An attachment for a haircare appliance and a haircare appliance

Abstract

An attachment 100 for a haircare appliance comprising an attachment body 110 having an air inlet (111, Figure 1E) and a lower air outlet 112. The attachment also comprises a plurality of teeth 116 ext

Description

BACKGROUND Haircare appliances are commonly used for drying and styling hair (e.g. to achieve a root lift effect and / or a smooth appearance). Where haircare appliances are used to style hair to create a smooth appearance, the presence of short or broken hairs, sometimes referred to as flyaway, may interfere with the desired smooth appearance. SUMMARY In a first aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance comprising an attachment body having an air inlet and a lower air outlet; and a plurality of teeth extending outwardly from the attachment body, wherein the lower air outlet is configured to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet with a first component which is directed away from the attachment body and a second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth. In this way, the attachment may be used (when connected to a haircare appliance) to dry the roots of a user’s hair (due to the first component of the airflow exiting the lower air outlet, which is directed away from the attachment body), whilst the airflow also tends to pick up the user’s hair and direct hair towards the teeth (due to the second component of the airflow exiting the lower air outlet). This may improve the hair drying effect of the attachment by directing airflow at the roots, and improve brushing (i.e., reduce tangling) by directing hair towards the teeth of the attachment. Furthermore, by projecting airflow from the lower air outlet with first and second components in this way, airflow from the attachment may be directed into a region forward of the attachment body and rather than towards the scalp of a user, when in use. This may ensure that a user does not suffer discomfort when using the attachment, particularly, for example, where the airflow exiting the lower air outlet is heated. For example, the attachment body may have a lowermost face, edge or surface which may be arranged to contact the scalp of a user, and the lower air outlet is configured to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet in such a way that the airflow does not extend into a region below this lowermost face, edge or surface (i.e., the airflow does not break a plane containing this lowermost face, edge or surface and a user’s scalp). Optionally, the plurality of teeth may extend outwardly from a first surface, wherein airflow exiting the lower air outlet with the second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth attaches to the first surface. That is, at least a portion of the airflow (in particular, a portion which exits the lower air outlet towards the plurality of teeth) attaches to a first surface from which the plurality of teeth extend. This may help entrain hair in the airflow and further aid brushing, and avoid tangling, of hair. For example, the first surface may be a Coanda surface, such as a curved Coanda surface. In certain examples, the lower air outlet may be arranged at a first side of the attachment body (e.g., a lower side), and the first surface may extend from the lower air outlet towards a second side of the attachment body (e.g., an upper side) opposite the first side. In this arrangement, the first surface may continue about the attachment body, such that airflow attaches to the surface towards (and, in some examples, through or between adjacent ones of) the plurality of teeth, helping to brush hair and reduce flyaways. In a second aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance comprising an attachment body having an air inlet, a lower air outlet and an upper air outlet; and a plurality of teeth extending outwardly from the attachment body, wherein the lower air outlet is positioned on a first side of the plurality of teeth, and is configured to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet with a first component which is directed away from the attachment body and a second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth, and the upper air outlet is positioned on a second side of the plurality of teeth, and is configured to project airflow exiting the upper air outlet away from the plurality of teeth. In this way, the attachment may be used (when connected to a haircare appliance) to dry the roots of a user’s hair (due to the first component of the airflow exiting the lower air outlet, which is directed away from the attachment body), whilst the airflow also tends to pick up the user’s hair and direct hair towards the teeth (due to the second component of the airflow exiting the lower air outlet). This may improve the hair drying effect of the attachment by directing airflow at the roots, and improve brushing (i.e., reduce tangling) by directing hair towards the teeth of the attachment. In addition, air exiting the upper air outlet may help to smooth and dry hair which is lifted and brushed by the plurality of teeth. This may further help reduce flyaways. Furthermore, by projecting airflow from the lower air outlet with first and second components in this way, airflow from the attachment is directed into a region forward of the attachment body and is not directed towards the scalp of a user, when in use. This may ensure that a user does not suffer discomfort when using the attachment, particularly, for example, where the airflow exiting the lower air outlet is heated. For example, the attachment body may have a lowermost face, edge or surface which may be arranged to contact the scalp of a user, and the lower air outlet is configured to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet in such a way that the airflow does not extend into a region below this lowermost face, edge or surface (i.e., the airflow does not break a plane containing this lowermost face, edge or surface and a user’s scalp). Optionally, the plurality of teeth extend outwardly from a first surface, and the attachment body may further comprise a second surface on the second side of the