Attachment For A Haircare Appliance

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance comprising an airflow inlet 111, a body defining a bore 112 with first and second outlets at its periphery, a valve 140 moveable in the bore between first and se

Description

BACKGROUND A haircare appliance may comprise an attachment around which hair is wrapped to create curls. Air may be discharged from the attachment in order to encourage the hair to wrap around the attachment. SUMMARY A first aspect of the invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: an inlet for receiving an airflow; a body defining a bore, the body comprising a pair of outlets at a periphery of the bore, the pair of outlets comprising a first outlet and a second outlet; and a valve in the bore and movable relative to the body between a first position in which the valve occludes the first outlet and the airflow is discharged from the second outlet, and a second position in which the valve occludes the second outlet and the airflow is discharged from the first outlet, wherein, to permit movement of the valve between the first and second positions, the valve is movable longitudinally relative to the body to move the valve into and out of the first position and into and out of the second position. By moving the valve between the first and second positions, air may be discharged from either the first outlets or the second outlets. The outlets may be configured such that the airflow is discharged in different directions and / or at different speeds according to the position of the valve. For example, the attachment may be generally cylindrical in shape and the outlets may be configured such that the airflow is discharged from the first outlets in a clockwise direction, and from the second outlets in an anticlockwise direction. The attachment may therefore be used to curl hair, with the direction of the curl being determined by the direction of the airflow. By providing an attachment that is capable of providing both clockwise and anticlockwise airflow, a user is able to quickly and conveniently change the direction in which curls are formed. Moving of the valve longitudinally relative to the body may allow movement of the valve into and out of the first and second positions with relatively little force being required to achieve such movement. For example, the valve may be slidable relative to the body within the bore. The body may have a longitudinal body axis extending between opposing first and second ends of the body, and the valve may be movable parallel to the longitudinal axis to move the valve between the first and second ends of the body. As a result, the attachment may be relatively simple to manufacture and assemble compared to an attachment in which the valve is movable non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The valve may be movable longitudinally relative to the body in a first direction to move the valve out of the first position and out of the second position, and movable longitudinally relative to the body in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to move the valve into the first position and into the second position. The body may be generally cylindrical, or generally conical, in shape. Then this has the advantage that hair may be wrapped around the body for drying and / or styling Additionally, or alternatively, the attachment may be used on different sides of the head without having to reorient the attachment. The pair of outlets may extend longitudinally along a length of the body. This may permit the haircare appliance to dry and / or style a relatively wide tress of hair. Each pair of outlets may extend along substantially a full length of the body. This may provide relatively even airflow along substantially a full length of the body. Each outlet may comprise a plurality of slots positioned in a row along the length of the body. This may help to prevent hair from entering the outlets compared to each outlet comprising a single slot or aperture. The body may comprise a plurality of pairs of outlets disposed around a periphery of the body. This may thus provide airflow around the periphery of the body. Each pair of outlets may be geometrically the same as each other pair of outlets. This may help to ensure uniform airflow from each pair of outlets. The valve may be rotatable relative to the body to move the valve between the first position and the second position. As a result, a relatively compact arrangement may be achieved for the attachment. The valve may be rotatable relative to the body by an angle from 10 degrees to 30 degrees to move the valve between the first position and the second position. With such relatively small amounts of relative rotation between the valve and the body, movement of the valve between the first position and the second position may be relatively easy compared to greater angles of relative rotation between the valve and the body. The valve may have a longitudinal valve axis, which may be co-axial with the longitudinal body axis. As a result, the attachment may be relatively simple to manufacture and assemble compared to an attachment in which the valve is movable non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The valve may be rotatable relative to the body simultaneously with the valve moving longitudinally relative to the body. This may shorten a sequence required to move the valve between the first and second positions. In an example, with the valve in one of the first position or the second position, the valve is simultaneously moved longitudinally relative to the body and rotated relative to the body to move the valve out of the one of the first position or the second position, and the valve then is moved longitudinally relative to the body to move the valve into the other of the first position and the second position. The valve may be rotatable relative to the body separately to the valve moving longitudinally relative to the body. This may permit a relatively simple mechanism to be employed to move the valve between the first and second positions. In an example, with the valve in one of the first position or the second position, the valve is moved longitudinally relative to the body to move the valve out of the one of the first position or the second position, the valve is then rotated relative to the body, and the valve then