Hair styling appliance with steam diffusion equipped with a flow regulation system.

Abstract

Hairdressing appliance with steam diffusion equipped with a flow control system. The present invention relates to a hairdressing appliance with steam diffusion comprising an electric pump (200) supplying a vaporization chamber (210) from a reservoir (300). The pump includes an inlet (201) connected to the reservoir and an outlet (202) connected to a distribution tee (303) separating the liquid flow between a first supply branch connected to an inlet of the vaporization chamber and a second supply branch connected to the liquid inlet of the pump so as to allow recirculation of the liquid. The appliance is characterized in that the first branch is equipped with a flow limiter (400). Figure for the abstract: Fig 3

Description

Title of the invention: Steam-diffusion hair styling appliance equipped with a flow regulation system.

[0001] The present invention relates to a steam-powered hair styling appliance for shaping or styling hair. More particularly, the appliance is a hairbrush capable of diffusing steam onto hair.

[0002] The term household appliance means appliances and tools using electricity and intended to meet domestic needs, as opposed to industrial tools and machines.

[0003] Many types of household hair styling appliances are known for shaping hair, particularly by straightening, curling, or crimping. Examples include straightening irons, curling irons, and hairbrushes. These appliances may include one or more heated or heating surfaces. The general construction of such appliances is well known.

[0004] In order to improve the treatment, some devices have long provided for the distribution of steam towards the surface to be treated, in particular a lock of hair or the hair in the case of hairdressing devices.

[0005] Thus, document US2880299A, for example, describes a curling iron capable of distributing steam onto a strand of hair pinched between two articulated arms and wrapped around said arms.

[0006] Documents US20040000319A1 and US2009188516A1 describe devices of the straightening iron type also capable of distributing steam on a strand pinched between two arms each equipped with a heating plate.

[0007] Finally, we can also mention brushes and combs, heated or not, capable of distributing steam through hair when used. For example, see documents KR20030085159A and DE19822718A1.

[0008] Typically, steam is generated by a steam generator consisting essentially of a chamber supplied with liquid water and heated to a temperature sufficient to cause its evaporation. The steam thus generated is then brought into or near the treatment surface where it is distributed through one or more nozzles.

[0009] The supply of liquid water to the vaporization chamber is conventionally carried out from a reservoir, preferably integrated into the device, in particular by means of a pump (see EP2209396B1), preferably also integrated into the device.

[0010] It is known from documents EP2449910, EP3262970, WO2020083736, and FR3126458A1, to use a peristaltic pump in such a hairdressing device in order to ensure proper regulation of the liquid supply flow to the steam generator.

[0011] It is also known, notably from document FR3132419, to use a diaphragm pump.

[0012] Such pumps are reliable, compact and allow for a relatively constant flow rate, especially at low flow rates below 3ml / min, and even more so for flow rates below 1ml / min.

[0013] However, although they operate very regularly, such pumps distribute the fluid by impulse, which, particularly at low flow rates, can result in "jerking" motions.

[0014] Despite the advantages of such pumps, it therefore remains complex to regulate the flow of liquid distributed by the pump and to stabilize it.

[0015] It is indeed important for portable steam styling devices to have steam emission devices with the most consistent flow rates possible in order to ensure uniform and reproducible hair treatment quality. This is all the more difficult when the flow rate is low. These devices should also be compact and, above all, very robust, i.e., have a sufficient lifespan. A more consistent flow rate can prevent increased workload on the motor, which would be detrimental to this lifespan. This increased workload on the pump could also generate additional operating noise.

[0016] Various devices have been proposed with the aim of better regulating the distribution of liquid to the vaporization chamber by the pump.

[0017] Document EP3155923B1 proposes to fluidly connect a fluid outlet of the pump both to the vaporization chamber and to a recirculation line to the reservoir (

[0053] -

[0054] ). To achieve this, the vaporization chamber supply circuit includes a branch dividing the circuit into a first branch connected to a liquid inlet port in the vaporization chamber and a second branch connected to the reservoir, allowing the return of a portion of the liquid from the pump to the reservoir. The device includes a liquid flow control mechanism for the generator, comprising means for compressing the flexible hose of the second branch. Thus, the pump can run at a relatively high speed to smooth out the pulses, the supply flow to the vaporization chamber being regulated by partially or fully closing the recirculation or return branch to the reservoir.