plurality of teeth, arranged such that airflow exiting the upper air outlet attaches to the second surface. For example, the second surface may be a Coanda surface, such as a curved Coanda surface. Providing a second surface in this way, to which airflow exiting the upper air outlet attaches, may enhance and improve the smoothing effect provided by airflow from the upper air outlet. The second surface may be an upper surface of the attachment body, for example. It will be appreciated that the first surface may be a first surface as described above. For example, airflow exiting the lower air outlet with the second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth may attach to the first surface. That is, at least a portion of the airflow (in particular, a portion which exits the lower air outlet towards the plurality of teeth) may attach to a first surface from which the plurality of teeth extend. This may help entrain hair in the airflow and further aid brushing, and avoid tangling, of hair. For example, the first surface may be a Coanda surface, such as a curved Coanda surface. Optionally, the attachment body may comprise a pivot surface for contacting a user’s scalp, wherein the lower air outlet is positioned between the pivot surface and the plurality of teeth. For example, the pivot surface may be a lower surface or bottom surface of the attachment, such that positioning the lower air outlet between the pivot surface and the plurality of teeth ensures that airflow is not directed at the user’s scalp, helping to prevent discomfort when using the attachment, particularly where the airflow is a heated airflow. In some examples, the lower air outlet may be configured such that airflow exiting the lower air outlet is restricted to a region in front of the attachment body and between the pivot surface and the plurality of teeth. For example, the shape of the lower air outlet (such as the shape and / or configuration of the edges of the lower air outlet) may be chosen so as to restrict airflow exiting the lower air outlet to a region in front of the attachment body and above the pivot surface when the attachment is positioned with the pivot surface in contact with the user’s scalp (in this orientation, the upper air outlet is further away from the user’s scalp than the lower air outlet). It will be appreciated that the attachment may be used in a different orientation. For example, the attachment may be positioned with an opposite surface (opposite to the pivot surface) in contact with the user’s scalp, where the lower air outlet is further away from the user’s scalp than the upper air outlet. In such an orientation, airflow exiting the lower air outlet may be restricted to a region in front of the attachment body and below the pivot surface (between the pivot surface and the plurality of teeth). It should be noted that in the frame of reference of the attachment itself, the direction of the airflow exiting the lower air outlet remains the same and it is the orientation of the attachment relative to the user that may change, rather than the direction of airflow exiting the lower air outlet. This may ensure that airflow exiting the lower air outlet is confined to a region bounded by planes defined by the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the attachment body, such that airflow does not cause discomfort by passing directly over a user’s scalp. For example, the lower air outlet may be a slot in the attachment body, wherein the edges of the slot direct airflow in front of the attachment body and between the pivot surface and the plurality of teeth. For example, airflow exiting the attachment body may be bounded by a plane defined by the lowermost surface of the attachment body. Put another way, air flowing from the lower air outlet may not pass through a plane aligned with the lowermost surface of the attachment body, thereby ensuring the airflow is not directed towards the user’s scalp. Optionally, the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet may be on a first side, such as a front side, of the attachment body, and the air inlet may be on a second side, such as an opposite side to the first side, for example, a rear side of the attachment body. Optionally, the attachment body may be generally tubular, the plurality of teeth extending outwardly from a longitudinal face of the attachment body. For example, the attachment body may be provided generally as a cylinder, with the plurality of teeth extending outwardly from the curved face of the cylinder. In some examples, the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet may be formed by respective slots in the longitudinal face of the attachment body. For example, edges of each respective slot may overlap or overlie one another in order to project airflow exiting each respective slot in a desired manner. For example, edges of the lower air outlet may overlap or overlie one another in order to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet with a first component which is directed away from the attachment body and a second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth and, optionally, restrict airflow to a region in front of the attachment body and between a pivot surface and the plurality of teeth. In some examples, the edges of the slot forming the lower air outlet may be arranged to direct airflow exiting the lower air outlet such that airflow attaches to a first surface as described herein. Similarly, edges of the upper air outlet may overlap or overlie one another in order to project airflow exiting the upper air outlet away from the plurality of teeth. In some examples, the edges of the slot forming the upper air outlet may be arranged to direct airflow exiting the upper air outlet such that airflow attaches to a second surface as described herein. Optionally, the attachment may further comprise a channel passing through the attachment body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment body. For example, the channel may pass from a first end face through to a second end face of the attachment body. This channel may make the attachment lighter. Optionally, the attachment may further comprise