Hair care device

Abstract

A hair care device comprises a first arm and a second arm, and the first arm and the second arm are spaced apart from each other to define a hair receiving channel between them. The first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm, so that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel. The hair care device comprises an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow within the hair care device, and the first arm comprises an airflow path configured to receive airflow from the airflow generator, and an air outlet for releasing airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel. The hair care device comprises a bleed channel configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel, a bleed outlet fluidly communicating with the bleed channel (the bleed outlet is formed on the outer surface of the hair care device), and a plurality of bristles protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the hair care device.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Hair care devices are generally used to treat or style hair, and some hair care devices can treat or style hair using airflow and / or heat. means of solving the problem

[0002] According to a first embodiment, a hair care device is provided, said hair care device comprising: a first arm and a second arm (the first arm and the second arm are spaced apart from each other to form a hair receiving channel between them, and the first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm so that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm causes the width of the hair receiving channel to change; an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow within the hair care device (the first arm includes an airflow path configured to receive an airflow from the airflow generator and an air outlet for releasing an airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel); a bleed flowpath configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel; a bleed outlet fluidly communicating with the bleed flowpath (the bleed outlet is formed on the outer surface of the hair care device); and a plurality of bristles protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the hair care device.

[0003] By providing airflow into the hair receiving channel, the hair received in the hair receiving channel during use may be processed and / or styled using the airflow. By providing a bleed channel configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel, and a bleed outlet fluidly communicating with the bleed channel, the flexibility of the styling operation may be increased and / or improved, or user comfort may be improved. For example, the bleed channel may direct the airflow away from the hair receiving channel / away from the user and / or to an alternative location that may increase flexibility in the styling operation. By providing a plurality of bristles protruding outward from the outer surface of the hair care device, for example, from the same outer surface as the surface where the bleed outlet is formed, flexibility may be increased compared to an arrangement without a plurality of bristles. Collectively, the hair care device may include increased flexibility in the styling operation and / or increased user comfort compared to a known hair care device comprising a first arm and a second arm, such as a hair straightener.

[0004] The hair care device may include an air inlet, and the airflow generator may be configured to draw airflow from the surrounding environment of the hair care device through this air inlet.

[0005] The hair care device may include a heater configured to heat the airflow generated by an airflow generator. The heater may be located within a first arm, for example, within the airflow path of the first arm.

[0006] The first arm can be mounted for reciprocating motion with respect to the second arm.

[0007] A portion of the outer surface of a hair care device may have a curved shape. This can facilitate the performance of styling tasks that utilize the curved surface. For example, using a curved surface can make it easier to apply flicks and / or curls to the hair compared to using a flat surface.

[0008] A portion of the outer surface of the hair care device may subtend at an angle of at least 45 degrees. This may provide a curved surface with a range sufficient for styling operations to be performed. A portion of the outer surface of the hair care device may subtend at an angle of at least 60 degrees, at least 70 degrees, or at least 80 degrees. The angle subtend by a portion of the outer surface of the hair care device may be 180 degrees or less, for example, 150 degrees or less, 120 degrees or less, or 90 degrees or less.

[0009] A portion of the outer surface of a hair care device may have a constant radius of curvature. This can improve styling consistency compared to, for example, a curved surface with a variable radius of curvature, such as a surface with a radius of curvature that undergoes discontinuous step changes.

[0010] A portion of the outer surface of a hair care device may have an uneven radius of curvature. This may provide improved or alternative styling results compared to a uniform radius of curvature.

[0011] Multiple bristles may extend outward from a portion of the outer surface of the hair care device. By providing multiple bristles extending outward from a curved surface in this manner, the hair care device can be utilized in a manner similar to a hairbrush that includes a curved surface, such as a round hairbrush. Integrating this function into the hair care device can reduce the need for the user of the hair care device to use other tools, such as a hairbrush, in conjunction with the hair care device.

[0012] A bleed outlet may be formed on a part of the outer surface of the hair care device. By providing a bleed outlet on this curved surface, it may be easier to use the hair care device to impart specific styling features to the hair, such as curls or flicks, by utilizing the combination of the curved surface and the airflow coming from the bleed outlet to style and set the hair.

[0013] The bleed outlet may have a shape that directs airflow along a part of the outer surface of the hair care device.

[0014] Multiple bristles can form multiple rows and protrude outwardly relative to the outer surface of the hair care device.