is moved longitudinally relative to the body to move the valve into the other of the first position and the second position. The bore may be tapered, having a first bore end and a second bore end, the second bore end having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first bore end. The valve may be tapered, having a first valve end and a second valve end, the second valve end having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first valve end. The valve may be positioned in the bore with the first valve end towards the first bore end of the bore and the second valve end towards the second bore end; and the valve may be movable out of the first position and out of the second position by moving the valve longitudinally in the bore towards the second bore end, and into the first position and into the second position by moving the valve longitudinally in the bore towards the first bore end. By moving the valve longitudinally in the bore towards the second bore end, a contact force between the valve and the body may be reduced compared to when the valve is closer to the first bore end. This may allow rotation of the valve relative to the body with a relatively small rotational force compared to when the valve is closer to the first bore end and the contact force between the valve and the body is greater. A bore taper angle of the bore may be substantially equal to a valve taper angle of the valve. This may help to ensure substantially simultaneous contact between the body and the valve along substantially a full length of the valve when the valve is moved within the bore towards the first bore end. By providing a tapered valve within a tapered bore, a greater tolerance range between the diameter of the tapered bore and an outer diameter of the tapered valve may be accommodated, compared to the bore and valve not being tapered. By way of example, if the valve and the bore are correctly sized relative to one another, the valve will contact and seal with the periphery of the bore at a first distance from the first bore end. If the valve diameter is slightly too small, the valve will contact and seal with the periphery of the bore at a second distance from the first bore end, the second distance being smaller than the first distance. If the valve will contact and seal with the periphery of the bore at a third distance from the first bore end, the third distance being greater than the first distance. The valve may be considered to be in one of the first position or the second position, regardless of whether the valve at the first, second or third distance from the first bore end, as long as the valve is in a position in which one of the first outlet or the second outlet is occluded by the valve. Such tolerance accommodation may, in turn, permit the valve to be formed of a harder material, such as glass-filled Nylon, than the compliant materials, such as silicone, used in known haircare appliances. The valve taper angle may be in the region of from 1 degrees to 6 degrees. Such an angle range may provide the aforementioned benefits of a tapered valve and bore whilst keeping a maximum diameter of the valve relatively small, compared to taper angles greater than 6 degrees. A taper angle of at least 1 degree may reduce an amount of longitudinal movement of the valve relative to the body to reduce contact force between the valve and the body compared to smaller taper angles whilst providing sufficient radial clearance between the tapered valve and the periphery of the bore. The bore may have a central bore axis extending between the first bore end and the second bore end, the first bore end towards the first end of the body and the second bore end towards the second end of the body. The central bore axis may be parallel, or co-axial, with the longitudinal body axis. The valve may be movable parallel to the central bore axis to move the valve between the first bore end and the second bore end. As a result, a relatively compact arrangement may be achieved for the attachment. The valve may form a face seal with the periphery of the bore when the valve is in the first position and the second position. This may help to inhibit leakage between the valve and the body even when the valve has a relatively smooth outer profile. The valve may be movable longitudinally in the bore towards the second bore end to an intermediate position, in which the valve does not contact a periphery of the tapered bore. This may further reduce a rotational force required to rotate the valve relative to the body compared to the valve being in contact with the periphery of the tapered bore in the intermediate position. When the valve is in the intermediate position, a clearance distance, extending in a radial direction of the bore, may be at least 0.5mm. This may help to ensure the valve does not contact a periphery of the bore during rotation of the valve relative to the body, thus reducing friction and rotational force required to rotate the valve. A distance from each of the first position and the second position to the intermediate position, in a direction parallel to a central bore axis extending between the first bore end and the second bore end, may be from 1 mm to 20 mm. This may help to ensure that enough clearance is provided between the valve and the body to permit the valve to move between the first and second positions. For example, the amount of travel may be sufficient to ensure sufficient clearance between the valve, in the intermediate position, and the periphery of the bore to permit smooth rotation of the valve relative to the body. One of the body and the valve may comprise a protrusion extending toward the other of the body and the valve, and the other of the body and the valve may comprise a pair of notches comprising a first notch and a second notch, wherein, when the valve is in the first position, the protrusion may be in the first notch and, when the valve is in the second position, the protrusion may be in the second notch. As a result, the valve may be indexed in the first and second positions, which may help to ensure that the valve is correctly positioned relative to the body when in the first and second positions. Movement of the valve longitudinally relative to the body may cause the protrusion to move into and out of a respective notch of the pair of notches. This may permit movement of the