An attachment for a haircare appliance

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance includes an air inlet for receiving an airflow from the haircare appliance, and a plurality of air outlets for emitting airflow from the attachment. The attachment includes a flow restrictor located upstream of the plurality of air outlets. The flow restrictor includes a plurality of apertures having at least one of: an open area of between 55% and 75%; and a depth of at least 0.5mm.

Description

[0001] AN ATTACHMENT FOR A HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Haircare appliances are generally used to treat or style hair, and some haircare appliances may treat or style hair using airflow and heat. Some haircare appliances include different attachments to provide different treatment or styling functionality.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment for a haircare appliance, wherein the attachment comprises: an air inlet for receiving an airflow from the haircare appliance; a plurality of air outlets for emitting airflow from the attachment; and a flow restrictor located upstream of the plurality of air outlets, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a plurality of apertures having at least one of: an open area of between 55% and 75%; and a depth of at least 0.5mm.

[0006] It may be desirable to ensure that airflow from the air inlet in use is distributed relatively evenly between the plurality of air outlets. This can, for example provide relatively even flow distribution along a length of the attachment. To achieve such balance, a flow restrictor can be provided upstream of the air outlet. However, there remains a balance to be reached between relatively even airflow distribution between the plurality of air outlets, and, for example, noise caused by introduction of the flow restrictor. Providing either, or both, of the plurality of apertures having an open area of between 55% and 75%, and having a depth of at least 0.5mm, has been found to provide a good compromise between enabling relatively even flow distribution between the plurality of air outlets, whilst mitigating for any increase in noise level caused by introducing the flow restrictor.

[0007] Depths as described herein may comprise depths measured in a direction parallel to a direction of bulk airflow through the air inlet and / or depths measured in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the attachment. The central longitudinal axis may extend centrally through the air inlet. Cross-sectional areas as described herein may comprise cross-sectional areas measured in a plane orthogonal to the direction of bulk airflow through the air inlet and / or cross-sectional areas measured in a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis.

[0008] The air inlet may be substantially cylindrical in form. The flow restrictor may be disposed within the air inlet, for example such that substantially all airflow through the air inlet passes through the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may be spaced from an open periphery of the air inlet, for example a periphery of the air inlet intended to be closest to a main unit of a haircare appliance when attached to the main unit. The flow restrictor may be spaced from the open periphery of the air inlet by a distance in the region of 1mm to 20mm, for example around 9.5mm. The flow restrictor may extend across substantially the entirety of a diameter of the air inlet, for example such that the total cross-sectional area of the flow restrictor corresponds substantially to a cross-sectional area of the air inlet.

[0009] The flow restrictor may be located such that there is no axial overlap between the flow restrictor and the plurality of air outlets. There may be no axial overlap between a first air outlet, or a first end of an air outlet, located closest to the air inlet and the flow restrictor. A second air outlet of the plurality of air outlets or a second end of the air outlet may be located further from the flow restrictor than the first air outlet or the first end of the air outlet.

[0010] The second air outlet or the second end of the air outlet may be spaced from the open periphery of the air inlet by an axial length of around 90mm to 120mm, for example around 110mm. The second air outlet or the second end of the air outlet may be spaced from the first air outlet or the first end of the air outlet in a direction parallel to the direction of bulk airflow through the air inlet and / or a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The first and second air outlets may be located at a greater radial distance from the central longitudinal axis of the attachment than an outer periphery of the air inlet.

[0011] Each of the plurality of apertures may extend in a direction parallel to the direction of bulk airflow through the air inlet and / or in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment, for example with a central axis of each of the plurality of apertures extending in a direction parallel to the direction of bulk airflow through the air inlet and / or in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment. Each of the plurality of apertures may comprise a substantially constant shape along its depth.

[0012] The attachment may comprise a body assembly that is elongate and extends along an axis, the air inlet may be provided at an end of the body assembly, and the plurality of air outlets may be provided along an axial length of the body assembly. For example, each of the air outlets may comprise a slot that extends axially along the body assembly. In another example, each of the air outlets may comprise a through-hole, and the through-holes may be spaced axially along the body assembly. Provision of a flow restrictor as discussed herein may be particularly beneficial where the plurality of air outlets are provided along the axial length of the body assembly, for example, by enabling relatively even flow distribution along the axial length of the body assembly.

