of the tool. For example, at least one wall of the reservoir is moulded together with a part of the handle or of one jaw of the tool. 
     The system for fastening the collecting device to the styling tool may be designed to ensure fastening by: 
     sliding, 
     snap-fastening, 
     screwing, 
     magnetic attraction, 
     adhesive bonding, 
     binding strap(s): having hooks and loops, in particular of the Velcro® type, by way of pegs, buttoning, press studs, etc. 
     These fastening means may be used in combination. For example fastening by sliding, followed by screwing of a locking screw or by snap-fastening for locking the collecting device in a predefined position on the tool. The locking can be carried out for example by the creation of a hard point requiring greater effort to be overcome. 
     The fastening system may be designed to fit a particular tool or a plurality of tools of different sizes, that is to say different lengths and/or widths and/or thicknesses. For example, in the case of a straightening iron and a fastening system with screw locking or with binding strap(s), the fastening system may be adjustable depending on the width and the thickness of the heating plate or handle of the iron to which it is coupled. 
     In the case of a styling tool having a handle, the fastening system may be located along the axis of the handle or extend parallel to the axis of the handle. 
     Advantageously, a grating is disposed on the reservoir. The grating allows the product and/or water coming from the lock of hair to run into the reservoir and prevents the fluid that has been collected from spilling out accidentally after use. This grating is preferably removable so as to make it easier to clean the collecting device. 
     The grating is provided with holes which allow the runoff to pass easily into the reservoir without being able to come back out accidentally. The shape and dimensions of the holes may vary; they may in particular be chosen depending on the viscosity of the runoff. A set of several gratings having different hole shapes and dimensions may be provided so as to allow the user to change the grating based on need. For example, the more viscous the runoff, the more the holes have to have a large size to make it easier for the runoff to pass through the grating. Preferably, the largest dimension of the holes is between 8 and 12 mm, for example around 10 mm, and the repeat pitch of the holes is for example 1 to 2 mm. 
     The grating may be made of the same material as the rest of the collecting device or be made of a different material. The grating may be moulded in one piece with the reservoir or be manufactured separately and then attached to the reservoir. The grating may be fastened to the reservoir by snap-fastening. 
     The grating may be connected to a part, in particular in the form of a frame, which is involved in fastening the collecting device to the tool and which may, if appropriate, come into contact with a hot part of the tool, in particular with a heating plate. 
     The grating may thus be produced from a sheet of metal having a part which is involved in coupling the collecting device to the styling tool, in particular to the heating plate of a straightening iron. 
     A seal fixed to the abovementioned frame is conceivable to ensure sealing with respect to the plate. 
     A seal may be present at the interface between the fastening system and the corresponding jaw, for example along the fastening system on that side of the jaw which is located on the reservoir side. 
     The collecting device may furthermore comprise a retaining member which guides the runoff into the reservoir and through the grating if there is one. This retaining member may be designed in the form of a strip, oriented transversely to the running direction of the fluid. For example, this strip may rise by a few millimetres, preferably between 2 and 12 mm, with respect to the grating. The retaining member may be located close to the downstream edge of the reservoir with respect to the direction of movement of the tool over the hair, such that the opening in the reservoir is mainly located between the styling tool upstream and the retaining member downstream. 
     The retaining member may be fastened to the grating or formed together therewith or be inserted into a slot provided to this end. 
     The retaining member may be produced by being moulded in one piece with a wall of the reservoir. In this case, optionally, the grating has an opening for the retaining member to pass through. 
     The retaining member may also be produced from the same material as the grating, for example by bending a sheet of metal used to produce the grating, by machining or injection-moulding. 
     The reservoir may be defined by a portion of a shell produced by moulding a thermoplastic material. This shell may comprise an upright portion that rests against that side of the tool that faces away from the reservoir. This upright portion may be connected to the reservoir by a bottom part which extends under the styling tool. This bottom part may carry all or part of the abovementioned fastening system. The shell may be produced so as to be able to slide over the styling tool. 
     The reservoir has a volume of preferably 5 to 20 ml. 
     The invention is particularly suitable for the case of a straightening iron in a process for treating hair fibre, during which a care product is melted during the period of contact with the iron. 
     In the case of a straightening iron, the reservoir is located downstream in the direction of passage and extends along the iron. The collecting device is preferably fastened at least partially to the bottom plate of the iron. The length of the reservoir is advantageously greater than that of the heating plate, in order to make it easier to collect all of the runoff. 
     Preferably, the opening in the reservoir extends, in the lengthwise direction, beyond each side of the heating plate, preferably by 0.2 to 10 mm, and more preferably by 0.5 to 10 mm. The grating has for example at least one hole on each side of the heating plate. 
     The collecting device may be produced by being moulded in one piece or by being assembled from various elements. Advantageously, the collecting device is produced from at least one material that is resistant to impacts, to cosmetic products (oxidizing agents, reducing agents, alkalis, acids) and to heat. 
