Multi-mode hair styling appliance comprising blower provided with internal airtight wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair styling appliance, the blowing head (10) of which comprises a housing (6A) and carries a first and a second blowing outlet (2, 3), an air guide member (18) for alternately guiding an air flow towards the first or second blowing outlet, a system for controlling the air guide member, the latter being arranged in a first part of the housing, the control system being arranged in a second part of the housing, the housing carries a first peripheral wall (22) arranged in contact and surface overlap with a second peripheral wall (24) carried by the fixed portion of the control system to prevent passage of air from said first portion to said second portion in a direction parallel to an average direction of entry of the airflow in the air guide member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of hair styling appliances, for example for domestic use, and more particularly to the field of portable hair styling appliances suitable for blowing air to dry hair and / or facilitate hair shaping. Background Art

[0002] In the field of hair styling appliances, such appliances are known, which are designed to blow air flows to the hair according to different blowing modes, so as to provide these appliances with a multifunctional nature, so as to implement various hair drying and / or shaping techniques using a single and identical appliance. For example, hand-held hair dryers are known, which include a handle and a blowing head, the latter including an air outlet, to direct a forced air flow of hot or cold to the user's (his or her) hair. The forced air flow travels along a single path inside the appliance until it is discharged through the air outlet. In order to change the blowing mode of these hair dryers, additional accessories are usually provided at the air outlet, which accessories are detachable or non-detachable, so as to generally change the effective air flow cross-section and / or its blowing direction, and thus define a plurality of different blowing modes suitable for implementing specific hair drying and / or styling techniques. These known hair dryers, although generally satisfactory, have a number of disadvantages. In particular, switching the hair dryer from a blowing mode to another blowing mode requires the user to assemble / disassemble the accessories, or to operate pre-assembled accessories at the air outlet. Such operation can sometimes prove tedious, which is disadvantageous for the ease of use and ergonomics of the appliance. Furthermore, there is a significant risk of burns when handling the accessories, and there is a possible risk of losing the accessories if they are not simply stored out of reach and out of reach of the user when the user wishes to use them.

[0003] In order to solve these problems, a new portable hair styling appliance has recently been proposed, which includes a handle and a blow head connected to the handle, the blow head having first and second blowing outlets to blow an air flow out of the appliance, usually according to different first and second blowing modes. The appliance also includes a blower module for starting the air flow, and an air guide member arranged in the blow head, the blow head and the air guide member being movably mounted relative to each other between a first air guide configuration and a second air guide configuration, in which the air guide member guides the started air flow to the first blowing outlet, and in which the air guide member guides the started air flow to the second blowing outlet.

[0004] Despite the many advantages offered by such hair styling appliances with regard to the above-mentioned problems, it has been observed that there is still room for improvement in such known appliances, in particular with regard to the efficiency of their ventilation design, which has a significant impact on appliance performance and the quality of the results of hair styling operations performed using the appliance, as well as on the safety of use of the appliance. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a novel multifunctional portable hair styling appliance which has a particularly effective ventilation design and is particularly practical.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a novel multifunctional portable hair styling appliance which is particularly safe to use.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel portable hair styling appliance which has a particularly simple and compact structure.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel portable hair styling appliance which is of particularly robust and reliable design.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to propose a new portable hair styling appliance that enables the user (he or she) to easily and effectively perform a plurality of discrete operations without the use of an external complementary hair styling appliance.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to propose a new multifunctional portable hair styling appliance which is particularly ergonomic, convenient and safe to use, especially for users without special professional hair styling skills.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by a portable hair styling device, the device comprising

[0012] - a handle and a blow-drying head connected to the handle, the blow-drying head comprising a housing and carrying first and second blowing outlets for blowing an air flow out of the hair styling appliance, a blower module for generating said air flow, an air guide member comprising an air inlet ventilatedly connected to the blower module and through which the air flow enters the air guide member along an average entry direction, the air guide member being movably mounted in the housing of the blow-drying head between at least a first air guide configuration in which the air guide member guides the air flow towards the first air flow outlet and a second air guide configuration in which the air guide member guides the air flow towards the second blowing outlet,

[0013] a control system mechanically connected to the air guide member to control each switching of said air guide member from one to the other of said first and second air guide configurations,

[0014] - the blowing head extends along an average extension axis between a lower end and a free upper end, the blowing head being connected to the handle at the lower end, the housing of the blowing head comprising a first portion extending along the average extension axis from the lower end towards the free upper end, in which the air guide member is arranged, and a second portion extending the first portion along the average extension axis and defining the free upper end, in which the control system is arranged, the housing of the blowing head having an inner surface carrying at least one first peripheral wall, the control system comprising a portion arranged immovably relative to the housing and remote from the free upper end of the blowing head, and the inner surface carrying at least one second peripheral wall, the first peripheral wall being arranged in contact with and overlapping the surface of the second peripheral wall to prevent air from the air flow from passing from the first portion to the second portion along an average direction parallel to the average entry direction of the air flow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge in more detail when reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given purely by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 An embodiment of a hair styling appliance according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view;

[0017] Figure 2 Shown in side view Figure 1 utensils;

[0018] Figure 3 The main view shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 a first side of the device, the device being in a first blowing mode (“blowing brush” mode) corresponding to the first air guide configuration of the air guide member;

[0019] Figure 4 Shown in side view Figures 1 to 3 The button of the control system of the appliance is in the pressed position here, while it is in Figures 1 to 3 In the release position;

[0020] Figure 5 The main view shows Figure 1 and Figure 4 a second side of the appliance, the appliance being in a second blowing mode (“hair-dryer” mode), the second blowing mode corresponding to the second air guide configuration;

[0021] Figure 6 Sagittal cross-section II (see Figure 3 ) schematically shows the first blowing mode Figures 1 to 5 utensils;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figures 1 to 6 A schematic truncated view of the appliance in its first blowing mode along sagittal section II. Certain areas are magnified to highlight certain design features of the hair styling appliance;

[0023] Figure 8 Sagittal cross-section II (see Figure 3 ) schematically shows the second blowing mode Figures 1 to 7 utensils;

[0024] Fig. 9 Sagittal cross-section II-II (see Figure 2 ) schematically shows the first blowing mode Figures 1 to 8 utensils;

[0025] Fig.10 yes Figures 1 to 9 Schematic diagram of a front view of the appliance in its first blowing mode II-II. Certain areas are enlarged to highlight certain design features of the hair styling appliance;

[0026] Fig.11 The main cross-section II-II shows Figures 1 to 10 An appliance in which the button is in a depressed position;

[0027] Fig.12 Take the main cross-sectional view II'-II' (see Figure 2 ) shows the second blowing mode Figures 1 to 11 utensils;

[0028] Fig.13 The stereogram shows Figures 1 to 12 Internal guide devices and fixing parts of the control system of the hair styling appliance;

[0029] Fig.14 The stereogram shows Figures 1 to 12 Internal guide devices and fixing parts of the control system of the hair styling appliance;

[0030] Fig.15 A perspective view showing the formation associated with the mechanical hair engaging element Figures 1 to 12 a first insulating cover element of the housing of the hair styling appliance;

[0031] Fig.16 A perspective view showing the formation associated with the mechanical hair engaging element Figures 1 to 12 The second shield element is connected to the housing of the hair styling appliance. Fig.15The first cover elements are complementary to each other and these first cover elements together form the housing of the hair styling appliance, and in particular the housing of the latter's blowing head;

[0032] Fig.17 The front view cut-off cross section II-II shows Figures 1 to 12 Details of the appliance with the button in the released position;

[0033] Fig.18 The front view cut-off cross section II-II shows Figures 1 to 12 Details of an appliance wherein the button is in a depressed position;

[0034] Fig.19 by Figures 1 to 12 The top view of the appliance schematically shows advantageous additional design elements of the appliance. On the left, the appliance is in its first blowing mode, with the control mechanism button in the released position. On the right, the appliance is in its second blowing mode, with the button in the released position. In the center, the button of the appliance is in the pressed position (transition mode). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The hair styling appliance 1 according to the invention, a non-limiting embodiment of which is shown by way of example in the attached drawings, is a portable hair styling appliance, designed to be picked up and operated by hand. A hair styling appliance 1 is preferably intended for home use by a user (he or she) who does not have specific professional hair styling skills (i.e. in terms of drying and styling, or in terms of hair styling). Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 is designed so that the user uses the hair styling appliance 1 himself, i.e. on his own hair. However, it is perfectly conceivable that the hair styling appliance 1 is designed to be used by the user on someone else's hair.

[0036] The hair styling appliance 1 comprises means for generating an air flow F, which, as will be understood from the following, is designed and configured to generate said air flow F according to at least two different blowing modes, namely at least a first blowing mode and a second blowing mode, the second blowing mode therefore being different from said first blowing mode. Thus, advantageous are "multi-mode" or "multifunctional" appliances, which are designed and configured to blow an air flow F onto the hair according to at least two different blowing modes, said blowing modes being selectable alternately by the user. "Different blowing modes" are preferably understood to be blowing modes according to which the hair styling appliance 1 blows different air flows, for example in terms of their shape, direction and / or intensity, so as to be able to perform different operations on the hair, for example hair drying operations or hair styling operations, depending on the selected blowing mode.

[0037] The hair styling appliance 1 comprises at least a first blowing outlet 2 for blowing an air flow F away from the hair styling appliance 1, e.g. in a first of said blowing modes, and a second blowing outlet 3 for blowing an air flow F away from the hair styling appliance 1, e.g. in a second of said blowing modes. The first and second blowing outlets 2, 3 are advantageously separate from each other, preferably remote from each other, preferably opposite to each other. As in the embodiment shown in the figures, the hair styling appliance 1 advantageously has a first face 4 carrying the first blowing outlet 2 and a second face 5 carrying the second blowing outlet 3. The first and second faces 4, 5 are different and preferably opposite faces of the hair styling appliance 1. Advantageously, the first and second blowing outlets 2, 3 are present simultaneously (i.e. they are both permanently present on the hair styling appliance 1), rather than alternately. Typically, the hair styling appliance 1 comprises a housing 6, e.g. made of plastic, the outer face of which defines at least a portion of the first and second faces 4, 5 of the hair styling appliance 1. The housing 6 has an outer surface (defined by the outer face) which defines at least a portion of the outer surface of the hair styling appliance 1.

