Hair strand curling accessory

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair styling accessory, intended to be attached to a blowing and heating device, comprising: - a cylindrical connector; - a frustoconical mandrel, having a distal side and a proximal side, the distal side having a diameter greater than the proximal side, said proximal side being connected to the cylindrical connector, said mandrel comprising a plurality of air outlet orifices; - a frustoconical deflector located inside the mandrel; said cylindrical connector comprising an annular slot allowing, in use, the creation of a protective hot air blade around the mandrel.

Description

Subject of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair curling accessory intended to be attached to a blow-drying and heating device. State of the art

[0002] Hair curling devices are well known in the state of the art. They generally take the form of a blow-drying brush or a hair dryer with a generally removable curling attachment.

[0003] Document KR1020190131892 discloses a hair styling device having an air inlet and air outlets. The airflow is guided by a conically shaped internal deflector allowing for even distribution of the airflow along the length of the accessory.

[0004] Document KR20220039371 discloses a hair dryer curling attachment having a cylindrical body with a series of holes. The cylindrical body has a larger diameter at the base of the attachment. In addition, the inner surface of the cylindrical body includes shoulders that prevent the progression of airflow. Document DE 28 25 099 A1 discloses a hair curling device having a sleeve-shaped body with radial bristles protruding from radial slots, perforations, or holes. One end of the sleeve has a wide tapered section with a cylindrical mouthpiece for insertion onto the air outlet of a hair dryer. The tapered section includes air outlet holes. Aims of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an accessory using less energy than those of the prior art while maintaining the same performance. Thanks to its annular slot, an external air flow acts as a protective air blade around the hair shaping mandrel, and makes it possible to limit the heat loss of the accessory in contact with the ambient air. The operating temperature of the accessory can therefore be maintained using a lower power than that used by the accessories of the prior art of the same type. Furthermore, thanks to its conical geometry and its internal deflector, the accessory of the present invention allows a studied distribution of the air flow.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a hair shaping accessory in which the temperature required for curling is reached more quickly, thanks to the internal air flow deflected by the specific shape of the deflector located inside the hair shaping mandrel. More particularly, the deflector is generally frustoconical in shape and has structural obstacles on the surface making it possible to deflect an internal air flow radially towards the orifices of the mandrel (shoulders, protuberances, parallel or spiral staircases, etc.).

[0007] The present invention also provides an accessory for giving more volume to the base of the user's hair strands thanks to the inverted truncated cone shape of the mandrel. By "inverted truncated cone shape", it is understood that the diameter of the mandrel is smaller on the side of the attachment to the hot air source (proximal side). As a result, a tighter curl is formed in the hair wound at the base of the mandrel. The curls are less tight and looser as the strand is wound towards the head of the accessory (distal side), which provides greater volume at the base of the hair strands. Résumé of the invention

[0008] The present invention discloses a hair styling accessory, intended to be attached to a blowing and heating device, comprising: a cylindrical connector; a frustoconical-shaped mandrel, having a distal side and a proximal side, the distal side having a diameter greater than the proximal side, said proximal side being connected to the cylindrical connector, said mandrel comprising a plurality of air outlet ports; a frustoconical-shaped deflector located inside the mandrel; the cylindrical connector comprising an annular slot allowing, in use, the creation of a protective layer of hot air around the mandrel.

[0009] Particular embodiments of the invention comprise at least one or a suitable combination of the following features: the truncated deflector comprises surface obstacles allowing, in use, to radially deflect an internal hot air flow through the air outlet orifices of the mandrel; the surface obstacles of the truncated deflector are shoulders resulting from a succession of interconnected cylinders with increasing diameters; the taper of the deflector is greater than that of the mandrel; the mandrel is connected to the cylindrical connector by a star attachment; the shoulders are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the deflector; the ratio of the diameter of the distal side of the mandrel to the diameter of the proximal side of the mandrel is between 1.1 and 2, preferably between 1.3 and 1.7.the mandrel comprises at its base an opening allowing the passage of the internal hot air flow supplying the deflector, the ratio of the surface area of ​​the opening to the surface area of ​​the annular slot being between 2 and 5, preferably between 2.5 and 3.5; the ratio of the total surface area of ​​all the air outlet orifices to the surface area of ​​the annular slot is between 15 and 25, preferably between 18 and 22; the annular slot has a height of between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.7 and 1.3 mm; the distance between the cylinders is between 8 and 14 mm, preferably between 10 and 12 mm; the mandrel (3) comprises a conductive metal, preferably aluminum or copper, said mandrel (3) preferably comprising a ceramic layer.

