Haircare attachment

Abstract

A haircare attachment 100 comprises a main body 104 having an air outlet 134 extending along a side of the main body, a bristle assembly 140, 160 having a plurality of bristles, and a valve 108, 110 m

Description

BACKGROUND Haircare appliances may use an airflow to dry or style hair. Some haircare appliances may include an attachment for achieving a particular drying or styling result. SUMMARY A first aspect of the present invention provides a haircare attachment comprising: a main body comprising a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, an air inlet, and a first air outlet extending along the first side; a bristle assembly comprising a plurality of bristles; a first valve moveable between a closed position in which the first valve closes the first air outlet and an open position in which the first valve opens the first air outlet. The bristle assembly is mounted to the main body such that the bristles project upwardly from the top of the main body. The bottom of the main body is devoid of any bristles. In use, the first valve is biased to the closed position and is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the first valve. During use, an airflow is received within the main body via the air inlet. At least a part of the airflow is discharged through the first air outlet when the first valve is in the open position. The first valve may thus aid selective discharge of airflow from the first air outlets, dependent on whether a lateral force is acting inwardly upon the first valve Omitting bristles from the bottom of the main body may allow the bottom of the main body to be positioned closer to a scalp of a user compared to a haircare attachment having bristles at the bottom of the haircare attachment. The main body may comprise a second air outlet extending along the second side, and the haircare attachment may comprise a second valve moveable between a closed position in which the second valve closes the second air outlet and an open position in which the second valve opens the second air outlet. In use, the second valve is biased to the closed position and is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the second valve. The first valve may be located at the first side of the main body, and the second valve may be located at the second side of the main body. Accordingly, a lateral force may be applied at either side of the main body in order to cause one of the valves to move to the open position. When the haircare attachment is, in use, close to a root end of a tress of hair, the root end of the hair typically partially wraps around a side of the main body as the haircare attachment is rotated relative to a scalp of the user to style, brush and / or treat the hair close to the root end. The scalp of the user, or hair wrapped around the side of the main body, may exert a lateral force on the first valve or the second valve, where provided, depending on which direction the haircare attachment is held relative to the tress of hair. The lateral force exerted by the hair or scalp when the haircare attachment is close to the root end may thus cause the first valve or the second valve to move to the open position and thus cause airflow to be discharged from the first air outlet or the second air outlet. The airflow discharged from the air outlet may be discharged relatively close to the root of the tress of hair, and may thus help to style and / or dry the tress of hair close to the root. In use of the haircare attachment, as the bristles are subsequently drawn through the tress of hair towards a root end of the tress of hair, the hair generally exerts a tangential force across the top of the main body and substantially no force is exerted on the first and second sides of the main body. Accordingly, the first valve and the second valve, where provided, remain in the closed position and airflow is not discharged from the first air outlet or the second air outlet, where provided. The first valve and the second valve may thus aid selective discharge of airflow from the air outlets. Where the attachment comprises a second valve, the first valve may be moved to the open position in response to a first lateral force and the second valve may be moved to the open position in response to a second lateral force. The first lateral force may be different to the second lateral force. For example, the first lateral force and the second lateral force may be mirror-symmetric, for example about a central plane through the main body. When the first valve in the closed position, a portion of the first valve may be positioned laterally outward of the first side of the main body and the plurality of bristles. The first valve may thus define a first lateral extent of the haircare attachment, which may help to ensure that the first lateral force is first exerted on the first valve as opposed to, for example, the main body. Similarly, where the attachment comprises a second valve, when the second valve in the closed position, a portion of the second valve may be positioned laterally outward of the second side of the main body and the plurality of bristles. The second valve may thus define a second lateral extent of the haircare attachment, which may help to ensure that the second lateral force is first exerted on the second valve as opposed to, for example, the main body. The first valve and the second valve, where provided, may each be movable from the closed position towards the open position in a direction laterally inward towards the main body. Accordingly, the first and second valves may not interfere with hair interacting with the haircare attachment in use. In the open position, a majority of the first valve and a majority of the second valve, where provided, may be located within the main body. Accordingly, the first and second valves may not interfere with hair interacting with the haircare attachment in use. The first side and the second side may be devoid of any bristles. This may permit direct