Patent Description:
The invention relates more particularly to a device comprising two jaws that are able to move with respect to one another and are able to take up a spaced-apart configuration for introducing a lock of hair between said jaws and a moved-together configuration for treating the lock, the jaws being movable along the lock in this moved-together configuration. In such a device, each jaw frequently carries a heating element such that the hairs of the lock pass between the two heating elements during the use of the device.

Numerous devices of this type, sometimes also known as hair straighteners or straightening irons, have already been proposed.

Usually, hair straighteners consist of two arms that are connected together with the aid of a hinge which makes it possible to open and close the arms, and of at least one heating element disposed on the arms. During operations of styling a lock of hair, said lock is introduced between the two arms in the open position and then the two arms are closed manually over the lock of hair. The lock of hair is then subjected to the heat output by the heating element(s), until the two arms are opened and the lock of hair is removed.

The application <CIT> describes a hairstyling appliance comprising two arms that are connected together so as to allow the appliance to be opened and closed, at least one heating member and at least one seat for accommodating a hair treatment device, the latter allowing a haircare product to be dispensed during operation. The hair treatment device is composed of a support material impregnated with a haircare product. The hair treatment device is suitable for a single use.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a hair straightening device that makes it possible to apply a haircare product by contact with the hair. The haircare product to be applied is contained in a removable refill for the application thereof. Said removable refill comprises a reservoir containing the haircare product in a gelled form, and orifices for dispensing and applying the product, said orifices being made directly through a wall of the reservoir. The refill is introduced into a housing disposed on one of the two arms of the hair straightener, by sliding.

The application <CIT> likewise discloses an applicator for applying a care substance to the hair, comprising a cartridge of care substance held in a housing of the applicator. The cartridge comprises a porous support saturated with the care substance.

The application <CIT> relates to a hair treatment appliance, notably a hairstyling appliance, provided with a cartridge of treatment agent that can be removed. The cartridge of treatment agent substantially comprises a treatment agent holder, notably made of saturated porous material, to be applied to the hair or the skin, said holder being fastened to an accessory that forms a mechanical holder and a grip tab. The cartridge is mounted in a housing of the hair treatment appliance, said housing having a section complementary to the section of the cartridge of treatment agent.

These devices are relatively bulky. They have, notably, a large width compared with the effective width over which a lock of hair is effectively heated by the heating elements.

Furthermore, <CIT> discloses a device for treating the hair, comprising two arms that pivot with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position and a moved-together position for treating the hair. Each arm is provided with a heated element that is designed to be in contact with the hair to be treated. According to that document, the device for treating the hair also comprises a fabric gripped between two frames of a fastening jaw, each jaw in turn being fastened to one of the arms or to one of the heated elements. When the jaw is fastened to a heated element, it is necessary to wait for this element to cool in order to replace the fabric. When the jaw is fastened to an arm, it is not possible to apply the heated elements and the fabric along the entire length of the hair to be treated in a single movement. In this last case, the device for treating the hair can also be particularly voluminous. <CIT> indicates that, according to one variant, the fabric can take the form of a sock having an opening in order to be slid around the device for treating the hair. However, in that case, it is particularly tricky to handle the fabric. Moreover, a large quantity of product with which the fabric is impregnated is not applied to the hair treated.

Document <CIT> discloses a device for treating hair having cosmetic product refill and an applicator element in the form of a sheet.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved device for treating the hair which does not have the abovementioned drawbacks. Notably, there is a need for a device for treating the hair which is less bulky. There is also a need for a cosmetic product refill that is designed to be installed in such a device for treating the hair.

Therefore, the subject of the invention is a device for treating the hair according to claim <NUM>.

Advantageously, it is no longer necessary to provide a pressing element next to the applicator element of the cosmetic product refill, the heating element fulfilling the function of the pressing element. It is thus possible to limit the bulk of the device for treating the hair, notably the width thereof.

Moreover, a part of the cosmetic product refill is not disposed next to the heating element(s). This can notably make it possible to handle the cosmetic product refill, optionally even when the device for treating the hair is in operation and the heating element(s) is/are hot. In a variant, this can make it possible to provide a cosmetic product reservoir in the refill while limiting the risk of evaporation of the cosmetic product contained in this reservoir.

Preferably, the cosmetic product refill according to the invention has one or more of the following features, on their own or in combination:.

The device comprises preferably two arms that are able to move with respect to one another between a moved-together position for treating the hair to be treated and a spaced-apart position for inserting hair to be treated between said arms, at least one arm being provided with a heating element for the hair to be treated, preferably each arm being provided with a heating element for the hair to be treated such that the two heating elements face one another in the moved-together position of the arms; and.

Preferably, the device for treating the hair according to the invention has one or more of the following features, on their own or in combination:.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:.

A handpiece <NUM> of an example of a device for treating the hair is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The illustrated device for treating the hair is for example a straightener having flat heating elements, which notably come into contact in the closed position.

