Hair care equipment

Abstract

The hair care device 10 includes a barrel 11 having an outer surface 14 and a housing 12 mountable to the barrel. The housing 12 includes sidewalls 25 extending around the barrel 11, such that a hair receiving space 13 is defined between the sidewalls 25 and the barrel 11 for receiving hair wrapped around the outer surface 14 of the barrel 11 during use. The sidewalls 25 of the housing 12 include a first wall portion 26 and a second wall portion 27 movable relative to each other between an open position and a clamped position. In the open position, an opening 28 is formed in the sidewalls 25 for a passage for hair to enter the hair receiving space 13. In the clamped position, hair extending through the opening 28 is clamped between the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Hair care devices are known to be used for styling hair. One type of hair care device is a curling iron, typically used for curling hair. In use, the user rolls the curling iron (which is usually cylindrical) around a section of hair to wrap the hair around it. This can be done when the hair is wet or hot. As the hair is wrapped around the curling iron and allowed to cool, it conforms to the shape of the iron. When the hair is released from the curling iron, this results in curls or waves in the hair. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In a first aspect, a hair care device is disclosed, comprising:

[0003] A cylindrical body having an outer surface and one or more fluid outlets, each fluid outlet arranged to discharge fluid across the outer surface to allow fluid to flow in a circumferential direction around the cylindrical body; and

[0004] The outer casing is mountable to the barrel and includes sidewalls extending around the barrel such that a hair receiving space is defined between the sidewalls and the barrel for accommodating hair when it wraps around the outer surface of the barrel during use.

[0005] In use, one or more fluid outlets draw hair onto the outer surface of the barrel (i.e., using the Coanda effect). This wraps the hair around the barrel as the user moves the device along a strand of hair. Therefore, unlike traditional curling irons, this first-party hair care device requires minimal rotational movement of the barrel and minimal tension on the user's hair. This reduces the manual effort required to wrap the hair around the barrel, making the device easier and faster for the user to use.

[0006] As can be understood, when a fluid is heated (e.g., heated air), hair can be heated as it wraps around a barrel. Heating the hair alters its chemical structure, allowing it to change shape more easily (i.e., to change to the diameter of the barrel) by allowing it to cool on the barrel (in which case, it is easier to curl around the barrel). When the hair cools, the structure "sets," meaning the hair retains its newly applied shape.

[0007] The outer shell extending around the barrel (and, during use, around the hair wrapped around it) helps retain heat within the hair-receiving space. This means the hair remains heated for a longer period, which aids in hair reshaping. Similarly, the outer shell promotes more concentrated vortices of fluid flow around the barrel. This helps generate more swirling forces, allowing the hair to wrap more tightly around the barrel.

[0008] In a second aspect, a hair care device is disclosed, comprising:

[0009] A cylindrical body with an outer surface; and

[0010] The outer casing is mountable to the barrel and includes sidewalls extending around the barrel, such that a hair receiving space is defined between the sidewalls and the barrel for accommodating hair wrapped around the outer surface of the barrel during use;

[0011] The sidewall of the housing includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, which are movable relative to each other between the following positions:

[0012] In the open position, an opening is formed in the sidewall for allowing hair to enter the hair receiving space; and

[0013] In the clamping position, hair extending through the opening is clamped between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0014] The movable first and second wall sections provide a convenient means of holding the hair care device in the user's hair.

[0015] In at least one use of the hair device, while a bundle of hair is wrapped around the barrel, the user can heat the bundle of hair (e.g., through the barrel or otherwise). The user can then move the wall portion to the clamping position to hold the hair device in place on the bundle of hair by clamping it. This allows the user to keep the hair wrapped around the barrel to cool while performing other activities, such as attaching additional hair devices to their hair. In other words, the second aspect of the hair device allows for passive styling of the user's hair.

[0016] When the hair device is held in place on a strand of hair, the casing helps retain heat within the hair. In this respect, the casing provides a dual function: heat retention and a clamping function. This simplifies the user experience, as it eliminates the need for a separate device to hold the device in their hair.