application of the lateral force to the first valve and the second valve, where provided. This may also permit the first side or the second side of the main body to be positioned closer to the root end of the tress of hair, which may permit airflow discharged from the first air outlet and the second air outlet, where provided, to interact with hair closer to the root end than if the first and second sides were not devoid of bristles. In use, airflow discharged through the first air outlet and the second air outlet, where provided, may be directed generally upward. Accordingly, when the haircare attachment is held close to the root end of a tress of hair, airflow discharged from the first air outlet or the second air outlet closest to the root end of the tress of hair may be directed away from the scalp of the user. This may improve comfort for a user, for example in the event that the airflow is heated. The bristle assembly may be pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position. This may help to correctly align the bristle assembly with the tress of hair in use of the haircare attachment, for example dependent on which way the haircare attachment is oriented relative to the tress of hair in use. Where the attachment comprises a second air outlet, the bristle assembly may be positioned between the first and second air outlets. The bristle assembly may be pivotable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the haircare attachment. This may provide an ergonomic arrangement. The haircare attachment may comprise a first bristle air outlet that extends along a first side of the bristle assembly and a second bristle air outlet that extends along a second, opposite side of the bristle assembly. With the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets may be directed in a clockwise direction around the main body and, with the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets may be directed in an anticlockwise direction around the main body. Airflow may therefore be directed generally parallel to hair drawn across the top of the main body in use. The first side of the bristle assembly may be closer to the first side of the main body than the second bristle assembly side, and the second side of the bristle assembly may be closer to the second side of the main body than the first bristle assembly side. With the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged from the first bristle air outlet may be directed through the plurality of bristles towards the second side of the bristle assembly. With the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged from the second bristle air outlet may be directed through the plurality of bristles towards the first side of the bristle assembly. Airflow may therefore be directed generally parallel to hair drawn through the bristle assembly in use. The bristle assembly may comprise a first bristle arrangement and a second bristle arrangement. The plurality of bristles may comprise a first plurality of bristles arranged on the first bristle arrangement and a second plurality of bristles arranged on the second bristle arrangement. The first and second bristle arrangements may each be pivotally mounted to the main body. This may help alignment of the bristle assembly with hair, in use. The first and second bristle arrangements may each be pivotable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the haircare attachment. The first and second bristle arrangements may be arranged side-by-side between the first side and the second side of the main body. The first bristle arrangement may be between the first side of the main body and the second bristle arrangement, and the second bristle arrangement may be between the first bristle arrangement and the second side of the main body. This may provide a compact arrangement. The first bristle air outlet may be defined in a first side of the first bristle arrangement, closest to the first side of the main body. The second bristle air outlet may be defined in a second side of the second bristle arrangement, closest to the second side of the main body. With the bristle assembly in the first position or in the second position, a seal may be formed between the first and second bristle arrangements. This may inhibit airflow from being discharged through a gap between the first and second bristle arrangements, which may improve directionality of airflow discharged from the haircare attachment. The first and second bristle arrangements may be positioned generally parallel to the first air outlet and the second air outlet, where provided. This may provide more uniform airflow along a length of the main body in use, which in turn may provide more uniform performance along the length of the main body. The first valve may comprise a first channel. In use, airflow discharged through the first air outlet may be conveyed by the first channel. This may provide more control over a direction in which airflow is discharged from the first air outlet. Similarly, where the attachment comprises a second valve and a second air outlet, the second valve may comprise a second channel and, in use, airflow discharged through the second air outlet may be conveyed by the second channel. The first channel and the second channel, where provided, may turn the airflow. This may allow for a more compact arrangement compared to a haircare attachment in which the channels do not turn the airflow. In use, an airflow may be received within the main body via the air inlet, and the first valve and the second valve, where provided, may be biased to the closed position by a pressure of the airflow. This may simplify construction of the haircare attachment compared to provision of a physical biasing arrangement. The haircare attachment may comprise a locking mechanism operable to lock the first valve and / or the second valve, where provided, in the open position and / or the closed position. This may provide a user with more control over discharge of air from the