Mist Dispensing Unit and Personal Care Device Comprising Such a Unit - Patent application

Abstract

In the context of a personal care device 100 having an air conduit portion 101 and an air flow generating mechanism configured to generate an outgoing air flow from the air conduit portion 101, a mist discharge portion 10 is provided that is configured to be arranged downstream of the air conduit portion 101. The discharge unit 10 serves to generate and release a mist of the care substance and comprises a container 40 configured to contain a quantity of the care substance. The container 40 is generally shaped as a hollow body at least partially surrounding an air space 13. For example, the container 40 can be either generally ring-shaped or generally C-shaped.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mist dispensing unit for use in a personal care device, and to a personal care device comprising such a dispensing unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of personal care, devices are known that are capable of both blowing air onto a treatment area and delivering a care substance to the treatment area, where the care substance is dispensed as a mist from a dispensing unit. Examples of such devices are hair care devices, such as hair dryers, and skin care devices. In various known cases, the dispensing unit is configured to be used as a removably arranged attachment to the personal care device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] CN205624988U and CN214630580U disclose examples of discharge units used in hair dryers. Regarding the container of the discharge unit, CN205624988U discloses that the container is formed of a glass bottle containing essential oil, which protrudes upward from the rest of the discharge unit during use, making it clearly visible as an add-on. CN214630580U discloses various options for the location of the container. According to one option, the container is located centrally within the discharge unit, which has the advantage that the container does not protrude outside the discharge unit. However, this has the disadvantage that the discharge airflow is emitted from an annular area around the container and cannot be strong in the central area.

[0004] The present invention relates to a dispensing unit that is arranged to be placed downstream of an air conduit of a personal care device. The object of the present invention is to find a way to have a container arranged so that the container does not protrude beyond the remainder of the dispensing unit, and at the same time to ensure a powerful delivery air flow of the personal care device comparable to the delivery air flow obtained when the personal care device is not equipped with a dispensing unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention provides a dispensing unit for use in a personal care device having an air conduit and an air flow generating mechanism configured to generate an outlet air flow from the air conduit, the dispensing unit being configured to be positioned downstream of the air conduit; a functional part configured to generate and emit a mist of a care substance; a container configured to contain a quantity of the care substance; where: the container having an outlet area for delivering the care substance to the functional portion, the functional portion having an inlet area configured to receive the care substance from the outlet area of ​​the container; The container is generally shaped as a hollow body and at least partially encloses an air space that is functional in the dispensing unit to allow the delivery air flow to pass through the dispensing unit at the location of the container.

[0006] From the above definition, according to the present invention, the container is generally shaped as a hollow body that at least partially surrounds an air space that is functional in the dispensing unit to allow the discharge air flow through the dispensing unit at the container's location. Therefore, in a dispensing unit designed according to the present invention, the air space exists, and the container is positioned to at least partially surround the air space, so that the container does not obstruct the air space. As a result, the discharge air flow can be strong in the air space while avoiding a protruding container configuration. Indeed, the space available in the dispensing unit is used wisely, and conventional container design options are not followed. Instead, the container design can be considered as one in which the container is at least partially bent around the air space. It should be noted that this design makes it entirely possible to create a container with sufficient volume to accommodate the care substance. In other words, there is no need to reduce the volume compared to conventional options in which the container does not fit the combination of the internal location and the shape of the surrounding air space.

[0007] The present invention covers various options for the location of the air space within the dispensing unit, including the option of the air space having a more or less central position in the dispensing unit when viewed in projection in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the dispensing unit (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction). Furthermore, the present invention covers various options for the shape of the container. According to practical options, the container is generally ring-shaped, extending 360° around the longitudinal axis, or generally C-shaped, extending less than 360° around the longitudinal axis. Generally speaking, it is practical if the outer peripheral surface of the container has a shape that is generally convexly curved with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the inner peripheral surface of the container has a shape that is generally concavely curved with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0008] Advantageously, the discharge unit according to the invention has a connection area for connection to the downstream end of the air conduit section, wherein the connection area is substantially loop-shaped around the longitudinal axis of the discharge unit and at least a major part of the container is located inside the inner periphery of the connection area, as projected in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Said connection may be a substantially airtight connection, in which case leakage of the delivered air flow at the point of connection is avoided.