[0038] Preferably, the blowing modes correspond to different paths of the air flow F within the hair styling appliance 1. The hair styling appliance 1 is therefore preferably designed and configured such that the air flow F takes different (ventilation) paths through the hair styling appliance 1 depending on the blowing mode selected by the user. Thus, in a first blowing mode, the air flow F advantageously follows at least a first path within the hair styling appliance 1 until it is blown out of the hair styling appliance 1 through the first blowing outlet 2 ( Figure 6 In the second blowing mode, the air flow F advantageously follows another path inside the hair styling appliance 1, i.e. a path at least partially different from the path taken by the air flow F in the first blowing mode, until it is blown out of the hair styling appliance 1 through the second blowing outlet 3 ( Figure 7 ). The implementation of such different air paths advantageously enables very different blowing patterns to be defined, in particular depending on the chosen configuration and structure of the first and second blowing outlets 2, 3, the relative arrangement of these blowing outlets, etc. In particular, this makes it possible to provide a blowing pattern according to which the air flow F is blown out of the hair styling appliance 1 in different respective directions, possibly oppositely, and, for example, through blowing outlets 2, 3 that are spaced apart from one another.

[0039] As in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the first blowing mode may advantageously correspond to an operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1 in the "blowing brush" mode (in particular Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9 ), while the second blowing mode can advantageously correspond to the operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1 in the "hair dryer" mode (in particular Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig.12 ). Of course, the present invention is not limited to this specific blowing mode, and other blowing modes can be considered depending on the intended use of the hair styling appliance 1 for hair drying and / or styling. In addition, in practice, the number of different blowing modes is not limited to two. In addition, for the same given blowing mode, a plurality of different air flow paths F inside the hair styling appliance 1 can correspond.

[0040] The hair styling appliance 1 comprises a handle 7 (or grip) for manual gripping, which is manually gripped by a user to grip the hair styling appliance 1. Advantageously, defined by a portion of a housing 6 of the hair styling appliance 1, the handle 7 generally extends between a first end 8 and an opposite second end 9, preferably extending longitudinally along a mean extension axis A-A'. The handle 7 advantageously has an elongated, long shape, so that an adult user can grip it with the whole hand. The hair styling appliance 1 further comprises a blowing head 10 for blowing an air flow F from the hair styling appliance 1 towards the hair. The blowing head 10 connected to the handle 7 carries said first and second blowing outlets 2, 3, so that the air flow F advantageously blows out of the hair styling appliance 1 through the blowing head 10 and towards the hair. The blowing head 10 preferably has at least one first face, which defines or at least advantageously contributes to defining said first face 4 of the hair styling appliance 1 and which carries the first blowing outlet 2. The blowing head 10 preferably also has a second side which at least defines or advantageously contributes to defining the second side 5 of the hair styling appliance 1 and which carries the second blowing outlet 3 .

[0041] Thus, the blow head 10 comprises a housing 6A which advantageously constitutes part of the housing 6 of the hair styling appliance 1, whereby said housing 6 advantageously comprises a part defining the handle 7 and another part forming and defining the housing 6A of the blow head 10. In general, said housing 6A may be formed by one or more cover parts assembled to each other and defining an internal space in which the internal components of the blow head 10 of the hair styling appliance 1 are housed, as described in detail below. The blow head 10 extends along a mean extension axis BB' between a lower end (first end) and an opposite free upper end (second end), where the blow head 10 is connected to the handle 7, preferably so that the handle 7 extends beyond the first end 8 of the latter. According to the configuration and dimensions of the blow head 10, said mean extension axis BB' may form the longitudinal extension axis of the blow head 10. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the mean extension axis BB' of the blow head 10 is advantageously parallel or colinear (coincident) with said mean longitudinal extension axis AA' of the handle 7. The hair styling appliance 1 then advantageously extends substantially along a mean extension direction which is parallel or co-linear with said mean longitudinal extension axis AA′ of the handle 7 and said mean extension axis BB′ of the blowing head 10 .

[0042] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first blowing mode advantageously corresponds to the working mode of the hair styling appliance 1 in the "blow-brush" mode, the blow-drying head 10 generally comprises a mechanical hair engagement element 11, which is suitable for mechanically interacting with the hair of the user, in particular for brushing, styling and / or combing the hair. Advantageously carried by a first face of the blow-drying head 10 (which defines or contributes to defining said first face 4 of the hair styling appliance 1), which first face also carries a first blowing outlet 2, the mechanical hair engagement element 11 may comprise a plurality of rows or strips of bristles and / or brush spikes. Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the first blowing outlet 2 comprises a plurality of blowing holes, i.e. a plurality of blowing outlet portions, wherein said blowing holes are arranged between the bristles or brush spikes comprised in the mechanical hair engagement element 11. For example, said blowing holes may each be formed by a slot (straight or curved). Thus, when the hair is engaged with the mechanical hair engagement element 11 during a hair styling operation, the air flow F may be optimally blown towards the hair. Preferably, said first blowing outlet 2 extends longitudinally along the average extension axis BB' of the blow-drying head 10. For example, the first blowing outlet 2 may include a plurality of blowing holes, each of which is in the form of a narrow slot, staggered along the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10 ( Figure 3 ). The second blowing mode advantageously corresponds to the working mode of the hair styling appliance 1 in the "hair dryer" mode, the second blowing outlet 3 preferably having a preferably unique blowing opening, which extends longitudinally along said average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. The second blowing outlet 3 thus has a generally narrow and elongated opening as shown in the example of the accompanying drawings, so as to blow the air flow F in the form of an air knife. As an alternative, the second blowing outlet 3 may have, for example, a substantially circular opening, so as to blow the air flow F into a substantially cylindrical or frustoconical shape. Preferably, the second blowing outlet 3 is defined by a nozzle 12, for example fixed (immovable) or on the contrary removable (removable), at least a portion of which protrudes from the surface of said second face of the blowing head 10, typically from the outer surface of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10. Therefore, the second blowing outlet 3 is advantageously easy to be identified by the user.

[0043] The hair styling appliance 1 comprises a hairdryer module 13 (or "motor-fan unit"), which is typically included in the above-mentioned device for generating an air flow F, in order to generate the air flow F from the ambient air around the hair styling appliance 1, i.e. to activate said air flow F. Preferably, the hairdryer module 13 is integrated in the hair styling appliance 1 itself. The hair styling appliance 1 is advantageously provided with an air inlet 14, through which ambient air can be sucked by the hairdryer module 13 in order to be blown towards the hair. The hairdryer module 13 typically comprises at least one fan actuated by an electric motor, which can advantageously be arranged in the blower head 10 or in the handle 7, or can also be assembled to the handle 7 at its second end 9. More preferably, however, the hairdryer module 13 is assembled to the handle 7 at its second end 9, in such a way that the hairdryer module 13 advantageously extends the handle 7 beyond its second end 9. Advantageously, the blower head 10 is connected to the handle 7 at its first end 8. In the case where the blower module 13 is thus arranged inside the handle 7 or more preferably assembled to the handle 7 at its second end 9, the hair styling appliance 1 advantageously comprises a guide channel 15 (or guide duct) at least partially arranged, formed inside the handle 7, to guide, convey the airflow F activated by the blower module 13 up to the blowing head 10. As in the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide channel 15 may advantageously be unique, so that it defines a common part of the different paths followed by the airflow F inside the hair styling appliance 1 according to different blowing modes. However, as an alternative, several discrete guide channels may be realized, however at the expense of simplicity in designing and manufacturing the hair styling appliance 1. Advantageously, the means for generating the airflow F according to at least two different blowing modes therefore comprise said guide channel 15.

[0044] The blow head 10 may be designed to be detachably connected and assembled to the handle 7, so that the user can separate the blow head 10 from the handle 7, for example, to clean or replace the blow head 10. As an option, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the blow head 10 is designed to remain permanently connected to the handle 7 and is therefore not designed to be separated from the handle 7 by the user (in normal use). This makes the design and use of the hair styling appliance 1 simpler.

[0045] Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 further comprises a heating element, which is arranged to increase the temperature of the air flow F generated by the blower module 13. The heating element is typically integrated in the hair styling appliance 1, the heating element being advantageously arranged to be inserted in the air flow F generated by the blower module 13. As in the embodiment shown in the figures, the heating element is advantageously positioned in a guide channel 15 arranged in the handle 7. The heating element is typically an electric heating element, comprising an electric heating resistor formed by an electrically conductive wire (not shown) wound around an insulating core 16. As an alternative, the heating element can be housed in the blower head 10, which however compromises its compactness. Advantageously, the hair styling appliance 1 comprises means 17 for manually controlling and / or regulating the electrical operation of the hair styling appliance 1, in particular of the blower module 13 and / or of the heating element, by a user. These are adjustment means, such as rocker switches, buttons and / or sliding or thumb wheel adjustments, which the user can directly act on in order to electrically start / stop the hair styling appliance 1 and to vary the speed of the fan of the blower module 13, thereby varying the speed / flow rate of the air flow F blown out by the hair styling appliance 1 and / or the heating temperature of the heating element. Such manual control / adjustment means 17 can be located, for example, at the handle 7 or at the blower module 13, when the blower module is assembled to the second end 9 of the handle 7, as in the example shown in the figures. The hair styling appliance 1 can also optionally comprise a cold air / hot air switch (not shown), for example arranged at the handle 7, preferably at its first end 8, to switch the heating element on and off. Advantageously, constituting a portable electrical appliance, the hair styling appliance 1 is preferably designed to be powered by a power supply via a power cord, which is equipped with an electrical connection plug (not shown) at one free end.

[0046] The hair styling appliance 1 comprises an air guide member 18 ("air distribution member" or "air deflection member") to guide, distribute, the air flow F generated by the blower module 13 towards one and / or the other (and preferably either) of the first and second blowing outlets 2, 3 of the hair styling appliance 1, thus as a function of the selected blowing mode. The air guide member 18 is usually included in the above-mentioned device for generating the air flow F. In this regard, the air guide member 18 is movably mounted in the housing 6A of the blower head 10, at least in

[0047] a first air guide configuration (or "first air distribution configuration"), in which the air guide member 18 is arranged, for example, according to a first blowing mode (in particular, Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9 ) directing the air flow F to (and preferably only to) the first blowing outlet 2, and

[0048] - a second air guiding configuration (or "second air distribution configuration"), in which the air guiding member 18 directs the air flow F (and preferably only) to the second blowing outlet 3, for example in accordance with the opposite movement of the second blowing mode (in particular, Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig.12 ).

[0049] Arranged in the blow head 10, the air guide member 18 is advantageously designed and configured to define or at least contribute to define different paths of the air flow F within the hair styling appliance 1, depending on the air guide configuration it adopts relative to the blow head 10. Preferably, the air guide member 18 is configured to deflect the air flow F exiting from the above-mentioned guide channel 15 alternately towards either of the first blow outlet 2 and the second blow outlet 3, depending on the air guide configuration it adopts relative to the blow head 10. Preferably, the air guide member 18 forms an air guide tube (or "air deflection tube" or "barrel"), which extends beyond the end of the handle 7, and typically extends beyond the first end 8 of the handle 7.