haircare attachment. The first valve and the second valve, where provided, may be pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be pivotable between the closed position and the open position. The first valve and the second valve may each be pivotable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the haircare attachment. This may help to provide a compact arrangement. A second aspect of the present invention provides a haircare attachment comprising: a main body comprising an air inlet, and a first air outlet extending along a first side of the main body; a bristle assembly comprising a plurality of bristles, the bristle assembly being mounted to the main body such that the bristles project upwardly from the main body; and a first valve moveable between a closed position in which the first valve closes the first air outlet and an open position in which the first valve opens the first air outlet. In use, the first valve is biased to the closed position, the first valve is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the first valve, and airflow discharged through the first air outlet is directed generally upward. Operation of the haircare attachment of the second aspect is substantially the same as operation of the haircare attachment of the first aspect. The direction of the airflow discharged through the first air outlet is generally upwards. As a result, the airflow may be directed close to a root of hair of a user of the haircare attachment and, at the same time, in a direction that is generally away from a scalp of the user. The haircare attachment of the second aspect may comprise any suitable feature or features of the haircare attachment of the first aspect described herein. Advantages conferred by such features are as described with reference to the first aspect. Some of these features are described in the following paragraphs. The main body may comprise a second air outlet extending along a second side of the main body opposite the first side, and the haircare attachment may comprise a second valve moveable between a closed position in which the second valve closes the second air outlet and an open position in which the second valve opens the second air outlet. In use, the second valve is biased to the closed position and is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the second valve. Airflow discharged through the second air outlet is then directed generally upward. The bristle assembly may be pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position. The haircare attachment may comprise a first bristle air outlet that extends along a first side of the bristle assembly and a second bristle air outlet that extends along a second, opposite side of the bristle assembly. With the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets may be directed in a clockwise direction around the main body and, with the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets may be directed in an anticlockwise direction around the main body. The first bristle assembly side may be closer to the first side of the main body than the second bristle assembly side, and the second bristle assembly side may be closer to a second, opposite side of the main body than the first bristle assembly side. With the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged from the first bristle air outlet may be directed through the plurality of bristles towards the second side of the bristle assembly. With the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged from the second bristle air outlet may be directed through the plurality of bristles towards the first side of the bristle assembly. The first valve may comprise a first channel. In use, airflow discharged through the first air outlet may be conveyed by the first channel. This may provide more control over a direction in which airflow is discharged from the first air outlet. Similarly, where the attachment comprises a second valve and a second air outlet, the second valve may comprise a second channel and, in use, airflow discharged through the second air outlet may be conveyed by the second channel. In use, an airflow may be received within the main body via the air inlet, and the first valve and the second valve, where provided, may be biased to the closed position by a pressure of the airflow. The haircare attachment may comprise a locking mechanism operable to lock the first valve and / or the second valve, where provided, in the open position and / or the closed position. The first valve and the second valve, where provided, may be pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be pivotable between the closed position and the open position. The first valve and the second valve may each be pivotable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the haircare attachment. The main body may comprise a top and a bottom. The first side and the second side may each extend between the top and the bottom. The bristles may project upwardly from the top of the main body, and the bottom of the main body may be devoid of any bristles. The first side and the second side may also be devoid of any bristles. Advantages conferred by such features are as described with reference to the first aspect. The terms ‘upwardly’ and ‘upward’, as used in the first and second aspects, are intended to be construed as a direction that extends from the top of the main body and away from the main body. The direction may be normal or oblique to the top of the main body. A third aspect of the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising: a main unit comprising an airflow generator for generating an airflow and a haircare attachment according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein: the haircare attachment is attached or attachable to the main unit, the airflow generated by the airflow generator is received within the main body via the air inlet, and at least a part of the airflow is discharged through the first air outlet when the first valve is in the open