An attachment for a haircare appliance and a haircare appliance

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance is described. The attachment comprises a main conduit comprising an air inlet and a first air outlet, as well as a plurality of teeth, wherein each tooth extends from the main conduit, the plurality of teeth are linearly spaced from one another by an inter-tooth spacing. The plurality of teeth together provide a root lift portion located upstream of the first air outlet. The attachment further comprises a curved portion comprising a convex surface, the curved portion being located downstream of the first air outlet. In use, airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the first air outlet and along the convex surface of the curved portion. A first haircare appliance comprising the attachment and a second haircare appliance are also described.

Description

[0001] AN ATTACHMENT FOR A HAIRCARE APPLIANCE AND A HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Haircare appliances are commonly used for drying and styling hair (e.g. to achieve a root lift effect and / or a smooth appearance). Where haircare appliances are used to style hair to create a smooth appearance, the presence of short or broken hairs, sometimes referred to as flyaway, may interfere with the desired smooth appearance.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance comprising: a main conduit comprising an air inlet and a first air outlet; a plurality of teeth, wherein each tooth extends from the main conduit, the plurality of teeth are linearly spaced from one another by an inter-tooth spacing, and the plurality of teeth together provide a root lift portion located upstream of the first air outlet; and a curved portion comprising a convex surface, the curved portion being located downstream of the first air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the first air outlet and along the convex surface of the curved portion.

[0006] The attachment of the first aspect comprises the root lift portion configured to achieve a root lift effect on the user’s hair. Hair styling for root lift generally energises hairs at the roots to cause them to lift away from the user’s scalp. However, energising short and or broken hairs can produce flyaway and thus diminish the smoothness of the hair’s styled appearance.

[0007] The curved portion acts to reduce flyaway and frizz, and to achieve a smooth appearance of the user’s hair. Specifically, supplying an airflow along a convex surface can create a negative pressure zone adjacent to the convex surface which attracts hair towards the convex surface. This is known as the Coanda effect, and consequently the convex surface acts as a Coanda surface along which the supplied airflow adheres in use due to the created negative pressure zone. The interaction of the airflow with the user’s hair causes short or broken hairs to adhere to the convex surface of the curved portion. Thus, the curved portion of the attachment ensures that short hairs energised by the root lift portion are prevented from pointing away from the user’ s head, but instead adhere to the convex surface to reduce frizz and flyaway. Thus, a root lift effect can be achieved together with an overall smooth appearance of the user’s hair.

[0008] The convex surface may be substantially smooth and continuous in form, e.g. free of protrusions and / or depressions. The convex surface of the curved portion may comprise a radius of curvature of 10mm to 60mm, e.g. 38mm (or around 38mm). The convex surface may include a substantially constant radius of curvature.

[0009] The first air outlet may be substantially elongate, e.g. rectangular in shape. The first air outlet may be substantially continuous and uninterrupted. Alternatively, the first air outlet may be partitioned into a plurality of sub-sections by a respective plurality of partitions. This can ensure that airflow through the first air outlet is evenly distributed, for example, along the first air outlet’s length. Furthermore, providing a plurality of partitions in the first air outlet can structurally strengthen the first air outlet, and for example, reduce a risk of structural deformation of the first air outlet over the attachment’s lifetime. The plurality of partitions may be shaped (e.g. curved) to direct the airflow exiting the main conduit through the first air outlet along the convex surface.

[0010] Optionally, the root lift portion may be in fluid communication with the main conduit; the root lift portion may comprise a plurality of second air outlets; and in use, in at least a first configuration, airflow may be supplied from the air inlet to the plurality of second air outlets. In this way, airflow can be supplied directly to the hair roots via the plurality of second air outlets to energise the user’s hair and achieve a root lift effect.

[0011] Optionally, each tooth may have a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the plurality of second air outlets may be located on the top surfaces of the plurality of teeth. Each bottom surface may be a surface in use facing the user’s scalp. In this way, airflow existing the teeth via the second air outlets may be supplied along a direction away from the user’s scalp to achieve the root lift effect. Furthermore, in this configuration, when the airflow supplied through the plurality of second air outlets is a heated airflow, the user’s scalp is not directly exposed to the heated airflow, thereby reducing a risk of scalp damage.

