Hairstyling appliance with multiple blowing modes, comprising a push-push button control mechanism

Abstract

- Hairstyling appliance with multiple blowing modes, comprising a push-push button control mechanism - The invention relates to a hairstyling appliance (1) comprising means for generating an air flow according to different blowing modes, a push-push button control mechanism (21) for controlling each transition of the appliance from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes, and a housing (23) which has an access opening (24) inscribed in a plane (Po), and within which the button is mounted translatably movably between a released position and a depressed position in which a contact portion (22) of the button is arranged inside the housing, the access opening having a diameter (Do1) of between 28 mm and 50 mm and said contact portion being at a maximum distance (Dmax1) from the plane (Po) of between 5 mm and 40 mm when the button is in the depressed position. - Hairstyling appliances.

Description

Multi-mode blow-drying hairdressing appliance comprising a push-push button control mechanism TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of hairdressing appliances, for example for domestic use, and more specifically to the field of portable hairdressing appliances designed to blow a flow of air in order to dry and / or facilitate the shaping of hair. PRIOR ART

[0002] In the field of hairdressing appliances, devices are already known that are designed to blow a flow of air towards the hair using different blowing modes, in order to give these devices a multifunctional character, for carrying out various hair drying and / or styling techniques using a single device. For example, hand-held hair dryers are known, comprising a handle and a blowing head, which has an air outlet for directing a forced flow of hot or cold air towards the hair of a user. The forced air flow follows a single path within the device, until it emerges through said air outlet.In order to modify the blowing mode of these hair dryers, additional accessories are generally provided, detachably or not, at the air outlet in order to typically modify the useful air passage section and / or the air blowing direction, and thus to define a plurality of different blowing modes adapted to the implementation of particular hair drying and / or styling techniques. These known hair dryers, while generally satisfactory, nevertheless have certain drawbacks. In particular, switching the hair dryer from one blowing mode to another requires the user to assemble / disassemble the accessories, or to manipulate an accessory pre-assembled at the air outlet. Such an operation can sometimes prove tedious, which affects the ease of use of the device and its ergonomics.There is also a significant risk of burns when handling the accessory(ies), as well as a possible risk of loss. accessories, when these are not simply stored out of reach and inaccessible to the user when the latter wishes to use them.

[0003] To address these issues, a new portable hairdressing appliance has recently been proposed comprising means for generating an air flow according to at least two different blowing modes, and a push-push button control mechanism for controlling each transition of the appliance from one of said blowing modes to another of said blowing modes. This appliance comprises a housing, which is provided with an access opening inscribed in an opening plane, and within which the button of the push-push button control mechanism is mounted movable in translation towards the interior of the housing in a translation direction orthogonal to the opening plane between a first stop position called the released position, and a second stop position called the pressed-in position in which a contact portion of the button is arranged inside the housing.This device can therefore be multifunctional and it is very easy for its user to select the desired function.

[0004] While this new device appears promising, it has been observed that the push-button control mechanism of the latter still needs improvement, particularly in terms of ergonomics, ease and safety of use. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to propose a new multifunctional portable hairdressing appliance which is particularly ergonomic, easy and safe to use, in particular for a user without particular professional hairdressing skills.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to propose a new portable hairdressing appliance of particularly simple and compact construction.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to propose a new portable hairdressing appliance which is particularly robust and reliable.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to propose a new portable hairdressing appliance allowing a user to easily and efficiently carry out a plurality of separate operations, without requiring the use of an external complementary hairdressing appliance.

[0009] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using a portable hairdressing appliance comprising means for generating an air flow according to at least two different blowing modes, a push-push button control mechanism for controlling each passage of the appliance from one of said blowing modes to another of said blowing modes, and a housing which is provided with an access opening inscribed in an opening plane, and within which the button of the push-push button control mechanism is mounted movable in translation towards the interior of said housing in a translation direction orthogonal to said opening plane between a first stop position called the released position, and a second stop position called the pressed-in position in which a contact portion of the button is arranged inside said housing,said hairdressing appliance being characterized in that said access opening has a diameter of between 28 mm and 50 mm and the contact portion of the button is at a maximum distance from the opening plane which is between 5 mm and 40 mm when the button is in the pressed position., SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear and emerge in more detail on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely as illustrative and non-limiting examples, among which: - figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, an embodiment of a hairdressing appliance according to the invention; figure 2 illustrates, in a side view, the appliance of figure 1, the button of the push-push button control mechanism of the latter in the released position; Figure 3 illustrates, in a front view, a first face of the device of Figures 1 and 2, which is here in a first blowing mode (“blowing brush” mode), the button being in the released position; - figure 4 illustrates, in a side view, the device of figures 1 to 3, the button being in the pressed position; - figure 5 illustrates, in a front view, a second face of the device of figures 1 to 4, which is here in a second blowing mode (“hair dryer” mode), the button being in the released position; - figure 6 illustrates, according to a sagittal sectional view ll (see figure 3), the device of figures 1 to 5 in its first blowing mode, the button being in the released position; - figure 7 illustrates, in a sagittal sectional view ll, the device of figures 1 to 6 in its second blowing mode, the button being in the released position; - figure 8 illustrates, according to a truncated view in sagittal section ll, a detail of the device of figures 1 to 7, the button being in the released position; - figure 9 illustrates, in a front sectional view ll-ll (see figure 2), the device of figures 1 to 8 in its first blowing mode, the button being in the released position; - figure 10 illustrates, in a front sectional view ll'-H' (see figure 2), the apparatus of figures 1 to 9 in its second blowing mode, the button being in the released position; - figure 11 illustrates, in a truncated front sectional view ll-ll, a detail of the device of figures 1 to 10, the button being in the released position; - figure 12 illustrates, in a sagittal sectional view 11, the device of figures 1 to 11, the button being in the pressed position; Figure 13 illustrates, according to a truncated view in sagittal section ll, the apparatus of Figures 1 to 12, the button being in the pressed position; - figure 14 illustrates, in a front sectional view ll-ll, the device of figures 1 to 13, the button being in the pressed position; - figure 15 illustrates, in a truncated front sectional view ll-ll, the device of figures 1 to 14, the button being in the pressed position; - figure 16 illustrates, according to a truncated view in sagittal section ll, the device of figures 1 to 15, the button being in the released position on the left and in the pressed position on the right; - Figure 17 illustrates, in a top view, the apparatus of Figures 1 to 16 in its first blowing mode. The button has been omitted in order to reveal a particular detail of the internal design of the apparatus; - figure 18 illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the button of the control mechanism of the device of figures 1 to 17; - Figure 19 schematically illustrates, according to a top view of the device of Figures 1 to 15, an additional advantageous design element of the device. On the left, the device is in its first blowing mode, the button of the control mechanism being in the released position. On the right, the device is in its second blowing mode, the button being in the released position. In the center, the button of the device is in the pressed position, and the device is thus in a transitional mode between said first and second blowing modes. BEST WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] The hairdressing appliance 1 according to the invention, a non-limiting embodiment of which is illustrated as an example in the figures, is a portable hairdressing appliance, designed to be grasped and handled by hand. It is a hairdressing appliance 1 preferably intended for use in a domestic setting by a user (male or female) without any particular professional skills in hairdressing, i.e. i.e. both in terms of drying and styling, or even shaping the hair. Preferably, the hairdressing appliance 1 is designed so that the user uses the hairdressing appliance 1 on himself, i.e. on his own hair. However, it is perfectly conceivable that the hairdressing appliance 1 is designed for use by the user on the hair of a third person.