position. Where the attachment comprises a second air outlet and a second valve, at least a part of the airflow may be discharged through the second air outlet when the second valve is in the open position. The haircare appliance may confer any of the advantages described herein with reference to the haircare attachments of the first and second aspects. The haircare attachment may be removably attachable to the main unit. Functionality of the main unit may thus be increased, for example by permitting operation of the main unit with or without the haircare attachment and / or with a further, different attachment attached to the main unit. Alternatively, the haircare attachment may be fixedly attached or fixedly attachable to the main unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of a haircare appliance according to an example; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a handle unit of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective end view of an attachment of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a slice view of a main body of the attachment of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a slice view of a first bristle arrangement of the attachment of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a slice view of a second bristle arrangement of the attachment of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a perspective side view of the attachment of Figure 3 in a first configuration; Figure 8 is a slice view of the attachment of Figure 3 the first configuration; Figure 9 is a perspective side view of the attachment of Figure 3 in a second configuration; Figure 10 is a slice view of the attachment of Figure 3 in the second configuration; Figure 11 is a slice view of the attachment of Figure 3, in use in the configuration; and Figure 12 is a slice view of the attachment of Figure 3, in use in the first configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A haircare appliance according to an example, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in Figure 1. The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 12, and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 12. The handle unit 12 comprises a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20, as can be seen schematically in Figure 2. The housing 14 is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14, and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14, and comprises heating elements 30 to selectively heat the airflow. The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32 and a control module 34. The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the housing 14, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold). In the example of Figure 1, the user interface comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged. The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16 and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16 in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 18 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow. Various views of the attachment 100, or parts thereof, are shown in Figures 1 and 3-12. Figures 4-6, 8 and 10-12 each show slice views of the attachment 100 taken at the plane A shown in Figure 3. The attachment 100 is open at one end and closed at the other end. The open end serves as an air inlet 102 into the attachment 100, with the air inlet 102 being circular and receiving airflow from the air outlet 24 of the handle unit 12 when attached in use. The attachment 100 comprises a main body 104, a bristle assembly 106, a first valve 108 and a second valve 110. The bristle assembly 106, the first valve 108 and the second valve 110 are each pivotably mounted to the main body 104. The main body 104 defines an interior cavity 112, which acts as a main airflow path through the attachment 100. The main body 104 has a connection portion 114 for connection to the handle unit 12, with the connection portion 114 having a number of projections 116 which are receivable within corresponding recesses (not shown) formed on the handle unit 12 to ensure correct connection and alignment between the handle unit 12 and the attachment 100. The main body 104 is elongate, having a longitudinal axis 101 extending from the air inlet 102 toward the end of the attachment 100 that is closed. The main body 104 has a top 120, a bottom 122, a first side 124, and a second side 126 opposite the first side 124. The top 120 opposes the bottom 122, and the first and second sides 124, 126 are each between the top 120 and the bottom 122. The top 120, the bottom 122 and the first and second sides 124, 126 extend from the open end of the attachment 100 to the closed end of the attachment 100. The first and second sides 124, 126 extend in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. The main body 104 comprises a first stop 128 and a second stop 130 (shown in Figures 4, 8 and 10), which are each elongate and extend from one end of the main body 104 to an opposing end of the main body 104 in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. The first and second stops 128, 130 are fixed in place within the main body 112. An opening 132 is defined between the first and second stops 128, 130, and fluidly connects the interior cavity 112 to an exterior of the attachment 100. The main body 104 defines a first air outlet 134 disposed at the first side 124 of the main body 104, and a second air outlet 136 disposed at the second side 126 of the main body 104. The first and second air outlets 134, 136 fluidly connect the interior cavity 112 to the exterior of the attachment 100. The first and second air outlets 134, 136 each extend along a length of the main body 104. The bristle assembly 106 comprises a first bristle arrangement 140 and a second bristle arrangement 160 arranged adjacent to one another between the first and second sides 124, 126 of the main body 104 and at the top 120 of the main body 104. The first bristle arrangement 140 is closer to the