Dual purpose hair styling device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair styling device for straightening or air-drying hair, the device comprising an articulated and movable upper and lower jaw between an open and closed position creating a hair straightening zone between the two jaws, - the lower jaw is formed of an outer shell in which there is a motor and a fan to create an airflow; - the upper jaw is formed of an outer shell comprising a drying grid on its upper part;- Air outlet openings are provided in the upper part of the lower jaw shell, and face air inlet openings provided in the lower part of the upper jaw shell when the jaws are in the closed position, so that the airflow set in motion by the fan of the lower jaw passes from one jaw to the other through the hair straightening area, the airflow exits the device through the drying grid allowing, in use, either to straighten the hair between the two jaws, or to dry the hair in the open air by the flow exiting the drying grid of the upper jaw.;

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hair styling devices, and in particular to that of hair straighteners, comprising a device for drying hair strands with hot air. Specifically, the hair styling device of the present invention offers the user the possibility of drying their hair either by straightening, in the manner of a hair straightener, or by air drying, in the manner of a conventional hair dryer. State of the art

[0002] Hair straighteners, or flat irons, are well known to those in the hairdressing profession. Most devices for shaping and straightening hair work on the principle of passing strands of hair between two jaws containing heated plates. It has been suggested that hot air be blown onto the hair to limit damage and avoid direct contact with the high-temperature heating plates.

[0003] US patent 201213427161 discloses a hair styling and drying apparatus with a pair of pivoting arms and styling surfaces on the arms. Air intake and exhaust ports are provided in each styling surface, along with a fan to blow air through the ports and also to recirculate air between the arms. In this way, the hair is dried with hot air between the two plates of the styling apparatus. A significant portion of the air is recirculated through the apparatus's internal airflow circuit and the intake ports on one surface and exhaust ports on the other, which are positioned opposite each other when the arms are in contact. The apparatus may include heating elements to heat the blown air and to heat the styling surfaces.

[0004] Document WO2022269225 describes a hair straightener that dries hair by airflow within a cavity between the two jaws of the straightener. Each jaw of the straightener includes a set of internal ducts to direct the airflow along the arm and then into the space between the jaws. The airflow can then be redirected to exhaust the device and the space between the two jaws. Objectives of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, it aims to provide a hair styling device in the form of a hair straightener that allows for two types of use, thus providing a 2-in-1 device. The device can be used either as a conventional hair straightener, by passing strands of hair between the jaws of the device to straighten them, or as a hair dryer by using the external part of the device to direct an airflow over the hair, without having to place the strands between the jaws. Straightening can be performed on damp hair, but also on dry or slightly damp hair, simply by using the device for styling once the hair has been dried with the hair dryer.

[0006] Another objective of the present invention is to limit hair damage, thanks to straightening achieved through a flow of hot air rather than direct contact with heated plates. There is currently a strong interest in protecting and caring for hair to prevent damage during styling, particularly by avoiding excessively high temperatures and contact with high-temperature plates. With the device of the present invention, for straightening purposes, a flow of air is blown through the strand of hair held between the two jaws of the device. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention discloses a hairstyling device for straightening or air-drying hair, the device comprising an articulated upper and lower jaw that can be moved between an open and closed position, creating a hair-smoothing zone between the two jaws. The lower jaw consists of an outer shell containing a motor and a fan to create an airflow; the upper jaw consists of an outer shell including a drying grid on its upper part; air outlets are provided in the upper part of the lower jaw shell, and face air inlet ports provided in the lower part of the upper jaw shell when the jaws are in the closed position, so that the airflow set in motion by the fan of the lower jaw passes from one jaw to the other through the hair straightening area, the airflow exits the device through the drying grid and allows, in use, either straightening the hair between the two jaws, or air drying the hair by the flow exiting the drying grid of the upper jaw.

[0008] The invention comprises at least one or a suitable combination of the following features: Two longitudinal deflectors are provided inside the upper jaw shell, and air discharge grilles are provided in the upper part of the upper shell. The deflectors are movable and can be moved from a flow concentration position to a flow dispersion position, in order to create two different flow paths through the upper jaw, exiting either through the drying grille in a concentrated manner or through the air discharge grilles. Each deflector includes a longitudinal axis around which it is pivoted to move from the flow concentration position to the flow dispersion position. The deflectors include a dispersion grille which is in the airflow path when the deflector is in the flow dispersion position. The device includes a selection button to change the position of the deflectors.The device includes an air inlet located on the side of the joint connecting the two movable jaws; the air inlet allows airflow into the lower jaw shell of the hair styling device; the airflow passes through the hair straightening area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the two jaws; the lower jaw includes a heating element inside its shell to heat the airflow; the device includes a humidity sensor to measure the moisture content of the hair in the straightening area; straightening plates are attached to the inner parts of the jaws; the device includes temperature and / or airflow control based on the moisture level measured by the humidity sensor; a removable filter covers the device's air inlet.Removable combs are provided on each jaw on the side of the straightening area, preferably between each straightening plate. Brief description of the figures

