Baby dryer

Abstract

The invention relates to a dryer, particularly for babies, comprising an electric motor (11), a fan propeller (13) mounted on this motor (11), air heating means (15) driven by this propeller (13) and electrical supply means (31, 35, 37) for said motor (11) and said heating means (15), an air inlet device (7) and an air outlet (9) arranged respectively upstream and downstream of said propeller (13), the air inlet device (7) comprising on the one hand an annular channel (29) for the passage of a first airflow (E1), and on the other hand a central channel for the passage of a second airflow (E2), this dryer being configured to receive inside said central channel in a removable manner a receptacle (43) for diffusion towards said outlet (9) of at least one active substance. (Fig. 11)

Description

Title of the invention: Dryer, especially for babies

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for drying the skin and / or hair, which will be referred to as a “dryer” in the following.

[0002] This device is particularly intended to be used for drying the skin and / or hair of young children, and more specifically babies.

[0003] Babies have fragile skin, two to five times thinner than an adult's skin.

[0004] For this reason, very soft textured towels are commonly used to dry babies' skin.

[0005] However, these towels are very favorable breeding grounds for bacteria, and it is important to wash them very frequently: typically, one wash every two days.

[0006] Apart from the fact that such washing is restrictive, it is not very virtuous from an ecological point of view.

[0007] For this reason, we have seen the development on the market of dryers specifically adapted to drying babies' skin / hair.

[0008] These dryers have the common characteristics of blowing air at a relatively low temperature, and with a moderate flow rate.

[0009] The present invention aims in particular to provide improvements to this type of dryer.

[0010] This object of the invention is achieved with a dryer, in particular for babies, comprising an electric motor, a fan propeller mounted on this motor, means for heating the air driven by this propeller and means for supplying electricity to said motor and said heating means, an air inlet device and an air outlet mouth arranged respectively upstream and downstream of said propeller, the air inlet device comprising on the one hand an annular channel for the passage of a first air flow, and on the other hand a central channel for the passage of a second air flow, this dryer being shaped to receive inside said central channel in a removable manner a receptacle for diffusing at least one active substance towards said outlet mouth.

[0011] Thanks to these characteristics, the dryer can be used to diffuse towards the skin of the baby one or more active substances beneficial for this skin.

[0012] Loading the dryer with the receptacle for diffusing the active substance is easily carried out by inserting this receptacle inside the central channel.

[0013] The dryer can also operate without active substance, in which case it is sufficient to remove the receptacle located inside the central channel.

[0014] According to other optional characteristics of the dryer according to the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0015] - said air intake device comprises a cover comprising on the one hand a grille annular capable of being crossed by said first air flow, and on the other hand a bowl with an openwork bottom defining said annular channel and capable of receiving said receptacle; thanks to the particular design of this cover, the latter can form in a single piece produced for example by molding, on the one hand the inlet grille of the first air flow, and on the other hand the bowl for receiving the receptacle;

[0016] - the dryer further comprises an air filter of substantially annular shape, arranged opposite said annular grille and slipped onto said bowl; the annular shape of this air filter makes it very easy to hold it against the annular grille of the hood;

[0017] - said air filter is of the activated carbon type; such an air filter makes it possible to rid the air circulating through the dryer contains a significant quantity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs);

[0018] - said electrical power supply means comprise at least one battery re chargeable, allowing cordless operation of this dryer; the absence of a cord makes the dryer particularly easy to use, away from any mains electrical outlet;

[0019] - the dryer comprises a plurality of rechargeable batteries arranged therein of said annular channel; such an arrangement makes it possible to optimize the space available inside the dryer, and thus to obtain a particularly compact device.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a receptacle for a dryer in accordance with the above, itself comprising a removable cover and an openwork bottom, this receptacle being capable of receiving at least one support soaked in said at least one active substance.

[0021] Optionally, this receptacle may include at its periphery a non-slip silicone strip cooperating with the interior of said bowl; the presence of this non-slip silicone strip makes it possible to very simply hold the receptacle inside the bowl.

