Hair styling appliance with oscillating blower-brush mode

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable hair styling appliance (1) comprising a blow dryer, a head (6) connected to a handle (2), the head comprising a housing (13) fixed relative to the handle, and a working element (14) arranged in the housing, the working element comprising a mechanical hair engaging element (15) and first and second air outlets (18, 19) arranged on either side of the mechanical hair engaging element, the appliance comprising an air guiding member, the working element being rotatable relative to the handle between a position in which a first air guiding outlet of the air guiding member communicates with the first air outlet of the working element and a position in which a second air guiding outlet of the air guiding member communicates with the second air outlet of the working element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the general technical field of hair styling appliances for home use, and more specifically to the field of portable hair styling appliances designed to blow airflow to dry and / or facilitate hair styling. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of hair styling tools, hair dryer brushes are known. These typically consist of a brush head attached to a grip handle, with bristles formed on all or part of its surface. A blowhole is located at the bristles, allowing hot or cold air to be directed from the brush head onto the hair. This type of hair dryer brush allows for some degree of hair drying while achieving one or more styling and setting effects.

[0003] While these known hair dryer brushes are generally satisfactory, they still require improvement. In practice, the styling results that users expect to achieve using the latter are not always easily and optimally realized. These known hair dryer brushes can also have particularly complex designs, which tend to affect their reliability and usability. Furthermore, the lack of compactness in some known hair dryer brushes makes them neither ergonomic nor easy to operate. Moreover, if these known hair dryer brush types of hair styling tools replace several different tools by combining the brush function with the hair drying function, they are particularly unsuitable in practice for achieving satisfactory hair drying, in which case drying must be associated with hair styling or combing. The known hair dryer brush types of hair styling tools themselves do not allow for the efficient execution of multiple different operations of hair drying, styling, and setting; therefore, complementary hair styling tools are often required to satisfactorily perform all desired hair styling operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a novel portable hair styling tool that, while having a particularly ergonomic design, makes it easy to achieve particularly satisfactory hair styling and setting results.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portable hair styling tool that is particularly practical and simple to use, even for users who lack professional hair styling skills.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portable hair styling tool with a particularly simple, reliable and robust design.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to provide a novel portable hair styling tool that is particularly safe to use.

[0008] Another objective of this invention is to provide a novel portable hair styling tool with a particularly compact structure.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portable hair styling tool that allows users to easily and effectively perform multiple different operations without the need for external supplementary hair styling tools.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portable hair styling tool that enables particularly effective hair drying and styling under comfortable use conditions.

[0011] The objective of this invention is achieved through a portable hair styling device comprising a hair dryer module for generating airflow, a manual grip handle, and a styling head connected to the handle, the styling head including... - The housing fixed relative to the handle, and - A working element comprising a mechanical hair engagement element and a first air outlet and a second air outlet, which are different from each other and positioned on either side of the mechanical hair engagement element, the working element being arranged within the housing such that the mechanical hair engagement element at least partially protrudes outside the housing. The appliance includes an air guide member comprising two distinct and spaced-apart air guide outlets for guiding the airflow generated by the blower module in different average directions. The working element is mounted to rotate relative to the handle within a predetermined angular range along a rotation axis between the following positions: - A first angular position, in which the first air guide outlet of the air guide member is in air communication with the first air outlet of the working element, and - Second angular position, in which the second of the air guide outlets of the air guide member is in air communication with the second air outlet of the working element. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent and more detailed after reading the following description and referring to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example only, wherein: Figure 1 An embodiment of the hair styling tool according to the present invention is shown in a front view; Figure 2 The following view shows Figure 1 Hair styling tools; Figure 3 Shown in side view Figure 1 and Figure 2 Hair styling tools; Figure 4 A partially decomposed side-view stereoscopic view is shown. Figures 1 to 3 Hair styling tools; Figure 5 According to section II (see Figure 1 The top view schematically shows Figures 1 to 4 The styling head of the hair styling tool, wherein the working element of the styling head occupies a first angular position; Figure 6 A partial 3D view schematically illustrates the following. Figures 1 to 4 The styling head of a hair styling tool, the working element of which occupies... Figure 5 The first angular position; Figure 7 The top view based on section II is schematically shown. Figures 1 to 4 The styling head of the hair styling tool, wherein the working element of the hair styling tool occupies the second angular position; Figure 8 A partial 3D view schematically illustrates the following. Figures 1 to 4 The styling head of a hair styling tool, the working element of which occupies... Figure 7 The second angular position; Figure 9 The top view based on section II is schematically shown. Figures 1 to 4 The styling head of the hair styling tool, wherein the working element of the hair styling tool occupies a third angle position; Figure 10 A partial 3D view schematically illustrates the following. Figures 1 to 4 The styling head of a hair styling tool, the working element of which occupies... Figure 9 The third angular position; Figure 11 A partial 3D view is shown. Figure 10 The shaping head's working elements have been repositioned to highlight some internal design details. For clarity in the accompanying drawings, [details omitted]. Figure 11 The spring plate return component is visible in the middle. Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 12 The middle part is omitted; Figure 12 The partial 3D view shows some components of the styling head, which are basically the same as those of the hair styling tools in the previous illustrations, except... Figure 4 and Figure 10 The visible spring plate return component has been replaced by a spring rod return component; Figure 13 The top view based on section II is schematically shown. Figures 1 to 4The styling head of the hair styling tool, wherein the air guide component of the hair styling tool occupies the... Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 9 Different air guiding structures are shown, and one of the air guiding outlets of the air guiding member is in communication with the third air outlet of the shaping head, through which airflow is blown. Figure 14 According to section II-II (see Figure 2 The longitudinal sectional view schematically shows Figures 1 to 4 A hair styling tool, wherein the air guiding component of the hair styling tool occupies Figure 13 The air-guiding structure allows airflow to be blown through the third air outlet of the styling head; Figure 15 by Figures 1 to 14 The top view of the hair styling tool schematically illustrates the additional advantageous design elements of the hair styling tool. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The hair styling appliance 1 according to the invention is a portable hair styling appliance designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand. This hair styling appliance 1 is preferably intended for use in a home environment by users lacking specific professional hair styling skills, that is, in terms of hair drying, styling, and setting. Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 is designed for use by the user on their own hair. However, it is entirely conceivable that the hair styling appliance 1 could be designed for use by the user on the hair of a third party.