first side 124 of the main body 104 than the second bristle arrangement 160, and the second bristle arrangement 160 is closer to the second side 126 of the main body 104 than the first bristle arrangement 140. The first bristle arrangement 140 is between the first side 124 of the main body 104 and the second bristle arrangement 160, and the second bristle arrangement 160 is between the first bristle arrangement 140 and the second side 126 of the main body 104. The first and second bristle arrangements 140, 160 are each shown in isolation in Figures 5 and 6, respectively. The first bristle arrangement 140 comprises a first bristle support 142 from which a first plurality of bristles 144 extends, and a first base 146 connected to the bristle support 142. The first base 146 comprises a first bristle arrangement outlet 150 along a first side 148 of the first base 146, and a second bristle arrangement outlet 154 along a second side 152 of the first base 146. Each of the bristle arrangement outlets 150,154 comprises a plurality of apertures formed through the respective side of the first base 146 and are spaced along the length of the first base 146 The bottom of the first base 146 is open and defines a first aperture 156 that is fluidly connected to the first and second bristle arrangement outlets 150, 154. The second bristle arrangement 160 is the same as the first bristle arrangement 140 and will not be described again for brevity. The features of the second bristle assembly 160 have the same reference numbers as the features of the first bristle arrangement 140 in the figures, but increased by 20. The bristle assembly 106 is pivotally attached to the main body 104 and is movable between a first position and a second position. The first base 146 is pivotally attached to the main body 104 about a first pivot axis 158, which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. The second base 166 is pivotally attached to the main body 104 about a second pivot axis 178, which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. The bristle assembly 106 is attached to the main body 104 in such a way that the first and second pluralities of bristles 144, 164 protrude outward from the top 120 of the main body 104 in a generally upward direction away from the bottom 122 of the main body 104, and the first and second apertures 156, 176 are in direct fluid connection with the interior cavity 112 of the main body 104. No bristles extend from the bottom 122, first side 124 or second side 126 of the main body 104. With the bristle assembly 106 in the first position, as best shown in Figures 8 and 10-12, the first side 148 of the first base 146 contacts the first stop 128 such that the first bristle arrangement outlets 150 of the first bristle arrangement 140 generally faces the first stop 128 and open towards the first side 124 of the main body 104. The second side 152 of the first base 146 contacts, and forms a seal with, the first side 168 of the second base 166. The second bristle arrangement outlets 154 of the first bristle arrangement 140 open to an exterior of the haircare attachment 100 and faces towards the second side 126 of the main body 104, and the first bristle arrangement outlets 170 of the second bristle arrangement 160 opens to the interior cavity 112 of the main body 104. The second bristle arrangement outlets 174 of the second bristle arrangement 160 open to an exterior of the haircare attachment 100 at the second side 126 of the main body 104, and faces towards the second side 126 of the main body 104. The opposite is true with the bristle assembly 106 in the second position, and will not be described again for brevity. As viewed in Figures 8 and 10-12, the bristle assembly 106 rotates anticlockwise relative to the main body 104 when moving to the first position, and rotates clockwise relative to the main body 104 when moving to the second position. The first valve 108 and the second valve 110 are mirror symmetrical. Only the first valve 108 is described in detail, but it will be appreciated that the disclosure is equally, and oppositely, applicable to the second valve 110. The second valve 110 is shown with reference numbers for its features in the Figures, the reference numbers being the same as for the features of the first valve 108 but increased by 10. The first valve 108 is elongate, having a length that is substantially equal to a length of the first air outlet 134. The first valve 108 comprises an inner wall 180 and an outer wall 182 that define a channel 184 therebetween, and a tip 186. The channel 184 extends along a complete length of the first valve 108. The inner wall 180 is rigidly attached to the outer wall 182 by a series of support ribs 183. The inner wall 180 and the tip 186 are integrally formed. The first valve 108 is pivotally attached to the main body 104 at the first side 124 of the main body 104, and is pivotable about a first valve axis 188 between a closed position and an open position. The first valve axis 188 extends between the inner wall 180 and the tip 186 of the first valve 108. The first valve 108 is shown in the closed position in Figures 7, 8 and 12, and in the open position in Figures 9 to 11. The second valve 110 is pivotally attached to the main body 104 at the second side 126 of the main body 104, and is pivotable about a second valve axis 198 between a closed position and an open position. The second valve axis 198 extends between the inner wall 190 and the tip 196 of the second valve 110. The second valve 110 is shown in the closed position in Figures 7-12. The first and second valve axes 188, 198 are parallel to the longitudinal axis 101 of the haircare attachment 100. With the first valve 108 in the closed position, the inner wall 180 is in contact with an inner surface of the first side 124 of the main body 104, and the outer wall 182 is outside of the main body 104 such that the outer wall 182 defines a lateral extent of the haircare attachment 100 to the side of the haircare attachment 100 