Hair treatment device

Abstract

Hair treatment device The invention relates to a hair treatment device comprising: - two hair treatment jaws (3, 4) movable relative to each other between a spaced apart configuration for engagement between said jaws (3, 4) of hair to be treated and a close treatment configuration, - an external treatment member having at least one external heating surface (13) extending over at least one of the two jaws (3, 4) towards the outside of the jaws (3, 4), - at least one end tip (50) made of plastic material, removably mounted by form-fitting on a distal end of a corresponding jaw (3, 4) which carries an external heating surface (13), this tip (50) having an edge (51) adjacent to the external heating surface (13) along which a stop (52) extends, the latter projecting by at least 1.5 mm relative to a surface outer casing of the tip (50).Figure for abstract: Fig. 9.

Description

Title of the invention: Hair treatment device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to hair treatment devices, and more particularly but not exclusively those intended for shaping hair, in particular intended for curling and / or straightening hair.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to curling devices comprising two jaws movable relative to each other, capable of taking a spaced-apart configuration for introducing a lock of hair between them and a close-together configuration for treating the lock. Prior art

[0003] Many devices of this type have already been proposed. These devices generally have heating plates on their external surfaces around which the strands of hair are wound to curl them.

[0004] Some devices are also in the form of two arms which can be moved between them and have internal heating plates between which the strands can be clamped when curling and / or to allow the hair to be straightened.

[0005] When using the device, the user may need to manually hold the distal end of the device so as to keep the arms closed on the hair, possibly exerting pressure on the hair. The user must then be careful not to put his hand on the hot external plates, to avoid burns.

[0006] JP11032831 and CN205492912 describe devices comprising non-slip gripping tips in the extension of the heating plates. JP2015104448, EP3187067, US10258132 and FR3028392 further disclose the use of fixed non-slip gripping tips which also provide thermal insulation.

[0007] In KR10-0916541, JP3178348, EP2953500 and CN204499773 each arm of the device comprises fixed distal gripping portions comprising a stop limiting the access of the user's fingers to the hot parts.

[0008] There is a need to improve the tips of hair treatment devices, in particular to facilitate their assembly and disassembly, while providing sufficient protection against burns.

[0009] There is thus a need to further improve hair treatment devices, in particular in order to benefit from a versatile, efficient, safe, simple and comfortable device to use, with reliable operation and a cost compatible with a large-scale distribution.

[0010] There is also a need for a hair curling device that can also be used as a hair straightener efficiently. Statement of the invention

[0011] The present invention meets all or part of these needs thanks to, according to one of its aspects, a device for treating hair, in particular for shaping, preferably for curling hair, comprising: - two hair treatment jaws movable relative to each other between a spaced apart configuration of engagement between said hair treatment jaws and a close hair treatment configuration, - an external treatment member having at least one external surface for heating the hair to be treated extending over at least one of the two jaws towards the outside of the jaws, - a plastic end piece, removably mounted by form-fitting on a distal end of a corresponding jaw which carries an external heating surface, this end piece having an edge adjacent to the external heating surface along which a stop extends, the latter projecting by at least 1.5 mm from an external envelope surface of the end piece, better still by a height of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, even better still between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0012] By "forming a projection relative to an external envelope surface of the end piece", it is meant that the stop projects from the highest point of the external envelope surface of the end piece, excluding the stop. This envelope surface may include local reliefs, the stop then projecting by at least 1.5 mm relative to the local reliefs.

[0013] The tip allows the user to grip the distal end of the jaw safely. Indeed, the tip protects the user from excessive heat flow coming from the external plate.

[0014] In addition, the stop protruding at least 1.5 mm from the external surface of the tip makes it possible to prevent accidental contact of a hand, in particular fingers gripping the tip with hot surfaces, in particular the external treatment member(s). Indeed, such a stop constitutes a sufficient obstacle to prevent the user's fingers from slipping on the external heating surface. In addition, this stop is also a good tactile indicator to tell the user that he has correctly positioned his fingers on the hair treatment device.

[0015] The tip being removable, it does not hinder the use of the device in different applications, in particular between straightening and curling.

[0016] The device may comprise two arms, the distal parts of which each form one of the two jaws; these two arms are preferably articulated together at their proximal ends, opposite the jaws, and may each comprise a half-handle, on the side of the articulation, by which the user can grasp and manipulate the device, in particular by pressing on these half-handles to move the jaws from the separated configuration to the close configuration. In other words, the user will then close the clamp formed by the arms.

[0017] Preferably, each jaw is elongated in shape and extends along a longitudinal axis, which is preferably a rectilinear axis.

[0018] The device can thus be of elongated shape along a longitudinal axis, preferably rectilinear, in a configuration close to the jaws. External heating treatment unit

[0019] The device may comprise two external treatment members each extending over one of the jaws and each having at least one external hair heating surface extending over the respective jaw towards the outside of the device, preferably being in opposition to each other on the device in the close configuration of the jaws, the device comprising two removable end pieces each having a stop, each stop forming a projection of at least 1.5 mm relative to the external envelope surface of the corresponding end piece, better still with a height of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, even better still of between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0020] Preferably, when there is only one external treatment member having an external heating surface, this extends over the jaw having the lateral recess.

[0021] The or each external treatment member may comprise an external plate extending over the external surface of the corresponding jaw and of a shape substantially complementary to the latter. The external plate(s) have an external surface for contact with the hair at least partially defining the external heating surface of the external treatment member.

[0022] The or each external plate may be made of a material that is a good conductor of heat, the external heating surface(s) having a temperature for example greater than 50°C, better between 55° and 150°C when using the device, for example of the order of 90°C.

[0023] The or each external surface may be made of metal, or ceramic, preferably stainless steel, for example 304 according to standard JISG4305.

[0024] The or each external plate may have a thermal conductivity of at least 20 Wm *.K *. Such conductivity allows rapid heating of the external heating surface(s) and efficient heat application to the hair.

[0025] The or each external heating surface may be elongated along a longitudinal axis of the jaw carrying it.

[0026] The outer heating surface(s) and the inner heating surface(s) may be at least partially of the same size in the median plane of the device extending between the two jaws in the close configuration of the jaws. This makes it possible to use both the inner and outer surfaces to treat the same lock of hair, if desired, for example during a curling operation.

[0027] Preferably, the two external heating surfaces are of substantially the same length along their respective jaws.

[0028] Preferably, the or each external heating surface is convex outwardly, in particular semi-cylindrical in shape.

[0029] The or each external plate may comprise fixing elements configured to cooperate with complementary elements of the corresponding jaw; the or each external plate may have longitudinal edges curved inwards, configured to be fixed on the external body of the jaw, in particular by engaging in corresponding longitudinal grooves extending on the external body of the jaw along the longitudinal axis of the jaw. Such fixing of the external plate(s) by curved edges makes it possible to avoid having a protruding edge of the external plate(s) coming into contact with the hair wound around the jaw.

[0030] Preferably, the external treatment member extends over only a portion of the external surface of the jaw, in particular over the portion of the external surface of the jaw oriented at least partially towards the side opposite the internal heating surface of the jaw.

[0031] Preferably, the or each outer plate is separate and distinct from the or each inner plate.

