Attachment for a haircare appliance

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: a casing having an air inlet; and first and second movable members movably connected to the casing, the first and second movable members each comprising first and second air outlets in fluid communication with the air inlet. The first and second movable members are movable between: a first position, in which the first and second movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the first and second movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the respective first air outlets to an exterior of the casing; and a second position, different to the first position, in which the first and second movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the first and second movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the respective second air outlets to an exterior of the casing.

Description

[0001]ATTACHMENT FOR A HAIRCARE APPLIANCE BACKGROUND In a conventional air styling device, air is directed towards hair by an attachment or head of a haircare appliance. The attachment or head often comprises bristles onto which hair is wrapped or held for styling, and air is blown out of the attachment or head towards the hair. SUMMARY A first aspect of the invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: a casing having an air inlet; and first and second movable members movably connected to the casing, the first and second movable members each comprising first and second air outlets in fluid communication with the air inlet. The first and second movable members are movable between: a first position, in which the first and second movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the first and second movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the respective first air outlets to an exterior of the casing; and a second position, different to the first position, in which the first and second movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the first and second movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the respective second air outlets to an exterior of the casing. In some known haircare appliance attachments, such as air styling brushes, airflow is forced between a gap between two separate moving bodies. There is a limit to how small this gap, which is essentially an outlet of the attachment, can be whilst ensuring that reliable performance across a range of tolerances and a desired airflow directionality is maintained. The moving bodies in such attachments must rotate past one another to change airflow direction around the attachment. If the gap between the moving bodies becomes too small, directionality is lost as the flow tends towards being directed normal to the surface of the attachment. In the claimed attachment, the first and second air outlets are outlets in the movable members, rather than gaps between adjacent parts that are movable relative to one another. That is, a size of the first and second air outlets is unaffected by movement of the movable members relative to one another or relative to the casing. By forming the first and second air outlets in the respective first and second movable members, the air outlets can be made smaller because the size of the first and second air outlets is not dependent on the relative positions of adjacent movable members. The movable members contacting one another in the first and second positions may help to ensure that airflow is not emitted between adjacent movable members, and is instead emitted from the casing through the smaller first and / or second air outlets. Providing smaller air outlets may allow the attachment to be used at higher air pressures than attachments in which airflow is emitted through a gap between adjacent movable members. In turn, this may help to generate higher velocity, directional airflow, and thus a more energy-efficient attachment that may provide improved styling performance. A gap may be formed between the first and second movable members during movement between the first and second positions. This may reduce the force required to move the movable members between the first and second positions. With the movable members in the first position, air may flow around the attachment in a first direction, and with the movable members in the second position, air may flow around the attachment in a second direction, opposite the first direction. For example, in the first position, air may flow in a clockwise direction about a longitudinal axis of the attachment, and in the second position, air may flow in an anti-clockwise direction about the longitudinal axis of the attachment. For example, the first direction and second directions may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the attachment and across an external surface of the movable members. The casing may have a first side edge and an opposing second side edge. The first and second side edges may extend in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the attachment. The movable members may be positioned between the first and second side edges. With the movable members in the first position, air may be emitted from the first outlets towards the first side edge and, with the movable members in the second position, air may be emitted from the second outlets towards the second side edge. The first and second movable members may each be rotatable about a respective first and second axis. This may provide a relatively simple arrangement. The first and second axes may be parallel to one another. This may help to ensure contact between the first and second movable members along a full length of the movable members. The first and second directions may be orthogonal to the first and second axes. The first and second axes may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the attachment. This may provide a space-efficient and ergonomic arrangement. The first and second movable members may be operably connected to move together between the first and second positions. This may help to ensure that air is directed in the same direction from the first and second movable members. The first and second movable members may each comprise a bristle bed and a plurality of bristles extending from the bristle bed, the bristles for engaging with hair. The attachment may thus be for use as a hair brush. The first and second air outlets may be defined in a support member, which supports the bristle bed. The support member may have a higher rigidity than the bristle bed and the bristles. The support member may have a stiffness that is greater than a stiffness of the bristle beds and the bristles. Accordingly, a size of the first and second air outlets may be unaffected by bending of the bristles during use of the attachment. The support member may be formed from aluminium or glass-filled Nylon. The movable members may be movable between the first and second positions in response to engagement of the attachment with hair, for example in response to hair tension at the bristles. Accordingly, the direction of airflow may switch depending on the direction in which the attachment is moved relative to the hair. An exterior surface of the movable members may comprise a convex curved surface, which may be a Coanda surface, that extends about the respective first or second axis. Accordingly, airflow may be directed in the first and second directions around the attachment, due to the Coanda effect, rather than tangentially to the attachment, which would occur if the exterior surface