Detangling-straightening comb for a hairdryer or blower brush

Abstract

A hair detangling-straightening comb that is intended to be fastened to the blowing end of a hair drying and styling appliance, the comb comprising a hollow body with an air inlet and a support having a plurality of teeth, the teeth having a widened base on the proximal side and a pointed tip on the distal side, the profile of the teeth on the proximal side having a wavy shape that is progressively truncated over the wavy portions starting from the proximal side towards the distal side of the teeth.

Description

Detangling and straightening comb for hair dryer or blow dryer brush technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hairdryer or blow dryer attachment, more particularly a "two-in-one" detangling and straightening comb used to detangle and straighten curly hair. It is intended to be attached to the outlet of a device capable of blowing hot air, such as a hairdryer or blow dryer. State of the art

[0002] Hair straightening devices for curly hair are well-established and widely used, particularly by people of African or African-American descent. Mechanical straightening of curly or tightly curled hair is generally preceded by detangling and drying after washing. This two-step process is often done with a comb with relatively wide teeth, allowing for detangling before proceeding with the straightening device. The straightening itself is usually achieved using a heat source applied simultaneously with pressure or tension on the hair strands. However, these successive steps are time-consuming, and the straightening process exposes the hair to significant thermal and mechanical stress, which can cause long-term damage.

[0003] To reduce the stress placed on hair and save time, one alternative is the use of a heated airflow emitted by a device blowing through a "two-in-one" comb capable of both detangling and smoothing hair during the drying process. This method allows the user to guide and concentrate the outgoing airflow onto a specific area of ​​their hair. Various combs are currently used to stretch hair and facilitate styling and detangling curly hair. However, there is still a growing demand for a smoothing attachment that gently detangles and smooths hair while drying.

[0004] Document WOOO / 25623 (SEB1999) discloses a hair dryer or styling brush accessory comprising means for gripping a strand of hair with complementary clamping surfaces for gripping and smoothing the strands of hair.

[0005] US patent 6009883 describes a hair straightening nozzle consisting of two parallel rows of teeth arranged on opposite sides of the nozzle, such that air from the hair dryer passes through the nozzle opening between the two rows of teeth. This nozzle is equipped with a heating bar located between the two rows and parallel to the teeth. The strands of hair are smoothed as they pass between the teeth and over the heating bar.

[0006] The US20200121053 document describes a hairdryer-compatible straightening comb with two parallel rows of teeth positioned at a certain distance from each other to allow heated air to pass between them. The heated air straightens the strand of hair held under tension between the two rows of teeth.

[0007] Patent WO 2020 / 025919 A1 describes a hair styling accessory in the form of a comb adaptable to a hair dryer comprising an air inlet to receive an airflow and an elongated air outlet in the form of a slot in which a series of triangular comb teeth is mounted on a flexible bar to allow elastic movement of these teeth when using the accessory. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a hair detangling-straightening comb intended to be attached to the blower end of a hair styling and drying device, said comb comprising a hollow body with an air inlet and a support having a plurality of teeth, the teeth having an enlarged base on the proximal side and a pointed apex on the distal side, the profile of said teeth on the base on the proximal side having a wavy shape progressively truncated on its wavy parts from the proximal side to the distal side of the teeth.

[0009] The preferred modes of the present invention comprise one or more of the following features: the average inclination of the teeth with respect to the X axis has an angle α, in absolute value, between 5° and 25°, preferably between 10° and 20° at the base, on the proximal side of the teeth; the tangent of the upper and lower ends of each tooth on the proximal side has an angle β between 20° and 50°, preferably between 30° and 40° with respect to the X axis; the ratio between the height Ld and the width Bd of each tooth is between 2 and 8.5, preferably between 3 and 6 and particularly preferably between 3.5 and 5; each tooth has a thickness (E) between 1.2 mm and 3 mm; the space between the teeth E is between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 4 mm and particularly preferably between 1.8 and 3 mm; the support comprises at least one movable carriage with the teeth decoupled from the hollow body and at least one means for moving the movable carriage with the teeth in at least two directions; the at least one means for moving the movable carriage is a motor having a shaft eccentric with respect to the axis of the motor or a vibrator having an unbalanced motor; the vibrator is centrally positioned; the motor having a shaft eccentric with respect to the axis of the motor is positioned at one end or both ends of the movable carriage;The support comprises two movable carriages, a first movable carriage supporting an even row of teeth and a second movable carriage supporting an odd row of teeth and allowing the movement of the teeth in odd and even rows relative to each other by means of two motors M1 and M2 with offset rods connected respectively to the first and second movable carriages; the support comprising the movable carriages includes an elastic damper; the hollow body includes a thermal protection barrier to isolate the motor(s) in the hollow body from the flow of hot air.