The handpiece <NUM> has two jaws <NUM>, <NUM> that are able to move with respect to one another between a spaced-apart configuration (not shown) for the introduction between said jaws of a lock of hair, and a moved-together configuration for treating the lock of hair.

The jaws <NUM>, <NUM> are carried by a lower arm <NUM> and an upper arm <NUM>, respectively. The lower arm <NUM> and upper arm <NUM> are, in the example in question, hinged with respect to one another by means of a hinge pin <NUM>, the handpiece <NUM> thus forming tongs.

The lower arm <NUM> and upper arm <NUM> in this case each have a total length of between <NUM> and <NUM>. The lower arm <NUM> and upper arm <NUM> define, between the hinge pin <NUM> and the jaws <NUM>, <NUM>, respective half-handles <NUM>, <NUM> on which the user can press in order to move the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> together.

An elastic return member (not visible) can be provided to return the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> into the spaced-apart configuration. This elastic return member can be in the form of a spring disposed around the hinge pin <NUM> of the lower arm <NUM> and upper arm <NUM>.

Of course, the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> can be rendered movable with respect to one another in some other way. They can notably be movable with respect to one another not by rotation, as is the case with a hinge, but by movement in translation. However, preference is given to the ergonomics provided by a hinge.

The jaws <NUM>, <NUM> define between one another a region for treating the hair, said region being intended to receive a lock of hair to be treated, the handpiece <NUM> being moved along said lock during the treatment. The handpiece <NUM> is moved for example in the direction from the root to the tip of the hair of the lock, in the direction D shown in the figures.

The direction D of movement of the handpiece <NUM> over the hair, illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, is preferably substantially perpendicular to the median axis A, B of the lower arm <NUM> and upper arm <NUM>, that is to say substantially parallel to the hinge pin <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, the handpiece <NUM> is connected by a line <NUM> to a base station (not shown) that is fixed during the treatment and is itself connected to the mains. This base station provides the electric power supply to the handpiece <NUM> and also its supply with water in order to generate steam. The base station can also carry out additional functions of processing electrical signals received from the handpiece <NUM>. The line <NUM> which connects the handpiece <NUM> to the base station can thus comprise various electrical conductors and a water supply pipe.

A user interface (not shown in the figures) can also be present on the handpiece <NUM>, for example so as to allow the user to start up certain components thereof, or not.

As illustrated, each jaw <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a heating element <NUM>, <NUM> for the hair. In this case, each heating element <NUM>, <NUM> is in the form of a plate made of a material that is a good conductor of heat, defining a hot surface for bringing into contact with the hair, the temperature of said surface being for example greater than or equal to <NUM>, better still between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Also provided here is the application of a cosmetic product. This application of a cosmetic product is ensured by means of a refill <NUM> (or cartridge) carried by one of the two arms, <NUM>, <NUM>, in this case the upper arm <NUM>. The refill <NUM> is preferably for single use.

The refill <NUM> substantially comprises a means <NUM> for fastening to the handpiece and an element <NUM> for applying a cosmetic product to the hair to be treated, the refill <NUM> being designed such that, once fastened to the arm <NUM>, the applicator member is able to come into contact with the hair extending between the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>.

The fastening means <NUM> makes it possible to fasten the cosmetic product refill <NUM> to the device for treating the hair in such a way that a part of the cosmetic product refill is offset laterally with respect to the heating element(s) <NUM>, <NUM>. This can make it possible to handle the cosmetic product refill <NUM>, optionally even when the device for treating the hair is in operation and the heating element(s) <NUM>, <NUM> is/are at a high temperature. This can also make it possible to keep a part of the cosmetic product refill at a distance from these heating elements, said part then being able to function as a cosmetic product reservoir. This is because, this part of the refill <NUM> that is at a distance from the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM> is subjected to a lower temperature.

The applicator element <NUM> itself is produced in the form of a sheet. This makes it possible to fasten the applicator element <NUM> to the arm in the vicinity of a first end of the sheet, while keeping a part of the sheet, disposed in the vicinity of the opposite end, at the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, only one portion of the applicator element <NUM> is in this case designed to extend next to the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>.

The means <NUM> for fastening the refill <NUM> is in this case in the form of a rib with a T-shaped cross section that is designed to be received, by sliding substantially parallel to the axis B of the upper arm <NUM>, in a complementary relief <NUM>, in this case a groove with a T-shaped cross section. Thus, the refill <NUM> is inserted into a receiving housing <NUM>, provided for this purpose in the upper arm <NUM>, by sliding in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the upper arm. The receiving housing <NUM> thus opens onto the front of the arm <NUM> so as to allow the insertion of the cartridge by sliding. However, the housing <NUM> can also open onto the side of the arm <NUM>, in order in this way to further limit the lateral bulk of the device for treating the hair.

