EP0620713B1 - Hair-styling/drying device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP93/03082 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 8, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 8, 1994 PCT Filed Nov. 4, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/14354 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 7, 1994.The invention is directed to an implement for an air-moving appliance for personal use, in particular a hair dryer or a hot-air curling brush, comprising a body (10) and a two-dimensional air discharge means (12) which includes a series of air exit apertures (14) and carries a series of hair pickup elements (16) arranged adjacent to each other. Downward ends (18) of the hair pickup elements (16) lie on a substantially concave surface.

Description

The invention relates to a tool and a method with a tool for hair shaping and / or hair drying for an air-flow device for personal use, in particular a hairdryer or a hot air curling brush.

From WO 89/09554 an attachment for a hair dryer has become known which has a base body and an air outlet element provided with a plurality of air outlet openings. Short hair detection elements are provided at the edge of these air outlet openings, the downstream ends of which are angled at right angles in order to reach under and lift the hair to be shaped. The hair detection elements have a uniform length, the angled ends being arranged in one plane. For use, the angled ends are inserted into the user's hair, moved in a circle and then removed from the scalp again, the angled ends being used to grasp and lift the hair. However, users with long hair are at risk of hair getting caught in the device. For users with short or shorter hair, handling this device is complicated because the device must not be lifted too far from the head in order to achieve the desired hair styling result.

Another hair styling tool has already been disclosed in GB 22 30 184 A. This tool can be fixed on a conventional hand hair dryer. The front of the attachment part has a multiplicity of protruding, at least 0.5 cm thick rods and air outlet openings. This device is designed to loosen hair, e.g. B. be suitable during the drying process. Because the length of the rods decreases radially outwards from the center of the attachment part, the handling of the device is difficult for the user and inexpensive hair styling or drying is not achievable. In addition, only a small area of hair can be grasped and shaped or dried, which is time-consuming and tiring for the user.

Another tool is already known from DE 41 00 398 A1. This describes an electric hair dryer with a recording device for a blower and a heating register, which has a handle and whose receiving housing and handle are formed by interconnected, shell-shaped molded bodies. The hair dryer has a cylindrical middle part holding the blower and the heating register, which extends with a web into the handle and an inlet opening arranged with the receiving housing, through which the cylindrical middle part projects with its free end. In this hair dryer, an essentially cup-shaped support part can be detachably plugged onto the peripheral surface of the free end of the cylindrical central part or the adjacent part of the receiving housing. The carrier part is formed by a push-on sleeve and a base which has a plurality of air passage openings and which carries a number of short pins, tines or projections which extend axially parallel to the fan discharge flow and on the outside. The bottom is concave, the curvature of the head can be adapted in the broadest sense. The pins, tines or lugs are essentially cylindrical and can have the same or different lengths and / or diameter sizes. This comb or brush-like attachment is intended to enable drying and straightening of the hair at the same time.

A diffuser for a hair dryer is known from US Pat. No. 4,295,283, in which a freely rotatable rotor is mounted in the diffuser housing. The rotor is intended to generate a gentle air flow that does not make hair formation difficult, but rather easier. The diffuser outlet grille can be provided with a plurality of finger-like spacers to prevent the user's head from getting too close to the diffuser housing.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to develop a tool and a method that improve the hair treatment and simplify the handling of the device for the user, the tool or method should be particularly suitable for creating volume or stand for the hair.

This object is achieved by a tool with the features of claim 1.

If the tool on the hair dryer is guided in the hair with slight circular movements, the hair is gripped by the hair detection elements and pushed between them. Because of this movement, further hair is gripped and raised in the direction of the air outlet element, so that the hair bulges between the hair detection elements. The hair is dried in this position by the escaping air, which improves the position of the hair at the hairline. The hair receives more volume or volume. The movement of the hair detection elements also has a massage effect and creates a pleasant feeling on the scalp, since at least several hair detection elements lie on the scalp. Furthermore, during the use of the tool by applying a A plurality of hair detection elements on or on the scalp of the user detects and forms or dries a larger hair area, so that the shaping or drying process is shortened overall. The hair detection elements advantageously have a ratio of the length to an average diameter greater than approximately 5: 1, preferably 8: 1 to 14: 1. As a result, the desired effect in hair detection, z. B. the generation of a better state of the hair at the hairline, especially with short hair, extremely encouraged. Because the concave surface is a section of the surface of a substantially spherical body, which corresponds approximately to the average head diameter, essentially all of the hair detection elements are in contact with the scalp during use. In this way, a larger area of hair can be shaped or dried. Furthermore, this arrangement requires easy grasping of the hair and puffing it up when the tool is moved on or on the scalp.