[0014] The hair styling appliance 1, illustrated by way of example as a non-limiting embodiment, includes a handle 2 (or grip) for manual grasping by a user to manipulate the hair styling appliance 1. The handle 2 generally extends between a first end 3 and an opposing second end 4, preferably longitudinally along a (first) extending axis A-A'. The handle 2 advantageously has an elongated, elongated shape, allowing an adult user to grasp it with their entire hand. The hair styling appliance 1 also includes an advantageously embedded hair dryer module 5 (or "motor-fan unit") designed to generate an airflow F (forced airflow, schematically shown by arrows in the figure) and a styling head 6 connected to the handle 2. The airflow F generated by the hair dryer module 5 is advantageously directed outside the hair styling appliance 1 via the styling head to be directed towards the user's hair. The hair styling appliance 1 is advantageously provided with an air inlet 7 through which ambient air is drawn in by the hair dryer module 5 to be directed towards the user's hair. The hair dryer module 5 typically includes at least one fan actuated by an electric motor, which may be advantageously located within the handle 2 or the styling head 6. However, more preferably, the hair dryer module 5 of the hair styling appliance 1 is assembled to the handle 2 at the second end 4 of the handle, such that the hair dryer module 5 advantageously extends the handle 2 beyond the second end 4 of the handle. Advantageously, the styling head 6 is connected to the handle at the first end 3 of the handle 2. Therefore, the hair dryer module 5 is preferably offset from the styling head 6 and the handle 2. Thus, the size of the hair dryer module 5 can be set to economically generate an airflow F with a high velocity without affecting the overall size of the styling head 6 and the handle 2. Furthermore, this arrangement of the hair dryer module 5 advantageously allows for better balance of the weight of the hair styling appliance 1 by distributing the mass on either side of the handle 2, since the handle 2 is located between the hair dryer module 5 and the styling head 6. This contributes to the comfort of using the appliance 1. In addition, this allows the hair dryer module 5 to be moved as far away from the user's ear as possible, and thus limits the noise perceived by the user's ear during the operation of the hair styling appliance 1. When the hair dryer module 5 is arranged inside the handle 2 or assembled to the handle 2 at the second end 4 of the handle 2, the hair styling appliance 1 can then advantageously include a guide channel 8 disposed within the handle 2. Figure 14 ), so as to guide the airflow F from the hair dryer module 5 to the styling head 6.

[0015] Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 further includes a heating element configured to raise the temperature of the airflow F generated by the hair dryer module 5. The heating element embedded in the hair styling appliance 1 is arranged to be inserted into the airflow F generated by the hair dryer module 5. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the heating element is advantageously positioned within an air guide channel 8 disposed in the handle 2. Figure 14The heating element is typically an electric heating element that operates based on the Joule effect and includes an electric heating resistor formed by conductive wires (not shown) wound around the insulating core 9. Alternatively, the heating element can be housed inside the styling head 6; however, this compromises the compactness of the styling head.

[0016] Advantageously, the hair styling appliance 1 includes a device 10 for manually checking and / or adjusting the electrical operation of the hair styling appliance 1, and in particular the electrical operation of the hair dryer module 5 and / or the heating element. These are adjustment devices of the toggle switch type, push button type, and / or slide or knob speed-changing type, as shown in the example in the figure, which the user can directly act on to electrically start / stop the hair styling appliance 1 and change the rotational speed of the fan of the hair dryer module 5, and thus change the speed / flow rate of the airflow F blown by the styling head 6, and / or the heating temperature of the heating element. When the hair dryer module is assembled to the second end 4 of the handle 2 as shown in the example in the figure, this manual checking / adjustment device 10 can be positioned, for example, at the handle 2 or at the hair dryer module 5. The hair styling appliance 1 may also optionally include a cold air / hot air switch 11, for example arranged at the handle 2, preferably at its first end 3, to control the on and / or off of the heating element. Advantageously, in the construction of a portable electrical appliance, the hair styling tool 1 is preferably powered by a power source via a power cord 12, which has an electrical plug connector (not shown) at its free end.

[0017] According to one variation (not shown), the styling head 6 can be designed to be detachably connected and assembled to the handle 2, allowing the user to separate the styling head 6 from the handle 2, for example, to clean or replace the styling head 6. According to another variation employed in the embodiment shown in the figures, the styling head 6 is designed to remain permanently connected to the handle 2 of the hair styling appliance 1, and therefore is not (during normal use) detached from the handle 2 by the user. This simplifies the design and use of the hair styling appliance 1.

[0018] The styling head 6 of the hair styling tool 1 includes a housing 13 fixed relative to a handle 2, and the outer surface of the housing advantageously defines at least a portion of the overall external shape and profile of the styling head 6. The housing 13 is fixed relative to the handle 2 and is advantageously connected to the handle 2 at a first end 3 such that the housing 13 extends the handle 2 directly beyond the first end 3. The outer surface of the housing 13 thus advantageously defines at least a portion of the overall external shape and profile of the end portion of the hair styling tool 1, which extends the handle 2 of the hair styling tool 1. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the housing 13 may include a plurality of housing elements 13A, 13B, 13C assembled together, for example, by threaded connection and / or by snap-fit ​​engagement. Advantageously, to simplify the design and assembly of the hair styling tool 1 and improve its robustness, all or part of the housing elements 13A, 13B, 13C may form one or more integral pieces with corresponding complementary handle elements 2A, 2B that may be included in the handle 2, for example, two half-shells ( Figure 4 ).

[0019] The styling head 6 of the hair styling tool 1 also includes a working element 14 (or a working "plate" or "pad") comprising a mechanical hair engagement (main) element 15 capable of mechanically interacting with the user's hair for brushing, styling, and / or combing, particularly the hair. The working element 14 typically includes a support member 16 having a support surface 17 oriented toward the outside of the hair styling tool 1 (i.e., toward the hair to be styled), to which the mechanical hair engagement element 15 is secured. For example, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the mechanical hair engagement element 15 may comprise multiple rows or strips 15A, 15B, 15C of bristles and / or brush studs, which are fastened to the support member 16 and preferably project from the support surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the support surface 17. Alternatively, the mechanical hair engagement element 15 may, for example, comprise bristles and / or brush studs integral with the support member 16. The support surface 17 may be substantially planar, or preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, curved toward the outside of the styling head 6. Optionally, the mechanical hair-attaching element 15 is removable, that is, it is configured to be detachable from the rest of the hair styling appliance 1, and particularly from the rest of the working element 14. Thus, the mechanical hair-attaching element 15 can be replaced in case of damage, or even interchanged with another mechanical hair-attaching element, to optimally adapt the hair styling appliance 1 to the user's hair type and desired results. For example, the mechanical hair-attaching element 15 can be reversibly fastened to the support 16 by a sliding assembly, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, wherein rows or strips 15A, 15B, 15C of bristles and / or brush studs are each held in place by a corresponding base received in a complementary-shaped groove provided in the support 16, and the bristles and / or brush studs can be separated from the complementary-shaped groove by sliding in the extending direction of the groove. As in the embodiment shown in the figures, the working element 14 may advantageously include side plates 14A, 14B extending on either side of the mechanical hair-attaching element 15 and the latter's support 16, and laterally defining the boundary of the working element 14.