[0015] The bleed outlet may include a plurality of apertures formed on the outer surface of the hair care device. This may provide a relatively diffused flow of air compared to, for example, an arrangement in which the bleed outlet includes one or more slots. Each of the plurality of bristles may extend through a corresponding aperture among the plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures may be interspersed among the plurality of bristles, for example, each aperture is located between adjacent bristles in a row of bristles. The plurality of apertures are 150 mm 2 up to 1600mm 2 , for example 182mm 2Up to 1514mm 2 It may include the total open cross-sectional area.

[0016] The bleed outlet may include a plurality of slots formed on the outer surface of the hair care device. The slots may provide a relatively concentrated airflow compared to the aperture. Each slot may extend between two adjacent rows of bristles. The plurality of slots are 150 mm 2 up to 1600mm 2 , for example 182mm 2 Up to 1514mm 2 It may include the total open cross-sectional area.

[0017] The bleed channel may include a bleed inlet, and the bleed inlet may have a length substantially corresponding to the length of the air outlet. This allows the airflow to bleed relatively consistently from the length portion of the air outlet. The length of the bleed inlet and the length of the air outlet may be measured in a direction substantially parallel to the length of at least one of the first arm and the second arm. The length of the bleed inlet and the length of the air outlet may be measured in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the hair receiving channel.

[0018] The bleed inlet may include a plurality of vanes, for example, so that the bleed inlet is divided into a plurality of sub-inlets.

[0019] The air outlet may have a length of at least 50% of the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, at least 50% of the length of a part of the first arm and / or a part of the second arm forming the hair receiving channel. The bleed inlet may have a length of at least 50% of the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, at least 50% of the length of a part of the first arm and / or a part of the second arm forming the hair receiving channel.

[0020] The air outlet may have a length substantially corresponding to the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, a length substantially corresponding to the length of the first arm and / or the second arm. The bleed inlet may have a length substantially corresponding to the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, a length substantially corresponding to the length of the first arm and / or the second arm.

[0021] A hair care device may include a closed body forming the outer surface of the hair care device, and a bleed inlet, a bleed outlet, and a bleed channel are formed within the closed body.

[0022] Multiple bristles can be extended along a length that is at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel. This allows a relatively wide hair bundle (tress) to come into contact with multiple bristles compared to when the bristles are extended along a length that is a smaller proportion of the length of the hair receiving channel.

[0023] The bleed outlet may extend along a length of at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel. This allows the airflow to be distributed along a larger range of the hair receiving channel compared to when the bleed outlet extends along a smaller proportion of the length of the hair receiving channel.

[0024] A plurality of bristles may collectively face at an angle of at least 45 degrees, at least 55 degrees, or at least 65 degrees around a curved portion of the outer surface of the hair care device. A bleed outlet may face at an angle of at least 45 degrees, at least 55 degrees, or at least 65 degrees around a curved portion of the outer surface of the hair care device.

[0025] The outer surface of the hair care device may have a length corresponding to at least 50% of the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, a length corresponding to at least 50% of the length of a part of the first arm and / or a part of the second arm forming the hair receiving channel. The outer surface of the hair care device may include an outer surface of the hair care device that overlies the hair receiving channel. The length of the outer surface may be measured in a direction substantially parallel to the length of at least one of the first arm and the second arm. The length of the outer surface may be measured in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the hair receiving channel. The outer surface may have a length substantially corresponding to the length of the hair receiving channel, for example, a length substantially corresponding to the length of the first arm and / or the second arm.

[0026] An air outlet may be located on the first side of the hair care device, and an outer surface may be located on the opposite second side of the hair care device. This facilitates the performance of a styling operation in which hair received within a hair receiving channel is straightened by an airflow from the air outlet within the hair receiving channel, and simultaneously styled by interaction with at least one of a bleed outlet and a plurality of bristles. The first side and the second side of the hair care device may be opposite sides of the hair care device along the height direction of the hair receiving channel. A plurality of bristles may be located on the second side of the hair care device. A bleed outlet may be located on the second side of the hair care device.