[0013] The flow restrictor may comprise a plurality of walls defining the plurality of apertures, and each of the walls may extends parallel to the axis. This may provide reduced noise and improved flow distribution relative to an attachment with non-parallel walls to the axis.

[0014] The air outlets may be provided along a section of the body assembly, for example a main body of the body assembly, having an axial length of between 95 mm and 110 mm, and / or an outer diameter of between 45 mm and 65 mm. A flow restrictor having the features previously described may be particularly useful where the attachment has a main body having an axial length in the region of 95mm to 110mm. In particular, the flow restrictor described herein may enable airflow to be distributed effectively along the axial length or depth of the main body. The axial length or depth of the main body may be around 102mm. The main body may comprise an axial length or depth greater than its width, for example an axial length or depth greater than its diameter. The main body may be elongate in form.

[0015] A ratio of the axial length or depth of the main body to the open area of the flow restrictor may be in the region of 0.2 to 0.3. The main body may be substantially cylindrical in form, and may have an outer diameter in the region of 45mm to 65mm. A flow restrictor having the features previously described may be particularly useful where the attachment has a substantially cylindrical main body having an outer diameter in the region of 45mm to 65mm. The outer diameter of the main body may be around 55mm. An inner diameter of the main body may be in the region of 43mm to 63mm. The inner diameter of the main body may be around 53mm. The inner diameter of the main body may be greater than an outer diameter of the air inlet.

[0016] Each of the air outlets may be spaced axially from adjacent air outlets by at least 3 mm, for example by around 4mm.

[0017] The plurality of apertures may have an open area that is between 60% and 70%. The plurality of apertures may have an open area that is around 64%.

[0018] The flow restrictor may have a total cross-sectional area of around 550mm2to 700mm2, for example around 642mm2. The plurality of apertures may have an open area of around 225mm2to 650mm2, for example around 413mm2.

[0019] Each of the plurality of apertures may have a depth of at least 1.0mm. This may provide for increased flow straightening of airflow from the air inlet compared to apertures of a smaller depth. This may provide for improved flow distribution between the plurality of air outlets, for example where a first air outlet is spaced from a second air outlet in a direction parallel to the direction of bulk airflow through the air inlet and / or a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The plurality of apertures may be arranged such that first ends of the apertures are arranged in a first plane, and second ends of the apertures are arranged in a second plane spaced from the first plane.

[0020] The flow restrictor may comprise a plurality of walls defining the plurality of apertures, and a thickness of each wall between any two adjacent apertures of the plurality of apertures may be equal. This may provide reduced noise levels when exposed to an airflow relative to an arrangement where the wall thicknesses across the cross-sectional area of the flow restrictor are unequal. The thickness of each wall may be measured in a same plane as the open area of the flow restrictor, and may, for example, be measured in a direction orthogonal to a straight side of each adjacent aperture.

[0021] The thickness of each wall between any two adjacent apertures of the plurality of apertures may be at least 0.3mm. This may provide sufficient structural rigidity to avoid collapse and / or deformation of the flow restrictor when exposed to an airflow in use. The thickness of each wall between any two adjacent apertures of the plurality of apertures may be at least 0.5mm. The thickness of each wall between any two adjacent apertures of the plurality of apertures may be around 1.2mm.

[0022] Each aperture of the plurality of apertures may have a non-circular shape. This may allow for walls between the plurality of apertures to have a constant thickness across a shape of the flow restrictor, which may provide lower noise levels when exposed to an airflow relative to an arrangement where the wall thicknesses across the cross-sectional area of the flow restrictor are unequal.

[0023] At least some of the plurality of apertures may have an irregular polygonal shape. This has been found to provide lower noise levels when exposed to an airflow relative to an arrangement where regular polygonal shapes are utilised. Each aperture of the plurality of apertures may have a non-rectangular shape. This has been found to provide lower noise levels when exposed to an airflow relative to an arrangement where rectangular shapes are utilised. At least some of the plurality of apertures may comprise a non-equiangular quadrilateral shape.