[0020] The working element 14 of the styling head 6 also includes first and second air outlets 18, 19 (or “first air outlet” and “second air outlet”), through which airflow F may be blown from the styling head 6 to the hair of the user and / or the person whose hair is to be styled. Thus, the air outlets 18, 19 constitute the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the styling head 6. The first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 are distinct from each other, therefore not sequential and discontinuous, and are located on either side of the mechanical hair engagement element 15. Therefore, the working element 14 carries the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 as well as the mechanical hair engagement element 15, the air outlets 18, 19 existing together permanently (rather than alternately or temporarily) and stationary relative to the mechanical hair engagement element 15.

[0021] The working element 14 of the styling head 6 is (at least partially) arranged within the housing 13 of the styling head 6, such that the mechanical hair-attaching element 15 (at least partially) protrudes from the housing 13. For this purpose, the housing 13 includes or at least defines an opening (or recess) designed to receive the working element 14. Advantageously, the working element 14 has an outer surface 20 that defines a first face of the styling head 6 oriented outwards towards the hair to be styled. The outer surface 20 advantageously includes the surface 17 of the support member 16 of the mechanical hair-attaching element 15. The outer surface 20 advantageously includes the outer surfaces of the aforementioned side plates 14A, 14B. The fact that the working element 14 is thus received within the housing 13 of the styling head 6, rather than in front of or above the housing 13, has several advantages. First, the housing 13 thus forms a protective cover for at least a portion of the working element 14, limiting the risk of damage to the working element 14 in the event of mechanical impact to the styling head 6 (e.g., in the event of the hair styling tool 1 being dropped), and the risk of burns to the user when the airflow F from one of the first air outlets 18 and the second air outlets 19 of the working element 14 is hot and comes into contact with the working element 14. The integration of the working element 14 into the housing 13 also allows for limiting the overall size of the styling head 6, and thus allows for a compact design of the styling head. Furthermore, the housing 13 advantageously provides a manual gripping area for the styling head 6 by the user in a typical two-handed hair styling posture, with one hand holding the hair styling tool 1 via the handle 2 and the other hand holding the styling head 6 via the housing 13, thus limiting the risk of mechanical interaction between the working element 14 (which may be hot) and the user's hand holding the styling head 6. Therefore, the hair styling tool 1 has a particularly robust, ergonomic, compact, and safe design. Advantageously, as shown in the example in the figure, the housing 13 (more generally, the styling head 6) extends longitudinally along the average (second) axis B-B' between the lower end 21 and the opposite upper end 22, at which the housing 13 causes the handle 2 to extend beyond the first end 3 of the latter.

[0022] The hair styling appliance 1 also includes an air guide member 23 (or "air deflector" or even "deflector") to guide the airflow F generated by the hair dryer module 5 at least toward the first and second air outlets 18, 19 of the working element 14. Unlike the working element 14, the air guide member 23 is advantageously arranged at least partially (and preferably entirely) in the styling head 6, which contributes to the simple and compact design of the hair styling appliance 1. Preferably, the air guide member 23 forms an air guide conduit (or "air deflector conduit," "deflector conduit," or even "tube") that extends longitudinally from one end of the handle 2 and generally extends longitudinally from the first end 3 of the handle 2, as in the embodiment shown in the figures. The air guide member 23 includes two air guide outlets 24, 25 that are different and spaced apart from each other, and are configured to guide and distribute the airflow F generated by the hair dryer module 5 in different average directions (e.g., in substantially opposite directions). Preferably, the air guide member 23 includes only two air guide outlets 24, 25, which advantageously have substantially the same corresponding effective air passage cross-section. In the case where the blower module 5 is arranged within the handle 2 or at the second end 4 of the handle 2, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the air guide member 23 may advantageously include an air inlet 26 ( Figure 12 and Figure 14 The air inlet is connected to an air guide channel 8 disposed within the handle 2 to collect the airflow F generated by the blower module 5. The air guide member 23 thus advantageously extends the air guide channel 8 beyond the first end 3 of the handle 2. Advantageously, the air guide member 23 can form an air guide duct, as described above, comprising a hollow tube 27 having a generally cylindrical or more preferably truncated conical shape. The hollow tube 27 is open at one end to define the air inlet 26, and then preferably has a substantially airtight wall through which air guide outlets 24, 25 are disposed.

[0023] When the housing 13 is immovable relative to the handle 2, the working element 14 is mounted to pivot relative to the handle 2 (and therefore also relative to the housing 13) within a predetermined angular range, according to the (third) axis of rotation C-C', between the following positions: - At least one first angular position, in which the first of the air guide outlets 24, 25 of the air guide member 23 is in ventilated communication with the first air outlet 18 of the working element 14. Figure 5 and Figure 6 (where the first corresponding path of the airflow F is shown by the arrow), and - At least one second angular position different from the first angular position, wherein the second of the air guide outlets 24, 25 of the air guide member 23 is in air communication with the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14. Figure 7 and Figure 8 (where the second corresponding path of airflow F is shown by the arrow).

[0024] In other words, the working element 14 may occupy multiple different angular orientations (or positions) relative to the handle 2 by pivoting about the rotation axis C-C' within a predetermined and advantageously limited angular range. The working element 14 has a certain degree of rotational freedom about the rotation axis C-C', and therefore may be able to pivot and oscillate relative to the handle 2 within the predetermined limited angular range, while simultaneously blowing airflow F out of the hair styling appliance 1 through one or both of the first and second air outlets 18, 19 of the working element 14. Thus, the interaction between the user's hair and the mechanical hair engagement element 15 of the working element 14 can cause the working element 14 to pivot relative to the handle 2 along the rotation axis C-C' under the pull exerted by the user's hair on the mechanical hair engagement element 15. This will have the effect of selectively blowing airflow F through one or both of the first and second air outlets 18, 19, depending on the direction of brushing or styling, and therefore depending on the direction of rotation of the working element 14 about the rotation axis C-C' toward either of the first or second angular positions. In this way, the airflow F is advantageously always blown from the roots to the tips of the hair as close as possible to the user's hair in its natural direction, without requiring any specific action or reflex from the user other than visually combing his / her hair with the hair styling tool 1. Therefore, the hair styling tool 1 according to the invention can easily achieve particularly satisfactory hair styling and setting effects. Furthermore, considering that only the working element 14 is mounted to rotate relative to the handle 2 rather than the entire styling head 6, the hair styling tool 1 is particularly ergonomic and easy to use, even by users without particularly professional hair styling skills. In fact, the inertia of the styling head 6 is relatively low because only the mass of the working element 14 is rotated so that the airflow F blows sequentially through one and the other of the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19. Furthermore, this advantageously allows for a particularly robust and compact design of the styling head. Moreover, this design choice allows for defining an internal ventilation circuit that produces relatively limited pressure loss within the limited space within the styling head 6 to optimally blow the airflow F through the styling head 6. This design choice also allows for defining a relatively small predetermined angular range (or angular displacement), which contributes to the ergonomics of the device.