[0027] The bleed channel may be located within the first arm or adjacent to the first arm. This may facilitate removing airflow from the hair receiving channel into the bleed channel by proximity to the hair receiving channel. The outer surface may include the outer surface of the first arm, or individual surfaces attached to the outer surface of the first arm. The bleed channel may be located under the first arm, for example, in an orientation where the air outlet is located in the upper region of the hair receiving channel. The bleed outlet may be located on the first arm or adjacent to the first arm. The bleed outlet may be located under the first arm, for example, in an orientation where the air outlet is located in the upper region of the hair receiving channel. A plurality of bristles may be located on the first arm or adjacent to the first arm. A plurality of bristles may be located at the base of the first arm, for example, in an orientation where the air outlet is located in the upper region of the hair receiving channel.

[0028] A hair care device may include a main unit comprising a first arm and a second arm, and an attachment comprising a bleed channel, an outer surface of the hair care device, a bleed outlet, and a plurality of bristles. The attachment may be releasably attached to the main unit. This may allow the functions of the bleed channel, the bleed outlet, and the plurality of bristles to be optionally provided to the hair care device, and, for example, allow these functions to be retrofitted to an existing hair care device having a main unit comprising a first arm and a second arm. At least one of an airflow generator and a heater may be disposed within the main unit. The attachment may include a bleed inlet.

[0029] The attachment can be removably attached to the first arm. This can provide a relatively simple arrangement and enable proper positioning of the bleed channel to receive airflow from the hair receiving channel.

[0030] The attachment may be removably attached to the first arm in such a way that a bleed outlet and a plurality of bristles are positioned on the second side of the hair care device. The attachment may be removably attached to the first arm in such a way that when the first arm and the second arm are positioned such that the hair receiving channel has a minimum width, the inner wall of the attachment extends substantially across half of the hair receiving channel. The attachment may be removably attached to the first arm in such a way that the wall of the first arm forming the hair receiving channel and the inner wall of the attachment are substantially contiguous.

[0031] The attachment may include a first magnetic attachment member, and the first arm may include a second magnetic attachment member for repulsively engaging with the first magnetic attachment member. The attachment may include a corresponding protrusion or recess for repulsively engaging with a recess or protrusion of the first arm.

[0032] The attachment may include an end wall configured to rest over the arm end wall of the first arm when the attachment is releasedly attached to the first arm.

[0033] The second arm may include an additional airflow path configured to receive airflow from an airflow generator, and an additional air outlet for releasing airflow from the additional airflow path into a hair receiving channel.

[0034] The hair care device may include an additional bleed channel configured to receive at least an additional portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel. The hair care device may include an additional bleed outlet fluidly communicating with the additional bleed channel, and the additional bleed outlet is formed on an additional outer surface of the hair care device. The hair care device may include a plurality of additional bristles protruding outwardly from the additional outer surface of the hair care device. This allows the bleed and bristles to be provided at two separate locations on the hair care device.

[0035] The additional bleed channel includes substantially the same features as the bleed channel, but may be described in relation to a second arm, an additional bleed outlet, an additional outer surface, and an additional plurality of bristles. The additional bleed outlet includes substantially the same features as the bleed outlet, but may be described in relation to a second arm, an additional bleed channel, an additional outer surface, and an additional plurality of bristles. The additional outer surface includes substantially the same features as the outer surface, but may be described in relation to a second arm, an additional bleed outlet, an additional bleed channel, and an additional plurality of bristles. The additional plurality of bristles include substantially the same features as the plurality of bristles, but may be described in relation to a second arm, an additional bleed outlet, an additional outer surface, and an additional bleed channel. The hair care device may include an additional bleed inlet that is in fluid communication with the additional bleed channel.

[0036] The hair care device may include additional attachments comprising an additional bleed channel, an additional outer surface of the hair care device, an additional bleed outlet, and additional multiple bristles, and the additional attachments may be detachably attached to the main unit. This may allow the functions of the additional bleed channel, the additional bleed outlet, and additional multiple bristles to be optionally provided to the hair care device, and may allow these functions to be retrofitted to an existing hair care device having a main unit including a first arm and a second arm, for example.

[0037] Additional attachments can be detachably attached to the second arm. This can provide a relatively simple arrangement and enable proper positioning of additional bleed channels to receive airflow from the hair receiving channel.

[0038] An additional attachment may be removably attached to the second arm in such a manner that an additional bleed outlet and an additional plurality of bristles are positioned on the second side of the hair care device. The additional attachment may be removably attached to the second arm in such a manner that when the first arm and the second arm are positioned such that the hair receiving channel has a minimum width, the inner wall of the additional attachment extends across substantially half of the hair receiving channel. The additional attachment may be removably attached to the second arm in such a manner that the wall of the second arm forming the hair receiving channel and the inner wall of the additional attachment are substantially connected.