were flat or concave. The first and second air outlets may have a length that is substantially equal to a length of the bristle bed of the respective movable member. Accordingly, a full width of hair contacted by the bristles may be subject to airflow emitted from the first and / or second air outlets. The length of the first and second air outlets may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment and / or to the first and second axis. The first and second air outlets may comprise slots disposed on opposing edges of the respective movable member. Accordingly, air may be emitted in different directions from the respective movable member, depending on the position of the movable members. The first air outlet of a respective one of the first and second movable members may have a different cross-sectional area to the second air outlet of the movable member. Accordingly, different airflow characteristics may be emitted to the exterior of the casing from the same movable member, depending on whether the movable members are in the first position or the second position. The first and second air outlets of the movable members may have the same length. This may help to ensure that the same width of hair interacts with air emitted from either the first or second air outlets. The first and second air outlets of the first movable member may have the same length as the respective first and second air outlets of the second movable member. This may help to provide more uniform airflow along the length of the movable members. The first air outlet of the first movable member may have a different cross-sectional area to the first air outlet of the second movable member, and / or the second air outlet of the first movable member may have a different cross-sectional area to the second air outlet of the second movable member. Accordingly, each slot may be manufactured to a bespoke cross- sectional to provide a desired output air profile during use of the attachment. This may improve performance of the attachment compared to the first and / or second outlets of the first movable member having the same cross-sectional area as the respective first and / or second outlets of the second movable member. For example, the first outlet of the movable member closest to the first side edge of the casing may have a greater cross-sectional than the first outlet of the movable member closest to the second side edge of the casing. This may further tailor the characteristics of airflow emitted from the attachments. A width of the first and second air outlets may be in a range from 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm. This may help to generate useful airflow velocities for hair styling, without resulting in excessive pressures within the attachment. The casing may define an interior cavity. Each of the first and second movable members may comprise a plenum in fluid communication with the interior cavity. The first and second air outlets may be in fluid communication with the respective plenum. By providing the plenum, a smoother transition from the relatively large interior cavity of the casing to the comparatively small first and second air outlets is provided. This can help to maintain air pressure provided at the air inlet, to increase the velocity of airflow emitted from the first and second air outlets. The plenum may be defined by walls that extend from the interior cavity to the first and second air outlets and which are free from protrusions and recesses. This can help to maintain air pressure provided at the air inlet, to increase the velocity of airflow emitted from the first and second air outlets. The attachment may comprise first and second channels extending from the plenum to the respective first and second air outlets, wherein the channels define a smooth reduction in cross-sectional area from an aperture defining the plenum to the respective first or second air outlet. The closer to the first and second air outlets that airflow is restricted to the cross- sectional areas of the first and second air outlets, the faster the airflow accelerates through the first and second air outlets. Providing the plenum may therefore help to generate higher velocity airflow at the first and second air outlets compared to a movable member without the plenum. The smooth reduction in cross-sectional area is free of any step changes in cross-sectional area from the area of the aperture defining the plenum and the cross-sectional area of the respective first or second air outlet. This may help to prevent eddying within the plenum and / or the first and second channels. An area of an aperture defining the plenum may be at least 20 times greater than a cross- sectional area of each first air outlet, and at least 20 times greater than a cross-sectional area of each second air outlet. The aperture may have a width, the width extending orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the attachment, in the region of from 10 mm to 20 mm, for example around 15 mm. Optionally, with the movable members in the first position, air can pass through the second air outlets, and, with the movable members in the second position, air can pass through the first air outlets. The contact between the movable members causes air that would otherwise have been emitted between the first and second movable members to an exterior of the casing to be recirculated within the interior cavity. By allowing air to pass through the second air outlets when the movable members are in the first position and through the first air outlets when the movable members are in the second position, areas of high pressure within the interior cavity of the casing may be avoided. At least one of the first movable member and the second movable member comprises a contact portion disposed along an edge of the at least one of the first and second movable members, the outer edge adjacent to the other of the first and second movable members. This may help to ensure that the first and second movable members are correctly seated against one another in the first and / or second position. This may also help to provide more repeatable and reliable contact between the first and second movable members. The contact portion may be configured to act as a stop to prevent the first and second movable members moving beyond the first and / or second positions. This may provide a simple way to ensure that the movable members are in the correct position relative to one another. The contact portion may comprise a deformable portion, to provide a seal between the first and second movable members. The first and second movable members may each comprise a first contact portion and a second contact portion disposed along the outer edge of a respective movable member. The first contact portion of the first movable member may be configured to cooperate with the second contact portion of the second movable member when the movable members are in the first position, and the second contact portion of the first movable member may be configured to cooperate with the first contact portion of the second movable member when the movable members are in the second position. This may help to further ensure that contact between the first and second movable members is achieved in the first and second positions. The first contact portion may comprise an overhang portion of a wall that at least partially defines the first and / or second air outlet, wherein the overhang portion overhangs the respective air outlet. The overhang portion