[0018] It has no impact on the liquid distribution flow rate from the pump to the vaporization chamber. Therefore, the variation in the pump's output flow rate must be achieved, conventionally, by adjusting the pump motor's rotational speed. (and therefore the rotation frequency of the rollers for a peristaltic pump or the deformation of the membrane for a diaphragm pump).

[0019] In the context of the development of new tools, and in particular for the development of steam-delivering hairbrushes as described in application FR3125400A1, there is a permanent need to further optimize these aspects.

[0020] To this end, the present invention provides a steam-diffusion hair styling appliance for hair and includes means for supplying liquid to a steam generator comprising an electric pump. The electric pump is capable of supplying liquid to a vaporization chamber from a liquid reservoir. The pump includes an inlet fluidly connected to the reservoir and an outlet fluidly connected to a distribution tee that separates the liquid flow between a first supply branch fluidly connected to a liquid inlet of the vaporization chamber and a second supply branch fluidly connected to the liquid inlet of the pump so as to allow recirculation of the liquid.

[0021] In accordance with the present application, the hair styling device is characterized in that the first branch supplying liquid to the vaporization chamber is equipped with a flow limiter.

[0022] Thus, by equipping the liquid distribution circuit with a flow limiter on the vapor chamber supply branch instead of a flow control device positioned on the recirculation branch, it is possible to obtain a very regular liquid distribution to the vaporization chamber. The impulses related to the operation of the electric pump primarily affect the second, recirculation branch and are smoothed out on the first supply branch to the vaporization chamber. The proposed system also allows the pump to operate at an optimal speed, significantly higher than the speed corresponding to the desired vaporization chamber supply flow rate, which helps to preserve its service life. Service lives exceeding 600 hours and even 800 hours have been achieved, a duration that cannot generally be attained by directly controlling the pump flow rate to its operating speed..

[0023] The electric pump may be a peristaltic pump, a piezoelectric pump or, preferably, a diaphragm pump.

[0024] According to a first embodiment, the second supply branch is fluidically connected to the liquid inlet of the pump downstream of the reservoir, in series with the reservoir. In other words, the second branch opens into the reservoir, and the liquid flowing in the second branch returns to the reservoir. Fluid communication with the pump inlet is ensured by the fluid connection between the reservoir and the pump inlet.

[0025] According to a second embodiment, the second liquid supply branch is fluidically connected to the pump's liquid inlet upstream of the reservoir, in parallel with the reservoir, notably by means of a mixing tee located upstream of the pump's liquid inlet. In other words, the second branch is directly connected to the fluid connection between the reservoir and the pump inlet. The liquid flowing in the second branch does not recirculate through the reservoir.

[0026] One or more check valves can be positioned on the different fluidic connections.

[0027] Advantageously, the distance to be travelled by the liquid between the pump outlet and the distribution tee is less than or equal to 1cm.

[0028] Preferably, the flow restrictor has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first branch downstream of said flow restrictor. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first branch becomes larger after the flow restrictor.

[0029] Preferably, the first branch has a passage section upstream of the flow limiter substantially equal to a passage section downstream of the flow limiter.

[0030] More specifically, the flow restrictor may be, in particular, an element such as a rod, press-fitted inside a tube forming the first branch, the press-fitting ensuring a peripheral seal. The element forming the flow restrictor has, in particular, a length between 2 and 6 mm, in particular on the order of 4 mm.

[0031] Preferably, the flow limiter has a total passage cross-section less than or equal to one-fifth of a passage cross-section of the first branch upstream of said flow limiter.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the flow restrictor has a passage orifice formed in an external peripheral surface of said restrictor and defined in part by a wall of a tube forming the first branch. Thus, the flow restrictor can take the form of a rod having a cross-section slightly larger than the cross-section of the conduit and inserted into the latter. The tube wall closes one contour of the orifice so as to reconstitute the passage cross-section of the flow restrictor.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the passage section is a longitudinal groove or slot.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal groove extends helially so as to form a peripheral helical thread in the manner of a screw.

