Hair treatment process

Abstract

Method for treating hair The invention relates to a method for treating a lock of hair, comprising moving a device along the lock to carry out the following steps when the device passes over the lock: - heat treatment by pinching between two jaws of the device articulated together and passing through an internal heat treatment zone extending between the two jaws, - heat treatment by passing over an external heat treatment zone extending over the external surface of one of the two jaws of the device, - guidance by passing through a guide zone extending outside the jaw of the device carrying the external heat treatment zone, the guide zone having guide surfaces in the proximal and / or distal part of the jaw, forming laterally to the guide zone an obstacle to the hair sufficient to contain the hair in said guide zone.Figure for abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for treating hair

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

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to curling methods involving heat treatment of the hair. Prior art

[0003] Many methods of this type have already been proposed. These methods generally involve treating strands of hair by wrapping them around a hot, convex-shaped surface.

[0004] Application EP2319354 describes a method for curling hair by inserting locks of hair between two plates mounted vertically on arms fixed between them to hold the lock of hair on the device and winding the lock of hair around the two arms. The heat treatment is carried out between the arms by the plates and by the external surface of the arms which conducts heat. Such a method does not allow thick locks to be treated due to the limited travel of the plates in their housings.

[0005] Documents US2017188681 and US2011174331 disclose methods for curling and straightening hair consisting either of thermally treating the locks of hair by pinching them between two arms carrying curved plates of complementary shapes, optionally by slightly tilting the device relative to the arms, or of wrapping a lock of hair around the arm carrying the convex plate and having a hot outer surface, or by wrapping the hair on the two arms.

[0006] In international application WO14173554, methods for treating locks of hair using a device comprising two heated articulated arms, one of the arms having a rotating jaw bearing teeth on one of its faces is described. It describes the act of pinching the hair between the two jaws and moving the device along the lock of hair, the act of winding the hair onto the two closed arms and moving the device along the lock of hair or sliding the hair onto one of the arms, the teeth coming into contact with the scalp.

[0007] There is thus a need to further improve hair treatment methods, in particular in order to benefit from a treatment method that is efficient, simple, safe, intuitive and easy to implement, even for a person without any particular knowledge of hairdressing. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention meets all or part of these needs thanks to, according to one of its aspects, a method of treatment, in particular of shaping, in particular of curling, of at least one lock of hair, comprising the movement of a device along the lock of hair from the root to the tip of the latter to carry out during a passage, preferably a single one, of the device over the lock of hair the following steps, preferably carried out in this order: - heat treatment of a portion of the lock of hair by pinching between two jaws of the device articulated together and passing through an internal heat treatment zone extending between the two jaws, - heat treatment of the portion of the lock of hair by passing it over an external heat treatment zone extending over the external surface of one of the two jaws of the device, - guiding the portion of the lock of hair by passing through a guide zone extending outside the jaw of the device carrying the external heat treatment zone, the guide zone having guide surfaces in the proximal and / or distal part of the jaw, forming laterally to the guide zone an obstacle to the hair sufficient to contain the hair in said guide zone.

[0009] Having a heat treatment by pinching the lock of hair between two articulated jaws by passing the lock into an internal heat treatment zone allows for good maintenance of the lock of hair. This also allows the heat treatment by the external heat treatment zone to be carried out on only one of the jaws, which allows for a well-marked curl, or at least a wave. In addition, as will be detailed later, this internal treatment by pinching allows, thanks to the maintenance of the lock, to maintain tension in the hair, which is also attached to the scalp.

[0010] Guiding the portion of the lock of hair allows the lock of hair to be held securely on the device during heat treatment by the external heat treatment zone. The guide surface in the proximal and / or distal part forms a sufficient obstacle to prevent the lock of hair from leaving the guide zone during movement of the device along the lock of hair. Thus, all of the hair to be treated is guided on the external heating surface, which allows for treatment by contact with the external heating surface to be obtained in a homogeneous manner. The guide zone thus allows the hair to be held in the external heat treatment zone, preventing the hair from falling or leaving the latter, as was the case with the devices of the prior art. The method of treatment is made easier, since the user no longer has to worry about properly holding and guiding the strand of hair during treatment. The user can then treat a larger quantity of hair at a time with very good efficiency, which saves time when treating all of the hair. In addition, this guidance guarantees the user the success of their curling operation because any risk of the strand falling out of the hairdressing device and therefore having to start the operation again is reduced, if not eliminated.

[0011] The guide zone also forms an important visual cue to mark the treatment area formed by the external plate, which makes the use of the device particularly ergonomic and intuitive for the user.

[0012] Preferably, the device is moved over the lock of hair from the root to the tip once the lock of hair is clamped between the two jaws and has undergone a rotation of at least 180° around one of the two jaws.

[0013] Preferably, the guide zone has guide surfaces both proximally and distally of the jaw, the guide surfaces forming laterally to the guide zone a hair obstacle sufficient to contain the hair in said guide zone.