[0009] It is practical if the container is removably arranged in the dispensing unit, since this can facilitate replacement and / or filling of the container. For example, an embodiment of the dispensing unit is feasible in which the dispensing unit has a holder configured to receive and hold the container, where the holder has a wall configured to at least partially tightly surround the container and to facilitate receiving and removing the container via a sliding movement of the container in the holder. According to another possible option, the holder and the container are configured to be magnetically coupled to each other. When the container is removably arranged in the dispensing unit, it is convenient if the outlet region of the container has a seal configured to seal the outlet region when the container is removed from the dispensing unit. An example of such a seal is a foil seal.

[0010] It should be noted that with regard to the path of the care substance from the outlet area of ​​the container to the inlet area of ​​the functional part, it is practical if this path is sealed to avoid loss / leakage of the care substance, which can be achieved if one of the inlet area of ​​the functional part and the outlet area of ​​the container has a sealing ring configured to sealingly abut against a ring-shaped surface area of ​​the other of the inlet area of ​​the functional part and the outlet area of ​​the container.

[0011] The invention covers both the option where the container is refillable and the option where the container is provided as a (biodegradable) disposable. In the first option, to mention two practical possibilities, the container can be arranged to have a cover element that is removably arranged or that can be moved between an open and a closed state, or the container can be refillable through an opening that can serve as an outlet.

[0012] Advantageously, the functional part is configured to emit a mist of care substance towards the air space and / or towards a region downstream of the air space. Depending on the exact design of the dispensing unit, this can mean that the functional part is configured to emit a mist of care substance in a direction other than the longitudinal direction. This may help to ensure a combined / mixed flow of air and care substance, rather than separate side-by-side flows of air and care substance.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the functional unit may be of any suitable design. In particular, the functional unit may have any suitable type of nebulizer, such as a vibrating mesh piezoelectric nebulizer. In any case, it will be practical if the dispensing unit has two electrodes configured to connect the functional part to the power supply system of the personal care device.

[0014] The dispensing unit can be an integral part of the personal care device, but if the dispensing unit is configured to be used as a removably arranged attachment to the personal care device, users of the personal care device are provided with more usage options for the personal care device. According to one practical option applied in the latter case, the dispensing unit can be configured to be magnetically coupled to the air conduit part of the personal care device, although this does not change the fact that multiple alternative / additional options are also covered by the present invention. Providing users with the possibility to remove the dispensing unit when treatment with a care substance is not required has the advantage that a slim version of the personal care device can be used in such cases.

[0015] If the purpose is to realize the moisturizing function of the care substance, the care substance may simply be water. This does not change the fact that other possibilities regarding the care substance dispensed from the dispensing unit are covered by the present invention. Generally speaking, the care substance can be any type of care substance, including care substances commonly known and applied as hair care substances and care substances commonly known and applied as skin care substances.

[0016] As indicated above, the present invention further relates to a personal care device comprising an air conduit portion, an air flow generating mechanism configured to generate an outlet air flow from the air conduit portion, and a discharge unit as previously described herein, located downstream of the air conduit portion. Practical examples of personal care devices according to the present invention are hair care devices, such as hair dryers, and skin care devices. In addition to the air flow generating mechanism and the discharge unit, the personal care device may also comprise other useful elements, including a heater portion configured to heat the outlet air flow. Here, such a heater portion may be of any suitable design and may, for example, comprise one or more heating coils. In any case, the air flow generating mechanism may be of a type comprising at least one fan.

[0017] As mentioned above, the dispensing unit may be configured to be used as a removable attachment to a personal care device. In this case, the dispensing unit and the remainder of the personal care device, including the air conduit and the air flow generating mechanism, may be provided as a set. Such a set may further include one or more other attachments in addition to the dispensing unit.

[0018] From the viewpoint of aesthetics and ease of operation, it is advantageous if the peripheral outer surface of the dispensing unit is flush with the peripheral outer surface of the air conduit at its downstream end. Optionally locating the container of the dispensing unit inside the inner periphery of the connection area of ​​the dispensing unit may constitute an advantageous factor in this respect. The respective peripheral surface may have any suitable shape and may be approximately circular or elliptical about the longitudinal axis, or may be square or rectangular about the longitudinal axis, for example with rounded edges.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a container for a dispensing unit for use in a personal care device having an air conduit portion and an air flow generating mechanism configured to generate an outlet air flow from the air conduit portion, the container generally being shaped as a hollow body at least partially enclosing an air space, and generally being either ring-shaped or C-shaped.

