A haircare appliance

Abstract

A haircare appliance 10 includes first and second arms 24, 26 spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel 66 therebetween. The first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm to vary a wid

Description

B ACKGROUND Haircare appliances are generally used to treat or style hair, and some haircare appliances may treat or style hair using airflow and / or heat. SUMMARY According to a first aspect there is provided a haircare appliance comprising: a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween, the first arm movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm varies a width of the hair receiving channel; an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow within the haircare appliance, the first arm comprising an airflow path configured to receive the airflow from the airflow generator, and an air outlet for emitting airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel; a bleed flowpath configured to receive at least a portion of airflow from the hair receiving channel, the bleed flowpath comprising a bleed inlet and a bleed outlet in fluid communication with the bleed flowpath; and a flow diverter movable between a first position, in which the flow diverter does not inhibit airflow from entering the bleed inlet, and a second position, in which the flow diverter inhibits airflow from entering the bleed inlet. By providing airflow into the hair receiving channel, hair that is received within the hair receiving channel in use may be treated and / or styled using the airflow. By providing the bleed flowpath configured to receive at least a portion of airflow from the hair receiving channel, and the bleed outlet in fluid communication with the bleed flowpath, increased flexibility in styling operations and / or increased user comfort may be provided. For example, the bleed flowpath may enable airflow to be directed away from the hair receiving channel / away from a user, and / or to an alternative location that may provide increased flexibility in styling operations. Through use of the flow diverter, the functionality of the bleed outlet may be selectively provided, which may provide for increased functionality compared to an arrangement in which the functionality of the bleed outlet is always provided. The flow diverter may be pivotable between the first and second positions. The flow diverter may be slidable between the first and second positions. The flow diverter may substantially block airflow from entering the bleed inlet in the second position, for example such that substantially no airflow enters the bleed inlet when the flow diverter is in the second position. The flow diverter may substantially occlude the bleed inlet in the second position. The flow diverter may not occlude the bleed inlet in the first position, for example such that airflow is free to enter the bleed inlet when the flow diverter is in the first position. The haircare appliance may comprise an air inlet through which the airflow generator is configured to draw the airflow from an ambient environment of the haircare appliance. The haircare appliance may comprise a heater configured to heat the airflow generated by the airflow generator. The heater may be located within the first arm, for example within the airflow path of the first arm. The first arm may be mounted for reciprocating motion relative to the second arm. The flow diverter may be movable from the first position to the second position in a first direction away from the air outlet, and the flow diverter may be movable from the second position to the first position in a second direction toward the air outlet. This may, for example, enable airflow emitted from the air outlet to move the flow diverter from the first position to the second position. This may enable movement of the flow diverter from the first position to the second position absent a user interaction, which may provide for improved usability of the haircare appliance. The air outlet may be configured to emit airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel in the first direction. The flow diverter may be configured such that airflow exits the haircare appliance in the first direction when the flow diverter is in the second position. The bleed outlet may be configured such that airflow exits the haircare appliance in a third direction, obliquely angled relative to the first direction, when the flow diverter is in the first position. The bleed outlet may be configured to direct airflow in a direction having both a component in the first direction and a component in a direction parallel to a length of the first arm. The haircare appliance may be configured such that, where a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator is less than or equal to a pre-determined threshold, the flow diverter is biased into the first position. The pre-determined threshold may be zero. The haircare appliance may be configured such that, where a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator is zero, the flow diverter is biased into the first position. The haircare appliance may be configured such that, where a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator is above the pre-determined threshold, the flow diverter is biased into the second position by the airflow. This may ensure that, for