[0017] In a third aspect, a hair care device is provided, comprising:

[0018] A cylindrical body having an outer surface on which hair becomes entangled during use; and

[0019] A housing defining a cavity, the cylindrical body being received within the cavity, the housing comprising:

[0020] Sidewalls that extend around the cylinder when the cylinder is received in the cavity;

[0021] Lateral openings in the sidewalls allow hair to enter the cavity and wrap around the tube; and

[0022] An end opening for receiving the cylinder into the cavity, wherein a portion of the end opening is continuous with the lateral opening.

[0023] Providing continuous end and side openings allows the tube to be removed from the cavity of the housing without first untangling the hair from the tube.

[0024] In use, the end (i.e., the tip) of a bundle of hair is inserted into the side opening and wrapped around the barrel (i.e., the portion of the bundle of hair that extends through the side opening). A hair receiving space is defined between the side wall and the barrel to accommodate hair wrapped around the outer surface of the barrel during use.

[0025] After the hair has been styled (i.e., shaped / curled), the user can remove the barrel from the cavity through the end opening. By providing continuous side openings and end openings, the portion of the hair strand extending through the side openings can be removed along with the barrel when it is removed from the cavity.

[0026] In other words, the user does not need to remove the hair strands from the tube first, and then remove the tube from the casing (the hair can be removed together with the tube). This means that the hair strands (i.e., in a curled state) can slide out from the end of the tube (i.e., once both are removed from the end of the tube), without having to pull the hair out from the side of the tube and through the side opening, which could ruin the already applied hairstyle.

[0027] Each of the devices of the first, second, or third aspect may include one or more features of the device of the other of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0028] Therefore, for example, the cylinder of the second and / or third aspect may include one or more fluid outlets, each fluid outlet being arranged to discharge fluid across the outer surface in a circumferential direction around the cylinder.

[0029] The sidewalls of the housing in the first and / or third aspects may include a first wall portion and a second wall portion that are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, an opening may be formed in the sidewalls for allowing hair to enter the hair receiving space. In the clamping position, hair extending through the (lateral) opening may be clamped between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0030] The housing of the first and / or second aspect may include lateral openings in the sidewalls for allowing hair to enter the cavity to wrap around the tube (when present, these may be openings formed when the first and second wall portions are in the open position). The housing may also include end openings for receiving the tube into the cavity, and a portion of the end openings may be continuous with the lateral openings.

[0031] The optional features of the first, second, and third aspects will now be described. These can be applied individually or in any combination with any aspect.

[0032] Each fluid outlet may include a slot. Each slot may be elongated in the direction of extension of the cylinder (i.e., substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the cylinder). Each slot may extend along a helical path around the cylinder.

[0033] Each fluid outlet may additionally include multiple holes and / or slots arranged in rows.

[0034] Each outlet can be used to discharge a gas stream (i.e., it can be a gas stream outlet). In other embodiments, each outlet can be configured to discharge, for example, steam.

[0035] The cylinder may include a plurality of fluid outlets (e.g., slots) spaced apart in a circumferential direction around the cylinder. The plurality of fluid outlets (e.g., slots) may be evenly distributed around the cylinder.

[0036] Each outlet can be configured such that the fluid discharged from the outlet flows along the outer surface via the Coanda effect. That is, each outlet can be configured such that the fluid discharged from it adheres to the outer surface of the cylinder so as to flow along at least a portion of the outer surface. Each outlet can be arranged to discharge fluid in a direction substantially tangential to the outer surface.

[0037] The cylinder may include internal channels in fluid communication with one or more outlets. Therefore, the cylinder may be hollow. The channels may be pressurization chambers, from which each of the one or more fluid outlets receives fluid.

[0038] The cylinder may include multiple overlapping blades. Each outlet may be defined between a pair of overlapping blades (i.e., may be provided by the gap between the overlapping blades). Each blade may be convex. Each blade may include a convex outer surface. Each outlet may be arranged to discharge fluid flow across the corresponding convex outer surface of the blade.

[0039] When received in a cavity, the cylinder can taper gradually in the direction away from the end opening (if present) of the outer shell.