[0010] The present invention also discloses a blow-drying brush comprising a handle on which the accessory is attached, said brush comprising a blowing and heating device. The blow-drying brush may comprise a lock cooperating with the lock of the accessory on the brush, making the accessory removable. Brief description of the figures

[0011] There figure 1 represents a three-dimensional view of an example accessory according to the present invention. The figure 2 corresponds to the three-dimensional view of the figure 1 , on which a slot is visible at the base of the mandrel. This slot lets air from the hot air source pass through and allows the establishment of a cylindrical-shaped hot air blade around the mandrel, protecting it against heat loss. The figure 3 corresponds to the figure 1, on which the internal air flow is represented, namely the flow blown inside the chuck and exiting through the air outlet holes of the accessory chuck. The figure 4 represents a two-dimensional side view of the accessory of the figure 1 . There Figure 5 corresponds to the side view of the figure 4 , on which the external air flow generating the air blade protecting against heat loss is represented. The figure 6 represents a longitudinal section of the accessory of the figure 4 (section AA'), on which the internal air flow is represented, namely the flow blown inside the mandrel and exiting radially through the air outlet orifices of the mandrel following its impact on structural obstacles, here for example shoulders, the deflector. The figure 7 represents the example of the deflector of the accessory of the Figure 6 . There figure 8 represents a side section of the accessory of the figure 4 (BB' cut). The figure 9 represents a three-dimensional view of an exemplary accessory according to the present invention, removably mounted on a heated grip. The figure 10 compares the temperature evolution on the external surface of an accessory according to the present invention with that of a prior art accessory of the same type. The prior art accessory used for the comparison is shown in the figure 11 , it does not include an internal truncated deflector or an external slot generating the flow in the form of a protective blade. The temperature is measured as a function of time, at three different locations by probes fixed on the external surface of the accessories (at the base, in the middle and at the head of the accessories). The figure 11 represents the accessory of the prior art, used for the measurements of the temperatures of the figure 10 . There figure 12represents a three-dimensional view of another example of a deflector of the accessory according to the present invention (whose structural obstacles are protrusions). List of reference symbols

[0012] 1Hair shaping attachment 2Cylindrical connector 3Chuck 4Deflector 5Structural obstacles on the surface of the deflector (shoulders on the figures 6 and 7 , and protrusions on the figures 12 and 13) 6Annular slot of the cylindrical connector 7Chuck head 8Chuck base 9Internal air flow 10External air blade 11Blower and heating handle 12Means for fixing the accessory to the handle 13Radial air outlet holes of the chuck 14Cylinder of the truncated deflector 15Opening surface feeding the deflector 16Star fixing of the chuck on the connector Detailed description of the invention

[0013] The present invention discloses a hair styling accessory 1 for shaping hair, and in particular for forming curls. An example of this accessory is shown in the figures 1 to 8 . On the figure 9 , the accessory is shown in combination with a handle 11 comprising a blowing and heating device.

[0014] As illustrated on the figures 1 to 3 , the accessory comprises an external mandrel 3, on which the user winds his locks of hair to be curled. This mandrel is of truncated cone shape and is connected to a cylindrical connector 2 which can be fixed on a blowing and heating device, in a removable or permanent manner. Throughout the description of the invention, the “head” of the mandrel 7 refers to the distal end thereof relative to the cylindrical connector, while the “base” of the mandrel 8 refers to the proximal end thereof relative to the cylindrical connector.

[0015] The chuck includes a set of air outlet ports 13 evenly distributed on its side surface, which allows hot air to be blown through its surface. As illustrated by the figure 6 , an internal air flow 9 is generated by the heating and blowing device. The mandrel is connected to the cylindrical connector by its smallest diameter, so as to have its inverted truncated cone shape starting from the connector of the accessory. Preferably, the ratio of the diameter of the distal side ("head") of the mandrel to the diameter of the proximal side ("base") of the mandrel is between 1.1 and 2, preferably between 1.3 and 1.7.