example, when the airflow generator is turned on a default position of the flow diverter is the second position. This may lead to substantially all of the airflow from the hair receiving channel being emitted from the haircare appliance in the first direction, providing a relatively concentrated airflow, and may facilitate use of the haircare appliance for a rough drying technique. For example, a user may utilise the haircare appliance without placing their hair in the hair receiving channel, and by directing the airflow toward their hair in a manner similar to that of known hairdryers. The haircare appliance may be configured such that, in the presence of the airflow generated by the airflow generator, the flow diverter is biased into the second position by the airflow, absent any other applied forces to the flow diverter. The flow diverter may be positioned to contact hair extending through the hair receiving channel in use, and the haircare appliance may be configured such that relative motion of the hair along the hair receiving channel toward the air outlet, when the flow diverter is in contact with the hair, may bias the flow diverter to the first position. This may ensure that, when the haircare appliance is used in a manner similar to that of a hair straightener, with hair received within the hair receiving channel and the haircare appliance moved along the hair, airflow passes into the bleed flowpath through the bleed inlet, and out of the bleed flowpath through the bleed outlet. This may enable the bleed outlet to, for example, divert airflow away from the haircare appliance when used in such a configuration, which may provide improved user comfort. The flow diverter may be positioned to contact hair at a position below the hair receiving channel, when hair is received within the hair receiving channel, for example in an orientation where the air outlet is located at an upper region of the hair receiving channel. For example, a tress of hair may be located within the hair receiving channel, and may be longer than the hair receiving channel, such that a portion of the hair is located below the hair receiving channel whilst a further portion of the hair is located within the hair receiving channel. This may particularly be the case where the haircare appliance is moved along a tress of hair in use. The flow diverter may comprise a hair engaging member. This may facilitate engagement of the flow diverter with hair in use, and may, for example, enable the flow diverter to be moved between the first and second positions in response to engagement of the hair engaging member with hair in use. The hair engaging member may comprise a protrusion extending outwardly from a main body of the flow diverter, for example in the form of a bump, tooth, or a bristle. The hair engaging member may comprise an elongate projection extending along a length of the flow diverter. The flow diverter may comprise a plurality of hair engaging members. The plurality of hair engaging members may be disposed along substantially an entirety of a length of the flow diverter. This may facilitate movement of the flow diverter between the first and second positions along substantially the entirety of the length of the flow diverter. The plurality of hair engaging members may be disposed substantially evenly along the flow diverter. The hair receiving channel may comprise a central axis, and the hair engaging member may face towards the central axis. Thus the hair engaging member may face inwardly toward the central axis of the hair receiving channel, thereby positioning the hair engaging member in a position to be able to contact hair when hair is located within the hair receiving channel in use. The haircare appliance may be configured such that a default position of the flow diverter, in the absence of any applied forces to the flow diverter, is the second position. The flow diverter may be weighted and mounted such that the default position of the flow diverter is the second position, for example without needing to bias the flow diverter into the second position. The haircare appliance may be configured such that, where a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator is above the pre-determined threshold, the flow diverter is biased into the first position by the airflow. The haircare appliance may comprise an actuator configured to cause the flow diverter to move between the first and second positions in response to actuation of the actuator by a user. This may enable a user to control movement of the flow diverter, if desired. The actuator may be configured to cause the flow diverter to move between the first and second positions in addition to the flow diverter being movable in response to airflow from the airflow generator. Alternatively, the actuator may be provided as an alternative means to control movement of the flow diverter. The actuator may be movable to place the flow diverter in at least one intermediate position between the first and second positions. The actuator may be mechanically coupled to the flow diverter. This may provide direct control over the flow diverter, for example in comparison to an arrangement where an actuator is linked with a controller that drives movement of the flow diverter, and may provide a relatively simple arrangement. The actuator may be located