[0040] The cylinder can extend from the proximal end to the distal end along its longitudinal axis. The cylinder can taper from the proximal end to the distal end. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cylinder (taken along a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) can be larger at the proximal end than at the distal end. The cross-sectional area can gradually decrease from the proximal end to the distal end. The cross-sectional area can decrease in a non-linear manner. Therefore, for example, the outer surface of the cylinder can be concave along the length of the cylinder from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0041] To avoid ambiguity, the further reference to "transverse" in this article refers to a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

[0042] The proximal end of the cylinder may include an engagement portion for releasable mounting to the housing. The engagement portion may be configured to engage the housing at or near the end opening of the housing. The cylinder may extend from the base at or near the end opening of the housing to a free end (i.e., the end of the cylinder opposite the end opening may be a free end).

[0043] A magnetic connection can be provided between the cylinder and the outer shell. The magnetic connection can be located at the distal end of the cylinder (and a corresponding portion of the outer shell near the distal end of the cylinder). One of the cylinder and the outer shell may include a magnet, and the other may include a ferromagnetic material or a magnet. For example, a magnet may be located at the end of the outer shell near the distal end of the cylinder, and the distal end of the cylinder may include a ferromagnetic material or a magnet. This magnetic connection can help retain the cylinder within the outer shell.

[0044] The cylinder can be formed from a polymer containing metal additives (e.g., polyamide with metal additives, such as polyamide 12 with aluminum compound additives).

[0045] When the outer shell is installed onto the cylinder, the sidewalls of the outer shell can extend substantially entirely around the cylinder. The sidewalls can be tubular. The sidewalls can have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape (i.e., cut perpendicular to the central axis of the sidewall), or they can have other cross-sectional shapes, such as triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, elliptical, etc.

[0046] The housing may include vents for discharging fluid from the hair receiving space. The vents may be formed in the sidewalls. The arrangement of the vents ensures that fluid discharged from the barrel (i.e., when the barrel is of a type including one or more outlets) can escape from the interior of the housing.

[0047] Vents also facilitate the formation of a primary fluid flow path, along which most of the fluid flows (i.e., from the cylinder to the vent). This promotes laminar flow rather than turbulent flow, which would otherwise ruin the styling the hair given by the device.

[0048] When the device includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the vent can be formed in either the first wall portion or the second wall portion. When in the closed position, the vent can be partially or completely blocked by the other of the first and second wall portions. This helps to retain heat inside the housing when in the closed position.

[0049] Louvers can extend through the vents to guide fluid flow through them. Each louver can extend across the vent in the longitudinal direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder).

[0050] Each louver may include a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a chord extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Each louver may be oriented such that the chord of the louver is inclined relative to a radial reference line extending from the central longitudinal axis of the cylinder to the louver. Each louver may be oriented at an angle to the radial reference line in the same circumferential direction as the fluid exits the cylinder.

[0051] More generally, each louver can be arranged to align with the fluid flow path extending spirally from the cylinder (i.e., to align the chords).

[0052] This louver geometry helps to expel the radial flow component of the fluid from the casing.

[0053] The cross-sectional area of ​​the vent can be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the lateral openings in the sidewalls of the casing. For the avoidance of ambiguity, the cross-sectional area of ​​the vent is considered to be the opening area of ​​the vent (i.e., the area through which fluid can flow). This arrangement ensures that most of the fluid leaves the casing through the vent, rather than through the lateral openings, which would otherwise cause backflow and significantly irritate the hair during the hair entanglement process. Therefore, discharging fluid from the casing in this way helps to entangle the hair tightly around the casing via the Coanda effect.

[0054] The cross-sectional area of ​​the vent can be 35cm² 2 and 110cm 2 Between, or for example at 50cm 2 and 95cm 2 Between, or for example at 65cm 2 and 80cm 2 Between. The cross-sectional area of ​​the lateral opening (i.e., when fully open) can be 15cm. 2 and 75cm 2 Between, or for example at 35cm 2 and 65cm 2 between.

[0055] The vent can extend to essentially the entire length of the sidewall (i.e., the length obtained in the longitudinal direction).

[0056] The vent can extend circumferentially between 25% and 80% of the circumference of the circle extending around the cylinder, or for example between 30% and 70% (e.g., about 50% of the circumference of the cylinder).