adjacent to the first side 124 of the main body 104. The channel 184 is not in fluid connection with the interior cavity 112 of the main body 104. The tip 186 points generally towards the second side 126 of the main body 104 and is separated from the first stop 128. With the bristle assembly 106 in the first position and the first valve 108 in the closed position, the tip 186 does not contact the bristle assembly 106 and a gap is provided therebetween. With the bristle assembly 106 in the second position and the first valve 108 in the closed position, the tip 186 contacts the first side 148 of the first base 146 of the first bristle arrangement 140 such that the first bristle arrangement outlet 150 of the first bristle arrangement 140 is in fluid connection with the exterior of the haircare attachment 100 and faces towards the first side 124 of the main body 104. With the first valve 108 in the open position, the first valve 108 is rotated anticlockwise relative to the main body 104 compared to the closed position, as viewed in Figures 8 and 10-12. The outer wall 182 is closer to the longitudinal axis 101 than with the first valve 108 in the closed position. The inner wall 180 is not in contact with the main body 104 and is generally positioned within the interior cavity 112 of the main body. The outer wall 182 is in contact with a surface of the first side 124 of the main body 104, and the channel 184 is in fluid connection with the interior cavity 112 of the main body 104. The channel 184 extends in a generally upward direction, toward the top 120 of the main body 104. The tip 186 points generally upwards, towards the first plurality of bristles 144, and is separated from the first stop 128. With the bristle assembly 106 in the first position or the second position and the first valve 108 in the open position, the tip 186 does not contact the bristle assembly 106 and a gap is provided therebetween. The haircare attachment 100 has a greater overall width when the first and second valves 108, 100 are in the closed position than when one or both of the first and second valves 108, 100 are in the open position. A height of the haircare attachment 100 is not changed by movement of the first and second valves 108, 100 between the open and closed positions. In use of the haircare appliance 10, the airflow generator 16 draws air into the housing 14 through the air inlet 22 to create an airflow. The airflow passes over the heater 18 and is optionally heated, depending on a command generated at the user interface 32, before being discharged from the housing 14 via the air outlet 24. The airflow passes into the interior cavity 112 of the main body 104 via the air inlet 102, and biases the first and second valves 108, 110 to the closed position. That is to say that the valves 108, 110 are biased to the closed position by the pressure generated within the main body 104 by the airflow, which is then exerted on the valves 108, 110. A direction in which airflow is discharged from the haircare attachment 100 is dependent upon forces acting on the haircare attachment 100, as will now be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Discharge of airflow is denoted by the solid black arrows in Figures 11 and 12. Positions of the haircare attachment 100 during an example pass of the haircare attachment 100 along a tress of hair 1 are shown in Figures 11 and 12. The second side 126 of the main body 106 acts as a leading edge of the haircare attachment 100 in this example pass, but it will be appreciated that, in other examples, the first side 124 acts as a leading edge, in which case forces, movement of parts of the haircare attachment 100 and discharge of airflow from the haircare attachment occur in an opposite direction to that described with reference to this example. At the start of the example pass along the tress of hair 1, the haircare attachment 100 is placed under the tress of hair 1 such that the first side 124 of the main body 104 is close to a root end 2 of the hair 1 and adjacent to a scalp 3 of the user. The first and second pluralities of bristles 144, 164 extend upward from the top 120 of the main body 104 and through the tress of hair 1. The absence of bristles on the sides 124, 126 and bottom 122 of the main body 104 allows the haircare attachment 100 to be positioned closer to the root end 2 of the hair 1 than if bristles were present in these locations. The root end 2 of the hair 1 and / or the scalp 3 exert a lateral force inwardly on the outer wall 182 of the first valve 108, in the direction indicated by arrow B in Figure 11. The lateral force overcomes the bias of the airflow pressure, and causes the first valve 108 to move from the closed position to the open position. Accordingly, the airflow is discharged from the first air outlet 134 via the channel 184 of the first valve 108 and through the gap between the tip 186 of the first valve 108 and the first stop 128 and the bristle assembly 106. The airflow is discharged from the channel 184 of the first valve 186 in a generally upward direction relative to the main body 104, in a direction away from the scalp 3 of the user and generally along the hair 1. There is substantially no lateral force exerted on the second valve 110, and therefore the second valve 110 remains biased to the closed position. The haircare attachment 100 is then rotated away from the root end 2, as indicated by arrow C in Figure 11. The rotation of the haircare attachment 100 draws the hair 1 through the first and second pluralities of bristles 144, 164. This causes the hair 1 to exert a force on the first and second pluralities of bristles 144, 164, in the direction indicated by arrow D in Figure 11, which, in turn, causes the bristle assembly 106 to move to the first position. With the bristle assembly 106 in the first position, the tip 196 of the second valve 110 contacts the second side 172 of the second base 166 of the second bristle arrangement 160 such that airflow is inhibited from being discharged