[0039] When the additional attachment and the attachment are attached to the second arm and the first arm, respectively, the inner wall of the additional attachment may be positioned substantially opposite to the inner wall of the attachment. The first arm may be movable relative to the second arm so that the inner wall of the attachment and the inner wall of the additional attachment come into contact with each other when the hair receiving channel has a minimum width. This allows substantially all airflow from the hair receiving channel to be diverted through the bleed channel and the additional bleed channel.

[0040] An additional attachment may include a first magnetic attachment member, and a second arm may include a second magnetic attachment member for disengagingly with the first magnetic attachment member of the additional attachment. The additional attachment may include a corresponding protrusion or recess for disengagingly with a recess or protrusion of the second arm.

[0041] The additional attachment may include an end wall configured to rest over the arm end wall of the second arm when the additional attachment is releasedly attached to the second arm.

[0042] According to a second embodiment, an attachment is provided for being removably attached to a first arm of a hair care device comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are spaced apart from each other to form a hair receiving channel between them, and the first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel, and the attachment comprises: a body having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an internal flow path extending between the air inlet and the air outlet (the air outlet is formed on the outer surface of the body); and a plurality of bristles protruding outward from the outer surface of the body.

[0043] A portion of the outer surface of the body may have a curved shape. A portion of the outer surface of the body may face an angle of at least 45 degrees. A portion of the outer surface of the body may face an angle of at least 60 degrees, at least 70 degrees, or at least 80 degrees. The angle facing a portion of the outer surface of the body may be 180 degrees or less, for example, 150 degrees or less, 120 degrees or less, or 90 degrees or less.

[0044] Multiple bristles may extend outwardly to a portion of the outer surface of the body.

[0045] A portion of the outer surface of the body may have a constant radius of curvature. An air outlet may be formed on a portion of the outer surface of the body. The air outlet may have a shape that directs airflow along a portion of the outer surface of the body.

[0046] The air outlet can be located between adjacent bristles among a plurality of bristles.

[0047] A plurality of bristles may form a plurality of rows and protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the body. A plurality of bristles may collectively face at an angle of at least 45 degrees, at least 55 degrees, or at least 65 degrees around a part of the outer surface of the body.

[0048] The air outlet may include a plurality of apertures, and each bristle may extend through its respective aperture among the plurality of apertures.

[0049] The selective characteristics of the modes may, where appropriate, be applied equally to other modes. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a hair care device. Figure 2 is a first schematic diagram of the main unit of the hair care device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a second schematic diagram of the main unit of the hair care device of Figure 1. FIG. 4 is a first schematic diagram of the first attachment of the hair care device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the first attachment and the second attachment. FIG. 6 is a second schematic diagram of the first attachment of the hair care device of FIG. 1. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the airflow through the hair care device of Figure 1. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0051] A hair care device (10) in the form of a hair straightener device is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The hair care device (10) includes a main unit (12), and a first attachment (14) and a second attachment (16).

[0052] The main unit (12) is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and includes a body portion (18), an airflow generator (20), a heater (21), a bellows (22), and a first arm (24) and a second arm (26).

[0053] The body portion (18) is generally hollow and cylindrical and includes an air inlet (28), a user interface (30), and a locking member (32). The body portion (18) may include a first end (34) and a second end (36) located opposite the first end (34). A power cable (38) extends from the first end (34) into the body portion (18).

[0054] An air inlet (28) is located at a first end (34) of the main body portion (18) and includes a plurality of apertures formed on the outer surface of the main body portion (18). In some examples, the air inlet (28) is at least partially formed by a removable filter assembly that is removablely attached to the rest of the main body portion (18).

[0055] The user interface (30) includes a display (40) located on the outer surface of the body part (18) at the second end (36) of the body part (18), and a row of buttons (42) extending away from the display (40) along the outer surface of the body part (18). A locking member (32) is located on the opposite side of the body part (18) to the row of buttons (42) and is positioned on the outer surface of the body part (18). The locking member (32) is slidable along the outer surface of the body part (18) to optionally actuate an internal locking mechanism (not shown) for fixing the first arm (24) and the second arm (26) in place relative to each other.