[0014] The method may comprise the separation of the jaws by pivoting the jaws together about a pivot axis arranged at the proximal end of two arms articulated together by a joint and the insertion of the portion of the lock of hair between the jaws, then the closing of the jaws on the portion of the lock of hair, in particular by manually bringing together two half-handles extending on each arm between the jaw and the joint. Internal heat treatment

[0015] Preferably, the heat treatment by the internal heat treatment zone is carried out by pinching the lock of hair between an internal heating surface and a counter-support surface opposite the internal heating surface, in particular of a shape complementary to the internal heating surface, to pinch the hair over the entire internal heating surface. The counter-support surface may also be an internal heating surface so that the portion of the lock of hair is pinched between two internal heating surfaces.

[0016] The internal heating surface(s) may be made of a material that is a good heat conductor, in particular metal, preferably aluminum, in particular with hard anodization. The internal heating surface(s) 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 in the internal heat treatment zone.

[0017] The heat treatment of the portion of the lock of hair in the internal heat treatment zone can be carried out at a temperature above 50°C, preferably between 90°C and 230°C in use, advantageously between 180°C and 210°C.

[0018] The method may comprise, simultaneously with the heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone, an additional treatment by the internal heating surface and / or the counter-support surface, in particular guiding or combing the portion of the lock of hair by surface reliefs of the internal heating surface and / or the counter-support surface.

[0019] During the heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone, the internal heating surface and / or the counter-support surface can tilt around an axis or a point and / or have a translational movement along an axis perpendicular to a median plane of the device extending between the two jaws in the close configuration of the jaws, in particular depending on the closing angle of the jaws and / or depending on the thickness of the portion of hair to be treated. This makes it possible in particular to apply substantially uniform pressure to the hair from the root to the tip of the hair, which improves the homogeneity of the shaping of the hair, in particular of the curling.

[0020] The internal heating surface is preferably a hair contacting surface of an internal heat treatment member.

[0021] The method may comprise passing the portion of the lock of hair, placed under mechanical tension, between a lateral edge of the internal heat treatment member and an external surface of the jaw carrying the internal treatment member adjacent to the lateral edge, against the lateral edge. The portion of the lock of hair under tension may have an angle less than or equal to 120°, better still less than or equal to 110°, and strictly greater than 90°, better still greater than or equal to 95° with a median plane of the device, extending between the jaws in the close configuration of the jaws. The lateral edge may have an edge configured to come into contact with the portion of the lock of hair placed under tension. The edge may be projecting, chamfered or rounded with a radius of curvature less than or equal to 3 mm, preferably less than or equal to 2 mm, advantageously equal to 1.5 mm.Such an edge promotes curling or waving of the hair and allows for good styling results.

[0022] By "mechanical tensioning" is meant that the hair extends along a straight line between the first lateral edge and the adjacent outer surface of the jaw carrying the corresponding internal heat treatment member. In other words, the preceding angle is thus defined between the median plane defined in the closed position of the jaws and a fictitious plane in contact on the one hand with the lateral edge, and on the other hand with the adjacent outer surface of the same jaw. This mechanical tensioning is achieved in particular through internal heat treatment by pinching and moving the device along the strand of hair.

[0023] Such an angle with the outer surface of the jaw makes it possible to have a well-formed curl when curling the hair, by pressing the hair on the lateral edge and an adjacent outer surface of the jaw, in particular like the curls made with a blade passed over bolduc ribbon. In addition, with such an angle, the first lateral edge is relatively close to the outer surface of the jaw, without however protruding from the latter. This makes it possible, in particular during hair straightening, to bring the first lateral edge closer to the scalp, and therefore to increase the portion of hair treated, without touching the scalp. This therefore allows treatment as close as possible to the hair root while preserving the comfort of the user, despite the temperature of the internal surface(s).

[0024] The lateral edge of the internal heat treatment member preferably extends on the side opposite the guide zone on the corresponding jaw.

[0025] The internal heat treatment zone may be laterally offset upstream or downstream, preferably downstream, the portion of the hair strand being moved during the treatment from upstream to downstream during the heat treatment. Preferably, the internal heat treatment zone is laterally offset to the side opposite the guide zone. External heat treatment

[0026] Preferably, the heat treatment in the external heat treatment zone is carried out by contact of the portion of the lock of hair with an external heating surface extending over at least a portion of the external surface of one of the jaws.

[0027] The method may comprise heat treatment by passing through an additional external heat treatment zone extending over the external surface of the other of the two jaws of the device. The or each external heat treatment zone may comprise at least one external heating surface extending over one of the jaws.

[0028] Heat treatment by passing through an additional external heat treatment zone can be carried out after heat treatment by passing through the external heat treatment zone.

[0029] The heat treatment by passing over an external heat treatment zone can be carried out at a temperature above 50°C, better between 55°C and 150°C when using the device, for example of the order of 90°C.