[0012] Optionally, a portion of the airflow supplied to the second air outlets may be subsequently directed along the convex surface of the curved portion. In this way, a portion of the airflow supplied for root lift can be subsequently reused to reduce flyaway and frizz. Furthermore, this can help load hair onto the convex surface where it can be dried by the airflow flowing along the convex surface. In one configuration, walls of the respective second outlets may be shaped so as to direct airflow towards the convex surface to achieve this effect. For example, between 50% and 100% inclusive, for example 100%, of the of the airflow supplied to the second air outlets may be subsequently directed along the convex surface of the curved portion.

[0013] Each tooth may be curved along its respective length. For example, each tooth may be in use curved towards the user’s head, e.g. curved to substantially match a curvature of the user’s head. In some examples, the bottom surface of each tooth may be curved, e.g., to match a curvature of the user’s head. This can enhance user comfort during use. Alternatively, each tooth may be in use curved away from the user’s head, i.e. curved upwardly. This can mechanically lift the user’s hair to contribute to / realise the root lift effect achieved by the root lift portion.

[0014] Optionally, the bottom surface of each tooth may be ribbed. For example, the bottom surface of each tooth may comprise a respective plurality of cool ribs for scalp comfort. The plurality of cool ribs may be a plurality of rib projections located on the bottom surface of each tooth. The plurality of cool ribs can reduce the overall contact area between the user’s scalp and the bottom surface of each tooth, thereby improving scalp comfort especially when the teeth are hot due to a supply of heated airflow through the attachment and / or each tooth. Alternatively or additionally, the root lift portion may comprise a plurality of third air outlets located on the bottom surfaces of the plurality of teeth. That way, in use, air flowing out of the second air outlets and the third air outlets exits the root lift portion in respective opposite directions. This can enhance the root lift effect. The airflow through the plurality of second air outlets and / or the plurality of third air outlets may be a diffused airflow. When the airflow through the plurality of second air outlets and / or the plurality of third air outlets is both a heated and a diffused airflow, the root lift effect may be at least partially achieved through radiative heating applied to the user’s hair. Generally, root lift is achieved by tensioning the user’ s hair to lift it away from the user’ s head, and drying it in position using an airflow. The user’s hair can be tensioned using an airflow (e.g. the airflow along the convex surface which may be a high velocity airflow) and / or manual leverage. A high velocity airflow may for example range from 9 L / s to 14 L / s inclusive at a velocity of 20 m / s to 60 m / s inclusive.

[0015] Optionally, each tooth may have a bottom surface, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, a first side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface; and the plurality of second air outlets may be located on first and / or second side surfaces of the plurality of teeth. Each bottom surface may in use face the user’s scalp. When the airflow through the plurality of second air outlets is both a heated and a diffused airflow, the root lift effect may be at least partially achieved through radiative heating applied to the user’s hair.

[0016] Optionally, between 10 and 100% of the airflow entering the main conduit through the air inlet may exit the main conduit through the first air outlet. For example, the percentage of air entering the main conduit through the air inlet and exiting the main conduit through the first air outlet may be 10% or more, 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more or 90% or more.

[0017] Optionally, the main conduit may comprise the curved portion such that the convex surface at least partially provides an outer surface of the main conduit. Optionally, the curved portion may be cylindrical, such as substantially cylindrical. When the curved portion is cylindrical, the convex surface may include substantially the entire circumferential surface of the curved portion.

[0018] Optionally, the main conduit may further comprise a fourth air outlet, and the first air outlet may be configured to direct airflow along the convex surface along a first direction and the fourth air outlet may be configured to direct airflow along the convex surface along a second direction opposite the first direction. In one configuration, between 10 and 100% of the airflow entering the main conduit through the air inlet may exit the main conduit either through the first air outlet or through the fourth air outlet. For example, the percentage of air entering the main conduit through the air inlet and exiting the main conduit through the first air outlet or the fourth air outlet may be 10% or more, 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more or 90% or more.

[0019] The main conduit may include an internal baffle for distributing airflow from the air inlet towards either the first or the fourth air outlet, and / or the plurality of second air outlets and / or the plurality of third air outlets. In some examples, the internal baffle may be configured to distribute the airflow such that in use, airflow is directed away from the user’s head to reduce a risk of scalp bums / damage due to hot airflow.