outside of the hair receiving channel, such that airflow exiting the hair receiving channel is directed away from the actuator. This may remove the actuator from a region of heated airflow, thereby providing user safety and enabling the user to actuate the actuator at a region of reduced heat. The actuator may be spaced apart from the bleed outlet, such that airflow exiting the bleed outlet is directed away from the actuator. This may remove the actuator from a region of heated airflow, thereby providing user safety and enabling the user to actuate the actuator at a region of reduced heat. The actuator may be located at, or may overlie, a tip of the first arm. The flow diverter may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the hair receiving channel. This may enable airflow to be diverted into the bleed flowpath along at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel. The flow diverter may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of a region of the first arm that defines the hair receiving channel. The bleed inlet may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the hair receiving channel. The bleed inlet may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the region of the first arm that defines the hair receiving channel. The bleed flowpath may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the hair receiving channel. The bleed flowpath may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the region of the first arm that defines the hair receiving channel. The bleed outlet may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the hair receiving channel. The bleed outlet may extend along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the region of the first arm that defines the hair receiving channel. The air outlet may be located at a first side of the haircare appliance, and the flow diverter may be located at a second, opposite, side of the haircare appliance. This may facilitate performance of styling operations where hair received within the hair receiving channel can be straightened by airflow from the air outlet within the hair receiving channel, whilst airflow is also diverted by the flow diverter. The first side and the second side of the haircare appliance may be opposite sides of the haircare appliance along a height direction of the hair receiving channel. The bleed inlet may be located at the second side of the haircare appliance. The bleed flowpath may be located at the second side of the haircare appliance. The bleed outlet may be located at the second side of the haircare appliance. The flow diverter may be located within, or adjacent to, the first arm. This may facilitate removal of airflow from the hair receiving channel into the bleed flowpath, by virtue of proximity to the hair receiving channel. The bleed flowpath may be located within, or adjacent to, the first arm. The bleed outlet may be located on, or adjacent to, the first arm. The flow diverter may underlie the first arm, for example in an orientation where the air outlet is located at an upper region of the hair receiving channel. The bleed flowpath may underlie the first arm, for example in an orientation where the air outlet is located at an upper region of the hair receiving channel. The bleed outlet may underlie the first arm, for example in an orientation where the air outlet is located at an upper region of the hair receiving channel. The haircare appliance may comprise a main unit comprising the first and second arms. The haircare appliance may comprise an attachment comprising the bleed flowpath and the flow diverter. The attachment may be releasably attachable to the main unit. This may enable the functionality of the flow diverter, the bleed flowpath, to be selectively provided to the haircare appliance, and may, for example, enable such functionality to be retrofitted to existing haircare appliances having a main unit comprising first and second arms. At least one of the airflow generator and the heater may be disposed in the main unit. The attachment may comprise the bleed inlet. The attachment may comprise the bleed outlet. The attachment may be releasably attachable to the first arm. This may provide a relatively simple arrangement, and may enable appropriate positioning of the bleed flowpath to receive airflow from the hair receiving channel. The attachment may be releasably attachable to the first arm such that the bleed outlet is located at the second side of the haircare appliance. The attachment may comprise a first magnetic attachment member and the first arm may comprise a second magnetic attachment member for releasably engaging with the first magnetic attachment member. The attachment may comprise a projection or recess for releasably engaging with a corresponding recess or projection of the first arm. The attachment may comprise an end wall configured to overlie an arm end wall of the first arm when the attachment is releasably attached to the first arm. The actuator may be positioned to overlie the arm end wall of the first arm. The attachment may comprise a hollow body defining the bleed inlet, the bleed flowpath, and the bleed outlet. The flow diverter may be movably mounted to the hollow body for movement between the first and second positions. The second arm may comprise a further airflow path configured to receive the