[0035] Alternatively, the passage orifice can be made entirely within a body of the flow limiter and have a contour entirely defined by the body of the limiter.

[0036] Advantageously, the flow restrictor's orifice(s) may have internal features such as teeth or protrusions. Such features help to limit scaling of the passage section.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the flow restrictor comprises a plurality of passage orifices, each having a cross-section, in particular circular, with a diameter between 19 and 31,500 square micrometers. Alternatively, the flow restrictor comprises a single passage orifice.

[0038] The liquid suitable for transfer by the pump to the vaporization chamber is preferably water alone, in particular demineralized water. However, it may include additives, in particular one or more cosmetic additives.

[0039] Advantageously, the electric pump is integrated into a portable treatment unit of the hair styling device. Even more advantageously, the electric pump is located in a handle of the portable treatment unit, preferably at one end of the handle where it connects to a treatment head. This maximizes the available space in the handle for other components, and in particular for a reservoir of the liquid to be pumped.

[0040] The reservoir is also advantageously integrated into the potable treatment unit, in particular inside the handle.

[0041] The vaporization chamber can also be arranged inside the handle or, preferably, at the rear of a hair treatment surface of a treatment head of the device.

[0042] According to a particular operating mode, the device is configured so that the electric pump delivers a fluid flow rate greater than or equal to 10 ml / min, preferably greater than or equal to 50 ml / min, while the flow limiter is configured to deliver to the vaporization chamber a flow rate less than or equal to 5 ml / min, preferably less than 3 ml / min, better less than 1 ml / min.

[0043] The hair styling device advantageously comprises at least one heated treatment surface. The device also has at least one nozzle for distributing steam into or near said treatment surface.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the hair styling device is a hairbrush.

[0045] By "brush" is meant a hair treatment device comprising a A single arm with multiple teeth between which the hair is caught as the brush passes over the hair. The brush may have a single row of teeth, in which case it is also called a comb, or multiple rows of teeth. The brush may include a heated treatment surface. The teeth may also be actively heated or not.

[0046] Alternatively, the hair styling device is a hair straightener.

[0047] The term "hair straightener" means a hair treatment device comprising two arms articulated relative to each other around a hinge between a The device consists of an open and a closed configuration. At least one arm, and preferably each arm, is equipped with a treatment surface in the form of a heating plate. During the treatment of a strand of hair, the strand is inserted between the two arms in the open position, and then the two arms are manually closed around the strand. The strand is then subjected to the heat emitted by the heating element until the two arms are opened and the hair is removed; the device can be moved along the strand.

[0048] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 1. is a schematic representation of a hairbrush capable of delivering steam to the hair. 2. is a schematic representation of a steam generation assembly located inside the brush of the [Fig.1] implementing a distribution circuit according to the present application. 3. is a functional schematic representation of the liquid distribution circuit of [Fig.2]. 4. is a functional schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the liquid distribution circuit according to the present application.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a hairbrush 100 adapted to distribute steam onto the hair. Although illustrated by a hairbrush as an example, this application may also relate to other household appliances distributing a fluid, and in particular other hair treatment appliances adapted to distribute a fluid onto the hair, especially steam. An example of another appliance is a hair straightener.

[0050] The hairbrush 100 comprises a handle 110 and a treatment head 120. The head 120 comprises a set of teeth 121 arranged on a support plate 122 in a plurality of rows. The rows of teeth 122 extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the brush X.

[0051] In the example shown, the support plate 122 is substantially flat and has a substantially rectangular shape extending in line with the gripping handle 122. It is obviously possible to have a curved support plate, the teeth 123 then being preferably located on a concave surface of the support plate, or even a substantially cylindrical support plate.

[0052] In a particular embodiment, the support plate 122, or certain areas thereof, may be heated. Complementarily or alternatively, all or part of the teeth, in particular certain rows of teeth, may be heated.

[0053] The head 120 also includes a plurality of steam outlets 130 opening from the support plate 122. The steam outlets or nozzles 130 may be located between teeth 123 of one or more rows or be separate and in particular arranged along an edge of the support plate 122.

[0054] Alternatively, the steam outlets 130 can be made in the teeth 123, and in particular open onto one side of them.