may contact a corresponding second contact portion of the other movable member. This may help to ensure that air emitted from the respective first and / or second outlet is not emitted to the exterior of the casing between the movable members, but is recirculated within the interior cavity of the casing. As discussed above, this may help to reduce areas of high pressure within the interior cavity. The casing may define a first casing air outlet disposed towards the first side edge of the casing, and a second casing air outlet disposed towards the second side edge of the casing, opposite the first side. The first and second movable members may be disposed between the first side edge and the second side edge. With the movable members in the first position, a movable member closest to the first side edge may contact the casing to inhibit air from being emitted from the first casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing, whilst airflow can pass through the second casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing, and, with the movable members in the second position, a movable member closest to the second side edge may contact the casing to inhibit air from being emitted from the second casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing, whilst airflow can pass through the first casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing. The first and second casing air outlets provide additional outlets to the first and second outlets of the movable members, which may provide better airflow directionality across the attachment. Depending on the direction of movement of the attachment through hair, one of the first and second sides of the casing may be adjacent to hair that is under more tension than the other side of the casing. Air emitted from the casing air outlet closest to the hair under more tension may provide better hair drying performance than the air outlets closest to hair under less tension. A width of the first and second casing air outlets may be in a range from 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm. This may help to generate useful airflow velocities for hair styling, without resulting in excessive pressures within the attachment. With the movable members in the second position, the first casing air outlet may be configured, in use, to emit air towards to the second side edge of the casing, and with the movable members in the first position, the second casing air outlet may be configured, in use, to emit air towards the first side edge of the casing. The first and second casing air outlets may thus help to ensure that, in use, air flows across the external surface of all of the movable members, irrespective of whether the movable members are in the first position or the second position. This may improve haircare performance by the attachment compared to attachments in which the first and second casing air outlets are configured to emit air in other directions. The first casing air outlet may be configured to emit air in the second direction, which may be one of clockwise and anti-clockwise around the attachment, and the second casing air outlet may be configured to emit air in the first direction, which may be the other of clockwise and anti-clockwise around the attachment. Thus, airflow emitted from the first and second casing air outlets may enhance the airflow emitted from the first or second air outlets of the movable members, depending on the position of the movable members. The second casing air outlet may be configured, in use with the movable members in the first position, to redirect, towards the first side edge of the casing, air emitted from the second air outlet of the movable member closest to the second side edge of the casing. The first casing air outlet may be configured, in use with the movable members in the second position, to redirect, towards the second side edge of the casing, air emitted from the first air outlet of the movable member closest to the first side edge of the casing. This may increase an amount of airflow that passes across the exterior surface of the movable members, which may improve the haircare performance of the attachment. In use, with the movable members in the first position, air is emitted from the second air outlet of the movable member closest to the second side edge of the casing in a direction towards the second side edge of the casing. This is in contrast to the air emitted from the first air outlets of the movable members and the second casing air outlet, which is directed towards the first side edge of the casing. The second casing air outlet is positioned and arranged such that air emitted from the second casing air outlet redirects and entrains the air emitted from the second air outlet of the movable member closest to the second side of the casing. This occurs vice versa with the movable members in the second position. The attachment may comprise a third movable member, the third movable member being movably connected to the casing and positioned on an opposite side of the second movable member to the first movable member, the third movable member being movable between third and fourth positions, and comprising first and second air outlets in fluid communication with the air inlet. In the third position, the second and third movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the second and third movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the first air outlet of the third movable member to an exterior of the casing, and in the fourth position, the second and third movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the second and third movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the second air outlets of the third movable member to an exterior of the casing. Provision of a third movable member permits provision of more first and second air outlets, which may provide better airflow directionality across the attachment. This may also provide better haircare performance by the attachment, for example by emitting air more regularly across the attachment. The third movable member may be configured to be in the third position when the first and second movable members are in the first position, and in the fourth position when the first and second movable members are in the second position. The third movable member may have any of the features described with reference to the first and second movable members. The attachment may comprise further movable members comprising respective first and second air outlets and movable relative to the casing between two positions in the same way as described for the first, second and third movable members. A second aspect of the invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: a casing defining an air inlet and an interior cavity; and a movable member, movable relative to the casing between a first position and a second position. The movable member comprises a plenum in fluid communication with the interior cavity, a first air outlet in fluid communication with the plenum, and a second air outlet in fluid communication with the plenum. When the movable member is in the first position airflow can pass from the plenum through the first air outlet to an exterior of the casing in a first direction, and airflow is inhibited from passing through the second air outlet to an exterior of the casing, and when the movable member is in the second position airflow can pass from the plenum through the second air outlet to an exterior of the