An attachment for a haircare appliance

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance comprising a main body having an inlet and an outlet. Airflow from the haircare appliance is received by the inlet and emitted by the outlet. Atomisers located in the attachment are configured to deliver an atomised fluid to the airflow moving through the main body to a user's hair. An assembly comprising the attachment and a fluid reservoir, a hairstyling system comprising a haircare appliance and the attachment, and a haircare appliance are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] AN ATTACHMENT FOR A HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] It is a common problem for people to wake up with their hairstyle disturbed from sleeping. In particular, hair may stick out from the head rather than lying flat in an intended style. This is a problem that particularly affects those with short hair styles. However, those with longer hairstyles can also be affected. Often brushing the hair will not solve the problem, and it is commonly necessary to wet or wash the hair before re-styling. A process that is time consuming.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance comprising: a main body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein airflow from the haircare appliance is received by the inlet and emitted by the outlet; and an atomiser configured to deliver an atomised fluid to the airflow moving through the main body.

[0006] The present invention is advantageous as atomised and / or vaporised fluid, for example water, may be carried by the airflow to the user’s hair where the combined effect of the atomised fluid and the airflow acting on the hair may encourage the hair to lie in the intended style. The attachment may also advantageously be used to apply other fluids such as hair or skin treatments to a user’s hair, scalp or skin.

[0007] It is not necessary that any or all of the atomised fluid be vaporised. In one example, only part of the atomised fluid is vaporised. In a further example, none of the atomised fluid is vaporised. This may be the case, for example, if the haircare appliance is used in a cool airflow mode.

[0008] The attachment may comprise a permeable cover disposed over the outlet through which the atomised fluid and airflow are emitted. The permeable cover may be fluid permeable. The permeable cover may beneficially allow a user to apply pressure to upstanding hairs to encourage them to lie in the desired style. The permeable cover may be made of a resilient material. In this way, when a user applies pressure to the hair using the cover, the cover may distort to conform with the user’s head. This may beneficially be more comfortable for the user, as more of the hair may be pressed down by the cover, and force may be applied relatively uniformly to the area of the head in contact with the cover.

[0009] The cover may be removeable to facilitate replacement and cleaning. The cover may be made of any suitable material such as a woven or non-woven fabric, for example, microfibre or cotton cloth. The cover may comprise a mesh, and / or may comprise a metal or plastic porous or foraminous material. It is not essential that the cover be flexible, and a rigid cover is contemplated. For example, the cover may comprise a rigid metal or plastics material comprising a plurality of holes and / or perforations.

[0010] In one example, the attachment may comprise a pump to deliver liquid from a reservoir to the atomiser upon activation. The main body may be moveable relative to the pump to activate the pump. This is advantageous as the liquid may be automatically delivered to the atomiser when a user moves the main body relative to the pump, for example by pushing the attachment against their head or other area of the body.

[0011] The main body may be movable between a first position and a second position. The main body may be biased to the first position, for example, by a spring. Movement of the main body to the second position may activate the pump. In this way, the pump may be automatically activated when the main body is moved to the second position, and may be automatically deactivated when the main body returns to the first position under the action of the bias.

[0012] The attachment may comprise a central axis that extends through the inlet and the outlet. The main body may be moveable along the central axis. This may provide a symmetrical applicator which is suitable for use on the hair, scalp or other part of the body.

[0013] Alternatively, the pump may be moveable relative to the main body to activate the pump. This is advantageous as the liquid may be automatically delivered to the to the atomiser when a user moves the pump relative to the main body, for example by pushing the attachment against their head or other area of the body.

[0014] For example, the pump may be movable between a first position and a second position. The pump may be biased to the first position, for example, by a spring. Movement of the pump to the second position may activate the pump. In this way, the pump may be automatically activated when the pump is moved to the second position, and may be automatically deactivated when the pump returns to the first position under the action of the bias. The attachment may comprise a central axis that extends through the inlet and the outlet and the pump may be moveable along the central axis.

[0015] In one example, the main body may be generally frustoconical in form. In alternative examples, the main body may be generally hemi- spherical, partially spherical, pyramidal or cylindrical in form.

[0016] The attachment may comprise a reservoir in fluid communication with the atomiser. This is convenient for the user as the reservoir may hold fluid ready for use. In one example, the reservoir may be a cartridge. The reservoir may be re-fillable.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention provides an assembly comprising the attachment described above and a reservoir configured to be placed in fluid communication with the atomiser.

[0018] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a haircare appliance and the attachment described above.

[0019] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising: an airflow generator; a main body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein airflow from the airflow generator is received by the inlet and emitted by the outlet; and an atomiser configured to deliver an atomised fluid to the airflow moving through the main body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional representation of an attachment for a haircare appliance attached to a haircare appliance;

[0021] Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional representation of an alternative arrangement of the attachment of Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 3 shows a schematic isometric representation of the attachment and haircare appliance of Figure 2; and

[0023] Figures 4A to 4C show schematic representations of the attachment during use.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional representation of an attachment 10 attached to a haircare appliance 30. In this example the haircare appliance 30 comprises a hairdryer.