[0025] As shown in the example, the working element 14 is arranged within the housing 13, such that when the working element 14 moves from one of the first and second angular positions toward the other, the side plates 14A, 14B of the working element 14, arranged on either side of the rotation axis C-C', advantageously slide and retract at least partially within the housing 13. This limits the risk of interaction between the aforementioned working element 14 and the user's hand on the housing 13 that holds the styling head 6.

[0026] Preferably, the first and second angular positions are end-to-end positions, and the predetermined angle range includes between 10° and 60°, preferably between 10° and 40°, more preferably between 20° and 60°, and even more preferably between 20° and 40° (e.g., 24°). By optimizing the required rotational amplitude (and thus the tension, duration, and distance exerted by the hair on the mechanical hair engagement element 15) from one of the first and second angular positions, this range of values ​​helps to give the appliance 1 a particularly ergonomic characteristic in use. Thus, the hair styling appliance 1 is advantageously suitable for all hair lengths. Advantageously, the first and second angular positions constitute limit stop positions. For this purpose, the hair styling appliance 1 advantageously includes complementary stop devices designed and arranged to mechanically define the predetermined angle range and thus mechanically limit the range of rotation and oscillation of the working element 14.

[0027] Advantageously, the hair styling tool 1 is designed and configured such that when the working element 14 occupies the first angular position ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 When the working element 14 is in the second angular position, the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14 is prevented from communicating with the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23. The hair styling tool 1 is further advantageously designed and configured such that when the working element 14 is in the second angular position ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 Conversely, when the working element 14 is in the first angular position, it prevents the first air outlet 18 of the working element 14 from communicating with the first air guide outlet 24 of the air guide member 23. In other words, when the working element 14 is in the first angular position ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 The airflow F is only blown out through the first air outlet 18; conversely, when the working element 14 is in the second angular position ( Figure 7 and Figure 8The airflow F is blown out only through the second air outlet 19. Therefore, all the airflow F generated by the hair dryer module 5 can be delivered only by either the first or second air outlet 24, 25 of the air guide member 23, depending on the first or second angular position of the working element 14 relative to the handle 2. This feature advantageously simplifies the design of the styling head 6, improves the reliability of air distribution to the first and second air outlets 18, 19 of the working element 14 by limiting pressure loss, and optimizes the delivery of airflow F to the user's hair for the best styling results.

[0028] The first and second air outlets 18, 19 may be defined by elongated, continuous openings such as slots, or even more preferably by a plurality of different holes arranged in a row, the elongated, continuous openings or rows of different holes extending longitudinally on either side of the hair-joining element 15 along an average direction generally oriented along the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13. However, other configurations and / or orientations of the first and second air outlets 18, 19 may also be considered alternatively. Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 is designed and configured to alternately blow airflow F with the same volumetric flow rate and preferably also the same velocity via the first air outlet 18 or the second air outlet 19. Thus, whether continuous or discontinuous, the first and second air outlets 18, 19 are identical in shape and have the same effective blowing cross-section. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 of the air guide member 23 advantageously have the same corresponding effective air passage cross-section.

[0029] Advantageously, the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14 are shaped and configured to blow airflow F toward the mechanical hair-jointing (main) element 15 of the hair styling appliance 1, as previously described, which is located between the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19. Typically, as Figures 5 to 8As specifically exemplified in the illustration, the first and second air outlets 18, 19 are thus arranged substantially facing each other, located on either side of the mechanical hair-jointing element 15. This construction and configuration of the first and second air outlets 18, 19 advantageously allows airflow F to be blown from the root to the tip of the hair when the hair styling tool 1 is used and the user's hair is engaged with the mechanical hair-jointing element 15. This airflow F from the root to the tip helps to close the hair cuticles and thus helps to improve the appearance and strength of the hair cuticles. This further advantageously helps to make the hair shiny and prevent the formation of curls. Alternatively, or preferably in a complementary manner, the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14 are shaped and configured to blow airflow F substantially tangentially from the hair styling tool 1 to the support surface 17 of the mechanical hair-jointing element 15, which is preferably curved (protruded) towards the outside of the styling head 6. Thus, as specifically illustrated in the illustration... Figures 5 to 8 As illustrated schematically by way of example, the path of the airflow F from one or both of the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 substantially follows the contour of the support surface 17 of the mechanical hair engagement element 15. Thus, under the influence of the airflow F, particularly the Coanda effect, the hair tends to be pressed against the working element 14 of the styling head 6, or at least attracted to it. Even more advantageously, when the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 are further shaped and configured to blow the airflow F toward the mechanical hair engagement element 15, resulting in the hair being pressed against or at least attracted to the support surface 17 of the mechanical hair engagement element 15 under the influence of the airflow F, this helps to improve the hair styling result, and specifically improves the hair styling, combing, and / or straightening effects obtainable using the hair styling appliance 1.

[0030] As shown in the embodiment in the accompanying drawings, advantageously, the first and second air outlets 18, 19 of the working element 14 are each freely disposed in a plurality of different holes formed in a plurality of different protrusions 28 projecting from the outer surface 20 of the working element 14 (in the drawings, only some of the protrusions 28 are referenced to avoid impairing the readability of the drawings). Thus, the first and second air outlets 18, 19 are advantageously discontinuous, as previously described. Consequently, the protrusions 28 advantageously form ridges or teeth that facilitate the separation of hair for better drying and / or shaping, and the blown airflow F is divided into a plurality of different airflows guided as close as possible to the hair via the plurality of different orifices. To enhance the separation effect and to distribute the hair well on either side of each protrusion 28, an auxiliary mechanical hair engagement device (not shown) is advantageously provided between each protrusion 28. The auxiliary mechanical engagement device comprises, for example, clusters of bristles and / or brush studs. The auxiliary mechanical engagement device also contributes to the correct orientation of the working element 14 by absorbing some of the hair tension, as explained elsewhere, which further improves the ease and comfort of using the hair styling appliance 1. In the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the air outlets 18, 19 are also shaped and configured to tangentially blow the airflow F toward the support surface 17 of the mechanical hair-jointing element 15. The air outlets 18, 19 then advantageously form a plurality of air outlet "scoops," i.e., curved conduits, which separate the airflow F and tangentially blow it toward the support surface 17, more preferably toward the mechanical hair-jointing element 15, in order to combine the aforementioned advantageous technical effects. Advantageously, the protrusion 28, together with the housing 13 of the styling head 6, defines a complementary stop 29 to mechanically define a predetermined angular range, and thus mechanically limit the range of rotation and oscillation of the working element 14 relative to the handle 2, as previously described. Figure 5 and Figure 7 ).