[0056] The airflow generator (20) includes an electric motor (44) and an impeller (46) driven by the electric motor (44) to generate airflow through the main unit (12). The airflow generator (20) is positioned within the body portion (18). A heater (21) is located downstream of the airflow generator (20). A bellows (22) is positioned within the body portion (18) downstream of the electric motor (20) and is positioned to receive the airflow generated by the airflow generator (20) when in use. The bellows (22) branches into a first duct (48) and a second duct (50), each of which is configured to direct airflow from the body portion (18) to its respective arm, which is either the first arm (24) or the second arm (26).

[0057] The first arm (24) and the second arm (26) are each mirror images of each other but substantially similar in shape, and therefore, for brevity, only the features of the first arm (24) will be described in this specification. The first arm (24) has an elongated shape between the first end (52) and the second end (54), and the first arm (24) generally extends along the central longitudinal axis (CL) of the main unit (12). The first end (52) of the first arm (24) is pivotally mounted to the body portion (18), and the first arm (24) protrudes toward an open position relative to the body portion (18). The first end (52) of the first arm (24) has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the outer surface of the body part (18), and the first end (52) of the first arm (24) has a shape that allows the user to access the row (42) of the button and the locking member (32) when the first arm (24) is pivoted to a closed position.

[0058] The first arm (24) includes an internal plenum (56), an air outlet (58), a magnetic connection (60), and a clip receiving portion (62). The internal plenum (56) is in fluid communication with the first duct (48) of the bellows (22) and acts as an airflow path within the first arm (24). The internal plenum (56) starts at approximately the midpoint along the first arm (24) between the first end (52) and the second end (54) and extends to the second end (54) of the first arm (24).

[0059] The air outlet (58) has the form of a linear slot extending along the upper region of the first arm (24) in the orientation shown in FIG. 2. The air outlet (58) is positioned to direct the airflow downward along the height direction of the first arm (24) in the orientation shown in FIG. 2.

[0060] The magnetic connection portion (60) is located on the end wall (64) of the second end (54) of the first arm (24) and is configured to engage disengageably with the magnetic connection portion (92) of the second end (71) of the first attachment (14) as will be discussed in more detail below. The clip receiving portion (62) is located on the outer surface of the first arm (24) and includes a recess having a shape and dimensions for disengagingly receiving the clip protrusion (82) of the first end (69) of the first attachment (14) as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0061] The second arm (26) is also pivotally mounted to the body portion (18), and the second arm (26) protrudes toward an open position relative to the body portion (18). The first arm (24) and the second arm (26) face each other, and the portions (25) of the first arm (24) and the second arm (26) that do not lie over the body portion (18) are spaced apart from each other, and the inner wall (27) of each of these portions (25) forms a hair receiving channel (66).

[0062] The first attachment (14) and the second attachment (16) are each mirror images of each other but substantially similar in form; therefore, for brevity, only the features of the first attachment (14) will be described in this specification. The same reference numerals will be used for similar components / features between the first attachment (14) and the second attachment (16). The first attachment (14) is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7.

[0063] The first attachment (14) comprises a body (68) and a plurality of bristles (70) and has a first end (72) and a second end (74). The body (68) comprises a channel portion (76) and an end wall (78). The channel portion (76) is elongated between the first end (72) and the second end (74). The channel portion (76) has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the lower region of a part (25) of the first arm (24) that forms the hair receiving channel (66). The channel portion (76) is hollow and generally has a semi-cylindrical shape, and the outer surface (80) of the channel portion (76) is curved and faces at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees. It will be understood that the outer surface (80) can be considered as the outer surface of the hair care device when the first attachment (14) is attached to the first arm (24). The outer surface (80) has a constant radius of curvature and has a length substantially corresponding to the length of the hair receiving channel (66) and the length of the air outlet (58). In other examples, the outer surface (80) may have a non-constant radius of curvature.

[0064] The channel portion (76) includes a bleed inlet (82) and a bleed outlet (84), and the hollow interior of the channel portion (72) forms a bleed flow path (86) between the bleed inlet (82) and the bleed outlet (84). It will be understood that the bleed inlet (82) can be considered as an air inlet of the first attachment (14), and the bleed outlet (84) can be considered as an air outlet of the first attachment (14).

[0065] The channel portion (76) also includes a clip protrusion (88) located at the first end (72) of the first attachment (14). The clip protrusion (88) has a shape and dimensions to be reliably received within the clip receiving portion (62) of the first arm (24), for example, through a reliably press fit.