[0022] Optionally, said active substance is vitamin B3; vitamin B3 has very interesting properties for the skin, and in particular for babies' skin: it strengthens the barrier properties of the skin against external aggressions (bacterial, chemical, etc.). This active substance can be sprayed onto a support such as a piece of fabric or blotting paper placed inside said receptacle.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a silicone figurine for a dryer in accordance with the above, removably mounted on said air outlet; such a figurine makes the dryer fun for a child, and the silicone helps reduce the risk of burns and provides a soft feel.

[0024] Optionally, said figurine is a bird's head whose beak acts as an air outlet; using the beak as an air outlet makes the object even more fun, and by providing a beak of sufficiently small dimensions, the risk of the baby being able to insert his fingers into it can be avoided.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a dryer assembly, comprising a dryer according to the foregoing, a receptacle according to the foregoing mounted in said bowl, and / or a figurine according to the foregoing mounted on said outlet mouth.

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0027] [Fig-1]: a perspective view of the dryer according to the invention, without figurine and without re receptacle;

[0028] [Fig.2]: a side view of this dryer;

[0029] [Fig.3]: a front view of this dryer;

[0030] [Fig.4]: a rear view of this dryer;

[0031] [Fig.5]: a sectional view of this dryer;

[0032] [Fig.6]: a perspective view of the cover of the air inlet device of this dryer, on which an annular activated carbon filter is mounted;

[0033] [Fig.7]: a perspective view of the dryer according to the invention, equipped with its figurine and from its receptacle;

[0034] [Fig.8]: a side view of this dryer;

[0035] [Fig.9]: a front view of the dryer;

[0036] [Fig. 10]: a rear view of this dryer;

[0037] [Fig. 11]: a sectional view of the dryer of figures 7 to 10;

[0038] [Fig. 12]: from left to right, views respectively in perspective, from the side, from front and back of the figurine;

[0039] [Fig. 13]: from left to right, perspective, side, front and rear views of the receptacle; and

[0040] [Fig. 14]: from left to right, perspective and side views respectively of the receptacle and its removed cover.

[0041] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs throughout the figures.

[0042] We now refer to Figures 1 to 4, in which we can see that the dryer according to the invention comprises a main body 1 of substantially cylindrical general shape, and a gripping handle 3 connected to this body 1.

[0043] As indicated by the arrow E, this dryer comprises an air inlet part E, through which the outside air is sucked in, and an air outlet part S, through which the air is expelled.

[0044] More precisely, the air inlet part E comprises an air inlet device 7 which will be detailed below, and the air outlet part S may comprise an outlet mouth which may for example have the shape of a flattened nozzle 9, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0045] Referring now to [Fig.5], it can be seen that inside the main body 1 there is an electric motor 11 on which is mounted a fan propeller 13.

[0046] Air heating means, which may comprise for example at least one electrical resistor 15, are arranged inside the main body downstream of the propeller relative to the direction of air circulation.

[0047] The air inlet device 7 comprises a cover 17 of particular shape, arranged upstream of the propeller 13 relative to the direction of air circulation.

[0048] More precisely, as can be seen in [Fig. 5], this cover 17 comprises a grid 19 of substantially annular shape and, formed in a single piece with this grid, a bowl 21 with an openwork bottom of generally substantially cylindrical shape, or slightly truncated cone-shaped in the example presented.

[0049] The bottom of this bowl 21, that is to say the part of this bowl located closest to the fan propeller, therefore comprises a plurality of orifices 23.

[0050] The wall 25 of this bowl forms, with the wall 27 of the main body, an annular channel 29 allowing on the one hand the circulation of air, and on the other hand the housing of a plurality of batteries 31.

[0051] Preferably, an air filter 33 of substantially annular shape, such as an active carbon filter, is threaded onto the radially outer face of the wall 25 of the bowl 21, so as to be held opposite the grid 19 of the cover 17.