[0016] Preferably, the mandrel is connected to the cylindrical connector by a star attachment 16, as shown in the figures 1 And 8 .

[0017] The cylindrical connector 2 of the accessory of the invention comprises an annular slot 6 which allows a second air flow 10, called “external flow” throughout the description of the invention, to be blown around the mandrel. This external flow forms an air blade, like a protective sheath against heat loss around the mandrel, as shown in the figures 2 And 5 . In this way, it makes it possible to limit the heat losses of the mandrel in contact with the ambient air. Thanks to this protective air gap, energy savings can be made because the power used is less for an identical air outlet temperature. In the embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures, the annular slot is interrupted punctually by the star-shaped fixing lugs 16 of the mandrel on the cylindrical connector. The annular slot has a height of between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.7 and 1.3 mm.

[0018] Inside the mandrel 3 there is a deflector 4, as shown in the figure 6 . This truncated deflector comprises a surface structure with obstacles 5 allowing the internal air flow to be axially deflected towards the outside of the accessory, through the air outlet orifices provided on the surface of the mandrel. The surface structure of the truncated deflector can be of any type of shape allowing an obstacle to be created deflecting the air little by little, and in a more homogeneous manner, through the mandrel. The structure can be for example in the form of a spiral, protuberances placed judiciously on the deflector ( figure 12 ), in the form of a specific roughness, in the form of shoulders ( figures 6 and 7 ), etc.

[0019] Preferably, as illustrated in the figures 6 and 7, the truncated cone-shaped deflector comprises, as surface air deflection obstacles, shoulders 5 generated by an “assembly of interconnected cylinders 14 with increasing diameters”. These shoulders, similar to staircase steps as illustrated in the figures 6 and 7 , obstruct the air flow which is blown in a longitudinal direction inside the mandrel. In this way, the internal flow comes into contact with each shoulder and then exits radially from the mandrel via the air outlet orifices. The internal flow is then divided into a set of sub-flows, distributed uniformly over the entire length of the mandrel. In the case of this particular deflector, the shoulders are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the deflector. The deflector preferably comprises between 8 and 12 shoulders. The distance between the shoulders is preferably between 8 and 14 mm.

[0020] The diameters of the mandrel and the deflector are smaller at their base than at their head. Preferably, the taper of the deflector is greater than that of the mandrel, with a ratio of the taper of the deflector to the taper of the mandrel between 1.1 and 1.5, preferably between 1.2 and 1.3. The slope of the mandrel frustocone is between 1 and 5° and preferably between 2 and 3°, while that of the deflector is between 2 and 5°, preferably between 2.5 and 4° relative to the horizontal axis.

[0021] The combination of the two air flows, internal and external, allows on the one hand a rapid rise in temperature of the mandrel and on the other hand a more homogeneous distribution of the flow over the entire length of the accessory. The graph of the figure 10 compares the evolution of the temperatures of the mandrel of an example of an accessory of the invention ( figures 1-9 ) with those of a similar accessory of the prior art ( figure 11), for the same heating power. Measurements are taken using temperature sensors positioned on the surface of each mandrel, at the base, center and head of these.

[0022] The accessory of the prior art is illustrated by the figure 11 . This does not include an internal truncated cone-shaped deflector or a slot generating a protective air gap. Furthermore, the mandrel is truncated cone-shaped with a larger diameter on the proximal side than on the distal side, unlike the mandrel of the present invention. Regarding the accessory of the present invention used for comparison, this is illustrated by the figures 1-9 , namely the accessory comprising the deflector with the various shoulders.

[0023] The graph of the figure 10clearly illustrates a higher temperature for the accessory of the present invention at each comparison point, and this for an identical heating power and air flow rate. Furthermore, it also results in the accessory of the present invention being brought to a higher temperature more quickly. After 15 seconds, the chuck of the present invention is already at 89 degrees on the proximal side (47 degrees for the prior art chuck), 93 degrees at its center (73 degrees for the prior art chuck) and 38 degrees on the distal side (26 degrees for the prior art chuck).