[0032] The internal heating surface and the external heating surface carried by the same jaw can be heated by thermal conduction by the same heat source extending in said jaw.

[0033] Alternatively, the outer heating surface and the inner heating surface carried by the same jaw may be heated by respective separate heat sources.

[0034] One of the jaws, in particular each jaw, may have a distal portion without an external and / or internal hair heating plate, in particular of a sufficient length to be grasped by the user. This distal portion may allow the user to grasp the device in its distal part without risking burning themselves, which is particularly useful when the device comprises a member exerting traction on the hair such as a comb as we will see later, because a greater force may then be necessary to move the device. long hair.

[0035] Said distal portion without an external and / or internal hair heating plate may extend over a length, along a longitudinal axis of the device, of between 10 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 20 and 40 mm, advantageously between 25 mm and 30 mm.

[0036] Said distal portion without an external and / or internal hair heating plate may comprise one or more reliefs allowing the finger to be held on the distal portion while limiting the risk of contact with the external heating surface(s).

[0037] The length of the or each external treatment member may be between 50 mm and 150 mm, preferably between 80 and 100 mm, advantageously of the order of 88 mm. Lateral recess

[0038] One of the jaws may have a lateral recess along at least one portion of the jaw, the lateral recess facing at least one portion of the other jaw and being delimited in the proximal and / or distal portion of the jaw by a guide surface providing an obstacle for containing the hair to be treated within the lateral recess.

[0039] The lateral recess may be delimited in the proximal part and in the distal part by a guide surface providing an obstacle to contain the hair to be treated within the lateral recess. The fact that the lateral recess is delimited by guide surfaces on these two sides allows excellent guidance and optimal retention of the hair in the recess while limiting the risk of it leaving the recess.

[0040] The outer surface of the jaw having the lateral recess may be devoid of a projecting longitudinal edge extending towards the outside of the jaw. The outer surface of the jaw at the recess may thus be curved and continuous without discontinuity of slope with the rest of the surface of the jaw.

[0041] The or each guide surface may have a variable height. The greatest height of the guide surface(s) may be between 0.5 mm and 1 cm, better still between 1 mm and 5 mm. Preferably, the height is maximum, for example being equal to 5 mm, at its lateral part. In other words, the lateral recess forms a recess with a maximum depth of 5 mm.

[0042] Preferably, the jaw having the lateral recess has a width taken, at the level of the lateral recess, parallel to the median plane of the device defined by the internal treatment surface in the close configuration of the jaws less than or equal to the width of the other jaw, in particular has a width of between 50% and 95%, better still between 70 and 90% of the width of the other jaw. External guide portion

[0043] At least one, preferably each of the two, jaws may comprise an external hair guide portion. The or each external guide portion may be delimited laterally in the proximal and / or distal portion of the jaw, better still in the proximal and distal portion of the jaw, by a stop surface such as a shoulder. The or each external heating surface may extend, at least partially, better still completely, into the external hair guide portion of the corresponding jaw. Preferably, the length of the external guide portion along the longitudinal axis of the jaw is substantially equal to the length of the corresponding external heating surface along the longitudinal axis of the jaw. In this way, the or each external hair guide portion may form a visual marker for the user indicating the external treatment area, which helps them with the correct positioning of the hair.In addition, the stop surfaces can provide sufficient obstacle to contain the hair in the guide portion during curling, thereby facilitating the use of the device for curling hair.

[0044] The or each guide portion may extend over the outer surface of the corresponding jaw, in particular in cross-section over the entire outer surface of the jaw. The or each stop surface may extend transversely to the outer surface of the jaw, in particular extend in a plane forming a non-zero angle, in particular between 70° and 110°, with the longitudinal axis of the jaw, in particular extend in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the jaw. The or each stop surface may extend over the entire circumference of the jaw, in particular over the entire outer surface of the jaw in section in its plane of extension.

[0045] The lateral recess may extend into the guide portion of the corresponding jaw, the guide surface(s) being formed by the stop surface(s) of the guide portion.

[0046] Thus, the stop surface(s) of the jaw having the lateral recess may be of variable height, in particular of a greater height at the lateral recess. The variation in height of the stop surface(s) may be substantially continuous.

[0047] Preferably, outside the recess, the height of the stop surface(s) is substantially constant. Alternatively, the stop surface(s) may have a variable height around the or each jaw, even outside the lateral recess.

[0048] Outside the recess, the greatest height of the stop surface(s) may be between 0.2 mm and 4 mm, better still between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0049] The or each stop surface delimiting the external hair guide portion may be at least partially formed by a rib extending across the outer surface. The rib is preferably thicker opposite the inner heating surface(s) than laterally to the inner heating surface(s).

[0050] The or each external guide portion may be set back relative to a base level of the jaw carrying it, the base level of the jaw being the level of the jaw outside the external guide portion and the rib where applicable. The guide portion is therefore a hollow portion of the jaw. Internal processing body

[0051] The device may comprise an internal treatment member having an internal surface for heating the hair to be treated extending over one of the two jaws towards the other of the jaws in a configuration close to the two jaws and configured to come into contact with the hair extending between the two jaws in a configuration close to them,

[0052] The device may comprise an internal counter-support surface, opposite the internal heating surface in the close configuration of the jaws, intended to pinch, with the internal heating surface, the hair to be treated in the close configuration of the jaws. The internal counter-support surface may be of a complementary shape to the internal heating surface.

[0053] Preferably, the internal heating surface and the counter-support surface are substantially of the same length and / or the same width.

[0054] The internal counter-support surface may also be an internal heating surface of an internal treatment member, the device having, in this case, two internal treatment members each extending over one of the jaws and each having at least one internal heating surface, the internal heating surfaces facing one another and being configured to pinch the hair between them in a close configuration of the jaws.

[0055] Preferably, the internal heating surface and the counter-support surface are of elongated shape along the jaw carrying it, in particular along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of this jaw.

[0056] Preferably, the internal heating surface and the counter-support surface have treatment surfaces coming into contact with the hair which are substantially flat.

[0057] Alternatively, the internal heating surface and the counter-support surface are non-planar, in particular curved, hollow or undulating.

[0058] The internal heating surface may comprise surface reliefs, in particular projecting reliefs such as teeth. In this case, the counter-support surface may be flat or also comprise surface reliefs, in particular projecting reliefs extending between the projecting reliefs of the internal heating surface in configuration close to the jaws.

[0059] Preferably, the internal heating surface has a treatment surface coming into contact with the hair, which is of substantially rectangular shape.

[0060] The or each internal treatment member may comprise an internal plate extending between the jaws having a hair contact surface, the hair contact surface forming the internal heating surface.

[0061] The internal plate(s) may be made of a material that is a good conductor of heat, the internal heating surface(s) having a temperature for example greater than 50°C, preferably between 90°C and 230°C in use, advantageously between 180°C and 210°C. The or each internal plate may be made of metal, preferably aluminum, in particular with hard anodization.

[0062] The or each internal plate may have a thermal conductivity of at least 20 Wm *.K '. Such conductivity allows rapid heating of the or each internal heating surface and efficient heat transfer to the hair extending between the internal heating surface and the counter-support surface.

[0063] The internal processing member(s) may be mounted on the corresponding jaw by insertion into a housing in the jaw opening opposite the other jaw.