[0012] The hairdressing appliance 1 comprises means for generating an air flow F according to at least two different blowing modes, namely at least a first blowing mode and a second blowing mode which is therefore different from said first blowing mode. It is therefore an advantageously “multimode” or “multifunction” appliance, being designed and configured to blow an air flow F towards hair according to at least two different blowing modes, which can be alternately selected by the user.By "different blowing modes" is preferably meant blowing modes in which the hairdressing appliance 1 blows an air flow which differs, for example in its shape, direction and / or intensity, in order to allow different operations to be carried out on the hair, depending on the blowing mode chosen, such as for example carrying out a hair drying operation or a hair shaping operation. Advantageously, the hairdressing appliance 1 comprises at least a first air blowing outlet 2, for blowing the air flow F out of the hairdressing appliance 1 in a first of said blowing modes and a second air blowing outlet 3, for blowing the air flow F out of the hairdressing appliance 1 in a second of said blowing modes respectively.Said first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3 are distinct from each other, preferably distant from each other, preferably opposite each other. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the hairdressing appliance 1 advantageously has a first face 4, which carries said first air blowing outlet 2 and a second face 5 which carries said second air blowing outlet 3. Said first and second faces 4, 5 constitute different, and preferably opposite, faces of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0013] Advantageously, the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3 exist simultaneously (i.e. they are both permanently present on the hairdressing appliance 1), and not alternately. Typically, the hairdressing appliance 1 comprises a housing 6, for example made of plastic, an external face of which defines at least a portion of said first and second faces 4, 5 of the hairdressing appliance 1. Said housing 6 has an external surface (defined by said external face) which defines at least a portion of an external surface of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0014] Preferably, said blowing modes correspond to different paths of the air flow F within the hairdressing appliance 1. The hairdressing appliance 1 is therefore preferably designed and configured so that the air flow F takes different (aeraulic) paths inside the hairdressing appliance 1 depending on the blowing mode selected by the user. Thus, the air flow F therefore advantageously follows at least a first path within the hairdressing appliance 1 in the first blowing mode, until it is blown out of the hairdressing appliance 1 via the first air blowing outlet 2 (figure 6).In the second blowing mode, the air flow F advantageously follows another path within the hairdressing appliance 1, that is to say a path which differs at least in part from the path(s) taken by the air flow F in the first blowing mode, until it is blown out of the hairdressing appliance 1 via the second air blowing outlet 3 (figure 7). The implementation of such different air paths advantageously allows the definition of very different blowing modes, depending in particular on the chosen configuration and conformation of the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3, the relative arrangement of the latter, etc.In particular, this makes it possible to provide blowing modes in which the air flow F is blown out of the hairdressing appliance 1 in different, possibly opposite, respective directions, and for example via air blowing outlets 2, 3 distant from each other.

[0015] As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first blowing mode can advantageously correspond to an operating mode of the hairdressing appliance 1 in “blowing brush” mode (figures 3, 6 and 9 in particular), while the second blowing mode can advantageously correspond to an operating mode of the hairdressing appliance 1 in “hairdryer” mode (figures 5, 7 and 10 in particular). Obviously, the invention is not limited to such particular blowing modes, and other blowing modes may be envisaged depending on the uses for which the hairdressing appliance 1 is intended in terms of drying and / or shaping hair. Furthermore, the number of different blowing modes is not, in practice, limited to two. Moreover, in the same mode given blowing may possibly correspond to a plurality of different paths of the air flow F inside the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0016] The hairdressing appliance 1 preferably comprises a handle 7 (or grip) for manual gripping, which is intended to be grasped manually by the user to manipulate the hairdressing appliance 1. Advantageously defined by a portion of the housing 6 of the hairdressing appliance 1, the handle 7 typically extends between a first end 8 and a second opposite end 9, preferably longitudinally along an axis A-A' of average extension. The handle 7 advantageously has a slender, elongate shape, so that it can be grasped with the full hand by an adult user. As illustrated in the figures, the hairdressing appliance 1 further preferably comprises a blowing head 10 for blowing the air flow F out of the hairdressing appliance 1, towards the hair.Connected to the handle 7, the blowing head 10 thus advantageously carries the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3, so that the air flow F is therefore advantageously intended to be blown out of the hairdressing appliance 1 towards the hair via the blowing head 10. Advantageously defined by a portion of the housing 6 of the hairdressing appliance 1, said blowing head 10 has at least a first face which defines, or at least contributes to defining, said first face 4 of the hairdressing appliance 1, and a second face which defines, or at least contributes to defining, said second face 5 of the hairdressing appliance 1. Alternatively, however, the blowing head 10 could carry one of the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3, while the other of the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3 would be carried by the handle 7, or another part still of the hairdressing appliance 1.Advantageously, the blowing head 10 extends along an axis B-B' of average extension, between a lower end at which the blowing head 10 is connected to the handle 7, and thus preferably extends the handle 7 beyond the first end 8 of the latter, and an opposite upper (free) end. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the axis B-B' of average extension of the blowing head 10 is advantageously parallel or collinear (merged) with said axis A-A' of average longitudinal extension of the handle 7. The hairdressing appliance 1 then advantageously extends, in general, along a direction of average extension, which is parallel or collinear with said axis A-A' of average longitudinal extension of the handle 7 and with said axis B-B' of average extension of the blowing head 10.

[0017] As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first blowing mode advantageously corresponding to an operating mode of the hairdressing appliance 1 in “blowing brush” mode, the blowing head 10 typically comprises a mechanical hair engagement element 11, capable of mechanically interacting with the user's hair in particular to brush it, style it and / or comb it. Advantageously carried by the first face of the blowing head 10 (which defines, or contributes to defining, said first face 4 of the hairdressing appliance 1), the mechanical hair engagement element 11 may comprise a plurality of rows or bars of bristles and / or brush pins.The first air blowing outlet 2 may advantageously comprise one or more air blowing outlet portions, for example defined or each defined by an elongated continuous opening such as a slot or by a plurality of separate orifices, for example arranged in a line (straight or curved) as in the example illustrated in the figures. As visible as an example in Figures 2 to 4 in particular, the first air blowing outlet 2 is advantageously arranged between the bristles and / or the brush pins of the mechanical hair engagement element 11. Respectively, the second blowing mode advantageously corresponding to an operating mode of the hairdressing appliance 1 in “hairdryer” mode, the second air blowing outlet 3 may have an opening of generally oblong, elongated shape, as illustrated as an example in Figures 1, 2, 4 to 7 and 12, to blow the air flow F in the form of an air blade.Alternatively, the second air blowing outlet 3 could have, for example, an opening of generally circular shape for blowing the air flow F in a substantially cylindrical or frustoconical shape. For example, the second air blowing outlet 3 can be defined by a nozzle 12, for example fixed (irremovable) or on the contrary removable (removable), at least a portion of which extends projecting from the surface of the second face 5 of the hairdressing appliance 1, typically projecting from the external surface of the housing 6. Thus, the second air blowing outlet 3 is advantageously easily identifiable by the user.

[0018] Advantageously, the means for generating the air flow F include a blower module 13 (or “motor-fan unit”) for initiating the air flow F, / . e. for producing the air flow F, from ambient air in the environment of the hairdressing appliance 1. Preferably, the blower module 13 is embedded within the hairdressing appliance 1 itself. The hairdressing appliance 1 is advantageously provided with an air inlet 14, for which ambient air can be sucked in by the blower module 13 in order to be blown towards the hair. The blower module 13, which typically comprises at least one fan driven by an electric motor, can advantageously be arranged within the blower head 10 or within the handle 7, or even be assembled to the handle 7 at the second end 9 of the latter. More preferably, however, the blower module 13 is assembled to the handle 7 at the second end 9 of the latter, so that the blower module 13 advantageously extends the handle 7 beyond the second end 9 of the latter. Advantageously, the blower head 10 is connected to the handle 7 at the first end 8 of the latter.In the case where the blower module 13 is thus arranged within the handle 7 or, more preferably, is assembled to the handle 7 at the second end 9 of the latter, the hairdressing appliance 1 advantageously comprises an air guide channel 15 arranged, formed, at least partly inside the handle 7 to guide, channel, the air flow F initiated by the blower module 13 to the blowing head 10. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the air guide channel 15 can advantageously be unique, so that it defines a common portion of the different paths taken by the air flow F within the hairdressing appliance 1 according to the different blowing modes. Alternatively, however, several separate guide channels could be implemented, to the detriment, however, of the simplicity of design and manufacture of the appliance 1.Advantageously, the means for generating the air flow F according to at least two different blowing modes thus comprise said air guide channel (or channels).

[0019] The blowing head 10 may be designed to be removably connected, assembled, to the handle 7, so that the user can separate the blowing head 10 from the handle 7, for example to clean or replace the blowing head 10. Alternatively, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the blowing head 10 is designed to remain permanently connected to the handle 7 of the hairdressing appliance 1, and is therefore not intended (in normal use) to be dissociated from the handle 7 by the user. This simplifies both the design and the use of the hairdressing appliance 1. In any event, the blowing head 10 is preferably connected in a stationary manner relative to the handle 7.