Finally, the massage effect is favored by the simultaneous application of several or all of the hair detection elements on or on the scalp.

Characterized in that the hair detection elements arranged in an outer region, in particular an edge segment of the air outlet element are longer than the hair detection elements arranged in an inner region of the air outlet element, the ends of the hair detection elements are arranged in an imaginary inclined plane, which further simplifies the handling of the tool . Due to this arrangement of the rods of different lengths, the tool can also be used to easily reach otherwise unreachable head areas or the hairline in the neck and to shape / dry the hair located there.

The air outlet element is advantageously convex, so that the hair can slide over the air outlet element during use. This gives the hair additional shine.

In one embodiment of the invention, the hair detection elements are arranged on concentric circular rings, each of which is at approximately the same distance from one another. This approximately equally distributed arrangement of the hair detection elements provides a sufficient distance between the hair detection elements to accommodate the individual strands of hair and additionally ensures effective use of the surface of the air outlet element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hair detection elements are arranged on the air outlet element in the form of two quadrilaterally offset quadrilaterals with concave sides curved with respect to a center point of the air outlet element. This arrangement of the hair detection elements is particularly advantageous if, for. B. for dry combing and straightening longer hair, the tool is dipped sideways into the hair close to the head. The curvature diameter of the sides is approximated to the mean head diameter, so that all of the hair detection elements on one side are guided close to the scalp and a sufficient number of hairs can thus be gripped.

Advantageously, the concave sides of the quadrilaterals correspond approximately to circumferential sections. Even with inclined handling of the tool for hair shaping or drying, several hair-capturing elements engage in the hair, so that even parts of the hair that are difficult to reach can be gripped and shaped by the tool.

Characterized in that the air outlet element is formed by circular webs, which are each offset in two planes, the emerging air is swirled and the flow velocity of the air is reduced. Undesired swirling of the hair to be dried or styled is thus avoided.

Advantageously, at least some of the webs are designed as ring walls of different heights, as a result of which the escaping air flow is further equalized and the shaping and drying effect, in particular combing the hair, is promoted.

In an advantageous development, downstream end sections of the ring walls lie in a convex surface. Through this training, the hair, for. B. during combing and / or smoothing, over these end portions, d. H. thus over the largest possible area, and thus give the hair additional shine.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the hair detection elements are fixed on the webs. As a result, the air exiting between the ring walls is passed on directly to the hair arranged between the hair detection elements and the shaping and drying process is favored.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hair detection elements are arranged essentially parallel to one another and in the main flow direction. As a result, the tool can be placed on the scalp relatively easily and without greater resistance from the hair and can be guided through the hair in circular movements.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the hair detection elements preferably have a star-shaped cross section and rounded edges. This form of hair-gathering soul Mente increases the number of edges resting on the hair and, when combing long hair in particular, causes a slight pulling action on the hair and thus the smoothing effect can be improved. In addition, this is advantageous in terms of injection molding.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hair detection elements have a circular cross section.

In a further embodiment, the downstream ends of the hair detection elements are rounded, so that the movement of the elements on the scalp advantageously brings about a pleasant feeling and a massage effect and irritation of the scalp is avoided.

The formation of an air outlet element with a circular base corresponds essentially to the same geometric shape of the air outlet opening of the base body and thus ensures an optimal air flow.

In a further embodiment, the tool advantageously has a plane placed on the ends of the hair detection elements, which is inclined to the front of the hairdryer or to the main flow direction. This further simplifies the handling of the tool. Because of this arrangement, the tool can also be used to easily reach otherwise unreachable head areas or the hairline in the neck and to shape or dry the hair located there.

The invention also relates to a method for building up standing or volume in the hair according to claim 19. For this purpose, the tool is placed on the head with the downstream ends of the hair detection elements and moved in the hair. The hair is grasped by the hair detection elements, raised between the elements in the direction of the air outlet element and dried in this position, so that there is a level at the hairline and fullness in the hair. This method ensures a simple build-up of stand or volume in the user's hair. A tool according to claims 1 to 18 is advantageously used in the method.

Further objectives, features, advantages and possible uses of the present invention result from the following description of the exemplary embodiments.