[0064] The or each internal processing member may comprise a support carrying the internal plate, the support being mounted in the housing of the corresponding jaw.

[0065] The or at least one of the internal processing members, in particular the or at least one of the supports, may be movable in the housing in translation along an axis perpendicular to a median plane of the device extending between the two jaws in the close configuration of the jaws and / or by tilting in the housing. The maximum tilting and / or translation height from the rest position of the or each processing member may be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.

[0066] By "tilting" it is meant that the or at least one of the internal treatment members, in particular the or at least one of the supports, can have a rotational movement around at least one axis, the movement of the or each internal treatment member being able to be a more complex movement, with rotational components around several axes, in particular around or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the or each internal treatment member and / or around or parallel to a transverse axis of the housing. In a manner known per se, the or at least one of the internal treatment members can for example be mounted on a ball joint. The tilting of the or at least one of the internal treatment members makes it possible to exert a more uniform pressure over the entire length of the internal heating surface and to take into account the closing angle of the jaws depending on the thickness of the hair. This allows for a homogeneous application of the heat and the pressure on the hair.

[0067] The or at least one of the internal processing members, in particular the or at least one of the supports, may be mounted to bear in the housing on a support means configured to allow movement of the corresponding internal processing member in the housing. The support means may be as described in FR3011449.

[0068] The support means may be rigid; alternatively, it is elastically deformable. As a further alternative, the support means comprises a zone where the support is rigidly applied and one or more zones where the support is against one or more elastic return members, which are, for example, arranged to return the corresponding treatment member to a predefined rest position in the absence of mechanical stress by the application member. The elastic return member(s) may be helical or leaf springs.

[0069] Preferably, the support means allows the internal treatment member to tilt in the housing and comprises a projecting relief at the bottom of the housing and / or of the corresponding treatment member, in particular of the corresponding support. The projecting relief may be in the form of a half-sphere, or in the form of a substantially conical tooth, or in the form of a half-cylinder oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the internal treatment member.

[0070] Alternatively or in addition to the projecting relief, the support means comprises at least one spring, in particular a leaf spring, arranged in the housing, for example fixed to the bottom of the housing or fixed to the internal processing member, in particular to the support. The support means may comprise at least two springs, in particular two helical springs arranged in the housing, fixed to the bottom of the housing or fixed to the internal processing member, in particular to the support, arranged in particular near the axial ends of the corresponding internal processing member. Tilting of the internal processing member is then possible due to the elastically deformable nature of the springs.

[0071] The or at least one of the internal processing members may be movable along an axis perpendicular to the median plane of the device extending between the jaws in the configuration close to the jaws of a high position over a maximum insertion stroke defined by a relief of the corresponding internal processing member, coming into contact with the bottom of the housing, and / or by the cooperation between ribs and lateral grooves of the housing and of the internal processing member, in particular of the support, the grooves being wider than the corresponding ribs, so that the ribs are movable in translation in the grooves along the aforementioned axis between two positions. Additional processing body

[0072] The device may comprise an additional hair treatment member extending from one of the two jaws towards the other jaw in a configuration close to the two jaws and arranged on said jaw laterally in a configuration close to the jaws relative to the internal treatment member.

[0073] The additional treatment member makes it possible to add to the smoothing or curling an additional treatment making it possible to improve the quality of the curling or smoothing treatment. The fact that it is arranged laterally with respect to the internal plate makes it possible for the treatments by the internal plate and by the treatment member not to be simultaneous but successive, which is advantageous in particular for improving the smoothing.

[0074] Preferably, the additional hair treatment member extends over the jaw opposite the one carrying the recess. It may extend at least partially into the part of the jaw opposite the lateral recess.

[0075] The additional treatment member may comprise a projecting element, in particular a comb, which extends from the jaw at least partially towards the other jaw. The projecting element may be housed at least partially, in particular at least by its end, in the recess when the device is in the configuration close to the jaws. This makes it possible to obtain a particularly compact device while improving the hairdressing result and the ergonomics of the appliance as will be detailed later. The additional treatment member may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding jaw along the or each internal heating surface in the configuration close to the jaws, being separate from the latter.

[0076] By “disjoint”, we understand that the treatment member is offset from the heating surface by a non-zero distance, when the device is observed along its longitudinal axis.

[0077] The additional treatment member may comprise at least one steam outlet and / or a cosmetic product application member and / or a member exerting traction on the hair, in particular a comb.

[0078] In the case where the additional treatment member comprises a cosmetic product application member, the cosmetic product application member may comprise a porous member soaked in a cosmetic composition, in particular supplied with product by a reservoir in contact with the porous member or using a dispensing mechanism which is actuated automatically or manually during use of the device. The cosmetic product application member may be a refill removably mounted on the device.

[0079] The cosmetic composition may be a composition for cleaning, coloring, bleaching, conditioning or even shaping hair. Preferably, the use of the device comprises the application of at least one com hair shaping position. This hair shaping composition may be a hair curling, styling, straightening or smoothing composition, preferably a hair straightening or smoothing composition.

[0080] The cosmetic composition may contain at least one active agent chosen from reducing agents, in particular thiols, oxidizing agents, in particular hydrogen peroxide or persalts (for example, persulfates), coloring agents, in particular pigments, direct dyes or oxidation dyes. The cosmetic composition may also contain at least one active agent chosen from non-durable shaping agents, in particular styling polymers, preferably anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic, conditioning agents, in particular silicones, mineral or vegetable oils, vegetable waxes, cationic surfactants and cationic polymers, alkaline agents and acids.

[0081] Preferably, the cosmetic composition contains at least one agent chosen from oxidizing agents, reducing agents or alkaline agents of hydroxide type.

[0082] Preferably, the additional treatment member comprises at least one steam outlet, in particular a longitudinal row of steam outlets or an elongated steam outlet, in particular in the form of a slot, along the longitudinal axis. The steam outlet(s) preferably extend over the jaw not having the recess. The steam outlet(s) are preferably opposite an internal surface of the other jaw distinct from the internal heating surface. The internal surface opposite the steam outlet(s) may comprise a hollow or a groove for confining the steam opposite the steam outlet(s). Alternatively or additionally, the steam outlet(s) may extend into a hollow or a groove) of the jaw carrying it or them.

[0083] Preferably, the additional treatment member comprises a comb. The latter preferably extends over and from the jaw not having the lateral recess towards the other jaw. Preferably, it extends at least partially opposite the lateral recess in the close configuration of the jaws.

[0084] The comb can improve the distribution of hair on the device for treatment by the internal surface and / or the external surface, which in particular improves the distribution of heat on the hair and the homogeneity of the treatment on the hair.

[0085] The comb may be arranged on the corresponding jaw such that the distal end of its teeth is spaced a non-zero distance from hair that would be wound under tension around the two jaws in the close-together configuration of the jaws.

[0086] The distal end of the teeth of the comb may be spaced, in a close configuration of the jaws, from the jaw opposite that carrying the comb, by a non-zero distance.

[0087] The comb may be spaced from the internal treatment member by a distance taken between the edge of the internal treatment member, in particular of the internal plate, on the side of the comb and the base of the teeth on the side of the internal treatment member, of between 5 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 8 and 9 mm.

