Haircare appliance

Abstract

A hair styling device includes a first arm and a second arm spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween. The first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel. The hair styling device includes an airflow generator configured to generate airflow within the device, and the first arm includes an airflow path configured to receive airflow from the airflow generator, and an air outlet for discharging airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel. The hair styling device includes an exhaust flow path configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel, an exhaust outlet in fluid communication with the exhaust flow path, and a plurality of bristles projecting outward from an outer surface of the device, the exhaust outlet being defined in the outer surface of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Hair care tools are typically used to treat or style hair, and some hair care tools can use airflow and / or heat to treat or style hair. Summary of the Invention

[0002] According to a first aspect, a hair care appliance is provided, comprising: a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween, the first arm being movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel; an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow within the hair care appliance, the first arm including an airflow path configured to receive the airflow from the airflow generator and an air outlet for discharging the airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel; an exhaust flow path configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel; an exhaust outlet fluidly in communication with the exhaust flow path, the exhaust outlet being defined in an outer surface of the hair care appliance; and a plurality of bristles projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the hair care appliance.

[0003] By providing airflow into the hair receiving channel, hair received within the hair receiving channel during use can be processed and / or styled using the airflow. Increased flexibility and / or increased user comfort in styling operations can be provided by providing an exhaust flow path configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel, and an exhaust outlet in fluid communication with the exhaust flow path. For example, the exhaust flow path can direct the airflow away from the hair receiving channel / away from the user, and / or to alternative locations that can provide increased flexibility in styling operations. Increased flexibility can be provided relative to an arrangement without multiple bristles by providing multiple bristles projecting outward from the outer surface of the hair styling appliance, for example from the same outer surface defining the exhaust outlet. In general, this hair styling appliance can include increased flexibility and / or increased user comfort in styling operations compared to known hair styling appliances (e.g., straighteners) that include a first arm and a second arm.

[0004] Hair care appliances may include an air inlet through which an airflow generator is configured to draw airflow from the surrounding environment of the hair care appliance.

[0005] Hair care appliances may include a heater configured to heat an airflow generated by an airflow generator. The heater may be located within a first arm, for example, within the airflow path of the first arm.

[0006] The first arm can be configured to reciprocate relative to the second arm.

[0007] A portion of the outer surface of a hair styling tool can be curved. This facilitates styling operations using curved surfaces. For example, using a curved surface makes it easier to apply flicks and / or curls to the hair compared to using a flat surface.

[0008] The outer surface of the hair styling tool can be angled at least 45 degrees. This provides a sufficient degree of flexibility to allow for styling operations. The outer surface of the hair styling tool can also be angled at at least 60 degrees, at least 70 degrees, or at least 80 degrees. The outer surface of the hair styling tool can also be angled at no more than 180 degrees, for example, no more than 150 degrees, no more than 120 degrees, or no more than 90 degrees.

[0009] This portion of the outer surface of a hair care tool can have a constant radius of curvature. This can provide improved shape consistency compared to curved surfaces, such as those with varying radii or curvatures (e.g., surfaces with discrete step changes in radius of curvature).

[0010] This portion of the outer surface of a hair styling tool can have a non-constant radius of curvature. Compared to a constant radius of curvature, this can provide improved and / or alternative styling results.

[0011] Multiple bristles can extend outward relative to a portion of the outer surface of the hair care device. Providing multiple bristles extending outward from such a curved surface allows the hair care device to be used in a manner similar to, for example, a hairbrush that includes a curved surface (e.g., a round hairbrush). Integrating this functionality into the hair care device reduces the need for the user to use additional tools (e.g., hairbrushes) alongside the hair care device.

[0012] The exhaust outlet can be defined within a portion of the outer surface of the hair styling tool. Positioning the exhaust outlet on such a curved surface facilitates the use of the hair styling tool to impart certain styling features to the hair, such as curls or bounce, where the combination of the curved surface and the airflow from the exhaust outlet is used to style and set these features in the hair.

[0013] The exhaust outlet can be shaped to guide airflow along a portion of the outer surface of the hair care appliance.

[0014] Multiple bristles can protrude outwards in multiple rows relative to the outer surface of the hair care tool.