casing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and airflow is inhibited from passing through the first air outlet to an exterior of the casing. A third aspect of the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising a handle unit and an attachment according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the attachment releasable attachable to the handle unit. Thus, the handle unit may provide multifunctionality, being usable with multiple different attachments. The handle unit may comprise an airflow generator, for providing an airflow to the air inlet of the attachment. This may provide a self-contained haircare appliance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic view of a haircare appliance according to an example; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a handle unit of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an attachment of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a slice view of part of the attachment of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another part of the attachment of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a cross-section view of still another part of the attachment of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of Figure 3, with the attachment in a first configuration; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of Figure 3, with the attachment in a second configuration; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of Figure 3, with the attachment in use in the first configuration; and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of Figure 3, with the attachment in use in the second configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A haircare appliance according to an example, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in Figure 1. The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 12, and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 12. The handle unit 12 comprises a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20, as can be seen schematically in Figure 2. The housing 14 is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14, and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14, and comprises heating elements 30 to optionally heat the airflow. The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32 and a control module 34. The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the housing 14, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold). In the example of Figure 1, the user interface comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged. The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16, and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16 in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 18 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow. Various views of the attachment 100 are shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 8. The attachment 100 is open at one end and closed at the other end. An open end serves as an air inlet 102 into the attachment 100, with the air inlet 102 receiving airflow from the air outlet 24 of the handle unit 12 when attached in use. The attachment 100 comprises a fixed body 104, a linkage mechanism 160, and first 130, second 140 and third 150 movable members (which are collectively referred to as the movable members 130, 140, 150 herein, for brevity) each rotatably mounted to the fixed body 104 by the linkage mechanism 160. The movable members 130, 140, 150 are bristle beds and each support a respective plurality of bristles 132, 142, 152. The fixed body 104 defines an interior cavity 106, which acts as a main airflow path through the attachment 100. The fixed body 104 has a connection portion 108 for connection to the handle unit 12, with the connection portion 108 having a number of projections 110 which are receivable within corresponding recesses (not shown) formed on the handle unit 12 to ensure correct connection and alignment between the handle unit 12 and the attachment 100. The fixed body 104 is elongate, having a central longitudinal axis 101. The fixed body 104 is generally ovular in cross-section, as viewed end-on, and as best shown in Figures 4 and 7 to 10. A front face 112 of the fixed body defines an aperture 114 that permits fluid communication between the interior cavity 106 and an exterior of the fixed body 104. A rear face 116, opposite the front face 112, is closed. The front face 112 is connected to the rear face 116 by a first side wall 118 and a second side wall 120, at opposing sides of the fixed body 104 to one another. The first and second side walls 118, 120 extend in a direction along the longitudinal axis 101. Figure 4 is a slice through the attachment 100, in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 101, in which the movable members 130, 140, 150 have been omitted for clarity. The attachment 100 comprises a first stop 122 and a second stop 124. The first and second stops 122, 124 are elongate, extending from one end of the fixed body 104 to an opposing end. The first and second stops 122, 124 each extend in a direction along the longitudinal axis 101 along a full length of the aperture 114, and are disposed towards the respective first and second side walls 118, 120 of the fixed body 104. The first and second stops 122, 124 are fixed in position relative to the fixed body 104 within the interior cavity 106. An outer end 122a of the first stop 122 is separated from an inner surface of the first side wall 118 by a distance of around 0.5mm, thus forming a first outlet slot 126 extending along the length of the aperture 114. An outer end 124a of the second stop 124 is separated from an inner surface of the second side wall 120 by a distance of around 0.5mm, thus forming a second outlet slot 128 extending along the length of the aperture 114. Inner ends 122b, 124b of the first and second stops 122, 124 curve upward towards the aperture 114. The linkage mechanism 160 comprises a pair of linkages 162 disposed in the interior cavity 106 at opposing ends of the fixed body 104. Only one of the pair of linkages 162 is shown in Figures 5 to 8. Each linkage 162 is movably connected to the fixed body 104 such that the linkage 162 is movable between a first position, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, and a second position, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. Each linkage 162 comprises three pivot connections 164, for pivotable connection to a respective end of a respective one of the movable members 130, 140, 150. The movable members 130, 140, 150 are arranged within the fixed body 104 adjacent to one another, with the plurality of bristles 132, 142, 152 of each movable member 130, 140, 150 protruding from the fixed body 104 via the aperture 114, as shown in Figure 3. The second movable member 140 is positioned between the first and third movable members 130, 150. In this example, each plurality of bristles 132, 142, 152 comprises two rows of bristles, each row extending parallel to one another along a length of the fixed body 104. The second movable member 140 is shown in slice cross-section in Figure 5, and comprises: a bristle support 143 from which the plurality of bristles 142 extend, a main body 144 rigidly connected to the bristle support 143 on an opposite side of the bristle support 143 from which the plurality of bristles 142 extend, and a pair of lugs (not shown). The second movable member 140 is symmetrical about a central plane 140a of the second movable member 140. The main body 144 is formed from