[0066] The bleed inlet (82) comprises a row (90) of first apertures arranged along the length of the inner wall (92) of the channel portion (76). The wall sections between each of the first apertures (90) may be considered vanes in this specification, and the first apertures (90) may be considered sub-inlets. The inner wall (92) of the channel portion (76) comprises a planar section (93) that is substantially smooth and flat.

[0067] The bleed outlet (84) includes a plurality of second apertures (94) formed on the outer surface (80) of the channel portion (76). The second apertures (94) may be considered as sub-outlets in this specification. There are 84 second apertures (94) forming a total open cross-sectional area of ​​182 mm² to 1514 mm² for the bleed outlet (84). The second apertures (94) are arranged in rows extending circumferentially along the outer surface (80) of the channel portion (76). The outer surface (80) of the channel portion (76) includes a mesh fixed to the remainder of the channel portion (76). In another example, the channel portion (76) may be formed integrally, for example, as part of a single molding process.

[0068] The end wall (78) of the first attachment (14) stands upright from the channel portion (76) at the second end (74) of the first attachment (14). The end wall (78) has a shape and dimensions to be placed on the end wall (64) of the first arm (24) when the attachment (14) is connected to the first arm (24). The inner surface of the end wall (78) of the first attachment (14) includes a magnetic connection portion (96) configured to engage disengageably with the magnetic connection portion (60) of the first arm (24).

[0069] The bristles (70) extend through their respective apertures among the apertures (90), and each bristle has two spaced legs (95). There are 84 bristles (70) with a length of about 18 mm. The bristles (70) extend along a length that is about 90% of the length of the outer surface (80) of the channel portion (76).

[0070] With the first attachment (14) attached to the first arm (24), the channel portion (76) of the first attachment (14) is positioned below the lower region of the first arm (24) in the orientation shown in FIG. 7. The magnetic connection portion (96) of the first attachment (14) engages with the magnetic connection portion (60) of the first arm (24), and the clip protrusion (88) of the first attachment (14) is received within the clip receiving portion (62) of the first arm (24) to hold the first attachment (14) against the first arm (24).

[0071] The bleed inlet (82) is located adjacent to the first arm (24) below the hair receiving channel (66). The bleed inlet (82) extends across a length corresponding to the length of the air outlet (58), as do the bleed outlet (84) and bristles (70). The bleed outlet (84) and bristles (70) are positioned to lie below the first arm (24). In this way, the air outlet (58) is located on the first side, which is the upper part of the hair care device (10), and the bleed outlet (84) and bristles (70) are located on the opposite second side, which is the lower part of the hair care device (10). The inner wall (92) of the channel portion (76) is aligned offset from the inner wall (27) of the first arm (24).

[0072] When in use, with the first attachment (14) and the second attachment (16) attached to the first arm (24) and the second arm (26), respectively, the user turns on the hair care device (10) by operating one of the buttons (42), and specifically turns on the electric motor (44). Before or after, the user can place a bundle of hair within the hair receiving channel (66) and apply force to the first arm (24) and the second arm (26) in a manner similar to a known hair straightener, thereby reducing the width of the hair receiving channel (66) so that the first arm (24) and the second arm (26) are placed in a closed configuration. The electric motor (44) drives the rotation of the impeller (46) to generate an airflow that passes through the air inlet (28) and enters the body part (18). The airflow passes through the first duct (48) and the second duct (50) of the bellows (22) and enters the respective inner plenum (56) of the first arm (24) and the second arm (26). The airflow exits the first arm (24) and the second arm (26) through the respective air outlets (58) and is directed downward along the height direction of the hair receiving channel (66) as schematically illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0073] As the airflow passes under the hair receiving channel (66), the airflow enters the bleed inlet (82) of the first attachment (14) and the second attachment (16) as illustrated in FIG. 7, and travels to the bleed outlet (84) through each bleed channel (86). Here, it can be seen that the airflow flows in the first direction (FD) along the hair receiving channel (66) in its entirety. The inner walls (92) of the channel portion (76) of the first attachment (14) and the second attachment (16) come into contact with each other under the hair receiving channel (66), thereby restricting the airflow between the inner walls (92). Subsequently, the airflow exits the bleed outlet (84) in a manner that diffuses from among the bristles (70).

[0074] When a user passes a hair care device over the length of a hair bundle located within a hair receiving channel (66), the bristles (70) can comb the hair bundle, and the user can style the hair bundle by applying, for example, a curl or flick to the hair using the curved features of the outer surface (80) of the channel portion (72) of the first attachment (14) and the second attachment (16).