[0015] The exhaust outlet may include multiple holes defined in the outer surface of the hair care appliance. This allows for a relatively diffused airflow compared to arrangements where the exhaust outlet includes, for example, one or more slots. Each of the multiple bristles may extend through a corresponding one of the multiple holes. The multiple holes may be distributed among the multiple bristles, for example, each hole located between adjacent bristles in a row of bristles. The multiple holes may include a 150 mm diameter...2 and 1600 mm 2 The total cross-sectional area of ​​the opening between them, for example, is 182 mm. 2 and 1514 mm 2 between.

[0016] The exhaust outlet may include multiple slots defined in the outer surface of the hair care appliance. Compared to orifices, slots allow for a more concentrated airflow. Each slot extends between two adjacent rows of bristles. Multiple slots may be included within a 150mm radius. 2 and 1600mm 2 The total cross-sectional area of ​​the opening between them, for example, in 182 mm 2 and 1514mm 2 between.

[0017] The exhaust flow path may include an exhaust inlet, which may have a length substantially corresponding to the length of the air outlet. This ensures that the airflow is discharged relatively consistently from the length of the air outlet. The lengths of the exhaust inlet and the air outlet can be measured in a direction substantially parallel to the length of at least one of the first and second arms. The lengths of the exhaust inlet and the air outlet can also be measured in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the hair receiving channel.

[0018] The exhaust inlet may include multiple blades, for example, such that the exhaust inlet is divided into multiple sub-inlets.

[0019] The length of the air outlet may be at least 50% of the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, at least 50% of the length of a portion of the first arm and / or a portion of the second arm defining the hair receiving channel. The length of the exhaust inlet may be at least 50% of the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, at least 50% of the length of a portion of the first arm and / or a portion of the second arm defining the hair receiving channel.

[0020] The length of the air outlet can substantially correspond to the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, substantially corresponding to the length of the first arm and / or the second arm. The length of the exhaust inlet can substantially correspond to the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, substantially corresponding to the length of the first arm and / or the second arm.

[0021] Hair care appliances may include a closed body that defines the outer surface of the hair care appliance, wherein an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet and an exhaust flow path are formed in the closed body.

[0022] Multiple bristles can extend along at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel. This allows multiple bristles to contact a relatively wide hair strand compared to a bristle extending only a shorter length along the hair receiving channel.

[0023] The exhaust outlet can extend along at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel. This allows for a larger distribution of airflow along the hair receiving channel compared to a shorter extension of the exhaust outlet along the hair receiving channel.

[0024] Multiple bristles may be angled together at an angle of at least 45 degrees, at least 55 degrees, or at least 65 degrees around the curved portion of the outer surface of the hair conditioning device. The discharge outlet may be angled at an angle of at least 45 degrees, at least 55 degrees, or at least 65 degrees around the curved portion of the outer surface of the hair conditioning device.

[0025] The length of the outer surface of the hair styling tool may correspond to at least 50% of the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, corresponding to at least 50% of the length of a portion of the first arm and / or a portion of the second arm defining the hair receiving channel. The outer surface of the hair styling tool may include an outer surface of the hair styling tool that covers the hair receiving channel. The length of the outer surface may be measured in a direction substantially parallel to the length of at least one of the first and second arms. The length of the outer surface may correspond substantially to the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, substantially corresponding to the length of the first arm and / or the second arm.

[0026] An air outlet may be located on a first side of the hair conditioning appliance, and an outer surface may be located on a second, opposite side of the hair conditioning appliance. This facilitates styling operations, where hair received within the hair receiving channel can be straightened by airflow from the air outlet within the hair receiving channel, while also being styled through interaction with an exhaust outlet and at least one of a plurality of bristles. The first and second sides of the hair conditioning appliance may be opposite sides of the hair conditioning appliance along the height direction of the hair receiving channel. A plurality of bristles may be located on the second side of the hair conditioning appliance. An exhaust outlet may be located on the second side of the hair conditioning appliance.

[0027] The exhaust flow path can be located within or adjacent to the first arm. Due to its proximity to the hair receiving channel, this facilitates the removal of airflow from the hair receiving channel into the exhaust flow path. The outer surface can include the outer surface of the first arm, or discrete surfaces attached to the outer surface of the first arm. The exhaust flow path can be located below the first arm, for example, in a direction where the air outlet is located in the upper region of the hair receiving channel. The exhaust outlet can be located on or adjacent to the first arm. The exhaust outlet can be located below the first arm, for example, in an orientation where the air outlet is located in the upper region of the hair receiving channel. Multiple bristles can be located on or adjacent to the first arm. Multiple bristles can be located below the first arm, for example, in an orientation where the air outlet is located in the upper region of the hair receiving channel.