[0020] The above-mentioned and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of two practical embodiments of a dispensing unit in the context of a hair care device as an example of a personal care device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a hair care device having a dispensing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the hair care device in which the dispensing unit is shown in a position away from its operative position within the hair care device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a hair care device in which the dispensing unit is shown in a position away from its operative position within the hair care device. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a dispensing unit in which the container of the dispensing unit is shown separated from the remainder of the dispensing unit, including the front cover piece and the functional part and container holder assembly. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a dispensing unit in which the container of the dispensing unit is shown separated from the remainder of the dispensing unit, including the front cover piece and the functional part and container holder assembly. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a perspective view of the front cover piece and the assembly of the functional part and the container holder, spaced apart from each other; [Figure 7] FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to a second embodiment of the invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a dispensing unit, with the container of the dispensing unit shown separated from the remainder of the dispensing unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, in which like or similar parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0023] 1-3 show diagrams of a hair care device 100 having a dispensing unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The hair care device 100 shown is a hair dryer, and includes an air conduit portion 101 and an air flow generating mechanism configured to generate an air flow discharged from the air conduit portion 101. The hair care device 100 is a handheld device, and includes a handle 102 that allows a user to pick up the hair care device 100.

[0024] The airflow generating mechanism is located inside the hair care device 100 and is therefore not visible in FIGS. 1-3. The same applies to the heater portion of the hair care device 100, which is useful for heating the output airflow if desired by the user. In FIGS. 1-3, the general direction of the output airflow is indicated by an arrow. At the downstream end 103 of the air conduit portion 101, the hair care device 100 has an outlet mesh 104 and an electrical connection area 105, as seen in FIG. 3. The discharge unit 10 is located downstream of the air conduit portion 101 and is configured to be coupled to the air conduit portion 101 at its downstream end 103. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the discharge unit 10 is configured to be used as a removable attachment to the hair care device 100. This attachment serves as a passageway for the output airflow from the air conduit portion 101. When attached to the hair care device 100, the discharge unit 10 and the hair care device 100 share the same longitudinal axis 11. 1 , the design of the dispensing unit 10 is adapted to the design of the air conduit portion 101 such that the peripheral outer surface 12 of the dispensing unit 10 is flush with the peripheral outer surface 106 of the air conduit portion 101 at its downstream end 103 when the dispensing unit 10 is in the operative position of the hair care device 100. The hair care device 100 may comprise any suitable means for releasably securing the dispensing unit 10 to the downstream end 103 of the air conduit portion 101.

[0025] The details of the discharge unit 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 1-3 and 4-6. First, the discharge unit 10 has a functional part 20 configured to generate and emit a mist of a hair care substance, which may be, for example, simply water or water with appropriate additives. In this embodiment, the functional part 20 includes a vibrating mesh-type piezoelectric nebulizer 21 having a nebulizer outlet 22 through which the mist of hair care substance is emitted during operation of the nebulizer 21. Second, the discharge unit 10 has a connection area 30 for substantially airtight connection to the downstream end 103 of the air conduit part 101, the connection area 30 being ring-shaped around the longitudinal axis 11 of the discharge unit 10. Third, the discharge unit 10 has a container 40 configured to contain a quantity of hair care substance. In this embodiment, the container 40 has a generally ring-shaped appearance and is configured to surround the air space 13 of the discharge unit 10. During operation of the hair care device 100 having the discharge unit 10, the delivery air flow flows through the air space 13 and exits the hair care device 100 at the downstream end 14 of the discharge unit 10. Furthermore, the reservoir 40 is located inside the inner periphery of the connection region 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 11, in other words in a longitudinal projection.

[0026] The container 40 has an outlet region 41 through which the hair care substance is discharged towards the inlet region 23 of the functional part 20 during operation. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the outlet region 41 has a tubular body 42, and the inlet region 23 of the functional part 20 has a sealing ring 24 that serves to sealingly receive the free end of the tubular body 42. In this embodiment, the container 40 is removably arranged in the dispensing unit 10. It should be noted in this respect that the outlet region 41 can be equipped with any suitable type of seal. The container 40 has a cover element 43 that is removably configured to allow the container 40 to be (re)filled with the care substance. The container 40 is suitable for receiving the care substance directly from a source or in a sleeve having an outlet that can be coupled from the interior of the container 40 to the outlet region 41 of the container 40.