[0024] The flow restrictor may comprise a central hub, and the attachment may comprise a bristle support member mounted to the central hub, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outwardly from the bristle support member. Thus the flow restrictor may act to locate a plurality of bristles, whilst also restricting airflow between the air inlet and the air outlet, and may mitigate for the need to provide additional mounting structures for the plurality of bristles. The plurality of apertures may comprise a first sub-set of apertures located in a first annular array, and a second sub-set of apertures located in a second annular array about the first annular array, and at least some of the second sub-set of apertures may have a smaller open cross-sectional area than apertures of the first sub-set of apertures. As such a greater proportion of airflow from the air inlet may be encouraged to flow through the first sub-set of apertures in comparison to the at least some of the second sub-set of apertures, which may lead to a greater volume of airflow passing through the first sub-set of apertures in comparison to an arrangement where all apertures of the second sub-set have a cross- sectional area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the corresponding apertures of the first subset. This can lead to a greater chance of airflow reaching an air outlet distal from the air inlet where such an air outlet air outlet is spaced from an air outlet proximal to the air inlet in a direction parallel to the direction of bulk airflow through the air inlet and / or a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

[0025] The first sub-set of apertures may be annular about the central longitudinal axis of the attachment, for example annular about the central hub of the flow restrictor. The first subset of apertures may comprise a central array of apertures, and the second sub-set of apertures may comprise a peripheral array of apertures.

[0026] Apertures of the first sub-set of apertures may each have a cross-sectional area that is at least 0.5 times an open area of any of the at least some of the second sub-set of apertures. Apertures of the first sub-set of apertures may each have an open area in the region of 20mm2to 30mm2, for example around 23.9mm2. Apertures of the at least some of the second sub-set of apertures may each have an open area in the region of 15mm2to 25mm2, for example around 19mm2.

[0027] Apertures of the first sub-set of apertures may each have a same shape. Apertures of the first sub-set of apertures may each have an irregular generally hexagonal shape. Apertures of the second sub-set of apertures may have a different shape to apertures of the first subset of apertures. The at least some of the second sub-set of apertures may have a different shape to a remainder of the second sub-set of apertures. Each of the at least some of the second sub-set of apertures may have a same shape. The at least some of the second sub- set of apertures may have a trapezoidal shape. Each of the remainder of the second sub-set of apertures may have a same shape. The remainder of the second sub-set of aperture may have an irregular pentagonal shape.

[0028] The at least some of the second sub-set of apertures and the remainder of the second subset of apertures may alternate around the second annular array. For example, each of the at least some of the second sub-set of apertures may be located intermediate two adjacent ones of the remainder of the second sub-set of apertures, and vice-versa.

[0029] The remainder of the second sub-set of apertures may overlap with the first sub-set of apertures, for example such that a portion of each of the remainder of the second sub-set of apertures is located at a common radial distance with the first sub-set of apertures. A portion of each of the remainder of the second sub-set of apertures may be located between adjacent ones of the first sub-set of apertures.

[0030] The at least some of the second sub-set of apertures may be spaced from the first sub-set of apertures, for example such that no portion of each of the at least some of the second subset of apertures is located at a common radial distance with the first sub-set of apertures.

[0031] The first sub-set of apertures may have an open area of around 0.4 to 0.6 times an open area of the second sub-set of apertures, for example around 0.5 times the open area of the second sub-set of apertures.

[0032] The first sub-set of apertures may have an open area in the region of 125mm2to 160mm2, for example around 143mm2. The second sub-set of apertures may have an open area in the region of 245mm2to 300mm2, for example around 270mm2.

[0033] Where the plurality of air outlets comprises a first air outlet proximal to the air inlet and a second air outlet proximal to the air inlet, the second air outlet may be spaced from the first air outlet by at least 10% of an axial length of the main body, for example at least 25% of the axial length main body, at least 50% of the axial length of the main body, or at least described may be particularly useful where the second air outlet is spaced from the first air outlet by at least 10% of an axial length of the main body, for example by leading to provision of a relatively greater amount of airflow to the second air outlet than would be the case absent the flow restrictor. The second air outlet may be spaced from the first air outlet by an intervening wall.