[0024] The accessory's chuck is usually made of conductive metal, preferably aluminum or copper, and preferably has a ceramic layer for more even heat distribution.

[0025] The mandrel includes at its base an opening 15 allowing the passage of the internal hot air flow 9 (see figure 8). The internal flow generated inside the mandrel is blown by the blowing device through this opening surface 15. Preferably, the ratio of the opening surface 15 feeding the deflector to the surface of the annular slot is between 2 and 5, and more preferably between 2.5 and 3.5. The open surface of the annular slot is preferably between 60 and 100 mm 2< , while the opening surface which feeds the deflector is preferably between 200 and 300 mm 2< .

[0026] The total surface area of ​​all the air outlet orifices 13 distributed over the mandrel is preferably between 1200 mm 2 and 2000 mm 2, preferably between 1500 mm 2 and 1700 mm 2. The ratio of the total surface area of ​​all the air outlet orifices to the surface area of ​​the annular slot is preferably between 15 and 25, preferably between 18 and 22.

[0027] The present invention is not limited to a hairdressing accessory, but can also be extended to any type of blow-drying brush comprising the accessory as described above.

[0028] The accessory can be removably attached to the blow-drying brush, which then acts as a handle (see Figure 9 ). The accessory can therefore be part of a set of various accessories capable of being attached to the same blow-drying brush to provide different hair styling options. In this case, the accessory comprises locks 12 cooperating with locks provided on the brush (not shown), allowing reversible locking of the accessory on the brush.

[0029] The accessory can also be permanently attached to a blow-drying brush, like a fixed nozzle.

Claims

1. An accessory (1) for styling hair, designed to be attached on a blowing and heating device, comprising: - a cylindrical connector (2); - a frustoconical mandrel (3), comprising a distal side (7) and a proximal side (8), the distal side (7) having a diameter greater than the proximal side (8), said proximal side (8) being connected to the cylindrical connector (2), said mandrel (3) comprising a plurality of air outlet orifices (13); - a frustoconical deflector (4) located inside the mandrel (3); said cylindrical connector (2) comprising an annular slot (6) allowing, in use, a protective hot air knife (10) to be generated around the mandrel (3).

2. The accessory (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frustoconical deflector (4) comprises obstacles (5) on the surface allowing, in use, radial deflection of an internal flow of hot air (9) through the air outlet orifices (13) of the mandrel (3).

3. The accessory (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said obstacles on the surface of the frustoconical deflector (4) are shoulders (5) resulting from a succession of interconnected cylinders (14) with increasing diameters.

4. The accessory (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the conicity of the deflector (4) is greater than that of the mandrel (3).

5. The accessory (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mandrel (3) is connected to the cylindrical connector (2) by a star-shaped attachment (16).

6. The accessory (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the shoulders (5) are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the deflector (4).

7. The accessory (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the diameter of the distal side (7) of the mandrel (4) to the diameter of the proximal side (8) of the mandrel is between 1.1 and 2, preferably between 1.3 and 1.7.

8. The accessory (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mandrel (3) comprises, at its base, an opening (15) allowing the passage of the internal flow of hot air (9) supplying the deflector (4), the ratio of the surface of the opening (15) to the surface of the annular slot (6) being between 2 and 5, preferably between 2.5 and 3.5.

9. The accessory (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the total surface area of all the air outlet orifices (13) to the surface area of the annular slot (6) is between 15 and 25, preferably between 18 and 22.

10. The accessory (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular slot (6) has a height of between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.7 and 1.3 mm.

11. The accessory (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the distance between the cylinders (14) is between 8 and 14 mm, preferably between 10 and 12 mm.

12. The accessory (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mandrel (3) comprises a conductive metal, preferably aluminum or copper, said mandrel (3) preferably comprising a ceramic layer.

13. A blower brush (11) comprising a handle on which the accessory (1) of claims 1 to 12 is attached, said brush comprising a blowing and heating device.

14. The blower brush (11) according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a lock engaging with the lock(12) of the accessory (1) on the brush (11), making the accessory removable.

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