Hair treatment device

Abstract

Device (1) for treating the hair, notably for curling and / or straightening the hair, by moving along a lock of hair from a root towards the tip, the device (1) having, during treatment, a first direction of use in which the lock travels from a front face (F1) towards an opposite rear face (F2) of said device and a second direction of use in which the lock travels from said rear face (F2) towards the opposite front face (F1), the device (1) comprising: a sensor (30) of a characteristic of use of the device (1) along the lock of hair indicative of the direction of use of the device (1) at least from among the first and second directions of use, a processor configured to receive the characteristic of use detected by the sensor (30) in order to determine a direction of use of the device (1) at least from among the first and the second direction of use on the basis of the detected characteristic of use and to generate information regarding the detected direction of use of the device (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Hair treatment device

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to devices for treating hair and more particularly, although not exclusively, to those intended for shaping the hair, notably intended for curling and / or straightening the hair.

[0005] The invention more particularly relates to curling devices comprising two jaws mobile one with respect to the other, able to adopt a parted configuration, for introducing a lock of hair between them, and a close-together configuration, for treating said lock.

[0006] Prior art

[0007] Numerous devices of this type have already been proposed. These devices generally comprise heated internal plates between which the locks of hair can be gripped, notably in the case of straightening, and / or heated plates on their external surfaces, notably in the case of curling, or at least in order to introduce waves. These devices are generally used by moving the device between the root and the tip of the hair with the lock of hair either wound around it or not, depending on the desired result and the type of device.

[0008] Some of these devices are designed to be used along a lock of hair in a particular direction. In particular, with certain devices, an incorrect direction of use may lead to degraded treatment, or may even be uncomfortable for the user. Such is notably the case with devices that exhibit asymmetry, incorporating, for example, one or more additional treatment members (diffusion of steam, comb, etc.) each one positioned on just one side of the plates of the appliance. Thus, the result of a comb / steam then plates treatment may be different from a plates then comb / steam treatment when the appliance is used in the other direction.

[0009] WO 2021 / 102751 proposes a device comprising heated plates and a gyroscope to measure the posture and motion of the device. The gyroscope enables the sending of motion or posture information to a processor which causes the supply of power to be interrupted in the absence of motion, or the sending of an audible and / or visual and / or vibrating warning signal dependent on the detected posture or motion, in order to improve the user experience. That application does not specify in what way the user experience is improved, except from an aesthetic or sensory standpoint. CN 109288230 proposes a hair straightener comprising a device-posture detector, for example an accelerometer or a gyroscope. The device is capable of determining whether the current posture is comprised within an acceptable range of postures for performing a treatment correctly. If the posture is incorrect, a warning, for example a sound or vibration, is sent to the user so that they correct their posture.

[0010] WO 2019 / 122838 describes a system enabling detection of the motion of a hair straightener so as to determine whether the motion of the appliance is consistent with the desired treatment, notably as regards the speed of use.

[0011] EP 2359710 proposes a device comprising heated plates and a motion sensor, for example an accelerometer or an optical sensor. The motion sensor enables the sending of an audible and / or visual warning dependent on the motion detected, notably dependent on the speed of movement. For example, if the speed of movement is too rapid or too slow, a warning signal is emitted.

[0012] These devices do not allow the users to know whether, during treatment, they are using the device in an optimal direction of use from between two directions of use that offer different treatment effects.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] There is need for a hair treatment device that enables the user to obtain an optimal and easily-repeatable treatment without over-complicating the use of the device.

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] The present invention achieves this by virtue of, according to one of its aspects, a device for treating the hair, notably for curling and / or straightening the hair, by moving along a lock of hair from a root towards the tip, the device having, during treatment, a first direction of use in which the lock travels from a front face towards an opposite rear face of said device and a second direction of use in which the lock travels from said rear face towards the opposite front face, the device comprising:

[0017] - a sensor of a characteristic of use of the device along the lock of hair indicative of the direction of use of the device at least from among the first and second directions of use, - a processor configured to receive the characteristic of use detected by the sensor in order to determine a direction of use of the device at least from among the first and the second direction of use on the basis of the detected characteristic of use and to generate information regarding the detected direction of use of the device.

[0018] Such detection of the direction of use makes it possible to identify the direction of use from among the first and the second directions of use in order notably to check whether the user is using the hair treatment device in accordance with a favoured direction of use from among, notably, the first and second directions of use and defined by the designers of the device. Once this check has been made, if the direction of use is not the correct direction, it is then easy for example to alert the user, as will be detailed later on.

[0019] As a preference, the device is a device for shaping the hair, notably for curling and / or for straightening.

[0020] As a preference, the device comprises a handpiece notably having a handle and head. The handle makes the device easier to grip and allows complementary elements, notably a user interface, a reservoir for fluid that is to be vaporised and possibly a reservoir for cosmetic product, to be inserted into the device. The head preferably has the front face and the opposite rear face.