[0034] The plurality of air outlets may comprise a plurality of through-holes or slots formed in the main body. The through-holes or slots may be spaced or extend along the attachment in a direction parallel to the direction in which airflow enters the attachment via the air inlet. Consequently, a first through-hole or a first end of a slot is located closer to the air inlet, and a second through-hole or a second end of the slot is located further from the air inlet. By use of the flow restrictor, a relatively greater amount of airflow may be provided to the second through-hole or the second end of the slot than would be the case absent the flow restrictor. This may lead to more even distribution of airflow along a length of the attachment, which may lead to improved drying and / or styling of hair. The plurality of through-holes or slots may be provided (e.g., distributed or extend) along an axial length of the main body.

[0035] The attachment may comprise a plurality of bristles that extend through the plurality of through-holes. The bristles may provide a means with which to engage with hair for manipulation and / or styling. By providing the bristles through the air-outlet, a need for a separate aperture for the bristles may be mitigated.

[0036] The attachment may comprise an inlet body defining the air inlet, and the flow restrictor may be integrally formed with the inlet body. This may provide for increased manufacturing cost and / or complexity relative to an arrangement in which the inlet body and the flow restrictor are formed as separate components. The inlet body and the flow restrictor may be formed as part of a single moulding process, for example such that the inlet body and the flow restrictor are monolithic in form.

[0037] The inlet body may comprise a first connection portion for connecting to a main unit of a haircare appliance, and a second connection portion connected to the main body of the attachment. The first connection portion may be substantially annular about the air inlet. The second connection portion may be upstanding from the inlet body.

[0038] A second aspect of the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising a main unit, and an attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the attachment releasably connected to the main unit.

[0039] The haircare appliance may comprise an airflow generator housed in the main unit, and the airflow generator is configured to generate airflow at a flow rate in the region of 7L / s to 15L / s. The airflow generator may be configured to generate airflow at a flow rate in the region of HL / s to 13L / s. The attachment may be configured such that, with the attachment attached to the main unit and the airflow generator generating an airflow in the region of 7L / s to 15L / s, for example in the region of 1 IL / s to 13L / s, the haircare appliance produces a sound level of less than 81 decibels.

[0040] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a haircare appliance comprising an airflow generator, a main unit housing the airflow generator, a plurality of air outlets downstream of the airflow generator; and a flow restrictor disposed between the airflow generator and the plurality of air outlets, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a plurality of apertures having at least one of an open area of between 55% and 75%; and a depth of at least 0.5mm.

[0041] The plurality of air outlets may be defined in the main unit at a location downstream of the airflow generator. The main unit may be substantially cylindrical in form, and the plurality of air outlets may extend axially along the main unit in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the main unit.

[0042] Optional features of aspects of the present invention may be equally applied to other aspects of the present invention, where appropriate.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure l is a schematic view of a haircare appliance; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a main unit of the haircare appliance of Figure 1;

[0045] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an attachment of the haircare appliance of Figure 1;

[0046] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of Figure 3;

[0047] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the attachment of Figure 3;

[0048] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an inlet body of the attachment of Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a top plan view of the inlet body of Figure 6.

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] A haircare appliance 10 according to an example is shown schematically in Figure 1. The haircare appliance 10 comprises a main unit 12, and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the main unit 12.

[0051] The main 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] The attachment 100 is shown in Figures 3 to 5, and comprises a body assembly 101 and a bristle assembly 106.

[0055] The body assembly 101 is elongate and comprises an inlet body 102, a main body 104, and a top body 108.

[0056] The inlet body 102 is shown in isolation in Figures 6 and 7, and comprises an air inlet 110, a first connection portion 112, a second connection portion 114, and a flow restrictor 116. The air inlet 110 is defined by a generally cylindrical wall section 118 of the inlet body 102, with the air inlet 110 having a diameter of around 32mm. The air inlet 110 has a first end 120 and a second end 122, with the first end 120 located closer to an end of the attachment 100 than the second end 122.