[0028] A hair styling appliance may include a main unit and an accessory. The main unit includes a first arm and a second arm, and the accessory includes an exhaust flow path, an outer surface of the hair styling appliance, an exhaust outlet, and a plurality of bristles. The accessory can be releasably attached to the main unit. This allows the functionality of the exhaust flow path, exhaust outlet, and multiple bristles to be selectively provided to the hair styling appliance, and allows, for example, this functionality to be adapted to existing hair styling appliances having a main unit including the first and second arms. At least one of an airflow generator and a heater may be disposed in the main unit. The accessory may include an exhaust inlet.

[0029] The attachment can be releasably attached to the first arm. This allows for a relatively simple arrangement and enables proper positioning of the exhaust flow path to receive airflow from the hair receiving channel.

[0030] The attachment can be releasably attached to the first arm such that the discharge outlet and multiple bristles are located on the second side of the hair-conditioning device. The attachment can be releasably attached to the first arm such that, when the first and second arms are positioned to give the hair-receiving channel its minimum width, the inner wall of the attachment extends substantially to half of the hair-receiving channel. The attachment can be releasably attached to the first arm such that the inner wall of the attachment is substantially abutting against the wall of the first arm defining the hair-receiving channel.

[0031] The accessory may include a first magnetic attachment member, and the first arm may include a second magnetic attachment member for releasably engaging with the first magnetic attachment member. The accessory may include a protrusion or recess for releasably engaging with a corresponding recess or protrusion of the first arm.

[0032] The attachment may include an end wall configured to cover the arm end wall of the first arm when the attachment is releasably attached to the first arm.

[0033] The second arm may include an additional airflow path configured to receive airflow from an airflow generator, and an additional air outlet for discharging airflow from the additional airflow path into the hair receiving channel.

[0034] The hair styling device may include an additional discharge flow path configured to receive at least a further portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel. The hair styling device may include an additional discharge outlet in fluid communication with the additional discharge flow path, the additional discharge outlet being defined in an additional outer surface of the hair styling device. The hair styling device may include an additional plurality of bristles projecting outward from the additional outer surface of the hair styling device. This allows for the provision of discharge and brushing functions at two discrete locations on the hair styling device.

[0035] The alternative discharge flow path may include features substantially the same as the alternative discharge flow path, but is described with respect to the second arm, the alternative discharge outlet, the alternative outer surface, and the alternative bristles. The alternative discharge outlet may include features substantially the same as the alternative discharge outlet, but is described with respect to the second arm, the alternative discharge flow path, the alternative outer surface, and the alternative bristles. The alternative outer surface may include features substantially the same as the alternative outer surface, but is described with respect to the second arm, the alternative discharge outlet, the alternative outer surface, and the alternative discharge flow path. The alternative bristles may include features substantially the same as the alternative bristles, but are described with respect to the second arm, the alternative discharge outlet, the alternative outer surface, and the alternative discharge flow path. The hair care appliance may include an alternative discharge inlet in fluid communication with the alternative discharge flow path.

[0036] The hair care appliance may include additional accessories, such as additional discharge flow paths, additional outer surfaces of the hair care appliance, additional discharge outlets, and additional bristles, which are releasably attached to the main unit. This allows the functionality of the additional discharge flow paths, additional discharge outlets, and additional bristles to be selectively provided to the hair care appliance, and allows, for example, the functionality to be adapted to existing hair care appliances having a main unit including a first arm and a second arm.

[0037] Additional attachments can be releasably attached to the second arm. This provides a relatively simple arrangement and allows for the appropriate positioning of additional exhaust flow paths to receive airflow from the hair receiving channel.

[0038] Additional attachments may be releasably attached to the second arm, such that additional discharge outlets and additional bristles are located on the second side of the hair care device. Additional attachments may be releasably attached to the second arm such that, when the first and second arms are positioned such that the hair receiving channel has its minimum width, the inner wall of the additional attachment extends substantially through half of the hair receiving channel. Additional attachments may be releasably attached to the second arm such that the inner wall of the additional attachment is substantially abutting against the wall of the second arm defining the hair receiving channel.