[0021] The head of the treatment device may have any shape in cross section. As a preference, the head of the treatment device has a substantially polygonal, in particular substantially rectangular or substantially square, or substantially oval or circular cross section. Other shapes of cross section are possible, such as a cross section with a polygonal contour on one side and a non-polygonal, notably rounded, for example circular, cross section on the other side. As a preference, the head of the device is of flattened overall shape, in cross section.

[0022] Jaws

[0023] The handpiece may be elongate along a longitudinal axis. The front and rear faces may extend along the longitudinal axis of the handpiece.

[0024] The handpiece is preferably asymmetric about at least a longitudinal median plane extending between the front face and rear face of the handpiece.

[0025] The fact that the handpiece is asymmetric with respect to at least a longitudinal median plane has the effect that the treatment of the hair is asymmetric during treatment, which is to say that, if the treatment is divided into two parts of equal durations, for the same rate of travel of the handpiece, the second part of the treatment is different from the inverse of the first part of the treatment. Thus, the treatments in the first and second directions of use are different.

[0026] As a result, such asymmetry of the device generates different treatment effects on the lock of hair according to whether the device is used in the first or in the second direction of use. Detecting the direction of use therefore makes it possible to identify the treatment applied to the lock of hair. This notably makes it possible to obtain on the lock of hair a treatment that is desired and easily-repeatable.

[0027] Such asymmetry of the treatment may notably lead to a degraded treatment when the direction of use is not as prescribed, namely a treatment of a quality inferior to that which the device is able to achieve when used correctly in an optimal direction of use.

[0028] Thus, by virtue of the sensor data, which are indicative of the direction of use, it may be possible to alert the user to the fact that they are not performing the treatment correctly.

[0029] The device, notably the handpiece, notably the head of the handpiece, may comprise two jaws connected to one another and able to adopt an open configuration for engaging hair between them and a closed, treatment, configuration.

[0030] The device may comprise a jaw-configuration detection member, notably Halleffect sensor, configured to detect whether the jaws are in the closed, treatment, configuration or in the open configuration.

[0031] The processor may be configured to determine a direction of use of the device only when a closed configuration of the jaws is detected by the jaw-configuration detection member.

[0032] The device, notably the handpiece, notably at least one of the jaws, may comprise at least one internal treatment member comprising an internal treatment surface configured to come into contact with, or to come to face, part of the lock of hair during the treatment. The internal treatment surface is preferably thermal. The treatment member is preferably a heated plate.

[0033] The internal treatment surface may extend between the front face and the opposite rear face. Each jaw may comprise an internal treatment member comprising an internal treatment surface configured to come into contact with, or to come to face, the treatment member of the other jaw.

[0034] The handpiece may be elongate along a longitudinal axis, notably when the jaws are in the closed configuration. The handpiece is preferably asymmetric with respect to at least a longitudinal median plane transverse to the treatment surface.

[0035] The device, notably the handpiece, may comprise at least one external treatment member comprising an external treatment surface configured to come into contact with part of the lock of hair during treatment, the external treatment surface notably being thermal, notably being a heated plate.

[0036] In one embodiment, notably for curling, an external treatment surface extends over one of the front and rear faces.

[0037] The external treatment member may notably curl the hair by the hair being wound around the handpiece and / or around one or each jaw.

[0038] As a preference, when the handpiece comprises two jaws connected to one another and able to adopt an open configuration for engaging hair between them and a closed, treatment, configuration, the jaws extend at a distal end of the handle.

[0039] The jaws may each be borne by one arm, the two arms being connected to one another, notably by an articulation at one of their ends, so as to make the jaws adopt the closed or open configuration. The two arms may each comprise a half-handle at the end corresponding to the articulation and one of the jaws at the end corresponding to their free end.

[0040] Additional treatment member

[0041] The device may comprise an additional treatment member, notably selected from the group consisting of steam applicators, cosmetic-product applicators, combs, and a combination thereof.

[0042] The application of steam may be achieved through a series of orifices, notably aligned along the longitudinal axis of the device, notably of the handpiece.

[0043] The additional treatment member may be mounted on one of the jaws and extend at least partially between the two jaws.

[0044] The additional treatment member may be arranged on the device, notably on the handpiece, notably on one of the jaws, asymmetrically with respect to a median plane, notably transverse to a median plane extending between the jaws when the jaws are in the closed configuration. The additional treatment member may be arranged on the device, notably on the handpiece so that it treats the hair before the plate or plates in one direction of use and after the plate or plates in another direction of use

[0045] The additional treatment member may be positioned laterally on the handpiece, notably laterally on one of the jaws.

[0046] Information

[0047] The processor may be configured to emit the generated direction-of-use information towards a user-alert member to which the device is connected or which forms part of the device.