[0057] The first connection portion 112 comprises a series of angled projections 124 disposed annularly about an outer circumference of the generally cylindrical wall section 118 about the first end 120 of the air inlet 110. The angled projections 124 are shaped and dimensioned to be releasably received within corresponding recesses formed on the housing 14 of the main unit 12 in the region of the air outlet 24.

[0058] The second connection portion 114 comprises an annular wall 126. The annular wall 126 extends annularly about the generally cylindrical wall section 118 at a region towards, but spaced from the second end 122 of the air inlet 110. The annular wall 126 has a diameter in the region of 50mm to 60mm, for example around 55mm, substantially corresponding to a diameter of the main body 104. An outer periphery of the annular wall 126 is shaped to receive a wall 144 of the main body 104. The flow restrictor 116 comprises a number of wall sections 130 that define a plurality of apertures 132, and a central hub 134. In this example the wall sections 130 are integrally formed with the generally cylindrical wall section 118, such that the flow restrictor 116 can be considered as being integrally formed with the inlet body 102 as a single monolithic component. In other examples, the flow restrictor 116 is formed as a separate component to the remainder of the inlet body 102. The flow restrictor 116 is located at the second end 122 of the air inlet 110.

[0059] The wall sections 130 have an axial length AL or depth, measured in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis CL of the attachment 100, of around 6mm, although other axial lengths or depths of at least 0.5mm are also envisaged. This means that each aperture 132 has an axial length or depth of around 6mm, with other axial lengths or depths of at least 0.5mm also envisaged. The wall sections 130 are thereby spaced from the first end 120 of the air inlet 110 by around 18mm. Each wall section 130 has a constant thickness of around 1.2mm, measured in a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis CL of the attachment 100. The positioning and location of the wall sections 130 is dictated by a desired pattern for the apertures 132, as will be discussed in more detail hereafter.

[0060] The apertures 132 can be considered to form a first sub-set 136 and a second sub-set 138. The first sub-set 136 of apertures 132 comprises six apertures, and forms a first annular array of apertures 132 about the central hub 134, with the central hub 134 defining a side wall of the apertures 132 in the first sub-set 136. The first sub-set 136 can be considered an inner, or central, sub-set of apertures 132.

[0061] Apertures 132 of the first sub-set 136 each have an irregular generally hexagonal cross- sectional shape. Such a cross-sectional shape is both non-circular, and non-rectangular. Each aperture 132 of the first sub-set 136 has an open cross-sectional area of around 23.9mm2, such that the first sub-set 136 of apertures 132 has an open area of around 143.4mm2.

[0062] The second sub-set 138 of apertures 132 comprises twelve apertures, and forms a second annular array of apertures 132 about the first sub-set 136 of apertures 132. The second sub-set 138 of apertures 132 comprising a first sub-group 140 of apertures 132 having a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and a second sub-group 142 of apertures 132 having an irregular pentagonal cross-sectional shape. Such cross-sectional shapes are both non-circular, and non-rectangular, with a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape also considered to be a non-equiangular quadrilateral shape. The first 140 and second 142 sub-groups are arranged such that each aperture 132 of the first sub-group 140 is located between two adjacent apertures 132 of the second sub-group 142 about the periphery of the flow restrictor, and vice versa.

[0063] Apertures 132 of the second sub-group 142 extend radially inwardly such that portions of apertures 132 of the second sub-group 142 are located at a same radial distance as apertures 132 of the first sub-set 136. Apertures of the first sub-group 140 of the second sub-set 138 are, in contrast, radially spaced from apertures 132 of the first sub-set 136.

[0064] Each aperture 132 of the first sub-group 140 has an open area of around 19.09mm2, whilst each aperture 132 of the second sub-group 142 has an open area of around 25.88mm2. Thus the second sub-set 138 has an open area of around 269.84mm2, meaning that collectively the first 136 and second 138 sub-sets of apertures 132 of the flow restrictor 116 define an open area of around 413.24mm2.