     Treatment Process 
     Another subject of the invention is a process for treating hair with the aid of an assembly according to the invention, comprising the steps of: 
     applying water and/or a cosmetic composition to the hair, 
     passing the styling tool over the hair, and 
     collecting, with the aid of the collecting device coupled to the tool, a runoff of fluid, in particular downstream of the tool, this runoff being due to the presence of water and/or the cosmetic composition on the hair and the passage of the tool. 
     The step of applying the cosmetic product or water may be carried out independently of that of the passage of the styling tool. 
     Additionally, a heat treatment is advantageously carried out, by bringing the lock of hair into contact with at least one heating element of the tool, which will for example make it possible to melt, over the period of contact, the cosmetic product previously applied to the hair. This melting will create a runoff which will be collected by the collecting device according to the invention, in its reservoir. An example of such a heat treatment is described in FR 2910301 in the name of the Applicant. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an assembly according to the invention, comprising a styling tool coupled to a collecting device equipped with a grating and a retaining member, 
         FIG. 2  shows the collecting device on its own, 
         FIG. 3  shows the collecting device with the reservoir and the grating not assembled, 
         FIG. 4  shows the reservoir on its own, 
         FIG. 5  shows an embodiment detail of the collecting device, 
         FIG. 6  shows an assembly according to the invention while it is being used, 
         FIGS. 7 to 9  show examples of gratings mounted on reservoirs of collecting devices according to the invention, 
         FIG. 10  shows the grating and the reservoir of the collecting device from  FIG. 9  in the non-assembled state, 
         FIG. 11  shows an embodiment detail of the grating on its own, 
         FIG. 12  shows the collecting device from  FIGS. 9 to 11  while it is being mounted, 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  show a variant embodiment in which the collecting device comprises a system for fastening by way of binding straps, and 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  show a variant embodiment in which the collecting device comprises a system for fastening by way of screwing. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows an example of an assembly according to the invention, comprising a styling tool  5  coupled to a collecting device  7 . 
     In this example, the styling device  5  is a straightening iron in the form of grippers, comprising a bottom jaw  22  and a top jaw  23 , these being able to pivot with respect to one another. A heating plate  24  is carried by the bottom jaw  22 . A handle  25  makes it possible to hold the tool  5 . 
     The collecting device  7  comprises a shell  55  produced by moulding material, said shell  55  defining a reservoir  9 . 
     A part  30  of the shell  55  passes under the bottom jaw  22  and is terminated by an upright portion  17  which rises on that side of the jaw  22  that faces away from the reservoir  9 . 
     In the example in question, a fastening system  16 , comprising a bolt  51  that is able to turn by way of a thumb wheel  53  that is accessible to the user from the outside, keeps the collecting device  7  on the tool  5 . 
     The bolt  51  can engage with a nut or thread present on the bottom jaw  22  on the side facing away from the top jaw. 
     In the example in question, the reservoir  9  is equipped with a grating  11  having holes  12  that allow a runoff coming from the lock of hair during treatment by the tool  5  to pass through the grating  11  and then to prevent the collected runoff from coming back out of the reservoir  9  accidentally. The holes  12  in the grating  11  preferably have an elongate shape transversely to the length of the reservoir. The holes  12  have for example a width l of between 3 and 5 mm, for example of 4 mm, and are spaced apart by a distance d of between 0.5 and 2 mm, for example of 1 mm. 
     In the example in question, the collecting device  7  is provided with a retaining member  14  which makes it possible to guide the runoff into the reservoir  9 . 
     This retaining member  14  is advantageously in the form of a strip which is positioned transversely to the plane of the grating  11 , in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir  9 , and rises, for example, by 8 to 12 mm, in particular 10 mm, with respect to the grating  11 . 
     In the example in question, the retaining member  14  passes through the grating  11  by virtue of a slot  57  provided thereon to this end, said slot  57  being visible more particularly in  FIG. 3 . 
     In this example, the retaining member  14  is integral with the reservoir  9  because it is moulded in one piece therewith. 
     The length of the retaining member  14  corresponds substantially to that of the heating plate  24  of the straightening iron  5 , while the grating  11  is advantageously a little longer and, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , extends beyond each side of the heating plate  24 , thereby making it possible to more easily collect all of the runoff that results from the passage of the straightening iron  5  over the hair  20 . In particular, at least one hole  12  may be present beyond each end of the retaining member  14 , in the extension thereof. 
     The grating  11  may be produced by cutting and bending a metal sheet, with a frame  56  which helps to couple it to the shell  55 . 
     This frame  56  may have a side  58  away from the grating  11  which has slots  59  that engage with corresponding reliefs  15  provided on that face of the upright portion  17  that faces the grating  11 . A seal (not shown) may be interposed between the heating plate and the frame  56 , being for example disposed on the internal perimeter of the frame  56 . 
     The retaining member  14  may, as illustrated, have teeth  63  on its face that faces the upright portion  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and these teeth  63  may be positioned above the slot  57  so as to keep the grating  11  in place on the reservoir  9 . 