[0048] The device may comprise a user-alert member configured to receive the information regarding the direction of use of the device, notably of the handpiece and to emit, for at least one direction of use, a user alert, notably a signal perceptible to the user, notably an audible, visual or haptic signal dependent on the direction of use.

[0049] The user-alert member may be comprised in or on the handpiece.

[0050] As a variant, the user-alert member may be separate from the handpiece. For example, the user-alert member may be a telephone or a tablet connected wirelessly to the processor.

[0051] One of the first and second directions of use may be optimal for performing the treatment along the lock of hair optimally and the other of the first and second directions of use may be degraded, the user alert emitted by the user-alert member corresponding to one of the two directions of use, notably the degraded direction of use.

[0052] That way, the user is rapidly alerted if they use the device in the degraded direction of use, allowing them to correct their use and move the handpiece in the optimal treatment direction. The device thus enables simplified use of the device.

[0053] At least one component is controlled, notably differently, according to the determined direction of use from among at least the first and the second directions of use. The control may be performed by the processor.

[0054] What is meant by a "component" is any member that the device is able to control.

[0055] The component may be a thermal treatment member, notably a heated plate. In that case, the temperature of heating may be controlled to reach different temperatures in the first and second directions of use. In one embodiment, the thermal treatment member is switched off when the device is used in one of the directions of use, notably in the degraded direction.

[0056] The component may be an additional treatment member, notably a vaporizing member. In that case, the amount of steam produced or delivered may differ according to the direction of use. In one embodiment, the vaporizing member is switched off when the device is used in one of the directions of use, notably in the degraded direction, which is to say that no steam is produced.

[0057] Sensor

[0058] The characteristic of use may comprise an acceleration, an orientation and / or an inclination of the device, notably of the handpiece.

[0059] The characteristic of use may be measured in relation to one or more axes that are fixed relative to the device, notably to the handpiece.

[0060] The characteristic of use may be measured along an axis extending at least partially between the front face and the rear face.

[0061] The characteristic of use may be characteristic of a change in orientation or of an orientation of the device, notably of the handpiece, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the device, notably of the handpiece. Each direction of use may correspond to ranges of orientation of the device, notably of the handpiece. As a preference, one of the directions of use corresponds to a range of orientations of the device which is such that the additional treatment member comes before the internal treatment member onto the lock of hair treated from the roots towards the tips, and the other direction of use corresponds to a range of orientations of the device which is such that the additional treatment member comes after the internal treatment member onto the lock of hair treated from the roots towards the tips.

[0062] When the characteristic of use is an acceleration, the acceleration may be an acceleration of the device, notably of the handpiece, and / or an acceleration due to gravity applied to the device.

[0063] The acceleration may be measured along an axis not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device, notably a longitudinal axis of the handpiece.

[0064] The acceleration may be measured in a median plane of the device.

[0065] Where applicable, the acceleration may be measured in a plane extending between the jaws when they are in the closed configuration, or perpendicular to this plane. When the characteristic of use is an orientation, the orientation measured may be that of the device, notably of the handpiece, with respect to the horizontal.

[0066] The orientation may be measured about one, two, or three axes that are fixed relative to the device, notably to the handpiece, notably at least measured about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handpiece.

[0067] When the characteristic of use is an inclination, the inclination may be measured with respect to an axis not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device, notably with respect to an axis parallel to a plane extending between the jaws when they are in the closed configuration.

[0068] The sensor may comprise one or more gyroscopes, one or more accelerometers, one or more inclination sensors, one or more tilt switches, one or more sensors configured to determine a position with respect to an original position, or a combination thereof.

[0069] The tilt switch may operate in a binary mode toggling between two states, one of the states advantageously being characteristic of one particular direction of use of the device, notably an optimal direction of use.

[0070] The tilt switch may comprise:

[0071] - a ball moving in a channel between two mechanical or electrical or optical contacts; or

[0072] - a liquid metal free to move in a channel comprising two capacitive sensors.

[0073] The sensor may be configured to detect the characteristic of use only when the jaws are in a closed configuration.

[0074] Operation of the sensor may be disabled when the jaws are in the open configuration, for example by using a locking finger, by cutting the power supply or by cutting off the ability of the processor to generate the information.

[0075] Method

[0076] A further subject of the invention, according to another of the aspects thereof, in combination with the foregoing, is a method for treating the hair, notably for straightening or curling hair, by moving a device, notably as described hereinabove, along a lock of hair from the roots to the tips, the method comprising:

[0077] - detecting a characteristic of use of the device, while it is being moved along the lock of hair, - determining, on the basis of the characteristic of use, a direction of use of the device from among at least a first direction of use in which the lock travels from a front face towards an opposite rear face of said device and a second direction of use in which the lock travels from said rear face towards the opposite front face, the two directions notably producing different treatment effects,

[0078] - generating information regarding the direction of use of the device when the device is used in at least one direction.