[0020] Optionally, the attachment may further comprise a switching mechanism configured to switch between a first position in which airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the first air outlet to the exclusion of the fourth air outlet, and a second position in which airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the fourth air outlet to the exclusion of the first air outlet. In this way, the direction of the airflow along the convex surface can be reversed through the operation of the switching mechanism. Specifically, when the switching mechanism is in the first position, airflow flows along the convex surface of the curved portion in the first direction, and when the switching mechanism is in the second portion, airflow flows along the convex surface of the curved portion in the second direction. Thus, the user can style hair on both sides (left and right) of their head. The switching mechanism may form a seal between the first air outlet and the fourth air outlet when the switching mechanism is in the first position and the second position. This can reduce air loss as airflow passes through the first or fourth outlet respectively, thereby increasing air velocity across the convex surface for improved anti-flyaway performance.

[0021] The first and the fourth air outlets may be substantially equal in size and shape. This may help to ensure that the velocity of airflow flowing along the convex surface in the first direction is equal to the velocity of airflow flowing along the convex surface in the second direction. This also helps to ensure even styling on both sides of the user’s head. Optionally, the curved portion may comprise an inner sleeve fixedly attachable to a haircare appliance and an outer sleeve enclosing the inner sleeve and comprising the convex surface, wherein the switching mechanism is actuatable by rotating the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve. When the root lift portion is rigidly connected to or integral with the outer sleeve of the curved portion, the switching mechanism may be actuatable by applying a force onto the root lift portion to rotate the outer sleeve of the curved portion relative to the inner sleeve. For example, the user may tap the root lift portion on their head to rotate the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve, thereby reversing the direction of airflow along the convex surface.

[0022] Optionally, the switching mechanism may comprise a resiliently biased element rigidly connected to one of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, and the resiliently biased element is slidable along a groove formed in the other of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. The resiliently biased element may be a spring plunger such as a spring-loaded ball (i.e. a ball latch). The groove may be provided in the form of a pair of ramps along which the resiliently biased element (e.g. the ball of the ball latch) is slidable to switch between the first and the second positions.

[0023] Optionally, the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve may be restricted to a predetermined angle range. In one configuration, this may be achieved via a friction fit between respective portions of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve configured to contact one another. In another configuration, this may be achieved by selecting a length for the groove (e.g. the pair of ramps) along which the ball is slidable. In one example, the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve may be restricted to an angle range from 5 degrees to 30 degrees inclusive.

[0024] Optionally, the plurality of teeth providing the root lift portion comprise a plurality of loading teeth, the attachment comprises a plurality of pick-up teeth interspersed between the plurality of loading teeth, and the loading teeth and the pick-up teeth differ in shape, size and / or geometry, and / or the loading teeth having a plurality of second air outlets and the pick-up teeth are devoid of air outlets. The pick-up teeth are for picking up portions of the user’s hair to facilitate loading the respective portions onto the loading teeth for root lift. The pick-up teeth may not comprise any air outlets.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising: a handle unit comprising an airflow generator; and the attachment of the first aspect being removably attached to the handle unit; wherein the airflow generator is configured to generate airflow and supply the airflow to the air inlet of the main conduit.

[0026] The haircare appliance may further comprise a heating element for heating the airflow generated by the airflow generator.

[0027] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising: a handle unit comprising an airflow generator for generating an airflow; a main conduit fluidly connected to the handle unit, the main conduit comprising an air inlet for receiving the generated airflow and a first air outlet; a plurality of teeth, wherein each tooth extends from the main conduit, the plurality of teeth are linearly spaced from one another by an inter-tooth spacing, and the plurality of teeth together provide a root lift portion located upstream of the first air outlet; and a curved portion comprising a convex surface, the curved portion being located downstream of the first air outlet, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the generated airflow is supplied from the air inlet, to the first air outlet, and along the convex surface of the curved portion.

[0028] The haircare appliance may further comprise a heating element for heating the airflow generated by the airflow generator.