[0050] The air guide member 18 comprises an air inlet 19 which is in ventilated connection (i.e., communicated) with the blower module 13 to collect the air flow F generated by the latter, and through which the air flow F enters the air guide member 18 along an average entry direction. The air guide member 18 advantageously comprises at least one air guide outlet 20, through which the air flow F is guided by the air guide member 18 towards one and / or the other (and preferably towards either) of the first and second blowing outlets 2, 3 according to the air guide configuration adopted by the air guide member 18 relative to the blowing head 10. Preferably, the air guide member 18 comprises (only) one single air guide outlet 20, so that when the air guide member 18 is in the first air guide configuration (in particular, Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9 ) when the air flow F is guided to the first blowing outlet 2 through the air guide outlet 20, and when the air guide member 18 is in the second air guide configuration (particularly, Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig.12) when the air flow F is directed in the opposite direction to the second blowing outlet 3. In the first air guide configuration, the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 is therefore in air communication with the first blowing outlet 2, while in the second air guide configuration, the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 and the second blowing outlet 3 are in air communication with each other. The design of the hair styling appliance 1 is thereby simplified. As in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the air guide outlet 20 or each of these air guide outlets, as the case may be, is advantageously designed and configured such that the air flow F is directed in a direction parallel to the average inlet direction ( Figure 6 and Figure 8 ) with an average exit direction which is tangential to (or at least inclined with respect to) and, for example, substantially orthogonal, exits from the air guide member 18 through the air guide outlet 20 .

[0051] The hair styling appliance 1 further comprises a control system to control each switching of the hair styling appliance 1 from one to the other of the first and second air guide configurations. Thus, the control system is arranged to enable the user to alternately select any of the blowing modes, i.e. to control the switching of the hair styling appliance 1 from one to the other of the blowing modes, and for example from the first blowing mode to the second blowing mode, and conversely from the second blowing mode to the first blowing mode. In this respect, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control system is mechanically connected to the air guide member 18 to control each switching of the air guide member 18 from one to the other of the first and second air guide configurations. By operating the control system, the user can alternately select one or the other of the blowing modes of the hair styling appliance 1 among the at least two different blowing modes. Thus, the user can advantageously select the air flow F to be blown out of the hair styling appliance 1 through one of the first and second blowing outlets 2, 3, and thus select the operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1. The control system is advantageously separate from the means 17 for manually controlling and / or regulating the electrical operation of the hair styling appliance 1 and the cold air / hot air switch, which means may be included in the hair styling appliance 1. Thus, the user may advantageously select one of the blowing modes, while another of the blowing modes is selected before activating the blower module 13 of the hair styling appliance 1. As will be included below, the control system is advantageously integrated in the blow-drying head 10 and is preferably positioned along the mean extension axis BB' of the blow-drying head. Preferably, at least a part of the elements of the control system forms or contributes to forming at least the upper (free) end of the blow-drying head 10. This enables the user to easily and intuitively activate the control system.

[0052] More precisely, the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 (more generally, the blowing head 10 itself) comprises a first portion 10A extending from the lower end of the blowing head 10 towards the free upper end of the blowing head 10 along the mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. The air guide member 18 is arranged in the first portion 10A of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 in such a way that said first portion 10A thus advantageously forms the so-called "venting portion" of the blowing head 10. The housing 6A of the blowing head 10 (more generally, the blowing head 10 itself) also comprises a second portion 10B extending said first portion 10A along the mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10 and defining said free upper end of the blowing head. The control system is (at least partially) arranged in the second portion 10B of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10, so that said second portion 10B thus advantageously forms the so-called "control portion" of the blowing head 10.

[0053] The housing 6A of the blowing head 10 comprises an inner surface 21 which is thus directed towards the interior of the housing 6A and is opposite to an outer surface which advantageously defines at least a portion of the outer surface of the blowing head 10 and carries at least a first peripheral wall 22. "Peripheral" here advantageously means that the first peripheral wall 22 (and the third, fifth, sixth and seventh peripheral walls 38, 48, 50, 51A, 51B mentioned below) are carried by the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10, at least partially (and preferably entirely) following the inner contour of the housing 6A, i.e. at least partially (and preferably entirely) following the perimeter (or contour) of a section of the blowing head 10 extending in a mean plane intersecting the mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. Preferably, the first peripheral wall 22 has an annular shape. The control system comprises a portion 23 (or "fixed portion" 23) which is fixedly arranged relative to the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 and is remote from the free upper end of the blowing head 10. Said fixed portion 23 is therefore separate from said housing 6A. Arranged in the housing 6A of the blowing head 10, and more specifically in the aforementioned control part 10B, the fixed part 23 carries at least a second peripheral wall 24. Here "peripheral" advantageously means that the second peripheral wall 24 is carried by the fixed part 23 of the control system, at least partially (and preferably entirely) following the outer contour of the fixed part 23, i.e. at least partially (and preferably entirely) following the periphery (or contour) of the section of the fixed part 23 extending in a mean plane secant to the mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10 (the same definition applies "mutatis mutandis" to the fourth and eighth peripheral walls 39, 52A, 52B to be mentioned hereinafter). Preferably, the second peripheral wall 24 has an annular shape.

[0054] like Figures 6 to 12As shown in the example in FIG. 1 , the first peripheral wall 22 is arranged in contact with the second peripheral wall 24 and overlaps the latter at least partially (and preferably substantially completely) in surface, so as to prevent air from the airflow F from passing from the first part 10A of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 through the second part 10B of the housing 6A at least along an average direction (or “average leakage direction”) parallel to the average entry direction of the airflow F. Advantageously, the first peripheral wall 22 is arranged in contact with the second peripheral wall 24 and overlaps the latter at least partially (and preferably substantially completely) in surface along the entire respective lengths of the first peripheral wall 22 and the second peripheral wall 24. In other words, the first peripheral wall 22 and the second peripheral wall 24 cooperate to form at least an airtight barrier to avoid air from leaking from the ventilation part 10A of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 through the control part 10B of the housing 6A. "Contact" here advantageously means, as in all the following description, at least point contact, if not surface contact, taking into account the possible unavoidable functional play between the components (typically of the order of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm).

[0055] The first peripheral wall 22 thus has at least one face which is arranged to be in contact with a corresponding face respectively present on the second peripheral wall 24 and which overlaps at least partially (and preferably substantially entirely) with the surface of the corresponding face. The face of the first peripheral wall 22 is thus arranged to be opposite to the corresponding face of the second peripheral wall 24 and in contact with the corresponding face (preferably, plane to plane). The respective faces of the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 advantageously each extend in an average extension plane secant to the average entry direction of the airflow F. For example, the first peripheral wall 22 is formed in whole or in part by a first peripheral tongue (or rib) protruding from the inner surface 21. Advantageously, the first peripheral tongue is integral with one or more hood portions forming the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 ( Figures 6 to 12 , Fig.15 and Fig.16 For example, the second peripheral wall 24 is formed in whole or in part by a second peripheral tongue (or rib) which projects from the outer surface of said fixed part 23 of the control system towards the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10. Advantageously, said second peripheral tongue is integral with one or more parts forming the fixed part 23 of the control system. Figures 6 to 12 , Fig.15 and Fig.16). As can be understood from the above, the fixed part 23 of the control system is thus arranged away from the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10, so that the first peripheral wall 22 and the second peripheral wall 24 (and therefore the airtight barrier) are arranged in a free internal space, which is provided between the fixed part 23 of the control system and the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A. By their cooperation, the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 thus prevent air from passing through the free space. For example, the fixed part 23 of the control system is arranged to be aligned along the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10.

[0056] Due to the specific combination of the above-mentioned features, the multi-mode blowing hair styling appliance 1 thus has a particularly effective improved ventilation design, while being particularly practical. Despite the presence of a control system connected to the air distribution member 18, the implementation of an airtight barrier as described above actually allows to reduce the risk of air leakage towards the control part of the blow-drying head 10 particularly effectively, if not completely. Improving the ventilation efficiency of the hair styling appliance 1 advantageously allows to implement a less powerful blower module 13, and therefore less bulky, less noisy or also less expensive. Moreover, the implementation of such an airtight barrier makes the design and manufacture of the hair styling appliance 1 particularly easy and inexpensive, since it makes it possible in particular to avoid the implementation of one or more elastomeric sealing gaskets between the housing 6A of the blow-drying head 10 and said fixed part 23 of the control system, said elastomeric sealing gaskets constituting additional components separate from the housing 6A and said fixed part 23. The second peripheral wall 24 is carried by a portion 23 of the control system which is advantageously fixed relative to the housing 6A of the blow-drying head 10 and is therefore not carried by a portion of the control system which is movable relative to said housing 6A, which again contributes to the efficiency of the leaky air expansion but also to the simplicity of the design of the hair styling appliance 1 (no relative movement). Moreover, in the case where the hair styling appliance comprises a heating element as envisaged above to raise the temperature of the air flow F, the implementation of an airtight barrier advantageously contributes to convenient and safe use of the hair styling appliance 1. Indeed, by ensuring effective limitation of the leakage of hot air towards the second portion 10B of the housing 6A of the blow-drying head 10, such an airtight barrier advantageously allows to define, in a simple and effective manner, the end of the blow-drying head 10 forming a “cold head” (also called “cool head”) by which the user can grasp or manipulate the hair styling appliance 1, in particular during a hair styling operation. In particular, as will be seen below, such a design advantageously makes manipulation of the control system by the user not only easy but also particularly safe.

[0057] Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the air distribution member 18 is designed and arranged so that the average entry direction of the airflow F is parallel to or coincides with the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10, so that the average leakage direction itself is parallel to or coincides with the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. As a result, the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 each extend substantially along an average extension plane orthogonal to the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. In other words, the respective faces of the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24, which are arranged in contact and overlap with each other, preferably extend in an average extension plane orthogonal to the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. This arrangement, rather than an arrangement at an angle relative to the average extension axis BB', not only contributes to further improving the efficiency of the above-mentioned barrier effect, but also contributes to the simplification of the design and manufacture of the hair styling appliance 1.

