Haircare attachment and appliance

Abstract

A haircare attachment is described. The attachment comprises a main body having an air inlet for receiving an airflow and a plurality of projections which extend from the main body in a forward direction. Each of the projections comprises a tip for engaging a user's scalp, a base, and an air outlet. The air outlet is in flow communication with the air inlet of the main body, and is configured to discharge airflow in a rearward direction towards the base of the projection. A haircare appliance including the attachment and another haircare attachment are also described.

Description

[0001] HAIRCARE ATTACHMENT AND APPLIANCE

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Some haircare appliances use heated air to dry or style hair.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided a haircare attachment comprising: a main body having an air inlet for receiving an airflow; and a plurality of projections which extend from the main body in a forward direction, wherein each of the projections comprises a tip for engaging a user’s scalp, a base, and an air outlet, and wherein the air outlet is in flow communication with the air inlet of the main body, and the air outlet is configured to discharge airflow in a rearward direction towards the base of the projection.

[0006] A user may experience discomfort when using a conventional haircare attachment. In particular, hot air discharged towards the scalp can be uncomfortable. With the haircare attachment of the first aspect, projections are able to penetrate deeply into the hair for effective drying or styling. Air is then discharged from the air outlets in a rearward direction away from the scalp, which may improve user comfort.

[0007] The air outlet may be located toward the tip of the projection. As a result, air may be better directed at the roots of the hair whilst also being directed away from the scalp.

[0008] Each of the projections may comprise a plurality of air outlets in flow communication with the air inlet of the main body. By providing each of the projections with a plurality of air outlets, faster drying of the hair may be achieved.

[0009] Each air outlet of the plurality of air outlets may be configured to discharge airflow in a rearward direction towards the base of the projection. By ensuring that each of the air outlets discharges airflow in a rearward direction, faster dry times may be achieved without undue discomfort to the user. The plurality of air outlets may comprise a row of air outlets that extend along a length of the projection. By providing the row of air outlets, improved drying may be achieved along the length of the hair. As a result, faster drying of the hair may be achieved. Drying may be particularly improved when providing each of the projections with a row of air outlets.

[0010] The plurality of air outlets may comprise a further row of air outlets. The row of air outlets and the further row of air outlets may be located at different positions around the projection. By providing each projection with at least two rows of air outlets that are located at different positions around the projection, the airflow may be distributed more evenly through the hair resulting in faster dry times.

[0011] The row of air outlets may be offset from the further row of air outlets in a direction along the length of the projection. The row of air outlets may comprise a first air outlet adjacent to the tip, and may comprise a second air outlet adjacent to the first air outlet. The further row of air outlets may comprise a third air outlet adjacent to the tip. The third air outlet may be located along the length of the projection at a position between the first air outlet and the second air outlet. By offsetting the air outlets in this manner, a more uniform airflow may be discharged from each of the projections, resulting in more even drying of the hair.

[0012] Each of the projections may comprise at least three air outlets. Where each of the projections comprises one or more rows of air outlets, each row may comprise at least three air outlets.

[0013] Each air outlet may be elongate. Elongate outlets may have an acoustic benefit. The acoustic benefit may be a reduction in the volume of particular tones generated by airflow passing through the air outlet. Additionally or alternatively, the acoustic benefit may be a reduction in the total noise generated by airflow passing through the air outlet.

[0014] Each of the projections may comprise a base portion extending from the base and having a length of at least one quarter of a length of the projection. The base portion of at least some of the projections may be devoid of air outlets. By ensuring that the base portion of the projection is devoid of air outlets, a higher pressure may be achieved for the airflow at the air outlet or air outlets. As a result, the airflow may be discharged at a higher velocity and thus penetrate more deeply into the hair.

[0015] The plurality of projections may include a set of central projections flanked by a set of peripheral projections. Each of the central projections may have a round cross-section. Each of the peripheral projections may have an elongate cross-section.