[0029] The invention includes the combination of the aspects and optional features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figures 1A, IB, and 1C show respectively a perspective view, a side view, and a top view of a first variant of an attachment for a haircare appliance; Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D show respectively a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of a second variant of an attachment for a haircare appliance;

[0032] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a use using the attachment of the first or second variant attached to a haircare appliance;

[0033] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third variant of an attachment for a haircare appliance; Figure 5 A shows a cross-sectional view of a tooth of the attachment of Figure 4 having a switching mechanism in a first position according to a first configuration of the switching mechanism;

[0034] Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of a tooth of the attachment of Figure 4 having a switching mechanism in a second position according to the first configuration of the switching mechanism;

[0035] Figure 6A shows a cross-sectional view of a tooth of the attachment of Figure 4 having a switching mechanism according to a second configuration of the switching mechanism;

[0036] Figure 6B shows an enlarged view of the tooth of Figure 6A; and

[0037] Figures 7A and 7B show two respective operational modes of the haircare attachment of Figure 4.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] A first variant of an attachment 10 for a haircare appliance is described with reference to Figures 1A-1C which show respectively a perspective view, a side view, and a top view of the attachment.

[0040] The attachment 10 comprises a main conduit 5 comprising an air inlet 100 and a first air outlet 1. In this example, the attachment comprises a bung 101, which, when the attachment 10 is secured to a haircare appliance 200, extends inside the haircare appliance. This improves the attachment’s stability when attached to the haircare appliance. For example, when the attachment is used to tension the user’s hair by e.g. pressing the attachment onto the user’s head, the bung 101 helps ensure that the attachment does not inadvertently disconnect from the haircare appliance. The air inlet 100 in this example is provided circumferentially around the bung 101, i.e., the air inlet 100 surrounds the bung. The attachment 10 further comprises a plurality of teeth 6, each tooth extending from the main conduit 5, the plurality of teeth being linearly spaced from one another by an intertooth spacing, wherein the plurality of teeth together provide a root lift portion 9 located upstream of the first air outlet 1. The attachment comprises a curved portion 11 including a convex surface 12, the curved portion 11 being located downstream of the first air outlet 1.

[0041] In use, airflow 19 is supplied from the air inlet 100, to the first air outlet 1, and along the convex surface 12 of the curved portion 11. The upstream and downstream locations of the root lift portion 9 and the curved portion 11 relative to the first air outlet are with respect to the direction of the airflow 19 flowing along the convex surface 12.

[0042] The convex surface 12 in the examples of Figures 1A-7B is substantially smooth and continuous in form, i.e. free of protrusions and / or depressions. The convex surface comprises a radius of curvature of 10mm to 60mm, e.g. around 38mm. The convex surface includes a substantially constant radius of curvature.

[0043] The first air outlet 1 is substantially elongate, e.g. rectangular in shape. The first air outlet 1 in this example is partitioned into a plurality of sub-sections by a respective plurality of partitions 21. The plurality of partitions are shaped curved to direct the airflow 19 exiting the main conduit 5 through the first air outlet 1 along the convex surface 12.

[0044] Each tooth 6 has a respective bottom surface 7b (see e.g. Figure IB) in use facing the user’s scalp, a respective top surface 7a opposite the bottom surface, a respective first side surface 7c extending between the respective top and bottom surfaces, and a respective second side surface (not shown) opposite the first side surface. In this example, each tooth 6 is curved along its respective length such that in use each tooth curves upwardly and away from the user’s head.

[0045] In use, the attachment of Figures 1A-1C is inserted into the user’s hair at an angle and tilted to create tension. That is, the attachment pivots around a pivot point 25 on the main conduit 5 in use contacting the user’s head and located such that the root lift portion 9 is interposed between the first air outlet 1 and the pivot point 25. In this way, the root lift portion 9 mechanically lifts the user’s hair at the roots, and over the convex surface 12. The airflow 19 along the convex surface simultaneously dries the hair loaded thereon, thereby achieving root lift effect, and reduces flyaway to achieve a smooth hair appearance.

[0046] A second variant of an attachment 10 for a haircare appliance is described with reference to Figures 2A-2D which show respectively a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and a side cross-sectional view of the attachment.

[0047] The attachment of the second variant differs from the attachment of the first variant show in Figures 1A-1C as described below.

[0048] Firstly, each tooth 6 is curved along its respective length such that in use each tooth curves towards the user’s head so as to match or follow the curvature of the user’s head. That is the respective bottom surface 7b of each tooth 6 is curved to match or follow a curvature of the user’s head. Furthermore, the respective bottom surface 7b of each tooth 6 is ribbed for scalp comfort. That is, the respective bottom surface 7b of each tooth comprises a respective plurality of cool ribs 8.