The fastening means <NUM> is in this case fastened directly to the applicator element <NUM>. The refill <NUM> thus has a particularly simple design. For example, the fastening means <NUM>, notably the fastening relief, is adhesively bonded to or overmoulded on the applicator element <NUM>. In a variant, the fastening means <NUM> is produced in one piece with the applicator element. According to yet another variant, the fastening means is fastened to, secured to or produced in one piece with a framework forming a housing for receiving the applicator element <NUM>. In this case, the applicator element can be gripped in the receiving housing of the framework in order to hold it in place. Lugs projecting into the receiving housing can be provided in order to make it easier to insert the applicator element <NUM> into the receiving housing while ensuring satisfactory fastening of said applicator element <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the applicator element <NUM> is produced in the form of a sheet. A sheet is understood here to mean essentially a structure having two dimensions - length and width - greater than the third dimension, corresponding to the thickness. Notably, the ratio between the length and the thickness of the sheet may be greater than <NUM>, preferably greater than <NUM>. The sheet is for example substantially rectangular with a width of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably equal to <NUM>, and a length of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably equal to <NUM>. The sheet does not have superposed portions so as to optimize the useful surface thereof that is intended to come into contact with the hair to be treated.

The sheet is curved or has flexibility allowing it to be curved, such that at least a part of the applicator element <NUM> extends next to the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>, notably between the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>.

The applicator element <NUM> may notably comprise a porous sheet that is impregnated with cosmetic product to be applied to the hair. The applicator element <NUM> thus dispenses the cosmetic product onto the hair, in contact therewith. In this case, the sheet is made for example of PTFE. The sheet can then have a thickness of between <NUM> and <NUM>. When the applicator element is porous, it can comprise a portion which is not intended to come into contact with the hair to be treated which has greater porosity than a portion intended to come into contact with the hair to be treated. The portion with greater porosity can in this case function as a cosmetic product reservoir.

According to another variant, the applicator element <NUM> comprises a silicone sheet enclosing the cosmetic product to be applied to the hair. The silicone sheet is then designed to wear away in contact with the hair in order to release the cosmetic product. The silicone sheet can have a thickness of between <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to yet another variant, the applicator element <NUM> comprises a sheet enclosing the cosmetic product to be applied to the hair, in the form of microcapsules that are released when the sheet comes into contact with the hair to be treated. In this case, the sheet can be fibrous, the microcapsules being fixed to the fibres. Notably, the sheet can then be made of cotton. The fibrous sheet preferably has a thickness of between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The lower arm <NUM>, which does not receive the refill <NUM>, advantageously has a steam outlet <NUM> fed by a device <NUM> for forming steam, and/or a comb <NUM>. The steam outlet <NUM> makes it possible to apply steam to the lock of hair treated. The steam outlet <NUM> can be disposed facing a portion of the applicator element <NUM> of the cosmetic product refill <NUM>. The steam can thus make it easier to liquefy the cosmetic product to be applied before the latter reaches the part of the applicator element <NUM> disposed between the two heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>.

Thus, the application of the cosmetic product to the lock of hair introduced into the device <NUM> takes place after combing and the application of steam, concomitantly with the straightening carried out by the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>. This is because the hair introduced between the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> comes into contact with the applicator member <NUM> after having been exposed to the steam,while it is pressed between the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM> while the lock is moved between the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> of the device.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the implementation of the device for treating the hair provided with its cosmetic product refill <NUM> makes it possible to reduce the width of the device for treating the hair. This is because it is no longer necessary to provide a pressing element opposite the applicator element <NUM> that is separate from the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM>, since the heating elements <NUM>, <NUM> enclose the hair to be treated, the applicator element <NUM> thus ensuring that the hair comes into contact with the cosmetic product contained in the applicator element <NUM>. Moreover, the configuration illustrated makes it possible to treat the hair fibre right from the root in a single movement of the device for treating the hair.

It should also be noted that the configuration illustrated is particularly advantageous when the cosmetic product has to be heated in order to be applied to the hair (for example in order to make it liquid), since the heating plates <NUM>, <NUM> make it possible to heat the applicator element <NUM> at the location at which it is in contact with the hair to be treated. It is then possible to limit the quantity of cosmetic product which is not applied to the hair.

The invention is not limited just to the examples described above, and numerous variants that are accessible to a person skilled in the art are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example, the device for treating the hair described here comprises two heating elements facing one another. However, the invention can be applied in the case in which the device for treating the hair comprises a single heating element for the hair.

Claim 1:
Device for treating the hair, comprising:
- at least one arm (<NUM>; <NUM>), being provided with a heating element (<NUM>; <NUM>) for the hair to be treated ; and
- a cosmetic product refill (<NUM>) ;
the cosmetic product refill (<NUM>) comprising a means (<NUM>) for fastening the refill (<NUM>) to the arm and a cosmetic product applicator element (<NUM>) in the form of a sheet which does not have superposed portions, such that:
- the means (<NUM>) for fastening the refill is designed to fasten the cosmetic product refill (<NUM>) to the arm for treating the hair in such a way that a part of the cosmetic product refill (<NUM>) is offset laterally with respect to the heating element(s) (<NUM>; <NUM>), and such that
- at least one portion of the applicator element (<NUM>) is designed to extend next to the heating element(s) (<NUM>; <NUM>).