[0010] The present invention also discloses a hair dryer comprising a comb according to the invention with an electrical connection and a control panel enabling the movement of the mobile carriage(s) supporting the teeth.

[0011] The present invention also discloses a blow-dry brush comprising a comb according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the straightening comb adaptable to a hair dryer according to the invention.

[0013] Figures 2, 3 and 4A respectively represent plan, side and opening views of the straightening comb according to the invention.

[0014] Figure 4B represents a cross-sectional view of the straightening comb according to the invention along the Y axis of Figure 4A.

[0015] Figure 5 shows six progressive cross-sections A1-A1 to A6-A6 through the teeth of the hair straightener accessory according to the invention, from the proximal base on the support side to the distal tip. These cross-sections illustrate the evolution of the profile and the deflection undergone by the strand of hair as it passes between the teeth of the comb, from the base to the tip of the teeth. At the base, on the proximal side, the teeth have a width Bd and a wave-shaped profile that gradually diminishes towards the distal side of the teeth as the width of the teeth decreases towards the tip, the distal side. The wave shape on the proximal side of the tooth comprises a first curved portion 7 in one direction and a second curved portion 8 in a second direction.

[0016] Figures 6 to 8 represent a series of non-exhaustive and non-limiting geometric configurations of the teeth with a wave-shaped configuration on the proximal side of the comb according to the invention. The possible amplitude of the wave depends on the spacing between the teeth, the thickness of the teeth, and the angles of the tangents and inclination of the teeth. A summary table of these parameters is provided below: Values ​​of tooth structure parameters Description of parameters (see figures) As an example, two main variables of the proximal tooth structure are shown below, giving rise to two main variants, Twist 1 and Twist 2: the variant where the outer parts of the tooth base are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the comb (Twist 2 with a=vertical=0°) and the variant where the central part of the tooth base is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the comb (Twist 1 with y=vertical=0°).

[0017] The figures below show the angles of the tangents p on the curvatures of the wave-shaped structure of the teeth on the proximal side of the comb, as well as the average inclination a of the base of the proximal tooth relative to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the comb. The angle a represents the average deviation that the bristle undergoes. The hair is held at the base of the teeth as it passes through them. The greater the angle β, the more constrained the passage of the hair strand through the teeth and the more it is stretched, as the force exerted to force it through the teeth is greater. The evolving profile of the teeth, from the base on the proximal side to the tips, allows the user to adjust the depth of penetration of the hair strand into the teeth in order to adapt the stretching force for an optimized straightening result. The teeth on the proximal side are curved in opposite but symmetrical ways, so the angles of the tangents β are equal, and therefore the direction in which the hair strand passes through the teeth does not influence its penetration. This allows for any orientation of the hairdryer and any direction of straightening.

[0018] Figures 6A-C represent preferred configurations with a 1.5 mm spacing between the teeth. In these figures, the angle of inclination alpha of the teeth relative to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the comb gradually decreases from 0° to -25°. The sign of the angles is solely due to the orientation of the figure, and the angles should be taken as absolute values. With a spacing of only 1.5 mm between the teeth, there is little freedom regarding the amplitude of the wave, as it is necessary to ensure the free movement of the hair strand even on the proximal side of the teeth.

[0019] Figures 7A-E represent preferred configurations with a tooth spacing of 2.5 mm. Increasing the tooth spacing to 2.5 mm results in greater geometric freedom in terms of both inclination and waviness amplitude. This configuration is considered optimal, exhibiting a good balance between the number of teeth available in a defined space, freedom on the amplitude of the wave and the inclination relative to the direction of passage of the strand of hair.

[0020] Figures 8A-D depict preferred configurations with a 4 mm tooth spacing. This tooth spacing allows for even greater geometric freedom in terms of both the angle and the wave amplitude. Naturally, increasing the tooth spacing, as well as potentially increasing the tooth thickness, reduces the number of teeth and therefore the combing capacity. The challenge, then, is to find a balance between sufficient wave amplitude and tooth angle for smoothing, and an appropriate tooth spacing for effective detangling. The wave shape at the base of the tooth is the common denominator that allows for tensioning the hair strand during heat treatment, thus ensuring proper smoothing. Although curly hair varies considerably in terms of texture density and length from person to person, in tests conducted on mannequins, configurations 7C, 7D and 8B proved to be the most effective.