[0052] The grid 19 and the bowl 21 of the cover 17 can be formed for example by molding a plastic material, the cover then being able to be fixed for example by clipping onto the main body 1 of the dryer.

[0053] The electric motor 11 and the batteries 31 are electrically connected by an electrical circuit which also includes a contact switch 35 housed in the handle 3 of the dryer, and a recharging socket 37 for the batteries 31 also housed in this handle 3.

[0054] Referring now to Figures 8 to 11, it can be seen that the dryer according to the invention also comprises two other accessories, which are part of the invention.

[0055] The first accessory is a figurine 39, which can for example take the shape and colors of a bird's head such as a titmouse as shown in [Fig. 12], capable of being removably mounted on the outlet mouth 9 of the dryer.

[0056] This figurine 39, which can be made of silicone by injecting multiple colors allowing to obtain varied colors, is provided with an orifice preferably formed through the bird's beak 41, allowing air to escape.

[0057] This spout 41 is sized so as to prevent a child from inserting his fingers into it.

[0058] The second accessory, visible in Figures 12 and 13, is a receptacle 43 arranged removably inside the bowl 21 of the air inlet device 7.

[0059] This receptacle 43 itself comprises a body 45 with an openwork base provided with a plurality of orifices 47, and an openwork cover 49 itself provided with a plurality of orifices 51.

[0060] A non-slip silicone strip 53 is arranged outside the receptacle, in the vicinity of its edge cooperating with the cover 49.

[0061] The cover 49 comprises a gripping handle 55, allowing this cover 49 to be separated from the body 45 of the receptacle 43, so as to reach the open position visible in [Fig.14].

[0062] As can be seen in particular in Figures 8, 10 and 11, the receptacle 43 is adapted to be positioned perfectly inside the bowl 21 formed by the cover 17 of the air inlet device 7 of the dryer, so that the orifices 47 of the bottom of this receptacle 43 are located opposite the orifices 23 of the bottom of the bowl 21, and the orifices 51 of the cover 49 of this receptacle open towards the outside of the air inlet part E of the dryer.

[0063] The shape of this receptacle 43 corresponds to the shape of the interior of the bowl 21, and can therefore be cylindrical, or slightly frustoconical as shown.

[0064] The receptacle 43 is held inside the bowl 21 by means of the non-slip silicone strip 53 arranged at the periphery of this receptacle 43.

[0065] The mode of operation and the advantages of the dryer according to the invention result from the preceding description.

[0066] Prior to using the dryer, the batteries 31 are charged, for example by placing this dryer on a charger, so that the socket 37 located in the handle 3 of this dryer communicates electrically with this charger.

[0067] Typically, if 6 lithium batteries are used, approximately 2 hours of charging are required for use of the dryer for around 15 minutes with heating (power of around 600 W), and more than 2 hours without heating (air blown at room temperature).

[0068] Once the loading is complete, the dryer can be used to dry the skin and / or hair, especially of a baby.

[0069] To do this, the switch 35 located on the handle 3 of the dryer is pressed, which has the effect of supplying electricity to the electric motor 1, and thus driving the propeller 13 of the fan into rotation.

[0070] In doing so, the outside air is sucked into the body 1 of the dryer, entering on the one hand through the grid 19 of the cover 17 (arrows E1), and on the other hand through the bowl 21 (arrow E2).

[0071] The air flow fraction El reaches the propeller 13 by passing between the batteries 31 arranged in the annular channel, allowing the passage to cool them.

[0072] The air flow fraction E2 reaches the propeller 13 by arriving at the bottom of the bowl 21 then passing through the orifices 23 of this bottom.

[0073] The air flows E1 and E2 then join, before being expelled through the outlet 9 of the dryer.

[0074] If the heating mode is selected, the electrical resistance 15 arranged around the electric motor 11 is powered, which has the effect of heating the circulating air flow.