[0030] The external heating surface(s) may be made of a material that is a good conductor of heat, in particular metal, or ceramic, preferably stainless steel. oxidizable, for example 304 according to JISG4305. The external heating surface(s) may have a thermal conductivity of at least 20 Wm *.K Such conductivity allows rapid heating of the or each external heating surface and efficient heat transfer to the hair extending over the external heating surface.

[0031] Preferably, the external heating surface(s) have a shape complementary to the external surface of the jaw carrying it, in particular a convex shape.

[0032] The method may comprise winding the portion of the lock of hair around the two jaws and heat treatment by passing it over an external heat treatment zone by passing the portion of the lock of hair over the external heating surface(s).

[0033] The heat treatment by passing over an external heat treatment zone can be dissociated, in particular disjointed, from the heat treatment by the internal heat treatment zone, in particular the external heating surface(s) being disjointed from the internal heating surface(s).

[0034] The external heat treatment zone, in particular the external heating surface, may extend over only a portion of the external surface of the jaw.

[0035] The external heating surface may be arranged on the same jaw as the or one of the internal heating surfaces. In this case, the method may comprise heating the internal heating surface and the external heating surface of the same jaw by a single heat source. Alternatively, the internal heating surface and the external heating surface of the same jaw are heated by separate heat sources.

[0036] The external heat treatment zone may extend over the outer surface of at least one of the jaws in opposition to the internal heat treatment zone relative to said jaw.

[0037] The external heat treatment zone may be delimited laterally in the proximal and / or distal part by at least one stop surface.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The method may comprise gripping the device by an external surface of a distal portion of the jaws devoid of an external heating surface while the device is being moved along the lock of hair. Preferably, the distal portion of the jaws devoid of an external heating surface may have a temperature less than or equal to 35°C, or at least a temperature below the threshold of burning, pain, or even heat sensation for the user. The method may comprise the addition of, and preferably the manipulation of, the device by an insulating tip on the distal end of at least one of the jaws, preferably on each of the jaws, the insulating tip(s) having a shape complementary to the distal end of the corresponding jaw. The proximal end of the tip may delimit at least partially proximally the external heat treatment zone when the insulating tip is mounted on the corresponding jaw. The gripping of the device by the external surface of the distal portion of the jaws without an external heating surface, in particular by the insulating tip, may include the fingers stopping against a stop upstream of the external heat treatment zone, in particular a stop at the proximal end of the insulating tip. The stop may project by at least 1.5 mm relative to an external envelope surface of the corresponding tip, better still by a height of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, even better still of between 2 mm and 3 mm. Guide zone

[0040] The guide zone may extend on the jaw along the longitudinal axis of the corresponding jaw between the internal heat treatment zone and the external heat treatment zone extending on said jaw, in particular laterally to these two heat treatment zones.

[0041] The guide zone may extend between the external heat treatment zone and the additional heat treatment zone on the device in use.

[0042] Preferably, the guide surface(s) form an obstacle to the portion of the lock of hair of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm.

[0043] The outer surface of the jaw at the guide zone may be curved, in particular convex, and continuous without discontinuity of slope with the rest of the surface of the jaw.

[0044] The guide area may be formed at least partially by a lateral recess of one of the jaws. The guide surface(s) may be formed at least partially by the side walls of the lateral recess in the jaw.

[0045] The guide surface(s) may be formed at least partially by a rib extending over the corresponding jaw, in particular a rib extending over the side walls of the lateral recess.

[0046] The or each guide surface may have a variable height.

[0047] The greatest height of the guide surface(s) may be between 0.5 mm and 1 cm, better still between 2 mm and 8 mm. Preferably, the height is maximum, for example being equal to 5 mm, at the level of the lateral part of the jaw. In other words, the guide surface(s) form an obstacle at the level of the lateral part of the jaw with a maximum height of 5 mm.

[0048] The or each guide surface may extend transversely to the external 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 extending in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the jaw.

[0049] The guide surface(s) may be formed at least partially by the stop surfaces of the external heat treatment zone.

[0050] Preferably, the guide zone overlaps at least partially with the external heat treatment zone. Additional treatment

[0051] The method may comprise additional treatment of the portion of the lock of hair by passing the treatment device through an additional treatment zone as it moves over the lock of hair.

[0052] Preferably, the additional treatment is upstream of the heat treatments in the internal heat treatment zone, the external heat treatment zone and the additional external heat treatment zone and the hair guidance. Preferably, the additional treatment zone is located in the vicinity of the guidance zone.

[0053] The additional treatment may be implemented by an additional treatment member extending from one of the jaws to the other of the jaws during movement of the device along the lock of hair.

[0054] Preferably, the additional treatment member extends over the jaw opposite the one carrying the guide zone.

[0055] The additional processing member may extend at least partially opposite the guide zone.

[0056] Preferably, the additional treatment on the portion of the lock of hair is temporally separate from the heat treatments.