[0020] Preferably, the hairdressing appliance 1 also comprises a heating element provided to raise the temperature of the air flow F, which is advantageously initiated by the blower module 13. Typically embedded inside the hairdressing appliance 1, the heating element is advantageously arranged so as to be interposed in the air flow F initiated by the blower module 13. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the heating element is advantageously positioned inside the air guide channel 15 arranged in the handle 7. The heating element is typically an electric heating element, comprising an electrical heating resistor formed of an electrically conductive wire (not shown) wound around an insulating core 16. Alternatively, the heating element could be housed in the blower head 10, to the detriment however of the compactness of the latter.Advantageously, the hairdressing appliance 1 comprises means 17 for manual control and / or adjustment, by the user, of the electrical operation of the hairdressing appliance 1, and in particular of the blower module 13 and / or of the heating element. These are adjustment means, for example of the rocker switch type, push button type and / or of the slide or thumbwheel type dimmers as in the example illustrated in the figures, on which the user can directly act in order to electrically activate / deactivate the hairdressing appliance 1 and to modify the rotation speed of the fan of the blower module 13, and therefore the speed / flow rate of the air flow F blown by the hairdressing appliance 1, and / or the heating temperature of the heating element.Such manual control / adjustment means 17 may be positioned, for example, at the handle 7 or at the blower module 13, when the latter is assembled at the second end 9 of the handle 7 as in the example illustrated in the figures. The hairdressing appliance 1 may further optionally comprise a cold air / hot air switch (not illustrated), for example arranged at the handle 7, preferably at its first end 8, to control switching on and / or off of the heating element. Advantageously constituting a portable electric appliance, the hairdressing appliance 1 is preferably designed to be electrically powered from the mains, via a power cord provided at a free end with an electrical connection plug (not illustrated).

[0021] Preferably, the means for generating the air flow F include an air directing member 18 (or “air distribution member”, or even “air deflection member”) for directing, distributing, the air flow F initiated by the blower module 13 towards one and / or towards the other (and preferably towards one or the other) of the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3 of the hairdressing appliance 1, depending on the blowing mode selected. In this respect, the air direction member 18 is advantageously mounted to be movable, within the hairdressing appliance 1, at least between a first air direction configuration (or “first air distribution configuration”) in which the air direction member 18 directs the initiated air flow F towards (and preferably only towards) the first air blowing outlet 2 according to the first of said blowing modes (figures 3, 6 and 9 in particular), and a second air direction configuration (or “second air distribution configuration”) in which the air direction member 18 directs the initiated air flow F towards (and preferably only towards) the second air blowing outlet 3 according to the second of said blowing modes (figures 5, 7 and 10 in particular).

[0022] The air direction member 18 is therefore advantageously designed and configured to define, or at least to contribute to defining, different paths of the air flow F within the hairdressing appliance 1 according to the air direction configuration that it occupies. When the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3 are carried by the blowing head 10, the air direction member 18 is preferably arranged inside the blowing head 10, which contributes to a simple and compact design of the latter. The air direction member 18 is then advantageously configured to deflect the air flow F leaving the air guide channel 15 arranged in the handle 7, towards one and / or the other of the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3.Even more advantageously, the air direction member 18 is configured to deflect the air flow F exiting the air guide channel 15 alternately towards one or the other of the first and second blowing outlets 2, 3. Alternatively, the air direction member 18 could be arranged inside the handle 7, to the detriment, however, of the compactness of the latter. Preferably, the air direction member 18 forms an air direction duct (or “air deflection duct”, or “spool”) which extends beyond one end of the handle 7, and typically beyond the first end 8 of the handle 7.The air directing member 18 comprises at least one air directing outlet 19, via which the air flow F is directed by the air directing member 18 towards one and / or the other (and preferably towards one or the other) of the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3 depending on the air directing configuration occupied by the air directing member 18. Preferably, the latter comprises only one. and single air direction outlet 19, through which the air flow F is therefore directed towards the first air blowing outlet 2 when the air direction member 18 is in said first air direction configuration (figures 3, 6 and 9 in particular) and towards the second air blowing outlet 3 when the air direction member 18 is in said second air direction configuration (figures 5, 7 and 10 in particular). The design of the hairdressing appliance 1 is thus simplified. In the case where the blower module 13 is arranged in the handle 7 or at the second end 9 of the handle 7, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the air direction member 18 may comprise an air inlet 20, connected to the air guide channel 15 of the handle 7 to collect the air flow F initiated by the blower module 13.The air direction member 18 thus advantageously extends the air guide channel 15 beyond the first end 8 of the handle 7. Advantageously, the air direction duct formed by the air direction member 18 comprises a hollow tube of generally cylindrical internal shape or preferably still frustoconical. Open at one of its ends to define said air inlet 20, the hollow tube then preferably has a substantially airtight wall through which said air direction outlet 19 is formed, so that the air flow F entering through the air inlet 20 exits through the air direction outlet 19 in a mean outlet direction which is secant to (or at least arranged in an inclined manner relative to) a mean inlet direction of the air flow F (Figures 6 and 7).

[0023] The hairdressing appliance 1 according to the invention also comprises a control mechanism to allow the user to alternately select one or other of said blowing modes, that is to say to control the transition of the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of said blowing modes to another of said blowing modes, and for example from said first blowing mode to said second blowing mode and vice versa from said second blowing mode to said first blowing mode. By acting on the control mechanism, the user can thus alternately select one or other of the blowing modes of the hairdressing appliance 1 from among said at least two different blowing modes.The user can thus advantageously choose through which of the first and second air blowing outlets 2, 3 the air flow F will be blown out of the hairdressing appliance 1, and thus choose the operating mode of the hairdressing appliance 1. The control mechanism is therefore distinct from the manual control and / or adjustment means 17 of the. electrical operation of the hairdressing appliance 1 and the cold air / hot air switch, as described above, which the hairdressing appliance 1 may optionally comprise. It is thus advantageously possible for the user to select one of the blowing modes, while another of said blowing modes is selected, prior to starting the blowing module 13 of the hairdressing appliance 1. More specifically, the control mechanism of the hairdressing appliance 1 according to the invention is a push-push button control mechanism 21 (or “push-push kinematic control mechanism”, or “push-push” button control mechanism) for controlling each transition of the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes.Intended to be actuated by the user, typically manually, the control mechanism is therefore designed and configured to transform each push exerted by the user (typically using a finger of the user) on a button 21 of the control mechanism into a passage of the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes or, at the very least, from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the push-push button control mechanism 21 is thus advantageously connected to the aforementioned air direction member 18 to control each passage of said air direction member 18 from one to the other of said first and second air direction configurations mentioned above.

[0024] The button 21 of the push-push button control mechanism 21 has a contact portion 22, or interaction portion, intended to come into direct contact with the user, and in particular with a finger of the latter, so that the user exerts a push against the button 21 to control the change of blowing mode. Said contact portion 22 therefore defines an external surface portion of the button 21, oriented towards the outside of the hairdressing appliance 1, and accessible to and visible to the user from outside the hairdressing appliance 1. Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, said contact portion 22 defines a free upper end of the button 21, which is opposite a lower end of the button 21 which is arranged (permanently) inside the hairdressing appliance 1.As such, the button 21 therefore advantageously forms a movable manual control member to allow the user to act on the control mechanism.

[0025] The hairdressing appliance 1 comprises a housing 23, which is provided with an access opening 24, inscribed in an opening plane Po, and through which said housing 23 typically opens from an external surface of the hairdressing appliance 1 (figures 12 to 16). As illustrated in the figures, it is therefore an internal housing, arranged inside the hairdressing appliance 1, and typically inside the aforementioned housing 6 of the latter, and which is open towards the outside of the hairdressing appliance 1 via said access opening 24. The button 21 of the push-push button control mechanism 21 is mounted movably, within the housing 23, in translation towards the inside of said housing 23 in a translation direction C-C' orthogonal to the opening plane Po between: - a first stop position, called the released position (or “high position” or “rest position”), which advantageously constitutes a stable (released) position (figures 1 to 3, and 5 to 11), and - a second stop position, called the pressed position (or “low position” or “activation position”) (figures 4, and 12 to 15), in which the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is arranged inside said housing 23.

[0026] Advantageously, as illustrated as an example in the figures, said housing 23 thus extends longitudinally (axially) from said access opening 24 towards the interior of the hairdressing appliance 1, in said translation direction C-C' of the button 21. Said released position and pressed position constitute extreme positions of the button 21 relative to the housing 23, and define a maximum travel Cmax of movement of the button 21 in translation in said translation direction C-C' (figure 16).