[0079] When the device is used, the user orients the device, notably the handpiece, by turning it about an axis, notably about its longitudinal axis.

[0080] What is meant by "orients the device" is that the user alters the inclination of the device, notably of the handpiece, about an axis, notably about its longitudinal axis, with respect to the terrestrial horizontal.

[0081] The orientation of the device, notably of the handpiece, is advantageously indicative of the direction of use of the device, notably of the handpiece. In particular, each direction of use corresponds to an orientation or a range of orientations, the orientations or the ranges of orientations being different and not completely superposed between the different directions of use. Each range of orientations may be comprised between 20° and 200°, notably between 60° and 100°.

[0082] The method may comprise the emission of a user alert when the device is used in at least one direction, notably in at least one degraded direction.

[0083] The user alert may correspond to a signal perceptible to the user, notably an audible, visual or haptic signal.

[0084] The device may comprise two jaws able to adopt an open configuration for engaging hair between them and a closed, treatment, configuration, in which method the emission of an alert may be performed only if said jaws are in the closed configuration.

[0085] The method may comprise determining the configuration of the jaws prior to determining the direction of use. The determining of the direction of use of the device may be performed only where it is detected that the jaws are in a closed configuration.

[0086] The method may involve treating the hair on an internal treatment surface of the handpiece, notably a thermal surface, notably a heated plate.

[0087] The method may involve treating the hair on an internal treatment surface of the handpiece, notably a thermal surface, notably a heated plate. The method may comprise an additional treatment, notably an application of steam, an application of cosmetic product and / or a combing.

[0088] Brief description of the drawings

[0089] The invention will be able to be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary implementations thereof, and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0090] [Fig 1] Figure 1 illustrates, in side view, one example of a device, in a closed configuration, according to the invention,

[0091] [Fig 2] Figure 2 illustrates, in perspective, the device of Figure 1 in an open configuration,

[0092] [Fig 3a] Figure 3a illustrates, schematically in plan view from above, one example of the use of the device of Figure 1,

[0093] [Fig 3b] Figure 3b illustrates, schematically in side view, the orientation of the device in the example of use of Figure 3a,

[0094] [Fig 3c] Figure 3c illustrates, schematically in side view, the orientation of the sensor in the example of use of Figure 3a,

[0095] [Fig 4a] Figure 4a illustrates, schematically in plan view from above, another example of use of the device of Figure 1,

[0096] [Fig 4b] Figure 4b illustrates, schematically in side view, the orientation of the device in the example of use of Figure 4a,

[0097] [Fig 4c] Figure 4c illustrates, schematically in side view, the orientation of the sensor in the example of use of Figure 4a, and

[0098] [Fig 5] Figure 5 illustrates, schematically in side view, another example of a sensor.

[0099] Detailed description

[0100] In the rest of the description, elements which are identical or have identical functions bear the same reference sign. For the sake of conciseness of the present description, they are not described with regard to each of the figures; only the differences between the embodiments are described. In the figures, for the sake of clarity, true proportions have not always been respected.

[0101] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate an example of a device 1 according to the invention, in this example for straightening the hair.

[0102] This device 1 has a handpiece 2 comprising two jaws 3 and 4 able to move one relative to the other between an open configuration, visible in Figure 2, for introducing a lock of hair between them, and a closed, treatment, configuration illustrated in Figure 1.

[0103] The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by a respective upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 which arms are, in the example considered, connected to one another at one of their ends by an articulation 8, the handpiece 2 thus forming a pair of tongs.

[0104] The arms 5 and 6 define, between the articulation 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half-handles 10 and 11 against which the user may press in order to bring the jaws 3 and 4 closer together and thus grip the hair extending between the two jaws.

[0105] The width of the arms 5 and 6 at the half-handles 10 and 11 is less than that of the jaws 3 and 4.

[0106] The jaws 3 and 4 each have a convex exterior surface and a substantially flat interior surface.

[0107] An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to the parted configuration, this elastic return member being, for example, a spring positioned around or near a pivot pin of the articulation 8.

[0108] The invention is not restricted to any particular way of joining the arms 5 and 6 to one another and the jaws 3 and 4 may be rendered mobile in some other way without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of an articulation is greatly preferred for the ergonomic benefit it brings.

[0109] The handpiece 2 extends, for example, along a longitudinal axis L.

[0110] The jaw 3 extends, for example, along a longitudinal axis Yl.

[0111] The jaw 4 extends, for example, along a longitudinal axis Y2.

[0112] The device 1 may comprise a water reservoir 7 for producing steam, notably in the handpiece 2. As may be seen in Figure 1, the reservoir 7 is preferably integrated into the handpiece 2 and particularly into one of the arms 5, 6. Advantageously, the reservoir 7 is integrated into the arm that comprises the steam outlet 21 which will be detailed later on. That makes it possible to have a device that is particularly compact and has a relatively simple internal construction. However, other integrations of the reservoir 7 (in the other arm or even completely remote from the handpiece 2) are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0113] A user interface, not depicted in the figures, may be present on the device 1, notably on the handpiece 2, to allow the user to control the operation of the device 1.