between the bristle assembly 106 and the second valve 110. Airflow is discharged from outlets of the bristle assembly 106 in a generally clockwise direction around the main body 104, as viewed in Figure 11. The airflow thus travels in a direction that is generally along the hair 1 towards a tip end 4 of the hair 1. Airflow discharged from the first bristle arrangement outlet 150 of the first bristle arrangement 140 is turned by the first stop 128 towards an upward direction and is then entrained in the airflow discharged between the first valve 108 and the first stop 128. The airflow discharged from the first bristle arrangement outlet 150 of the first bristle arrangement 104 is thus directed over the top 120 of the main body 104 and through the first plurality of bristles 144. Airflow discharged from the second bristle arrangement outlet 154 of the first bristle arrangement 104 is discharged in a direction towards the second side 126 of the main body 104 and passes through the second plurality of bristles 164. The base 146 of the first bristle arrangement 140 contacts and forms a seal with base 166 of the second bristle arrangement 160. As a result, no airflow is discharged externally from the first bristle arrangement outlet 170 of the second bristle arrangement 160 (though it is possible that air moving internally within the interior cavity 112 of the main body 104 may pass through the outlet 170). Airflow discharged from the second bristle arrangement outlet 174 of the second bristle arrangement 160 is discharged in a direction towards the second side 126 of the main body. As the haircare appliance 10 is subsequently drawn down the tress of hair 1 towards the tip end 4, as shown in Figure 12, the hair is generally pulled straight under tension and thus does not exert a lateral force on the first valve 108. The first valve 108 thus returns to the closed position under a force exerted by the airflow, such that both the first and second valves 108, 100 are in the closed position. Airflow is discharged from outlets of the bristle assembly 106 in a generally clockwise direction around the main body 104, as viewed in Figure 12. The airflow thus travels in a direction that is generally along the hair 1 towards a tip end 4 of the hair 1. At this stage of the example pass, airflow is not directed generally upward relative to the main body 104. Airflow is discharged between the tip 166 of the first valve 108 and the first stop 128. The tip 166 directs this airflow across the top 120 of the main body and through the first plurality of bristles 144. Airflow discharged from the first bristle arrangement outlet 150 of the first bristle arrangement 140 is discharged in a direction towards the first side 124 of the main body 104, is turned by the first stop 128 towards an upward direction and then by the tip 166 towards the clockwise direction. This airflow is then entrained in the airflow discharged between the tip 166 and the first stop 128. The airflow discharged from the first bristle arrangement outlet 150 of the first bristle arrangement 104 is thus also directed across the top 120 of the main body 104 and through the first plurality of bristles 144. Airflow discharged from the second bristle arrangement outlet 154 of the first bristle arrangement 104, and the first and second bristle arrangement outlets 170, 174 of the second bristle arrangement 160 is discharged in the same manner as described above with reference to Figure 11 and will not be described again for brevity. The haircare attachment 100 provides the advantage of selectively discharging airflow from the first and second air outlets 134, 136. In the example pass described above, this allows the haircare attachment 100 to provide airflow close to the root end 2 of the tress of hair 1, without directing airflow directly at the scalp 3 of the user, which could cause discomfort and / or adversely affect hair styling performance. The geometry of the haircare appliance 100 is such that, when the first or second valve 108, 110 is moved to the open position by the lateral force, airflow discharged from the respective first or second air outlet 134, 136 is discharged in a direction that is generally along the hair 1, which may aid styling performance and reduce disturbance of the hair 1. The biasing of the first and second valves 108, 110 to the closed position inhibits airflow from being discharged in the upward direction when no lateral force is exerted on the first or second valve 108, 110. An upward airflow would be in a direction across the hair 1 when the haircare appliance 100 is being drawn to the tip end 4 of the hair 1 (as shown in Figure 12) and could thus disturb the hair 1, for example causing flyaways. Although not shown, the haircare attachment 100 may comprise a locking system, actuable by a user of the haircare appliance 10 to selectively lock the first and second valves 108,110 in the closed position and the open position. This provides a user with more control over whether the first and second air outlets 134, 136 are open or closed, and thus which direction(s) airflow is discharged from the haircare attachment 100 in use. It will be appreciated that other examples are envisaged that fall within the scope of the claims. By way of example, the haircare attachment may comprise additional or fewer valves. For example, the haircare attachment may comprise a single valve along just one side of the main body. In other examples, the valves may be biased by means other than the pressure generated within the main body by the airflow. For example, each of the valves may be biased by a spring, such as a torsion spring located at the pivot joint between the valve and the main body. In further examples, the bristle assembly may comprise additional of fewer bristle arrangements. For example, the bristle assembly may comprise a single bristle arrangement. Moreover, the bristle assembly need not be pivotally mounted to the main body and may instead be fixed relative to the main body.