a connector for connecting the attachment body to a main body of a haircare appliance, wherein the connector comprises an engagement member which is arranged to fit within a portion of the main body of the haircare appliance. By being provided in this way, the connector may provide support when the attachment is in use and is under high tension, for example when brushing knotted or thick hair, and may help to prevent the attachment becoming dislodged from the main body. The connector may thereby be a male connecting member which is configured to interface with a corresponding female connecting member on the main body of the hair care appliance in order to removably connect the attachment to the main body. For example, the connector may be arranged on the second side of the attachment body. For example, the connecting portion may be co-located with the air inlet. In some examples, the connector may comprise the air inlet, for example the air inlet may be formed at least partially about the engagement member, such that connecting the attachment body to the main body of the haircare appliance also aligns the air inlet of the attachment with an air outlet of the main body in order to receive airflow from the main body. The engagement member of the connector may be cylindrical and the portion of the main body of the haircare appliance in which the engagement member is received may be a cylindrical aperture. In this way, the attachment may be rotated with respect to the main body of the haircare appliance such that the attachment may be used in a plurality of orientations in order to change the direction of the emitted airflow with respect to the main body of the haircare appliance. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising a main body having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator arranged to generate an airflow between the air inlet and the air outlet; a connector for detachably mounting an attachment to the main body; and an attachment according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention. The invention includes the combination of the aspects and optional features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1A to IF show views of an attachment for a haircare appliance according to the present disclosure; and Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing of a haircare appliance which may be used with the attachment shown in Figs. 1 A-IF. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figs, 1A-1F show views of an attachment 100 for a haircare appliance that is an example of the present disclosure. Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the attachment 100, Fig. IB is a side view, Fig. IC is a lower perspective view, and Fig. ID is a top view. Figs. IE and IF are cross-section views of the attachment 100. The attachment 100 may be used with a haircare appliance to deliver an airflow towards a user’s hair to simultaneously brush and dry hair. In particular, the attachment 100 is configured to dry substantially the entire length of a tress of hair (from root to tip), while reducing discomfort by not directing airflow towards a user’s scalp and also ensuring smoothness of the tress of hair by reducing flyaways, as described herein. The attachment 100 comprises an attachment body 110, which is generally cylindrical in shape, with a generally circular side profile (as shown in Fig. IB) and cross-section. The attachment body 110 has an air inlet 111, a lower air outlet 112 and an upper air outlet 114. The lower air outlet 112 and the upper air outlet 114 are each formed by respective slots in the longitudinal face of the attachment body 110. In some examples, the attachment body 110 may be provided with only a singular air outlet, for example only the lower air outlet 112 or the upper air outlet 114. Extending outwardly from the longitudinal face of the attachment body 110, and arranged between the lower air outlet 112 and the upper air outlet 114, the attachment 100 comprises a plurality of teeth 116, which form bristles for brushing a user’s hair in use. Specifically, the lower air outlet 112 is positioned on a first side of the plurality of teeth 116 and the upper air outlet 114 is positioned on a second side of the plurality of teeth 116. It will be appreciated that while Figs. 1A ID show the attachment as having two different types of protrusion elements serving as teeth 116, the attachment may include only one type of protrusion elements. Further, the protrusion elements may have a different shape or length from that shown in Figs. 1A - ID as long as the protrusion elements are capable of brushing a user’s hair in use. A channel 118 passes through the attachment body 110 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment body 110, from a first end face through to a second end face of the attachment body 110. The channel 118 may make the attachment 100 lighter, and sidewalls of the channel 118 through the attachment body 110 partially define airflow pathways between the air inlet and the air outlets 112, 114. The lower air outlet 112 is configured to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet 112 with a first component which is directed away from the attachment body 110 (in a direction which is generally forwards of the attachment body 110) and a second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth 116. The airflow is directed in this way due to the arrangement of the edges of the slot which forms the lower air outlet 112, with the edges of the slot overlying one another to ensure that the airflow is directed away from the attachment body 110 but not towards the scalp of a user. At least a portion of the airflow exiting the lower air outlet 112 (in particular, a portion which exits the lower air outlet 112 towards the plurality of teeth 116) attaches to a first surface 120, wherein the first surface 120 extends between the lower air outlet 112 and the upper air outlet 114. That is, the first surface 120 extends from the first side of the plurality of teeth 116 (a lower side) towards the second side of the plurality of teeth 116 (an upper side). The plurality of teeth 116 extend outwardly from the