[0009] There figure 1 represents a perspective view of an example of a hair styling device according to the invention, with its jaws closed. figure 2 represents a perspective view of an example of a hair styling device according to the invention, with its jaws open. figure 3 represents a longitudinal section of the device shown on the figure 1 . There figure 4 represents a longitudinal section of the device shown on the figure 2 . There figure 5 This represents a perspective view with a partial cross-section of the upper jaw to illustrate the deflector system, with the deflectors in an "air-drying" position. figure 6This represents a perspective view with a partial cross-section of the upper jaw to illustrate the deflector system, with the deflectors in the smoothing position. figure 7 Figure 1 represents a cross-section of the jaws of the device according to the invention, with the deflectors in the "open air" drying position. The airflow is shown passing from the lower jaw to the upper jaw, then exiting through the drying grid. figure 8 Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the jaws of the device according to the invention, with the deflectors in the smoothing position. The airflow is shown passing from the lower jaw to the upper jaw, then exiting, bypassing the drying grid. Numerical references of the figures

[0010] 1: Hair styling device 2: Lower hinged jaw 3: Upper hinged jaw 4: Lower jaw outer casing 5: Upper jaw outer casing 6: Air drying grid 7: Lower jaw air outlet 8: Upper jaw air inlet 9: Fan 10: Motor 11: Heating element 12: Smoothing plate 13: Longitudinal deflector 14: Longitudinal deflector axis 15: Deflector dispersion grid 16: Drying mode selection button to change the deflector position 17: Device air inlet 18: Air inlet filter 19: Smoothing air exhaust grid Detailed description of the invention

[0011] The present invention discloses a hair styling device as illustrated in the various figures, and in particular a device for drying hair strands using a hot airflow. The hair styling device of the present invention allows the user to dry their hair either by straightening or in the manner of a conventional hairdryer. It also allows the user to pre-dry their hair with the hairdryer section before styling it by straightening.

[0012] Device 1 as represented in the Figure 1 includes a lower jaw 2 and an upper jaw 3 articulated between an open position ( Figure 2 ) and a closed position ( Figure 1) allowing the hair to be gripped. The articulation can be made around a hinge incorporating a spring to hold the two jaws 2 in the open position. Each of the jaws is formed of an outer shell 4 and 5, as shown in the Figures 3 and 4 .

[0013] The device of the present invention allows for drying or styling hair by straightening using a flow of hot air. This hot air enters through an air inlet 17 located at the rear of the device, specifically on the side of the joint between the two jaws. The air inlet allows ambient air to enter the device, inside the lower jaw housing. The device includes a motor 10 and a fan 9 located inside the lower jaw housing to set the air in motion. The airflow then exits the lower jaw and enters the upper jaw through air outlets 7 provided on the inner part of the lower jaw and air inlet ports 8 provided on the inner part of the upper jaw.When the two jaws are in the closed position and their internal parts are in contact with each other, the air inlet and outlet ports of the two jaws are facing each other, allowing the passage of airflow from one jaw to the other, as shown in the diagrams. Figures 7 and 8The airflow therefore passes through the straightening zone, namely the space between the two jaws where the hair is gripped for straightening, preferably at a substantially perpendicular angle to the longitudinal axis of the jaws. When the device is used in "straightening" mode, the hair is placed between the two jaws and the airflow passes through it to dry and style it. Once the airflow reaches the upper jaw, it is expelled from the device through straightening air vents 19 located on the sides of the upper jaw.When the device is used in "air drying" mode, the hair strands are not passed between the jaws but are dried by the air exiting the device through a drying grid 6, located in the central area of ​​the upper part of the upper jaw, between the smoothing air outlet grids 19. Drying then occurs in the same way as with a conventional hairdryer. In this case, both jaws are closed.

[0014] To use the device as a hairdryer, it is best to focus the airflow for more efficient drying. As shown in the... figures 5 to 8Two longitudinal deflectors 13 are provided inside the upper jaw housing. These deflectors are movable and can be moved from a flow concentration position to a flow dispersion position, in order to create two different flow paths through the upper jaw. When the user wishes to use the device in hairdryer mode, they can select the appropriate position using the selection button 16. This button allows the deflectors to be rotated along their longitudinal axis 14. Depending on their positions, the flow will be deflected or not. figures 7 and 8 illustrate the airflow as a function of the deflector position. On the Figure 7The deflectors are in the open air drying position, and therefore in the position of concentrated airflow. Due to the position of the deflectors, which partially obstruct the passage, the airflow exits the device in a concentrated manner through the drying grid 6. This more efficient airflow allows the hair to be dried from the outside of the device. On the Figure 8 The deflectors are in the airflow dispersion position, which directs the airflow towards the longitudinal sides of the device to pass through the smoothing air exhaust vents. In this case, the device is used as a straightener. It is still possible to use the device with the deflectors in this second position to dry hair from the outside, in "gentle drying" mode, since the airflow exiting the vents is not concentrated.