[0039] When additional attachments and accessories are attached to the corresponding second and first arms, the inner walls of the additional attachments can be positioned substantially opposite to the inner walls of the first attachment. The first arm can move relative to the second arm such that, when the hair receiving channel has a minimum width, the inner walls of the attachments and the additional attachments are abutting each other. This causes substantially all airflow from the hair receiving channel to be diverted through the exhaust flow path and the additional exhaust flow path.

[0040] Additional accessories may include a first magnetic attachment member, and the second arm may include a second magnetic attachment member for releasably engaging with the first magnetic attachment member of the additional accessories. Additional accessories may include protrusions or recesses for releasably engaging with corresponding recesses or protrusions of the second arm.

[0041] Additional attachments may include an end wall configured to cover the end wall of the second arm when the additional attachment is releasably attached to the second arm.

[0042] According to a second aspect, an attachment is provided for releasably attaching to a first arm of a hair care appliance, the hair care appliance including a first arm and a second arm spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween, the first arm being movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel, wherein the attachment includes: a body having an air inlet, an air outlet and an internal flow path extending between the air inlet and the air outlet, the air outlet being defined in an outer surface of the body; and a plurality of bristles projecting outward from the outer surface of the body.

[0043] A portion of the outer surface of the body may be curved in form. A portion of the outer surface of the body may face an angle of at least 45 degrees. A portion of the outer surface of the body may face an angle of at least 60 degrees, at least 70 degrees, or at least 80 degrees. A portion of the outer surface of the body may face an angle not greater than 180 degrees, for example, not greater than 150 degrees, not greater than 120 degrees, or not greater than 90 degrees.

[0044] Multiple bristles can extend outward relative to a portion of the outer surface of the body.

[0045] This portion of the outer surface of the body can have a constant radius of curvature. An air outlet can be defined within a portion of the outer surface of the body. The air outlet can be shaped to guide airflow along a portion of the outer surface of the body.

[0046] Air outlets can be located between adjacent bristles in a multi-bristle system.

[0047] Multiple bristles may protrude outward in multiple rows relative to the outer surface of the body. The multiple bristles may be aligned together at an angle of at least 45 degrees, at least 55 degrees, or at least 65 degrees around a portion of the outer surface of the body.

[0048] The air outlet may include multiple holes, and each bristle may extend through a corresponding hole among the multiple holes.

[0049] Where appropriate, optional features in one aspect can be applied equally to other aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1This is a diagram of hair care tools;

[0051] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A first schematic diagram of the main unit of a hair care device;

[0052] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A second schematic diagram of the main unit of the hair care device;

[0053] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A first schematic diagram of the first accessory of a hair care tool;

[0054] Figure 5 These are schematic diagrams of Annex I and Annex II;

[0055] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A second schematic diagram of the first accessory of the hair care tool; and

[0056] Figure 7 It is illustrated by the diagram. Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the airflow in a hair care device. Detailed Implementation

[0057] exist Figure 1 The image schematically illustrates a hair care device 10 in the form of a hair straightener. The hair care device 10 includes a main unit 12, a first accessory 14, and a second accessory 16.

[0058] Main unit 12 in Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes a body portion 18, an airflow generator 20, a heater 21, a bellows 22, and a first arm 24 and a second arm 26.

[0059] The body portion 18 is generally hollow and cylindrical, and includes an air inlet 28, a user interface 30, and a locking member 32. The body portion 18 has a first end 34 and a second end 36 opposite to the first end 34. A power cable 38 extends into the body portion 18 at the first end 34.

[0060] Air inlet 28 is located at a first end 34 of body portion 18 and includes a plurality of holes formed in the outer surface of body portion 18. In some examples, air inlet 28 is at least partially defined by a removable filter assembly that is removably attached to the remainder of body portion 18.

[0061] The user interface 30 includes a display 40 located on the outer surface of the body portion 18 at a second end 36, and a button array 42 extending along the outer surface of the body portion 18 away from the display 40. A locking member 32 is disposed on the outer surface of the body portion 18, located on the side of the body portion 18 opposite to the button array 42. The locking member 32 is slidable along the outer surface of the body portion 18 to selectively actuate an internal locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the first arm 24 and the second arm 26 into place relative to each other.