[0057] The additional treatment may comprise the application of a cosmetic product to the portion of the lock of hair, in particular a hair-shaping composition. The application of the cosmetic product may be carried out by contact of the portion of the lock of hair with a porous member soaked in the 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.

[0058] The cosmetic composition may be a composition for cleaning, coloring, bleaching, conditioning or even shaping the hair. Preferably, the use of the device comprises the application of at least one hair shaping composition. This hair shaping composition may be a curling, setting, straightening or hair straightening, preferably hair straightening or hair smoothing.

[0059] 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.

[0060] Preferably, the cosmetic composition contains at least one agent chosen from oxidizing agents, reducing agents or alkaline agents of hydroxide type.

[0061] Preferably, the additional treatment may comprise a step of applying steam to the portion of the lock of hair, in particular by one or more steam outlets extending from the jaw not carrying the guide surface to the other jaw. The application of steam may comprise the confinement of the steam between the two jaws during the process, in particular in a steam confinement hollow or groove of at least one of the jaws in which the portion of the lock of hair extends during the treatment, the steam outlet(s) being arranged in a groove or hollow and / or the facing jaw having a groove or hollow extending opposite the steam outlet(s) during the treatment process. Preferably, the groove or hollow is adjacent to the guide zone. Such confinement allows for a homogeneous application of the steam to the hair and allows a smaller quantity of steam to be used during the treatment..

[0062] Preferably, the steam flow rate is less than or equal to 5 g / min, preferably less than 1 g / min during the steam application.

[0063] In addition, the additional treatment may include combing the lock of hair.

[0064] The combing step can be carried out with a comb arranged on the jaw opposite that carrying the guide zone, the distal end of the comb extending into the guide zone.

[0065] Preferably, the size of the lock of hair is chosen so that the portion of the lock of hair does not engage with the comb as it extends into the guide area.

[0066] The comb may be removable and the method may include removing the comb from its housing. It is also conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the comb may be replaced by a second comb, of different construction and characteristics which would be better suited to the curling method and / or the characteristics hair.

[0067] Preferably, the additional treatment member comprises a comb and one or more steam outlets. The additional treatment step may comprise a step of combing the hair and a step of applying steam when the lock of hair is inserted in one direction between the two jaws, the combing step preferably being carried out before the step of applying steam when moving the device over the lock of hair, and preferably only a single step of applying steam when the lock of hair is inserted between the jaws in the other direction. This makes it possible, thanks to the combing step carried out first, to properly discipline the hair and distribute it correctly before its treatment by steam and then by heat treatment. Hood

[0068] The method may comprise removing a protective cover over the or each external heat treatment zone, in particular by pivoting the cover about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device and parallel to the median plane of the device extending between the jaws in a configuration close to the latter. The removal of the cover may be carried out using the hand holding the device at the handle of the device. Order of steps

[0069] Preferably, the heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone is carried out before the heat treatment in the external heat treatment zone on the portion of the lock of hair when the device is moved over the lock of hair. As mentioned, this makes it possible in particular to pinch the hair to put it under tension relative to the scalp, and thus facilitate the rest of the process.

[0070] The guiding of the portion of the lock of hair may take place between the heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone and the heat treatment in the external heat treatment zone on the portion of the lock of hair. Alternatively, the guiding of the portion of the lock of hair takes place after the two heat treatments by the internal heat treatment zone and the external heat treatment zone. As a further variant, the guiding of the portion of the lock of hair takes place between the heat treatments by the external and additional external heat treatment zones. The guiding may also take place several times, that is to say that the hair may pass several times through the guide zone, at least 2 times for example, if the hairdressing appliance is rotated on itself, for example 360°, along its longitudinal axis, during the curling process.

[0071] The steps of the method are preferably carried out successively along the strand of hair, especially from the hair roots to the ends, in the following order: - Heat treatment in the internal heat treatment area, optionally steam treatment, hair guidance, and heat treatment in the external heat treatment area or - Optionally combing and / or steam treatment, heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone, optionally pressing against the lateral edge of the internal treatment member, optionally guiding by the guiding zone, heat treatment in the external heat treatment zone, guiding by the guiding zone and optionally heat treatment in the additional external heat treatment zone.

[0072] The method is not limited to the steps described above; additional steps may be present between or after the various steps mentioned above.