[0055] According to the embodiment shown, the steam nozzles 130 open between the teeth of the same row, in this case between the teeth of a middle row, thus forming a row of steam outlets 130 extending substantially in the continuation of the handle 110.

[0056] The vapor is conveyed to the vapor outlets from a vaporization chamber 210 integrated into the apparatus 100 through one or more diffusion channels passing through the support plate 122, and the teeth 123 if applicable. In the example shown, the vaporization chamber 210 is integrated into the head 120 at the rear of the support plate 122. Such features are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0057] The vaporization chamber 210 is supplied with liquid water from a reservoir 300 by an electric pump, in this case a diaphragm pump 200. The reservoir 300 is integrated into the device 100, within the handle 110. It may advantageously be removable so that it can be easily filled, particularly with water, especially demineralized water. Alternatively, a filling port may be provided in a wall of the handle 110. The filling port may be equipped with a valve or flap to prevent any leakage of liquid from the reservoir 300.

[0058] The electric pump 200, also integrated into the handle 110, includes at least one conduit 201, forming a liquid inlet or intake conduit, and a second conduit 202 forming an outlet or discharge conduit.

[0059] As shown in [Fig. 2], the pump 200 is positioned at one end of the handle 110, close to the treatment head 120 and the vaporization chamber 210. As mentioned above, this optimizes the handle's dimensions and mass distribution for improved overall ergonomics. More specifically, the pump comprises a pump head oriented towards the treatment head and a motor, located at the rear of the pump head, and oriented towards the reservoir.

[0060] The liquid inlet conduit 201 or the pump inlet 200 is connected to the reservoir 300 by a tube 301 which may in particular be a flexible tube.

[0061] The outlet conduit 202 is itself connected, also by a tube 302, preferably flexible, to a distribution tee 303 comprising a first branch connected by a tube 304, preferably flexible, to the inlet or inlet orifice of the vaporization chamber 210 and a second branch connected by a tube 305, also flexible preference, at reservoir 300. The distribution tee 303 can have a T or Y shape.

[0062] In this way, the pump 200 recirculates part of the liquid from the reservoir 300 to the inlet duct 201 of the pump 200 in series with the reservoir 300.

[0063] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the distribution tee 303 is arranged in the sleeve 110 between the pump 200 and the reservoir 300.

[0064] Advantageously, the tube 302 connecting the outlet conduit 202 of the pump 200 to the distribution tee 303 has a length of less than 1cm.

[0065] In accordance with this application, the tube 302 forming the first supply branch to the vaporization chamber 210 is equipped with a flow limiter 400.

[0066] According to the embodiment shown, the flow limiter 400 has a fixed passage cross-section. Alternatively, it can be adjustable.

[0067] More specifically, the flow restrictor 400 is in the form of a rod inserted inside the tube 304 forming the first branch. The flow restrictor 400 has an outside diameter such that it must be inserted slightly with force into the tube so as to be sealed against it at its periphery.

[0068] The stem has a length between 2 and 6mm, in this case 4mm.

[0069] The flow restrictor rod 400 is a threaded rod having a thread and a helical groove defining, with an inner surface of the tube, a passage channel for the flow limiter 400. The thread and the groove have dimensions such that the passage area of ​​the flow limiter is less than or equal to one-fifth of the section of the tube forming the first branch.

[0070] The first branch has a passage section upstream of the flow limiter 400 substantially equal to a passage section downstream of the flow limiter 400.

[0071] Preferably, the various conduits 301, 302, 304, 305, apart from the flow limiter and the fittings which may induce a reduction or an increase in cross-section, have a substantially constant cross-section, and in particular substantially identical between them.

[0072] Although not strictly necessary, as an additional feature, the tube 305 may be equipped with a device for varying its cross-section, in particular by means of a valve, especially one that is electrically controllable. It is also possible to provide a distribution tee 400 in the form of a three-way valve allowing flow rate adjustment on its branches. Preferably, only the recirculation branch is adjustable. Such a configuration allows the outlet flow rate to the vaporization chamber 210 to be slightly varied around the flow rate value for which the flow restrictor 400 is designed. Preferably, this flow rate variation does not exceed plus or minus 10%.