[0088] The height of the teeth of the comb can be between 5 and 10 mm, preferably between 7 and 9 mm.

[0089] The comb may be removable, in particular mounted by sliding in a housing such as a longitudinal groove of the jaw. The comb may be held in the housing by shape cooperation between the base of the comb and the longitudinal groove, in particular the base of the comb may have a relief cooperating with a complementary relief of the housing. The comb may comprise a gripping extension extending out of this housing when it is mounted on the corresponding jaw, facilitating the extraction and insertion of the comb into its housing.

[0090] Preferably, the additional treatment member comprises a comb as described above and one or more steam outlets as described above, the steam outlet(s) extending between the comb and the internal heating surface(s) of the hair. Such an arrangement makes it possible to clearly distinguish the treatment of each element. Tip

[0091] The device may comprise two removable tips configured to be removably mounted by complementary shape on the distal ends of the two jaws. The two tips may each have an edge adjacent to the external heating surface along which a stop extends, each stop forming a projection of at least 1.5 mm relative to an external envelope surface of the corresponding tip, better still with a height of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, even better still of between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0092] The or each tip may have a shell having a shape substantially complementary to that of the jaw that it covers, in particular having an ogive shape complementary to that of the distal end of the jaw. In other words, the or each tip matches the shape of the end of the jaw that it covers.

[0093] This or these tips thus allow, or even encourage, the user to handle the hairdressing device with two hands, which is particularly appreciable, in particular when a relatively significant traction force is necessary, for example when straightening, or when great precision is necessary, for example when curling, or during intensive use of the hair treatment device on third parties, for professional hairdressers for example, seeking to reduce muscular effort.

[0094] The external heating surface may be positioned between the tip and the proximal end of the jaw, the tip not covering or only partially covering the external heating surface, in particular covering less than 10%, better still less than 5% of the external heating surface, in particular covering at least 0.5 mm of the external surface, for example 1 mm.

[0095] The or each end piece may comprise on its internal surface a fixing relief, in particular a snap-on relief, configured to cooperate with a complementary relief of the jaw.

[0096] The tip may extend at least to a guide surface defining the recess on the distal side of the jaw.

[0097] Preferably, the tip extends at least as far as the stop surface delimiting the external guide portion on the distal side of the jaw, in particular covers, preferably by its stop, the stop surface forming the stop surface, in particular by covering at least a part of the external guide portion, in particular of the external heating surface. The stop may extend over the external guide portion, in particular over the external heating surface, over a distance along the longitudinal axis less than or equal to 5 mm, better still less than or equal to 3 mm, even better still less than or equal to 1.5 mm, and / or greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0098] The or each end piece may comprise on its internal surface a fixing relief, in particular a snap-on relief, configured to cooperate with a complementary relief of the jaw. The fixing relief may be a slot configured to accommodate the stop surface, in particular the shoulder bordering the guide zone, in particular the rib forming the shoulder. The slot may have a variable depth. The slot may have a shape complementary to that of the stop surface, in particular that of the rib.

[0099] The fixing relief may be arranged under the stop, extending in particular under the entire length of the stop.

[0100] The or each tip may have a first portion configured to extend opposite the other jaw, a second portion configured to extend outwardly between the distal end of the jaw and the external heating surface and a connecting portion of complementary shape to the distal end of the jaw and configured to connect the first and second portions.

[0101] The or each tip may be in contact over substantially its entire internal surface with the external surface of the jaw over which it extends.

[0102] The tip(s) may be made of a thermoplastic polymer material or an elastomer.

[0103] The end piece(s) are preferably made of a material resistant to a temperature of at least minus 60°C, better at least 100°C.

[0104] Preferably, the or each end piece is in one piece.

[0105] The tip, except for the stop, may be smooth. By "smooth", it is understood that the tip, except for the stop, is devoid of relief forming a projection of more than 0.5 mm, better still more than 0.2 mm. The or each tip may have a portion of its external surface, between its distal end and the stop, in particular the external surface of the second portion, better still the entire external surface of the tip, which is substantially smooth.

[0106] The tip may have a thickness, excluding the stop and / or slot, which is substantially constant, in particular between 1 and 2 mm, preferably substantially equal to 1.5 mm.

[0107] The or each tip may be configured to be mounted by translation along a longitudinal axis of the jaw at the distal end thereof.

[0108] The tip mounted on the distal end of the jaw carrying the treatment member may include a notch allowing the free extraction of a comb or any other accessory by opening a housing in the jaw when the tip is mounted on the jaw.

[0109] The stop may extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the jaw, over the entire width of the tip.

[0110] The stop may have a substantially constant height over its entire length. Alternatively, it has a variable height.

[0111] The stop may have a length, along the longitudinal axis of the jaw when mounted thereon, of at least 2 mm, for example between 2 mm and 6 mm, better still between 3 mm and 5 mm. Treatment process

[0112] The invention also relates to a method for treating hair using one of the devices as defined above. The method may be straightening or curling or waving the hair. The method for treating hair may comprise engaging a lock of hair between the two jaws and / or against at least part of the external heating surface of the device and moving the device along the lock of hair, preferably from their roots to their tips, in particular by keeping said device in a configuration close to the jaws.

[0113] The method may comprise moving the device along a lock of hair to carry out at least one heat treatment of the lock of hair by pinching between the two jaws and pressing against the internal surface by the counter-support and / or external surface of the device.

[0114] The method may also include a step during which the device is driven in a rotational movement around its longitudinal axis so as to wrap hair around one or more external heating surfaces.

[0115] The lock of hair at the inlet of the treatment device and at the outlet of the treatment device has preferably undergone a change of orientation around the device greater than or equal to 150°, in particular greater than or equal to 200°, even better greater than or equal to 250°. The curling angle may be at least 270°.

[0116] During heat treatment by the external heating surface, the hair strand can be guided against the external plate by the guide portion of the device.

[0117] Preferably, the additional treatment member comprises at least one steam outlet and the treatment step with the additional treatment member comprises a steam application step.

[0118] When the additional treatment member comprises a comb and one or more steam outlets, the treatment step with the additional treatment member may comprise a step of combing the hair and a step of applying steam, the combing step preferably being carried out before the step of applying steam when moving the device over the lock of hair.

[0119] The method may comprise winding the lock of hair around the two jaws in a close configuration of the jaws, in particular when the device comprises an external heating surface on each of the jaws.

[0120] The steps of the method are preferably carried out successively along the lock of hair, in particular from the hair roots towards the ends, in the following order: - Optionally combing and / or steam treatment / internal heat treatment / hair guidance / external heat treatment by winding on one or two jaws or - Optionally combing and / or steam treatment / internal heat treatment / pressing against the first edge of the or one of the internal plates / external heat treatment by the external heating surface of one of the jaws / guidance by the recess / optionally external heat treatment by the external heating surface of the other jaw.

[0121] The steam application is preferably carried out with a steam flow rate less than or equal to 1g / min.