protrusion into and out of the respective notch with relatively little force compared to rotating the valve relative to the body to move the protrusion out of the notch. In an example, with the valve in one of the first position or the second position and thus with the protrusion in a respective one of the first notch or the second notch, the valve is moved longitudinally relative to the body to move the protrusion out of the respective notch, the valve is rotated relative to the body to move the protrusion into longitudinal alignment with the other one of the first notch and the second notch, and the valve is moved longitudinally relative to the body in order to move the protrusion in to the other one of the first notch and the second notch and move the valve into the other of the first position and the second position. The protrusion and the pair of notches may be located towards an opposite end of the body to an end at which a force is appliable to the valve to move the valve between the first and second positions. This may help to inhibit twisting of the valve along its length, which may otherwise cause poor occlusion of the first or second outlet by the valve. Such twisting may particularly occur during rotation of the valve within the bore. The attachment may comprise one or more additional protrusions and associated one or more additional pairs of notches positioned between the protrusion and the pair of notches and the end of the body at which a force is appliable to the valve to move the valve between the first and second positions. This may further help to inhibit twisting of the valve along its length, which may provide better performance of the attachment in use compared to an attachment without additional protrusions and pairs of notches. A sealing element may be between the body and the valve. This may help to prevent leakage of the airflow between the body and the valve, which may in turn improve performance of the attachment compared to an attachment without a sealing element between the body and the valve. The sealing element may be disposed on the body at a periphery of the bore. The sealing element may be disposed on an outer surface of the valve. The body may comprise a plurality of pairs of outlets and the valve may comprise an opening for each pair of outlets, wherein each opening aligns with a second outlet of one of the pairs of outlets when the valve is in the first position, and each opening aligns with a first outlet of another of the pairs of outlets when the valve is in the second position. Each opening therefore aligns with two different outlets depending on the position of the valve. This then has the benefit that a valve having fewer openings may be employed, thus reducing the number of potential leak paths compared to an attachment in which the valve has a greater number of openings. Additionally, a smaller amount of travel may be required to move the valve between the first and second positions. An outer surface of the valve may be free from any projections or recesses between adjacent openings. Such a valve may be easier to manufacture than a valve comprising projections and / or recesses between adjacent openings. An outer surface free from any projections or recesses may provide even contact between the valve and the body along a length of the valve and reduce a rotational force required to rotate the valve relative to the body, compared to a valve with a non-smooth outer surface. The attachment may comprise a biasing element to bias the valve towards the first and second positions. This then may help to ensure that the valve is properly positioned in the first and second positions and is not inadvertently moved away from the first or second position in use of the attachment, which may reduce leakage between the body and the valve and thus improve performance of the attachment compared to an attachment without a biasing element. This may also reduce a force required to place the valve in the first or second position compared to an attachment without a biasing element. The biasing element may comprise a spring. This may provide repeatable and reliable biasing of the valve in a relatively compact arrangement. The biasing element may be configured to bias the valve in a longitudinal direction of the body, towards one end of the bore. In examples in which the bore and the valve are tapered, the biasing element may be configured to bias the valve towards a smaller-diameter end of the bore, which may help to push the valve against the periphery of the bore and thus help prevent leakage between the valve and the body. The attachment may comprise a user interface operable by a user to selectively move the valve between the first position and the second position. This then has the advantage that a user is able to select whether the airflow is discharged from the first outlets or the second outlets. The user interface may be bistable and may have two stable positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the valve. This then has the advantage that the user interface, and thus the valve, are less likely to be moved inadvertently during use of the haircare appliance. Additionally, a user is not required to accurately position the user interface during use. The user interface may comprise a manually actuable interface physically movable by a user to selectively move the valve between the first position and the second position. This may provide a relatively simple and low-cost user interface compared to, for example, an electronic arrangement. For example, the manually actuable interface may comprise a button, a toggle, a handle, or a knob. Each may provide a relatively intuitive way for a user to move the valve between the first position and the second position. The manually actuable interface may be mechanically connected to a first end of the valve, for example a smaller end of the valve in an example in which the valve is tapered. This may provide a compact arrangement. The user interface may comprise an actuator, and the attachment may comprise a mechanism to convert longitudinal movement of the actuator, relative to the body, into rotational movement of valve relative to body. This may permit multi-directional movement of the valve relative to the body in response to a single-directional movement of the actuator by a user. The actuator may be the manually