[0073] According to a second embodiment shown schematically in [Fig.4], the tube 302 forming the second branch of liquid supply is fluidically connected to the liquid inlet 201 of the pump 200 upstream of the reservoir 300, in parallel with the latter. To achieve this, a mixing tee 306 is provided, connected at its inlet to tube 302 forming the second branch and to tube 301 connected to the reservoir 300. The mixing tee is connected at its outlet to the inlet conduit 201 of the pump 200. In this embodiment, it is possible to group the pump 200, the mixing tee 303, the distribution tee 306, and the flow restrictor 400 within a pumping unit 500 having a single inlet connected to the reservoir 300 and a single outlet connected to the vaporization chamber 210. It is thus possible to provide a removable pump block that is easily replaceable and reconnectable to the reservoir and the vaporization chamber in case of failure.

[0074] As indicated, such configurations allow the pump 200 to operate at a relatively high flow rate close to its nominal operating flow rate for which it was designed. The flow restrictor 400 allows the vaporization chamber 210 to be delivered the desired reduced flow rate for hair treatment in a very consistent manner. Thus, the hair styling device includes a pump control unit configured to deliver an electrical operating signal to the pump corresponding to a higher fluid flow rate delivered to the outlet 202 of 10 ml / min or more, preferably 50 ml / min or more. The flow restrictor 400 is chosen to deliver to the vaporization chamber 210, through the tube 304 downstream of said flow restrictor 400, a flow rate of 5 ml / min or less, preferably less than 3 ml / min, and even better, less than 1 ml / min.

Claims

Demands

1. A hair styling device (100) with steam diffusion for styling hair comprising an electric pump (200) capable of supplying liquid to a vaporization chamber (210) from a liquid reservoir (300), the pump comprising an inlet (201) fluidly connected to the reservoir and an outlet (202) fluidly connected to a distribution tee (303) separating the liquid flow between a first supply branch (304) fluidly connected to a liquid inlet of the vaporization chamber and a second supply branch (305) fluidly connected to the liquid inlet of the pump so as to allow recirculation of the liquid, the hair styling device being characterized in that the first liquid supply branch to the vaporization chamber is equipped with a flow limiter (400).

2. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second supply branch (305) is fluidically connected to the liquid inlet (201) of the pump (200) downstream of the reservoir (300), in series with the latter.

3. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second liquid supply branch (305) is fluidically connected to the liquid inlet (201) of the pump (200) upstream of the reservoir (300), in parallel with the latter, in particular by means of a mixing tee (306) located upstream of the liquid inlet of the pump.

4. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a distance to be traveled by the liquid between the outlet (202) of pump and the distribution tee (303) is less than or equal to 1cm.

5. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flow limiter (400) has a passage section smaller than a passage section of the first branch downstream of said flow limiter.

6. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first branch has a passage cross-section upstream of the flow limiter (400) substantially equal to a passage cross-section downstream of the flow limiter.

7. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flow limiter (400) has a total passage cross-section less than or equal to one-fifth of a passage cross-section of the first branch upstream of said flow limiter.

8. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flow limiter (400) has a passage orifice formed in an external peripheral surface of said limiter and defined in part by a wall of a tube forming the first branch.

9. Hairdressing appliance (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the passage section is a longitudinal groove or slot.

10. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the longitudinal groove extends helially so as to form a peripheral helical thread in the manner of a screw.

11. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the flow limiter (400) comprises a plurality of passage orifices each having a cross-section, in particular circular, of diameter between 19 and 31500 square micrometers.

12. Hair styling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric pump (200) is integrated into a portable processing unit of the hair styling device.

13. Hairdressing apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (300) is integrated into the potable treatment unit.

14. Hair styling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured so that the electric pump (200) delivers a fluid flow rate greater than or equal to 10 ml / min, preferably greater than or equal to 50 ml / min, while the flow limiter (400) is configured to deliver to the vaporization chamber (210) a flow rate less than or equal to 5 ml / min, preferably less than 3 ml / min, better less than 1 ml / min.

15. Hair styling apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one heated treatment surface and at least one nozzle (130) for the distribution of steam in or near said treatment surface.

16. Hair styling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hair styling device is a hairbrush.

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