[0122] The method may include applying pressure to the distal end of the jaws to maintain the jaws in a close configuration so as to exert a greater force on the hair in said jaw configuration. The method may include placing the tip(s) as described above on the distal end of one or both jaws prior to applying said pressure. Brief description of the drawings

[0123] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, non-limiting examples of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which

[0124] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] illustrates, in perspective, an example of a device according to the invention,

[0125] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates, in perspective, the distal end of the device of [Fig.l]

[0126] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates, in cross-section, an example of a device according to the invention,

[0127] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an enlargement of [Fig.3] at the level of the treatment organ,

[0128] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates, in perspective and partially, the distal end of the device of [Fig.l],

[0129] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an enlargement of [Fig.3],

[0130] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates an enlargement of an edge of one of the internal plates of the device of [Fig.3],

[0131] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates, in isolation, the internal plates and housings of the device of [Fig.3],

[0132] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates, in perspective, the distal end of a device comprising thermal protection tips according to the invention,

[0133] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a longitudinal section of the distal end of the device of [Fig.9], and

[0134] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] illustrates, in perspective, in isolation, the tips of [Fig.9]. Detailed description

[0135] In the remainder of the description, elements that are identical or have identical functions bear the same reference sign. For the sake of brevity in this description, they are not described with reference to each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being described.

[0136] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a hair treatment device 2 according to the invention.

[0137] This device 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 movable relative to each other between a spaced-apart configuration (not shown) for introducing a lock of hair between them and a close-up treatment configuration, illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0138] The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by respective upper 5 and lower 6 arms, which are, in the example considered, connected to each other at one of their ends by an articulation 8, the device 2 thus forming a clamp.

[0139] The arms 5 and 6 define, between the articulation 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half-handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press to bring the jaws 3 and 4 together and thus pinch the hair extending between the two jaws.

[0140] The width of the arms 5 and 6 at the half-handles 10 and 11 is less than that at the jaws 3 and 4. Alternatively, the widths could be substantially identical, or even the width of the arms 5 and 6 at the half-handles 10 and 11 could be greater than that at the jaws 3 and 4.

[0141] The jaws 3 and 4 each have a convex outer surface and a substantially flat inner surface.

[0142] An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to the separated configuration, this elastic return member being for example a spring arranged around an axis of the articulation 8.

[0143] The invention is not limited to a particular way of connecting the arms 5 and 6 together and the jaws 3 and 4 can be made mobile in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of an articulation is largely preferred for the ergonomics it provides.

[0144] The device 2 extends, for example, along a longitudinal axis X. The device 2 comprises a cord 17 designed to be able to provide the energy necessary for the operation of the device. The cord 17 can thus be an electrical cord designed to connect the device to the electrical network. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the cord could also be a fluidic cord designed to supply the device with fluid (water for example).

[0145] The device may comprise a water reservoir for the production of steam.

[0146] A user interface, not shown in the figures, may be present on the device 2 to allow the user to control the operation of the device. Heating plates

[0147] The device 2 comprises an internal heating surface 45 for the hair to be treated on each of the two jaws 3 and 4 facing the other of the jaws, and facing each other in the close configuration of the jaws 3 and 4 so as to define between them a heated treatment zone in the close configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4. The two internal heating surfaces 45 are, for example, configured to pinch between them the hair extending between the two jaws 3 and 4 in the close configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4.

[0148] The two internal heating surfaces 45 are substantially flat, but it could be otherwise. They could be of complementary wavy shapes or of complementary curved shapes for example.

[0149] The internal heating surfaces are, in the example illustrated, formed by the contact surface of internal plates 16 made of a heat-conducting material, each extending over one of the jaws. Each internal plate 16 constitutes an internal processing member of the device.

[0150] In a variant not illustrated, only one of the jaws 3 or 4 can carry an internal plate 16 having a heating contact surface opposite a counter-support surface of the other jaw 3 or 4. The counter-support surface can be formed by the body of the jaw or by an element attached to the jaw.

[0151] In the example illustrated, the internal plates 16 are each mounted in the cavity 30 of a support 9 itself mounted in a housing 38 of the corresponding jaw 3 or 4. The internal plates 16 are each mounted fixed on the support 9. At least one of the supports 9 is mounted movable in its housing as we will see later. In a variant not illustrated, the internal plates can be directly mounted in the housing and optionally be movable in the corresponding housing or the internal plates can be mounted on the support while being movable in the cavity, the support being fixed in the housing.

[0152] At least one of the supports 9 is movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the jaw in its housing 38, between a high position spaced from the bottom of the housing and a low position close to it.

[0153] The travel of the support 9 and its tilting advantageously makes it possible to position the internal heating surface 45 in the closed position of the device, such that the hair is pinched in a substantially uniform and effective manner during the treatment between the internal heating surfaces, which improves the smoothing of the hair by the device.

[0154] The support 9 rests on a support means 140 extending into the housing 38, allowing a tilting movement of the support and maintaining, in the open position of the arms 5 and 6, the support 9 in the high position.

[0155] The support means 140 may comprise one or more springs 141, in particular a spring as illustrated, extending between the bottom of the housing 38 and the support 9 or a leaf spring fixed in a recess of the support 9 or the bottom of the housing 38. The support means may alternatively or additionally comprise a protruding relief between the support 9 and the bottom of the housing 38 allowing the tilting movement and limiting the travel of the support in the housing. For example, in the example illustrated, the support means comprises a ball joint compressed by a spring as described in patent application FR3011449.

[0156] The support 9 movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis may comprise a peripheral seal 33 ensuring the seal between the support 9 and the housing 38 while allowing the mobility of the support 9 in the housing as described previously. Such a seal in particular allows the sealing of the housing with respect to the steam emitted by one or more steam outlets as will be described later.

[0157] The device 2 also comprises two external surfaces, formed by external plates 13, for heating the hair to be treated, each extending on one of the two jaws 3 and 4 towards the outside of the device 2 in the close configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4, in particular on the convex external surface of the jaw 3 or 4, and are in opposition to each other on the device 2 in the close configuration of the jaws 3 and 4.

[0158] Each external plate 13 is arranged on a face of the corresponding jaw 3 and 4 opposite the face receiving the internal plate 16 carried by the same jaw 3 or 4.

[0159] In the example illustrated, the outer plates 13 are made of stainless steel and the inner plates 16 are made of aluminum. However, other materials that are good conductors of heat, in particular other metals, could be used.

[0160] The external plates 13 may be flexible metal sheets or preformed to have a convex shape complementary to the external surface of the jaws 3 and 4.

[0161] The outer plates 13 are fixed to the jaw 3 or 4 by any suitable means. For example, the outer plates 13 have longitudinal edges 90 curved inwards and configured to each be fixed in a corresponding groove or lateral housing 91 of the corresponding jaw 3 or 4.

[0162] The outer plates 13 and the inner plates 16 are preferably elongated along the longitudinal axis Y1 or Y2 of each of the jaws 3 and 4.

[0163] The external plates 13 and the internal plates 16 are at least partially superimposed on each other along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the device 2.

[0164] The device 2 may have, as illustrated, a distal portion, opposite the articulation 8, without a heating plate. This distal portion may be of a curved shape and of sufficient width to be able to be grasped by a hand, in particular when using the device 2.

[0165] The internal plates 16 can be heated to a temperature above 50°C, better between 90°C and 230°C.