[0021] Figures 9 to 20B show various examples of the detangling-straightening comb according to the invention, whose teeth are mounted on a movable carriage (9, 11) allowing them to move in three spatial directions, generating a vibration / translation of the comb. Such vibration makes detangling easier compared to a static version of the comb according to the invention.

[0022] In particular, Figures 9 to 11B illustrate an example of the detangling-straightening comb according to the invention, in which movement is achieved by a suitable means, such as a motor having a shaft offset from the axis of rotation (10) and positioned centrally on the longitudinal axis of the comb. Figure 9 shows a three-dimensional view of this example, Figure 10 shows an exploded view, while Figures 11A and 11B show a series of cross-sections of the accessory.

[0023] Figures 12 to 14B illustrate an example of the detangling-straightening comb according to the invention, in which movement is achieved by means of a single off-center shaft motor 10 positioned laterally. Figure 12 shows a three-dimensional view of this example, Figure 13 shows an exploded view, while Figures 14A and 14B show a series of cross-sections of the accessory.

[0024] Figures 15 to 17B illustrate an example of the detangling-straightening comb according to the invention in which movement is achieved by means of a vibrator comprising an unbalanced motor 12, such as, for example, a motor of the "precision microdrive Pico Vibe 306-103.006" type, placed in a central position relative to the longitudinal axis of the comb. The figure Figure 15 shows a three-dimensional view of this example, Figure 16 shows an exploded view, while Figures 17A and 17B show a series of cross-sections through the accessory. The cross-section also shows the presence of an elastic damper 19 designed to absorb any contact between the support housing 3 and the moving carriage.

[0025] Figures 18 to 20B illustrate an example of the detangling-straightening comb according to the invention, in which movement is achieved by means of two motors 10 having rods offset from the motor axis, positioned at both ends on the longitudinal axis of the comb. Each motor allows independent control of a two-part carriage 11, each carriage comprising a set of teeth. Figure 18 shows a three-dimensional view of this example, Figure 19 shows an exploded view, while Figures 20A and 20B show a series of cross-sections of the accessory.

[0026] Figures 21 to 25 show an example of the detangling-straightening comb according to the invention, mounted on the air outlet of a conventional hair dryer. The detangling-straightening comb in these figures comprises a movable carriage which is set in motion by an off-center rod motor 10 positioned eccentrically with respect to the air outlet axis of the hair dryer and the air inlet of the accessory.

[0027] Specifically, Figures 21 and 22 show a three-dimensional exploded view, Figure 23 shows a front view, while Figures 24 and 25 show a series of cross-sections through the comb mounted on the hairdryer. Detail B in Figure 21 shows the low-voltage electrical connection that powers the motor while allowing the attachment to rotate on the hairdryer.

[0028] Figures 26 to 28 represent an example of the detangling-straightening comb according to the invention, adapted as an accessory to a blow-dry brush.

[0029] In particular, figure 26 represents a three-dimensional exploded view of figure 27 showing a side view and a top view, while figure 28 represents a set of cross-sections through the blower brush. List of digital references 1. Detangling and smoothing comb 2. Air intake 3. Support 4. Row of teeth 5. Distal part of the tooth 6. Proximal part of the tooth 7. Wave-shaped tooth profile on the proximal side with an initial portion curved in one direction 8. Wave-shaped tooth profile on the proximal side with a second part curved in a second direction 9. Mobile stand / cart 10. Motor having a rod offset from the motor axis 11. Support / carriage in two parts, each carrying one tooth out of two. 12. Vibrator (unbalanced motor) 13. Hair dryer 14. Blower brush attachment 15. Comb movement control display 16. Electrical connection 17. Mechanical connection 18. Power supplies for the motor and the display. 19. Elastic shock absorber 20. Flexible membrane allowing the mobile trolley to move without vibration propagating into the accessory or the hair dryer. 21. Engine ventilation openings 22. Thermal protection wall 51. Thickness of the distal part of the tooth 61. Thickness of the proximal part of the tooth Detailed description of the invention