glass-filled Nylon. The bristle support 143 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer. The main body 144 has a first edge 144a and a second edge 144b on an opposite side of the main body 144 to the first edge 144a. An outer surface 143a of the bristle support 143, facing away from the main body 144, forms a convex arc. The main body 144 defines a plenum 145, a first channel 146, a second channel 147, a first outlet 148, and a second outlet 149. The first outlet 148 is defined in the first edge 144a of the main body 144 and the second outlet 149 is defined in the second edge 144b of the main body 144. The plenum 145 is located between the first outlet 148 and the second outlet 149. The first channel 146 fluidly connects the plenum 145 to the first outlet 148. The second channel 147 fluidly connects the plenum 145 to the second outlet 149. The plenum 145, first channel 146, second channel 147, first outlet 148, and second outlet 149 each extend along a length of the main body 144, and each have the same length in a direction along the length of the main body 144. A deformable layer 170 is disposed on each second contact surface 141b. It will be appreciated that in other examples, a deformable layer may be, additionally or alternatively, disposed on the first contact surface 141a. The second movable member 130 comprises a pair of first contact surfaces 141a and a pair of second contact surfaces 141b disposed on the first and second edges 144a, 144b of the main body 144. The first contact surfaces 141a are defined by a portion of a wall of the main body 144 that defines the respective first or second outlet 148, 149, the portion overhanging the respective first or second outlet 148, 149. The second contact surfaces 141b extend outwardly from the respective first and second edges 144a, 144b to form a pair of protrusions on opposing sides of the main body 144. The first outlet 148 is between the one of the pair of first contact surfaces 141a and the one of the pair of second contact surfaces 141b disposed on the first edge 144a. The second outlet 148 is between the one of the pair of first contact surfaces 141a and the one of the pair of second contact surfaces 141b disposed on the second edge 144b. The first movable member 130 is shown in slice cross-section in Figure 6, and comprises: a bristle support 143 from which the plurality of bristles 142 extend, a main body 144 rigidly connected to the bristle support 143 on an opposite side of the bristle support 143 from which the plurality of bristles 142 extend, and a pair of lugs (not shown). The main body 144 of the first movable member 130 is asymmetrical about a central plane 130a of the first movable member 140.The third movable member 150 is a mirror image of the first movable member 130, taken about a plane that longitudinally bisects the bristle support 143, as best shown in Figures 7-10. The third movable member 150 will therefore not be described in detail herein. Like features have the same reference number, but increased by 20 compared to the first movable member 130. The main body 144 is formed from glass-filled Nylon. The bristle support 143 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer. The main body 134 has a first edge 134a and a second edge 134b on an opposite side of the main body 134 to the first edge 134a. An outer surface 133a of the bristle support 133, facing away from the main body 134, forms a convex arc. The main body 134 defines a plenum 135, a first channel 136, a second channel 137, a first outlet 138, and a second outlet 139. The first outlet 138 is defined in the first edge 134a of the main body 134 and the second outlet 139 is defined in the second edge 134b of the main body 134. The plenum 135 is located between the first outlet 138 and the second outlet 139. The first channel 136 fluidly connects the plenum 135 to the first outlet 138. The second channel 137 fluidly connects the plenum 135 to the second outlet 139. The plenum 135, first channel 136, second channel 137, first outlet 138, and second outlet 139 each extend along a length of the main body 134, and each have the same length in a direction along the length of the main body 134. A deformable layer 170 is disposed on each of the second, third and fourth contact surfaces 131b, 131c. It will be appreciated that in other examples, a deformable material may be, additionally or alternatively, disposed on the first contact surface 131a. The first movable member 130 comprises a first contact surface 131a and a second contact surface 131b disposed on the second edge 134b of the main body 134. The first contact surface 131a is defined by a portion of a wall of the main body 134 that defines the second outlet 139, the portion overhanging the second outlet 139. The second contact surface 131b extends outwardly from the second edges 134b to form a protrusion on the main body 134. The second outlet 138 is between the first contact surface 131a and the second contact surface 131b. As can be seen in Figures 7 to 10, the third movable member 150 comprises corresponding first and second contact surfaces 151a, 151b, except that they are disposed on the first edge 154a of the main body 154. The first movable member comprises a third contact surface 131c and a fourth contact surface 131d, each disposed on a protrusion 131e extending outwardly from the first edge 134a of the main body 134. The protrusion 131e comprises upper, outer and lower walls, that oppose one another. The upper wall is an extension of a wall of the main body 134 that defines the first outlet 138. The third contact surface 131b is disposed on the lower wall and faces away from the plurality of bristles 132. The fourth contact surface 131d is disposed on the outer wall, which is between the upper and lower walls. The fourth contact surface 131d is disposed between the first outlet 138 and the third contact surface 131c. As can be seen in Figures 7 to 10, the third movable member 150 comprises a corresponding protrusion 151e, third contact surface 151c and fourth contact surface 151d, except that they are disposed on the second edge 154b of the main body 154. The bristle support 133, 143, 153 and the main body 134, 144, 154 of each movable member 130, 140, 150 are elongate, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3. The pair of lugs of each movable member 130, 140, 150 extend from opposing ends of the respective main body 134, 144, 154, in an opposite direction to a direction in which the respective plurality of bristles 132, 142, 152 extend, and are rigidly attached to the respective main body 134, 144, 154. The attachment 100 is shown in cross-section in Figures 5 to 8. The movable members 130, 140, 150 are positioned within the fixed body 104 of the attachment 100 adjacent to one another such that the bristle supports 133, 143, 153 and the main bodies 134, 144, 154 extend in a direction along the length of the aperture 114. Each plenum 135, 145, 155 is open to the interior cavity 106 via a plenum aperture 135a, 145a, 155a. The first and second outlets 138, 148, 158, 139, 149, 159 each have a width of around 0.5mm in this example. It will be appreciated that in other examples, the first outlets 138, 148, 158 may have different widths to one another, and the second outlets 139, 149, 159 may have different widths to one another. In an example, the first and second outlets 148, 149 of the second movable member 140 each have a greater width than a width of the first and second outlets 138, 158, 139, 159 of the first