[0166] The external plates 13 can be heated to a temperature above 50°C, better between 60 and 100°C.

[0167] In the example illustrated, the internal plate 13 and the external plate 16 carried by the same jaw 3 or 4 are heated by thermal conduction by the same heat source 14 extending in said jaw and visible in [Fig. 3]. However, it may be otherwise, and the device 2 could in particular comprise several heat sources, respectively for the internal plates and the external plates.

[0168] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 3], each internal plate 16 has a first lateral edge 31 and a second lateral edge 36 opposite the first edge 31, the edges 31 and 36 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 or Y2 of the corresponding jaw. The internal plates may be off-centered on the corresponding jaw so that the first edge 31 is closer to the adjacent lateral edge 100 of the corresponding jaw than the second edge 36 is to the adjacent lateral edge 101 of the corresponding jaw.

[0169] The internal plates 16 may extend beyond the housing 38 laterally to the jaw on both sides and have a lateral extension defining the first lateral edge 31 that is longer in cross-section of the device than the lateral extension defining the second edge 36.

[0170] As illustrated in [Fig.6] for the jaw 3, the first edge 31 may be configured so that, when the spring 141 is not compressed, an angle [3 formed between a median plane Z of the device 2 extending between the jaws 3 and 4 in the close configuration of the jaws 3 and 4 and hair under tension resting on the first edge 31 of the internal plate 16 and on an adjacent external surface of the jaw 3 or 4 carrying the internal plate, illustrated by the plane C, is less than or equal to 120° and strictly greater than 90°, for example equal to 105°.

[0171] The internal plates 16 can protrude laterally at rest from the housing 38 on the side of the first edge 31 only by a width Ls of 1 mm.

[0172] As illustrated in [Fig.6], each internal plate 16 may be spaced, at rest, from a plane P bearing laterally on the adjacent external surface of the two jaws 3 and 4 by a distance Dp less than or equal to 6 mm, better still less than or equal to 5.5 mm.

[0173] The first edge 31 of the internal plate 16 of the jaw 3 may have an edge 40 configured to come into contact with hair under mechanical tension during treatment. This hair is materialized by the plane C resting on the first edge 31 of the internal plate 16 and on an adjacent external surface of the jaw 3. The edge 40 may be rounded with a radius of curvature equal to 1.5 mm.

[0174] The support 9 may protrude, at rest, from the jaw 3 or 4 towards the other jaw 3 or 4 by a height H1 of at least 2 mm, for example 4 mm.

[0175] This distance makes it possible to avoid contact between the surface of the plate projecting from the support 9 of the plate and the surface of the jaw bordering the housing 38 opposite said surface of the plate during the movement of the support 9 in the housing 38 via the spring 141.

[0176] As illustrated in the enlargement of [Fig.7], the first edge 31 comprising the ridge 40 may have a second part 122 which is flat and oriented opposite the jaw 4. This part 122 is parallel to the surface 45 of the internal plate 16.

[0177] The second part 122 extends, for example, from the edge 40 to a rib 125 of the internal plate 16, this rib 125 engaging in the seal 33 33 of the support 9 of the jaw 3.

[0178] Each inner plate 16 has a plurality of such ribs 125, as illustrated in [Fig.8]. For example, a rib 125 is formed by a bending of the inner plate 16 at its second edge 36.

[0179] The thickness Eb of the first edge 31 carrying the ridge 40 is smaller than the thickness Ep of the internal plate 16, outside the different ribs 125.

[0180] As illustrated in [Fig.8], each internal plate 16 comprises a cavity 130 configured to receive the heating element 14. This cavity 130 is formed by two parallel walls 131 extending orthogonally to the surface 45 and a wall 132 connecting the two walls 131.

[0181] For example, as illustrated in [Fig.8], each wall 131 comprises reliefs 135 participating in holding the internal plates 16 on the support 9.

[0182] As illustrated in [Fig.8], the first edge 31 of the internal plate 16 of the jaw 4 is not in contact with the support 9, unlike the second edge 36.

[0183] The first edges 31 and the second edges 36 are, for example, offset transversely from each other by a non-zero distance Db.

[0184] The first edge 31 of the internal plate 16 of the jaw 4 can be curved without having a protruding edge.

[0185] The second edges 36 of the internal plates 16 of the jaws 3 and 4 do not extend laterally from the housings 30 and are curved so as not to have a protruding edge.

[0186] The position and shape of the first edges 31 and in particular of the edge 40 allow, during curling, an improvement in the result because it increases the bending angle of the hair and produces, when passing the edge 40, an effect equivalent to that obtained by the passage of a projecting edge with a particular angle on a bolduc. In addition, the internal plates 16 protrude from their support 9, the first edge 31 is brought closer to the adjacent external surface 32, which makes it possible to get closer to the roots of the hair to be treated compared to the devices of the prior art.

[0187] The radius of curvature relative to the longitudinal axis Y1 of the external plate 13 of the jaw 3 may be less than that of the external plate 13 of the jaw 4 relative to the longitudinal axis Y2. External guide portion

[0188] In the illustrated examples, each jaw 3 and 4 comprises an external hair guiding portion delimited longitudinally, on each of its two sides, by a stop surface 18 formed by a shoulder. The external hair guiding portion is defined, for example, by the external plates 13.

[0189] The shoulders 18 may have a variable height He, for example varying between 0.5 mm on the outer surface of the jaw extending laterally to the inner plate 16 and 2 mm on the outer surface of the jaw opposite the inner plate 16.

[0190] Each shoulder 18 may be formed by ribs delimiting the external hair guiding portion. The rib is preferably thicker opposite the internal plates 13 than on the sides of the internal plates 13.

[0191] Each external guide portion is set back from the base level of the jaw 3 or 4 defined as the level of the jaw 3 or 4 outside the shoulders 18. Thus, each guide portion has an apparent width 11 and 12, illustrated in [Fig.3], lower and set back from the rest of the jaw 3 or 4.

[0192] The internal plates 13 may extend over the entire length of the external guide portion.

[0193] One of the jaws has a lateral recess 170 at the level of the corresponding guide portion. The recess 170 is delimited laterally by the stop surfaces in the proximal and distal part of the jaw delimiting the guide portion. These stop surfaces form at the shoulder guide surfaces 20 of greater height making it possible to hold the hair in the recess 170. The recess 170 extends laterally to the jaw and is opposite a part of the other jaw 3 or 4. In this way, a part of the internal surface 13 of the other jaw 3 or 4 opens onto the recess 170, which makes it possible to have at least a part of an additional treatment member extending from the other jaw into the recess 170, in particular a comb as we will see later, and offers new treatment possibilities.Preferably, the recess 170 is of uniform depth along the longitudinal axis of the device X so that the outer surface of the jaw is of substantially cylindrical shape along the recess 170, i.e. of identical cross-section along the recess 170.

[0194] Due to the presence of the recess 170, the width 11 of the jaw carrying the recess at the level of said recess 170 is smaller than the width 12 of the other jaw opposite said recess 170. The width 11 is between 30 mm and 50 mm and is for example equal to 38 mm. The width 12 is between 40 mm and 60 mm and is for example equal to 47 mm. Additional processing body

[0195] In the illustrated examples, the device 2 comprises an additional hair treatment member 12 extending from the jaw 4, towards the other jaw 3 in a close configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4, and arranged on said jaw 4 laterally with respect to the internal plate 16.