[0073] For example, the method may comprise winding the lock of hair around the two jaws of the device, the method then comprising a repetition of the following successive steps: heat treatment by the external heat treatment zone, guiding the hair, and heat treatment by the additional external heat treatment zone. Brief description of the drawings

[0074] 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

[0075] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] illustrates, in perspective, an example of a device according to the invention,

[0076] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates, in perspective, the distal end of the device of [Fig.l]

[0077] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates, in cross-section, an example of a device according to the invention,

[0078] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an enlargement of [Fig.3] at the level of the treatment organ,

[0079] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates, in perspective and partially, the distal end of the device of [Fig.l],

[0080] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an enlargement of [Fig.3],

[0081] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates an enlargement of an edge of one of the internal plates of the device of [Fig.3],

[0082] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates, in isolation, the internal plates and housings of the device of [Fig.3],

[0083] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates, in perspective, an example of a protective cover thermal according to the invention,

[0084] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] illustrates, in perspective, another example of a thermal protection cover according to the invention,

[0085] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] illustrates, in perspective, the distal end of a device comprising thermal protection covers according to the invention,

[0086] [Fig.12] [Fig.12] is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of [Fig.11],

[0087] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] illustrates, in perspective, an enlargement of the device of [Fig. 11] at a shoulder,

[0088] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] illustrates, in perspective, an enlargement of the device of [Fig. 11] at the level of another shoulder,

[0089] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] illustrates, in side view, the mounting of a thermal protection cover on a device according to the invention,

[0090] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] illustrates, in perspective, the distal end of a device comprising thermal protection tips according to the invention,

[0091] [Fig. 17] [Fig. 17] is a longitudinal section of the distal end of the device of [Fig. 16],

[0092] [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] illustrates, in perspective, in isolation, the tips of the [Fig.16],

[0093] [Fig. 19] [Fig. 19] illustrates part of an exemplary method of treating a lock of hair,

[0094] [Fig.20] [Fig.20] illustrates the continuation of the process of treating a lock of hair beyond [Fig. 19],

[0095] [Fig.21] [Fig.21] illustrates the continuation of the process of treating a lock of hair of [Fig.20],

[0096] [Fig.22] [Fig.22] illustrates the continuation of the process of treating a lock of hair beyond [Fig.21],

[0097] [Fig.23] [Fig.23] illustrates part of an alternative method of treating a lock of hair, and

[0098] [Fig.24] [Fig.24] illustrates the continuation of the process of treating a lock of hair of [Fig.23]. Detailed description

[0099] 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.

[0100] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a hair treatment device 2 according to the invention.

[0101] 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].

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] The jaws 3 and 4 each have a convex outer surface and a substantially flat inner surface.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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).

[0109] The device may comprise a water reservoir for the production of steam.

[0110] 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

[0111] 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 an internal heat treatment zone heated 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 close configuration of the two jaws 3 and 4.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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 treatment member of the device.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] The travel of the support 9 and its tilting advantageously allows the internal heating surface 45 to be positioned 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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 13038. 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.

[0120] The support 9 movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis may comprise seals 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 housing to be sealed against the steam emitted by one or more steam outlets as will be described later.

[0121] 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. The external surfaces respectively define external heat treatment zones extending on the external surface of the respective jaws.

[0122] 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.

[0123] In the illustrated example, 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.

[0124] The external plates 13 may be flexible metal sheets or preformed to have a convex shape complementary to the external surface of the jaw 3 and 4.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] The internal plates 16 can be heated to a temperature above 50°C, best understood between 90°C and 230°C.

[0130] The external plates 13 can be heated to a temperature above 50°C, better between 60 and 100°C.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] The internal plates 16 may extend beyond the housing 30 38 laterally to the jaw on both sides and have a lateral extension defining the first lateral edge 31 longer in cross-section of the device than the lateral extension defining the second edge 36.

[0134] 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°.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] The support 9 can protrude, at rest, from the jaw 3 or 4 in the direction of the other jaw 3 or 4 with a height H1 of at least 2 mm, for example 4 mm.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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 of the support 9 of the jaw 3.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] For example, as illustrated in [Fig.8], each wall 131 comprises reliefs 135 participating in holding the internal plates 16 on the support 9.

[0146] 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.

[0147] The first edges 31 and the second edges 36 are, for example, offset transversely from each other by a non-zero distance Db.

[0148] The first edge 31 of the internal plate 16 of the jaw 4 can be curved without having a protruding edge.

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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 angle of folding of the hair and produces, when passing the edge 40, an effect equivalent to that obtained by passing a projecting edge with a particular angle on a bolduc.

[0151] 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

[0152] 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.

[0153] The shoulders 18 may have a variable height He, for example varying between 0.5 mm on the external surface of the jaw extending laterally to the internal plate 16 and 2 mm on the external surface of the jaw opposite the internal plate 16.

[0154] 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.

[0155] 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 2018. 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.

[0156] The internal plates 13 may extend over the entire length of the external guide portion.

[0157] One of the jaws may have a lateral recess 170 at the level of the corresponding guide portion forming a hair guide zone. 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.

[0158] 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.

[0159] In a variant not shown, the hair guide zone may be other than a recess, in particular an area of ​​the jaw delimited laterally by one or two guide surfaces in the proximal and / or distal part of the jaw. Additional processing body

[0160] In the examples illustrated, 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.

[0161] 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 while being separate from this internal plate 16, when the device 2 is observed along its longitudinal axis X.

[0162] The member 12 may comprise a steam outlet 21 and a comb 22, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0163] 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.