[0027] For example, the access opening 24 is delimited by the housing 6 of the hairdressing appliance 1, that is to say that said access opening 24 forms a hole in the housing 6, the latter forming a peripheral edge (contour) advantageously closed on itself, of the access opening 24. Advantageously, as illustrated as an example in the figures, the opening plane Po is a plane tangent to the external surface of the hairdressing appliance 1, and in particular to the external surface of the housing 6 of the latter. Generally, the control mechanism can be designed and configured so that, in said released position, the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is arranged above, flush of, or below the external surface of the housing 6 of the hairdressing appliance 1 (and therefore typically above, flush with, or below the opening plane Po of the access opening 24 to the housing 23). In any event, in accordance with the above, the control mechanism is designed and configured so that the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is arranged below the external surface of the hairdressing appliance 1 (and therefore below the opening plane Po of the access opening 24 to the housing 23), once the button 21 has reached said depressed position under the effect of a push exerted by the user to switch the hairdressing appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another. In other words, the button 21 retracts, retracts, completely inside the housing 23 and therefore the hairdressing appliance 1, when the button 21 moves towards and up to said pressed position.It is thus necessary for the user, in order to control a change in the blowing mode of the hairdressing appliance 1, to introduce at least one of his fingers into said housing 23 via the access opening 24 to the latter. The risk of an involuntary change in the blowing mode by interaction of the button 21 with the user or with a surrounding element is thus particularly limited, which makes the hairdressing appliance 1 particularly safe to use.

[0028] Thanks to such a push-push button 21 control mechanism, the use of the hairdressing appliance 1 is thus particularly simple and intuitive, since the reproduction of a simple pushing action carried out by the user against the button 21 of the control mechanism, each time in the same pushing direction, controls each change of blowing mode of the hairdressing appliance 1. Each push exerted by the user on the button 21 of the control mechanism, via the contact portion 22 of the button 21, thus controls a cyclical passage of the hairdressing appliance 1 from a given initial blowing mode to a following blowing mode, and so on, until returning to said initial blowing mode after the control mechanism has been actuated successively as many times as the hairdressing appliance 1 has different blowing modes.In the event that the means for generating the air flow F of the hairdressing appliance 1 are provided to generate the air flow F according to only two different blowing modes, each push exerted by the user on the button 21 thus controls the alternating passage from a first operating mode (first blowing mode) of the hairdressing appliance 1 to a second operating mode (second blowing mode). the hairdressing appliance 1, then from the first operating mode to the second operating mode of the hairdressing appliance 1, and so on.

[0029] According to the invention, said access opening 24 has an opening diameter Do1 of between 28 mm and 50 mm and the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is at a maximum distance Dmaxl from the opening plane Po which is between 5 mm and 40 mm when the button 21 is in the pressed position (Figures 4, 12 to 15, and 16 on the right). The opening diameter Do1 of said access opening 24 is understood here as an internal diameter of the latter, measured in the opening plane Po, which defines a useful section (or "free section") of said access opening 24. Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the access opening 24 is of circular section, which facilitates the manipulation of the button 21 by the user and also facilitates the design and manufacture of the hairdressing appliance 1. In return, the button 21 advantageously has a circular section (in a plane orthogonal to the direction C-C' of translation of the button 21).However, it remains conceivable that the access opening 24 (and advantageously the button 21) has(have) an oval, oblong or even rectangular (for example square) section, for example. In this case, the opening diameter Do1 is advantageously understood as a diameter of a circle in which such an oval, oblong or even rectangular section is inscribed. Said maximum distance Dmaxl is advantageously understood here as the greatest distance which separates the opening plane Po from a point of the contact portion 22 of the button 21 furthest from said opening plane Po, in a direction parallel to the translation direction C-C' of the button 21 (and therefore normal to the opening plane Po), when the button 21 is in the pressed position (figure 16, right).

[0030] The particular combination of aforementioned dimensional characteristics makes the use of the hairdressing appliance 1 particularly simple, practical, ergonomic and safe, while advantageously giving the hairdressing appliance 1 a compact, space-saving character. Indeed, such a particular design of the hairdressing appliance 1 allows particularly easy and ergonomic manipulation of the button 21 of the control mechanism using one, or even possibly two, fingers of one hand of the user, with a particularly limited (if not zero) risk of jamming or spraining a finger and / or a nail (and in particular a long nail) of the user when manipulating the button 21, and this both when exerting a pushing force on the contact portion 22 of the button 21 to drive the latter towards its pressed position, only when said button 21 returns to its released position.

[0031] More preferably with regard to the aforementioned effects and advantages, the opening diameter Do1 of said access opening 24 of the housing 23 is between 30 mm and 40 mm and the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is at a maximum distance Dmaxl from the opening plane Po which is between 10 mm and 20 mm when the button 21 is in the pressed position. For example, for an access opening of circular section, the opening diameter Do1 of the access opening 24 can advantageously be chosen equal to 32.5 mm, the maximum distance Dmaxl between the contact portion 22 of the button 21 and the opening plane Po being in return advantageously chosen equal to 16.5 mm.

[0032] By way of illustration, the table below presents some particular examples of a pair of values ​​of opening diameter Do1 and (first) maximum distance Dmaxl conforming or not to the invention, and associated observations, for an access opening 24 of circular section, and for an adult user. Table 1

[0033] Advantageously, the button 21 is further mounted to move in translation between said released position and said pressed position following a maximum stroke Cmax, as mentioned previously, which is between 5 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm, and for example equal to 16.5 mm. The maximum stroke Cmax (which therefore defines the maximum distance of the translational displacement of a given point of the button 21 towards the inside of the housing 23 in the direction C-C' of translation orthogonal to the opening plane Po between the released position and the pressed position) is thus sufficiently short to guarantee easy and ergonomic control of the change of blowing mode by the user, while being sufficiently long to avoid a risk of involuntary change of blowing mode by interaction of the button 21 with the user or with a surrounding element.

[0034] As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control mechanism is designed and configured so that the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is preferably (entirely) arranged outside said housing 23, and therefore outside the housing 6 of the hairdressing appliance 1, when the button 21 is in the released position (figures 1 to 3, 5 to 11, and 16 on the left). Thus, in said released position and therefore in the absence of pressure exerted on the button 21, the latter advantageously extends projecting from the external surface of the hairdressing appliance 1, typically projecting from the external surface of the housing 6 of the latter. This makes it easier to visually and / or tactilely identify the button 21, to access said button 21 and to manipulate the latter by the user.This can also advantageously contribute to limiting the risk of contact between the user and the external surface of the hairdressing appliance 1, which could possibly be hot, and therefore limit the risk of burns. Even more preferably, the control mechanism is designed and configured so that the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is at a maximum distance Dmax2 from the opening plane Po which is less than or equal to 7 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 5 mm, when the button 21 is in the released position. As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 11 and 16 on the left in particular, said maximum distance Dmax2 is advantageously understood to be the greatest distance which separates the opening plane Po from a point of the contact portion 22 of the button 21 furthest from the opening plane Po in a direction parallel to the direction C-C' of translation of the button 21 (and therefore normal to the opening plane Po).Thus, the contact portion 22 of the button 21 is not arranged too far outside the housing 23, which limits the risk of involuntary interaction between the user or a surrounding element and the button 21, when the latter is in operation. relaxed position, and improves the robustness, compactness and general aesthetics of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0035] As illustrated by example in the figures in particular, the button 21 is preferably shaped and dimensioned so that it occupies substantially (i.e., within the necessary sliding clearance) the entire useful section of the access opening 24 to said housing 23 when the button 21 is in the released position. Said useful section is considered in the opening plane Po of said access opening 24. In other words, in said released position, the button 21 is tightly mounted within said access opening 24, with a very small sliding clearance, typically between 0.05 mm and 1 mm. This makes it possible to avoid the introduction and jamming of a user's fingernail between the button 21 and the peripheral edge of the access opening 24 when handling the button 21, and the associated risk of discomfort or injury. This also prevents the introduction of other foreign bodies (dust, etc.) in the housing 23 when the button 21 is in the released position, which would be likely to clog and / or hinder the proper functioning of the control mechanism. What is more, this facilitates the cleaning of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0036] Preferably, the housing 23 has a guide portion 25 for the button 21, which is delimited by a tubular side wall 26, preferably solid (i.e. not perforated), a free end of which defines the access opening 24 to said housing 23 and along which the contact portion 22 of the button 21 moves when the button 21 translates from said released position to the pressed position (and vice versa from said pressed position to said released position). Said guide portion 25 thus advantageously extends from the access opening 24 to said housing 23 towards the inside of the hairdressing appliance 1, in a direction of extension advantageously parallel to the direction C-C' of translation of the button 21. Thus, said guide portion 25 constitutes at least one portion of the housing 23 which is laterally closed.The tubular side wall 26 has a useful section (or “free section”), which is preferably of identical shape to that of the access opening 24, and for example of circular shape (tubular side wall 26 with circular base), which has a maximum diameter Do2 advantageously greater than or equal to the opening diameter Do1 of the access opening 24 to the housing 23 (figures 13 and 16 on the right). More preferably still, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 21 and the. housing 23 are shaped and dimensioned so that the button 21 occupies substantially the entire useful section of said guide portion 25 when the button 21 translates from the released position to the pressed position. Thus, the housing 23 ensures efficient, reliable and robust guidance of the button 21 in its translational movement, the button 21 thus sliding tightly in the housing 23 opposite said tubular side wall 26. The presence of the tubular side wall 26 further improves the safety of use of the hairdressing appliance 1 in that it makes it possible to avoid accidental and potentially dangerous introduction of a finger, a nail or even hair of the user inside the hairdressing appliance 1 via said housing 23 and / or between the button 21 and said tubular side wall 26.In the same way, it advantageously improves the reliability and robustness of the hairdressing appliance 1, in that it makes it possible to avoid the introduction of foreign bodies (dust, etc.) inside the hairdressing appliance 1 via the housing 23, which would be likely to clog and / or hinder the proper functioning of the control mechanism.