airflow from the airflow generator, and a further air outlet for emitting airflow from the further airflow path into the hair receiving channel. The haircare appliance may comprise a further bleed flowpath configured to receive at least a portion of airflow from the hair receiving channel, the further bleed flowpath comprising a further bleed inlet and a further bleed outlet in fluid communication with the further bleed flowpath, and a further flow diverter movable between a first position, in which the further flow diverter does not inhibit airflow entering from the further bleed inlet, and a second position, in which the further flow diverter inhibits airflow from entering the further bleed inlet. This may enable the flow diversion and bleed functionality to be provided at two discrete locations on the haircare appliance. The flow diverter and the further flow diverter may define an outlet channel of the haircare appliance when the flow diverter and the further flow diverter are in the respective second positions. The further flow diverter may comprise substantially the same features as the flow diverter, but described with relation to the second arm, the further bleed flowpath, the further bleed inlet, and the further bleed outlet. The further bleed flowpath may comprise substantially the same features as the bleed flowpath, but described with relation to the second arm, the further flow diverter, the further bleed inlet, and the further bleed outlet. The further bleed inlet may comprise substantially the same features as the bleed inlet, but described with relation to the second arm, the further bleed flowpath, the further flow diverter, and the further bleed outlet. The further bleed outlet may comprise substantially the same features as the bleed outlet, but described with relation to the second arm, the further bleed flowpath, the further bleed inlet, and the further flow diverter. The haircare appliance may comprise a further attachment comprising the further bleed flowpath and the further flow diverter. This may enable the functionality of the further bleed flowpath, and the further flow diverter, to be selectively provided to the haircare appliance, and may, for example, enable such functionality to be retrofitted to existing haircare appliances having a main unit comprising first and second arms. The further attachment may comprise the further bleed inlet. The further attachment may comprise the further bleed outlet. The further attachment may be releasably attachable to the second arm. This may provide a relatively simple arrangement, and may enable appropriate positioning of the further bleed flowpath to receive airflow from the hair receiving channel. The further attachment may be releasably attachable to the second arm such that the further bleed outlet is located at the second side of the haircare appliance. The further attachment may comprise a first magnetic attachment member and the second arm may comprise a second magnetic attachment member for releasably engaging with the first magnetic attachment member of the further attachment. The further attachment may comprise a projection or recess for releasably engaging with a corresponding recess or projection of the second arm. The further attachment may comprise an end wall configured to overlie an arm end wall of the second arm when the further attachment is releasably attached to the second arm. The haircare appliance may comprise a further actuator configured to cause the further flow diverter to move between the first and second positions in response to actuation of the further actuator by a user. The further actuator may be located at, or may overlie, a tip of the second arm. The actuator and the further actuator may be positioned such that, with the first and second arms in closed configuration in which the hair receiving channel has a minimal width, the actuator and the further actuator are actuable in response to a single user input, for example at the same time in response to the single user input. This may, for example, enable a user to actuate both the actuator and the further actuator with a single motion, such as by swiping their thumb or finger across the tips of the first and second arms. According to a second aspect there is provided an attachment for releasably attaching to a first arm of a haircare appliance comprising the first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween, the first arm movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm varies a width of the hair receiving channel, wherein the attachment comprises: a body having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an internal flowpath extending between the air inlet and the air outlet; and a flow diverter movable between a first position, in which the flow diverter does not inhibit airflow from entering the air inlet, and a second position, in which the flow diverter inhibits airflow from entering the air inlet. The flow diverter may comprise a hair engaging member. The hair engaging member may comprise a protrusion extending outwardly from a main body of the flow diverter, for example in the form of a bump, tooth, or a bristle. The flow diverter may comprise a plurality of hair engaging members. The plurality of hair engaging members may be disposed along substantially an entirety of a length of the flow