[0026] The attachment 10 comprises a main body 12 and a cartridge 20. The main body 12 is frustoconical in form, increasing in diameter from an inlet 14 towards an outlet 16. The inlet end of the main body 12 is attached to the haircare appliance 30 by a magnetic connection. However, it will be understood that any other suitable releasable connection may be used between the attachment 10 and the haircare appliance 30 such as a threaded connection, inter-engaging lugs, or a friction connection. In another example, the attachment 10 may be integral with the haircare appliance 30.

[0027] The haircare appliance 30 comprises a handle portion 32 and a head portion 31. Switches 33 for operating the haircare appliance 30 are located on the handle portion 32. A primary air inlet (not shown) is located in the handle portion 32 and is in fluid communication with an outlet 36 located in the head portion 31. A motor (not shown) located in the handle portion between the air inlet and head portion 31 is arranged to drive airflow from the primary air inlet through the handle portion 32 and into head portion 31 such that it exits the outlet 36. A secondary airflow passage 34 extends through the head portion 31 from a secondary inlet 35 to a secondary outlet 38. The outlet 36 is circular and surrounds the secondary outlet 38 of the secondary airflow passage 34. The secondary airflow passage 34 and the main body 12 of the attachment 10 share a common central axis 37. To activate the haircare appliance 30, one or more of the switches 33 are activated by a user to operate the motor to drive airflow from the primary inlet to the outlet 36. The airflow may be heated - by heating elements located in the head portion 31 - before it exits the outlet 36.

[0028] The cartridge 20 is located in, and supported by, the secondary airflow passage 34. The cartridge 20 is configured to hold a fluid, such as water. In this example, the cartridge 20 is made of a durable material and is re-fillable. However, in other examples, the cartridge 20 may be replaceable and / or disposable.

[0029] A support grille 19 is located at the inlet 14 of the main body 12. The grille 19 supports a pump 17 which is in fluid communication with four atomising nozzles 18 located within the main body 12. Each atomising nozzle 18 comprises a proximal end which is connected to the pump 17, and a distal end located within the main body 12 such that each atomising nozzle 18 protrudes into the main body 12 away from the inlet end 14. A second side of the support grille 19 engages with the head portion 31 of the haircare appliance 30. The pump

[0030] 17 is in fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge 20 via a tube (not shown) which passes through and is supported by the grille 19. The cartridge 20 may be connected to the support grille 19 by a magnetic connection, or any other suitable releasable connection, such as a friction or snap fit connection.

[0031] The pump 17 is configured to deliver fluid from the cartridge 20 to the atomising nozzles

[0032] 18 upon activation. The main body 12 is moveable with respect to the pump 17 and biased by a spring 15 to a first position in which the pump 17 is not activated. The pump 17 is configured to be activated when the main body 12 moves with respect to the pump 17 towards a second position when a user places the main body 12 against their head, or another part of the body. The main body 12 is supported by and moveable with respect to the annular periphery 13 the grille 19. In the example shown, the pump 17 comprises a standard mechanical pump comprising a cylinder (not shown), a piston (not shown) and the spring 15. The cylinder defines a chamber, the volume of which is dependent on the position of the piston. The chamber is in fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge 20 via the tube described above and a one-way valve located in the piston. The spring 15 biases the main body 12 to the first position and also biases the piston to a rest position. Once the cylinder has been primed (by operating the pump a few times) so that it is filled with a charge of fluid from the cartridge 20, movement of the main body 12 to its second position compresses the spring 15 which in turn causes the piston to move thereby reducing the volume of the chamber. Consequently, the fluid in the chamber is ejected from the pump 17 via the atomising nozzles 18. The main body 12 may be moved from the first position to the second position when a user presses the attachment 10 against their head or other body part.

[0033] When the user releases the attachment from their head or body, the spring 15 biases the main body 12 back to the first position and the piston back to its rest position. This causes a new charge of fluid from the cartridge 20 to be sucked into the chamber via the one way valve ready for the next operation of the pump 17.

[0034] In an alternative example, the pump 17 may be located in the cartridge 20 and connected to the atomising nozzles 18 via a tube which passes through and is supported by the grille 19.

[0035] In a further alternative example, the pump 17 may comprise an electrically operated pump comprising a contact switch which is configured to operate the pump when the main body 12 moves from the first position to the second position. Alternatively, the electric pump may be operated by a switch located on the haircare appliance 30.

[0036] In another example, the cartridge 20 may be pressurised such that the pump 17 is not required. In this case, movement of the main body 12 from the first to the second position causes a one way valve of the cartridge 20 to operate to release fluid from the cartridge 12 to the atomising nozzles 18 under the action of the internal pressure of the cartridge. When a user wishes to flatten upstanding hairs, for example, the haircare appliance 30 is activated by activation of one or both of the switches 33, and the outlet 16 side of the main body 12 of the attachment 10 is placed against the user’s head to cause the main body 17 to move to the second position and activate the pump 17. Activation of the pump 17 causes fluid to be delivered to the atomising nozzles 18 where it is atomised and distributed into the main body 12 of the attachment 10 as atomised fluid 22. Heated airflow from the haircare appliance 30 passes through the main body 12 from the inlet 14 to the outlet 16 and the atomised fluid 22 is vaporised and carried to the user’s hair by the hot airflow. The combined effect of the effect of the vaporised fluid and the heated airflow acting on the user’s hair may encourage the hair to lie flat in the intended style.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional representation of a modified attachment 110 attached to a haircare appliance 30. In this example the attachment 110 is the same in every respect to the attachment 110 except for a removeable cover 120 located across the outlet 16 of the main body 12.