[0058] The air guide member 18 preferably comprises a side (airtight) wall 25, which extends between a first end and an opposite, closed (and therefore airtight) second end along an average extension axis EE' of the air guide member 18, the first end carrying, defining the air inlet 19 of the air guide member 18. Advantageously, the average extension axis EE' of the air guide member 18 is substantially parallel to or coincides with the said average entry direction of the air flow F. Depending on the configuration and dimensions of the air guide member 18, the average extension axis EE' of the air guide member can constitute the average longitudinal extension axis EE' of the air guide member 18, as shown in these figures. Advantageously, the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member is formed, for example, as an orifice passing through the side wall 25 of the air guide member 18 and, for example, longitudinally along the average extension axis EE' of the air guide member 18 (but not necessarily parallel to the said longitudinal extension axis EE'). Therefore, as mentioned above, the air guide outlet 20 is advantageously designed and configured so that the airflow F entering through the air inlet 19 exits through the air guide outlet 20 along an average exit direction that is tangential to (or at least arranged to be inclined relative to) the average entry direction along which the airflow F enters the air guide member 18 through the air inlet 19 ( Figure 6 and Figure 8). As shown in the example in the figure, the side wall 25 of the air guide member 18 advantageously defines a hollow internal shape, the cross section of which preferably decreases from the first end to the second end of the side wall 25. Therefore, the air guide member 18 thus advantageously forms an air guide tube defined by the side wall 25, the overall internal shape of which is preferably generally truncated conical. In other words, the air guide member 18 advantageously comprises a hollow tube with a substantially truncated conical internal shape defined by the side wall 25. The hollow tube typically has an axis of rotation advantageously formed by or parallel to the average extension axis EE' of the air guide member 18. The longitudinal extension axis EE' of the blowing outlet 18 advantageously coincides with the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. The corresponding extension axes BB', EE' of the blowing head 10 and the air guide member 18 are advantageously colinear with the average longitudinal extension axis AA' of the handle 7. The first end of the side wall 25 thus defines a large base of a generally frustoconical internal shape through which the airflow F enters the air guide member 18. The cross section of this hollow internal shape decreases from the first end towards the second end of the side wall 25, which advantageously makes it possible to even out the profile of the airflow F circulating in the air guide member 18 and thus further improve the ventilation performance of the hair styling appliance 1. As shown in the figure, in the case where the hair styling appliance 1 comprises a guide channel 15 arranged in the handle 7 to guide the airflow F to the blow head 10, the guide channel 15 thus generally has an air outlet end 26 to which the air inlet 19 of the air guide member 18 is connected and which is therefore opposite to the air inlet end of the guide channel 15, which is connected to the blow dryer module 13.

[0059] Advantageously, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the hair styling appliance 1 comprises an inner guide 27 which at least partially defines a first guide portion 28 to ensure air communication between the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 and the first blow outlet 2 when the air guide member 18 adopts the first air guide configuration, and a second guide portion 29 to ensure air communication between the air guide outlet 20 and the second air guide outlet 3 when the air guide member 18 adopts the second air guide configuration. The inner guide 27 thus advantageously constitutes a "two-way" inner guide device (or "two-way distributor"). The inner guide 27 is immovably arranged in the housing 6A of the blow-drying head 10, and in particular at least in the ventilation portion 10A of the housing 6A. As a result, the air guide member 18 is movably arranged in the inner guide 27 between the first and second air guide configurations. Therefore, when the air guide member 18 adopts the first air guide structure, the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 is ventilated and connected with the first channel portion 28, thereby being ventilated and connected with the first blowing outlet 2. On the other hand, the air guide member 18 (for example, the side wall 25 of the latter) closes the second channel portion 29 ( Figure 6 On the contrary, when the air guide member 18 adopts the second air guide structure, the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 is ventilated with the second channel portion 29, thereby being ventilated with the second air outlet 3. The air guide member 18 (for example, the side wall 25 of the latter) closes the first channel portion 28 ( Figure 8 ).

[0060] Typically, the internal flow-guiding device 27 defines an internal space which is open on the outside of the internal flow-guiding device 27, on the one hand through the first flow-guiding portion 28 towards the first blowing outlet 2 and through the second flow-guiding portion 29 towards the second blowing outlet 3, and on the other hand through an inlet opening (separate from the flow-guiding portions 28, 29) through which the airflow F enters the internal flow-guiding device 27. Advantageously, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the first channel portion 28 has an effective airflow cross section which increases continuously towards the first blowing outlet 2. Conversely, the second channel portion 29 advantageously has an effective airflow cross section which decreases continuously towards the second blowing outlet 3. This advantageously helps to promote the circulation of the airflow F towards the first blowing outlet 2 and towards the second blowing outlet 3, respectively, and thus reduces the risk of air blockage and the risk of an increase in air pressure in the ventilation portion of the blowing head 10, as well as the risk of (possibly hot) air leakage from the ventilation portion 10A.

[0061] The air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 is advantageously provided with a plurality of air deflectors 30 (straightening fins), referred to as “main deflectors”, to straighten the air flow F exiting from the air inlet 19 of the air guide member 18 through the air guide outlet 20 and to optimally guide the air flow F towards the first blowing outlet 2 or the second blowing outlet 3, depending on the selected blowing mode. With regard to optimal straightening and guiding of the air flow F, the blowing head 10 may particularly advantageously also comprise:

[0062] a first outlet air deflector 31 ("first air deflector"), which straightens the air flow F directed from the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 to the first blowing outlet 2 when the air guide member is in said first air guide configuration, and

[0063] A second outlet air deflector 32 ("secondary air deflector") straightens the activated air flow F directed from the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 to the second blowing outlet 3 when the air guide member is in said second air guide configuration.

[0064] When the air guide member 18 is in the first air guide configuration ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 ), the plurality of air deflectors 30 of the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 are arranged in line with the plurality of the first outlet air deflectors 31, and when the air guide member 18 is in the second air guide configuration ( Figure 8 ), the plurality of said air deflectors 30 of the air guide outlet 20 of the air guide member 18 are arranged in line with the plurality of said second outlet air deflectors 32, respectively. As described above, this selective relative alignment of the primary air deflectors and the first or second secondary air deflectors makes it possible to optimize and homogenize the blowing of the air flow F out of the hair styling appliance 1 towards the hair in a particularly effective manner, regardless of which blowing outlet 2, 3 is used. It also helps to promote the flow of the air flow F out of the hair styling appliance 1 and thus avoids the risk of air blockage and an increase in air pressure in the ventilation portion of the blow-drying head 10, as well as the risk of (possibly hot) air leaking out of the ventilation portion.

[0065] It is conceivable that the air guide member 18 and the blow head have different kinematics, in particular according to the structure and configuration of the air guide member 18. Preferably, however, with regard to simplicity of design and use of the hair styling appliance 1, the blow head 10 is fixedly connected to the handle 7 of the hair styling appliance 1 and the air guide member 18 is mounted movably between said first and second air guide configurations relative to the blow head 10 and the handle 7. In order to simplify the design of the hair styling appliance 1 and to increase its compactness, in particular, the air guide member 18 and the blow head 10 are preferably mounted to rotate, pivot relative to each other about an axis of rotation D-D' between at least said first and second air guide configurations. Preferably, said axis of rotation D-D' coincides (is co-linear) or is at least parallel to an axis of longitudinal extension EE' of the air guide member 18, which in turn advantageously coincides (is co-linear) with an average axis of extension BB' of the blow head 10. As an alternative (not shown), the air guide member 18 is fixedly connected to the handle 7 and the blow head 10 is then mounted to rotate relative to the air guide member 18 and the blow head 10 about said axis of rotation D-D'. According to another alternative implemented in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the air guide member 18 is mounted for rotation around said axis of rotation D-D' between the first and second air guide configurations inside the housing 6A of the blow-drying head 10. The blow-drying head 10 is then advantageously fixedly connected to the handle 7. According to the above, this second alternative is preferred because it helps to simplify the design and use of the hair styling appliance 1. Therefore, as shown in the drawings, the air guide member 18 is preferably arranged to rotate around said axis of rotation D-D' between the first and second air guide configurations in the internal air guide device 27.

[0066] Advantageously, the control system for changing the blowing modes of the hair styling appliance 1 comprises a manual control member, such as a button 33, a thumb wheel, so that the user can act on said control system and thus manually alternately select one or another of said blowing modes. Thus, said manual control member is advantageously movable, i.e. it can be varied between advantageously predetermined at least two positions and / or spatial orientations (relative to the rest of the hair styling appliance 1, in particular relative to the housing 6A of the blowing head 10), typically by translation, rotation and / or tilting under the effect of a manual mechanical action exerted thereon by the user. In view of the above, the manual control member is therefore arranged at the blowing head 10, i.e. it is carried by (or belongs to) the blowing head 10 and in particular by said control portion of the housing 6A of the blowing head, and not at the handle 7. In this way, this makes it possible to limit the risk of the user's hand holding the handle 7 accidentally holding the manual control unit. More preferably, the manual control member is arranged at a distance from the handle 7 so that it cannot be touched by the fingers of the user's hand holding the handle 7. The manual control member is not accessible to the fingers of the hand of the user holding the handle 7, however, the manual control member can still be advantageously accessible to the fingers of the hand of another user. Even more preferably, still as shown in the example in the figure, the manual control member is arranged substantially along an axis parallel to or coincident with the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10, so that the user can approach the manual control member from above the blowing head 10 (and therefore not through one or the other of the first and second faces of the blowing head). Advantageously, the fixed part 23 of the control system forms a guiding and / or fastening part for the manual control member. In other words, the fixed part 23 constitutes a part of the control system that ensures the guidance of the manual control member, in particular during its manipulation by the user, and / or ensures that the manual control member is fastened (advantageously permanently) to the rest of the control system. This helps to make the design and operation of the control system simpler, more reliable and more robust.

[0067] As an advantageous alternative, implemented in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the control system of the hair styling appliance 1 is a "push-push" button 33 control mechanism (or "push-push motion control mechanism"), thereby controlling each switching of the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another blowing mode. The control system is thus designed and configured to convert each push applied by the user (usually with the user's finger) on the button 33 of the control system into a switching of the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another blowing mode, or at least from one blowing mode towards another blowing mode. The button 33 of the control system then advantageously forms the aforementioned manual control member. As shown in the drawings, the push-push button 33 control mechanism is thus advantageously connected to the air guide member 18 to control each switching of the air guide member 18 from one to the other of said first and second air guide configurations. The button 33 of the push-push button 33 control mechanism generally has a contact portion 34 or an interaction portion, which is in direct contact with the user, and in particular with the user's finger, so that the user applies a push force on the button 33 to control the change of the blowing mode. Said contact portion 34 thus defines a portion of the outer surface of the button 33, which is oriented towards the outside of the hair styling appliance 1 and is accessible and visible to the user from outside the hair styling appliance 1. Advantageously, as shown in the figures, said contact portion 34 defines a free upper end of the button 33, which is opposite to a lower end of the button 33 (permanently) arranged inside the hair styling appliance 1. In this way, the button 33 thus advantageously forms said movable manual control member, allowing the user to operate the control mechanism.