[0114] The device 1 comprises a lead 17 designed to be able to supply the energy needed for the operation of the device. The lead 17 may thus be an electric lead, designed for connecting the device to the electrical mains. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the lead could also be a fluid lead designed to supply the device with fluid (for example water).

[0115] The lead 17 has a rotary fixing 18 attaching it to the handpiece.

[0116] The rotary fixing 18 allows the lead 17 to swivel.

[0117] Heated plates

[0118] The handpiece 2 comprises a heated internal surface 14 for heating the hair that is to be treated on each of the two jaws 3 and 4 facing the other of the jaws and facing one another when the jaws 3 and 4 are in the close-together configuration so that a heated treatment region is defined between the two jaws 3 and 4 when they are in the close-together configuration. The two heated internal surfaces 14 are, for example, configured to grip between them the hair that extends between the two jaws 3 and 4 when the two jaws 3 and 4 are in the close-together configuration.

[0119] The two heated internal surfaces 14 are substantially flat, but their configuration could be otherwise. They could be of complementary wavy shapes or of complementary curved shapes for example.

[0120] The heated internal surfaces 14 are, in the example illustrated, formed by the contact surface of internal plates 16 made of a heat-conducting material each extending over one of the jaws. Each internal plate 16 constitutes an internal treatment member of the device.

[0121] As a variant which has not been illustrated, just one of the jaws 3 or 4 may bear an internal plate 16 having a heated contact surface facing an abutment surface of the other jaw 3 or 4. The abutment surface may be formed by the body of the jaw or by an element added on to the jaw. The handpiece 2 may comprise a jaw-configuration detection member, notably Hall-effect sensor, configured to detect the configuration of the jaws 3 and 4 and namely whether the jaws 3 and 4 are in the closed, treatment, configuration or in the open configuration.

[0122] As illustrated, the plates 16 may be laterally offset on the jaws 3 and 4, which means to say not centred on the axes Y land Y2. Thus, the handpiece 2 is asymmetric relative to a median plane P of the jaws 3 and 4 perpendicular to the heated internal surfaces 14 when in the closed configuration.

[0123] Additional treatment member

[0124] In the examples illustrated, the device 1 comprises an additional hair treatment member 12 extending from the jaw 4 towards the other jaw 3 when the jaws 3 and 4 are in the close-together configuration, and arranged on said jaw 4 laterally with respect to the internal plate 16.

[0125] The jaw 3 is for example free of any additional treatment

[0126] The member 12 extends longitudinally and parallel to the longitudinal axis Y2 of the jaw 4 along an edge 13 of the internal plate 16 of the jaw 4 while being separate from this internal plate 16, when the device 1 is observed along its longitudinal axis L.

[0127] The jaw 4 may be free of any additional treatment member on the side corresponding to an edge 15 of the internal plate 16 opposite to the edge 13. This increases the asymmetry of the handpiece 2 relative to the median plane P.

[0128] The member 12 may comprise a steam outlet 21 and / or a comb 22, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0129] The comb 22 may be arranged, preferably removably, in a housing such as a longitudinal slot 23, visible in Figure 2. The user may thus change or remove the comb 22, as required.

[0130] The slot 23 may have a rectangular transverse section and open onto the distal end of the jaw 4.

[0131] The comb 22 may comprise, in the distal part of the device 1, an element 24 to enable the comb 22 to be grasped as it is being introduced into the slot 23 or extracted therefrom.

[0132] The comb 22 may extend, for example, over the entire length of the guide portion. In a variant, it may extend over just part of the guide portion. The steam treatment may be performed by means of a vaporizing member consisting of a heating element heating an evaporation chamber supplied with water from a reservoir situated in one arm of the device or, in a variant, a remote reservoir. The device may comprise an electrically driven pump, preferably a peristaltic pump, collecting from a water reservoir the water that is to be sent to the device 1. The pump is, for example, as disclosed in publication FR 2 967 018. The evaporation chamber may be produced in accordance with the teaching of application EP 2449909A1, or in some other way.

[0133] The evaporation chamber may be arranged on one of the arms, namely the lower arm 6 in the example considered, and the steam outlet 21 is provided on that same arm 6.

[0134] The steam outlet 21 may take the form of a spray line of elongate shape in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis Y2.

[0135] The spray line may comprise several steam-spraying orifices, for example between 4 and 10 orifices, preferentially 7, which are preferably equally distributed along the spray line and each of an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the treatment median plane.

[0136] The vaporizing member is electrically powered and a temperature sensor is advantageously arranged in the evaporation chamber. The device is designed to keep the temperature of the evaporation chamber at a value comprised between 110°C and 130°C.

[0137] The teeth of the comb 22 may be of rectangular cross section.