[0062] The airflow generator 20 includes a motor 44 and an impeller 46 driven by the motor 44 to generate airflow through the main unit 12. The airflow generator 20 is disposed within the body portion 18. A heater 21 is located downstream of the airflow generator 20. A bellows 22 is disposed within the body portion 18 downstream of the motor 20 and is positioned to receive the airflow generated by the airflow generator 20 in use. The bellows 22 branches into a first duct 48 and a second duct 50, each of which is configured to guide airflow from the body portion 18 into a corresponding one of the first arm 24 and the second arm 26.

[0063] Each of the first arm 24 and the second arm 26 is substantially similar in form, although they are mirror images of each other; therefore, for the sake of brevity, only the features of the first arm 24 will be described here. The first arm 24 is elongated between its first end 52 and its second end 54, wherein the first arm 24 extends generally along the central longitudinal axis CL of the main unit 12. The first end 52 of the first arm 24 is pivotally mounted to the body portion 18, wherein the first arm 24 springs up relative to the body portion 18 toward the open position. The shape and dimensions of the first end 52 of the first arm 24 are designed to correspond to the outer surface of the body portion 18, wherein the shape of the first end 52 of the first arm 24 allows the button array 42 and the locking member 32 to be accessed by the user when the first arm 24 is pivoted to the closed position.

[0064] The first arm 24 includes an internal pressurization chamber 56, an air outlet 58, a magnetic connection portion 60, and a clip receiving portion 62. The internal air chamber 56 is in fluid communication with the first conduit 48 of the bellows 22 and serves as an airflow path within the first arm 24. The internal air chamber 56 begins approximately halfway along the first arm 24 between the first end 52 and the second end 54, and extends to the second end 54 of the first arm 24.

[0065] Air outlet 58 adopts the form of a linear groove, which in Figure 2 The orientation shown extends along the upper region of the first arm 24. The air outlet 58 is positioned at... Figure 2 The orientation shown guides the airflow downwards in the height direction of the first arm 24.

[0066] A magnetic connection portion 60 is located on the end wall 64 of the second end 54 of the first arm 24 and is configured to releasably engage with a magnetic connection portion 92 of the second end 71 of the first accessory 14, as will be discussed in further detail below. A clip receiving portion 62 is located on the outer surface of the first arm 24 and includes a recess shaped and sized to releasably receive a clip protrusion 82 of the first end 69 of the first accessory 14, as will be discussed in further detail below.

[0067] The second arm 26 may also be pivotally mounted to the body portion 18, wherein the second arm 26 springs up relative to the body portion 18 toward an open position. The first arm 24 and the second arm 26 are opposite to each other, wherein the portions 25 of the first arm 24 and the second arm 26 that do not cover the body portion 18 are spaced apart from each other, and the respective inner walls 27 of these portions 25 define a hair receiving channel 66.

[0068] Each of Annex 14 and Annex 16 is substantially similar in form, although they are mirror images of each other; therefore, for the sake of brevity, only the features of Annex 14 will be described herein. The same reference numerals will be used for the same parts / features between Annex 14 and Annex 16. Annex 14 in Figures 4 to 7 It is shown schematically in the diagram.

[0069] The first attachment 14 includes a body 68 and a plurality of bristles 70, and has a first end 72 and a second end 74. The body 68 includes a channel portion 76 and an end wall 78. The channel portion 76 is elongated between the first end 72 and the second end 74. The shape and size of the channel portion 76 are designed to correspond to the lower region of the portion 25 defining the hair receiving channel 66 of the first arm 24. The channel portion 76 is hollow and generally semi-cylindrical, and the outer surface 80 of the channel portion 76 is curved and oriented at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees. It should be understood that when the first attachment 14 is attached to the first arm 24, the outer surface 80 can be considered as the outer surface of the hair styling device. The outer surface 80 has a constant radius of curvature, and its length substantially corresponds to the length of the hair receiving channel 66 and the length of the air outlet 58. In other examples, the outer surface 80 may have a non-constant radius of curvature.

[0070] The passage portion 76 includes an emission inlet 82 and an emission outlet 84, wherein the hollow interior of the passage portion 72 defines an emission flow path 86 between the emission inlet 82 and the emission outlet 84. It should be understood that the emission inlet 82 can be considered as the air inlet of the first annex 14, and the emission outlet 84 can be considered as the air outlet of the first annex 14.