[0164] The groove 35 may have a rectangular cross-section and open at the distal end of the jaw 4.

[0165] 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.

[0166] 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.

[0167] 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 2967 018. The evaporation chamber can be produced in accordance with the teaching of application EP 2449909Al or otherwise.

[0168] 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.

[0169] The steam outlet 21 may be in the form of a ramp, elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis Y2.

[0170] The ramp may have 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.

[0171] 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.

[0172] The steam produced which comes out 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 confinement groove 500 visible in [Fig.3]. This partial confinement improves the application of the steam to the hair.

[0173] 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.

[0174] The comb 22 may be arranged on the jaw 4 so 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.

[0175] 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.

[0176] 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.

[0177] 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.

[0178] 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.

[0179] 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.

[0180] The teeth of the comb 22 may be of rectangular cross-section.

[0181] In the illustrated example, the combination of the external guide portion, the edge 40 and the heat of the external plates 13 produces high quality curling of the hair.

[0182] 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. Thermal protection hood

[0183] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 9 to 15, the device 2 may comprise a thermal protection cover 70, for example two, made of polyamide and resistant to a temperature of at least 60°C.

[0184] Each cover 70 is removably mounted by clipping onto one of the jaws 3 and 4 so as to completely cover the corresponding external plate 13.

[0185] The hood 70 may be symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane.

[0186] Each cover 70 may comprise a recess 71 configured to form a zone 72 of preferential deformation of the cover 70 during its assembly on the device 2.

[0187] Each cover 70 may have a curved shape complementary to that of the corresponding external plate 13.

[0188] Each cover 70 has for example a thickness of approximately 1 mm on the longitudinal edges and 1.5 mm in the center.

[0189] Each cover 70 extends along a longitudinal axis W, said recess 71 being of elongated shape transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cover, for example forming a right angle with the longitudinal axis W.

[0190] As illustrated in Figures 9 to 11, the recess 71 is transverse and symmetrical with respect to a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis W of the cover 70. The recess 71 extends over at least 70% of the developed width of the cover 70.

[0191] For example, as illustrated in [Fig.l 1], the recess 71 is straight. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the recess 71 has several undulations.

[0192] Each recess 71 may extend on the cover 70 at a distance from one of the longitudinal ends of the cover 70, in particular the distal end 73 of the cover 70, less than or equal to 25% of the length Gc of the cover 70. The length Gc of the cover 70 corresponds to the length of the external treatment surface 13 of the device and is therefore between 50 mm and 150 mm, preferably between 80 and 100 mm, advantageously of the order of 88 mm.

[0193] Each cover 70 may comprise a gripping projection 75 extending from the external surface of the cover 70 at a distance less than or equal to 25% of the length Gc of the cover 70 from the longitudinal end 74 opposite the longitudinal end 73.

[0194] Thus, when the cover 70 is mounted on the jaw 3 or 4, the projection 75 is located close to the longitudinal end of the cover 70 extending on the side of the half-handles 10 and 11. This makes it possible, for example, to detach the cover 70 with a finger from the hand holding half handles 10 and 11 in one movement, which makes handling easier.

[0195] As illustrated in [Fig.9], the projection 75 may extend orthogonally from the cover 70 with a constant thickness and a domed outer surface.

[0196] As illustrated in [Fig.10], the projection 75 may have a curved shape along the longitudinal axis W of the cover 70.

[0197] As illustrated in [Fig.l 1], the projection 75 may be in the form of a tongue, in particular wavy, extending from the outer surface of the cover at a non-right angle.

[0198] Each cover 70 may comprise first protruding reliefs 77 extending at its two longitudinal ends 73 and 74 arranged to cooperate with second hollow reliefs 80 of the rest of the device 2, particularly illustrated in Figures 13 and 14.

[0199] The first reliefs 77 may extend parallel to, and preferably along, the longitudinal axis W of the cover 70.

[0200] Each first relief 77 is of lesser thickness than the thickness of the longitudinal end 73 or 74 of the cover 70.

[0201] The second reliefs 80 may be in the shoulders 20 18 opposite the internal plate 13. Thus, the first reliefs 77 of the cover extend into the shoulders 18.

[0202] As illustrated in [Fig.15], the cover 70 is configured to be mounted on the device 2 by the cooperation of the first relief 77 extending at the longitudinal end 73 of the cover 70, in particular that opposite the projection 75, with the second complementary relief 80 and by pivoting the cover 70 on the rest of the device 2 around a pivot axis A transverse to the median plane of the cover 70.

[0203] The pivot axis A may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis W of the cover 70 and located at the level of the first relief 77 of the cover 70 of the end 73 on the side of the recess 71.

[0204] During this operation of mounting the cover 70, the zone 72 will deform elastically towards the inside of the cover 70 allowing a slight displacement of the first relief 77 of the cover 70 on the side of the projection 75 along the longitudinal axis W of the cover 70. This deformation occurs when the user exerts longitudinal pressure from the gripping projection 75. Thanks to this movement, the first relief 77 on the side of the gripping projection 75, during pivoting, does not come into abutment against the shoulder 18.