• FIG. 1 eine Vorderansicht eines Werkzeugs nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• FIG. 2 eine Draufsicht auf das Werkzeug gemäß FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 eine Seitenansicht des Werkzeugs gemäß FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 eine Prinzipdarstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung im Schnitt, und
• FIG. 5 eine vergrößerte Draufsicht auf ein Haarerfassungselement.

Show it:

• FIG. 1 is a front view of a tool according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the tool according to FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 shows a side view of the tool according to FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 shows a basic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of the invention in section, and
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view of a hair detection element.

FIG. 1 shows a tool for hair shaping / drying, which consists of a base body 10 and an air outlet element 12, which are connected to one another. The air outlet element 12 has a plurality of air outlet openings 14 and adjacent hair detection elements 16, the air outlet openings 14 not being shown in this figure for the sake of clarity. The hair detection elements 16 are different in length and are located with their downstream end 18 in a concave, i.e. with respect to the air outlet element 12, inwardly curved surface. This concave surface is a section of a spherical surface, the sphere having a diameter which corresponds approximately to the mean head diameter. This ensures that all of the hair detection elements 16 of the outer region 40 and of the inner region 42 lie against the head and, when the hair dryer rotates accordingly, the hair of the entire region, which is delimited by the outer region 40, is pushed up between the hair detection elements 16. The hair is dried accordingly in this position, whereby a good position of the hair is achieved at the hairline. The hair becomes looser and has more volume. In addition to the shaping and drying effect, the fact that all the hair detection elements 16 are in contact and the circular movement result in a massage effect on the scalp which is very pleasant for the user. The tool for hair shaping / drying is inserted into the hair on the side of the head for arranging the hair or for combing longer hair. Sufficient hair is gripped by the longer design of the hair detection elements 16 of the outer region 40 and strands by the hair detection elements 16 be isolated. They are about the convex, i.e. with respect to the surface of the air outlet element 12, the air outlet element 12 is curved outwards and thereby dried. It is also advantageous to straighten the hair. By sliding the hair over the surface of the air outlet element 12, shine is generated in the hair. The tool can be used as an accessory for a hair dryer or can be integrally connected to the hair dryer. In both cases, one-handed hair styling / drying is advantageously possible for the user, since no additional brush is required.

The hair detection elements 16 are arranged on four at equal distances from one another, concentric circular rings 30, 31, 32 and 33 set. They are also arranged in the form of two quadrilaterals 34 offset by 90 with concave sides on the air outlet element 12, in particular individual hair detection elements 16 being assignable to both quadrilaterals 34.

The concave sides of the quadrilaterals 34 form lines that correspond approximately to circumferential sections. The arrangement of the hair detection elements 16 is selected so that when the tool for the combing process is inserted from the side, the tool engages the hair close to the scalp and thereby absorb all of the hair detection elements 16 on one side surface; Air is applied to the hair and dried via the air outlet openings 14, which are not shown here for the sake of clarity.

FIG. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the tool, which illustrates the different length of the hair detection elements 16. The cross section 25 of the hair detection elements 16 becomes slightly larger starting at its upper end 18 in the direction of the upstream end of the hair detection elements 16 at the air outlet element 12. The ratio of the length to an average diameter of the hair detection elements 16 is greater than 5: 1 for the shortest of the hair detection elements. If a plane is placed on the ends 18 of the hair detection elements 16, this shows an inclination to the front of the hairdryer, which can assume an angle between greater than 0 to approximately 300, preferably 150. Due to this inclination and the different length of the rods, the user can easily handle a hair dryer with tools even in the rear area of the head without the hair detection elements 16 losing contact with the scalp or the hair dryer having to be tilted too much. In addition, the inclination favors the pushing on of the individual strands of hair on the hair detection elements 16. The air outlet openings 14 are distributed approximately uniformly over the entire surface of the air outlet element 12.

FIG. 4 shows an air outlet element 12 which is flat and is formed by circular webs 20. These are staggered on two levels, creating air swirl and reducing the flow velocity of the exiting air. A part of these webs 20 has the shape of ring walls 22. Downstream end sections 24 of the ring walls 22 lie in a surface which is convex with respect to the surface of the air outlet element 12. The hair detection elements 16 are fixed on the webs 20.