[0068] Thanks to this push-push button-button 33 control mechanism, the use of the hair styling appliance 1 is therefore particularly simple and intuitive, since the repetition of a simple pushing action by the user on the button 33 of the control mechanism, each time in the same pushing direction, controls each change of the blowing mode of the hair styling appliance 1. Each depression exerted by the user on the button 33 of the control mechanism thus controls the cyclic switching of the hair styling appliance 1 from a given initial blowing mode to a subsequent blowing mode, and so on, until returning to the initial blowing mode after the control mechanism has been actuated consecutively as many times as the different blowing modes the hair styling appliance 1 has. On the assumption that the means for generating the air flow F of the hair styling appliance 1 are designed to generate the air flow F only according to two different blowing modes, each depression exerted by the user on the button 33 thus controls the alternating switching from the first operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1 (first blowing mode) to the second operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1 (second blowing mode), and then from the first operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1 to the second operating mode, and so on.

[0069] The hair styling appliance 1 advantageously comprises a housing 35 provided with an access opening 36 which is inscribed in the opening plane and which opens out towards the outer surface of the hair styling appliance 1 generally at the access opening. As shown, the inner housing 35 is arranged inside the hair styling appliance 1 and in particular inside the second part 10B (control part) of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 and opens towards the outside of the hair styling appliance 1 through said access opening 36. Generally, the access opening 36 is defined by the housing 6A of the blowing head 10, i.e. the access opening 36 forms a hole in the housing 6A. Said access opening 36, in particular the peripheral edge of the latter, advantageously defines said free upper end of the blowing head 10. The button 33 of the push-push button 33 control mechanism is advantageously mounted to translate in said housing 35 towards the interior of said housing 35 along a translation direction CC', preferably orthogonal to the opening plane, between the following positions:

[0070] - a first stop position, called the release position (or "high position" or "rest position"), which advantageously constitutes a stable (release) position ( Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 10 , Fig.12 and Fig.17 ),as well as

[0071] - A second stop position, called the pressed position (or "low position" or "activated position") ( Figure 4 , Fig.11 and Fig.18 ), wherein the contact portion 34 of the button 33 is arranged within the housing 35.

[0072] Advantageously, as in the example shown in the figures, said housing 35 thus extends longitudinally (axially) from said access opening 36 towards the interior of the blowing head 10 of the hair styling appliance 1 along said translation direction CC' of the button 33. Said release position and pressed position constitute the extreme positions of the button 33 relative to the housing 35 and define the maximum translation travel of the button 33 along said translation direction CC'. Generally, the control mechanism can be designed and configured so that, in the release position, the contact portion 34 of the button 33 is arranged above, flush with or below the outer surface of the hair styling appliance 1 (thus generally above, flush with or below the opening plane of the access opening 36 of the housing 35). However, preferably, as shown in the figures, the control mechanism is designed and configured so that when the button 33 is in the release position, i.e. when the contact portion 34 of the button 33 is arranged above the outer surface of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10, the contact portion 34 of the button 33 is (integrally) arranged outside the housing 6A of the blowing head 10. Thus, in the release position, and therefore in the absence of a push applied to the button 33, the latter advantageously projects from the outer surface of the blowing head 10, typically from the outer surface of the housing 6A of the latter. This enables easier visual and / or tactile recognition of the button 33, access to the button 33 and manipulation of the button by the user. In any case, once the button 33 reaches the pressed position under the push applied by the user to switch the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another, the control mechanism is advantageously designed and configured such that the contact portion 34 of the button 33 is arranged below the outer surface of the hair styling appliance 1 (and therefore below the opening plane of the access opening 36 of the housing 35). In other words, when the button 33 is deployed towards the pressed position and reaches it upwards, the button 33 is completely retracted, entering inside the housing 35 and therefore inside the hair styling appliance 1. Thus, in order to control the change of the blowing mode of the hair styling appliance 1, the user must introduce at least one of his / her fingers into the housing 35 via the access opening 36 of the housing 35. Thus, the risk of unintentional changes of the blowing mode due to interaction of the button 33 with the user or surrounding elements is particularly limited.

[0073] Since the temperature of the contact portion 34 of the housing 35 and the button 33 can therefore be kept sufficiently low without causing discomfort or risk of burning the user's fingers, it is ensured that the leakage of hot air towards the second part 10B of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 is effectively limited. The implementation of the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 as described above allows particularly safe and comfortable operation of the button 33 (manual control member of the control system).

[0074] Preferably, the housing 35 has a guide portion guiding the button 33, which is delimited by a preferably solid (i.e. non-perforated) tubular side wall 37, along which the contact portion 34 of the button 33 moves when the button 33 translates from the release position to the pressed position (and vice versa). In this way, the guide portion of the button 33 thus belongs to the control system. The guide portion thus advantageously extends from the access opening 36 towards the interior of the hair styling appliance 1 to the housing 35 along an extension direction which is advantageously parallel to the translation direction CC' of the button 33. The guide portion thus advantageously constitutes at least a laterally closed portion of the housing 35, which then advantageously makes it possible to isolate the contact portion 34 of the button 33.

[0075] Advantageously, the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 carries at least a third peripheral wall 38, and said tubular side wall 37 in turn carries at least a fourth peripheral wall 39. Said third and fourth peripheral walls 38, 39 are then arranged in contact with each other and overlapping each other in (at least partially) surface, so as to block the passage of air from said air flow F towards the free upper end of the blowing head 10, at least along an average direction parallel to said average entry direction of the air flow F. In other words, the third and fourth peripheral walls 38, 39 cooperate with each other to thereby form at least one airtight barrier, so as to avoid leakage of air towards the free upper end of the blowing head 10, at least along an average direction parallel to said average entry direction of the air flow F. In particular, the risk of leakage of air between the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 and the tubular side walls 37, and therefore in particular the potential overheating of these tubular side walls, is thus further limited. The third peripheral wall 38 thus has at least one face, which is arranged to contact with the corresponding face present on the fourth peripheral wall 39, respectively, and overlaps with the corresponding face in at least part (and preferably substantially all) of the surface. The face of the third peripheral wall 38 is thus arranged to be opposite to the corresponding face of the fourth peripheral wall 39, and to contact with the corresponding face (preferably, plane to plane). The corresponding faces of the third and fourth peripheral walls 38, 39 each extend in an average extension plane secant to the average entry direction of the airflow F. For example, the third peripheral wall 38 is formed in whole or in part by a third peripheral tongue (or rib) protruding from the inner surface 21. Advantageously, the third peripheral tongue is integral with one or more hood portions forming the housing 6A of the blowing head 10. For example, the fourth peripheral wall 39 is formed in whole or in part by four peripheral tongues (or ribs) protruding from the outer surface of the tubular side wall 37 toward the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10. Advantageously, said fourth peripheral tongue is integral with one or more portions forming the tubular side wall 37. Preferably, for reasons of exposure in relation to the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24, said third and fourth peripheral walls 38, 39 each extend generally in a mean extension plane orthogonal to said mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. Preferably, the third peripheral wall 38 has an annular shape. In other words, the respective faces of said third and fourth peripheral walls 38, 39 arranged in contact with each other and in superposition preferably extend in a mean extension plane orthogonal to said mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. Preferably, the third peripheral wall 38 has an annular shape. Preferably, the fourth peripheral wall 39 has an annular shape.

[0076] As shown, the tubular side wall 37 generally extends from a lower end toward the access opening 36 of the shell 35. It is particularly advantageous that the lower end 40 of the tubular side wall 37 is arranged to contact the upper surface of the first peripheral wall 22, advantageously along the entire length of the first peripheral wall 22. As a result, the second peripheral wall 24 is arranged to contact the relative lower surface of the first peripheral wall 22, and advantageously overlaps with the latter at least partially along the entire corresponding lengths of the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 (that is, at least partially overlaps with the lower surface). In this way, the first peripheral wall 22 is tightly inserted, "sandwiched" between the tubular side wall 37 and the corresponding second peripheral wall 24, which can further improve the air barrier effect of the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 ( Figures 6 to 12 , Fig.17 and Fig.18 ). This therefore contributes to further enhancing the safety and security of the hair styling appliance 1. As an alternative, the lower end 40 of the tubular side wall 37 may be arranged in contact with the upper surface of the second peripheral wall 24, advantageously along the entire length of the latter. As a result, the first peripheral wall 22 is then arranged in contact with the opposite lower surface of the second peripheral wall 24 and advantageously at least partially overlaps the latter (i.e. at least partially overlaps with the lower surface) along the entire respective lengths of said first and second peripheral walls 22, 24.

[0077] Advantageously, the push-push button 33 control mechanism is designed and configured to control in a purely mechanical manner each switching of the air guide member 18 from one to the other of said first and second air guide configurations, and thus each switching of the hair styling appliance 1 from one to the other of the blowing modes. Thus, the control mechanism is designed and configured to mechanically convert each depression applied by the user (usually with the user's finger) on the button 33 of the control system into a switching of the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to the other blowing mode, or at least from one blowing mode towards the other blowing mode. Thus, the push-push button 33 control mechanism is advantageously free of electrical or electromechanical components, making its design particularly simple, economical and reliable. As in the embodiment illustrated in these figures, the button 33 of the push-push button control mechanism is therefore advantageously mechanically connected to the air guide member 18, so that each movement of the button 33 of the push-push button control mechanism under a push action (by the user) applied on the button 33 is mechanically converted into a relative movement of the air guide member 18 relative to the blowing head 10 from one to the other of said first and second air guide configurations. Thus, advantageously, instead of an electromechanical push-push button control mechanism, it would establish an electromechanical connection between the button of the control mechanism and the air guide member, i.e. it would be designed to convert a mechanical push exerted by the user on the button into an electrical control of an electric actuator to be connected to the air guide member 18. The implementation of such a purely mechanical control mechanism advantageously allows the user to change the blowing mode of the hair styling appliance 1 while the latter is not powered (i.e. when the hair styling appliance 1 is switched off or even unplugged). Thus, the safety of use of the hair styling appliance 1 is improved, insofar as the risk of immediate blowing in a direction not intended by the user, for example towards his / her face, is thus limited. However, the hair styling appliance 1 remains easy to use, since the user retains the possibility of changing the blowing mode of the hair styling appliance 1 while the latter is in operation. Furthermore, the implementation of a purely mechanical control of the change of the blowing mode, instead of an electromechanical control, tends to improve the operational reliability of the hair styling appliance 1 and to reduce its manufacturing and use costs.