[0065] In general, the apertures 132 of the flow restrictor 116 define an open area that is around 64% of a total area of the flow restrictor 116. Open areas in the region of 55% to 75% are also envisaged. Apertures 132 of the first sub-set 136 each have an open area that is 1.25 times the open area of any of the first sub-group 140. The first sub-set 136 of apertures has an open area of around 0.92 times an open area of the second sub-set 138.

[0066] The central hub 134 comprises a recess 135 for receiving a bristle support member 152 of the bristle assembly 106.

[0067] The main body 104 comprises a wall 144 and a plurality of through-holes 146. The wall 144 is generally annular, having an axial length, measured in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis CL of the attachment 100, of around 102mm. This gives the main body 104 a substantially cylindrical and hollow form. A ratio of the axial length or depth of the main body 104 to the open area of the flow restrictor 116 is around 0.25.

[0068] The wall 144 defines an internal diameter of around 53mm for the main body 104, and an external diameter of around 55mm for the main body 104. A first end 148 of the wall 144 is located adjacent to the second connection portion 114 of the inlet body 102, whilst a second end 150 of the wall 144 is located adjacent to the top body 108.

[0069] The plurality of through-holes 146 are formed in the wall, with each through-hole 146 having a generally circular cross-sectional shape. The through-holes 146 can be thought of as forming air outlets 147 of the attachment 100. Each through-hole 146 has a diameter of around 3.8mm, and an open area of around 11.34mm2. Each through-hole 146 is spaced axially from an adjacent through-hole by around 4.15mm. The plurality of through-holes 146 have an open area of around 7144.94mm2. The plurality of through-holes 146 are spaced from the first 148 and second 150 ends of the wall 144. The through-holes 146 are arranged in a plurality of rows along the wall 144, with an axial distance between a first row FR, closest to the air inlet 110 and the flow restrictor 116, and a last row LR, furthest away from the air inlet 110 and the flow restrictor 116, being around 24mm. The last row LR of through-holes 146 is positioned around 110mm away from an open periphery of the air inlet 110.

[0070] Although illustrated here as through-holes, it will be appreciated that other embodiments where the air outlets have a different form are also envisaged. For example, embodiments where the air outlets take the form of slots that extend axially along the main body 104 are also envisaged.

[0071] The bristle assembly 106 comprises a bristle support member 152, and a plurality of bristles 154. The bristle support member 152 is elongate in form, and has a first end 156 and a second end 158. The first end 156 of the bristle support member 152 has a shape and dimension corresponding to the shape and dimensions of the recess 135 of the central hub 134, such that the first end 156 of the bristle support member 152 is received within the recess 135. The second end 158 of the bristle support member 152 is shaped and dimensioned such that the second end 158 is received within a central recess 164 formed in the top body 108.

[0072] The bristles 154 are mounted to, and extend radially outwardly from, the bristle support member 154. Each bristle 154 extends outwardly from the main body 104 through a through-hole 146 of the wall 144.

[0073] The top body 108 comprises a lid portion 160 and a knob 162. The lid portion 160 is shaped and dimensioned to overlie the second end 150 of the wall 144 of the main body 104. The knob 162 sits on top of the lid portion 160, and defines a portion of the attachment 100 that is axially furthest from the air inlet 110. A central recess 164 extends through both the lid portion 160 and the knob 162, with the central recess 164 shaped and dimensioned such that the second end 158 of the bristle support member 152 is received within the central recess 164. When the attachment 100 is assembled, the bristle support member 152 is supported in place by the central hub 134 and the top body 108.

[0074] In use, a user can attach the attachment 100 to the main unit 12, such that the air inlet 110 of the attachment 100 is in fluid communication with the air outlet 24 of the main unit 12. The user can use the user interface 32 to turn on the airflow generator 16 such that an airflow is created through the haircare appliance 10. Airflow enters the main unit 12 via the air inlet 22, and exits the main unit 12 via the outlet 24 into the attachment 100.

[0075] Airflow enters the attachment 100 via the air inlet 110, and flows through the apertures 132 of the flow restrictor 134 into the hollow interior of the main body 104. Airflow exits the main body 104 via the through-holes 146. A user can use the attachment to provide airflow, either hot or cold, to hair, whilst also utilising the plurality of bristles 154 to assist with a styling procedure.