[0016] Each air outlet of the plurality of peripheral projections may face inwardly towards the central projections. By arranging the air outlets of the peripheral projections to face inwardly towards the central projections, expelling of hair from the attachment may be reduced, leading to improved drying.

[0017] The haircare attachment may comprise one or more passages that extend through the main body. The passages may be configured to receive airflow discharged from the projections and to communicate the airflow through the main body. Utilising the passages through the main body, the airflow discharged from the projections may escape from the haircare attachment. Thus, trapping of the airflow by the attachment may be reduced, leading to improved drying.

[0018] The main body may comprise a plurality of conduits that provide flow paths from the air inlet to the projections. Each of the passages may be formed by a spacing between the conduits. By providing conduits that are spaced, each passage may be formed between conduits, so that a separate structure for the passage may not be needed and, similarly, a plurality of separate conduits may not be needed.

[0019] The main body may be circular in shape. Each of the passages may extend radially or circumferentially. The passages may extend circumferentially and may be arranged concentrically. By providing passages that extend radially or circumferentially around the main body, the airflow discharged from the projections may pass more uniformly through the main body. By arranging the passages circumferentially and concentrically, the airflow discharged from the projections may pass particularly uniformly through the main body. The projection may have a cross-sectional width, as measured in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction, which is up to 6 millimetres, optionally up to 4 millimetres.

[0020] The air outlet may be configured to discharge airflow at an angle of 60 degrees or less relative to a longitudinal axis of the projection. The angle may be 45 degrees or less.

[0021] According to a second aspect, there is provided a haircare appliance comprising a haircare attachment as described above, and a main unit comprising an airflow generator to generate the airflow, wherein the haircare attachment is attached to the main unit, and wherein optionally the haircare attachment is releasably attached to the main unit.

[0022] The haircare attachment of the haircare appliance according to the second aspect may be as the haircare attachment described with respect to the first aspect.

[0023] According to a third aspect, there is provided a haircare attachment comprising a main body having an air inlet for receiving an airflow; and a plurality of projections which extend from the main body, wherein each of the projections comprises an air outlet in flow communication with the air inlet of the main body, and wherein the air outlet is configured to discharge airflow in a rearward direction towards the main body.

[0024] The haircare attachment according to the third aspect may be as the haircare attachment described with respect to the first aspect.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure l is a perspective view of a haircare appliance including an attachment.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the attachment.

[0028] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment.

[0029] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a projection of the attachment.

[0030] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment.

[0031] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the projection of the attachment.

[0032] Figure 7 is a plan view of the attachment. Figure 8 is a side view of the attachment.

[0033] Figure 9 is a sectional side view of the attachment.

[0034] Figure 10 is a plan view of the attachment with two sets of projections.

[0035] Figure 11 is a perspective view of an elongate projection.

[0036] Figure 12 is a perspective view of another attachment.

[0037] Figure 13 is a perspective view of another attachment. Figure 14 is a side view of the attachment of Figure 13.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective of a haircare appliance 10.

[0040] The haircare appliance 10 comprises a main unit 12, and a haircare attachment 100 releasably attachable to the main unit 12. The main unit 12 comprises an airflow generator 16 and a heater 18, a control unit 20, and a main unit air inlet 22. In use, airflow is drawn into the main unit 12 through the main unit air inlet 22 by the airflow generator 16 and discharged from the main unit 12 into the attachment 100 to be discharged therefrom. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the main unit 12 and comprises an impeller driven by an electric motor. The heater 18 is also housed within the main unit 12 and comprises heating elements 30 to optionally heat the airflow. The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for controlling the haircare appliance 10, e.g. powering on and off the haircare appliance 10.

[0041] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the haircare attachment 100. In the example illustrated in Figure 2, the attachment 100 comprises a main body 110 and a plurality of projections 120 (or ‘prongs’) which extends from the main body 110 in a forward direction 101.

[0042] The main body 110 includes an air inlet 111 for receiving an airflow. The airflow is in use received from the main unit 12 into the air inlet 111 of the attachment 100.