Claims

1. A haircare attachment comprising:a main body comprising a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, an air inlet, and a first air outlet extending along the first side;a bristle assembly comprising a plurality of bristles; anda first valve moveable between a closed position in which the first valve closes the first air outlet and an open position in which the first valve opens the first air outlet;wherein:the bristle assembly is mounted to the main body such that the bristles project upwardly from the top of the main body;the bottom of the main body is devoid of any bristles;in use, the first valve is biased to the closed position and is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the first valve.

2. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the main body comprises a second air outlet extending along the second side; the haircare attachment comprises a second valve moveable between a closed position in which the second valve closes the second air outlet and an open position in which the second valve opens the second air outlet; and, in use, the second valve is biased to the closed position and is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the second valve.

3. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side and / or the second side are devoid of any bristles.

4. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, airflow discharged through the first air outlet is directed generally upward.

5. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bristle assembly is pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position.

6. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 5, wherein:the haircare attachment comprises a first bristle air outlet that extends along a first side of the bristle assembly and a second bristle air outlet that extends along a second, opposite side of the bristle assembly;with the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets is directed in a clockwise direction around the main body; andwith the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets is directed in an anticlockwise direction around the main body.

7. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 6, wherein:with the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged from the first bristle air outlet is directed through the plurality of bristles towards the second side of the bristle assembly side; andwith the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged from the second bristle air outlet is directed through the plurality of bristles towards the first side of the bristle assembly.

8. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first valve comprises a first channel, and, in use, airflow discharged through the first air outlet is conveyed by the first channel.

9. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, an airflow is received within the main body via the air inlet, and the first valve is biased to the closed position by a pressure of the airflow.

10. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the haircare attachment comprises a locking mechanism operable to lock the first valve in the open position and / or the closed position.

11. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first valve is pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be pivotable between the closed position and the open position.a main body comprising an air inlet, and a first air outlet extending along a first side of the main body;a bristle assembly comprising a plurality of bristles, the bristle assembly being mounted to the main body such that the bristles project upwardly from the main body; anda first valve moveable between a closed position in which the first valve closes the first air outlet and an open position in which the first valve opens the first air outlet;wherein, in use:the first valve is biased to the closed position;the first valve is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the first valve; andairflow discharged through the first air outlet is directed generally upward.

13. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein: the main body comprises a second air outlet extending along a second side of the main body opposite the first side; the haircare attachment comprises a second valve moveable between a closed position in which the second valve closes the second air outlet and an open position in which the second valve opens the second air outlet; and wherein, in use, the second valve is biased to the closed position; the second valve is moved to the open position in response to a lateral force acting inwardly upon the second valve; and airflow discharged through the second air outlet is directed generally upward.

14. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the bristle assembly is pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position.

15. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 14, wherein:the haircare attachment comprises a first bristle air outlet that extends along a first side of the bristle assembly and a second bristle air outlet that extends along a second, opposite side of the bristle assembly;with the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets is directed in a clockwise direction around the main body; andwith the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged via the first and second bristle air outlets is directed in an anticlockwise direction around the main body.

16. The haircare attachment as claimed in claim 15, wherein:with the bristle assembly in the first position, airflow discharged from the first bristle air outlet is directed through the plurality of bristles towards the second side of the bristle assembly; andwith the bristle assembly in the second position, airflow discharged from the second bristle air outlet is directed through the plurality of bristles towards the first side of the bristle assembly.

17. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, in use, an airflow is received within the main body via the air inlet, and the first valve is biased to the closed position by a pressure of the airflow.

18. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the haircare attachment comprises a locking mechanism operable to lock the first valve in the open position and / or the closed position.

19. The haircare attachment as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the main body comprises a top and a bottom, the first side and the second side each extend between the top and the bottom, the bristles project upwardly from the top of the main body, and the bottom of the main body is devoid of any bristles, wherein optionally the first side and / or the second side are devoid of any bristles.

20. A haircare appliance comprising:a main unit comprising an airflow generator for generating an airflow; and the haircare attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:the haircare attachment is attached or attachable to the main unit, and optionally the haircare attachment is removably attachable to the main unit;the airflow generated by the airflow generator is received within the main body via the air inlet; andat least a part of the airflow is discharged through the first air outlet when the first valve is in the open position.

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