[0196] The member 12 extends longitudinally and parallel to the longitudinal axis Y2 along the second edge 36, opposite the first edge 31, of the internal plate 16 of the jaw 4 being disjointed from this internal plate 16, when the device 2 is observed along its longitudinal axis X.

[0197] The member 12 may comprise a steam outlet 21 and a comb 22, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0198] The comb 22 can be arranged, in a removable manner, in a housing such as a longitudinal groove 35, visible in [Fig. 2]. The user can thus change or remove, as needed, the comb 22.

[0199] The groove 35 may have a rectangular cross-section and open at the distal end of the jaw 4.

[0200] The comb 22 may comprise, in the distal part of the device 2, an element 46 making it possible to grip the comb 22 when it is introduced into the groove 35 or extracted from it.

[0201] The comb 22 may extend, for example, over the entire length of the guide portion. Alternatively, it could extend over only a portion of the guide portion.

[0202] The steam treatment can be provided by a vaporization member consisting of a heating element, an evaporation chamber 19 supplied with water by a reservoir located in an arm of the device, or alternatively by a remote reservoir. The device can comprise an electrically driven pump, preferably peristaltic, taking the water to be sent to the device 2 from a water reservoir. The pump is for example as disclosed in publication FR 2 967 018. The evaporation chamber can be produced in accordance with the teaching of application EP 2449909Al or otherwise.

[0203] The evaporation chamber 19 can be arranged on one of the arms, namely the lower arm 6 in the example considered, and the steam outlet 21 is provided on the same arm 6.

[0204] The steam outlet 21 may be in the form of a ramp, elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis Y2.

[0205] The ramp may comprise several steam projection orifices, for example between 4 and 10 orifices, preferably 7, which are preferably equally distributed along the ramp and each with an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the median treatment plane.

[0206] The vaporization member is electrically powered and a temperature sensor is advantageously arranged in the evaporation chamber 19. The device is designed to maintain the temperature of the evaporation chamber at a value between 110°C and 130°C.

[0207] The steam produced which exits through the outlets 21 is partially confined between the steam outlet 21, the internal heating plates 16 and the other jaw 3, in particular thanks to the presence of a containment groove 500 visible in [Fig.3]. This partial containment improves the application of steam to the hair.

[0208] The comb 22 can be arranged opposite the recess 170 of the other arm 5, illustrated in [Fig.2], so that the end of its teeth are housed in the recess 170.

[0209] The comb 22 may be arranged on the jaw 4 such that the distal end 23 of the teeth of the comb is spaced a non-zero distance from hair that would be wrapped around the two jaws 3 and 4.

[0210] For this purpose, the comb 22 is configured so that, for any cross-section of the device in a configuration close to the jaws, for example that of [Fig.4], the tangent T, which can for example fictitiously represent the hair, to the two jaws 3 and 4, extending on the side of the device carrying the comb 22, is distant from the comb 22.

[0211] The smallest distance Dd between the distal end 23 of the teeth of the comb 22 and the tangent T may be greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, better than 1 mm, for example equal to 3 mm.

[0212] When the user wraps the hair around the jaws 3 and 4, in particular when curling, the hair under tension follows, between the two jaws 3 and 4, the tangent T. Thus, the wrapped hair does not pass into the comb 22, which facilitates the hairdressing operation.

[0213] The distal end 23 of the teeth of the comb 22 is, for example, laterally offset, in the close configuration of the jaws 3 and 4, from the opposite jaw 4, in this case from the jaw at the recess 170 by a distance Dde greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 1 mm. This ensures that the teeth of the comb 22 cannot interfere with the jaw 4 at the recess 170.

[0214] The height of the teeth Hde of the comb 22 may be between 5 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 7 and 10 mm, for example of the order of 8 mm.

[0215] The teeth of the comb 22 may be of rectangular cross-section.

[0216] In the illustrated example, the combination of the outer guide portion, the ridge 40 and the heat of the outer plates 13 produces high quality curling of the hair.

[0217] In addition, the device 2 can also function as a straightener, without loss of straightening quality compared to a conventional device dedicated solely to straightening hair. End cap

[0218] In the example of Figures 9 to 11, the device 2 comprises two end pieces 50 made of plastic and / or rubber. Each end piece 50 is removably mounted by complementary shape on a distal end of the corresponding jaw 3 or 4.

[0219] Each tip 50 may have an edge 51 adjacent to the external plate 13 along which a stop 52 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis Y1 or Y2 of the jaw 3 or 4. The stop 52 forms a projection of a relatively constant height Hs, for example of at least 1.5 mm, relative to a surface 55 of the external envelope of the tip 50 located on the distal side relative to the stop 51. The stop 52 extends over the entire width of the tip 50.

[0220] For example, the edge 51 extends over the entire distal end 66 of the outer plate 13.

[0221] Apart from this stop, the two stops 50 have, for example, a smooth outer surface 64 devoid of relief. Indeed, the dimensions of the stop 52 have been defined so that the stop 52 is sufficient on its own to constitute a stop for the user's fingers and advantageously a tactile indicator of the correct positioning of his fingers.

[0222] Except at the level of the stop 52, each end piece has for example a thickness of between 1 and 2 mm, preferably substantially equal to 1.5 mm.

[0223] Each end piece 50 may have a shell 56 having a shape substantially complementary to that of the jaw 3 or 4 which it is intended to cover, for example in the shape of an ogive complementary to the distal end of the jaw 3 or 4.

[0224] Each external plate 13 can be positioned between the tip 50, when the latter is mounted on the device 2, and the proximal end of the jaw 3 or 4. For example, the tip 50 covers less than 5% of the external plate 13, for example covers it by 1 mm.

[0225] Each tip 50 extends over the rib forming the shoulder 18 on the distal side of the external guide portion, when the latter is mounted on the device 2.

[0226] Each tip 50 extends from the distal end of the jaw 3 or 4 to the external guide portion, covering a distal part of the external guide portion, when the latter is mounted on the device 2.

[0227] Each end piece 50 has on its internal surface a slot 57 configured to accommodate the rib forming the shoulder 18, in particular by snap-fastening.

[0228] As illustrated in [Fig.l 1], the slot 57 may extend under the entire length of the stop 52 and be of variable depth.

[0229] As illustrated in [Fig.9], each end piece 50 may have a first portion 60 configured to extend opposite the other jaw 3 or 4, a second portion 61 configured to extend outwards between the distal end of the jaw 3 or 4 and the external plate 13 and a connecting portion 62 of complementary shape to the distal end of the jaw 3 or 4 and configured to connect the first portion 60 and the second portion 61.

[0230] This enveloping shape of the end pieces 50 has both a flexibility which allows deformation for the purpose of assembling the end pieces 50 on the jaws and sufficient rigidity to ensure good support on the jaws 3 and 4.

[0231] This enveloping envelope shape also makes it possible to increase the safety and user comfort of the device, when the latter is equipped with the tips 50, because more surface area of ​​the device is protected.