     During the mounting of the collecting device  7  on the bottom jaw  22 , the latter is housed in a space  67  defined between the reservoir  9  and the upright portion  17 , the frame  56  being positioned around the heating plate and the bottom part  30  under the bottom jaw. 
     Preferably, the grating  11  is coupled to the shell  55  so as to allow the grating  11  to be removed for cleaning. 
       FIG. 6  shows an assembly according to the invention, similar to the one which has just been described, while it is being used: the passage of the styling tool  5  along a lock of hair  20  in the direction D wrings the hair and produces a runoff  21  which is collected downstream of the styling tool  5  by the collecting device  7 . The runoff  21  passes through the holes  12  in the grating  11  in order to be collected in the reservoir  9 . The retaining member  14  makes it possible to guide the runoff  21  into the holes  12  in the grating  11  and to avoid runs of surplus runoff for the time it takes for the runoff to discharge entirely into the reservoir  9  or if the reservoir  9  is full. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the collecting device  7  is fastened to the right-hand side of the bottom jaw  22  of the straightening iron  5  and the user uses his or her left hand to pass the assembly according to the invention over the lock of hair  20 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate two other examples of a collecting device  7  according to the invention on its own, each of these being equipped with a grating  11  and a retaining member  14 . 
     In these examples, the collecting device  7 , as in the one in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , has a frame  56  which, in the case of coupling to a straightening iron (not shown in these figures), is positioned around the heating plate of the bottom jaw  22 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the holes  12  in the grating  11  have an elongate shape transversely to the length of the reservoir and are organized in a single row. 
     The retaining member  14  is positioned on the downstream edge of that part of the grating  11  that has holes, and not set back therefrom as in  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the holes  12  in the grating  11  have a triangular shape, the base of which is located by the retaining member  14  and the tip of which is located by the styling tool  5  (not shown in the figure). 
     Numerous other shapes of holes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The collecting device  7  preferably has a mid-plane of symmetry P (visible in particular in  FIG. 7 ) so as to be able to be used both by left-handers and by right-handers, by being placed on one side of the styling tool or on the other. Thus, the collecting device  7  is mounted on the left-hand side of the straightening iron in  FIG. 1  and on the right-hand side in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a variant embodiment of a collecting device  7  according to the invention, the fastening system of which works by sliding and snap-fastening. The bottom part  30  of the collecting device  7  passes under the bottom jaw of the styling tool. Lips  32  and  33  ensure the snap-fastening to or sliding along the lateral edges of this jaw, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     Advantageously, a flexible contact point  34 , such as an elastically deformable button or peg, is positioned in the bottom part  30  next to the tool in order to apply a relief thereto which makes it possible to retain the collecting device  7  relative to the bottom jaw  22  by pressure at the end of the sliding movement. 
     In order to remove the collecting device  7 , it is sufficient for the user to reverse the sliding movement by causing the flexible contact point  34  to yield. 
     In the variant in  FIGS. 9 to 12 , the retaining member  14  is produced in one piece with the grating  11  and no longer belongs to the shell  55 . 
     The shell  55  can nevertheless retain an internal partition  66 , under the grating  11 , which reduces the risk of accidental outlet of the collected product during movements of the tool  5 . A seal (not shown) can be interposed between the jaw and the lip  33 , along the jaw. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show a variant embodiment of a collecting device  7  in which the fastening system uses binding straps  41 . 
     The straps  41 , which are preferably made at least partially from an elastically deformable material, are, in the example in question, equipped with buttonholes  42  into each of which a button  43  can be introduced. The latter has a head having dimensions slightly greater than those of the buttonhole  42 , so as to ensure that the corresponding strap is fastened. The straps  41  are fastened to one side  47  of the frame  56 . 
     If need be, the frame  56  can lift during mounting on the styling tool (not shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) by deforming elastically. 
     The binding straps  41  can be kept in the bound state in some other way than with the aid of buttonholes, for example by way of a Velcro® fastener or self-adhesive or press-stud fastening. 
     The use of fastening bands  41  makes it possible, advantageously, to fasten and remove the collecting device  7  quickly and easily. In addition, such a fastening system makes it possible to be able to fasten the collecting device  7  to styling tools having varied shapes, and in particular thicknesses. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show a variant embodiment of a collecting device  7  in which the fastening system works by screwing, in a similar manner to the one described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
     The thumb wheel  53  makes it possible to move the bolt  51  up or down, thereby locking the collecting device  7  to the styling tool. This bolt  51  may engage in a corresponding housing provided in the styling tool. The bolt  51  is prevented from rotating but can move axially in an extension  60  of the shell  55  of the collecting device when the thumb wheel  53  is rotated. 
     The invention is not limited to a straightening iron as the styling tool. The tool may also be: 
     a comb to which the collecting device can be fastened, 
     an appliance for caring for, shaping, dyeing or bleaching the hair and/or any instrument that brings about heating as long as these bring about a runoff during their passage. 
     The expression “comprising a” is synonymous with “comprising at least one”.