actuable interface. The mechanism may comprise a cam system having a body cam part fixed relative to the body and a valve cam part fixed relative to the valve. Each cam part may comprise a slanted contact face that is slidable, upon longitudinal movement of the actuator, against the slanted contact face of the other cam part to cause rotation of the body relative to the valve. The user interface may comprise an actuator, and the attachment may comprise a mechanism to convert rotational movement of the actuator, relative to the body, into longitudinal movement of valve relative to body. This may permit multi-directional movement of the valve relative to the body in response to a single-directional movement of the actuator by a user. The mechanism may comprise a helical cam track fixed relative to one of the valve and the body, and a pin receivable in the helical cam track and fixed relative to the other of the valve and the body. Rotational movement of the actuator may thus result in movement of the pin along the helical cam track and thus relative longitudinal movement between the valve and the body. A second aspect of the invention provides a haircare appliance comprising a main body and an attachment according to the first aspect, the attachment releasably attachable to the main body. The main body may house an airflow generator. The inlet of the attachment may then be configured to receive airflow generated by the airflow generator when the attachment is attached to the main body. This then has the advantage that the main body may be used with other types of attachment, such as a styling brush or hair dryer nozzle. Alternatively, the attachment may be permanently attached to the main body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a haircare appliance according to an example; Figure 2 is a simplified section through a handle of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical section through an attachment the haircare appliance of Figure 1, the attachment in a first position; Figures 4a-4c are horizontal sections through the attachment of Figure 3, the attachment in the first position; Figure 5 is a vertical section through the attachment of Figure 3, the attachment in an intermediate position; Figures 6a-6c are horizontal sections through the attachment of Figure 3, the attachment in the intermediate position; Figure 7 is a vertical section through the attachment of Figure 3, the attachment in a second position; Figures 8a-8c are horizontal sections through the attachment of Figure 3, the attachment in the second position; Figure 9 illustrates a user changing the configuration of the attachment of Figure 3; Figure 10 is a schematic view of a further attachment according to an example; Figure 11 is a schematic view of a switching mechanism of the further attachment of Figure 10; and Figures 12a-c are schematic views of a still further attachment according to an example, in first, intermediate and second positions, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The haircare appliance 10 of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a handle unit 20 and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 20. The handle unit 20 comprises a housing 30, an airflow generator 40, a heater 50 and a control unit 62. The housing 30 is tubular in shape and comprises an inlet 31 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 30 by the airflow generator 40, and an outlet 32 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 30. The airflow generator 40 is housed within the housing 30 and comprises a fan 41 driven by an electric motor 42. The heater 50 is also housed within the housing 30 and comprises heating elements 51 to optionally heat the airflow The control unit 62 comprises user controls 61 on the surface of the housing 30, which are used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (e.g., high, medium, low), and to select an air temperature (e.g., hot, warm, cold). In this example, each of the user controls 61 comprises a sliding switch. However, other forms of user control may be used such as buttons, dials or touchscreen. The control unit 62 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 40 and the heater 50 in response to inputs from the user controls 61. For example, in response to inputs from the user controls, the control unit 62 may control the power or speed of the airflow generator 40 in order to adjust the flow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 50 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow. Referring now to Figures 3 to 9, the attachment 100 comprises a barrel 110 and a dial 120. Figures 4a, 6a and 8a are cross-sectional slices through the barrel 110 at the position marked A-A in Figure 1. Figures 4b, 6b and 8b are cross-sectional slices through the barrel 110 at the position marked B-B in Figure 1. Figures 4c, 6c and 8c are cross-sectional slices through the barrel 110 at the position marked C-C in Figure 1. The barrel 110 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a length extending from an open end 110a to a closed end 110b. The barrel 110 is tapered, having a greater diameter at the open end 110a compared to the closed end 110b. In this example, the barrel 110 has a length of around 150mm, and midway along a length of the barrel 110 a diameter of the barrel 110 is around 30mm. It will be appreciated that in other examples, the length and / or diameter of the barrel 110 may be different. The open end 110a serves as an inlet 111 to an interior bore 112 of the barrel 110. The barrel 110 comprises a valve 140, a ribbed structure 150, and a plurality of slats 160. The ribbed structure 150 defines the interior bore 112, which is tapered in shape. The interior bore 112 has a greater diameter at the open end of the barrel 110 compared to at the opposite, closed end. In this example a taper angle of the interior bore 112 is around 3 degrees The ribbed structure 150 comprises a plurality of ribs that are evenly disposed about the longitudinal axis 114 and extend along the length of the barrel 110. In this example there are five ribs. An outward-facing surface of each rib forms a convex curve, as best shown in Figures 4a-c, 6a-c and 8a-c. Adjacent ribs of the ribbed structure 150 are separated by respective openings 151 that extend along the length of the ribbed structure 150. Each slat 160 comprises