[0031] Preferably, the hair styling tool 1 is designed and configured such that the working element 14 can occupy a third angular position, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown in the example, the third angular position is angularly between the first and second angular positions, and the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 are simultaneously in air communication with the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14. Therefore, when the working element 14 occupies the third angular position, the airflow F generated by the blower module 5 can be blown out simultaneously from the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14. Figure 9 and Figure 10Advantageously, the third angular position is located at the midpoint between the first and second angular positions within a predetermined angular range. The rotational amplitude of the working element 14 between the first and third angular positions is the same as the rotational amplitude of the working element 14 between the second and third angular positions (e.g., an amplitude of 12° on either side of the third angular position).

[0032] Even more advantageously, the third angular position is a rest position, and the working element 14 includes a preferably resilient return member 30, which is configured to automatically return the working element 14 to the third angular position when it occupies either of the first or second angular positions. Thus, in the absence of a force exerted on the working element 14 by the interaction between the user's hair and the mechanical hair-engaging element 15, the working element 14 advantageously and automatically returns to the third intermediate angular position, referred to as the rest position. Therefore, the force and amplitude required to rotate the working element 14 by the interaction between the user's hair and the mechanical hair-engaging element 15, which would subsequently be necessary to reach either the first or second angular positions, is advantageously reduced, further improving the ease and comfort of using the hair styling tool 1.

[0033] like Figure 4 and Figure 11 As shown in the example, the return member 30 may include a bending leaf spring 31 (or leaf spring) extending longitudinally between its two free ends along an extension axis orthogonal to the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14. At the central portion, the leaf spring 31 is fixedly fastened relative to the housing 13 of the molding head 6 (and therefore relative to the handle 2), while the lateral portions 31A, 31B of the leaf spring 31 extending from the central portion to the free ends are configured to contact the working element 14 when it is assembled into the housing 13, such that pivoting of the working element 14 along its rotation axis C-C' causes bending of the corresponding lateral portions 31A, 31B of the leaf spring 31. Alternatively, as Figure 12As shown in the example, the return member 30 may include a bending spring rod 310, which is advantageously arranged parallel to the axis of rotation C-C' of the working element 14, so that one end 310A of the spring rod is fixedly fastened relative to the housing 13 of the styling head 6 (and therefore relative to the handle 2), while the opposite end 310B is connected to the working element when the working element 14 is assembled to the housing 13. This variation of the return member 30 has the particular advantage of being less bulky than the variation described above. Obviously, other suitable return members can be considered alternatively, whether elastic (compression spring, torsion spring, etc.) or inelastic (paired magnets, etc.). Advantageously, the return member 30 is arranged outside the airflow F circulating inside the hair styling appliance 1, so that the return member 30 does not cause an interruption to the airflow F, and conversely, so that the airflow F does not interrupt the normal operation of the return member 30, especially when the airflow F has been heated by the heating element of the hair styling appliance 1.

[0034] Preferably, the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14 relative to the handle 2 is parallel to or coincides with the longitudinally extending axis A-A' of the handle 2. Therefore, the kinematics of the working element 14 are simple and reliable, allowing the user to use the hair styling tool 1 with particular intuitiveness. Even more preferably, the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14 is parallel to the longitudinally extending axis A-A' of the handle 2, and is offset and recessed rearward relative to the working element 14 from the longitudinally extending axis A-A'. Therefore, the longitudinally extending axis A-A' of the handle 2 is positioned between the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14 and the outer surface 20 of the working element 14. Figure 3 and Figure 14 This recessed structure advantageously allows for the limitation of a relatively small predetermined angular range (or angular displacement) according to the numerical range already mentioned above, and thus improves ergonomics while maintaining the limited size of the head 6.

[0035] Advantageously, the air guide member 23 forms an air guide conduit, as described above, extending longitudinally from one end of the handle 2, typically from the first end 3 of the handle 2, along a longitudinally extending (fourth) axis D-D', which preferably is parallel to or coincides with the axis of rotation C-C' of the working element 14 relative to the handle 2. More advantageously, the longitudinally extending axis D-D' of the air guide member 23 is parallel to the axis of rotation C-C' of the working element 14 and offset forward relative to the working element 14, thus the longitudinally extending axis D-D' of the air guide member 23 is located between the axis of rotation C-C' of the working element 14 and the outer surface 20 of the working element 14. Therefore, the longitudinally extending axis D-D' of the air guide member 23 is positioned between the axis of rotation C-C' of the working element 14 and the outer surface 20 of the working element 14. Advantageously, the longitudinally extending axis D-D' of the air guide member 23 is parallel to or coincides with the longitudinally extending axis A-A' of the handle 2. Even more advantageously, the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide member 23 coincides with the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. Advantageously, the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13 also coincides with the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. Advantageously, the corresponding longitudinal extension axes A-A' and D-D' of the handle 2 and the air guide member 23, the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13, and the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14 are coplanar in plane P1. These features contribute to the simplicity of designing and operating the hair styling appliance 1, and to its ergonomics and ease of use. However, it is clear that the invention is not limited to this configuration. In fact, for example, it can be alternatively envisioned that the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14 intersects the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2 at an angle, for example, between 5° and 25°, and preferably between 5° and 15°, while preferably parallel to the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13.

[0036] As previously described, the first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 of the air guide member 23 are different and spaced apart from each other, and are configured to guide and distribute the airflow F generated by the blower module 5 in different average directions. Preferably, the air guide outlets 24, 25 are configured to guide the airflow F in substantially opposite directions, as in the embodiment shown in the figures. For this purpose, the air guide outlets 24, 25 are therefore advantageously positioned substantially radially opposite to each other relative to the longitudinally extending axis D-D' of the air guide member 23. Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 13 This construction advantageously simplifies the design of the hair styling tool 1 and optimizes its aerodynamic operation, while maintaining the size of the tool 1, especially the limited size of the styling head 6.

[0037] In the embodiment shown as an example in the figure, and as Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 As is particularly evident, the air guide member 23 forms an air guide conduit comprising a hollow tube 27 having a generally truncated conical shape (as described above), the axis of rotation of which is advantageously formed by the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide member 23. The longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide member 23 here coincides with the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. The respective longitudinal extension axes A-A' and D-D' of the handle 2 and the air guide member 23 themselves coincide with the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13. The respective longitudinal extension axes A-A' and D-D' of the handle 2 and the air guide member 23, as well as the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13, are also parallel to the axis of rotation C-C' of the working element 14. The latter, relative to the working element 14 (particularly...),... Figure 3 and Figure 14 The longitudinal extension axis A-A' is offset and recessed. Furthermore, the corresponding longitudinal extension axes A-A' and D-D' of the handle 2 and air guide member 23, the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13, and the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14 are in plane P1 (particularly...). Figure 3 and Figure 14 The CCP's position is as envisioned above.