and third movable members 130, 150. It will be appreciated that the first and second outlets 138, 148, 158, 139, 149, 159 in one movable member 130, 140, 150 may have different widths to one another. In an example, the first outlet 138 of the first movable member 130 and the second outlet 159 of the third movable member 150 each have a width of 0.6mm, and the second outlet 139 of the first movable member and the first outlet 158 of the third movable member each have a width of 0.4mm. In this example, the plenum apertures 135a, 145a, 155a each have a width W of around 12mm. The first and second channels 136, 146, 156, 137, 147, 157 define a smooth transition in width from the plenum apertures 135a, 145a, 155a to the respective first and second outlets 138, 148, 158, 139, 149, 159, free of any step changes in width. The movable members 130, 140, 150 are arranged within the fixed body 104 so that the first edge 134a of the first movable member 130 is adjacent to the first side wall 118 of the fixed body 104, and the second edge 154b of the third movable member 150 is adjacent to the second side wall 120 of the fixed body 104. The second edge 134b of the first movable member 130 is adjacent to the first edge 144a of the second movable member 140. The second edge 144b of the second movable member 140 is adjacent to the first edge 154a of the third movable member 150. The respective pairs of lugs are pivotably connected to the respective pivot connection 164 of the linkage 162 by a pin (not shown) such that the movable members 130, 140, 150 are rotatable and movable relative to the fixed body 104 between a first position, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, and a second position, as shown in Figures 8 and 10. In the first position, the movable members 130, 140, 150 are generally inclined towards the first side wall 118 of the fixed body 104, and the pair of linkages 162 are offset from a centre of the interior cavity 106 towards the second side wall 120 of the fixed body 104. The second contact surface 131b on the second edge 134b of the main body 134 of the first movable member 130 contacts the first contact surface 141a on the first edge 144a of the main body 144 of the second movable member 140, as best shown in the close-up portion A of Figure 7, along a full length of the first and second movable members 130, 140. This blocks any direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 between the first and second movable members 130, 140. The second contact surface 141b on the second edge 144b of the main body 144 of the second movable member 140 contacts the first contact surface 151a on the first edge 154a of the main body 154 of the third movable member 150 along a full length of the second and third movable members 140, 150. This blocks any direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 between the second and third movable members 140, 150. The third contact surface 131c of the first movable member 130 contacts the inner end 122b of the first stop 122 along the full length of the first movable member 130. This blocks any direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 between the first movable member 130 and the first stop 122. The fourth contact surface 151d of the third movable member 150 contacts the inner surface of the second side wall 120 of the fixed body 104, as best shown in the close-up portion B of Figure 7, along the full length of the third movable member 150. This blocks a direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 via the second outlet slot 128. The second outlets 139, 149, 159 of the movable members 130, 140, 150 and the first outlet slot 126 are substantially free of any obstruction, forming direct paths from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104. In the second position, the movable members 130, 140, 150 are generally inclined towards the second side wall 120 of the fixed body 104, and the pair of linkages 162 are offset from a centre of the interior cavity 106 towards the first side wall 118 of the fixed body 104. The first contact surface 131a on the second edge 134b of the main body 134 of the first movable member 130 contacts the second contact surface 141b on the first edge 144a of the main body 144 of the second movable member 140, as best shown in the close-up portion A of Figure 8, along a full length of the first and second movable members 130, 140. This blocks any direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 between the first and second movable members 130, 140. The first contact surface 141a on the second edge 144b of the main body 144 of the second movable member 140 contacts the second contact surface 151b on the first edge 154a of the main body 154 of the third movable member 150 along a full length of the second and third movable members 140, 150. This blocks any direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 between the second and third movable members 140, 150. The fourth contact surface 131d of the first movable member 130 contacts the inner surface of the first side wall 118 of the fixed body 104 along the full length of the first movable member 130. This blocks a direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 via the first outlet slot 126. The third contact surface 151c of the third movable member 150 contacts the inner end 124b of the second stop 124 along the full length of the third movable member 150. This blocks any direct path from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 between the first movable member 130 and the second stop 124. The first outlets 138, 148, 158 of the movable members 130, 140, 150 and the second outlet slot 128 are substantially free of any obstruction, forming direct paths from the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104. Figures 9 and 10 show the movable members 130, 140, 150 in the respective first and second positions, with the haircare appliance 10 in use. With the haircare appliance 10 powered on at the user interface 32, the control module 34 causes the airflow generator 16 to generate airflow, which is drawn into the housing 14 via the air inlet 22 and expelled into the interior cavity 106 of the fixed body 104 of the attachment 100 via the air outlet 24 and the air inlet 102 of the attachment 100. As a user draws the pluralities of bristles 132, 142, 152 through hair, tension acting on the bristles 132, 142, 152 causes the movable members 130, 140, 150 to move to either the first position or the second position. If the tension acts in a direction towards the first side wall 118 of the fixed body 104, as denoted by the arrow T in Figure 9, the movable members 130, 140, 150 are moved to the first position, as shown in Figure 9. If the tension acts in a direction towards the second side wall 120 of the fixed body 104, as denoted by the arrow T in Figure 10, the movable members 130, 140, 150 are moved to the second position, as shown in Figure 10. In use, with the movable members 130, 140, 150 in the first position, the airflow exits the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 in a direction towards the second side wall 120 of the fixed body 104, and thus along the hair through which the pluralities of bristles 132, 142, 152 are being drawn. Air is emitted from the fixed body 104 via the first outlet slot 126, and the second outlets 139, 149, 159 of the movable members 130, 140, 150, as denoted by the solid arrows in Figure 9. Airflow also exits the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 via the first