[0057] The vent can be located on the side of the housing opposite to the side opening. The vent can be diametrically opposite to the side opening.

[0058] When the sidewall comprises a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion and the second wall portion are movable relative to each other in the circumferential direction around the cylinder. The first wall portion and the second wall portion may be arc-shaped (i.e., may have an arc-shaped profile truncated in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the cylinder). One or both of the first wall portion and the second wall portion may have a transverse profile forming a dominant arc of a circle.

[0059] The first and second wall sections can rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The first and second wall sections can slide relative to each other.

[0060] The first wall section and the second wall section can be arranged concentrically with each other. The first wall section and the second wall section can share a central axis, which can be coaxial with the central axis of the cylinder.

[0061] Each of the first and second wall portions may include clamping surfaces. In use, in the clamped position, the clamping surfaces may be brought toward each other (i.e., by relative movement of the wall portions) to clamp the hair therebetween. In the open position, the clamping surfaces may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction (e.g., to define a lateral opening therebetween). The clamping surfaces may be substantially planar. This minimizes or avoids any damage to the user's hair when it is clamped between the clamping surfaces.

[0062] One of the first wall portion and the second wall portion may include a stop feature (e.g., a lip) arranged to abut against the other of the first wall portion and the second wall portion when in the open position (e.g., to prevent further movement of the first wall portion and the second wall portion in a direction away from the closed position).

[0063] The device may include a retaining portion configured to hold a first wall portion and a second wall portion in a clamped position. The retaining portion may include a magnet. For example, one of the first and second wall portions may include a magnet, while the other may include a magnetic or ferromagnetic portion. Using a magnet to hold the first and second wall portions in a clamped position avoids damage to the user's hair, which could otherwise be caused by clamping the hair. The retaining portion may additionally include, for example, snap-fit ​​features or protrusions.

[0064] The device may include an additional retaining portion for releasably holding the first wall portion and the second wall portion in the open position.

[0065] In some embodiments, the device may include a retaining portion configured to releasably retain both the first and second wall portions in a closed position and an open position. For example, one or more magnets may be disposed on one of the first and second wall portions, and the one or more magnets may engage with a first set of additional magnets or a second set of additional magnets (e.g., disposed on the other of the wall portions), depending on whether the position is open or closed.

[0066] The device may include a cap movably mounted at an end of the housing. The cap may be (e.g., fixedly) attached to a first wall portion or a second wall portion, such that the cap is movable to allow the first wall portion to move relative to the second wall portion. Thus, a user can grasp the cap to move the first and second wall portions relative to each other. The cap's location at the end of the housing reduces the likelihood of the user's hand coming into contact with the heated fluid exiting the housing (i.e., reducing or avoiding user discomfort).

[0067] The cap can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. In this way, twisting the cap (so that the cap rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder) can move the first wall portion and the second wall portion between the open position and the clamped position.

[0068] To facilitate rotation of the cap, a bearing (e.g., a ball bearing) can be provided between the cap and the end wall of the end extending across the sidewall (e.g., the end extending across the second wall portion). In other embodiments, the second wall portion and the cap can be slidably mounted to each other for relative rotation (e.g., may include adjacent support surfaces and configured for sliding contact).

[0069] The cap may include heat-insulating materials. The cap may include, for example, glass fiber reinforced polyamide.

[0070] The hair care device can be configured to be releasably mounted to the hair care device. The device may include a mounting portion for releasable mounting to the hair care device. The mounting portion may be formed part of the body, for example, it may be located at the proximal end of the body.

[0071] The mounting portion can be configured to releasably mount the device to a hair care device of the type that includes an outlet for supplying fluid (e.g., heated air). The mounting portion can be configured to releasably mount the device to the hair care device such that an internal channel of the barrel is in fluid communication with the outlet of the hair care device. In this way, fluid supplied from the outlet of the device can flow into the internal channel of the barrel and then exit from one or more outlets.

[0072] In a fourth aspect, a hair care system is provided, comprising a hair care device as described above (e.g., the hair care device of the first, second, or third aspect), and a hair care apparatus releasably mounted to the device.

[0073] Hair care devices can be releasably mounted to the body of a device (or, for example, mounted to a housing).