[0037] In order to define said first stop position (released position) in a particularly reliable and robust manner, the button 21 is preferably provided with a peripheral collar 27 (or "external peripheral collar"), continuous or discontinuous, which is designed and configured to come into contact with a first fixed stop, for example arranged in the housing 23, and thus define said first stop position by mechanically opposing total extraction of the button 21 from the housing 23. Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first fixed stop is formed by an annular lip 28, preferably continuous, which projects from the aforementioned tubular side wall 26 in the direction of the housing 23.As illustrated by example in the figures, said annular lip 28 may be arranged at the free end of the tubular side wall 26 so that said annular lip 28 defines, delimits, said access opening 24 to the housing 23. For example, the annular lip 28 may be defined by an element of the housing 6. As such, the presence of such a collar 27 further advantageously contributes to preventing the introduction of a fingernail of the user or other foreign body into the housing 23 when the button 21 is in the released position. The implementation of such means 27, 28 for placing the button 21 in abutment to define the first abutment position (released position) further advantageously makes it possible to avoid having this function supported (at least exclusively) by components or part(s) of component(s). the hairdressing appliance 1 which provide a kinematic connection between the button 21 and the air direction member 18, as will be described later. In particular, this makes it possible to avoid having this stop function supported (at least exclusively) by the pin(s) and oblong light(s) which will be described later. This thus contributes to the robustness and general reliability of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0038] As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said contact portion 22 of the button 21 is preferably provided with a concave zone 29, that is to say an area having a concavity oriented towards the outside of the hairdressing appliance 1. The presence of such a concave zone 29, preferably positioned in the center of said contact portion 22, advantageously makes it possible to guide the placement of an end of a fingertip, and in particular a portion of fingertip, on the contact portion 22 of the button 21, to help keep the finger thus positioned for the effective application of a pushing force against the button 21 to control the change of blowing mode, and this even in particular without visual contact with the button 21.

[0039] Advantageously, the push-push button control mechanism 21 is designed and configured to control in a purely mechanical manner each transition of the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes. The control mechanism is therefore designed and configured to mechanically transform each push exerted by the user (for example using a finger of the user) on a button 21 of the control mechanism into a transition of the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes or, at the very least, from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes. The push-push button control mechanism 21 is therefore advantageously devoid of electrical or electromechanical components, so that its design is particularly simple, economical and reliable.As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 21 of the control mechanism is thus advantageously mechanically connected to the air direction member 18 to mechanically transform each movement of the button 21 of the control mechanism under the effect of a push exerted on the button 21 by the user into a movement of the air direction member 18 from one to the other of said first and second air direction configurations. It is therefore advantageously not a mechanism. electromechanical push-push button control mechanism, which would establish an electromechanical connection between the button of the control mechanism and the air direction member, i.e. which would be designed to transform a mechanical push exerted on the button by the user into an electrical command of an electric actuator which would be connected to the air direction member. The implementation of such a purely mechanical control mechanism advantageously allows the user to modify the blowing mode of the hairdressing appliance 1 even when the latter is not powered on. The safety of use of the hairdressing appliance 1 is thereby improved, insofar as the risk of an immediate blowing of air in a direction not expected by the user, and for example towards his face, is thus limited.The hairdressing appliance 1 nevertheless remains simple to use, since the user retains the possibility of changing the blowing mode of the hairdressing appliance 1 while the latter is in operation. Furthermore, the implementation of a purely mechanical control of the change of blowing mode, rather than an electromechanical control, tends to improve the operational reliability of the hairdressing appliance 1, and to reduce its manufacturing and operating costs.

[0040] Advantageously, the push-push button control mechanism 21 comprises at least one elastic return member 30, for example a spring, for automatically returning the button 21 from said pressed position to said released position. Preferably, said elastic return member 30 is a spring, and in particular a tension, compression or bending spring (leaf spring), which is designed and configured to exert a return force of between 3 N and 20 N, and more preferably between 10 N and 20 N. In other words, said spring is chosen (in terms of stiffness constant and dimensions, for example) such that the effort required by the user to counter the return force exerted by the spring and move the button 21 from its released position to its pressed position is preferably between 3 N and 20 N, and more preferably between 10 N and 20 N.Such a choice makes it easier for the user to manipulate the button (both when lowering, by limiting the pushing force required to combat the return effect, and when raising it by avoiding a return that is too rapid and abrupt) without hurting the finger, but while nevertheless avoiding too easy and unwanted pressing of the button 21, and ensuring effective return of the button 21 to the released position by combating the internal friction forces of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0041] In one variant (not shown), the button of the push-push button control mechanism is a bistable button. Typically, the control mechanism is then designed and configured so that the button is capable - to move from said released position (first stop position), which constitutes a stable released position, to said pressed position (second stop position), which constitutes an unstable first pressed position, under the effect of a first push exerted by the user against the contact portion of the button, and - to then automatically return to a second stable depressed position, intermediate between said stable released position and first unstable depressed position, under the effect of said elastic return member when the first push exerted by the user ceases. The button then remains temporarily locked in said second stable depressed position, corresponding to one of the blowing modes of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0042] Conversely, that is to say in return, the control mechanism is designed and configured so that the button is able to move from said second stable depressed position to said first unstable depressed position under the effect of a second push exerted by the user against the contact portion of the button, which is consecutive to said first push and which thus allows the button to be unlocked, and to then return to the stable released position, under the effect of said elastic return member, when the second push exerted by the user ceases. For example, such a bistable push-push button control mechanism can implement a mechanism, a kinematic, called "cardioid".

[0043] According to a more preferred variant, implemented in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 21 of the push-push button control mechanism 21 is a monostable button 21. The control mechanism is therefore preferably designed and configured so that the button 21 is capable - to move from said released position (first stop position), which constitutes a stable released position, to said pressed position (second stop position), which constitutes an unstable pressed position, under the effect of a push exerted by the user against the contact portion 22 of the button 21, then to then automatically return from said pressed position to said released position when the thrust exerted by the user ceases, under the effect of said elastic return member 30.

[0044] This "monostable" variant proves to be more advantageous than the aforementioned "bistable" variant insofar as, since the button 21 systematically returns to the released position, it remains just as accessible to the user regardless of the blowing mode selected. In addition, such a "monostable" variant is simpler to design and more robust in use.

[0045] Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 21 of the push-push button control mechanism 21 is mounted in pure rectilinear translation along said translation direction C-C', relative to the rest of the hairdressing appliance 1 and in particular relative to the handle 7 of the latter. Thus, the movement of the button 21 under the effect of a push exerted by the user is a pure rectilinear translation movement, that is to say according to a rectilinear sliding connection, in the same average direction as the pushing force exerted by the user. The manipulation of the button 21 is thus particularly easy and intuitive for the user, regardless of the position and orientation of the button 21 relative to the user in use of the hairdressing appliance 1.

[0046] In order to further make the guidance of the button 21 of the push-push button control mechanism 21 with pure rectilinear translation more reliable along said translation direction C-C', it is advantageous to provide, as illustrated in the example in particular in FIGS. 17 and 18, that the button 21 comprises one or more guide ribs 31, which is (are) received slidingly in one or more corresponding guide grooves 32 with which the housing 23 is provided in return or at least a part arranged in the latter and advantageously immobile relative to the handle 7 and the blowing head 10. For example, the button 21 may comprise a portion of tubular lateral skirt 33 of circular section, of revolution along the translation direction C-C', and the guide rib(s) 31 may be carried by said portion of lateral skirt 33.