[0038] The removeable cover 120 comprises a permeable woven material, such as cotton, held in tension across the outlet 16. The cover 120 is held in tension by a ring shaped frame 122 which is removably attached to the main body 12 by a snap fit connection. It will be understood that any suitable releasable connection may be used to connect the cover 120 to the main body 12.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a schematic isometric representation of the attachment 110 and haircare appliance 30.

[0040] Figures 4A to 4C show schematic representations of the attachment 110 during use. In Figure 4A a person is shown having upstanding hairs 50. In Figure 4B, the hair appliance 30 and attachment 110 are used to press the hairs 50 down into position whilst applying heated air and water vapor to the hairs 50 and surrounding hair through the permeable cover to flatten the hairs 50 into the intended style as shown in Figure 4C. In particular, the cover 120 resiliently deforms in conformance with the shape of the user’s head before returning to its original shape when the user releases pressure. It is not essential to employ a cover 120 to flatten hair using the hair appliance. Some users may prefer the combined action of the vaporised fluid and the heated airflow acting on the hair, while others may prefer the additional ability to press the hair flat using the cover 120.

[0041] The attachment 10, 110 may be used with any suitable appliance capable of providing a heated and / or cool flow of air to the attachment 10, 110, and the attachment 10, 110 may be used for many different purposes such as treatment of the scalp, face or any other area of the body. The fluid contained in the cartridge 20 to be atomised may contain additives which are beneficial to the hair and / or skin.

[0042] The attachment 10, 110 may be permanently attached to the haircare appliance 30 (or other suitable airflow device).

[0043] In the examples described above the atomising nozzles 18 comprise elongate nozzles which protrude into the main body 12. In another example, the atomising nozzles 18 may be located in the main body 12 such that they do not protrude therefrom.

[0044] In an alternative construction to that described above, the cartridge 20 may be located within the body of the haircare appliance 30.

[0045] In a further alternative construction, the cartridge 20 may be attached to the support grille 19. For example, the cartridge 20 may be connected to the support grille 19 by a threaded connection (not shown) or any other suitable releasable connection, such as a magnetic or friction, or snap fit connection. In this example, the cartridge 20 may have a smaller diameter than the secondary airflow passage 34 so that it is not supported by the secondary airflow passage 34 itself, but rather supported by the grille 19. If the diameter of the cartridge 20 is less than the diameter of the secondary airflow passage 34, an open annulus of the secondary airflow passage 34 surrounds the cartridge 20 to allow airflow through the secondary airflow passage 34 from the secondary inlet 35 such that it exits the secondary outlet 38 to join with airflow exiting the head portion 31 via the outlet 36. It will be understood that use of a grille 19 in any of the examples described above is optional, and that any other suitable support, such as radial spokes, may be used to support the pump 17, atomising nozzles 18 and / or the cartridge 20. In yet another example, the cartridge 20 may comprise, or fit within, a device having resilient struts configured to contact the walls of the secondary airflow passage 34 to support the cartridge 20 within the secondary airflow passage 34 while providing an airflow annulus around the cartridge 20.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An attachment for a haircare appliance comprising: a main body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein airflow from the haircare appliance is received by the inlet and emitted by the outlet; an atomiser configured to deliver an atomised fluid to the airflow moving through the main body; and a permeable cover disposed over the outlet through which the atomised fluid and airflow are emited.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover is removeable.

3. The attachment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover comprises a woven or nonwoven fabric.

4. The attachment of any preceding claim, comprising a pump to deliver liquid from a reservoir to the atomiser upon activation.

5. The attachment of claim 4, wherein the main body is moveable relative to the pump to activate the pump.

6. The attachment of claim 5, wherein the main body is movable between a first position and a second position, the main body is biased to the first position, and movement of the main body to the second position activates the pump.

7. The attachment of claim 5 or 6, wherein the attachment comprises a central axis that extends through the inlet and the outlet, and the main body is moveable along the central axis.

8. The atachment of any preceding claim, wherein the main body is frustoconical in form.

9. The attachment of any preceding claim, comprising a reservoir in fluid communication with the atomiser.

10. An assembly comprising the attachment of any one of claims 1 to 8 and a reservoir configured to be placed in fluid communication with the atomiser.

11. A hairstyling system comprising a haircare appliance and the attachment of any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A haircare appliance comprising: an airflow generator; a main body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein airflow from the airflow generator is received by the inlet and emitted by the outlet; and an atomiser configured to deliver an atomised fluid to the airflow moving through the main body; and a permeable cover disposed over the outlet through which the atomised fluid and airflow are emitted.

Images