[0015] In the examples shown, each deflector includes a longitudinal axis 14 around which it can pivot to move from the flow concentration position to the flow dispersion position. Each deflector also includes a dispersion grid 15 which is located in the path of the airflow when the deflector is placed in the flow dispersion position, in order to better distribute the airflow passing through it.

[0016] In the examples shown, translating the selection button allows the position of the deflectors to be changed by rotation.

[0017] To obtain a flow of hot air, the lower jaw includes a heating element inside the lower jaw housing. This is located downstream of the fan in the direction of the airflow.

[0018] For more effective straightening, each jaw includes two lateral straightening plates 12 fixed on their inner sides so that they are in contact and allow the hair strand to be compressed when the jaws are closed. The air inlet and outlet vents are preferably located between these two plates, as shown in the diagram. Figures 5 and 6 The plates may be removable. These plates may be smooth, as shown in the figures, or include textures to give particular effects to the hair (waves, backcombing, etc.).

[0019] Similar to the straightening plates, combs may be provided on each inner side of the jaws to comb the hair during straightening. These may be removable.

[0020] Preferably, the hair styling device of the present invention includes a humidity sensor for measuring the moisture content of the hair in the straightening area. This sensor can be located in one of the two jaws, for example, between the two straightening plates of one of the jaws. The device may also include a mechanism for adjusting the temperature and / or airflow based on the moisture level measured by the sensor. This allows for effective straightening, which can be adjusted according to the hair's moisture content.

[0021] A removable 17 filter can cover the air intake of the device.

[0022] The quantity, size and distribution of the various air inlet and outlet orifices, and of the various grids differ according to the embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. Hair styling device (1) for straightening or air-drying hair, the device (1) comprising an articulated and movable upper jaw (3) and lower jaw (2) between an open and closed position creating a hair straightening zone between the two jaws (2, 3), - the lower jaw (2) is formed of an outer shell (4) in which are located a motor (10) and a fan (9) to create an airflow; - the upper jaw (3) is formed of an outer shell (5) comprising a drying grid (6) on its upper part;- air outlet orifices (7) are provided in the upper part of the lower jaw shell (2), and face air inlet orifices (8) provided in the lower part of the upper jaw shell (3) when the jaws (2, 3) are in the closed position, so that the airflow set in motion by the fan (9) of the lower jaw passes from one jaw (2) to the other (3) through the hair straightening area, the airflow exiting the device (1) through the drying grid (6) and allowing, in use, either the hair to be straightened between the two jaws (2, 3), or the hair to be air-dried by the flow exiting the drying grid (6) of the upper jaw (3).; 2. Hair styling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatTwo longitudinal deflectors (13) are provided inside the upper jaw shell (3) and air evacuation grilles (19) are provided in the upper part of the upper shell (3), the deflectors (13) being movable and able to be moved from a flow concentration position to a flow dispersion position, in order to create two different paths of the flow through the upper jaw (3) to exit either through the drying grid (6) in a concentrated manner, or through the air evacuation grilles (19).

3. Hairdressing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the deflectors (13) each comprise a longitudinal axis (14) around which they are pivoted to move from the concentration position to the dispersion position of the flux.

4. Hairdressing device according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe deflectors (13) include a dispersion grid (15) which is in the path of the airflow when the deflector (13) is placed in the flow dispersion position.

5. Hairdressing device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that It includes a selection button (16) to change the position of the deflectors (13).

6. Hairdressing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that It includes an air inlet (17) located on the side of the joint connecting the two movable jaws (2, 3), the air inlet (17) allowing the airflow to enter the shell of the lower jaw (2) of the hair styling device (1).

7. Hairdressing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the airflow passes through the hair smoothing zone perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the two jaws (2,3).

8. Hairdressing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower jaw (2) includes a heating element (11) inside its shell (4) in order to heat the airflow.

9. Hairdressing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It includes a humidity sensor to measure the moisture level of the hair in the straightening area.

10. Hairdressing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that smoothing plates (12) are fixed to the internal parts of the jaws (2).

11. Hair styling device (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the device includes a control of the temperature and / or airflow based on the humidity measured by the humidity sensor.

12. Hair styling device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in thata removable filter (18) covers the air inlet mouth (17) of the device (1).

13. Hairdressing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Removable combs are provided on each jaw (2, 3) on the side of the smoothing area, preferably between each smoothing plate (12).

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