[0047] According to a variant (not illustrated), the control mechanism can be designed and configured to transform each push exerted by the user on the button 21 of the control mechanism into a change of the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes. In this case, the only push exerted by the user on the contact portion 22 of the button 21 of the control mechanism makes it possible to change the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes. Once the hairdressing appliance 1 affects this other blowing mode, the user can then stop exerting his pushing force on the button 21.According to another more preferred variant, implemented in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the push-push button control mechanism 21 is designed and configured to transform each push, exerted by the user, on the button 21 of the control mechanism into a passage, a transition, of the hairdressing appliance 1 from one of the blowing modes to another of the blowing modes, then to automatically finalize the passage of the hairdressing appliance 1 to the other of the blowing modes under the effect of the automatic return of the button 21 to said released (stable) position, when the push exerted by the user ceases. In other words, the change of blowing mode is then only initiated by pressure exerted by the user on the contact portion 22 of the button 21, then automatically completed by the control mechanism.In particular, this allows for easier, more intuitive and faster blowing mode changes for the user.

[0048] Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 21 of the push-push button control mechanism 21 is carried by the blowing head 10, that is to say it is arranged at the level of the blowing head 10, and not carried by the handle 7 for example, so as to simplify the design of the hairdressing appliance 1 and to limit a risk of involuntary manipulation of the button 21 by the hand of the user who is holding the handle 7. Preferably, the button 21 is arranged at a distance from the handle 7 such that it cannot be reached by a finger of the hand of the user who is holding the handle 7. For example, the button 21 is arranged at the upper end of the blowing head 10, opposite the handle 7. Inaccessible to a finger of the hand of the user who is holding the handle 7, the button 21 thus remains perfectly accessible. of a finger of the user's other hand.

[0049] Different kinematics of the air direction member 18 can be envisaged, depending in particular on the conformation and configuration of the air direction member 18. In order in particular to simplify the design of the hairdressing appliance 1 and to improve its compactness, the air direction member 18 is however preferably mounted to be mobile in rotation, in pivoting, along an axis D-D' of rotation, between at least the first and second air direction configurations, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. The control mechanism then controls the passage of the air direction member 18 from one to the other of the first and second air direction configurations by rotation of the air direction member 18 according to a predetermined angle of rotation along said axis D-D' of rotation.More preferably, the air direction member 18 is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the handle 7 of the hairdressing appliance 1, the axis D-D' of rotation of the air direction member 18 being preferably parallel, or more preferably collinear, to the axis A-A' of longitudinal extension of the handle 7.

[0050] Thus, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures where the air direction member 18 is arranged in the blowing head 10, the air direction duct advantageously formed by the air direction member 18 may comprise a hollow tube of generally frustoconical internal shape (as envisaged above), an axis of revolution of which is advantageously formed by an axis of longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18. The axis of longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18 is advantageously coincident with the axis B-B' of average extension of the blowing head 10. Said respective axes of extension of the blowing head 10 and of the air direction member 18 are advantageously collinear with the axis A-A' of average longitudinal extension of the handle 7.The air direction duct extends the air guide channel 15 arranged inside the handle 7, by means of a large base of the hollow tube of generally truncated internal shape, at the level of which the air inlet 20 of the air direction duct is arranged. The useful passage section of the air flow F inside the tube thus decreases along the longitudinal extension axis of the air direction member 18, moving away from the handle 7.

[0051] As described above, the air direction member 18 preferably comprises a single air direction outlet 19. Said air direction outlet 19 is provided in said wall of the hollow tube and advantageously extends along the longitudinal extension axis of the air direction member 18. The air direction outlet 19 thus forms a lumen which extends longitudinally in a direction coplanar with the longitudinal extension axis of the air direction member 18. The generally frustoconical internal shape of the tube of the air direction duct advantageously makes it possible to homogenize the profile of the air flow F which circulates inside the tube. The air direction outlet 19 is preferably provided with a plurality of air deflectors 34 (or straightening fins), called “primary deflectors”, to straighten the air flow F exiting through the air direction outlet 19 from the air inlet 20 of the air direction member 18, and thus to optimally guide the air flow F towards the first air blowing outlet 2 or the second air blowing outlet 3, depending on the blowing mode selected.In return, the blowing head 10 advantageously comprises, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, a first portion of pipe 35 provided to ensure airflow communication between the air direction outlet 19 of the air direction member 18 and the first air blowing outlet 2 when the air direction member 18 occupies the first air direction configuration (figure 6), and a second portion of pipe 36 provided to ensure airflow communication between said air direction outlet 19 and the second air blowing outlet 3 when the air direction member 18 occupies the second air direction configuration (figure 7).As illustrated in the figures, said first and second pipe portions 35, 36 may advantageously be defined, at least in part, by an internal pipe device 37, which then constitutes a “two-way” internal pipe device (or “two-way distributor”). Advantageously housed within the blowing head 10, the internal pipe device 37 is advantageously connected immobile to the handle 7 of the hairdressing appliance 1. Thus, when the air direction member 18 occupies the first air direction configuration (figures 3, 6 and 9 in particular), the air direction outlet 19 of the air direction member 18 is in air communication with the first portion of duct 35, and therefore with the first air blowing outlet 2. On the other hand, the wall of the tube of the air direction member 18 then closes the second portion of duct 36 of the internal ducting device 37.Conversely, when the air direction member 18 occupies the second air direction configuration (figures 5, 7 and 10 in particular), the air direction outlet 19 of the air direction member 18 is in air communication with the second portion of duct 36, and therefore with the second air blowing outlet 3. The wall of the tube of. the air direction member 18 then closes the first portion of pipe 35 of the internal pipe device 37.

[0052] In a particularly advantageous manner in terms of optimal straightening and guiding of the air flow F, the blowing head 10 can comprise, as illustrated in the figures: - first outlet air deflectors 38 (“first secondary air deflectors”) for straightening the air flow F directed towards the first air blowing outlet 2 coming from the air direction outlet 19 of the air direction member 18 when the latter is in said first air direction configuration, and - second outlet air deflectors 39 ("second secondary air deflectors") for straightening the initiated air flow F directed towards the second air blowing outlet 3 from the air direction outlet 19 of the air direction member 18 when the latter is in said second air direction configuration, a plurality of said air deflectors 34 of the air direction outlet 19 of the air direction member 18 being arranged aligned with a plurality of said first outlet air deflectors 38 when the air direction member 18 is in said first air direction configuration (Figure 6), and a plurality of said air deflectors 34 of the air direction outlet 19 of the air direction member 18 being respectively arranged aligned with a plurality of said second outlet air deflectors 39 when the air direction member 18 is in said second air direction configuration (figure 7).

[0053] In order to ensure a mechanical connection, as mentioned above, between the button 21 of the control mechanism and the air direction member 18, and thus to transmit to the latter the mechanical thrust force exerted by the user on the button 21, the control mechanism preferably comprises a rotary coupling part 40, forming a cam and mechanically connected to the air direction member 18 on the one hand, and preferably on the other hand to the button 21. Said button 21 is advantageously secured to at least one pin 41 (or roller) forming a follower which cooperates with the cam so that each thrust exerted on the button 21 causes a rotation of the rotary coupling part 40 about an axis of rotation and a corresponding rotation of the air direction member 18 about its axis D-D' of rotation. Even more preferably, the button 21 is arranged relative to the rotary coupling part 40 so that the direction C-C' of rectilinear translation of the button 21 coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotary coupling part 40. Thus, each push exerted by the user on the button 21 causes a rectilinear translational movement of the button 21 and, preferably directly, a rotation of the rotary coupling part 40 about the direction C-C' of translation of the button 21, according to a design which is particularly simple and compact due to the preferential absence of an intermediate part between the button 21 and the rotary coupling part 40.Alternatively, the direction C-C' of rectilinear translation of the button 21 could be provided parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary coupling part 40 and offset relative to the latter, or provided oblique or orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotary coupling part 40, to the detriment, however, of the simplicity of design and the compactness of the control mechanism. Advantageously, the rotary coupling part 40 is immobilized in rotation relative to the air direction member 18, the axis of rotation of the rotary coupling part 40 being coincident with the respective axis D-D' of rotation of the air direction member 18. Thus, each movement of the button 21 under the effect of a push exerted by the user causes a joint rotation of the rotary coupling part 40 and the air direction member 18, of said predetermined angle of rotation, according to a common axis of rotation.This contributes to the simplicity and reliability of design and operation of the hairdressing appliance 1. For example, as illustrated in the figures, the rotary coupling part 40 and the air direction member 18 may be assembled to each other by form fit and secured to each other by screwing, or by clipping / snapping or gluing. Alternatively, the rotary coupling part 40 and the air direction member 18 could possibly form a monolithic part together.