[0138] Direction of use

[0139] As mentioned previously, the handpiece 2 is asymmetric relative to the median plane P of the jaws 3 and 4 perpendicular to the heated internal surfaces 14 when in the closed configuration.

[0140] When hair is being treated with the illustrated device, as will be described in greater detail later, the hair is gripped between the jaws 3 and 4 and the handpiece 2 is moved along the lock of hair.

[0141] Thus, the asymmetry relative to the plane P causes asymmetric treatment of the hair.

[0142] The handpiece 2 can be used in four directions of use:

[0143] - The first direction of use results in performing the following successive steps, with the jaw 4 beneath the jaw 3: combing, application of steam and heating. - The second direction of use results in performing the following successive steps, with the jaw 4 beneath the jaw 3: heating, application of steam and combing.

[0144] - The third direction of use results in performing the following successive steps, with the jaw 4 above the jaw 3: combing, application of steam and heating.

[0145] - The fourth direction of use results in performing the following successive steps, with the jaw 4 above the jaw 3: heating, application of steam and combing.

[0146] The first and third treatments are performed from the front face Fl towards an opposite rear face F2; the second and fourth treatments are performed from the rear face F2 towards the front face Fl.

[0147] The first and third directions of use apply substantially the same treatment to the hair and the second and fourth directions of use perform substantially the same treatment on the hair.

[0148] The first and third directions of use are said to be optimal insofar as the quality of the treatment is better than that obtained with the other two directions of use, since the combing occurs before the application of steam and the heating. Effectively, it allows a clear distinction between the 3 key steps in the treatment and shaping of the hair. In a first step, the hair is combed and properly oriented and distributed across the entire treatment width, using the comb.

[0149] In a second step, distinct from the first, the hair is treated with the steam, slightly dampening it in order to protect it and properly prepare it for the coming heat treatment. In a third step, distinct from the previous two, the hair is thermally and mechanically treated by the combination of the temperature of the plates 16 and the pressure applied by the tongs formed by the arms 5, 6. The succession of 3 steps leads to an excellent styling result, while protecting the health of the hair. It will therefore be appreciated that using the device in a different direction, in this instance in the second and fourth directions of use, is undesirable, because it does not lead to the best results.

[0150] In order to visually guide the user in using the handpiece in the first direction, the handpiece 2 may have arrows 25 indicating the optimal direction to the user.

[0151] Sensor

[0152] The device 1 comprises a sensor 30 of a characteristic of use of the handpiece 2 along the lock of hair, visible in Figures 3a to 3c and 4a to 4c. The sensor 30 is, for example, inside the housing of one of the jaws 3 and 4 and therefore not visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0153] The sensor 30 may be positioned near the treatment region, namely near the distal end of the jaws 3 and 4.

[0154] For example, the sensor 30 is a tilt switch enabling measurement of an inclination of the handpiece 2.

[0155] The measurement axis Y is, in this example, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and is parallel in a plane extending between the jaws 3 and 4 when in the closed position. Thus, in this configuration, the axis Y will be substantially parallel to the hair between the jaws 3 and 4 during the treatment. In this example, the axis Y extends between the front face Fl and the rear face F2.

[0156] The sensor 30 comprises a channel 31, oriented along the axis Y, in which a ball 32 can move from one end to the other, and a switch contactor 33 at one end of the channel 31.

[0157] In order to illustrate the operation of the sensor 30, Figures 3a to 3c illustrate the use of the handpiece 2 in the first direction, and Figures 4a to 4c illustrate the use in the second direction. As explained, the hair C is treated from the root Ra toward the tips Po through a movement in a direction D.

[0158] In Figures 3a to 3c and 4a to 4c, the sensor 30 is visualized by looking at the handpiece 2 in a direction A from the end corresponding to the lead 17.

[0159] As visible in the figures, when the device is used, the median plane T extending between the jaws 3 and 4 makes a non-zero angle P with the horizontal H.

[0160] As can be seen, in the first direction of use in Figures 3a to 3c, the ball 32 is in contact with the switch contactor 33.

[0161] The handpiece 2 is oriented in such a way that the switch contactor 33 is downmost, and the ball 32 comes into contact with the switch contactor 33, enabling detection of the ball 32.

[0162] Conversely, in the second direction of use in Figures 4a to 4c, the switch contactor 33 is uppermost, and the ball 32 is no longer in contact with the switch contactor 33.

[0163] The sensor 30 therefore operates in a binary mode toggling between two states, each one being characteristic of a range of orientations of the handpiece 2. In the eventuality, not depicted, of the handpiece being used at an orientation of 180° from the orientations of Figures 3a to 3c and 4a to 4c, corresponding to the fourth and third directions of use described hereinabove, the switch contactor 33 is downmost and the ball 32 comes into contact with the switch contactor 33 in the third direction of use, and the switch contactor 33 is uppermost and the ball 32 is not in contact with the switch contactor 33 in the fourth direction of use.