diverter. The plurality of hair engaging members may be disposed substantially evenly along the flow diverter. Optional features of aspects may be equally applied to other aspects, where appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure lisa schematic view of a haircare appliance; Figure 2 is a first schematic view of a main unit of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a second schematic view of the main unit of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a first schematic view of a first attachment of the haircare appliance of Figure i; Figure 5 is a second schematic view of the first attachment of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a first schematic sectional view illustrating airflow through the haircare appliance of Figure 1 in a first configuration; Figure 7 is a second schematic sectional view illustrating airflow through the haircare appliance of Figure 1 in a second configuration; and Figure 8 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of an attachment for use with the main unit of Figures 2 and 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A haircare appliance 10, in the form of a hair straightener device, is illustrated schematically in Figure 1. The haircare appliance 10 comprises a main unit 12, and first 14 and second 16 attachments. The main unit 12 is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and comprises a body portion 18, an airflow generator 20, a heater 21, a bellows 22, and first 24 and second 26 arms. The body portion 18 is generally hollow and cylindrical in form, and comprises an air inlet 28, a user interface 30, and a locking member 32. The body portion 18 has a first end 34 and a second end 36 opposite to the first end 34. A power cable 38 extends into the body portion 18 at the first end 34. The air inlet 28 is located at the first end 34 of the body portion 18, and comprises a plurality of apertures formed in an external surface of the body portion 18. In some examples, the air inlet 28 is at least partly defined by a removable filter assembly that is removably attached to a remainder of the body portion 18. The user interface 30 comprises a display 40 located on an external surface of the body portion 18 at the second end 36 of the body portion 18, and a column of buttons 42 extending away from the display 40 along the external surface of the body portion 18. The locking member 32 is disposed on the external surface of the body portion 18 at an opposite side of the body portion 18 to the column of buttons 42. The locking member 32 is slidable along the external surface of the body portion 18 to selectively actuate an internal locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the first 24 and second 26 arms in place relative to one another. The airflow generator 20 comprises an electric motor 44 and an impeller 46 driven by the electric motor 44 to generate an airflow through the main unit 12. The airflow generator 20 is disposed within the body portion 18. The heater 21 is located downstream of the airflow generator 20. The bellows 22 is disposed within the body portion 18 downstream of the electric motor 20, and is positioned to receive airflow generated by the airflow generator 20 in use. The bellows 22 forks into first 48 and second 50 ducts, with each of the first 48 and second 50 ducts configured to direct airflow from the body portion 18 into a respective one of the first 24 and second 26 arms. Each of the first 24 and second 26 arms is substantially similar in form, albeit in mirror image to one another, and so only the features of the first arm 24 will be described here for the sake of brevity. The first arm 24 is elongate in form between a first end 52 and a second end 54, with the first arm 24 extending generally along a central longitudinal axis CL of the main unit 12. The first end 52 of the first arm 24 is pivotably mounted to the body portion 18, with the first arm 24 sprung toward an open position relative to the body portion 18. The first end 52 of the first arm 24 is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the external surface of the body portion 18, with the shape of the first end 52 of the first arm 24 being such that the column of buttons 42 and the locking member 32 are accessible to a user when the first arm 24 is pivoted to a closed position. The first arm 24 comprises an internal plenum 56, an air outlet 58, a magnetic connection portion 60, and a clip receiving portion 62. The internal plenum 56 is in fluid communication with the first duct 48 of the bellows 22, and acts as an airflow path within the first arm 24. The internal plenum 56 begins approximately halfway along the first arm 24 between the first 52 and second 54 ends, and extends to the second end 54 of the first arm 24. The air outlet 58 takes the form of a linear slot that extends along an upper region of the first arm 24 in the orientation seen in Figure 2. The air outlet 58 is positioned to direct airflow downwardly in a height direction of the first arm 24 in the orientation shown in Figure 2. The magnetic connection portion 60 is located on an end wall 64 of the second end 54 of the first arm 24, and is configured to releasably engage with a magnetic connection portion 90 of a second end 71 of the first attachment 14, as will be discussed in further detail hereinafter. The