[0049] Secondly, in this variant, the root lift portion 9 is in fluid communication with the main conduit 5 and comprises a plurality of second air outlets 2. In use, airflow 19’ is supplied from the air inlet 100 to the user’s hair via the plurality of second air outlets to achieve the root lift effect. The plurality of second air outlets 2 is located on respective top surfaces 7a of the plurality of teeth 6 to supply airflow directly to the hair roots and energise the user’s hair to achieve the root lift effect. The airflow 19’ through the second air outlets is a medium velocity airflow tensioning and drying the hair away from the user’s head. A medium velocity airflow may for example range from 5 L / s to 9 L / s inclusive at a velocity of 10 m / s to 20 m / s inclusive.

[0050] In this example, a portion of the airflow 19’ supplied to the second air outlets 2 is subsequently directed along the convex surface 12 of the curved portion 11. In this way, a portion of the airflow supplied for root lift is subsequently reused to reduce flyaway and frizz. Furthermore, this helps load hair onto the convex surface 12 where it can be dried by the airflow 19 flowing along the convex surface. In one example configuration this is achieved by walls of the respective second outlets 2 being shaped so as to direct airflow towards the convex surface 12. In this example, between 50% and 100% inclusive, e.g. 100%, of the of the airflow supplied to the second air outlets 2 is subsequently directed along the convex surface of the curved portion.

[0051] Next, in this variant the plurality of teeth 6 together providing the root lift portion 9 is a plurality of loading teeth, and the root lift portion 9 further comprises a plurality of pick-up teeth 17 interspersed among the plurality of loading teeth 6. The pick-up 17 teeth are for picking up portions of the user’s hair to facilitate loading the respective portions onto the loading teeth 6 for root lift. The pick-up teeth 17 in this example do not comprise any air outlets.

[0052] Finally, the main conduit 5 of this variant may include an internal baffle for selectively distributing airflow from the air inlet 100 towards the first air outlet 1 and the plurality of second air outlets 2.

[0053] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a user using the attachment 10 of the first or second variant attached to a haircare appliance 200. The haircare appliance 200 comprises a handle unit 150 comprising an airflow generator (not shown) for generating an airflow. The attachment 10 is attached to the handle unit 150. The airflow generated by the airflow generator is supplied to the air inlet 100 of the main conduit 5 of the attachment 10 as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3.

[0054] A third variant of an attachment 10 for a haircare appliance is described with reference to Figure 4 which shows a perspective view of the attachment.

[0055] The attachment of the third variant differs from the attachments of the first and second variants as described below.

[0056] The main conduit 5 comprises the curved portion 11 such that the convex surface 12 at least partially provides an outer surface of the main conduit. The curved portion 11 is cylindrical. As such, the convex surface 12 includes substantially the entire circumferential surface of the curved portion 11.

[0057] The main conduit 5 further comprises a fourth air outlet 100 (see e.g. Figures 5 A, 5B). The first air outlet 1 is configured to direct airflow along the convex surface 12 along a first direction and the fourth air outlet 4 is configured to direct airflow along the convex surface 12 along a second direction opposite the first direction. In this example, between 10 and 100% of the airflow entering the main conduit 5 through the air inlet 100 exits the main conduit either through the first air outlet or through the fourth air outlet. For example, the percentage of air entering the main conduit through the air inlet and exiting the main conduit through the first air outlet may be 10% or more, 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more or 90% or more.

[0058] In contrast to the second variant of the attachment 10, the plurality of second air outlets 2 in this variant are located on respective first 7c and / or second 7d side surfaces of the plurality of teeth 6. When the airflow through the plurality of second air outlets 2 is both heated and diffused, the root lift effect may be at least partially achieved through radiative heating applied to the user’s hair.

[0059] In one example, an internal baffle (not shown) is used for distributing airflow from the air inlet towards either the first or the fourth air outlet, and / or the plurality of second air outlets.