outlet 138 of the first movable member 130. Airflow emitted from the first outlet 138 of the first movable member 130 is turned by the first stop 122 in a direction towards the plurality of bristles 132 of the first movable member 130, and entrained by airflow emitted from the first outlet slot 126, as denoted by the dashed arrow in Figure 9. A route from the interior cavity 106 to the first outlet slot 126 is substantially free of step changes, and a width of the route gradually reduces towards the first outlet slot 126. This causes the airflow to accelerate as the airflow travels from the interior cavity 106 to the first outlet slot 126. The second channels 137, 147, 157 also provide a route substantially free of step changes from the respective plenums 135, 145, 155 to the second outlets 139, 149, 159, which gradually reduces in width towards the second outlets 139, 149, 159. This causes the airflow to accelerate as the airflow nears the second outlets 139, 149, 159. Airflow emitted from the first outlet slot 126 and the first outlet 138 of the first movable member 130 flows across the outer surface 133a of the bristle support 133 of the first movable member 130. The arcuate shape of the outer surface 133a of the bristle support 133 of the first movable member 130 has a Coanda effect on the airflow, helping the airflow to follow the outer surface 133a of the bristle support 133 of the first movable member 130. Airflow emitted from the second outlet 139 of the first movable member 130 flows across the outer surface 143a of the bristle support 143 of the second movable member 140. The arcuate shape of the outer surface 143a of the bristle support 143 of the second movable member 140 has a Coanda effect on the airflow, helping the airflow to follow the outer surface 143a of the bristle support 143 of the second movable member 140. Airflow emitted from the second outlet 149 of the second movable member 140 flows across the outer surface 153a of the bristle support 153 of the third movable member 150. The arcuate shape of the outer surface 153a of the bristle support 153 of the third movable member 150 has a Coanda effect on the airflow, helping the airflow to follow the outer surface 153a of the bristle support 153 of the third movable member 150. Airflow emitted from the second outlet 159 of the third movable member 150 is emitted in a direction toward the second side wall 120 of the fixed body 104. The contact between the first movable member 130 and the second movable member 140, the second movable member 140 and the third movable member 150, and the third movable member 150 and the second stop 124 inhibit airflow from exiting the interior cavity 106 via the first outlets 138, 148, 158 of the movable members and the second outlet slot 128. Instead, any airflow that passes through these outlets 138, 148, 158, 128 is recirculated within the interior cavity 106. In use, with the movable members 130, 140, 150 in the second position, the airflow exits the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 in a direction towards the first side wall 118 of the fixed body 104, and thus along the hair through which the pluralities of bristles 132, 142, 152 are being drawn. Air is emitted from the fixed body 104 via the second outlet slot 128, and the first outlets 138, 148, 158 of the movable members 130, 140, 150, as denoted by the solid arrows in Figure 10. Airflow also exits the interior cavity 106 to an exterior of the fixed body 104 via the second outlet 159 of the third movable member 150. Airflow emitted from the second outlet 159 of the third movable member 150 is turned by the second stop 124 in a direction towards the plurality of bristles 152 of the third movable member 150, and entrained by airflow emitted from the second outlet slot 128, as denoted by the dashed arrow in Figure 10. A route from the interior cavity 106 to the second outlet slot 128 is substantially free of step changes, and a width of the route gradually reduces towards the second outlet slot 128. This causes the airflow to accelerate as the airflow travels from the interior cavity 106 to the second outlet slot 128. The first channels 136, 146, 156 also provide a route substantially free of step changes from the respective plenums 135, 145, 155 to the first outlets 138, 148, 158, which gradually reduces in width towards the first outlets 138, 148, 158. This causes the airflow to accelerate as the airflow nears the first outlets 138, 148, 158. Airflow emitted from the second outlet slot 128 and the second outlet 139 of the third movable member 150 flows across the outer surface 153a of the bristle support 153 of the third movable member 150. The arcuate shape of the outer surface 153a of the bristle support 153 of the third movable member 150 has a Coanda effect on the airflow, helping the airflow to follow the outer surface 153a of the bristle support 153 of the third movable member 150. Airflow emitted from the first outlet 138 of the third movable member 150 flows across the outer surface 143a of the bristle support 143 of the second movable member 140. The arcuate shape of the outer surface 143a of the bristle support 143 of the second movable member 140 has a Coanda effect on the airflow, helping the airflow to follow the outer surface 143a of the bristle support 143 of the second movable member 140. Airflow emitted from the first outlet 148 of the second movable member 140 flows across the outer surface 133a of the bristle support 133 of the first movable member 130. The arcuate shape of the outer surface 133a of the bristle support 133 of the first movable member 130 has a Coanda effect on the airflow, helping the airflow to follow the outer surface 133a of the bristle support 133 of the first movable member 130. Airflow emitted from the first outlet 138 of the first movable member 130 is emitted in a direction toward the first side wall 118 of the fixed body 104. Accordingly, in use, airflow is emitted from the attachment 100 in opposing directions, depending on the position of the movable members 130, 140, 150. This may assist a user in drying hair in different directions, for example hair on opposing sides of the head. Although the attachment 100 described herein comprises three movable members 130, 140, 150, it will be appreciated that attachments with a different number of movable members fall within the scope of the application. For example, the second movable member could be omitted, and the first and third movable members arranged within the fixed body such that, in the first and second positions, the second edge of the first movable member contacts the first edge of the third movable member.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: a casing having an air inlet; and first and second movable members movably connected to the casing, the first and second movable members each comprising first and second air outlets in fluid communication with the air inlet, wherein the first and second movable members are movable between: a first position, in which the first and second movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the first and second movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the respective first air outlets to an exterior of the casing; and a second position, different to the first position, in which the first and second movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the first and second movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the respective second air outlets to an exterior of the casing.

2. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first air outlet of a respective one of the first and second movable members has a different cross-sectional area to the second air outlet of the movable member.

3. An attachment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first air outlet of the first movable member has a different cross-sectional area to the first air outlet of the second movable member, and / or the second air outlet of the first movable member has a different cross-sectional area to the second air outlet of the second movable member.

4. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a width of the first and second air outlets is in a range from 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm.

5. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the casing defines an interior cavity; each of the first and second movable members comprises a plenum in fluid communication with the interior cavity; andthe first and second air outlets are in fluid communication with the respective plenum.

6. An attachment according to claim 5, comprising first and second channels extending from the plenum to the respective first and second air outlets, wherein the channels define a smooth reduction in cross-sectional area from an aperture defining the plenum to the respective first or second air outlet.

7. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, with the movable members in the first position, air can pass through the second air outlets, and, with the movable members in the second position, air can pass through the first air outlets.

8. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first movable member and the second movable member comprises a contact portion disposed along an edge of the at least one of the first and second movable members, the outer edge adjacent to the other of the first and second movable members.

9. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing defines a first casing air outlet disposed towards a first side edge of the casing, and a second casing air outlet disposed towards a second side edge of the casing, opposite the first side, wherein the first and second movable members are disposed between the first side edge and the second side edge; and wherein: with the movable members in the first position, a movable member closest to the first side edge contacts the casing to inhibit air from being emitted from the first casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing, whilst airflow can pass through the second casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing, and, with the movable members in the second position, a movable member closest to the second side edge contacts the casing to inhibit air from being emitted from the second casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing, whilst airflow can pass through the first casing air outlet to an exterior of the casing.

10. An attachment according to claim 9, wherein, with the movable members in the second position, the first casing air outlet is configured, in use, to emit air towards to the second side edge of the casing, and with the movable members in the first position, the second casing air outlet is configured, in use, to emit air towards the first side edge of the casing.

11. An attachment according to claim 10, wherein: the second casing air outlet is configured, in use with the movable members in the first position, to redirect, towards the first side edge of the casing, air emitted from the second air outlet of the movable member closest to the second side edge of the casing, and the first casing air outlet is configured, in use with the movable members in the second position, to redirect, towards the second side edge of the casing, air emitted from the first air outlet of the movable member closest to the first side edge of the casing.

12. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a third movable member, the third movable member being movably connected to the casing and positioned on an opposite side of the second movable member to the first movable member, the third movable member being movable between third and fourth positions, and comprising first and second air outlets in fluid communication with the air inlet, wherein: in the third position, the second and third movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the second and third movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the first air outlet of the third movable member to an exterior of the casing, and in the fourth position, the second and third movable members contact one another to inhibit airflow from passing between the second and third movable members, whilst airflow can pass through the second air outlets of the third movable member to an exterior of the casing.

13. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: a casing defining an air inlet and an interior cavity; anda movable member, movable relative to the casing between a first position and a second position, wherein the movable member comprises a plenum in fluid communication with the interior cavity, a first air outlet in fluid communication with the plenum, and a second air outlet in fluid communication with the plenum, and when the movable member is in the first position airflow can pass from the plenum through the first air outlet to an exterior of the casing in a first direction, and airflow is inhibited from passing through the second air outlet to an exterior of the casing, and when the movable member is in the second position airflow can pass from the plenum through the second air outlet to an exterior of the casing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and airflow is inhibited from passing through the first air outlet to an exterior of the casing.

14. A haircare appliance comprising a handle unit and an attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, the attachment releasable attachable to the handle unit.

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