[0054] Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rotary coupling part 40 more specifically forms a grooved drum cam. The rotary coupling part 40 thus comprises at least one cylindrical portion of revolution, which is provided with a groove 42 forming a cam path delimited by two opposite side walls of the groove 42 and intended to be traveled by the pin 41 forming a follower secured to the button 21. The pin 41 is thus captive within the groove 42, which helps to ensure a reliable mechanical connection between the button 21 and the rotating coupling part 40. Even more preferably, the groove 42 is peripheral, extending around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion of revolution, and closed on itself. The rotation of the rotating coupling part 40 about its axis of rotation can thus be done in the same direction of rotation at each command to change the blowing mode.

[0055] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 41 is mounted in rectilinear translation (pure) along its translation direction C-C' (sliding connection), which coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotary coupling part 40. As in this embodiment, the aforementioned lateral skirt portion 33 of the button 21 can then advantageously be mounted overlapping the cylindrical portion of revolution of the rotary coupling part 40. Advantageously, the button 21 is connected not to a single pin 41, but to two pins 41 forming followers, arranged on either side of said rectilinear translation direction C-C', in order to further make the mechanical connection between the button 21 and the rotary coupling part 40 more reliable. A free end portion of each of the pins 41 is housed in the groove 42 of the grooved drum cam formed here by the rotary coupling part 40.In order to ensure rotational locking of the button 21 relative to the rest of the hairdressing appliance 1, and in particular relative to the handle 7 of the latter, and to guide the translational movement of the button 21 in the rectilinear translation direction C-C', an opposite free end portion of each of the pins 41 is housed within a respective oblong slot 43 formed in a part that is stationary relative to the handle 7 (for example, a part integral with the aforementioned internal channeling device 37).To facilitate assembly of the hairdressing appliance 1, the pins 41 may each be defined by a cylindrical pin force-fitted into an orifice 44 provided through the wall of the tubular side skirt portion 33 of the button 21, once the button 21 is assembled to overlap the cylindrical portion of revolution of the rotary coupling part 40, such that a portion of the pins defining such a follower-forming pin 41 extends radially inside the button 21, while an opposite portion of the pins extends radially outside the button 21 and is captured in one of the oblong slots 43.

[0056] Advantageously, the push-push button control mechanism 21 comprises an elastic return member 30, as already mentioned. previously, such as for example a spring, and in particular a compression spring. The elastic return member 30 is configured and arranged to automatically return the button 21 to said released position when the pressure exerted by the user on the button 21 ceases. As in the example illustrated in the figures, the compression spring can be arranged in contact on the one hand against an inner surface of the button 21 and on the other hand against a surface of the rotary coupling part 40. The cam formed by the rotary coupling part 40 is preferably shaped and configured so that the rotation of the air direction member 18 according to said predetermined angle of rotation, which allows the hairdressing appliance 1 to switch from one blowing mode to another by a corresponding switch of the air direction member 18 from one air direction configuration to another, is carried out: - for only a first part of said predetermined rotation angle, by a movement of the button 21 of the push-push button control mechanism 21 under the effect of a push exerted, by the user, on the button 21, - then, for the remainder of said predetermined rotation angle, by a movement in the opposite direction of the button 21 under the joint effect of the elastic return member 30 and the cam, when the thrust exerted by the user ceases.

[0057] Thus, the change of blowing mode is only initiated by a push exerted by the user on the button 21, as mentioned previously as a preferred variant, the change of blowing mode being finalized automatically by the control mechanism, after the user has stopped pushing on the button 21 of the latter. The user therefore advantageously only needs to provide a part of the force necessary for rotating the air direction member 18 according to the predetermined rotation angle to switch the latter from one to the other of its air direction configurations. As indicated above, this allows in particular an easier, more intuitive and faster change of blowing mode for the user.Even more advantageously, the cam is shaped and configured so that the rotation of the air direction member 18 according to said predetermined angle of rotation is carried out for 50% or less (i.e. for at most 50%, and for example for 30%, 40% or 50% only) of said predetermined angle of rotation, by a movement of the button 21 of the control mechanism under the effect of a thrust exerted on the button 21, then, for the remainder (i.e. 50% or more, by example for 50%, 60% or 70%) of said predetermined rotation angle, by a movement in the opposite direction of the button 21 under the joint effect of the elastic return member 30 and the cam, when the thrust exerted ceases.

[0058] Such a feature can be achieved, for example, by modulating the profile of the cam path defined by the groove 42 of the grooved drum cam mentioned above, to define at least two consecutive cam path portions, forming ramps of opposite slopes, and the path of which by the follower-forming pin 41 causes the air direction member 18 to rotate according to the predetermined rotation angle in the following manner. Firstly, when the user exerts pressure on the button 21 to bring the latter from the released position to the pressed position, the pin 41 travels a first cam path portion by sliding against one of the side walls of the groove 42 which forms a first ramp, thus causing the rotary coupling part 40 to rotate according to a first rotation angle.Then, when the user stops pushing the button 21, the elastic return member 30 automatically returns the button 21 to its released position, the pin 41 then traveling a second portion of cam path, sliding this time bearing against the other of the side walls of the groove 42 which forms a second ramp, with a slope opposite to that of the first ramp, the pin 41 being pressed against the second ramp under the effect of the elastic return member 30, thus forcing a rotation in the same direction of the rotary coupling part 40 according to a second angle of rotation. The slope of the first ramp is advantageously chosen to be equal to or greater, more pronounced, than the slope of the second ramp, so that the first angle of rotation is thus equal to or less than the second angle of rotation, the sum of the first and second angles of rotation corresponding to the predetermined angle of rotation.Thus, the first angle corresponds to the movement initiated by pushing by the user, while the second angle corresponds to the automatic complementary movement described previously.

[0059] For example, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the passage of the air direction member 18 from one to the other of the first and second air direction configurations is carried out by rotating the air direction member 18 along its axis D-D' of rotation by a predetermined rotation angle of 180°. Thus, by rotating 360° along its axis D-D' of rotation under the effect of two successive pushes exerted on the button 21, the air direction member 18 can advantageously change twice of angular configuration, alternating between said first and second air direction configurations. The grooved drum cam is here advantageously shaped and configured so that the rotation of the air direction member 18 according to said predetermined angle of rotation is carried out: - for 90° (first angle of rotation) only (i.e. 50%) by a pure rectilinear translation movement of the button 21, from its released (stable) position to its pressed (unstable) position, under the effect of a push exerted by the user on the contact portion 22 of the button 21, - then for the remaining 90° by a pure rectilinear translation movement in the opposite direction of the button 21, from its pressed-in (unstable) position to its released (stable) position, under the joint effect of the elastic return member 30 and the grooved drum cam, when the thrust exerted by the user ceases.

[0060] Obviously, the invention is not limited to a mechanical connection as described above between the button 21 of the control mechanism and the air direction member 18, and other suitable kinematic chains may be alternatively implemented depending in particular on the arrangement, conformation and configuration of the air direction member 18, the mobility of the latter (pivoting, translational, etc.), or even the arrangement of the button 21. In particular, other forms of cam may be envisaged (simple drum cam, etc.), although the implementation of a grooved drum cam proves to be more particularly advantageous for the reasons set out above.