[0027] 4 to 6, the dispensing unit 10 comprises three main elements: the container 40, an assembly 50 of the functional part 20 and the container holder 51, and a front cover piece 60. The container holder 51 has a wall 52 configured to tightly surround the container 40, wherein the shape of the inner peripheral surface 53 of the wall 52 and the shape of the outer peripheral surface 44 of the container 40 are matched to each other with corresponding bulges and cutouts. Receiving and removing the container 40 in the container holder 51 can be established based on a sliding movement of the container 40 in the longitudinal direction in the container holder 51. Furthermore, both the container 40 and the container holder 51 comprise respective elements 45, 54 for fixing the container 40 in a predetermined position in the container holder 51 based on a snap connection. The assembly 50 of the functional part 20 and the container holder 51 further includes two electrodes 55, 56 for connecting the functional part 20 to the power supply system of the personal care device 100 via an electrical connection area 105 present at the downstream end 103 of the air conduit part 101.

[0028] The front cover piece 60 serves to house the assembly 50 of the functional part 20 and the container holder 51 and has a connection area 30 and a mist outlet opening 61 at the position of the nebulizer outlet 22. It should be noted that it is advantageous if the mist of care substance is emitted from the nebulizer outlet 22 and the mist outlet opening 61 in the following manner: in this manner, the mist is emitted towards a downstream region of the air space 13, i.e. towards the longitudinal axis 11, in a direction other than the longitudinal direction, because in that manner an actual mixed combination of the drying air flow and the hair care substance can be delivered towards the same target location on the hair being treated.

[0029] 7 and 8 show a dispensing unit 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which will hereinafter be referred to as the alternative dispensing unit 10. The alternative dispensing unit 10 has many features in common with the above-described dispensing unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and only the salient different features of the alternative dispensing unit 10 will be described hereinafter.

[0030] First, it should be noted that in the alternative dispensing unit 10, the container 40 is removably arranged on the assembly 50 of the functional part 20 and the ring-shaped container holder 51. Meanwhile, compared to the dispensing unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the front cover piece 60 is omitted. Indeed, in the alternative dispensing unit 10, when the container 40 is in position within the dispensing unit 10, the container 40 is arranged above a portion of the functional part 20 and downstream of the container holder 51. In view of the fact that the container 40 is located downstream of the container holder 51, rather than inside the container holder 51, part of the peripheral outer surface 12 of the dispensing unit 10 is formed by the peripheral outer surface 44 of the container 40. According to a practical option, the container 40 is arranged to be magnetically coupled to the container holder 51, whereby both the container 40 and the container holder 51 have one or more magnet pieces 46, 57 at appropriate positions. This makes the alternative dispensing unit 10 very easy to use. This is because having a magnetic type coupling allows for easy removal and placement of the container 40 in the dispensing unit 10 .

[0031] Compared to the dispensing unit 10 according to the first embodiment, the alternative dispensing unit 10 is of a simpler technical design, where, among other things, the container 40 is generally shaped like a hollow annular ring and the peripheral outer surface 44 of the container 40 has a smooth appearance. In general, the alternative dispensing unit 10 has more smooth surfaces than the dispensing unit 10 according to the first embodiment, which not only has advantages regarding the aesthetics of the dispensing unit 10 but also advantages regarding, for example, cleanability.

[0032] It should further be noted that in the alternative dispensing unit 10, the functional part 20 is arranged outside the inner circumference of the connection area 30 in a longitudinal projection. The tubular body 42 of the outlet area 41 of the container 40 extends radially from the container 40, and the inlet area 23 of the functional part 20 is located above the functional part 20. Conversely, in the dispensing unit 10 according to the first embodiment, the tubular body 42 of the outlet area 41 of the container 40 extends longitudinally, and the inlet area 23 of the functional part 20 is located upstream of the functional part 20.

[0033] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. It is intended that the present invention be construed as including all such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description, such illustration and description are merely explanatory or exemplary and are not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, in which details not necessary for understanding the invention may be omitted and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0034] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0035] Elements and aspects discussed for or in connection with a particular embodiment can be combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments as appropriate, unless otherwise expressly stated. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0036] The terms "having" and "including" as used herein will be understood by those skilled in the art to cover the term "consisting of." Thus, the terms "having" or "including" may mean "consisting of" in one embodiment, but may mean "including / having / comprising at least the specified species and, optionally, one or more other species" in another embodiment.