[0043] The main body 110 has any suitable shape. In this example, the main body 110 is generally circular of shape, defining a radial direction 112 and a circumferential direction 113. Each of the projections 120, which extend from the main body 100, comprises a tip 121 for engaging a user’s scalp, and a base 122 attached to the main body 110. The tip 121 and the base 122 of a given projection 120 are opposite ends of the projection 120.

[0044] The projections 120 have any suitable shape. In this example, the projections 120 are elongated in the forward direction 101, each projection 120 defining a longitudinal axis 129 and having a length measured along the longitudinal axis 129. The longitudinal axis 129 defines a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 129.

[0045] Each projection 120 includes a plurality of air outlets 123 located towards the tip 121 of the projection 120. The air outlets 123 are in flow communication with the air inlet 111 of the main body 110.

[0046] In this example, the air outlets 123 of each projection 120 are distributed on the projection 120 for more uniform airflow from the projection 120. In particular, the air outlets 123 are located at different positions around the projection 120 and are spaced along the length of the projection 120.

[0047] The air outlets 123 have any suitable shape. For example, the air outlets may be holes of square or circular shape; or may be slots of elongate shape. The air outlets 123 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are square. In some examples, air outlets 123 with different shapes may be provided on a given projection 123 and / or air outlets 123 with different shapes may be provided on different projections 123.

[0048] At least one air outlet 123 is configured to discharge the airflow in a rearward direction 124 (see Figure 3). Said rearward direction 124 is towards the base 122 of the projection 120 from which the airflow is discharged. In some examples, all air outlets 123 are configured to discharge the airflow in a rearward direction 124. In other examples, some but not all air outlets 123 are configured to discharge the airflow in a rearward direction 124. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the haircare attachment 100. The air outlets 123 of the projections 120 are configured to discharge airflow in the rearward direction 124. The rearward direction 124 is illustrated in Figure 3 for two air outlets 123 by respective arrows. As can be seen in Figure 3, the rearward direction 124 of each air outlet 123 is towards the base 122 of the projection 120 from which the airflow is discharged.

[0049] Conventional haircare attachments, e.g. for drying thick and curly hair, may be based on a conventional diffuser with prongs that the user can push towards their scalp and configured to discharge airflow forwards, i.e. towards the user’s scalp. This can make the drying process uncomfortable and ineffective for the user. Particularly when using hot air, this may cause discomfort in response to which the user may have to turn down the temperature for comfort, but as a result it will take even longer to style and dry the hair. By contrast, the haircare attachment 100 described here has projections 120 that discharge airflow from the air outlets 123 positioned towards the tips 121 and configured to discharge the airflow in the rearward direction 124. Thus, the haircare attachment 100 is capable of directing airflow at the roots of the hair but in a direction away from the user’s scalp, which may increase user comfort. As such, the user is able to maintain higher heat for reduced styling times and better end results.

[0050] In this example, each air outlet 123 is configured to discharge airflow at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis 129 of the projection 120 from which the airflow is discharged. In Figure 3, the acute angle of one of the air outlets 123 is illustrated by a dotted curve between the longitudinal axis 129 of the respective projection 120 and the rearward direction 124. Said acute angle may be, for example, 60 degrees or less relative to the longitudinal axis 129 of the projection 120; or 45 degrees or less. In the example shown in Figure 3, said acute angle is approximately 45 degrees.

[0051] The air outlets 123 may be configured to discharge airflow at different acute angles, or may be configured to discharge airflow at the same acute angle. In this example, all of the air outlets 123 of a given projection 120 are configured to discharge airflow at the same acute angle. In Figure 3, the rearward direction 124 of two air outlets 123 is illustrated by corresponding arrows, and the acute angle 124 between the rearward direction 124 and the longitudinal axis 129 of the projection 123 is the same for the two air outlets 123.