[0030] The detangling and straightening comb of the present invention is adaptable to the outlet of a hairdryer or blow dryer. It comprises a series of essentially triangular teeth whose profile evolves in a particular and progressive manner from the proximal base to the tip. "Profile" is understood to mean the external shape of the cut made in a tooth, the cut being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tooth. The profile The teeth exhibit an approximately sinusoidal waveform with a variable amplitude on the proximal side of the support, and an angle α relative to the direction of the hair strand's passage, thus deflecting the hair strands being combed and detangled. The profile gradually tapers towards the distal side of the comb teeth by truncating the wavy sections 7 and 8. This allows the hair strands to be gripped as they penetrate deeper into the comb towards the base of the teeth on the proximal side, and put under tension by the hot air from the hairdryer passing between the rows of teeth. The wavy shape of the teeth on the proximal side also increases the contact area between the tooth and the hair strand, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment. Figure 5 shows the evolution of the tooth profile section from the proximal to the distal side of the teeth, which allows the user to adjust the traction force on the hair strand by adjusting the depth of penetration of the strand.

[0031] Figures 1 and 2 respectively show a front perspective view and a plan view of the straightening comb 1 according to the invention. The comb 1 includes an air inlet 2 for receiving the airflow from the air outlet of a hairdryer or blow dryer. The air inlet 2 of the straightening comb is an opening whose shape is adapted to the outlet of the hairdryer or blow dryer. The straightening comb according to the invention comprises a support 3 carrying a plurality of teeth 4 distributed regularly along the length of the support.

[0032] The air inlet 2 generally has a circular cross-section, which is designed to fit onto the air outlet ends of most hair dryers. However, an intermediate piece can be used as an adapter for hair dryers with an air outlet that is unsuitable for the straightening comb holder according to the invention. For blow-dry brushes, the adaptation is specific.

[0033] The airflow from the hairdryer enters through the air inlet 2 and passes through the multiple teeth 4, guided by the support 3. The hot airflow is in direct contact with the tightly held and taut strands of hair due to the wave-shaped profile of the teeth on the proximal side at the base of the comb. Since the comb is exposed to the airflow from a hairdryer or blow dryer, which can exceed 100°C, it must therefore be made of a material resistant to the maximum temperature that can be reached.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates the side view of the comb 1 showing the total height, Ld, of each tooth 6, which is preferably between 25 mm and 85 mm, and preferably between 50 mm and 60 mm. The width of the base of each tooth 6, Bd, is advantageously between 10 mm and 30 mm, and preferably between 15 mm and 20 mm. This is the apparent width including the waveform.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, the side view of comb 1 shows the lateral shape of tooth 6, which is generally triangular with possibly a rectangular base. The tip of the tooth, contrary to the graphic representation, is never sharp but always has a radius of a few tenths of a millimeter.

[0036] Figure 4A illustrates the plan view of the comb 1, showing the alignment of the teeth. In this embodiment, the wave profile at the base of the teeth comprises a first curved portion 7 located above the Y-axis and a second curved portion 8 located below the Y-axis. These two curves have two tangents p of equal inclination. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each tooth has a thickness E of approximately 2 mm, and the teeth are spaced at a distance E' of approximately 3 mm.

[0037] The comb 1 comprises a plurality of teeth 4 connected to the proximal base on the support side 3. In the diagrams illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and in the static version of the comb, the plurality of teeth 4 can be molded and / or injection-molded with the support 3 and the air inlet 2 as a single piece. Depending on the inclinations of the tangent p, the average inclination a relative to the wick passage, and the configuration of the straightening comb in general, assemblies of separately molded / injection-molded parts can also be used, particularly for versions of the comb mounted on a moving carriage.

[0038] Figure 5 illustrates the front view of the comb 1 with six cross-sections through the length of the teeth 4 from the proximal base on the support side 3 to the apex 5 on the distal side. Each tooth has a wave-shaped profile or undulation, extending across the width of the support 3. The wave is formed of two portions curved in opposite directions with respect to the Y-axis, and each portion has a tangent inclination p of the curved part between 20° and 50°, preferably between 30° and 40°, and particularly preferably between 36° and 38° for the variant gamma = 0. For the variant alpha = 0, the tangent inclination p of the curved part is between 20° and 30°, preferably between 24° and 26°. The width of the teeth 4 gradually decreases from the base towards the tip until reaching a parallelepiped cross-section illustrated on sections A1-A1, A2-A2, A3-A3, A4-A4, A5-A5, and A6-A6 respectively.