first surface 120, such that the airflow which attaches to the first surface 120 flows through the plurality of teeth 116. To enhance this effect, this first surface 120 is curved to form a Coanda surface. In this way, a user’s hair is picked up by, and entrained in, airflow exiting the lower air outlet 112, and directed towards and through the plurality of teeth 116 for effective brushing of the user’s hair. The attachment body 110 comprises a second surface 125, which is on the second side of the plurality of teeth 116. The upper air outlet 114 is configured such that airflow exiting the upper air outlet 114 attaches to the second surface 125 (and so the airflow is in a direction which is generally towards the rear of the attachment body 110). The airflow is directed in this way due to the arrangement of the edges of the slot which forms the upper air outlet 114, with the edges of the slot overlying one another to ensure that the airflow is directed away from the plurality of teeth 116 and over the second surface 125. In use, the airflow which attaches to the second surface 125 collects hair which is passed through the plurality of teeth, entraining the tress of hair in the airflow, thereby reducing flyaway hairs and smoothing hair to improve the styling effect provided by the attachment 100. To enhance this effect, the second surface 125 is curbed to form a Coanda surface. The lower air outlet 112 and the upper air outlet 114 are on a first side of the attachment body, which may be considered a front side. On a second side of the attachment body, which may be considered a rear side, the attachment 100 comprises a connector 130 for connecting the attachment 100 to a main body of a haircare appliance the connector 130 comprising an engagement member which is arranged to fit within a portion of the main body of a haircare appliance. In this example, the connector 130 is a generally cylindrical male connecting portion which extends outwardly from the longitudinal face of the attachment body 110. For example, the connector 130 is configured to fit within an air outlet of a haircare appliance. By being provided in this way, the connector 130 provides support when the attachment is in use and is under high tension, for example brushing knotted or thick hair, and helps to prevent the attachment 100 becoming dislodged from the main body. As shown in Fig. IE, the air inlet 111 of the attachment 100 is provided about the circumference of the connector 130 in order to receive airflow from the air outlet of the main body when the attachment 100 is mounted to the main body. The air flow paths through the attachment 100 will now be described in more detail with reference to Fig. IF. Air enters the attachment through the air inlet, as indicated by arrows 150a, 150b. The airflow passes through the attachment 100, as indicated by arrow 151, and is directed to the lower air outlet 112 and the upper air outlet 114 by the side walls of the channel 118, an inner part of the first surface 120, and an inner part of a lowermost surface 127 of the attachment body 110. The lowermost surface 127 provides a pivot point which is arranged to contact the scalp of a user when the attachment 100 is in use, and may hence be referred to as a pivot surface. The proportion of airflow which is directed to each of the lower air outer 112 and the upper air outlet 114 may be based on the structure of the surfaces within the attachment body 110, and so the proportions may be varied by adjusting the size and placement of the side walls of the channel 118, the first surface 120, the lowermost surface 127, as well as the shape of the connector 130 and the air inlet 111, for example. Air exiting the upper air outlet 114 attaches to the second surface 125, away from the plurality of teeth 116, and towards the rear side of the attachment 100, as indicated by arrow 152. Air exiting the lower air outlet 112 has a first component 153a which is directed away from the attachment body 110 and a second component 153b which is directed towards the plurality of teeth 116, such that a portion of the airflow exiting the lower air outlet attaches to the first surface 120. Projecting the airflow from the lower air outlet 112 in this way ensures that airflow exiting the attachment 100 is directed into a region forward of the attachment body 110, and does not pass beyond a line 155 which is at a tangent to the pivot point 127. This ensures that the airflow is not directed at the scalp of a user when the attachment 100 is in use, avoiding discomfort which may otherwise arise from the airflow (e.g., where the airflow is heated by the haircare apparatus). An example of a haircare appliance 200 with which the attachment 100 may be used is shown in Fig. 2. Such a haircare appliance 200 is described in WO2015 / 001306, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The haircare appliance comprises a main body 210 having an air inlet 212, an air outlet 214, and an airflow generator positioned within the main body 210 which is arranged to generate an airflow between the air inlet 212 and the air outlet 214. The air outlet 214 is provided in the form of an annular slot which extends around a bore 216 through a head portion 211 of the haircare appliance. The bore 216 forms a connector for detachably mounting the attachment 100 to the main body 210, as the bore 216 is configured to receive the connector 130 of the attachment 100, such that the air inlet 111 is positioned to receive airflow from the air outlet 214. The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An attachment for a haircare appliance comprising:an attachment body having an air inlet and a lower air outlet; anda plurality of teeth extending outwardly from the attachment body,wherein the lower air outlet is configured to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet with a first component which is directed away from the attachment body and a second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth extend outwardly from a first surface, and wherein airflow exiting the lower air outlet with the second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth attaches to the first surface.