[0074] The hair care device may include a device outlet. The device may include a fluid flow generator (e.g., fan, compressor, blower, pump, etc.) for supplying fluid flow (to the device outlet). The hair care device may be releasably mounted to a hair care apparatus such that the device outlet is in fluid communication with one or more outlets and / or internal channels of the hair care apparatus's housing.

[0075] Hair care devices may include a heater configured to heat fluid exiting from the device outlet. A hair care device may be, for example, a hair dryer. Attached Figure Description

[0076] Figure 1A It is a perspective view of hair care equipment;

[0077] Figure 1B It is in the open position. Figure 1A A perspective cross-sectional view of a hair care device;

[0078] Figure 1C yes Figure 1A A perspective cross-sectional view of a hair care device;

[0079] Figure 1D yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of hair care equipment;

[0080] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1A A diagram of the blinds of a hair care device; and

[0081] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1A A perspective view of a hair care device, in which the device's cylinder is released from the device's outer casing. Detailed Implementation

[0082] Figure 1A , 1B The hair care device 10 shown in 1C and 1D is used to provide curl (and, for example, volume and volumization) to a user's hair. The device 10 includes a tubular body 11 and a housing 12 releasably mounted to the body 11. The housing 12 extends around the body 11 such that it defines a hair receiving space 13 between the housing 12 and the body 11 for accommodating hair wrapped around the body 11 during use.

[0083] The cylinder 11 includes an outer surface 14 and a plurality of fluid outlets 15, which are in the form of slots and are elongated in the extending direction of the cylinder 11 (i.e., the outlets 15 extend along the length of the cylinder 11). The outlets 15 are circumferentially spaced so as to be evenly distributed around the cylinder 11.

[0084] Outlet 15 is arranged to discharge fluid (in this case, heated air) across the outer surface 14 of the cylinder 11 in the circumferential direction surrounding the cylinder 11. Specifically, outlet 15 is configured such that the air discharged from outlet 15 adheres to the outer surface 14 of the cylinder 11, allowing it to flow along the outer surface 14 of the cylinder 11 (i.e., via the Coanda effect). In this way, during operation, outlet 15 generates an airflow that flows circumferentially around the cylinder 11, drawing hair onto and around the cylinder 11. Therefore, a user can easily move device 10 along a bundle of hair, and the airflow generated by outlet 15 will wrap around the cylinder 11 (i.e., the user requires minimal rotation of device 10 or cylinder 11). In other words, the hair-wrapping mechanism of the cylinder 11 is provided by fluid outlet 15.

[0085] The cylinder 11 is formed by a plurality of overlapping elongated blades 16 (or blade portions). Each outlet 15 is defined between two overlapping blades 16 (e.g., Figure 1B and 1C As best shown in the diagram, the first edge 17 of each blade 16 provides the inner boundary of the outlet 15, and the opposing second edge 18 of the blade 16 provides the outer edge of the other outlet 15. Each blade 16 has a convex shape, and the outer surface 14 of the cylinder 11 is provided by the convex outer surface 19 of the blade 16 (which may also be referred to as the Coanda surface). The outlet 15 directs airflow onto these convex outer surfaces 19, where the airflow adheres due to the Coanda effect.

[0086] The cylinder 11 extends along the longitudinal axis 20 from a proximal end 21 to a distal end 22, and tapers in the direction from the proximal end 21 to the distal end 22, such that the width (or effective diameter) of the cylinder 11 is smaller at the distal end 22 than at the proximal end 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder 11 tapers in a non-linear manner, such that the outer surface 14 is concave in the direction along the length of the cylinder 11 (i.e., between the proximal end 21 and the distal end 22). As the cylinder 11 tapers, each blade 16 forming part of the cylinder 11 is wider at the proximal end 21 than at the distal end 22 (i.e., each blade 16 tapers from the proximal end 21 to the distal end 22).

[0087] As from Figure 1B and 1CMost notably, the cylinder 11 includes a central fluid flow channel 23 (in this case, an airflow channel). Blades 16 surround this channel 23, and outlets 15 formed between the blades 16 receive the (heated) airflow from the channel 23. In this respect, the channel 23 serves as an airflow pressurization chamber. Thus, the air first flows along the channel 23 in the longitudinal direction, then turns around the longitudinal axis 20 in the circumferential direction and exits the cylinder 11.