[0205] Once the pivoting is complete, when the cover 70 is in contact with the plate 13, the longitudinal pressure is released, which allows the zone 72 to return to its initial shape by elasticity. The first relief 77 on the side of the gripping projection 75 engages, during this release, in the second relief 80 of the shoulder 18 which was in view before the pressure was released.

[0206] The first reliefs 77 thus positioned in the second reliefs 80 allow the cover 70 to be held on the jaw 3 or 4.

[0207] To remove the cover 70, the procedure is reversed. End cap

[0208] In the example of Figures 16 to 18, the device 2 comprises two end pieces 50 made of plastic material. Each end piece 50 is removably mounted by complementary shape on a distal end of the corresponding jaw 3 or 4.

[0209] 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.

[0210] For example, the edge 51 extends over the entire distal end 66 of the outer plate 13.

[0211] Apart from this stop, the two stops 50 have, for example, a smooth outer surface 64 devoid of relief.

[0212] 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.

[0213] Each end piece 50 may have a shell 56 having a shape substantially complementary to that of the jaw 3 or 4 which it covers, for example in the shape of an ogive complementary to the distal end of the jaw 3 or 4.

[0214] Each outer plate 13 may be positioned between the tip 50 and the proximal end of the jaw 3 or 4. For example, the tip 50 covers less than 5% of the outer plate 13, for example covers it by 1 mm.

[0215] Each tip 50 extends over the rib forming the shoulder 20 18 on the distal side of the external guide portion.

[0216] 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.

[0217] Each end piece 50 has on its internal surface a slot 57 configured to accommodate the rib forming the shoulder 2018, in particular by snap-fastening.

[0218] As illustrated in [Fig.18], the slot 57 may extend under the entire length of the stop 52 and be of variable depth.

[0219] As illustrated in [Fig.16], each tip 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.

[0220] 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.

[0221] 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 in contact over substantially its entire internal surface 63 with the external surface of the corresponding jaw 3 or 4.

[0222] The tip 50 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.

[0223] 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.

[0224] 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.

[0225] 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 with the external heating plate 13, which limits the risk of burning. Method

[0226] 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 in the internal heat treatment zone, passing through the guide zone and on at least one of the external plates 13 forming the external heat treatment zone, passing or not passing through the treatment member 12. It may be necessary to remove the cover(s) 70 before inserting the hair into the device.

[0227] The method of treating hair for curling may include pinching a lock of hair between the two jaws and wrapping the latter around at least one of the two jaws through at least 180°.

[0228] The method of treating hair for curling, illustrated in Figures 19 to 22, comprises moving the device 2 along a lock of hair of the root to the tips of the latter to carry out the following successive steps on at least part of the lock of hair: a. Optionally guidance by the guide zone delimited by the guide surfaces in the proximal and distal part of the jaw, as visible in [Fig.22] on the side of the hair tip, b. Optionally a treatment with the member 12, to comb the hair in the comb 22 then to apply steam through the outlet 21 to the hair, as visible in [Fig. 19], c. A first heat treatment by pinching between the internal plates 16 of the device 2, as visible in [Fig. 19], d. Optionally an application against the first lateral edge 31 with the hair put under tension by pinching and / or combing between the internal plates 16 and moving the device over the lock of hair, as seen in [Fig.20], e. A second heat treatment by applying the jaw 3 to the hair under tension against the external plate 13, as seen in [Fig.21], f. Guidance by the guide area delimited by the guide surfaces in the proximal and distal part of the jaw, as visible in [Fig.22] on the hairline side, g. Optionally, particularly in the case of very long locks of hair, a second heat treatment by applying the jaw 4 to the hair in tension against the external plate 13, as seen in [Fig.22].

[0229] Preferably, the lock of hair undergoes a change of orientation around the device 2 of at least 180°, preferably at least 270°, even better at least 360° during the treatment.

[0230] At the end of step c of heat treatment of the hair between the internal plates 16, the lock of hair undergoes a change of orientation of at least 100° between the first edge 31 and the adjacent external surface 32 of the jaw 3 on which the lock of hair is wound.

[0231] At the end of step c 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.

[0232] Another application of heat to the outer plate 13 of the jaw 4 could also be carried out.

[0233] The lock of hair may also be wound several times around the two jaws, in particular by manually winding the lock of hair around the device or by rotating the device on the lock of hair around its longitudinal axis, so that each portion of the lock of hair undergoes a repetition of steps e to g after step d. Thus the lock of hair may undergo the following steps following steps: second heat treatment / guidance by passing through the guide zone / further application of heat by the plate 13 of the jaw 4.