[0039] The detangling-straightening comb of the present invention can also be adapted to a blow-dry brush as shown in Figures 27 and 28.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the teeth is greater on the proximal side 6 than on the distal side 5. Indeed, as illustrated in Figure 4B, which is a longitudinal section of the comb along the Y-axis, the thickness 61 of the tooth on the proximal side is more greater than the thickness 51 on the distal side. The space between the teeth on the distal side is therefore greater, which allows hair to enter the comb more easily.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the teeth of the detangling-straightening comb can be mounted on a mobile carriage allowing movement in the three directions of space, generating a vibration of the comb with a maximum amplitude on the order of a millimeter for an unbalanced motor 12. For movements generated by motors with a rod offset from the motor axis 10, the amplitude of movement can be a few millimeters.

[0042] To set the comb in motion, several methods can be considered, such as using a vibrator 12 powered by an unbalanced motor or one or more eccentric shaft motors 10 in the accessory. Figures 9 to 18 show several embodiments enabling vibration along multiple axes.

[0043] The comb according to the invention can also comprise two independent carriages 11 driven by a motor 10 with an eccentric rod on each side of the accessory. Each carriage has every other tooth, allowing the comb to be moved in partial or complete opposite phase. Thus, teeth 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc., are fixed on a first carriage and teeth 2, 4, 6, 8, etc., on a second carriage, the two carriages being able to be moved at different amplitudes and frequencies.

[0044] In configurations with a motor, there is a thermal protection barrier 22 separating the motor compartment from the hot airflow from the hair dryer or blow dryer brush in order to protect the motors from the high temperatures that can be reached by the air entering the accessory.

Claims

Demands 1. Hair detangling and straightening comb (1) intended to be attached to the blower end of a hair styling and drying apparatus, said comb comprising a hollow body with an air inlet (2) and a support (3) having a plurality of teeth (4), the teeth (4) having an enlarged base on the proximal side and a pointed apex on the distal side, the profile of said teeth (4) on the proximal side having a wavy shape progressively truncated on its wavy parts (7,8) from the proximal side to the distal side of the teeth (4).

2. Comb (1) according to claim 1, wherein the average inclination of the teeth with respect to the X axis has an angle α, in absolute value, between 5° and 25°, preferably between 10° and 20° at the base, on the proximal side of the teeth (4).

3. Comb according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tangent of the upper and lower ends of each tooth on the proximal side has an angle p between 20° and 50°, preferably between 30° and 40° with respect to the X axis.

4. Comb according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between the height Ld and the width Bd of each tooth is between 2 and 8.5, preferably between 3 and 6 and particularly preferably between 3.5 and 5.

5. Comb according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each tooth has a thickness (E) between 1.2 mm and 3 mm.

6. Comb according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the space between the teeth E is between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 4 mm and particularly preferably between 1.8 and 3 mm.

7. Comb according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (3) comprises at least one movable carriage (9) with the teeth (4) detached from the hollow body and at least one means (10,12) enabling the movable carriage (9) with the teeth (4) to be moved in at least two directions.

8. Comb according to claim 7, wherein at least one means for setting in motion the mobile carriage (9) is a motor (10) comprising a rod eccentric with respect to the axis of the motor or a vibrator (12) comprising an unbalanced motor.

9. Comb according to claim 8, in which the vibrator (12) is centrally positioned.

10. Comb according to claim 8, in which the motor (10) having a rod eccentric with respect to the axis of the motor is positioned at one end or both ends of the movable carriage (9).

11. Comb according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the support (3) comprises two movable carriages (11), a first movable carriage supporting an even row of teeth and a second movable carriage supporting an odd row of teeth and enabling the movement of the teeth in odd and even rows relative to each other by means of two motors M1 and M2 with offset rod connected respectively to the first and second movable carriages.

12. Comb according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the motors are insulated in the hollow body by a thermal protection barrier (22).

13. Comb according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the support (3) comprising the movable carriages (9,11) comprises an elastic damper (19).

14. A hair dryer comprising a comb according to any one of the preceding claims, with an electrical connection (16) and a control panel (15) enabling the movement of the movable carriage(s) (9, 11) supporting the teeth (4).

15. Blower brush comprising a comb according to any one of the preceding claims.

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