a spine 154 and a flange 156, which each extend along the length of the barrel 100. The flange 156 protrudes outwardly from both sides of the spine 154 at an outer end of the spine 154. An outward-facing surface of each flange 156 forms an arc. The plurality of slats 160 are evenly disposed about the longitudinal axis 114 with the spines 154 extending in a radial direction. In this example there are five slats 160, which are arranged alternately with the plurality of ribs of the ribbed structure 150 such that the spine 154 of each slat 160 bisects the opening 151 between a respective pair of adjacent ribs. Each opening 151 thus comprises a pair of channels 152,153 that extend radially outward from the periphery of the bore 112. The flange 156 of each of the slats 160 forms an external surface of the barrel 110. Each flange 156 overlies a portion of the adjacent ribs and is spaced radially from the outwardfacing surface of the adjacent ribs to create a plurality of pairs of outlets around the side the barrel. Each pair of outlets comprises a first slot 113a in fluid communication with a first channel 152 of a respective opening 151, and a second slot 113b in fluid communication with a second channel 153 of the respective opening 151. The first and second slots 113a, 113b each extend along the length of the barrel 110. Towards the open end of the barrel 110, the ribbed structure 150 comprises a plurality of pairs 162 of notches 163, 164 at the periphery of the interior bore 112, as best shown in Figures 4c, 6c and 8c. Each pair 162 of notches 163, 164 is formed on an inner surface of a respective one of the ribs of the ribbed structure 150. Accordingly, in this example, there are five pairs 162 of notches 163, 164. The notches 163, 164 in each pair 162 of notches 163, 164 are circumferentially spaced apart from one another. The valve 140 sits within the interior bore 112 and comprises a plurality of slots 141 that extend along the length of the valve 140. In the particular example shown in the Figures, the valve 140 comprises five slots 141. A width of each slot 141 is greater towards the open end of the barrel 110 compared to towards the closed end of the barrel 110. The width of each slot 141 changes linearly along the length of the slot 141. The valve 140 is tapered in shape, having a greater diameter at the open end of the barrel 110 compared to at the opposite, closed end In this example a taper angle of the valve 140 is the same as the taper angle of the interior bore 112. Towards the end of the valve 140 closest to the open end of the barrel 110, the valve 140 comprises a plurality of protrusions 142 extending radially outward from an outer surface of the valve 140 towards the periphery of the internal bore 112. Each protrusion 142 is located between adjacent slots 141. The plurality of protrusions 142 are spaced evenly around the longitudinal axis 114 of the barrel 110. The outer surface of the valve 140 is substantially free of any other protrusions or recesses between adjacent slots 141. The outer surface of the valve 140 between adjacent slots 141 forms an arc extending around the longitudinal axis 114 of the barrel. The dial 120 is provided at the top of the barrel 110 and is attached to the valve 140, in this particular example by a screw 135. A spring 143 is located between the dial 120 and the valve 140 and surrounds the screw 135. That is, the spring 143 biases the valve 140 towards the smaller end of the tapered internal bore 112 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 114 of the barrel 110, as denoted by the arrow D in Figure 1, and thus towards the closed end 110b of the barrel 110. It will be appreciated that, in other examples, alternative biasing elements may be employed, for example magnets and / or the biasing element may be positioned elsewhere, for example at the open end 110a of the barrel 110. The valve 140 is moveable relative to the ribbed structure 150 between a first position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4a-c, and a second position, as shown in Figures 7 and 8a-c Tn the first position and in the second position, the valve 140 is in contact with the inner surfaces of the ribs of the ribbed structure 150 around the periphery of the internal bore 112, along a full length of the openings 151. A sealing element (not shown), formed from more a compressible material than the ribbed structure 150, is disposed at the periphery of the interior bore 112 and serves to form a seal between the valve 140 and the ribbed structure 150 when the valve 140 is in the first position and in the second position. The compressible material enables the sealing element to deform to improve the seal. It will be appreciated that, in other examples, the sealing element may additionally or alternatively be located on the outer surface of the valve 140. In the first position, shown in Figures 3 and 4a-c, each of the slots 141 in the valve 140 is aligned with the first channel 152 of a respective opening 151. In the first position, the plurality of protrusions 142 are each positioned in a respective first notch 163 of one of the plurality of pairs 162 of notches 163, 164. In the second position, shown in Figures 7 and 8a-c, each of the slots 141 in the valve 140 is aligned with the second channel 153 of the respective opening 151. In the second position, the plurality of protrusions 142 are each positioned in a respective second notch 164 of the one of the plurality of pairs 162 of notches 163, 164. During use, when the attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 20, the airflow generated by the handle unit 20 enters the interior bore 112 of the barrel 110 via the inlet 111. From there, the airflow moves radially outward through the slots 141 in the valve 140. The airflow then passes through the channels 152, 153 of the openings 151 between adjacent ribs of the ribbed structure 150. More particularly, the airflow passes through either the first or second channel 152, 153 of the openings 151, according to the position of the valve 140. When the valve 140 is in the first position (Figures 3 and 4a-c), the airflow passes through each first channel 152. The airflow is then turned by the flanges 156 of the slats 160 in an anti-clockwise direction. As a result, the airflow is discharged from the barrel 110, via the first slots 113a, in an anti-clockwise