[0164] Thus, depending on the detection of the ball 32, the sensor 30 may supply a characteristic of use corresponding to a range of orientations of the handpiece 2.

[0165] This characteristic of use is received by a processor of the device 1 which uses it to deduce a direction of use of the handpiece 2.

[0166] Effectively, the orientation is characteristic of the direction of use, notably ranges of orientation, as has just been illustrated.

[0167] The processor can thus generate information regarding the direction of use, and notably determine that the handpiece 2 is being used in the first or third direction of use, which are the optimal ones, or in the second or fourth direction, which are the degraded ones.

[0168] The device 1 may comprise a user- alert member, not visible in the figures, configured to receive the information regarding the direction of use of the handpiece 2 and to emit, for at least one direction of use, notably for a direction different from the optimal direction of use, a user alert, notably a signal perceptible to the user, notably an audible, visual or haptic signal.

[0169] One example of a method according to the invention for treating hair using the device 1 is described hereinbelow.

[0170] In this example, the treatment to be performed is a straightening. In a variant, the treatment to be performed is a curling.

[0171] In a first step, the device 1 is electrically powered by plugging the lead 17 into a mains outlet.

[0172] In a second step, the user positions a lock of hair between the jaws 3 and 4, these jaws being in the open configuration. The handpiece 2 is notably positioned near the root of the hair.

[0173] The user then brings the jaws 3 and 4 into the closed configuration in a third step. When the jaws 3 and 4 are in the closed configuration, the jaw-configuration detection member detects this and sends a signal either to the alert member or to the sensor 30 so that the detection of the direction of use can commence.

[0174] The signal could also be transmitted to any other logic unit of the device 1 provided that this logic unit is capable of causing the detection of the direction of use to commence.

[0175] Prior to this signal from the detection member, the detection of the direction of use is not performed.

[0176] In this step, the user has oriented the handpiece 2 by modifying its inclination with respect to the terrestrial horizontal H, as has been explained.

[0177] In a fourth step, which succeeds the third step, the sensor 30 determines the direction of use.

[0178] This detection is achieved by the switch contactor 33 either detecting or not detecting the ball 32.

[0179] On the basis of this detection, the sensor 30 determines a range of inclinations of the handpiece 2.

[0180] The sensor 30 then transmits this data to the processor which generates information regarding the direction of use of the handpiece 2 for the alert member.

[0181] If the direction of use is an optimal direction, provision may be made for the alert member not to emit any signal perceptible to the user.

[0182] If the direction of use is a degraded direction, provision may be made for the alert member to emit a signal perceptible to the user, for example a visual, audible or haptic signal or a combination thereof.

[0183] It may also be conceivable to adopt the opposite approach, namely a perceptible signal in the event of use in the optimal direction, and no signal in the other directions.

[0184] It may even be conceivable to have a perceptible signal for all directions of use, the signal differing according to whether the direction of use is the optimal direction or a degraded direction.

[0185] In the eventuality that the user has been alerted to an incorrect direction of use, the method may comprise a step of correctly re-orientating the handpiece 2 relative to the hair. Once the handpiece 2 is in the correct orientation allowing this handpiece 2 to be used in the optimal direction of use, it is moved along the air from the roots towards the tips in order to perform, on a given region of the lock of hair, the following steps: combing, application of steam and heating.

[0186] The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described.

[0187] The number of treatment steps, the type of treatment and the order of the treatments may differ.

[0188] The method may comprise a step of applying a cosmetic product.

[0189] The handpiece may comprise heated external surfaces for curling the hair by winding it around the handpiece and / or around one of or the jaws.

[0190] The sensor could be different, for example could be an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

[0191] An example of a sensor 30 comprising a gyroscope is illustrated in Figure 5.

[0192] The sensor 30 in this case comprises a rocker arm 40 free to rotate about a pivot pin G, parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handpiece 2.

[0193] The sensor 30 also comprises a housing 41 on which the pivot pin G is mounted. The housing 41 is fixed with respect to the handpiece 2.

[0194] The sensor 30 is able to determine the relative position between the housing 41 and the rocker arm 40.

[0195] When the handpiece 2 is oriented for performing a treatment, the rocker arm 40 will maintain its orientation substantially on the vertical V and the housing 41 will move about the pivot pin G.

[0196] In the example of Figure 5, the handpiece 2 is used in the first direction of use and this has the effect of causing the housing 41 to rotate about the pivot pin G in the clockwise direction under the effect of gravity.

[0197] The housing 41 and the rocker arm 40 thus form between them an angle 5, with respect to the position of rest on the horizontal, that is equal to the angle p.