[0075] In an alternative operating mode, the user can lock the first arm (24) and the second arm (26) to a closed position so that no hair bundle is positioned within the hair receiving channel (66) and the hair receiving channel (66) has a minimum width. Accordingly, the user can comb the hair using the bristles (70) and, if desired, wrap the hair around the outer surface (80) of the first attachment (14) and the second attachment (16).

[0076] Operation in this specification is described with respect to a state in which the first attachment (14) is attached to the first arm (24) and the second attachment (16) is attached to the second arm (26). In practice, the hair care device (10) may be used with only the first attachment (14) attached to the first arm (24), or with only the second attachment (16) attached to the second arm (26). Similarly, while the first attachment (14) is attached to the first arm (24), an alternative attachment may be attached to the second arm (26), or vice versa, and, for example, this additional attachment may also include a bleed channel but not have bristles.

[0077] It will be understood that alternative examples for the configuration of the first attachment (14) described above are also conceived. For example, more or fewer bristles, and larger or smaller bleed outlet (84) opening cross-sections are conceived. The above description relates to a hair care device having an attachment, but a hair care device having an integrated bleed channel(s) and bristles is also considered.

Claims

Claim 1 As a hair care device: a first arm and a second arm - the first arm and the second arm are spaced apart from each other to form a hair receiving channel between them, and the first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm so that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel -; an airflow generator configured to generate airflow within the hair care device - the first arm includes an airflow path configured to receive airflow from the airflow generator and an air outlet for releasing airflow from the airflow path into the hair receiving channel -; a bleed flowpath configured to receive at least a portion of the airflow from the hair receiving channel; a bleed outlet fluidly communicating with the bleed flowpath - the bleed outlet is formed on the outer surface of the hair care device -; A hair care device comprising a plurality of bristles protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the hair care device. Claim 2 A hair care device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the hair care device has a curved shape. Claim 3 A hair care device according to claim 2, wherein the portion of the outer surface of the hair care device is subtended at an angle of at least 45 degrees. Claim 4 A hair care device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of bristles extend outwardly with respect to the portion of the outer surface of the hair care device. Claim 5 A hair care device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bleed outlet is formed in the part of the outer surface of the hair care device. Claim 6 A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bleed outlet comprises a plurality of apertures formed on the outer surface of the hair care device, and each of the plurality of bristles extends through a corresponding aperture among the plurality of apertures. Claim 7 A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bleed channel includes a bleed inlet, and the bleed inlet has a length corresponding to the length of the air outlet. Claim 8 A hair care apparatus having at least one of the features of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of bristles extend along a length of at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel; and the bleed outlet extends along a length of at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving channel. Claim 9 A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air outlet is located on the first side of the hair care device and the outer surface is located on the second side of the hair care device on the opposite side. Claim 10 A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bleed channel is located within the first arm or adjacent to the first arm. Claim 11 A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hair care device comprises a main unit including the first arm and the second arm, and an attachment including the bleed channel, the outer surface of the hair care device, the bleed outlet, and the plurality of bristles, wherein the attachment can be releasably attached to the main unit. Claim 12 In claim 11, the attachment is a hair care device that can be removably attached to the first arm. Claim 13 A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hair care device comprises: an additional bleed channel configured to receive at least an additional portion of airflow from the hair receiving channel; an additional bleed outlet fluidly communicating with the additional bleed channel - said additional bleed outlet is formed on an additional outer surface of the hair care device -; and an additional plurality of bristles protruding outwardly from said additional outer surface of the hair care device. Claim 14 In claim 13, the hair care device comprises a main unit including the first arm and the second arm, and an additional attachment including the additional bleed channel, the additional outer surface of the hair care device, the additional bleed outlet, and the additional plurality of bristles, wherein the additional attachment can be detachably attached to the main unit. Claim 15 In claim 14, the additional attachment is a hair care device that can be removably attached to the second arm. Claim 16 An attachment for being removably attached to a first arm of a hair care device comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are spaced apart from each other to form a hair receiving channel between them, and the first arm is movably mounted relative to the second arm such that movement of the first arm relative to the second arm changes the width of the hair receiving channel, and the attachment comprises: a body having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an internal flow path extending between the air inlet and the air outlet - the air outlet is formed on the outer surface of the body -; and a plurality of bristles protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the body.

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