[0088] The barrel 11 includes a mounting portion comprising a plurality of protrusions 24 circumferentially spaced apart from each other at a proximal end 21 of the barrel 11. These protrusions 24 engage recesses in a hair care device to releasably mount the barrel 11 (and thus the device 10) to the hair care device. Thus, the barrel 11 can be mounted at the device outlet of a type of hair care device (not shown) capable of generating a flow of heated air through a device outlet. Therefore, this heated air can be received in the channel 23 of the barrel 11 and discharged through the outlet 15.

[0089] This heated air can directly heat the user's hair wrapped around the barrel 11 (i.e., by flowing through the hair). Similarly, the heated air can heat the barrel 11 itself. To help retain this heat, the barrel 11 is formed of a polymer including metal additives (particularly polyamide 12 plastic with aluminum oxide additives).

[0090] The housing 12 also helps to retain heat within the device 10. The housing 12 defines a cavity 51 in which the barrel 11 can be received. Specifically, the housing 12 includes a tubular sidewall 25 and an end cap 32 mounted at the end of the sidewall 25. The sidewall 25 extends circumferentially around the barrel 11 and is radially spaced from the barrel 11 to define a (annular) hair receiving space 13.

[0091] The sidewall 25 includes a first wall portion 26 and a second wall portion 27 arranged concentrically with each other (i.e., around the longitudinal axis 20 of the cylinder 11). Specifically, the first wall portion 26 extends circumferentially around the second wall portion 27. Each wall portion 26, 27 has an arcuate profile (i.e., truncated in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20). That is, each wall portion 26, 27 extends along a path forming a superior arc that extends around the longitudinal axis 20.

[0092] The first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 can be in the open position ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B ) and clamping position ( Figure 1CThe two parts move relative to each other. In the open position, a lateral opening 28 is formed in the side wall 25 of the housing 12 for allowing hair to enter the hair receiving space 13. In the clamped position, hair extending through the lateral opening 28 can be clamped between the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27.

[0093] Specifically, the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 are rotatable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis 20 (i.e., the central axis of the cylinder 11). The first wall portion 26 is rotatable relative to the cylinder 11 about the longitudinal axis 20, while the second wall portion 27 is fixedly mounted to the cylinder 11 (i.e., does not rotate relative to the cylinder 11). In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end face 29 of the second wall portion 27 includes a circumferential groove 30 formed therein. The proximal end 21 of the cylinder 11 includes an engagement portion in the form of an annular lip 31, which is received in the circumferential groove 30 to mount the cylinder 11 to the second wall portion 27.

[0094] In use, rotation of the first wall portion 26 is achieved via an end cap 32 (located at the distal end 33 of the housing 12, near the distal end 22 of the cylinder 11). The end cap 32 is movably mounted at the end 33 of the housing 12. Specifically, the end cap 32 is fixedly mounted to the first wall portion 26 and is rotatable relative to the second wall portion 27 (about the longitudinal axis 20). To facilitate rotational movement between the end cap 32 and the second wall portion 27, an annular bearing 50 is positioned between the inner surface of the end cap 32 and the end wall 34, which closes the end of the second wall portion 27 adjacent to the end cap 32. A first magnet 48 is also provided in the end wall 34, which magnetically interacts with a second magnet 49 in the distal end 22 of the cylinder 11.

[0095] The end cap 32 is made of a heat-insulating material that minimizes heat transfer from the housing 12 to the user's hand when the end cap 32 is held (i.e., ensures that holding the end cap 32 is comfortable).

[0096] Each of the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 includes a corresponding planar clamping surface 35. The clamping surface 35 of the second wall portion 27 is disposed on a radially outwardly extending lip 39 of the second wall portion 27, which abuts against the first wall portion 26 when the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 are in the open position. In use, when the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 are in the clamped position, a strand of hair can be clamped between these clamping surfaces 35. The first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 may be collectively referred to as the clamping portion, which is movable between the open position and the clamped position in use.