[0198] In the case of the accelerometer, the sensor 30 measures for example an acceleration parallel to the direction of travel D. Thus, at rest, when the median plane between the jaws 3 and 4 is parallel to the horizontal H, the acceleration measured is zero. When the user uses the handpiece 2, they orient it as explained hereinabove. Thus, the acceleration measured increases as a function of the angle, because of the effect of gravity.

Claims

Claims1. Device (1) for treating the hair, notably for curling and / or straightening the hair, by moving along a lock of hair from a root towards the tip, the device (1) having, during treatment, a first direction of use in which the lock travels from a front face (Fl) towards an opposite rear face (F2) of said device and a second direction of use in which the lock travels from said rear face (F2) towards the opposite front face (Fl), the device (1) comprising: a sensor (30) of a characteristic of use of the device (1) along the lock of hair indicative of the direction of use of the device (1) at least from among the first and second directions of use, a processor configured to receive the characteristic of use detected by the sensor (30) in order to determine a direction of use of the device (1) at least from among the first and the second direction of use on the basis of the detected characteristic of use and to generate information regarding the detected direction of use of the device (1).

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising two jaws (3, 4) connected to one another and able to adopt an open configuration for engaging hair between them and a closed, treatment, configuration, the device (1) comprising a jaw-configuration detection member, notably a Hall-effect sensor, detecting the configuration of the jaws (3, 4) and configured to detect whether the jaws (3, 4) are in the closed, treatment, configuration or in the open configuration, the processor being configured to determine a direction of use of the device (1) only when a closed configuration of the jaws (3, 4) is detected by the jawconfiguration detection member that detects the configuration of the jaws (3, 4).

3. Device (1) according to Claim 2, wherein at least one of the jaws (3, 4), notably each of the jaws (3, 4), comprises at least one internal treatment member (16), better still two internal treatment members (16) facing one another, comprising an internal treatment surface configured to come into contact with or come to face part of the lock of hair when the jaws (3, 4) are in the closed configuration, the internal treatment surface being notably thermal, notably being a heated plate, extending facing the other jaw (3, 4).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional treatment member (12), notably selected from the group consisting of steam applicators, cosmetic-product applicators, combs and a combination thereof.

5. Device (1) according to Claim 4, wherein the additional treatment member (12) is arranged on the device (1) asymmetrically with respect to a median plane (P).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a handpiece (2) which is elongate along a longitudinal axis (L) and asymmetric relative to a longitudinal median plane (P) extending between the front face (Fl) and rear face (F2) of the handpiece (2).

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a useralert member configured to receive from the processor the information regarding the direction of use and to emit, for at least one direction of use, a user alert, notably a signal perceptible to the user, notably an audible, visual or haptic signal.

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein one of the first and second directions of use is optimal for performing the treatment along the lock of hair optimally and the other of the first and second directions of use is degraded, the user alert emitted by the user-alert member corresponding to one of the two directions of use, notably the degraded direction of use.

9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic of use comprises an acceleration, an orientation and / or an inclination of the device (1).

10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (30) comprises one or more gyroscopes, one or more accelerometers, one or more inclination sensors, one or more tilt switches, one or more sensors configured to determine a position with respect to an original position, or a combination thereof.

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic of use is measured along an axis (Y) extending at least partially between the front face (Fl) and the rear face (F2).

12. Method for treating the hair, notably for straightening or curling hair, by moving a device (1), notably according to any one of the preceding claims, along a lock of hair, which method comprises: detecting a characteristic of use of the device (1), while it is being moved along the lock of hair, determining, on the basis of the characteristic of use, a direction of use of the device (1) from among at least a first direction of use in which the lock travels from a frontface (Fl) towards an opposite rear face (F2) of said device and a second direction of use in which the lock travels from said rear face (F2) towards the opposite front face (Fl), generating information regarding the direction of use of the device (1) when the device (1) is used in at least one direction.

13. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising emission of a user alert when the device (1) is used in at least one direction.

14. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the user alert corresponds to a signal perceptible to the user, notably an audible, visual or haptic signal.

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein at least one component of the device (1) is controlled on the basis of the determined direction of use.

16. Method according to any one of Claims 12 to 15, comprising a thermal treatment step, notably on a thermal treatment surface, notably on a heated plate (16) and / or comprising at least one additional treatment step, notably an application of steam, an application of cosmetic product and / or a combing.

17. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 16, wherein the device (1) comprises two jaws (3, 4) able to adopt an open configuration for engaging hair between them and a closed, treatment, configuration, in which method the emission of an alert is performed only if said jaws (3, 4) are in the closed configuration, the determining of the configuration of the jaws (3, 4) being performed prior to the determining of the direction of use, and the determining of the direction of use of the device (1) being performed only where it is detected that the jaws (3, 4) are in a closed configuration.

18. Method according to Claim 17, comprising determining the configuration of the jaws (3, 4) prior to detecting the characteristic of use, the detecting of the characteristic of use being performed only where it is detected that the jaws (3, 4) are in a closed configuration.

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