[0052] Some of the air outlets 123 shown in Figure 3 are configured to discharge airflow in the same rearward direction 124. In Figure 3, the air outlets 123 which are on the same side of a given projection 120 discharge airflow in the same rearward direction 124. For example, the air outlets 123 on the left-hand side discharge airflow in a first rearward direction 124, and likewise the air outlets 123 on the right-hand side of the projections 120 discharge airflow in a second rearward direction 124 different from the first rearward direction 124. In particular, the air outlets 123 on both sides discharge at the same acute angle, but into different radial directions perpendicular to the forward direction 101. In this example, the projections 120 are elongate and the different radial directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 129 of the projection 120.

[0053] Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the projections 120. The plurality of air outlets 123 is arranged along the length of each projection 120 to provide a plurality of rows 125 of said air outlets 123. In Figure 4, each row 125 extends along the projection 120 in the forward direction 101 and includes at least three air outlets 123. In some examples, rows 125 may have different numbers of air outlets 123. For example, Figure 4 shows some rows 125 which have three air outlets 123, and other rows 125 which have four air outlets 123.

[0054] The rows 125 of air outlets 123 are arranged around the projection 120. More particularly, the plurality of rows 125 includes a first row 125 A and a second row 125B located at different positions around the projection 120. In Figure 4, the projection 120 has a total of eight rows 125 that are so arranged around the projection 120 but any suitable number of rows 125 may be provided, e.g. at least four rows and / or up to twelve rows.

[0055] The first row 125A comprises a first air outlet 123A adjacent to the tip 121, and a second air outlet 123B adjacent to the first air outlet 123A. The second row 125B comprises a third air outlet 123C adjacent to the tip 121. The third air outlet 123C is located along the length of the projection 120 at a position between the first air outlet 123A and the second air outlet 123B.

[0056] The first row 125A of air outlets 123 is offset from the second row 125B of air outlets 123 in a direction along the length of the projection 120, e.g. in the forward direction 101. In the example shown in Figure 4, the first row 125A is closer to the tip 121 and the second row 125B is farther from the tip 121. More particularly, the first air outlet 123 A of the first row 125A is closer to the tip 121 than the third air outlet 123C of the second row 125B, wherein the first air outlet 125 A and the third air outlet 123C are the air outlets of their respective rows which are adjacent to the tip 121. By offsetting the air outlets 123 in this manner, a more uniform airflow may be discharged from the projection 120, resulting in more even drying of the hair.

[0057] Figures 5 and 6 further illustrate the attachment 100 and in particular the projections 120 of the attachment 100. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment 100. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the projections 120.

[0058] The projections 120 have tip portions 127 and base portions 128. The base portion 128 extends from the base 122 of the projection 120 in the forward direction 101. The tip portion 127 extends from the base portion 128 in the forward direction 101 to the tip 121.

[0059] In some examples, the base portion 128 has a length of at least one quarter of a length of the projection 120, as measured in the forward direction 101. In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base portion 128 has a length of approximately half of the length of the projection 120. As such, in the present example the tip portion 127 has also has a length of approximately half of the length of the projection 120.

[0060] The air outlets 123 of the projection 120 are included in the tip portion 127 of the projection 120.

[0061] The base portion 128 of the projection is devoid of air outlets 123. By having the base portion 128 devoid of air outlets, the air outlets 123 towards the tip 121 may discharge airflow at higher pressure. Higher pressure may improve the airflow from the air outlets 123 towards the tip 121, and may also cause ambient air to be dragged along with the airflow discharged from the air outlets 123 to improve the drying process and may assist cooling the user’s scalp.

[0062] The projections 120 have a cross-sectional width measured in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction 101. In some examples, the cross-sectional width of the projection 120 may be 6 millimetres or less; or may be 4 millimetres or less; or may be 3 millimetres or less. By having a relatively small cross-sectional width, the air outlets 123 may discharge airflow at higher pressure. As set out above, this may improve the drying process and may assist cooling the user’s scalp.