3. The attachment of claim 2, wherein the first surface is a Coanda surface.

4. The attachment of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the lower air outlet is arranged at a first side of the attachment body, and wherein the first surface extends from the lower air outlet towards a second side of the attachment body opposite the first side.

5. An attachment for a haircare appliance comprising:an attachment body having an air inlet, a lower air outlet and an upper air outlet; anda plurality of teeth extending outwardly from the attachment body,wherein the lower air outlet is positioned on a first side of the plurality of teeth, and is configured to project airflow exiting the lower air outlet with a first component which is directed away from the attachment body and a second component which is directed at least partially towards the plurality of teeth, andthe upper air outlet is positioned on a second side of the plurality of teeth, and is configured to project airflow exiting the upper air outlet away from the plurality of teeth.

6. The attachment of claim 5, wherein the plurality of teeth extend outwardly from a first surface, and wherein the attachment body further comprises a second surface on the second side of the plurality of teeth, arranged such that airflow exiting the upper air outlet attaches to the second surface.

7. The attachment of claim 6, wherein the second surface is a Coanda surface.

8. The attachment of any preceding claim, wherein the attachment body comprises a pivot surface for contacting a user’s scalp, wherein the lower air outlet is positioned between the pivot surface and the plurality of teeth.

9. The attachment of claim 8, wherein the lower air outlet is configured such that airflow exiting the lower air outlet is restricted to a region in front of the attachment body and between the pivot surface and the plurality of teeth.

10. The attachment of any one of claims 5-9, wherein the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet are on a first side of the attachment body, and wherein the air inlet is on a second side of the attachment body.

11. The attachment of any preceding claim, wherein the attachment body is tubular, the plurality of teeth extending outwardly from a longitudinal face of the attachment body.

12. The attachment of claim 11, wherein the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet are formed by respective slots in the longitudinal face of the attachment body.

13. The attachment of claim 11 or 12, wherein the attachment further comprises a channel passing through the attachment body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment body.

14. The attachment of any preceding claim, further comprising a connector for connecting the attachment to a main body of a haircare appliance, wherein the connector comprises anengagement member which is arranged to fit within a portion of the main body of the haircare appliance.

15. The attachment of claim 14, wherein the connector comprises the air inlet.

516. A haircare appliance comprising:a main body having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator arranged to generate an airflow between the air inlet and the air outlet;a connector for detachably mounting an attachment to the main body; and10 an attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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