[0078] According to an alternative (not shown), the button of the push-push button control mechanism is a bistable button. Typically, the control mechanism is then designed and configured so that the button can be deployed from a first stable position (release position) to a second unstable position (called unstable pressed position) under the action of a first thrust applied by the user, and then automatically returns to a third stable position (stable pressed position) between said first stable position and the second unstable position under the action of an elastic return member when the first thrust applied by the user ceases. The button then remains temporarily locked in said stable pressed position corresponding to one of the blowing modes of the hair styling appliance 1. Conversely, the control mechanism is then designed and configured so that the button can be deployed from the third stable pressed position to a second unstable pressed position under the action of a second pressure applied by the user, which is subsequent to the first pressure and thus enables the button to be unlocked, and then returns to the first stable released position under the action of an elastic return member when the second pressure applied by the user ceases. For example, such a bistable push-push button control mechanism can implement a so-called "heart-shaped" mechanism kinematics. According to the preferred alternative implemented in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the button 33 of the push-push button 33 control mechanism is a monostable button. Therefore, the control mechanism is preferably designed and configured in such a way that the button 33 is suitable for unfolding from a first stable position (release position) to a second unstable position (pressed position) under the pushing action applied by the user, and then automatically returns from the pressed position to the released position under the action of the elastic return member 41 when the pushing applied by the user stops. This "monostable" alternative is more advantageous than the above-mentioned "bistable" alternative because when the button 33 systematically returns to the released position, it remains equally accessible to the user no matter what blowing mode is selected. In addition, this "monostable" alternative is simpler in design and more robust in use. Therefore, regardless of the envisioned "bistable" or "monostable" alternative, the push-push button 33 control mechanism advantageously includes at least one elastic return member 41 to automatically bring the button 33 back to the released position from the pressed position. Preferably, said elastic return member 41 is a spring, and in particular a tension, compression or bending (leaf) spring.

[0079] As in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the contact portion 34 of the button 33 is preferably provided with a concave area, i.e. an area with a concavity pointing towards the outside of the hair styling appliance 1. The presence of such a concave area, preferably positioned in the centre of said contact portion 34, advantageously makes it possible to guide the placement of the fingertips, in particular the fingertip pulp portion, on the contact portion 34 of the button 33, to help keep the finger so positioned to effectively exert a push force on the button 33 to control the blowing mode change, and in particular even without visual contact with the button 33.

[0080] According to an alternative (not shown), the control mechanism can be designed and configured to convert each press applied by the user on the button of the control mechanism into a switch of the hair styling appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes. In this case, the user can switch the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another blowing mode by merely applying a push force on the button of the control mechanism. Once the hair styling appliance 1 has affected this other blowing mode, the user can stop applying his / her push force on the button. According to another more preferred alternative implemented in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the control mechanism is designed and configured to convert each press applied by the user on the button 33 of the control mechanism into a switch of the hair styling appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes, and then when the press applied by the user stops, the switch of the hair styling appliance 1 to another of the blowing modes is automatically completed under the effect of the automatic return of the button 33 to the said stable release position. In other words, the blowing mode change is then initiated only by the pressure applied by the user on the button 33 and then automatically terminated by the control mechanism. This makes it possible, inter alia, to change the blowing mode more easily, more intuitively and faster for the user.

[0081] When the air guide member 18 is advantageously mounted for rotation, pivoting about said rotation axis D-D' between at least the first and second air guide configurations, as in the embodiment illustrated in these figures, the control system and, for example, the above-mentioned push-push button 33 control mechanism then controls the switching of the air guide member 18 from one to the other of the first and second air guide configurations by rotating the air guide member 18 about said rotation axis D-D' according to a predetermined rotation angle. More preferably, the air guide member 18 is mounted for rotation relative to the handle 7 of the hair styling appliance 1, the rotation axis D-D' of the air guide member 18 preferably being parallel to the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 7, or more preferably coinciding therewith.

[0082] As mentioned above, in order to ensure a mechanical connection between the button 33 of the push-push button control mechanism and the air guide member 18, and thus to transmit to the latter the mechanical thrust exerted by the user on the button 33, the control mechanism preferably comprises a rotary connection portion 42 forming a cam and mechanically connected on the one hand to the air guide member 18 and preferably on the other hand to the button 33. The button 33 is advantageously fastened to at least one pin 43 (or roller) forming a follower cooperating with the cam in such a way that each push exerted on the button 33 causes a rotation of the rotary connection portion 42 about an axis of rotation and a corresponding rotation of the air guide member 18 according to its axis of rotation D-D'. Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the figures and as described above, the button 33 of the push-push button 33 control mechanism is mounted for linear translation along said translation direction CC' between said release position and said depressed position relative to the rest of the hair styling appliance 1, in particular relative to the housing 6A of the spray head 10, and even more preferably for pure linear translation. Thus, the movement of the button 33 under the pushing action applied by the user is a pure linear translation movement having the same average direction as the pushing force applied by the user, i.e. a sliding connection along a straight line. Thus, the operation of the button 33 is particularly easy and intuitive for the user, whatever the position and orientation of the button 33 relative to the user when using the hair styling appliance 1. As an alternative, although less advantageous in terms of design simplicity and volume, but also less advantageous in terms of ergonomics, the button may, for example, be mounted for rotation or pivoting, tilting, and constructed and arranged such that the contact portion of the button follows a curved arc trajectory under the pushing action applied by the user. More preferably, the button 33 is arranged relative to the rotary connection 42 so that the linear translation direction CC' of the button 33 coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotary connection 42. Thus, according to a particularly simple and compact design due to the preferably absence of intermediate parts between the button 33 and the rotary connection 42, each push exerted by the user on the button 33 causes a linear translation movement of the button 33 and preferably directly causes a rotation of the rotary connection 42 around the translation direction CC' of the button 33. As an alternative, the linear translation direction of the button 33 can be arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary connection 42 and offset relative to it, or also inclined or orthogonal relative to it, however at the expense of design simplicity and compactness of the control mechanism. Advantageously, the rotary connection 42 is locked in rotation relative to the air guide member 18, the axis of rotation of the rotary connection 42 coinciding with the corresponding axis of rotation D-D' of the air guide member 18.Thus, each movement of the button 33 under the action of a push exerted by the user causes the swivel connection 42 and the air guide member 18 to rotate together about a common axis of rotation by the predetermined angle of rotation. This contributes to the simplicity and reliability of the design and operation of the hair styling appliance 1. For example, as shown in the figures, the swivel connection 42 and the air guide member 18 can be assembled to each other by complementary shapes and fixed to each other by screwing or by clamping / snapping or gluing. As an alternative, the swivel connection 42 and the air guide member 18 may form an integral part together.

[0083] Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the rotary connection part 42 more specifically forms a grooved barrel cam. Therefore, the rotary connection part 42 includes at least one cylindrical part of revolution, which is provided with a groove 44 forming a cam track, which is defined by two opposite side walls of the groove 44 and is designed to be traveled by a follower pin 43 fixed to the button 33. The pin 43 is thus captured in the groove 44, which helps to provide a reliable mechanical connection between the button 33 and the rotary connection part 42. Even more preferably, the groove 44 is circumferential, extends along the entire circumference of the cylindrical part of revolution, and is closed on itself. Therefore, the rotation of the rotary connection part 42 around its axis of rotation can be carried out in the same rotation direction at each instruction for changing the air guide structure and thus changing the blowing mode.

[0084] For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the button 33 is mounted for a (pure) linear translation along its translation (sliding connection) direction CC', which coincides with the axis of rotation of the linear translation 42. Preferably, the linear translation direction CC' is parallel to or coincides with the average extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10, which in turn is advantageously parallel to or coincides with the axis of rotation D-D' of the air guide member 18, which in turn is advantageously parallel to the average longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 7. Advantageously, a particularly simple construction and a particularly compact hair styling appliance 1 are thus formed, in particular when the four aforementioned axes and directions A-A', B-B', C-C', D-D' coincide with one another. The button 33 advantageously comprises a side skirt portion 45 of circular cross section, which rotates about the translation direction CC', which is arranged parallel to the cylindrical portion of the rotation connection portion 42, at least partially overlapping said cylindrical portion. The button 33 is not connected to a single pin 43, but to two follower pins 43 arranged on either side of the linear translation direction CC', so as to achieve greater reliability of the mechanical connection between the button 33 and the rotary connection part 42. The free end portion of each pin 44 is housed in a groove 44 of a grooved drum cam formed here by the rotary connection part 42.

[0085] In order to prevent the button 33 from rotating relative to the rest of the hair styling appliance 1, in particular relative to its blowing head 10, and to guide the translational movement of the button 33 along the linear translation direction CC', a portion of each pin 43 is housed in a corresponding elongated guide hole 46 formed in the fixed part 23 of the control system. As in the embodiment shown in the figures, the fixed part 23 of the control system can advantageously be formed with the above-mentioned internal guide device 27 ( Fig.13 and Fig.14 ) is an integral part. For example, the fixing portion 23 may have a generally tubular shape, the rotational connection portion 42 is accommodated in the tubular shape, and a portion of the side skirt 45 of the button 33 slides translationally in the tubular shape ( Fig.13 and Fig.14 ). Thus, as foreseen above, the fixed part 23 of the control system here forms a guide and / or fastening part for the button 33 (manual control member). To facilitate assembly of the hair styling appliance 1, once the button 33 is assembled to overlap the rotating cylindrical part of the rotating connection part 42, the pins 43 can each be defined by a cylindrical rod that is press-fit into a hole formed in the wall of the side skirt part 45 of the button 33, in such a way that the part of the rod that defines such a driven pin 43 extends radially inside the button 33, while the opposite part of the rod extends radially outside the button 33 and is captured in one of the elongated guide holes 46.