FIG. 5 shows the square, preferably star-shaped cross section 25 of a hair detection element 16, the edges 26 of which are rounded. The diameter at the upper end 18 of the hair detection element 16 is slightly smaller than at the upstream end. In another embodiment, the hair detection elements can also have a round cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, the air outlet element 12 of the tool has a diameter of approximately 93 mm and a radius of curvature of 60 mm. The length of the hair detection elements 16 is between 40 mm and 70 mm, with an average diameter of approximately 5 mm. The ratio of the length to the diameter of the hair detection elements thus lies between approximately 8: 1 for the shortest and approximately 14: 1 for the longest hair detection element 16, preferably 25 hair detection elements 16 being arranged on the air outlet element 12. The circular rings 30, 31, 32 and 33, on which the hair detection elements 16 are arranged, each have a radius of 25 mm, 39 mm, 53 mm and 67 mm. The ends 18 of the hair detection elements 16 lie in a concave surface, which is a section of a spherical surface with a diameter of approximately 210 mm. If the tool for hair shaping / drying is placed on a hair area and guided with circular movements, the hair of this area is grasped by the hair detection elements 16 and raised by the subsequent hairs, which wind along the hair detection elements 16. The air flowing out through the air outlet openings 14 dries the strands of hair, as a result of which they maintain a good position at the hairline and volume is generated in the hair. When combing longer hair, the hair glides over the convexly curved air outlet element 12. This gliding over the air outlet element 12 and the contact with the hair detection elements 16 additionally shine the hair.

Claims (20)

1. An implement for styling and/or drying hair for an air-moving appliance for personal use, in particular a hair dryer or a hot-air curling brush, comprising a body (10) and an air discharge means (12) which includes a series of air exit apertures (14) and carries a series of hair pickup elements (16) arranged adjacent to each other and distributed substantially over the surface of said air discharge means (12), wherein the hair pickup elements (16) are of rod-shaped configuration, wherein the ratio of the length of the rod-shaped pickup elements (16) to a mean diameter thereof is greater than 5 to 1, wherein the hair pickup elements (16) are designed such that a plurality of the downstream ends (18) of the hair pickup elements (16) contact, when in use, the scalp of the user and, as a result of a movement of the hair pickup elements (16) on the scalp of the user, the hairs are caught ad lifted up between the hair pickup elements (16) in the direction of the air discharge means (12) providing the user's hair with body and volume.

2. An implement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that those hair pickup elements (16) that are arranged in an outer region (40) in particular an edge segment of the air discharge means (12), are of greater length than the hair pickup elements (16) that are arranged in a inner region (42) of the air discharge means (12).

3. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio is approximately between 8 to 1 and 14 to 1

4. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air discharge means (12) is arched outwardly towards the downstream ends (18).

5. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hair pickup elements (16) are arranged on concentric circular rings (30, 31, 32, 33) in particular spaced from one another at approximately equal distances.

6. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hair pickup elements (16) are arranged on the air discharge means (12) in the form of two quadrangles (34) disposed in a 90 offset in relation to each other, their sides being curved in a concave fashion relative to a centre of the air discharge means (12).

7. An implement as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the concave sides of the quadrangles (34) correspond approximately to the arcs of a circle.

8. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air discharge means (12) is formed by circular rib members (20) disposed in offset relation to each other in two planes.

9. An implement as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the rib members (20) are at least in part configured as annular walls (22) of different heights.

10. An implement as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that downstream end portions (24) of the annular walls (22) lie on a convex surface.

11. An implement as claimed in any one of the claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the hair pickup elements (16) are fixedly secured to the rib members (20).

12. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hair pickup elements (16) are arranged substantially parallel to each other and in the direction of the main flow.

13. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hair pickup elements (16) are of star-shaped cross section (25) with rounded edges (26).

14. An implement as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the hair pickup elements (16) are of circular cross- section.

15. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the downstream ends (18) of the hair pickup elements (16) are rounded off.

16. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air discharge means (12) has a circular base surface.

17. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an imaginary plane extending through the ends (18) of the hair pickup elements (16) is inclined with respect to the direction of the main flow.

18. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the downstream ends (18) of the hair pickup elements (16) lie on a substantially concave surface.

19. A method for creating body and volume in the hair of a user, including an implement for styling and/or drying hair for an air-moving appliance for personal use, having a series of hair pickup elements (16) arranged on an air discharge means (12), characterised in that one places the downstream ends (18) of several hair pickup elements of the implement on the scalp ad one moves the implement on the scalp, whereby the hairs are caught by the hair pickup elements (16) and are lifted up between the hair pickup elements (16) in the direction of the air discharge means (12), and one dries the hairs in this position, providing the hair with body and volume.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, characterised by the use of an implement according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

Images