clip receiving portion 62 is located on an external surface of the first arm 24, and comprises a recess shaped and dimensioned to releasably receive a clip projection 82 of a first end 69 of the first attachment 14, as will be discussed in further detail hereinafter. The second arm 26 is also pivotably mounted to the body portion 18, with the second arm 26 sprung toward an open position relative to the body portion 18. The first 24 and second 26 arms oppose one another, with portions 25 of the first 24 and second 26 arms that do not overlie the body portion 18 spaced apart from one another, and respective inner walls 27 of those portions 25 defining a hair receiving channel 66. Each of the first 14 and second 16 attachments is substantially similar in form, albeit in mirror image to one another, and so only the features of the first attachment 14 will be described here for the sake of brevity. Like reference numerals will be used for like components / features between the first 14 and second 16 attachments. The first attachment 14 is illustrated schematically in Figures 4 to 7. The first attachment 14 has a first end 69 and a second end 71, and comprises a body 68 and a flow diverter 70. The body 68 comprises a channel portion 72 and an end wall 74. The channel portion 72 is elongate between the first end 69 and the second end 71. The channel portion 72 is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to a lower region of the portion 25 of the first arm 24 that defines the hair receiving channel 66. The channel portion 72 is hollow in form, and comprises a bleed inlet 76, and a bleed outlet 78, with the hollow interior of the channel portion 72 defining a bleed flowpath 80 between the bleed inlet 76 and the bleed outlet 78. It will be appreciated that the bleed inlet 76 can be considered to be an air inlet of the first attachment 14, and that the bleed outlet 78 can be considered to be an air outlet of the first attachment 14. The channel portion 72 also comprises a clip projection 82 located at the first end 69 of the first attachment 14. The clip projection 82 is shaped and dimensioned to be releasably received within the clip receiving portion 62 of the first arm 24, for example via a releasable press fit or the like. The bleed inlet 76 is a slot formed in the channel portion 72, with the bleed inlet 76 selectively openable in response to movement of the flow diverter 70, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. The bleed outlet 78 comprises a row of apertures 86 disposed along a length of a lower wall 88 of the channel portion 72. The apertures 86 can be considered as sub-outlets herein. There are thirteen apertures 86 that define a total open cross-sectional area of around 330mm2 for the bleed outlet 78. Each aperture 86 is configured to direct air generally downwardly, away from the lower wall 88 of the channel portion 72, and is angled slightly forwardly toward the second end 71 of the first attachment 14. The end wall 74 of the first attachment 14 is upstanding from the channel portion 72 at the second end 71 of the first attachment 14. The end wall 74 is shaped and dimensioned to overlie the end wall 64 of the first arm 24 when the attachment 14 is connected to the first arm 24. An inner surface of the end wall 74 of the first attachment 14 comprises a magnetic connection portion 90 that is configured to releasably engage with the magnetic connection portion 60 of the first arm 24. The flow diverter 70 is shaped and dimensioned to correspond substantially to the shape and dimensions of the bleed inlet 76. The flow diverter 70 is pivotally mounted to the channel portion 72 by hinges 94, and is movable between a first, open position and a second, closed, position, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. The flow diverter 70 comprises a plurality of teeth 92 extending along an inner wall 96 of the flow diverter 70. The teeth 92 extend toward a central axis CA of the hair receiving channel 66. The teeth 92 have a length of between 4mm to 9mm, and can be thought of as hair engaging members. The flow diverter 70 is biased into its first, open, position by a spring or other appropriate biasing member. The nature of the biasing is such that airflow generated by the airflow generator 20 in use acts against the spring to bias the flow diverter 70 to the second, closed position, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. With the first attachment 14 attached to the first arm 24, the channel portion 72 of the first attachment 14 underlies, and partly encloses, a lower region of the first arm 24 in the orientation shown in Figure 8. The magnetic connection portion 90 of the first attachment 14 engages with the magnetic connection portion 60 of the first arm 24, and the clip projection 82 of the first attachment 14 is received within the clip receiving portion 62 of the first arm 24, to retain the first attachment 14 relative to the first arm 24. The bleed inlet 76 and the flow diverter 70 are located adjacent to the first arm 24, underneath the hair receiving channel 66. The bleed inlet 76 and the flow diverter 70 extend across a length corresponding to the length of the air outlet 58, as does the bleed outlet 78. The bleed outlet 78 is positioned to underlie the first arm 24. In such a manner, the air outlet 58 is located at a