direction, as denoted by the dashed arrows in Figures 4a-c. When the valve 150 is in the second position (Figures 7 and 8a-c) the airflow passes through each second channel 153. The airflow is then turned by the flanges 154 of the slats 160 in a clockwise direction, and the airflow is discharged from the barrel 110, via the second slots 113b, in a clockwise direction, as denoted by the dashed arrows in Figures 8a-c. Accordingly, by changing the position of the valve 150, the direction of the airflow discharged from the barrel 110 may be changed from clockwise to anti-clockwise. To move the valve 140 between the first position and the second position, the valve 140 must be moved longitudinally relative to the ribbed structure 150, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel 110, and rotationally relative to the ribbed structure 150 about the longitudinal axis 114. To move the valve 140 from the first position to the second position, the valve 140 is movable longitudinally within the internal bore 112 towards the open end of the barrel 100, by around 10mm in this example. This moves the valve 140 to an intermediate position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6a-c. In the intermediate position, the valve 140 is out of contact with the ribbed structure 150 around the periphery of the internal bore 112 and each protrusion 142 of the plurality of protrusions 142 is free of the respective first notch 163. The protrusions 142 are shown in dashed lines in Figure 6c, since the protrusions 142 are not aligned with the slice depicted in Figure 6c, but are shown for clarity. In the intermediate position, a clearance distance, extending in a radial direction of the barrel 110, between the outer surface of the valve 140 and the periphery of the interior bore 112, is around 1mm. The valve 140 is then rotatable within the internal bore 112 in a clockwise direction, by around 15 degrees in this example, until the slots 141 align with the second channels 153. The valve 140 is then movable longitudinally within the internal bore 112 towards the closed end of the barrel 100, again by around 10mm in this example. This causes the valve 140 to re-contact the ribbed structure 150 around the periphery of the internal bore 112 and moves the plurality of protrusions 142 into the respective second notches 164. These actions are repeated to move the valve from the second position to the first position, except that the rotation within the internal bore 112 is in an anti-clockwise direction. As shown in Figure 9, the dial 120 is actuable by a user to move the valve 140 longitudinally and rotationally between the first and second positions. In this example, the user must push on the dial 120 to cause the dial 120 to move towards the barrel 110 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 114 of the barrel, as denoted by the arrow F in Figure 9. The pushing causes the valve 140 to move away from an initial position, which is either the first position or the second position. The user must then rotate the dial 120 clockwise or anti-clockwise about the longitudinal axis 114, depending on the initial position of the valve 140, to align the slots 141 of the valve 140 with the respective other channel 152, 153 of the respective opening 151 to that which the slots 141 were aligned in the initial position. This is denoted by the arrow F in Figure 9. The user may then release the dial 120, allowing the spring 143 to act on the valve 140 to move the valve 140 into the other of the first position or the second position, as denoted by the arrow D in Figure 9. As a result, a user is able to change the direction in which the airflow is discharged from the barrel 110. More particularly, a user is able to select whether the airflow is discharged in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. With the haircare appliance 10 described above, a user is able to change the direction of the airflow discharged from the attachment 100. In particular, by pushing on and rotating the dial 120 at the top of the attachment 100, a user is able to select either clockwise or anti-clockwise airflow. The direction of the airflow may therefore be changed without having to switch or change attachments. The airflow discharged from the slots 113a, 113b is attracted to the outer surface of the barrel 110 by the Coanda effect, because the outer surface is curved. As a result, hair presented to the attachment 100 is attracted to and wraps around the barrel 110. The haircare appliance 10 may therefore be used to curl hair, with the direction of the curl being determined by the direction of the airflow. By providing a single attachment 100 that is capable of delivering both clockwise and anti-clockwise airflow, a user is able to quickly and conveniently change the direction in which curls are formed. Other mechanisms for moving the valve between the first and second positions will now be described. Figure 10 illustrates one end of a further attachment 200, which is substantially the same as the attachment 100 of Figures 1-9 except for the differences described hereinafter Common components have the same reference numbers but increased by 100. The further attachment 200 is releaseably attachable to the handle unit 20. The further attachment 200 comprises a cam arrangement 270 between the dial 220 and the valve 240. The cam arrangement 270 comprises a cylindrical housing 272 fixed to the ribbed structure 250 and defining a cam track 274. Figure 11 is a flat representation of the cam arrangement 270. The cam arrangement 270 is akin to a ‘pen click’ arrangement found in a retractable pen. The cylindrical housing 272 surrounds an upper portion 245 of the valve 240. The upper portion 245 of the valve 240 protrudes from the closed end of the barrel 210 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 214. The cam track 274 defines a plurality of first positions X and a plurality of second positions Y, which are alternately disposed around the longitudinal axis 214 of the barrel 210. The cam track 274 also defines a plurality of intermediate positions Z, which are alternately disposed between the first and second positions X,Y, and which are longitudinally offset from the first and second positions X,Y in a direction along the longitudinal axis 214. A cam follower 276 protrudes radially from the upper portion of the valve 240 