[0038] Here, the air guide duct formed by the air guide member 23 is housed within the housing 13 of the shaping head 6 and mounted to rotate relative to the handle 2 to which it is connected. The air guide duct extends via a large base of a truncated conical tube 27 into an air guide channel 8 within the handle 2, at which the air inlet 26 of the air guide duct is located. Thus, the effective cross-section for the airflow F to pass through within the tube 27 decreases along the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide duct as it moves away from the handle 2. The air guide duct advantageously includes two individual air guide outlets 24, 25, each having the same corresponding effective cross-section, disposed through the sidewall of the hollow tube 27, which is airtight. In this embodiment, each of the air guide outlets 24, 25 takes the shape of an elliptical inner cavity extending longitudinally in the plane carrying the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide duct. In this example, the first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 are arranged substantially radially opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide duct. The generally truncated conical shape of the air guide duct 27 advantageously homogenizes the profile of the airflow F, which circulates within the duct 27 along the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide duct and exits via the air guide outlets 24, 25.

[0039] In return, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the shaping head 6 advantageously includes a first tube portion 32 and a second tube portion 33, which are used to ensure ventilated communication between the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 (air distribution duct) and the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 11 As shown, the first and second tube portions 32, 33 can advantageously be defined by an internal tube assembly 34, for example formed by two complementary portions 34A, 34B of the internal tube assembly 34. Preferably, the first and second tube portions 32, 33 are identical to each other and, in particular, have the same effective cross-section of air tubes. The internal tube assembly 34 is housed within the housing 13 of the styling head 6 and is fixedly connected to the handle 2 of the hair styling tool 1 and the housing 13. The first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 of the air guide member 23 are in air communication with the first and second tube portions 32, 33, respectively, and the first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 are arranged to correspond to the corresponding inlets of the first and second tube portions 32, 33. Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 9 Advantageously, the tight rotational engagement of portions 35A, 35B (and particularly the side plates 14A, 14B of the latter) of the inner surface (or “sealing portion”) of the working element 14 with respect to the first tube portion 32 and the second tube portion 33 allows for sealing of the respective outlets of the tube portions 32, 33 in the embodiment shown in the figures. This thus allows for alternating prevention of ventilation communication between the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23, depending on the first or second angular position occupied by the working element 14. Figure 5 ) and conversely, the first air outlet 18 of the working element 14 is connected to the first air guide outlet 24 of the air guide member 23 for ventilation ( Figure 7 Advantageously, the inner surface portions 35A, 35B (or “sealing portions”) of the working element 14 partially seal the respective outlets of the first tube portion 32 and the second tube portion 33 only when the working element 14 occupies the third angular position, such that the airflow F is divided into two equal airflows, each of which is directed to the first and second air guide outlets 18, 19 of the working element 14. Figure 9 ).

[0040] According to an advantageous variation employed in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the styling head 6 further includes a third air outlet 36 (or "third air outlet"), different from the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19, and the air guide member 23 is mounted to be movable relative to the handle 2 at least between the following configurations. - A first air guiding structure, in which at least one of the air guiding outlets 24 and 25 of the air guiding member 23 is in ventilated communication with at least one of the first and second air outlets 18 and 19 of the working element 14, and - A second air guide structure in which at least one of the air guide outlets 24 and 25 of the air guide member 23 is in air communication with the third air outlet 36 of the shaping head 6.

[0041] In other words, the hair styling appliance 1 is designed and configured such that when the air guide member 23 occupies the first air guide configuration, the air guide member 23 can guide the airflow F toward the first and second air outlets 18, 19 of the working element 14 (first operating mode). Figures 5 to 10 Conversely, the hair styling tool 1 is designed and configured such that when the air guide member 23 occupies the second air guide configuration, the air guide member 23 can guide the airflow F only toward the third air outlet 36 of the styling head 6 (second operating mode). Figure 13 and Figure 14 Therefore, the hair styling appliance 1 is advantageously designed and configured such that the air guide member 23 occupies the first air guide structure. Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 9 In the first operating mode, any air communication between the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 and the third air outlet 36 of the shaping head 6 is blocked. Symmetrically, when the air guide member 23 occupies the second air guide configuration (…), Figure 13 In the second operating mode, the hair styling appliance 1 is advantageously designed and configured to prevent any ventilation communication between the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 and the first air guide outlet 18 and the second air guide outlet 19 of the working element 14.

[0042] Preferably, the air guide member 23 is movably mounted to rotate relative to the handle 2 between the first and second air guide configurations, and this advantageously follows a rotation axis parallel to and preferably coinciding with the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotation axis of the air guide member 23 advantageously corresponds to the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide duct formed by the air guide member 23. In other words, the air guide member 23 is therefore advantageously mounted relative to the handle 2 by a pivot connection to be rotatable relative to the handle 2, and the hair styling appliance 1 is advantageously designed and configured to allow the user to alternately select the first and / or second air outlets 18, 19 (first operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1) or the third air outlet 36 of the styling head 6 (second operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1) by pivoting the air guide member 23 relative to the handle 2, through which the styling head 6 will blow out an airflow F. Thus, by rotating the air guide member 23 relative to the handle 2, the user can advantageously move the hair styling appliance 1. - From the first operating mode (or "blow dryer-brush" mode), in which the air guide member 23 occupies the first air guide structure, and the working element 14 can pivot and oscillate between the first angular position and the second angular position to blow the airflow F through one or both of the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the styling head 6. - To the second operating mode, in which the air guide member 23 occupies the second air guide structure, and in this second operating mode, the airflow F is blown only through the third air outlet 36 of the shaping head 6.

[0043] As described above, although the outer surface 20 of the working element 14 defines a first face of the styling head 6, which thus carries the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14 (and thus the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the styling head 6), the housing 13 advantageously defines a second face of the styling head 6, which carries the third air outlet 36 of the styling head 6. In the embodiment shown, the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14, and the third air outlet 36 of the styling head 6, are preferably arranged on either side of the plane containing the average extending axis B-B' of the housing 13. Again, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14, and the third air outlet 36 of the styling head 6, are preferably arranged on either side of the plane P2 containing the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14. Therefore, the first and second faces of the styling head 6 are arranged on either side of the plane P2 containing the rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14. The rotation axis C-C' of the working element 14 and the average extension axis B-B' of the housing 13 are advantageously parallel to or coincide with the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2, and the first and second faces of the shaping head. Therefore, Figure 6 The handle 2 shown is advantageously positioned on either side of the plane containing the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. Therefore, the hair styling appliance 1 is particularly ergonomic and easy to use. In fact, advantageously, by simply rotating the handle 2 of the appliance 1 180°, the user can thus easily and alternately use the hair styling appliance 1 according to either a first operating mode (the first side of the working element 14 / styling head 6 facing the hair) or a second operating mode (the third air outlet 36 / the second side of the styling head 6 facing the hair).