[0060] The attachment 10 of the third variant further comprises a switching mechanism 22 described in more detail with reference to Figures 5A-6B. The switching mechanism 22 is configured to switch between a first position in which airflow is supplied from the air inlet 100 to the first air outlet 1 to the exclusion of the fourth air outlet 4, and a second position in which airflow is supplied from the air inlet 100 to the fourth air outlet 4 to the exclusion of the first air outlet 1. In this way, the direction of the airflow along the convex surface 12 can be reversed through the operation of the switching mechanism 22. Thus, the user can style hair on both sides (left and right) of their head. In some examples, the switching mechanism 22 forms a seal between the first air outlet 1 and the fourth air outlet 4 when the switching mechanism is in the first position and the second position. This can reduce air loss as airflow passes through the first or fourth outlet respectively, thereby increasing air velocity across the convex surface 12 for improved anti-flyaway performance.

[0061] The first 1 and the fourth 4 air outlets are substantially equal in size and shape. This helps ensure that the velocity of airflow flowing along the convex surface 12 in the first direction is equal to the velocity of airflow flowing along the convex surface in the second direction.

[0062] Figures 5A and 5B respectively show cross-sectional views of a tooth 6 of the attachment 10 of Figure 4 to illustrate a first configuration of the switching mechanism 22. The curved portion 11 comprises an inner sleeve 14 fixedly attachable to a haircare appliance and an outer sleeve 13 enclosing the inner sleeve and comprising the convex surface 12. The switching mechanism 22 is actuatable by rotating the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve. In this example, the root lift portion 9 of the attachment 10 is rigidly connected to or integral with the outer sleeve 13 of the curved portion 11. Thus, the switching mechanism 22 is actuatable by applying a force onto the root lift portion 9 to rotate the outer sleeve of the curved portion relative to the inner sleeve. For example, the user can tap the root lift portion on their head to rotate the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve, thereby reversing the direction of airflow along the convex surface 12.

[0063] Figure 5A shows the tooth 6 when the switching mechanism 22 is in the first position, i.e. such that airflow is supplied along the convex surface 12 via that first air outlet 1, while the fourth air outlet 4 is closed. Figure 5B shows the tooth 6 when the switching mechanism 22 is in the second position, i.e. such that airflow is supplied along the convex surface 12 via that fourth air outlet 4, while the first air outlet 1 is closed. The direction of airflow is indicated by arrows showing that airflow is direct along the convex surface 12 (airflow 19) as well as into a body 6’ of each tooth 6 and out of the plurality of second air outlets 2 (airflow 19’).

[0064] The rotation of the outer sleeve 13 relative to the inner sleeve 12 is restricted to a predetermined angle range. In this example, this is achieved via a friction fit between respective portions of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve configured to contact one another. Specifically, the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve is restricted to an angle range from 5 degrees to 30 degrees inclusive.

[0065] A second configuration of the switching mechanism 22 is described with reference to Figure 6A which shows a cross-sectional view of a tooth of the attachment 10 of Figure 3 and Figure 6B shows an enlarged view of the tooth of Figure 6A.

[0066] The switching mechanism 22 of this configuration differs from the switching mechanism discussed with reference to Figures 5A and 5B in that it comprises a resiliently biased element 23, 24 rigidly connected the outer sleeve 14, the resiliently biased element being slidable along a groove 18a, 18b formed in the inner sleeve 13. The resiliently biased element is a spring-loaded ball (i.e. a ball latch) comprising a ball 23 attached to a spring 24 loaded in compression. The spring 24 is attached to the outer sleeve 14 such that the ball is biased towards the inner sleeve 13. The groove in this example is provided in the form of a pair of ramps 18a, 18b along which the ball 23 is slidable to switch between the first and the second positions. Tactile feedback can be provided to the user when the switching mechanism switches between the first and the second positions via the ball reaching a wall of the respective ramp 18a, 18b and thereby “clicking” into position.

[0067] The rotation of the outer sleeve 14 relative to the inner sleeve 13 is restricted to a predetermined angle range by selecting a length for the pair of ramps 18a, 18b along which the ball is slidable. In one example, the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve may be restricted to an angle range from 5 degrees to 30 degrees inclusive.