[0075] As an indication, the temperature of the heated air leaving the dryer can be between 55°C and 65°C, for a flow rate of around 50m3 / h.

[0076] If care has been taken previously to place the figurine 39 on the outlet mouth 9 of the dryer, the air is channeled through the orifice formed in this figurine, in this case by the beak 41 of the tit.

[0077] The air outlet through this spout 41 is particularly playful for a child and the use of silicone to form this figurine eliminates any risk of burning the child.

[0078] If care has been taken beforehand to place in the bowl 21 the receptacle 43 inside which a support such as one or more pieces of fabric or blotting paper soaked in at least one active substance will have been placed, this active substance can be carried by the air flow E2 passing through the receptacle 43 thanks to the orifices 51, 47 formed in its cover 49 and in its base, in the direction of the baby's skin.

[0079] This active substance can thus be diffused onto the baby's skin, so as to allow the skin to benefit from the advantages of this active substance.

[0080] For example, this active substance may be vitamin B3 in the form of a liquid solution inside a bottle, from which a few drops are emptied onto a piece of cloth or blotting paper.

[0081] As is known in itself, vitamin B3 helps to strengthen the barrier role that the skin plays against external aggressions, particularly bacterial and chemical.

[0082] For information purposes, the dryer according to the invention may have dimensions of approximately 20cm x 15cm x 8cm, weigh around 750g, and have a noise level of less than 78 db.

[0083] The breath emitted by the dryer according to the invention is gentle and reassuring for the baby.

[0084] Naturally, the invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is it is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0085] This is how, for example, the batteries 31 of this dryer could also be recharged by induction, or by connecting a charging cable.

Claims

Claims

1. Dryer, in particular for babies, comprising an electric motor (11), a fan propeller (13) mounted on this motor (11), air heating means (15) driven by this propeller (13) and electrical supply means (31, 35, 37) for said motor (11) and said heating means (15), an air inlet device (7) and an air outlet mouth (9) arranged respectively upstream and downstream of said propeller (13), the air inlet device (7) comprising on the one hand an annular channel (29) for the passage of a first air flow (El), and on the other hand a central channel for the passage of a second air flow (E2), this dryer being shaped to receive inside said central channel in a removable manner a receptacle (43) for diffusion towards said outlet mouth (9) of at least one active substance.

2. Dryer according to claim 1, in which said air inlet device (7) comprises a cover (17) comprising on the one hand an annular grid (19) capable of being traversed by said first air flow (El), and on the other hand a bowl with an openwork bottom (21) defining said annular channel (29) and capable of receiving said receptacle (43).

3. Dryer according to one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising an air filter of substantially annular shape (33), arranged opposite said annular grid (19) and slipped onto said bowl (21).

4. A dryer according to claim 3, wherein said air filter (33) is of the activated carbon type.

5. Dryer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said electrical power supply means comprise at least one rechargeable battery (31), allowing wireless operation of this dryer.

6. A dryer according to claim 5, comprising a plurality of rechargeable batteries (31) disposed within said annular channel (29).

7. Receptacle (43) for a dryer according to one of claims 1 to 6, itself comprising a removable cover (49) and an openwork bottom, this receptacle (43) being capable of receiving at least one support soaked in said at least one active substance.

8. Receptacle (43) according to claim 7, comprising at its periphery a non-slip silicone strip (53) capable of cooperating with the interior of said bowl (21).

9. Receptacle (43) according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein said active substance is vitamin B3.

10. Silicone figure (39) for a dryer according to one of claims 1 to 6, capable of being removably mounted on said air outlet mouth (9).

11. Figurine (39) according to claim 10 in the shape of a bird's head whose beak (41) acts as an air outlet.

12. A dryer assembly, comprising a dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a receptacle (43) according to one of claims 7 or 8 mounted in said bowl (21), and / or a figurine (39) according to one of claims 10 or 11 mounted on said outlet mouth (9).

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