[0076] As the through-holes 146 are distributed along a length of the main body 104, it may prove difficult in arrangements absent the flow restrictor 116 to provide a relatively even flow distribution along the length of the main body 104. For example, in arrangements absent the flow restrictor 116, air may tend to pass through through-holes that are closer to the air inlet in preference to passing through air outlets that are located further away from the air inlet. To achieve balanced flow along the length of the attachment, a flow restrictor can be provided upstream of the air outlet. However, there remains a balance to be reached between relatively even airflow distribution along the attachment, and, for example, noise caused by introduction of the flow restrictor. Providing either, or both, of the plurality of apertures 132 of the flow restrictor 116 having an open area that is 64% of a total cross- sectional area of the flow restrictor 116, and each of the plurality of apertures 132 having an axial length or depth of 6mm, has been found to provide a good compromise between enabling relatively even flow distribution along the length of the attachment 100, whilst mitigating for any increase in noise level caused by introducing the flow restrictor 116.

[0077] It has further been found that similar advantages may be realised by providing either, or both, of the plurality of apertures 132 of the flow restrictor 116 having an open area that is between 55% and 75%, and each of the plurality of apertures 132 having an axial length or depth of at least 0.5mm.

[0078] It will be appreciated that the flow restrictor may find utility in other embodiments of attachment or haircare appliance, where a relatively even distribution of airflow is desired. For example, embodiments are also envisaged where, instead of a removable attachment, the flow restrictor 116 is positioned upstream of an air outlet in a fixed body haircare appliance. Similarly, other forms of attachment other than the round, brush-like, attachment described herein are envisaged.

[0079] It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples, or any combination of any other of the examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An attachment for a haircare appliance, wherein the attachment comprises: an air inlet for receiving an airflow from the haircare appliance; a plurality of air outlets for emitting airflow from the attachment; and a flow restrictor located upstream of the air outlets, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a plurality of apertures having at least one of: an open area of between 55% and 75%; and a depth of at least 0.5 mm.

2. An attachment as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a body assembly that is elongate and extends along an axis, the air inlet is provided at an end of the body assembly, and the plurality of air outlets are provided along an axial length of the body assembly.

3. An attachment as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a plurality of walls defining the plurality of apertures, and each of the walls extends parallel to the axis.

4. An attachment as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the air outlets are provided along a section of the body assembly having an axial length of between 95 mm and 110 mm, and / or an outer diameter of between 45 mm and 65 mm.

5. An attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the air outlets is spaced axially from adjacent air outlets by at least 3mm.

6. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of apertures have an open area of between 60% and 70%.

7. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of apertures has a depth of at least 1 mm.

8. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a plurality of walls defining the plurality of apertures, and a thickness of each wall between any two adjacent apertures of the plurality of apertures is equal.

9. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a plurality of walls defining the plurality of apertures, and a thickness of each wall between any two adjacent apertures of the plurality of apertures is at least 0.3 mm, and wherein optionally the thickness is at least 0.5 mm.

10. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures has a non-circular shape.

11. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the plurality of apertures have an irregular polygonal shape, and wherein optionally each aperture of the plurality of apertures has a non-rectangular shape.

12. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow restrictor comprises a central hub, and the attachment comprises a bristle support member mounted to the central hub, and a plurality of bristles attached to and extending radially outwardly from the bristle support member.

13. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a first sub-set of apertures located in a first annular array, and a second sub-set of apertures located in a second annular array about the first annular array, wherein at least some of the second sub-set of apertures have a smaller cross-sectional area than apertures of the first sub-set of apertures.

14. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment comprises a plurality of bristles that extend through the air outlets.

15. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment comprises an inlet body defining the air inlet, and the flow restrictor is integrally formed with the inlet body.

16. A haircare appliance comprising a main unit, and an attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the attachment releasably connected to the main unit.

17. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the haircare appliance comprises an airflow generator housed in the main unit, and the airflow generator is configured to generate airflow at a flow rate in the region of 7 L / s to 15 L / s.

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