[0097] To hold the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 in the clamped position, both the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 include retaining portions comprising magnets 36 embedded in each clamping surface 35. The magnets 36 are configured such that, during normal use, the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 will be held in the clamped position (i.e., by the attraction of a magnet 36 on one clamping surface 35 to a magnet on the other clamping surface 35) until removed by the user (e.g., by rotating the end cap 32). As will be understood, in other embodiments, only one clamping surface 35 may include a magnet, while the other clamping surface may be provided with a ferromagnetic portion.

[0098] In the open position, the clamping surfaces 35 are spaced apart (i.e., in the circumferential direction) to define a lateral opening 28 therebetween. Although not immediately apparent from the figures, the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 can also be releasably held in the open position. This is achieved by a magnet 36 embedded in the clamping surface 35 of the second wall portion 27 and another magnet 36' disposed on the surface of the first wall portion 26 (see Figure 1). Figure 1C The magnetic attraction between the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 provides the rear side of the lip 39 (second wall portion 27) to abut against the surface. In this way, the magnet 36 embedded in the clamping surface 35 of the second wall portion 27 functions to releasably hold the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 in the closed and open positions.

[0099] In this open position, the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 substantially overlap in the circumferential direction (i.e., the second wall portion 27 is substantially completely nested within the first wall portion 26).

[0100] The first wall portion 26 includes a vent 37 for discharging fluid from the hair receiving space 13. The vent 37 is diametrically opposed to the lateral opening 28 (when the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 are in the open position). The vent 37 extends substantially the entire length of the first wall portion 26 in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the vent 37 extends approximately one-quarter of the circumference of the circle extending around the cylinder 11 in the circumferential direction.

[0101] The size of the vent 37 means that, during use, when the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 are in the open position, air will tend to flow out from the vent 37 rather than, for example, from the side opening 28. This helps ensure that the air within the hair receiving space 13 flows in roughly one direction, which can help reduce any damage to the hair being styled. Similarly, by directing air out of the vent 37 instead of the side opening 28, hair extending through the side opening 28 will not be disturbed by the airflow.

[0102] The vent 37 includes two crossbars 38 that extend circumferentially through the vent 37 to divide the vent 37 into three openings. A plurality of circumferentially spaced louvers 40 are also provided, extending longitudinally through each of the three openings.

[0103] Figure 2 The image shows a representative venetian blind 40 (it should be understood that each venetian blind 40 is associated with...). Figure 2 The venetian blind 40 is identical to the one described above. The venetian blind 40 includes a leading edge 41 and a trailing edge 42 (i.e., the trailing edge 42 is located downstream of the leading edge 41 relative to the direction of the airflow 43 passing through the venetian blind 40), and a chord line 44 extending from the leading edge 41 to the trailing edge 42. The venetian blind 40 is oriented such that the chord line 44 is inclined relative to a radial reference line 45 extending from the longitudinal axis of the tube 11. Specifically, the venetian blind 40 is angled to the radial reference line 45 in the direction of the airflow exiting the tube 11. Therefore, more generally, the venetian blind 40 is oriented to align with the natural path of the airflow exiting the tube 11 to the vent 37. This helps maintain a more laminar airflow, which is less likely to damage styled hair during use.

[0104] Back Figure 1A , 1B In addition to 1C, the second wall portion 27 includes an opening 46 that overlaps with the vent 37 when the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 are in the open position. This ensures that the second wall portion 27 does not obstruct the vent 37 when it is in the open position.

[0105] The cylindrical body 11 is releasably mounted to the housing 12 at its proximal end via an interference fit. Specifically, the cylindrical body 11 is mounted at and extends through an end opening 47 of the housing 12 (the end opening 47 is defined by a first wall portion 26 and a second wall portion 27). The cylindrical body 11 tapers gradually in the direction away from the end opening 47 of the housing. When the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 are in the open position, the lateral opening 28 is continuous with the end opening 47. (See regarding...) Figure 3 The best explanation is that this helps to remove hair strands from the hair using device 10.