[0232] The internal surface 63 of each end piece 50 may be complementary to the external surface of the jaw 3 or 4 on which the end piece 50 extends, each end piece 50 being configured to be in contact over substantially all of its internal surface 63 with the external surface of the corresponding jaw 3 or 4.

[0233] The tip 50 configured to be mounted on the distal end of the jaw 4 carrying the comb 22 comprises a notch 65 intended to be opposite the groove 35 in which the comb 22 is intended to be inserted. This notch 65 allows the free extraction of the comb 22 through the distal opening of the groove 35 when the tip 50 is mounted on the jaw 4. The ergonomics of the device are improved since it is not necessary to remove the tip 50 if one wishes to remove the comb. Of course, one could imagine, without departing from the scope of the invention, that this notch 65 is designed to allow the passage of any other accessory, such as for example a cosmetic bar.

[0234] Each end piece 50 may be made in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer material resistant to a temperature of at least 60°C.

[0235] Each end piece 50 can be configured to be mounted by translation along the longitudinal axis Y1 or Y2 of the jaw 3 or 4, until the rib of the shoulder 18 is clipped into the slot 57. To remove the end pieces 50, the user can unclip the end piece 50 by removing the rib of the shoulder 18 from the slot 57 and then move the end piece 50 by translation.

[0236] The width of the tip 50 between the distal end of the jaw 3 or 4 and the stop is sufficient to allow it to be grasped by a user's hand when using the device. The stop 52 makes it possible to avoid accidental contact of the user's hand on the external heating plate 13, which limits the risk of burning and improves safety of use, but also preferentially to give a tactile indication to the user on the positioning of his finger, thus improving the ergonomics and intuitiveness of the device 2.

[0237] Furthermore, in the case where the hair treatment device 2 is equipped with an internal treatment member, in particular an internal heating surface 45, the presence of the tips 50 on the end of the jaws 3, 4 makes it possible to remarkably reduce the temperature of the end of the jaws 3, 4, thus improving the comfort of use of this area which is, without the tips, relatively hot, without, however, presenting a risk of burning, like the treatment surfaces. Processes

[0238] To curl or straighten hair using the device 2, a lock of hair can be moved on the device 2 between the internal plates 16 and / or by passing over one or more external plates 13, whether or not passing through the treatment member 12.

[0239] The method of treating hair for curling may comprise moving the device 2 along a lock of hair from the root to the ends to carry out the following successive steps:

[0240] a. A treatment of the lock of hair with the member 12, for combing the hair in the comb 22 and for applying steam through the outlet 21 and,

[0241] b. A first heat treatment of the lock of hair by pressing between the internal plates 16 of the device 2.

[0242] c. A second heat treatment of the lock of hair by applying tension against the external plate 13 to the jaw 3.

[0243] Preferably, the lock of hair undergoes a change of orientation around the device 2 of at least 270° during the treatment.

[0244] At the end of step b of heat treatment of the hair between the internal plates 16, the lock of hair undergoes a change of orientation of 100° between the first edge 31 and the adjacent external surface 32 of the jaw 3 on which the lock of hair is wound.

[0245] At the end of step b of heating the hair on the internal plates 16, the hair is moved onto the edge 40, which makes it possible to produce the bolduc effect mentioned above.

[0246] Another application of heat to the outer plate 13 of the jaw 4 could also be carried out.

[0247] During step c, the hair is correctly contained in the external guide portion thanks to the recess 170 and the shoulders 18.

[0248] For this looping process, it is possible to use the tips 50 in order to have a better grip on the device 2, without risk of burning.

[0249] In the case of a hair treatment method for straightening, it may include moving the device 2 along a lock of hair from the root to the tips to carry out the following successive steps:

[0250] a. A treatment of the lock of hair with the member 12, to comb the hair in the comb 22 then to apply steam through the outlet 21 and,

[0251] b. A first heat treatment of the lock of hair by pressing between the internal plates 16 of the device 2.

[0252] The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

[0253] The device may comprise a member for applying a cosmetic product. removable or not, comprising a porous element configured to come into contact with the hair between the jaws in a configuration close to the latter.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (2) for treating hair, in particular for shaping, preferably for curling hair, comprising: - two jaws (3, 4) for treating hair movable relative to each other between a spaced apart configuration for engagement between said jaws (3, 4) of hair to be treated and a close configuration for treating the hair, - an external treatment member having at least one external surface (13) for heating the hair to be treated extending over at least one of the two jaws (3, 4) towards the outside of the jaws (3, 4), - at least one end tip (50) made of plastic material, removably mounted by form-fitting on a distal end of a corresponding jaw (3, 4) which carries an external heating surface (13), this tip (50) having an edge (51) adjacent to the external heating surface (13) along which a stop (52) extends,the latter protruding by at least 1.5 mm from an external envelope surface of the tip (50).,

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the stop (52) projects by a height (Hs) of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, even better between 2 mm and 3 mm relative to an external envelope surface of the tip (50).

3. Device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising two removable tips (50) configured to be removably mounted by form complementarity on the distal ends of the two jaws (3, 4), the two tips (50) may each have an edge (51) adjacent to the external heating surface (13) along which a stop (52) extends, each stop (52) forming a projection of at least 1.5 mm relative to an external envelope surface of the corresponding tip (50), better still of a height (Hs) of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, even better still of between 2 mm and 3 mm.

4. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one, preferably each of the two, jaws (3, 4) comprises an external hair guiding portion, the or each external guiding portion being delimited laterally in the distal part of the jaw (3, 4), better in the proximal and distal part of the jaw, by a stop surface (18) such as a shoulder, the or each external heating surface (13) extending, at least partially, better completely in the external hair guiding portion of the corresponding jaw (3, 4), the tip (50) extending at least as far as the stop surface (18) delimiting the external guiding portion on the distal side of the jaw (3, 4), in particular covers, preferably by its stop (50), the stop surface (18), in particular by covering at least a part of the external guiding portion, in particular of the external heating surface (13).

5. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each end piece (50) comprises on its internal surface (63) a fixing relief, in particular a snap-on relief, configured to cooperate with a complementary relief of the jaw.

6. Device (2) according to claim 5, in which the fixing relief is a slot (57) configured to accommodate the stop surface (18) bordering the guide zone.

7. Device (2) according to one of claims 5 and 6, in which the fixing relief is arranged under the stop (52), the fixing relief extending in particular under the entire length of the stop (52).

8. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the end piece (50), except for the stop (52), is smooth.

9. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the external heating surface (13) is positioned between the tip (50) and the proximal end of the jaw (3, 4), the tip (50) not covering or only partially covering the external heating surface (13), in particular covering less than 10%, better still less than 5% of the external heating surface (13), in particular covering at least 0.5 mm of the external surface, for example 1 mm.

10. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an internal treatment member having an internal surface (45) for heating the hair to be treated extending over one of the two jaws (3, 4) towards the other of the jaws (3, 4) in the configuration close to the two jaws (3, 4) and configured to come into contact with the hair extending between the two jaws (3, 4) in the configuration close to them, and a treatment member (12) ad- hair extension extending from one of the two jaws (3, 4) towards the other jaw (3, 4) in a close configuration of the two jaws (3, 4) and arranged on said jaw (3, 4) laterally in a close configuration of the jaws (3, 4) relative to the internal treatment member.

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