[0063] In some examples, the cross-sectional width of the projection 120 may be substantially constant along the projection 120. In the present example, and as can be seen in Figure 6, the projection 120 is tapered in the forward direction 101 such that projection 120 becomes thinner towards the tip 121. In Figure 6, the cross-sectional width of the base 122 is indicated by a double-headed arrow. The cross-sectional width of the base 122 of the projection 120 may be, for example, around 6 millimetres while the cross-sectional width of the tip portion 127, which extends to the tip 121, may be less than 6 millimetres.

[0064] Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the configuration of the main body 110 of the attachment 100. Figure 7 is a plan view of the haircare attachment 100, while Figure 8 is a side view of the attachment 100 and Figure 9 is a sectional view of the attachment 100.

[0065] The main body 110 has a front 114 and, opposite thereto, a back 115. The projections 120 extend from the front 114 of the main body 110.

[0066] A plurality of passages 116 extends through the main body 110. In particular, each passage 116 extends from the front 114 to the back 115 of the main body 110. The plurality of passages 116 is configured to receive the airflow discharged from the plurality of protrusions 120 and to communicate the airflow to the back 115 of the main body 110. The main body 110 includes a plurality of conduits 118. The conduits 118 provide flow paths 119 from the air inlet 111 to the projections 120. Each conduit 118 receives a portion of the airflow communicated from the air inlet 111 and communicates said portion of the airflow to the projections 120 extending from the conduit 118. In this example, tach projection 120 extends from one of the conduits 118.

[0067] The passages 116 are formed by the spacings between the conduits 118.

[0068] The arrangement of the conduits 118 provides for communication of airflow to the air outlets 123 of the projections 120 and, by way of the spacings between the conduits 118, for the passages 116 through which airflow can exit from the attachment 100.

[0069] In this example, the passages 116 extend circumferentially and are arranged concentrically. Thus, the passages 116 extend in the circumferential direction 113. In other words, the plurality of passages 116 is arranged concentrically with respect to an axis parallel to the forward direction 101. This arrangement may particularly improve uniformity of the airflow discharged from the projections 120 and exiting the attachment 100 using the passages 116.

[0070] In other examples, the passages 116 extend in the radial direction 112. Such an arrangement may be particularly convenient with a centrally disposed inlet into the attachment, for example as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0071] Figures 10 and 11 illustrates the attachment 100 with two sets of projections 120. Figure 10 is a plan view onto the front 114 of the attachment 100. Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a peripheral projection 130.

[0072] The attachment 100 shown in Figures 10 and 11 includes a set of said peripheral projections 130 and a set of central projections 140. The set of peripheral projections 130 is arranged to flank the set of central projections 140 and each air outlet 123 of the plurality of peripheral projections 130 faces inwardly towards the central projections 140. This arrangement may help reduce hair spilling out of the haircare attachment 100, improving the drying process. The central projections 140 have a round cross-section. The peripheral projections 130 have an elongate cross-section. As such, the peripheral projections 130 have an elongate cross-section along at least part of the length of the peripheral projections 130. In this example, each peripheral projection 130 has an elongate tip 131 and an elongate base 132.

[0073] The peripheral projections 130 have air outlets 133 which are elongate and face inwardly towards the central projections 140.

[0074] The number of elongate air outlets 133 on the peripheral projections 130 may be smaller than the number of air outlets 120 on the central projections 140. For example, the peripheral projections 130 may have up to five air outlets 133. As a result of the smaller number of elongate air outlets 133, pressure from the elongate air outlets 133 may be increased.

[0075] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing another example of a haircare appliance 50 including the main unit 12 and an attachment 200. The attachment 200 includes a main body 210 from which a plurality of projections 220 extends. The attachment 200 shares features with the attachments 100 described in Figures 1 to 11. Detailed description of corresponding features is therefore omitted.