[0106] In use, the user first attaches the barrel 11 to the hair care device and activates the device to supply treated airflow into the barrel 11. A bundle of hair is inserted through the side opening 28 into the hair receiving space 13 and wrapped around the barrel 11 (e.g., several times). As described above, this wrapping of hair is facilitated by the outlet 15 of the barrel 11. Once the user is satisfied with a certain length of hair wrapped around the barrel 11, they can move the first wall portion 26 to the closed position to clamp a portion of the hair between the clamping surfaces 35. At this point (or even before closing the first wall portion 26), the user can release the barrel 11 from the hair care device.

[0107] This process can be performed using additional hair-related devices (i.e., with...) Figure 1A , 1B The same or similar device as shown in 1C is used repeatedly to apply the hairstyle to the user's hair. The user can then choose to leave the hair device 10 in their hair for a period of time (e.g., to help with styling). During this time, the hair device 10 will be held on the hair bundle by clamping the hair between the clamping surfaces 35 (i.e., between the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27).

[0108] After this period, the user can release the hair clamp by moving the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 to the open position. The user can then remove their hair from the hair receiving space 13. Of course, one option to do this is to simply pull the hair through the side opening 28. However, this risks ruining the hairstyle applied to the hair using the device 10.

[0109] Conversely, in the illustrated device 10, the user can remove the tube 11 from the housing 12, with the hair bundle remaining wrapped around it. Specifically, the tube 11 can be removed from the housing 12 by moving it away from the housing 12 along the longitudinal axis 20 (i.e., through the end opening 47 of the housing 12). At the same time, since the lateral opening 28 and the end opening 47 are continuous (i.e., they are adjacent to each other), the hair bundle can also be removed from the housing 12 without first pulling it through the lateral opening 28.

[0110] Once detached from the housing 12, the barrel 11 and the wrapped hair bundle can be separated by relatively opposite movements along the longitudinal axis 20 (i.e., the wrapped hair can slide out from the distal end 22 of the barrel 11). The tapered shape of the barrel 11 facilitates this release of the wrapped hair. By removing the hair in this way, the damage to the styling applied to the hair using the device 10 is minimized.

Claims

1. A hair care device, comprising: A cylindrical body with an outer surface; and The outer casing is mountable to the barrel and includes sidewalls extending around the barrel, such that a hair receiving space is defined between the sidewalls and the barrel for accommodating hair wrapped around the outer surface of the barrel during use; The sidewall of the housing includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, which are movable relative to each other between the following positions: Open position, wherein an opening is formed in the side wall for allowing hair to enter the hair receiving space; and In the clamping position, hair extending through the opening is clamped between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

2. The hair care device according to claim 2, wherein, The first wall portion and the second wall portion are movable relative to each other in the circumferential direction around the cylinder.

3. The hair care device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first wall portion and the second wall portion are capable of rotating relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

4. The hair care device according to claim 3, wherein, The first wall portion and the second wall portion are arranged concentrically with each other.

5. The hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cap movably mounted at an end of the housing, the cap being connected to the first wall portion or the second wall portion such that the cap is movable to allow the first wall portion to move relative to the second wall portion.

6. The hair care device according to claim 5, wherein, The cap is capable of rotating about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

7. The hair care device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The cap includes heat-insulating material.

8. The hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a holding portion configured to hold the first wall portion and the second wall portion in a clamped position.

9. The hair care device according to claim 8, wherein, The retaining portion includes a magnet or a snap-fit ​​engagement feature.

10. The hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel includes a hair winding mechanism configured to pull hair onto and around the barrel.

11. The hair care device according to claim 10, wherein, The hair winding mechanism is provided by one or more fluid outlets, each fluid outlet being arranged to discharge fluid across the outer surface of the cylinder in a direction surrounding the cylinder.

12. The hair care device according to claim 11, wherein, The housing includes a vent for discharging fluid from the hair receiving space.

13. The hair care device according to claim 12, wherein, The ventilation opening is formed in the first wall portion or the second wall portion.

14. The hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The barrel includes a mounting portion configured to releasably mount the barrel to a hair care device.

15. A hair care system comprising a hair care device and a hair care apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the hair care apparatus including a device outlet and a fluid flow generator for supplying a fluid flow to the device outlet, and wherein the hair care apparatus is releasably mounted to the hair care device such that the device outlet is in fluid communication with one or more fluid outlets disposed on the cylinder of the hair care device.

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