[0071] The channel portion 76 also includes a clip protrusion 88 located at the first end 72 of the first accessory 14. The clip protrusion 88 is shaped and sized to be releasably received within the clip receiving portion 62 of the first arm 24, for example, via a releasable press fit.

[0072] The discharge inlet 82 includes a row of first holes 90 disposed along the length of the inner wall 92 of the channel portion 76. The wall segment between each first hole 90 may be considered herein as a blade, and the first hole 90 may be considered as a sub-inlet. The inner wall 92 of the channel portion 76 includes a planar segment 93 that is substantially smooth and planar in form.

[0073] The discharge outlet 84 includes a plurality of second holes 94 defined in the outer surface 80 of the channel portion 76. The second holes 94 can be considered sub-outlets herein. There are 84 second holes 94 defining a 182 mm diameter space for the discharge outlet 84. 2 and 1514mm 2 The total cross-sectional area of ​​the openings between them. The second hole 94 is arranged in a circumferentially extending row along the outer surface 80 of the channel portion 76. The outer surface 80 of the channel portion 76 includes a mesh fixed to the rest of the channel portion 76. In other examples, the channel portion 76 may be integrally formed, for example as part of a single molding process.

[0074] The end wall 78 of the first attachment 14 stands upright from the channel portion 76 at the second end 74 of the first attachment 14. The shape and size of the end wall 78 are designed to cover the end wall 64 of the first arm 24 when the attachment 14 is attached to the first arm 24. The inner surface of the end wall 78 of the first attachment 14 includes a magnetic connection portion 96, which is configured to releasably engage with a magnetic connection portion 60 of the first arm 24.

[0075] Each bristle 70 extends through a corresponding one of the holes 90, and each bristle has two spaced-apart legs 95. There are 84 bristles 70 with a length of approximately 18 mm. The bristles 70 extend for approximately 90% of the length of the outer surface 80 of the channel portion 76.

[0076] When the first attachment 14 is attached to the first arm 24, the channel portion 76 of the first attachment 14 is... Figure 7 The orientation shown is located below the lower region of the first arm 24. The magnetic connection portion 96 of the first accessory 14 engages with the magnetic connection portion 60 of the first arm 24, and the clip protrusion 88 of the first accessory 14 is received within the clip receiving portion 62 of the first arm 24 to hold the first accessory 14 relative to the first arm 24.

[0077] The exhaust inlet 82 is located near the first arm 24, below the hair receiving channel 66. The exhaust inlet 82 extends across a length corresponding to the length of the air outlet 58, as do the exhaust outlet 84 and the bristles 70. The exhaust outlet 84 and the bristles 70 are positioned below the first arm 24. In this way, the air outlet 58 is located on the upper first side of the hair care appliance 10, and the exhaust outlet 84 and the bristles 70 are located on the opposite lower second side of the hair care appliance 10. The inner wall 92 of the channel portion 76 is not aligned with the inner wall 27 of the first arm 24.

[0078] In use, with the first attachment 14 and the second attachment 16 attached to the corresponding first arm 24 and second arm 26, the user operates one of the buttons 42 to turn on the hair care appliance 10, specifically to turn on the motor 44. Before or after this, the user can position the hair strand within the hair receiving channel 66 and can apply force to the first arm 24 and second arm 26 in a manner similar to a known hair straightener to reduce the width of the hair receiving channel 66, thereby positioning the first arm 24 and second arm 26 in a closed configuration. The motor 44 drives the rotation of the impeller 46 to generate an airflow that enters the body portion 18 through the air inlet 28. The airflow passes through the first duct 48 and the second duct 50 of the bellows 22 and enters the corresponding internal air chambers 56 of the first arm 24 and second arm 26. The airflow exits the first arm 24 and second arm 26 via the corresponding air outlet 58 and is guided downward along the height direction of the hair receiving channel 66, as... Figure 7 As shown schematically in the diagram.

[0079] As the airflow flows downward along the hair receiving channel 66, it enters the discharge inlet 82 of the first attachment 14 and the second attachment 16, and travels through the corresponding discharge flow path 86 to the discharge outlet 84, as shown. Figure 7 As shown, the airflow typically flows along the hair receiving channel 66 in the first direction FD. The inner walls 92 of the channel portions 76 of the first attachment 14 and the second attachment 16 contact each other below the hair receiving channel 66 to suppress the airflow between the inner walls 92. The airflow then exits the exhaust outlet 84 from between the bristles 70 in a diffused manner.