[0068] In one example configuration, the attachment 10 (and / or a haircare appliance 200 connected to or comprising the attachment) is configured to support two operation modes. This is discussed with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. In a first operation mode shown in Figure 7 A, both root lift and anti-flyaway functions are realised e.g. by supplying airflow in one of the ways described above. For example, a portion 19 of the total airflow entering through the air inlet 100 can be supplied out of the second air outlets 2 and to the hair roots for root lift, whereas another portion 19’ of the total airflow can be supplied along the convex surface 12 of the attachment for reducing flyaway. In a second operation mode shown in Figure 7B only the anti-flyaway function is realised such that no airflow is supplied for root lift. For example, in the second operation mode the airflow may be a cold airflow for enhanced anti- flyaway performance.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An attachment for a haircare appliance comprising: a main conduit comprising an air inlet and a first air outlet; a plurality of teeth, wherein each tooth extends from the main conduit, the plurality of teeth are linearly spaced from one another by an inter-tooth spacing, and the plurality of teeth together provide a root lift portion located upstream of the first air outlet; and a curved portion comprising a convex surface, the curved portion being located downstream of the first air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the first air outlet and along the convex surface of the curved portion.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein: the root lift portion is in fluid communication with the main conduit; the root lift portion comprises a plurality of second air outlets; and in use, in at least a first configuration, airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the second air outlets.

3. The attachment of claim 2, wherein: each tooth has a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the plurality of second air outlets are located on the top surfaces of the plurality of teeth.

4. The attachment of claim 3 wherein a portion of the airflow supplied to the second air outlets is subsequently directed along the convex surface of the curved portion.

5. The attachment of claim 3 or 4, wherein the bottom surface of each tooth is curved.

6. The attachment of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the bottom surface of each tooth is ribbed.

7. The attachment of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the root lift portion comprises a plurality of third air outlets located on the bottom surfaces of the plurality of teeth.

8. The attachment of claim 2 wherein: each tooth has a bottom surface, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, a first side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface; and the plurality of second air outlets are located on the first and / or second side surfaces of the plurality of teeth.

9. The attachment of any preceding claim, wherein between 10 and 100% of the airflow entering the main conduit through the air inlet exits the main conduit through the first air outlet.

10. The attachment of any preceding claim, wherein the main conduit comprises the curved portion such that the convex surface at least partially provides an outer surface of the main conduit.

11. The attachment of claim any preceding claim, wherein the curved portion is cylindrical.

12. The attachment of any preceding claim, wherein: the main conduit further comprises a fourth air outlet, and the first air outlet is configured to direct airflow along the convex surface along a first direction and the fourth air outlet is configured to direct airflow along the convex surface along a second direction opposite the first direction.

13. The attachment of claim 12, wherein between 10 and 100% of the airflow entering the main conduit through the air inlet exits the main conduit either through the first air outlet or through the fourth air outlet.

14. The attachment of claim 12 or 13, further comprising a switching mechanism configured to switch between a first position in which airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the first air outlet to the exclusion of the fourth air outlet, and a second position in whichairflow is supplied from the air inlet to the fourth air outlet to the exclusion of the first air outlet.

15. The attachment of claim 14, wherein the curved portion comprises an inner sleeve fixedly attachable to a haircare appliance and an outer sleeve enclosing the inner sleeve and comprising the convex surface, wherein the switching mechanism is actuatable by rotating the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve.

16. The attachment of claim 15, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a resiliently biased element rigidly connected to one of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, and the resiliently biased element is slidable along a groove formed in the other of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.

17. The attachment of claim 15 or 16, wherein the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve is restricted to a predetermined angle range.

18. The attachment of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of teeth providing the root lift portion comprise a plurality of loading teeth, the attachment comprises a plurality of pick-up teeth interspersed between the plurality of loading teeth, and the loading teeth and the pick-up teeth differ in shape, size and / or geometry, and / or the loading teeth having a plurality of second air outlets and the pick-up teeth are devoid of air outlets.

19. A haircare appliance comprising: a handle unit comprising an airflow generator; and the attachment of any preceding claim being removably attached to the handle unit, wherein the airflow generator is configured to generate airflow and supply the airflow to the air inlet of the main conduit.

20. A haircare appliance comprising: a handle unit comprising an airflow generator for generating an airflow; a main conduit fluidly connected to the handle unit, the main conduit comprising an air inlet for receiving the generated airflow and a first air outlet;a plurality of teeth, wherein each tooth extends from the main conduit, the plurality of teeth are linearly spaced from one another by an inter-tooth spacing, and the plurality of teeth together provide a root lift portion located upstream of the first air outlet; and a curved portion comprising a convex surface, the curved portion being located downstream of the first air outlet, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the generated airflow is supplied from the air inlet to the first air outlet and along the convex surface of the curved portion.

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