[0234] As a variant illustrated in Figures 23 and 24, in particular by changing the direction of insertion of the hair into the device, the method of treating hair for curling may comprise moving the device 2 along a lock of hair from the root to the tips to carry out the following steps, preferably carried out in the following order on at least part of the lock of hair: a. A first heat treatment of the lock of hair by pressing between the internal plates 16 of the device 2, as visible in [Fig.23], b. Optionally, treatment of the lock of hair with the member 12, to apply steam through the outlet 21, as visible in [Fig.23], c. Guiding the lock of hair by the guide zone delimited by the guide surfaces in the proximal and distal part of the jaw, the device having preferably been rotated 180° around its longitudinal axis, as visible in [Fig.24], and d. A second heat treatment of the lock of hair by applying tension against the external plate 13 to the jaw 3, as seen in [Fig.24].

[0235] This method is particularly more suitable for a lock of hair that is too short to wrap around the two arms 3 and 4.

[0236] For these looping methods, it is possible to use the tips 50 in order to have a better grip on the device 2, without risk of burning.

[0237] The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

[0238] The method may comprise the application of a cosmetic product by an application member, in particular a porous element configured to come into contact with the hair between the jaws in a configuration close to the latter.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for treating, in particular shaping, in particular curling, at least one lock of hair, comprising moving a device (2) along the lock of hair from the root to the tip of the latter to carry out, during a preferably single pass of the device (2) over the lock of hair, the following steps: - heat treatment of a portion of the lock of hair by pinching between two jaws (3, 4) of the device articulated together and passing through an internal heat treatment zone extending between the two jaws, - heat treatment of the portion of the lock of hair by passing over an external heat treatment zone extending on the external surface of one of the two jaws (3, 4) of the device,- additional treatment of the portion of the lock of hair by passing through an additional treatment zone by the treatment device during its movement over the lock of hair, the additional treatment being implemented by an additional treatment member extending from one of the jaws to the other of the jaws during the movement of the device along the lock of hair. - guiding the portion of the lock of hair by passing through a guide zone (170) extending outside the jaw (3, 4) of the device carrying the external heat treatment zone, the guide zone (170) having guide surfaces (20) in the proximal and / or distal part of the jaw, forming laterally to the guide zone an obstacle to the hair sufficient to contain the hair in said guide zone, the guide zone (20) being formed at least partially by a lateral recess (170) of one of the jaws (3,4) opposite a part of the other jaw (3, 4), at least a part of the additional treatment member extending from the other jaw into the recess (170).,

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the heat treatment by the internal heat treatment zone is carried out at a temperature above 50°C, preferably between 90°C and 230°C in use, advantageously between 180°C and 210°C.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat treatment by passing over an external heat treatment zone is makes a temperature above 50°C, better between 55°C and 150°C when using the device, for example around 90°C.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the guide surface(s) (20) form an obstacle to the portion of the lock of hair of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each guide surface (20) has a variable height.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone is performed before the heat treatment in the external heat treatment zone on the portion of the hair strand when moving the device over the hair strand.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the internal heat treatment surface is a hair contact surface of an internal heat treatment member (16), the method comprising passing the portion of the lock of hair, placed under mechanical tension, between a lateral edge (31) of the internal treatment member (16) and an external surface (32) of the jaw (3) carrying the internal treatment member (16) adjacent to the lateral edge (31), against the lateral edge (31), the portion of the lock of hair under tension having an angle less than or equal to 120°, better less than or equal to 110°, and strictly greater than 90°, better greater than or equal to 95° with a median plane Z of the device, extending between the jaws (3, 4) in a close configuration of the jaws.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal heat treatment zone is shifted laterally upstream or downstream, preferably downstream, the hair being moved from upstream to downstream during the heat treatment.

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the heat treatment by passing over the external heat treatment zone is carried out by contact of the portion of the lock of hair with an external heating surface extending over at least part of the external surface of one of the jaws (3, 4).

10. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising heat treating by passing through an additional external heat treatment zone extending over the surface external of the other of the two jaws of the device.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising gripping the device by an external surface of a distal portion of the jaws devoid of an external heating surface during the movement of the device along the lock of hair, the distal portion of the jaws devoid of an external heating surface preferably having a temperature less than or equal to 35°C, gripping the device by the external surface of a distal portion of the jaws devoid of an external heating surface comprising in particular the abutment of the fingers against a projecting relief (52) upstream of the external heat treatment zone.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the additional treatment is upstream of the aforementioned heat treatments and the guidance of the hair.

13. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the additional treatment comprises applying steam and / or combing the portion of the lock of hair.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the steps of the method are carried out successively along the lock of hair, in particular from the hair root to the tips, in the following order: - Optionally combing and / or steam treatment, heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone, guiding the hair, and heat treatment in the external heat treatment zone, or - Optionally combing and / or steam treatment, heat treatment in the internal heat treatment zone, optionally pressing against the lateral edge (31) of the internal treatment member, heat treatment in the external heat treatment zone, guiding by the guiding zone, and optionally heat treatment in the additional external heat treatment zone.

Images