first, upper, side of the haircare appliance 10, and the bleed outlet 78 is located at a second, opposite, lower side of the haircare appliance 10. The flow diverter 70 is pivotable in first FD and second SD directions, parallel to a direction of airflow from the air outlet 58. In use, with the first 14 and second 16 attachments attached to the respective first 24 and second 26 arms, a user operates one of the buttons 42 to turn on the haircare appliance 10, and in particular to turn on the electric motor 44. This causes the flow diverters 70 to pivot from their first, open, position to their second, closed, position, such that airflow into the bleed inlets 76 is inhibited by the respective flow diverters 70. The haircare appliance 10 can then be used to perform different treatment and / or styling operations. In a first operation, either prior to turn on of the electric motor 44, or post turn on of the electric motor 44, a user can apply a force to the first 24 and second 26 arms to decrease a width of the hair receiving channel 66, in a manner similar to known hair straighteners, such that the first 24 and second 26 arms are positioned in a closed configuration, without the user putting a tress of hair in the hair receiving channel 66. As there is no hair within the hair receiving channel 66 to contact the teeth 92, the flow diverters 70 remain in their second, closed, position, such that airflow into the bleed inlets 76 is inhibited by the respective flow diverter 70. Airflow then leaves the haircare appliance 10 through a gap between the flow diverters 70, as shown in Figure 6. This may provide a relatively concentrated airflow, which may be useful for drying of hair. In a second operation, the user can place a tress of hair within the hair receiving channel 66, and either prior to turn on of the electric motor 44, or post turn on of the electric motor 44, the user can apply a force to the first 24 and second 26 arms to decrease a width of the hair receiving channel 66, in a manner similar to known hair straighteners, such that the first 24 and second 26 arms are positioned in a closed configuration. Once the electric motor 44 is turned on, the flow diverters 70 are in their second, closed, position, such that airflow into the bleed inlets 76 is inhibited by the respective flow diverter 70. However, as a user moves the haircare appliance 10 relative to the tress of hair located within the hair receiving channel 66, the tress of hair engages with the teeth 92 of the respective flow diverters 70, and acts to pivot the flow diverters in the second direction SD, towards the air outlets 58. This opens the bleed inlets 76, such that airflow can pass through the respective bleed flowpaths 80, and out of the respective bleed outlets 78, as shown in Figure 7 (tress of hair is not shown). This can enable airflow to be diverted away from the user, and may provide enhanced user comfort. Operation here is described with the first attachment 14 attached to the first arm 24 and the second attachment 16 attached to the second arm 26. In practice, the haircare appliance 10 can be utilised with only the first attachment 14 attached to the first arm 24, or only the second attachment 16 attached to the second arm 26. Similarly, an alternative attachment can be attached to the second arm 26 whilst the first attachment 14 is attached to the first arm 24, or vice versa, for example with such a further attachment comprising an alternative bleed mechanism. An alternative attachment 200 is illustrated in Figure 8. The alternative attachment is substantially the same as the first attachment 14, save that the flow diverter 202 is not sprung, and instead is rigidly connected to a slidable mechanical switch 204 located on an end wall 206 of the alternative attachment 200. This enables manual control of the flow diverter 202 of the alternative attachment 200 by a user, to pivot the flow diverter 202 between its open and closed positions. The slidable mechanical switch 204 is located on the end wall 206 such that with the alternative attachment 200 attached to the first arm 24 of the main unit 12, and with a similar, but mirror image further alternative attachment attached to the second arm 26 of the main unit 12, the slidable mechanical switches of both attachments can be actuated by the user with a single motion. In another example, instead of the slidable mechanical switch causing pivoting of the flow diverter, the slidable mechanical switch can causes sliding motion of the flow diverter between the first and second positions. Further alternative examples of movement mechanisms for causing movement of the flow diverter are also envisaged. For example, although first attachment 14 is described as having a flow diverter 70 with a plurality of teeth 92, in other examples the teeth 92 can be replaced with a single elongate projection that extends along a length of the flow diverter 70. Such an elongate projection can be formed of a relatively high friction material when compared to the remainder of the flow diverter. The elongate projection can then engage with hair to move the flow diverter in a similar manner to the teeth 92 described above. Although described above in relation to a haircare appliance with attachments, haircare appliances with integrated bleed flowpath(s) and flow diverters are also envisaged.