[0086] Advantageously, as already mentioned above, the push-push button 33 control mechanism comprises an elastic return member 41, such as a compression spring. The elastic return member 41 is configured and arranged to automatically return the button 33 to its stable release position (non-pressed position) when the pushing force applied by the user on the button 33 ceases. As shown in the figure, the compression spring can be arranged between the inner surface of the button 33 and the surface of the rotating connection part 42. The cam formed by the rotating connection part 42 is preferably shaped and arranged to rotate the air guide member 18 by said predetermined rotation angle, which allows switching the hair styling appliance 1 from the blowing mode to the other mode by a corresponding switching of the air guide member 18 from the air guiding configuration to the other configuration, only for a first part of said predetermined rotation angle, by movement of the button 33 of the push-push button control mechanism under the action of the push applied by the user on the button 33, and then for the rest of said predetermined rotation angle, by movement of the button 33 in the opposite direction under the combined action of the elastic return member 41 and the cam, when the push applied by the user ceases. Therefore, as described above as a preferred alternative, the change of the blowing mode is only activated by the user pressing the button 33, and after the user has stopped pressing the button 33, the change of the blowing mode is automatically completed by the control mechanism. Therefore, the user advantageously needs to provide only a part of the force required to rotate the air guide member 18 by a predetermined rotation angle to convert the latter from one of its air guide configurations to another. As mentioned above, this can especially achieve an easier blowing mode change, which is more intuitive and faster for the user. Even more preferably, the cam is constructed and configured so that rotation of the air guide member 18 through the predetermined rotation angle is accomplished by movement of the button 33 of the control mechanism under a push applied to the button 33, for 50% or less of the predetermined rotation angle (i.e., for a maximum of 50%, and for example only 30%, 40% or 50%), and then, for the remainder of the predetermined rotation angle (i.e., 50% or more, for example 50%, 60% or 70%), by movement of the button 33 in the opposite direction, under the combined action of the elastic return member 41 and the cam when the applied push stops.

[0087] For example, such a feature can be obtained by adjusting the profile of the cam track defined by the groove 44 of the above-mentioned grooved barrel cam to define at least two continuous cam track portions, thereby forming inclined surfaces with opposite slopes, and the air guide member 18 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle as described below by the movement of the follower pin 43. First, when the user applies pressure on the button 33 to bring the button from the release position to the pressed position, the pin 43 travels along the first cam track portion by sliding against one of the side walls of the groove 44 forming the first inclined surface, thereby rotating the rotating connection part 42 by the first rotation angle. Then, when the user stops pushing the button 33, the elastic return member 41 automatically returns the button 33 to its release position, and the pin 43 then travels along the second cam track portion by sliding against another of the side walls of the groove 44 forming the second inclined surface, the inclination of the second inclined surface being opposite to that of the first inclined surface, and the pin 43 is pressed against the second inclined surface under the action of the elastic return member 41, thereby forcing the rotating connection part 42 to rotate by the second rotation angle in the same direction. The slope of the first inclined surface is selected to be equal to or greater than, or stronger than, the slope of the second inclined surface, so that the first rotation angle is therefore smaller than the second rotation angle, and the sum of the first and second rotation angles corresponds to the predetermined rotation angle. Therefore, the first rotation angle corresponds to the movement initiated by the user's push, while the second rotation angle corresponds to the automatic complementary movement described above.

[0088] For example, as in the embodiment illustrated in these figures, the switching of the air guide member 18 from one of the first and second air guide configurations to the other is performed by rotating the air guide member 18 about its rotation axis D-D' by a predetermined rotation angle of 180 °. Thus, the air guide member 18 can advantageously change the angular configuration twice by rotating 360 ° about its rotation axis D-D' under the effect of two consecutive pushes applied to the button 33, by alternating between the first air guide configuration and the second air guide configuration. The grooved drum cam can then advantageously coincide and be configured so that when the thrust applied by the user stops, the air guide member 18 rotates only 90° (the first rotation angle) at the predetermined rotation angle (i.e., 50%) through a pure linear translation movement of the button 33 from its (stable) release position to its (unstable) pressed position under the action of the pressure applied to the button 33 by the user, and then, under the combined action of the elastic return member 41 and the grooved drum cam, rotates the remaining 90° from its (unstable) pressed position to its (stable) release position at the predetermined rotation angle through a pure linear translation movement of the button 33 in the opposite direction.

[0089] Advantageously, the aforementioned internal flow-guiding means 27 has an upper portion of an outer surface 47, thus directed towards the free upper end of the blowing head 10. As shown in the figure, said upper portion of the outer surface 47 thus preferably forms an upper annular wall of the internal flow-guiding means 27. Advantageously, said upper portion of the outer surface 47 defines the upper end of the internal flow-guiding means 27. As a result, the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 carries a fifth peripheral wall 48. The upper portion of the outer surface 47 is then preferably arranged in contact with the fifth peripheral wall 48 and at least partially overlaps the latter, advantageously along the entire length of said fifth peripheral wall 48, so as to prevent the air coming from the airflow F from passing from the first portion 10A of the housing 6A through said second portion 10B of the housing 6A, at least along an average direction parallel to said average entry direction of the airflow F, as shown in the figure, the hood formed by the fifth peripheral wall protruding at least along an average direction parallel to said average entry direction of the housing 6A. This thus further enhances the ventilation efficiency and the safety of use of the hair styling appliance 1 by forming an airtight barrier between the internal flow guide 27 and the control part 10B of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10. For example, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the fifth peripheral wall is formed completely or partially by a fifth peripheral tongue (or rib) protruding from the inner surface 21. Advantageously, the fifth peripheral tongue is integral with one or more cover parts forming the housing 6A of the blowing head 10. Preferably, the fifth peripheral wall 48 has an annular shape.

[0090] Advantageously and complementary, the internal flow-guiding means 27 preferably has a lower portion of the outer surface 49, thus directed towards the handle 7 and opposite the above-mentioned upper portion of the outer surface 47. As in the embodiment shown in the figures, said lower portion of the outer surface 49 can thus form a lower annular wall of the internal flow-guiding means 27. Advantageously, said lower portion of the outer surface 49 defines the lower end of the internal flow-guiding means 27. Conversely, the inner surface of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 advantageously carries a sixth peripheral wall 50. Said lower portion of the outer surface 49 is then preferably arranged in contact with said sixth peripheral wall 50 and at least partially overlaps the latter, so as to prevent the passage of air from said airflow F from said first portion 10A (venting portion) of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 towards the handle 7, at least in a mean direction parallel to said mean entry direction of the airflow. Preferably, the sixth peripheral wall 50 has an annular shape. Thus, said lower portion of the outer surface 49 and said sixth peripheral wall 50 cooperate to form an airtight barrier for limiting, if not completely avoiding, the risk of air leakage from the interior of the housing 6 of the hair styling appliance 1 towards the handle 7 of the hair styling appliance. This therefore helps to further enhance the safety and security of the hair styling appliance 1.

[0091] Preferably, the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 carries seventh peripheral walls 51A, 51B spaced apart and staggered along said mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. As a result, the above-mentioned guide channel 15 ("guide tube") advantageously carries eighth peripheral walls 52A, 52B spaced apart and staggered along said mean extension axis BB' of the blowing head 10. Figures 5 to 12 , each of the seventh peripheral walls 51A, 51B is arranged to be in contact (preferably, plane to plane) with one of the corresponding eighth peripheral walls 52A, 52B and, in at least partial surface overlap with the latter, to prevent the passage of air from the airflow F from the first portion (air portion) of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 towards the handle 7 along an average direction parallel to the average entry direction of the airflow F. Advantageously, the design of the seventh and eighth peripheral walls 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B is completely similar to the design of the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 described above, respectively. Therefore, the description above on the first and second peripheral walls 22, 24 advantageously applies mutatis mutandis to the seventh and eighth peripheral walls 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B.

[0092] like Figures 5 to 12As shown in the example in FIG. 1 , the seventh and eighth peripheral walls 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B are arranged in the free internal space of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10, which is provided between the guide channel 15 and the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A. Particularly advantageously, as in the embodiment shown in the figure, the seventh and eighth peripheral walls 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B are arranged in the upper end region (defined by the air outlet end 26 of the guide channel) in the immediate vicinity of the guide channel 15, where the air inlet 19 of the air distribution member 18 is connected to the guide channel 15. The seventh and eighth peripheral walls 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B thus cooperate in pairs, thereby forming at least one pair of airtight barriers to avoid any air leakage from the "venting portion" 10A of the housing 6A of the blowing head 10 towards the interior of the handle 7 and in particular between the guide channel 15 and the inner surface of the housing 6A. This is particularly useful in the case of an embodiment as shown in the figures, in which the air distribution member 18 forms an air guide duct and is mounted for rotation relative to the guide channel 15 inside the housing 6A of the blow-head 10. This therefore contributes to further enhancing the safety and security of the hair styling appliance 1. In particular, this makes it possible to avoid hot air leaks between the guide channel 15 and the inner surface 21 of said housing 6A towards the inside of the handle 7, which would heat the gripping surface of the handle 7 in an uncomfortable or even dangerous manner. In particular, said seventh and eighth peripheral walls may each be formed in whole or in part by seventh and eighth peripheral tongues (or ribs) which protrude from said inner surface 21, from the outer surface of the guide channel 15 towards the inner surface 21 of the housing 6A of the blow-head 10, respectively.

[0093] In order to make the hair styling appliance 1 more practical and intuitive to use, the first and second blowing outlets 2, 3 are preferably arranged opposite each other on either side of a plane P1 in which the average extension direction of the hair styling appliance 1 (or one of the average extension directions of the latter, as the case may be) is internalized. Thus, the average extension direction here corresponds to the average extension direction of the part of the hair styling appliance 1 carrying the first blowing outlets 2, 3. Thus, the average extension direction of the hair styling appliance 1 preferably corresponds to the average extension axis BB' of the blow-drying head 10. Thus, the blowing outlets 2, 3 are preferably arranged opposite each other on either side of a plane P1 in which the average extension axis BB' of the blow-drying head 10 is internalized. Thus, when a user looks straight at the first blowing outlet 2 and the second blowing outlet 3, the user advantageously cannot see the first blowing outlet 2 and the second blowing outlet 3 at the same time. The user can easily use the hair styling appliance 1 alternately according to the first blowing mode or the second blowing mode, typically by simply rotating the handle 7 of the hair styling appliance 1 by 180° to direct a respective one of the blowing outlets 2, 3 towards the hair to be treated, in a preferred case, wherein the blowing head 10 is fixedly connected to the handle 7 and wherein the air guide member 18 is rotatable relative to the blowing head 10 and the handle 7.

[0094] Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 further comprises an indicator system comprising a visual selection indicator to provide the user with visual information about which of the blowing modes has been selected. The implementation of such an indicator system is more interesting in a preferred case, as shown in the example in the figures, in which the button 33 of the control mechanism is a monostable button, i.e. the button occupies always the same rest position regardless of the operating mode of the appliance 1. As in the embodiment shown in the figures, the indicator system may be a mechanical indicator system, i.e. an indicator system whose state change is controlled in a purely mechanical manner to reflect the selected blowing mode. In this respect, the indicator system preferably comprises at least one opening 53A, 53B (through hole, possibly closed by a transparent element) formed in the face of the button 33 of the control mechanism and an indication portion 54, which is at least partially accommodated in a free space provided inside the button 33 and is movably mounted relative to said opening 53A, 53B so as to be visible or invisible through said opening 53A, 53B, or visible in a different manner (from the outside of the appliance 1), according to which the blowing mode is selected. Advantageously, the face of the button 33 forming said opening 53A, 53B is the face visible to the user whatever the selected blowing mode. Even more advantageously, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, said face of the button 33 carries its above-mentioned contact portion 34. Even more preferably, the indicator system comprises at least two (discrete) openings 53A, 53B, said openings being arranged in said side of the button 33, said indicating portion 54 being movably mounted relative to the button 33 such that it is visible or not, or visible in a different way (from the outside of the appliance 1), alternately through either of the openings 53A, 53B, depending on the selected blowing mode. More generally, the indicator system may advantageously comprise as many openings 53A, 53B as the hair styling appliance 1 has different blowing modes. The openings 53A, 53B may have the same shape ( Fig.19 ) or discrete, distinct shapes.