[0080] When the user passes the hair care tool through the hair bundle located in the hair receiving channel 66, the bristles 70 can be used to comb the hair bundle, and the user can use the bending nature of the outer surface 80 of the channel portion 72 of the first attachment 14 and the second attachment 16 to style the hair bundle, for example by curling or flicking the hair.

[0081] In an alternative operating mode, the user can lock the first arm 24 and the second arm 26 in a closed position, wherein the hair receiving channel 66 has a minimum width and no hair strands are located within the hair receiving channel 66. The user can then comb their hair with the brush bristles 70 and, if desired, wrap their hair around the outer surfaces 80 of the first attachment 14 and the second attachment 16.

[0082] The operation here is described with the first attachment 14 attached to the first arm 24 and the second attachment 16 attached to the second arm 26. In practice, the hair care appliance 10 may be used only with the first attachment 14 attached to the first arm 24, or only with the second attachment 16 attached to the second arm 26. Similarly, alternative attachments may be attached to the second arm 26 while the first attachment 14 is attached to the first arm 24, or vice versa; for example, such additional attachments may also include a discharge flow path but without bristles.

[0083] It should be understood that alternatives to the construction of the first annex 14 described above can also be conceived. For example, more or fewer bristles and a larger or smaller cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge outlet 84 can be conceived. Although the above description pertains to hair care appliances with attachments, hair care appliances with integrated discharge flow paths and bristles can also be conceived.

Claims

1. A hair care tool, comprising: A first arm and a second arm, spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween, wherein the first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel; An airflow generator configured to generate airflow within the hair care appliance, the first arm including an airflow path configured to receive airflow from the airflow generator and an air outlet for discharging airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel; An exhaust flow path, the exhaust flow path being configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel; An exhaust outlet, which is in fluid communication with the exhaust flow path, is defined in the outer surface of the hair care appliance; and Multiple bristles protrude outward from the outer surface of the hair care device.

2. The hair care tool according to claim 1, wherein, A portion of the outer surface of the hair care device is curved in form.

3. The hair care tool according to claim 2, wherein, The portion of the outer surface of the hair care device is oriented at an angle of at least 45 degrees.

4. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein, The plurality of bristles extend outward relative to the portion of the outer surface of the hair care device.

5. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The discharge outlet is defined in the portion of the outer surface of the hair care appliance.

6. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The discharge outlet includes a plurality of holes defined in the outer surface of the hair care appliance, and each of the plurality of bristles extends through a corresponding hole in the plurality of holes.

7. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The emission flow path includes an emission inlet, and the emission inlet has a length corresponding to the length of the air outlet.

8. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Meet at least one of the following: The plurality of bristles extend along at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel; and The discharge outlet extends along at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel.

9. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The air outlet is located on the first side of the hair care device, and the outer surface is located on the opposite second side of the hair care device.

10. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The emission flow path is located within or adjacent to the first arm.

11. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hair care device includes a main unit and an accessory. The main unit includes a first arm and a second arm. The accessory includes the discharge flow path, the outer surface of the hair care device, the discharge outlet, and the plurality of bristles, wherein the accessory can be releasably attached to the main unit.

12. The hair care appliance according to claim 11, wherein, The attachment can be releasably attached to the first arm.

13. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hair care tools include: An additional discharge flow path is configured to receive at least a further portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel; A separate discharge outlet in fluid communication with the separate discharge flow path, the separate discharge outlet being defined in a separate outer surface of the hair care appliance; and The additional bristles protrude outward from the additional outer surface of the hair care device.

14. The hair care appliance according to claim 13, wherein, The hair care device includes a main unit and additional accessories. The main unit includes a first arm and a second arm. The additional accessories include additional discharge flow paths, additional outer surfaces of the hair care device, additional discharge outlets, and additional bristles. The additional accessories can be releasably attached to the main unit.

15. The hair care appliance according to claim 14, wherein, The additional attachment can be releasably attached to the second arm.

16. An attachment for releasably attaching to a first arm of a hair-care appliance, the hair-care appliance including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being spaced apart to define a hair-receiving channel therebetween, the first arm being movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair-receiving channel, wherein... The attachments include: A body having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an internal flow path extending between the air inlet and the air outlet, the air outlet being defined in an outer surface of the body; and Multiple bristles protrude outward from the outer surface of the body.

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