and is received in the cam track 274. The spring 243 biases the cam follower 276 to one of the first or second positions X,Y, and thus the valve 240 against the periphery of the bore 212, as denoted by arrow D in Figure 10. To move the valve 340 between the first and second positions, a user must only push the dial 220 towards the barrel 210 to cause the valve 240 to move both longitudinally and rotationally within the internal bore, and thus move the valve 240 from a first or second position to the rotationally adjacent first or second position. This is denoted by arrow E in Figure 10. Pushing on the dial 220 causes the cam follower 276 to move away from the first or second position X,Y to the next circumferentially adjacent intermediate position Z, and thus moves the valve 240 out of contact with the periphery of the bore 212. Upon release of the dial 220 by the user, the spring 243 acts to move the cam follower 276 back towards the first and second positions X,Y which causes the cam follower 276 to contact and slide along an upper surface 278 of the cam track 274 towards the next circumferentially adjacent first or second position X,Y. This causes the valve 240 to rotate relative to the cam housing 272 and thus relative to the ribbed structure of the barrel 210, and to move back into contact with the periphery of the bore 212, to change the direction that air is emitted from the outlets 213. This is denoted by arrow F in Figure 10. This sequence of movements of the cam follower 276 relative to the cam track 274 is denoted in Figure 11 by the dashed cam followers 276, which are numbered in sequence from 1 to 4, denoting sequential positions of the cam follower 276 as the valve 240 is moved from a first position X to a second position Y. In contrast to the attachment 100 described with reference to Figures 1-9, the valve 240 always rotates in the same direction about the longitudinal axis 214, regardless of whether the valve 240 was in the first or second position at the time the dial 220 was actuated by the user. It will be appreciated that, in some examples, each second position Y may be non-equidistant between the two first positions X that are rotationally adjacent to the second position Y. Accordingly, a rotational angle from a first position X to the rotationally adjacent second position Y, in the direction that the valve 240 rotates about the longitudinal axis 214, may be different to a rotational angle from a second position Y to the rotationally adjacent first position X, in the direction that the valve 240 rotates about the longitudinal axis 214. Figures 12a-c illustrate, in exploded and partial cross-section views, one end of a still further attachment 300. The further attachment is substantially the same as the attachment 100 of Figures 1-9 except for the differences described hereinafter. Common components have the same reference numbers but increased by 200. Figure 12a illustrates the valve 340 and the dial 330 in a first position relative to one another. Figure 12b illustrates the valve 340 and the dial 330 in an intermediate position relative to one another Figure 12c illustrates the valve 340 and the dial 330 in a second position relative to one another. In each of Figures 12a-c, the dial 330 and the valve 340 are shown in an exploded view, and the dial 330 is shown in cross-section. The remainder of the barrel is omitted for clarity. The dial 330 of the still further attachment 300 comprises a recess 332, a spring 343 disposed in the recess, a closure 334 of the recess 332, a cylindrical bore 336, and a first cam surface 338. The cylindrical bore 336 extends through the dial 230 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 314 of the still further attachment 300. The first cam surface 338 extends in a radial direction around a periphery of the cylindrical bore 336 and comprises four faces, only two of which are visible in Figures 12a-c. The four faces are obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis 314 in such a way that the first cam surface 338 comprises a pair of peaks and a pair of troughs around the periphery of the cylindrical bore 336. Each of the four faces extends between one of the peaks and an adjacent one of the troughs. The valve 340 comprises a cylindrical upper portion 345, which, when the still further attachment 300 is assembled, extends through the cylindrical bore 336 and the spring 343 and is fixed to the closure 334 by a screw 335, which is insertable into a hole (not shown) in an end of the upper portion 345 adjacent to the closure 334. A second cam surface 346 radially protrudes from and extends around a periphery of the upper portion 345 of the valve 340. The second cam surface 346 comprises four faces obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis in such a way that the second cam surface 346 comprises a pair of peaks and a pair of troughs around the periphery of the upper portion 345. Each of the four faces extends between one of the peaks and an adjacent one of the troughs. When the still further attachment 300 is assembled, the faces of the second cam surface 346 mate with, and are slidable relative to, the faces of the first cam surface 338. When the valve 340 is positioned relative to the dial 320 so that the peaks of the second cam surface 346 are adjacent to the troughs of the first cam surface 338, the valve 340 is in one of the first position and the second position, as shown in Figures 12a and 12b. When the valve 340 is positioned relative to the dial 320 so that the peaks of the second cam surface 346 are adjacent to the peaks of the first cam surface 338, the valve is in the intermediate position, as shown in Figure 12b. The spring 343 biases the valve 340 towards the dial 320, and thus the peaks of the second cam surface 346 towards the troughs of the first cam surface 338, to bias the valve 340 to the first or second position. As with the attachment 100 described with reference to Figures 1-9, when the valve 340 is in the first or second position, the valve 340 contacts the periphery of the bore defined by the outer body, and when the valve 340 is in the intermediate position, the valve 340 is out of contact with the periphery of the bore to permit rotation of the valve 340 within the bore. To move the valve 340 between the first and second positions within the bore, a user must only twist the dial 320 