[0037] Possible modifications to the design of the alternative dispensing unit 10 described above relate to the manner in which the functional part 20 is arranged within the dispensing unit 10. For example, the functional part 20 may be located at an upper position rather than a lower position. As a result, when the container 40 is in a predetermined position in the dispensing unit 10, the container 40 is located below a part of the functional part 20, with the outlet area 41 of the container 40 being located above the container 40 and the inlet area 23 of the functional part 20 being located below the functional part 20. In this regard, it should be noted that, in general, a pump or the like can be used to transport the care substance from the container 40 to the functional part 20. However, at least in some possible embodiments of the dispensing unit 10, natural phenomena such as gravity, capillary action, and Venturi action can be relied upon for this purpose.

[0038] The term "mist of care substance" as used herein should be understood to include drops or droplets of care substance. In this respect, a possible alternative expression for this term is "spray of care substance."

[0039] As used herein, the terms "downstream" and "upstream" refer to the operating position of the dispensing unit 10 in the personal care device 100, and in particular the flow direction of the air flow delivered from the air conduit portion 101 of the personal care device 100 through the air space 13 of the dispensing unit 10 in that operating position.

[0040] With respect to the terms "ring" and "ring-like" as used herein, it should be noted that a ring does not necessarily have to have a circular appearance. Furthermore, with respect to terms that assume the orientation of elements, particularly the normal direction of operation of the elements as reflected in the figures, it should be noted that the use of such terms is not to be understood as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0041] Notable aspects of the present invention can be summarized as follows: In the context of a personal care device 100 having an air conduit portion 101 and an air flow generating mechanism configured to generate an outlet air flow from the air conduit portion 101, a mist dispensing unit 10 configured to be disposed downstream of the air conduit portion 101 is provided. The dispensing unit 10 serves to generate and emit a mist of the care substance and includes a container 40 configured to contain a quantity of the care substance. The container 40 is generally shaped as a hollow body at least partially enclosing an air space 13. For example, the container 40 may be either generally ring-shaped or generally C-shaped. In any case, it will be practical if the container 40 is configured to at least partially enclose the air space 13 while extending over at least 180° around the longitudinal axis 11 of the dispensing unit 10.

Claims

1. A dispensing unit for use in a personal care device, the personal care device including an air conduit and an air flow generating mechanism for generating an outlet air flow from the air conduit, the dispensing unit being disposed downstream of the air conduit; A functional part that generates and releases a mist of a care substance; A container containing a quantity of the care substance, - the container has an outlet area for discharging the care substance to the functional part, and the functional part has an inlet area for receiving the care substance from the outlet area of ​​the container, - the container is generally shaped as a hollow body at least partially enclosing an air space that is functional in the discharge unit so as to allow the discharge air flow to pass through the discharge unit at the location of the container; a connection region for connection to the downstream end of the air conduit portion, the connection region being substantially looped around a longitudinal axis of the discharge unit, and at least a main portion of the container being located inside an inner periphery of the connection region, when projected in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

2. The dispensing unit of claim 1 , wherein the container is one of a generally ring-shaped and a generally C-shaped.

3. The dispensing unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is configured to be removable from the dispensing unit.

4. The dispensing unit of claim 3, further comprising a holder for receiving and holding the container, the holder including a wall portion that at least partially closely surrounds the container and facilitates receiving and removing the container via sliding movement of the container in the holder.

5. The dispensing unit of claim 3 , further comprising a holder for receiving and holding the container, the holder and the container being magnetically coupled to one another.

6. 6. The dispensing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container has a cover element which is removably arranged or movable between an open and a closed position.

7. 7. The dispensing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional part (10) is adapted to emit a mist of the care substance towards at least one of the air space and a downstream region of the air space.

8. The dispensing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising two electrodes connecting the functional part to a power supply system of the personal care appliance.

9. The dispensing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the dispensing unit is used as a removable attachment for the personal care device.

10. 10. The dispensing unit of claim 9, magnetically coupled to an air conduit of the personal care device.

11. 11. A personal care device comprising an air conduit portion, an air flow generating mechanism for generating an outlet air flow from the air conduit portion, and a dispensing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, disposed downstream of the air conduit portion.

12. 12. A personal care device according to claim 11, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing unit is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the air conduit at its downstream end.

13. 13. A personal care device according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a heater element for heating the outlet air flow.

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