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown in the example, the third air outlet 36 may advantageously have a generally rectangular, elongated opening to blow airflow F in the form of an air film. Alternatively, the third air outlet 36 may have an opening, for example, of a generally circular shape, to blow airflow F in a generally cylindrical or truncated conical shape. Thus, when the air guide member 23 occupies the second air guide configuration position (second operating mode), the hair styling appliance 1 can be advantageously used to dry the user's hair ("hair dryer" mode). Advantageously, the styling head 6 also includes deflecting vanes 37 positioned at the third air outlet 36 (especially... Figure 2 , Figure 13 and Figure 14This is to homogenize the profile of the airflow F blown through the third air outlet 36, and to enable the airflow F to be blown along an average blowing direction, preferably orthogonal to the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. Clearly, the third air outlet 36 of the styling head 6 may have one or more openings, the overall shape of which differs from the shape described above, and when the air guide member 23 occupies the second air guide configuration, the styling head 6 can be more generally used for purposes other than simply drying hair.

[0045] Therefore, the hair styling appliance 1 is advantageously configured as a multifunctional appliance that combines a first "hair dryer brush" operation / use mode with at least one second alternative operation / use mode (so-called "two-in-one" hair styling appliance), which is preferably the "hair dryer" mode as explained in the embodiment just shown in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, specifically according to the selected configuration of the third air outlet 36.

[0046] In the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings as examples, and as in Figure 13 As is particularly evident, the styling head 6 advantageously includes a third tube portion 38 to communicate either the first air guide outlet 24 or the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 (air distribution duct) with the third air outlet 36 of the styling head 6 when the air guide member 23 occupies the second air guide configuration. Similar to the first tube portion 32 and the second tube portion 33 described above, the third tube portion 38 can advantageously be defined by an internal tube device 34, thus constituting a "three-way" internal tube device (or "three-way valve"). Therefore, the air guide member 23 is advantageously mounted here to rotate relative to the handle 2 between the first and second air guide configurations along a rotation axis corresponding to the longitudinal extension axis D-D' of the air guide duct formed by the air guide member 23, and parallel to, and preferably coincides with, the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. Meanwhile, the internal tube device 34 is advantageously fixed and stationary relative to the handle 2.

[0047] Therefore, when the air guide member 23 occupies the second air guide structure ( Figure 13 and Figure 14In the second operating mode, either the first air guide outlet 24 or the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 is ventilated to the third air outlet 36 of the molding head 6 via the third tube section 38 by matching the associated air guide outlet 24, 25 with the inlet of the third tube section 38. The wall of the tube 27 of the air guide member 23 then seals the first tube section 32 and the second tube section 33, while the other of the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 is sealed by the wall section 39 of the internal tube device 34. In this way, any ventilated communication between the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 and the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14 is prevented.

[0048] Conversely, when the air guide member 23 is in the first air guide configuration (especially...) Figures 5 to 10 In the first operating mode, the wall of the tube 27 of the air guide member 23 then closes the third tube portion 38 of the internal tube device 34. Thus, any ventilation communication between the first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 of the air guide member 23 and the third air outlet 36 of the shaping head 6 is blocked. Then, through the corresponding matching of the first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 with the corresponding inlets of the first and second tube portions 32, 33, the first and second air guide outlets 24, 25 of the air guide member 23 are only ventilated to the first and second tube portions 32, 33, respectively. As previously stated, the ventilation communication between the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23 and one or both of the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 19 of the working element 14 depends on the angular position occupied by the working element 14 and on whether one of the corresponding inner surface portions 35A, 35B (or “sealed portions”) of the working element 14 is (partially or completely) sealed to the corresponding outlets of the first tube portion 32 and the second tube portion 33. Figure 5 and Figure 7 ).

[0049] Advantageously, as in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the hair styling appliance 1 is designed and configured to ensure the air guide member 23 can be rotated at an angle equal to 90° from one of the first and second air guide configurations to the other. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, this is made possible in particular by the specific arrangement of the first air guide outlet 24 and the second air guide outlet 25 of the air guide member 23, and the specific arrangement of the inlets of the first tube portion 32, the second tube portion 33, and the third tube portion 38 of the styling head 6.

[0050] The hair styling appliance 1 advantageously includes a control mechanism for controlling the transition of the air guide member 23 from one of the first and second air guide configurations to the other. Preferably, unlike the manually checked and / or adjusted device 10 for the electrical operation of the previously mentioned hair styling appliance 1, this control mechanism thus allows the operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1 to be selected by modifying the air guide configuration of the air guide member 23. According to a preferred variant, namely the variant implemented in the embodiment shown in the figures, the control mechanism is more specifically a control mechanism 40 having a push-button for (mechanically) controlling each transition of the air guide member from one of the first and second air guide configurations to the other. Thus, the control mechanism 40 is designed and configured to convert each push applied by the user (e.g., using the user's finger) to the button 41 of the control mechanism 40 into movement (particularly rotation) of the air guide member 23 from one of the first and second air guide configurations to the other, or at least movement from one of the air guide configurations to the other. This push-button control mechanism 40 helps to make the use of the hair styling tool 1 particularly simple and intuitive, because the simple pushing action performed by the user on the button 41 of the push-button control mechanism 40, each time in the same pushing direction, controls each change in the operating mode of the hair styling tool 1. Therefore, each push applied by the user to the button 41 of the control mechanism 40 advantageously allows a change from the first operating mode of the hair styling tool 1 (first air guiding configuration of the air guiding member 23) to the second operating mode of the hair styling tool 1 (second air guiding configuration of the air guiding member 23), and then from the second operating mode back to the first operating mode of the hair styling tool 1, and so on. As shown, the button 41 of the control mechanism 40 preferably has a push-button arrangement on the housing 13 of the styling head 6 of the hair styling tool 1. The button 41 typically has a contact portion or interaction portion that is used to directly contact the user (e.g., the user's finger) when the user applies a pushing force to the button 41 to control the change of operating mode. Advantageously, without applying any force to the button 41, at least the contact portion of the button 41 protrudes from the outer surface of the housing 13. Advantageously, the button 41 can be arranged on the top of the shaping head 6 opposite to the handle 2, such that the button 41 can move along a linear translation axis parallel to or preferably coinciding with the longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 14 and Figure 15Therefore, the hair styling tool 1 is particularly safe to use because the user will not inadvertently use the hand holding the handle 2 to change the operating mode. However, the button 41 is still easily accessible, for example, by the fingers or palm of the user's other hand. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the control mechanism 40 with a push-push button may advantageously include a rotating connector forming a cam and mechanically connected to the air guide member 23. The button 41 is then fixed to at least one pin forming a follower that engages with the cam, such that each push applied by the user to the button 41 causes the connector to rotate about the axis of rotation of the connector, and causes the air guide member 23 to rotate accordingly by a predetermined angle of rotation, which is generally equal to the angle of rotation required to switch the air guide member 23 from one of the first and second air guide configurations to the other. Preferably, the rotating connector forms a grooved cam, and the direction of rotation of the connector is the same as each rotation of the push applied by the user to the button 41. Obviously, the present invention is not limited to this control mechanism 40 with a push-button, and control mechanisms with different designs, such as simple and suitable knobs, can be alternatively considered to control the transition of the air guide member 23 from its air guide configuration to another of its air guide configurations.