[0061] Preferably, the hairdressing appliance 1 further comprises an indicator system, comprising a visual selection indicator, to provide the user with visual information as to which of said blowing modes is selected. The implementation of such an indicator system is all the more advantageous in the preferred case, illustrated as an example in the figures, where the button 21 of the control mechanism is a monostable button, i.e. a button occupying a rest position that is always identical, regardless of the operating mode of the appliance 1. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the indicator system may be a mechanical indicator system, i.e. an indicator system whose change of state is controlled purely mechanically to reflect the selected blowing mode. As such, the indicator system preferably comprises at least one opening 45A (through, possibly closed by a transparent element) provided in a face of the button 21 of the control mechanism and an indicator part 46, which is housed at least partially in a free space provided inside the button 21 and which is mounted to move relative to said opening 45A so as to be visible or not, or to be visible in a different manner (from the outside of the device 1), through said opening 45A depending on which of the blowing modes is selected. Advantageously, the face of the button 21 in which said opening 45A is provided is a face which is visible to the user regardless of the blowing mode selected. Even more advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said face of the button 21 carries the contact portion 22 of the latter mentioned previously.Even more preferably, the indicator system comprises at least two (distinct) openings 45A, 45B formed in said face of the button 21, the indicator part 46 being mounted to move relative to the button 21 so as to be visible or not, or to be visible in a different manner (from the outside of the appliance 1), alternately through one or the other of said openings 45A, 45B depending on which of said blowing modes is selected. More generally, the indicator system may advantageously comprise as many openings 45A, 45B as the hairdressing appliance 1 has different blowing modes. Said openings 45A, 45B may have an identical shape (figure 19), or different, distinctive shapes.

[0062] For example, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the indicator part 46 may be mechanically connected to the air direction member 18 via the rotary coupling part 40, and be immobilized in rotation relative to the latter, so that the rotation of the rotary coupling part 40 causes a joint rotation of the indicator part 46. The indicator part 46 may advantageously comprise at least one arm or disc 47, which extends radially relative to an axis of rotation of the indicator part 46, and of which an upper face, oriented towards the face of the button 21 carrying the openings 45A, 45B, of which an area 48 is colored (or otherwise marked) (figure 17). Said colored area 48 then forms said visual selection indicator.The rotary coupling part 40 being advantageously immobilized in rotation relative to the air steering member 18, the axis of rotation of the rotary coupling part 40 being coincident with the respective axis D-D' of rotation of the air steering member 18, a rotation of the steering member. air 18 of said predetermined rotation angle thus causes a corresponding rotation of the indicator part 46 of the same predetermined rotation angle. The openings 45A, 45B are advantageously configured and arranged so that: - when the air direction member 18 occupies the first air direction configuration (first blowing mode), a colored zone 48 of the upper face of the disc 47 of the indicator part 46 is arranged opposite one of the openings 45A, 45B so as to be visible to the user through it (figure 19, left), then - when the air direction member 18 occupies the second air direction configuration (second blowing mode) by rotation of said predetermined rotation angle, said colored zone 48 is then arranged opposite the other of the openings 45A, 45B so as to be visible to the user through it (figure 19, right).

[0063] As already mentioned previously, the predetermined rotation angle is 180° in the example illustrated in the figures, and the air direction member 18 advantageously changes its angular configuration twice, alternating between the first and second air direction configurations, when it is rotated 360° along its rotation axis D-D' under the effect of two successive pushes exerted on the button 21. As illustrated in the figures, said openings 45A, 45B are advantageously arranged on either side of the coincident axes of rotation of the air direction member 18, of the rotary coupling part 40 and of the indicator part 46.The indicator part 46 here comprises a disc 47, which extends radially relative to the axis of rotation of the indicator part 46, and the upper face of which, oriented towards the face of the button 21 carrying the openings 45A, 45B, has a colored zone 48 which occupies half of the upper surface of the disc, for example.

[0064] Obviously, other designs and configurations of the indicator system could alternatively be envisaged. In particular, one could alternatively envisage the implementation of an indicator system comprising a luminous visual selection indicator, and therefore electrically controlled. Furthermore, whereas in the embodiment illustrated in the figures the visual selection indicator is visible from the above the blowing head 10 of the hairdressing appliance 1, it may alternatively be advantageously provided that the indicator system comprises a visual selection indicator, luminous or not, which is alternately visible from the side of that of said first and second faces 4, 5 which carries the air blowing outlet 2, 3 corresponding to the selected blowing mode, so as to make the hairdressing appliance 1 even more practical and more intuitive to use. POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0065] The invention finds its industrial application in the design, manufacture and use of hairdressing appliances, for example for domestic use, and more precisely in the field of portable hairdressing appliances designed to blow a flow of air in order to dry and / or facilitate the styling of hair.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Portable hairdressing appliance (1) comprising means for generating a flow (F) of air according to at least two different blowing modes, a push-push button control mechanism (21) for controlling each passage of the appliance (1) from one of said blowing modes to another of said blowing modes, and a housing (23), which is provided with an access opening (24) inscribed in an opening plane (Po), and within which the button (21) of the push-push button control mechanism is mounted movable in translation towards the interior of said housing (23) in a translation direction (C-C') orthogonal to said opening plane (Po) between a first stop position called the released position, and a second stop position called the pressed-in position in which a contact portion (22) of the button (21) is arranged inside said housing (23),said device (1) being characterized in that said access opening (24) has an opening diameter (Do1) of between 28 mm and 50 mm and the contact portion (22) of the button (21) is at a maximum distance (Dmaxl) from the opening plane (Po) which is between 5 mm and 40 mm when the button (21) is in the pressed position., 2. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the opening diameter (Do1) of said access opening (24) is between 30 mm and 40 mm and the contact portion (22) of the button (21) is at a maximum distance (Dmaxl) from the opening plane (Po) which is between 10 mm and 20 mm when the button (21) is in the pressed position.

3. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the button (21) is mounted to move in translation between said released position and said pressed position following a maximum stroke (Cmax) of between 5 mm and 30 mm, preferably of between 10 mm and 20 mm, for example equal to 16.5 mm.

4. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact portion (22) of the button (21) is arranged outside said housing (23) when the button (21) is in the released position.

5. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contact portion (22) of the button (21) is at a maximum distance (Dmax2) from the opening plane (Po) which is less than or equal to 7 mm when the button (21) is in the released position.

6. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the button (21) occupies substantially the entire useful section of said access opening (24) when the button (21) is in the released position.

7. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (23) has a guide portion (25) of the button (21) delimited by a tubular side wall (26), a free end of which defines the access opening (24) to said housing (23) and along which the contact portion (22) of the button (21) moves when the button (21) translates from the released position to the pressed position, said button (21) preferably occupying substantially the entire useful section of said guide portion (25) when the button (21) translates from the released position to the pressed position.

8. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contact portion (22) of the button (21) is provided with a concave zone (29).

9. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a first air blowing outlet (2) and a second air blowing outlet (3) which are distinct from each other, said air flow generation means including a blower module (13) for initiating said air flow (F) and an air direction member (18) which is mounted movably at least between: - a first air direction configuration in which said air direction member (18) directs the initiated air flow (F) towards the first air blowing outlet (2) according to a first of said blowing modes, and - a second air direction configuration in which said air direction member (18) directs the initiated air flow (F) towards the second air blowing outlet (3) according to a second of said blowing modes, the push-push button control mechanism (21) being connected to the air direction member (18) for controlling each passage of said air direction member (18) from one to the other of said first and second air direction configurations.

10. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the button (21) of the push-push button control mechanism is mechanically connected to the air direction member (18) to mechanically transform each movement of the button (21) under the effect of a push exerted on the button (21) into a movement of the air direction member (18) from one to the other of said first and second air direction configurations.

11. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the air direction member (18) is mounted to be movable in rotation about an axis (D-D') of rotation, between at least said first and second air direction configurations, the push-push button control mechanism (21) controlling the passage of the air direction member (18) from one to the other of the first and second air direction configurations by rotation of the air direction member (18) according to a predetermined angle of rotation.

12. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the push-push button control mechanism (21) comprises a rotary coupling part (40) forming a cam and mechanically connected to the air direction member (18), said button (21) being secured to at least one pin (41) forming a follower which cooperates with the cam so that each push exerted on the button (21) causes the rotary coupling part (40) to rotate about an axis of rotation and a corresponding rotation of the air direction member (18).

13. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the push-push button control mechanism (21) comprises an elastic return member (30) for automatically returning the button (21) from said pressed position to said released position, said cam preferably being shaped and configured so that the rotation of the air direction member (18) according to said predetermined rotation angle is carried out - for only a first part of said predetermined rotation angle, and preferably for 50% or less of said predetermined rotation angle, by a movement of the button (21) under the effect of a push exerted on said button (21), - then, for the remainder of said predetermined rotation angle, by a movement in the opposite direction of said button (21) under the joint effect of the elastic return member (30) and said cam.

14. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic return member (30) is a spring, which is designed and configured to exert a return force of between 3 N and 20 N, and more preferably between 10 N and 20 N.

15. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a handle (7) for manual gripping and a blowing head (10) connected to the handle (7) for blowing the flow (F) of air out of the hairdressing appliance (1), the button (21) of the push-push button control mechanism (21) being carried by the blowing head (10).

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