[0095] For example, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the indicating portion 54 can be mechanically connected to the air guide member 18 by means of a rotating connection portion 42 and is rotationally fixed relative to the latter in such a way that a rotation of the rotating connection portion 42 causes a co-rotation of the indicating portion 54. The indicating portion 54 can advantageously comprise at least one arm or disc 55 extending radially relative to the axis of rotation of the indicating portion 54 and having an upper side pointing towards the side of the bearing opening 53A, 53B of the button 33, the region 56 of which is coloured (or marked in another way). The coloured region 56 then forms the visual selection indicator. The rotating connection portion 42 is advantageously prevented from rotating relative to the air guide member 18, the axis of rotation of the rotating connection portion 42 coinciding with the corresponding axis of rotation D-D' of the air guide member 18, so that a rotation of the predetermined rotation angle of the air guide member 18 causes a corresponding rotation of the indicating portion 54 by the same predetermined rotation angle. The openings 53A, 53B are advantageously constructed and arranged such that:

[0096] - When the air guide member 18 adopts the first air guide configuration, the colored area 56 on the disc 55 of the indicator portion 54 is located at a position opposite to one of the openings 53A, 53B, so that the user can see the colored area through the opening ( Fig.19 , left side), then

[0097] - When the air guide member 18 adopts the second air guide configuration by rotating the predetermined rotation angle, the colored area 56 is positioned relative to the other of the openings 53A, 53B, so that the user can see the colored area through the opening ( Fig.19 , right side).

[0098] As already mentioned above, in the example shown in the figures the predetermined angle of rotation is 180° and, when the air guide member 18 rotates 360° about its axis of rotation D-D' under two consecutive pushes applied to the button 33, it advantageously changes the angular configuration twice by alternating between said first and second air guide configurations. As shown, the openings 53A, 53B are advantageously arranged on either side of the coincident axis of rotation of the air guide member 18, the rotary connection 42 and the indicator portion 54. Here, the indicator portion 54 comprises a disc 55 extending radially relative to the axis of rotation of the indicator portion 54 and having an area 56 on the side of the disc directed towards the button 33 bearing the openings 53A, 53B, for example occupying half of the upper surface of the disc.

[0099] Of course, other designs and configurations of the indicator system are also conceivable. In particular, it is also conceivable to implement an indicator system that includes an illuminated visual selection indicator and is thus electrically controlled. Furthermore, although in the embodiment shown in the figures the visual selection indicator is visible from the top of the blowing head 10 of the hair styling appliance 1, it can also be advantageously provided that the indicator system includes an illuminated or non-illuminated visual selection indicator that is also visible on that side of the first face 4 and the second side 5 that carries the blowing outlets 2, 3 corresponding to the selected blowing mode, in this way making the hair styling appliance 1 more convenient and intuitive to use.

[0100] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", "fifth", "sixth", "seventh" and "eighth" used above do not introduce any technical limitations or indicate any degree of order or relative importance, but are only for the convenience of understanding the present invention. Therefore, these terms can be omitted without causing confusion.

Claims

1. A portable hair styling appliance (1), comprising a handle (7) and a blowing head (10) connected to the handle (7), the blowing head (10) comprising a housing (6A) and carrying first and second blowing outlets (2, 3) for blowing an air flow (F) out of the hair styling appliance (1), - a blower module (13) for generating the air flow (F), an air guide member (18) comprising an air inlet (19) ventilatedly connected to the blower module (13), and the air flow (F) enters the air guide member (18) along an average entry direction through the air inlet, the air guide member (18) being movably mounted in the housing (6A) of the blowing head (10) between at least a first air guide configuration and a second air guide configuration, in which the air guide member (18) guides the air flow (F) toward the first air flow outlet (2), and in which the air guide member (18) guides the air flow (F) toward the second blowing outlet (3), - a control system mechanically connected to the air guide member (18) to control each switching of the air guide member (18) from one to the other of the first and second air guide configurations, The blowing head (10) extends along an average extension axis (BB') between a lower end and a free upper end, the blowing head (10) is connected to the handle (7) at the lower end, the housing (6A) of the blowing head (10) comprises a first part (10A) and a second part (10B), the first part extending along the average extension axis (BB') from the lower end toward the free upper end and an air guide member (18) is arranged in the first part, the second part extending the first part (10A) along the average extension axis (BB') and defining the free upper end, and the control system is arranged in the second part, The housing (6A) of the blowing head (10) has an inner surface (21) which carries at least one first peripheral wall (22), the control system comprising a portion (23) arranged immovably relative to the housing (6A) and remote from the free upper end of the blowing head (10), and carrying at least one second peripheral wall (24), the first peripheral wall (22) being arranged to be in contact with the second peripheral wall (24) and to overlap the latter's surface in order to prevent air from the airflow (F) from passing from the first portion (10A) through the second portion (10B) along an average direction parallel to the average entry direction of the airflow (F).

2. A hair styling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The air guide member (18) is mounted for rotation within the housing (6A) of the blowing head (10) between the first and second air guide configurations.

3. A hair styling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The average entry direction of the air flow is parallel to or coincides with the average extension axis (BB') of the blowing head (10), and the first and second peripheral walls (22, 24) each extend along an average extension plane orthogonal to the average extension axis (BB') of the blowing head (10).

4. A hair styling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a heating element to increase the temperature of the air flow (F) generated by the blower module (13).

5. A hair styling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The control system comprises a manual control member, such as a button (33) or a thumb wheel, to enable a user to act on the control system.

6. Hair styling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The fixed part (23) of the control system forms a guide and / or fastening part for the manual control member.

7. A hair styling appliance (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein: The control system is a push-push button (33) control mechanism.

8. Hair styling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The blowing head (10) comprises a housing (35) provided with an access opening (36) defining the free upper end of the blowing head (10), and wherein the button (33) of the push-push button (33) control mechanism is mounted for translation towards the interior of the housing (35) between a first stop position, referred to as the release position, and a second stop position, referred to as the pressed position, in which the contact portion (34) of the button (33) is arranged inside the housing (35).

9. Hair styling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The housing (35) has a guide portion for guiding the button (33), the guide portion being delimited by a tubular side wall (37), the inner surface (21) of the housing (6A) of the blowing head (10) carrying at least a third peripheral wall (38), the tubular side wall (37) carrying at least a fourth peripheral wall (39), the third and fourth peripheral walls (38, 39) being arranged in contact with each other and overlapping each other in order to prevent the passage of air from the airflow (F) towards the free upper end of the blowing head (10) along an average direction parallel to the average entry direction of the airflow (F).

10. Hair styling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The tubular side wall (37) extends from a lower end (40) towards the access opening (36), and the lower end (40) of the tubular side wall (37) is arranged as follows: in contact with the upper surface of the first peripheral wall (22), the second peripheral wall (24) being arranged in contact with the opposite lower surface of the first peripheral wall (22) and at least partially overlapping the latter, or - in contact with an upper surface of the second peripheral wall (24), the first peripheral wall (22) being arranged in contact with an opposite lower surface of the second peripheral wall (24) and at least partially overlapping said lower surface.

11. A hair styling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The air guide member (18) comprises at least one air guide outlet (20), and preferably only one air guide outlet (20), through which the air flow (F) leaves the air guide member (18) along an average air outlet direction secant to the average air inlet direction.

12. A hair styling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising an inner flow-guiding device (27) defining a first flow-guiding portion (28) for ensuring air-conducting communication between an air-guiding outlet (20) of the air-guiding member (18) and the first blow-off outlet (2) when the air-guiding member (18) adopts the first air-guiding configuration, and a second flow-guiding portion (28) for ensuring air-conducting communication between the air-guiding outlet (20) and the second air-guiding outlet (3) when the air-guiding member (18) adopts the second air-guiding configuration, the inner flow-guiding device (27) being fixedly arranged in the housing (6A) of the blow-drying head (10), the air-guiding member (18) being movably arranged in the inner flow-guiding device (27) between the first air-guiding configuration and the second air-guiding configuration.

13. Hair styling appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The internal flow-guiding device (27) has an upper portion of an outer surface (47), the inner surface (21) of the housing (6A) of the blowing head (10) carrying a fifth peripheral wall (48), the upper portion of the outer surface (47) being arranged in contact with the fifth peripheral wall (48) and at least partially overlapping the latter.

14. A hair styling appliance (1) according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein: The internal flow-guiding device (27) has a lower portion of an outer surface (49), the inner surface (21) of the housing (6A) of the blowing head (10) carrying a sixth peripheral wall (50), the lower portion of the outer surface (49) being arranged in contact with the sixth peripheral wall (50) and at least partially overlapping the latter in order to prevent the passage of air from the airflow (F) towards the handle (7) along an average direction parallel to the average entry direction of the airflow (F).

15. A hair styling appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The hair dryer module (13) is arranged in the handle (7) or assembled to the handle (7) at a second end (9) of the handle (7), the second end being opposite to a first end (8) of the handle (7) at which the blow head (10) is connected to the handle, the hair styling appliance (1) comprising a guide channel (15) at least partially arranged in the handle (7) for guiding the air flow (F), the guide channel (15) having an air outlet end (26), the air inlet (19) of the air guide member (18) being connected to the air outlet, the inner surface (21) of the housing (6A) of the blow head (10) carrying air outlets (26) spaced apart and extending along the blow head (10) ), the guide channel (15) carrying eighth peripheral walls (52A, 52B) spaced apart and staggered along the average extension axis (BB') of the blowing head (10), each of the seventh peripheral walls (51A, 51B) being arranged to contact with one of the corresponding eighth peripheral walls (52A, 52B) and at least partially overlap with the latter in surface, so as to prevent air from the air flow (F) from passing from the first part (10A) of the housing (6A) of the spray head (10) towards the handle (7) along an average direction parallel to the average entry direction of the air flow (F).

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