[0076] The main body 210 includes an air inlet 211. While the air inlet 111 of the attachment 100 described above faces in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction 101, e.g. the radial direction 112, and is configured to receive airflow in said direction, the air inlet 211 of the attachment 200 is configured to receive airflow in the forward direction 200 and centrally arranged on the main body 210.

[0077] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate another example of a haircare appliance 60. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the haircare appliance 60. Figure 14 is a side view of the haircare appliance 60. The haircare appliance 60 comprises a main unit 62, and the attachment 200 removably attachable to the main unit 62. The main unit 62 comprises an airflow generator 66 and a heater 68, a control unit 70, and a main unit air inlet 72. In use, airflow is drawn into the main unit 62 through the main unit air inlet 72 by the airflow generator 66 and discharged from the main unit 62 into the attachment 200 to be discharged therefrom. The airflow generator 66 is housed within the main unit 62 and comprises an impeller driven by an electric motor. The heater 68 is also housed within the main unit 62 and comprises heating elements 80 to optionally heat the airflow. The control unit 70 comprises electronic circuitry to controlling the haircare appliance 60, e.g. powering on and off the haircare appliance 60.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A haircare attachment comprising: a main body having an air inlet for receiving an airflow; and a plurality of projections which extend from the main body in a forward direction, wherein each of the projections comprises a tip for engaging a user’s scalp, a base, and an air outlet, and wherein the air outlet is in flow communication with the air inlet of the main body, and the air outlet is configured to discharge airflow in a rearward direction towards the base of the projection.

2. The haircare attachment according to claim 1, wherein each of the projections comprises a plurality of air outlets in flow communication with the air inlet of the main body, and wherein optionally each of the air outlets is configured to discharge airflow in a rearward direction towards the base of the projection.

3. The haircare attachment according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of air outlets comprises a row of air outlets that extend along a length of the projection.

4. The haircare attachment according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of air outlets comprises a further row of air outlets, and the row and the further row are located at different positions around the projection.

5. The haircare attachment according to claim 4, wherein the row of air outlets is offset from the further row of air outlets in a direction along the length of the projection.

6. The haircare attachment according to claim 5, wherein the row comprises a first air outlet adjacent to the tip, and a second air outlet adjacent to the first air outlet, and wherein the further row comprises a third air outlet adjacent to the tip and located along the length of the projection at a position between the first air outlet and the second air outlet.

7. The haircare attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air outlet is elongate.

8. The haircare attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the projections comprises a base portion extending from the base and having a length of at least one quarter of a length of the projection, and wherein the base portion is devoid of air outlets.

9. The haircare attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of projections includes a set of central projections flanked by a set of peripheral projections, each of the central projections has a round cross-section, and each of the peripheral projections has an elongate cross-section.

10. The haircare attachment according to claim 8, wherein each air outlet of the plurality of peripheral projections faces inwardly towards the central projections.

11. The haircare attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the haircare attachment comprises one or more passages that extend through the main body, and the passages are configured to receive airflow discharged from the projections and to communicate the airflow through the main body.

12. The haircare attachment according to claim 11, wherein the main body comprises a plurality of conduits that provide flow paths from the air inlet to the projections, and each of the passages is formed by a spacing between the conduits.

13. The haircare attachment according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the main body is circular in shape and each of the passages extends radially or circumferentially, and wherein optionally the passages extend circumferentially and are arranged concentrically.

14. The haircare attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the air outlet is configured to discharge airflow at an angle of 60 degrees or less relative to a longitudinal axis of the projection, and wherein optionally the angle is 45 degrees or less.

15. A haircare appliance comprising: a haircare attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, and a main unit comprising an airflow generator to generate the airflow, wherein the haircare attachment is attached to the main unit, and wherein optionally the haircare attachment is releasably attached to the main unit.

16. A haircare attachment comprising: a main body having an air inlet for receiving an airflow; and a plurality of projections which extend from the main body, wherein each of the projections comprises an air outlet in flow communication with the air inlet of the main body, and wherein the air outlet is configured to discharge airflow in a rearward direction towards the main body.

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