about the longitudinal axis 314. Twisting the dial 320 causes first cam surface 338 to slide relative to the second cam surface 346. This causes the peaks of the second cam surface 346 to move away from the troughs of the first cam surface 338, and thus the valve 340 to move longitudinally away from the dial 320 and rotate about the longitudinal axis 314. With sufficient rotation of the dial 320, the valve 340 is moved to the intermediate position, in which the peaks of the first cam surface 338 are adjacent to 5 the peaks of the second cam surface 346 (Figure 12b), and in which the valve is out of contact with the periphery of the bore. Upon further twisting of the dial 320, and under the biasing force of the spring 343, the first cam surface 338 slides relative to the second cam surface 346 until the peaks of the second cam surface 346 are adjacent to the troughs of the first cam surface 338. Accordingly, the valve 340 is further rotated about the longitudinal 10 axis 314 and is drawn back towards the dial 220 to the one of the first position and the second position that is rotationally adjacent to the first or second position that the valve 340 was previously in. Twisting the dial 320 thus causes the valve 340 to move both longitudinally and rotationally within the internal bore 312, and moves the valve 340 from a first or second position to the rotationally adjacent first or second position. 15 The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising:an inlet for receiving an airflow;5 a body defining a bore, the body comprising a pair of outlets at a periphery of thebore, the pair of outlets comprising a first outlet and a second outlet, the body comprising a longitudinal axis extending between opposing first and second ends of the body; anda valve in the bore and movable relative to the body between a first position in which the valve occludes the first outlet and the airflow is discharged from the second 10 outlet, and a second position in which the valve occludes the second outlet and the airflow is discharged from the first outlet,wherein, to permit movement of the valve between the first and second positions, the valve is movable longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the body to move the valve into and out of the first position and into and out of the second position.

152. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is rotatable relative to the body to move the valve between the first position and the second position.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 2, wherein:20 the bore is tapered, having a first bore end and a second bore end, the second boreend having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first bore end;the valve is tapered, having a first valve end and a second valve end, the second valve end having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first valve end;the valve is positioned in the bore with the first valve end towards the first bore end 25 of the bore and the second valve end towards the second bore end; andthe valve is movable out of the first position and out of the second position by moving the valve longitudinally in the bore towards the second bore end, and into the first position and into the second position by moving the valve longitudinally in the bore towards the first bore end.3023 07 254. An attachment as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve is movable longitudinally in the bore towards the second bore end to an intermediate position, in which the valve does not contact a periphery of the tapered bore.5 5. An attachment as claimed in claim 4, wherein a distance from each of the firstposition and the second position to the intermediate position, in a direction parallel to a central bore axis extending between the first bore end and the second bore end, is in the range from 1 mm to 20 mm.10 6. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of thebody and the valve comprises a protrusion extending toward the other of the body and the valve, and the other of the body and the valve comprises a pair of notches comprising a first notch and a second notch,wherein, when the valve is in the first position, the protrusion is in the first notch 15 and, when the valve is in the second position, the protrusion is in the second notch.

7. An attachment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the protrusion and the pair of notches are located towards an opposite end of the body to an end at which a force is appliable to the valve to move the valve between the first and second positions.

208. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sealing element between the body and the valve.

9. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body 25 comprises a plurality of pairs of outlets and the valve comprises an opening for each pair of outlets, each opening aligns with a second outlet of one of the pairs of outlets when the valve is in the first position, and each opening aligns with a first outlet of another of the pairs of outlets when the valve is in the second position.30 10. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a biasingelement to bias the valve towards the first and second positions.23 07 2511. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a user interface operable by a user to selectively move the valve between the first position and the second position.5 12. An attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises amanually actuable interface physically movable by a user to selectively move the valve between the first position and the second position.

13. An attachment as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the user interface 10 comprises an actuator, and the attachment comprises a mechanism to convert longitudinal movement of the actuator, relative to the body, into rotational movement of valve relative to body.

14. An attachment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the user interface comprises an 15 actuator, and the attachment comprises a mechanism to convert rotational movement of the actuator, relative to the body, into longitudinal movement of valve relative to body.

15. A haircare appliance comprising a main body and an attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, the attachment releasably attachable to the main body.

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