[0051] Advantageously, the hair styling tool 1 includes a visual indicator 42 to (visually) inform the user of the air guiding structure occupied by the air guiding member 23, and thus inform the user of the selected operating mode of the hair styling tool 1. For example, the visual indicator 42 may include two openings 43A, 43B disposed in the freely visible surface of the button 41, and an indicator piece 44 movably mounted relative to the button 41 so that it is alternately visible or invisible through the openings 43A, 43B, or visible in different ways, depending on which of the selected operating modes is chosen. The openings 43A, 43B may have the same shape or different, distinct shapes. To further improve the information provided to the user, each of the openings 43A, 43B may also advantageously be accompanied by complementary visual markers (e.g., [missing information]) that explain the corresponding operating mode. Figure 15 The illustrations or inscriptions "M1" / "M2" in the text are related.

[0052] Industrial applicability This invention can be applied to the design and manufacture of, for example, household hair styling appliances, and more specifically, to the design and manufacture of portable hair styling appliances designed to blow airflow for drying and / or to facilitate hair styling.

Claims

1. A portable hair styling device (1) comprising a hair dryer module (5) for generating airflow (F), a manual grip handle (2), and a styling head (6) connected to the handle (2), the styling head (6) comprising: - The housing (13) fixed relative to the handle (2), and - A working element (14) comprising a mechanical hair engagement element (15) and a permanently present first air outlet (18) and a second air outlet (19) located on either side of the mechanical hair engagement element (15), the working element (14) being arranged within the housing (13) such that the mechanical hair engagement element (15) at least partially protrudes outside the housing (13). The portable hair styling tool (1) includes an air guide member (23) comprising two different and spaced apart air guide outlets for guiding the airflow (F) generated by the hair dryer module (5) in different average directions. The working element (14) is mounted to rotate relative to the handle (2) within a predetermined angular range along the axis of rotation (C-C') between the following positions: - At a first angular position, the first of the air guide outlets of the air guide member (23) is in air communication with the first air outlet (18) of the working element (14), and - Second angular position, in the second angular position, the second of the air guide outlets of the air guide member (23) is ventilated and connected to the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14); The predetermined angle range is the rotation range required to move from the first angular position to the second angular position; The average extension axis (B-B') of the housing (13) and the rotation axis (C-C') of the working element (14) are coplanar in plane P1, the first angular position and the first air outlet (18) are on the same side of plane P1, and the second angular position and the second air outlet (19) are on the same side of plane P1. The appliance is designed and configured to prevent ventilation communication between the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14) and the second air guide outlet (25) of the air guide member (23) when the working element (14) occupies the first angular position, and conversely, to prevent ventilation communication between the first air outlet (18) of the working element (14) and the first air guide outlet (24) of the air guide member (23) when the working element (14) occupies the second angular position.

2. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The first angular position and the second angular position are relative limit stopping positions, and the predetermined angle range includes between 10° and 60°.

3. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The predetermined angle range includes between 20° and 60°.

4. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The predetermined angle range includes between 20° and 40°.

5. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The first air outlet (18) and the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14) are shaped and configured to blow the airflow (F) toward the mechanical hair-attaching element (15) out of the portable hair styling device (1).

6. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The first air outlet (18) and the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14) are shaped and configured to blow the airflow (F) substantially tangentially to the support surface (17) of the mechanical hair-attaching element (15) out of the portable hair styling device (1).

7. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The first air outlet (18) and the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14) are each formed by a plurality of different holes, which are disposed in a plurality of different protrusions (28) protruding from the outer surface (20) of the working element (14).

8. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The first air outlet (18) and the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14) are each formed by a plurality of different holes, which are disposed in a plurality of different protrusions (28) protruding from the outer surface (20) of the working element (14).

9. The portable hair styling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device is designed and configured such that the working element (14) can occupy a third angular position, the third angular position being angularly between the first angular position and the second angular position, and wherein the first air guide outlet (24) and the second air guide outlet (25) of the air guide member (23) are simultaneously in air communication with the first air outlet (18) and the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14).

10. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The third angular position is a stationary position. The working element (14) includes a return member (30) for automatically returning the working element (14) to the third angular position when the working element (14) occupies either the first angular position or the second angular position.

11. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The air guide member (23) forms an air guide duct that extends longitudinally from one end (3) of the handle (2) along the longitudinal extension axis (D-D').

12. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The longitudinal extension axis (D-D') is parallel to or coincides with the rotation axis (C-C') of the working element (14) relative to the handle (2).

13. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The rotation axis (C-C') of the working element (14) is parallel to or coincides with the longitudinal extension axis (A-A') of the handle (2).

14. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The shaping head (6) includes a third air outlet (36) different from the first air outlet (18) and the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14), and the air guide member (23) is mounted to be movable relative to the handle (2) at least between the following configurations. - A first air guiding structure, in which at least one of the first air guiding outlet (24) and the second air guiding outlet (25) of the air guiding member (23) is in ventilated communication with at least one of the first air outlet (18) and the second air outlet (19) of the working element (14), and - Second air guide structure, in which at least one of the first air guide outlet (24) and the second air guide outlet (25) of the air guide member (23) is in air communication with the third air outlet (36) of the styling head (6).

15. The portable hair styling device (1) according to claim 14, the device comprising a control mechanism (40) having a push-push type button (41) for controlling each transition of the air guide member (23) from one of the first air guide structure and the second air guide structure to the other of the first air guide structure and the second air guide structure.

16. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 15, wherein, The push-push type button (41) of the control mechanism (40) having a push-push type button is arranged on the housing (13) of the styling head (6) of the portable hair styling tool (1), and at least one contact portion of the push-push type button (41) of the control mechanism (40) has a push-push type button.

17. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 16, wherein, The push-push type button protrudes from the outer surface of the housing (13) without any push force applied to the push-push type button (41).

18. The portable hair styling tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The mechanical hair-jointing element (15) is removable.

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