Claims

1. A haircare appliance comprising:a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween, the first arm movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm varies a width of the hair receiving channel;an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow within the haircare appliance, the first arm comprising an airflow path configured to receive the airflow from the airflow generator, and an air outlet for emitting airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel;a bleed flowpath configured to receive at least a portion of airflow from the hair receiving channel, the bleed flowpath comprising a bleed inlet and a bleed outlet in fluid communication with the bleed flowpath; anda flow diverter movable between a first position, in which the flow diverter does not inhibit airflow from entering the bleed inlet, and a second position, in which the flow diverter inhibits airflow from entering the bleed inlet.

2. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the flow diverter is movable from the first position to the second position in a first direction away from the air outlet, and the flow diverter is movable from the second position to the first position in a second direction toward the air outlet.

3. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the haircare appliance is configured such that, where a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator is less than or equal to a pre-determined threshold, the flow diverter is biased into the first position.

4. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the haircare appliance is configured such that, where a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator isabove the pre-determined threshold, the flow diverter is biased into the second position by the airflow.

5. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the flow diverter is positioned to contact hair extending through the hair receiving channel in use, and the haircare appliance is configured such that relative motion of the hair along the hair receiving channel toward the air outlet, when the flow diverter is in contact with the hair, biases the flow diverter to the first position.

6. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow diverter comprises a hair engaging member.

7. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the hair receiving channel comprises a central axis, and the hair engaging member faces towards the central axis.

8. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the haircare appliance comprises an actuator configured to cause the flow diverter to move between the first and second positions in response to actuation of the actuator by a user.

9. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the actuator is mechanically coupled to the flow diverter.

10. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the actuator is located outside of the hair receiving channel, such that airflow exiting the hair receiving channel is directed away from the actuator.

11. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the actuator is spaced apart from the bleed outlet, such that airflow exiting the bleed outlet is directed away from the actuator.

12. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow diverter extends along a length that is at least 80% of a length of the hair receiving channel.

13. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow diverter is located within, or adjacent to, the first arm.

14. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a main unit comprising the first and second arms, and an attachment comprising the bleed flowpath and the flow diverter, wherein the attachment is releasably attachable to the main unit.

15. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 14, where the attachment is releasably attachable to the first arm.

16. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a further bleed flowpath configured to receive at least a portion of airflow from the hair receiving channel, the further bleed flowpath comprising a further bleed inlet and a further bleed outlet in fluid communication with the further bleed flowpath, and a further flow diverter movable between a first position, in which the further flow diverter does not inhibit airflow entering from the further bleed inlet, and a second position, in which the further flow diverter inhibits airflow from entering the further bleed inlet.

17. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a main unit comprising the first and second arms, and a further attachment comprising the further bleed flowpath and the further flow diverter.

18. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the further attachment is releasably attachable to the second arm.

19. An attachment for releasably attaching to a first arm of a haircare appliance comprising the first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm spaced apart to define a hair receiving channel therebetween, the first arm movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm varies a width 5 of the hair receiving channel, wherein the attachment comprises:a body having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an internal flowpath extending between the air inlet and the air outlet; anda flow diverter movable between a first position, in which the flow diverter does not inhibit airflow from entering the air inlet, and a second position, in which the flow 10 diverter inhibits airflow from entering the air inlet.

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