EP3478116A1 - Hairstyling apparatus of the straighteners type with optimized brush - Google Patents

Description

 LASTING TYPE HAIRSTYLE WITH OPTIMIZED BRUSH

The present invention relates to a hair styling apparatus for hair smoothing, more commonly referred to as a hair straightener. In particular, the invention relates to a hair styling apparatus of the hair straightener type comprising a brush for performing a first mechanical treatment by brushing the strand of hair before it passes between two treatment surfaces configured to grip said strand of hair and perform a second mechanical and thermal treatment by compression, stretching and heating of this lock of hair.

State of the art

A hair straightening device traditionally comprises two arms articulated together by means of a pivot connection or hinge, so as to form a clamp or jaw to move from an open position of placement of a wick. hair between the two arms, to a closed pinch position of that lock of hair. Each arm comprises an inner face provided with a treatment surface. When the clamp is in the closed position, the two treatment surfaces, arranged vis-à-vis, allow pinching and a slight compression of the lock of hair. One of the treatment surfaces is preferably provided with heating means, or both treatment surfaces. During the smoothing operation, the user positions the straightener near the scalp, introduces the lock of hair between the two treatment surfaces, pinches the strand of hair, then moves the straightener with the clamp closed until the tip of the hair, which allows to mechanically treat the hair by pressure and stretching and, concomitantly, to heat treat them by heating.

It is known straighteners which comprise a comb disposed upstream of the treatment surfaces, such straighteners for obtaining a straight smoothing without volume. It is also known straighteners that include two brushes respectively disposed upstream and downstream of the plates, such straighteners to maintain volume and have a smoother straighter than with a comb. However, brushing the hair after heating between the two treatment surfaces has the effect of losing smoothly and fluidly. To overcome this drawback, some straighteners have a single brush positioned upstream of the treatment surfaces, on one or other of arm of the clamp, the direction of movement of the straightener being imposed by the position of the brush. By way of example, mention may be made of patent application EP 2888970 A1 and US patent 8 146 605 B1, having such technical characteristics, including a variant of straightener with a single brush.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to optimize the performance of such a straightener provided with at least one brush disposed upstream of the treatment surfaces, for the purpose of increasing the longevity of the brush to avoid replacement. Another objective is to obtain a softer, silky and natural smoothing of the hair, and maintaining more volume.

To this end, the invention relates to a hair styling device for hair smoothing, more commonly referred to as hair straightener. The hairdressing apparatus comprises a first arm comprising a first treatment surface and a second arm comprising a second treatment surface. The first arm and the second arm are articulated relative to each other by means of a pivot connection or a hinge, so as to be movable relative to each other between an open position of engagement of a lock of hair and a closed position of pinching a lock of hair. Specifically, in the closed pinch position, said first and second treatment surfaces tend to be in contact with each other so as to pinch the lock of hair. In other words, in the closed pinching position, said first and second contact surfaces are separated only by the thickness of the hair.

The hairdressing apparatus also comprises a brush comprising at least one bristle, the brush being disposed along at least a portion of the first arm. This brush is intended to brush the lock of hair when the first arm and the second arm are in the pinch position of the lock of hair, and that the hairdressing appliance is moved along the lock of hair, from the root to the tip of the hair. In addition, according to the invention, the at least one bristle comprises an end portion protruding from an edge of the first treatment surface of a protruding length, called length L1, of between 2 mm and 6 mm. mm, when the device is in the pinching position. The use of such a length L1 end portion of the hair provides a more natural smoothing and keep more volume smoothed hair, with a traditional straightener. In addition, this makes it possible to increase the duration of life of the brushes whose bristles work essentially in flexion during the movement of the hair styling device along the lock of hair. Advantageously, this length L1 is between 2 and 4 mm. and preferably equal to 4mm, which makes it possible to achieve an optimal result.

Edge means the first treatment surface, an end portion of the first treatment surface, the first and second treatment surfaces being arranged to pinch the lock of hair. Preferably, the edge of the first treatment surface is a longitudinal edge of the first treatment surface. Preferably, the first treatment surface is substantially flat and protrudes from the arm.

 According to one aspect of the invention, the first treatment surface comprises at least one edge.

 According to one aspect of the invention, the edge of the first treatment surface comprises the at least one edge.

According to one aspect of the invention, the length L1 is measured from the edge of the first treatment surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of extension of the first arm.

 According to one aspect of the invention, the length L1 is measured from the edge of the first treatment surface in a direction substantially normal to the first treatment surface.

 According to one aspect of the invention, the first treatment surface is substantially planar.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a single brush disposed along at least a portion of the first arm. This provides smoother and smoother straightening than with a hairdresser with two brushes arranged on either side of the treatment surface. This also allows stylization of the tips of hair either in tipped or outgoing points, while a single stylization is possible with two brushes arranged on either side of the treatment surface. Of course, one could still consider the aforementioned characteristics, the length L1 of the bristles, for a two-brushed hairdressing apparatus disposed on either side of one of the two treatment surfaces.

In a preferred implementation of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the first treatment surface is substantially merged in a plane P. It could be however, consider a first treatment surface slightly curved or slightly wavy. Likewise for the second treatment surface.

In a preferred implementation of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the first arm extends in an extension direction DE, and the brush also extends in this extension direction DE. Variations could be envisaged with slightly different directions of extension for the first arm and the brush, without departing from the scope of the invention. In an implementation of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the brush is adjacent to the first treatment surface.

In an implementation of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, the at least one bristle comprises a diameter d1 and a visible length L2. In addition, the ratio r of the diameter d1 to the visible length L2 is between 0.02 and 0.12. Preferably, this ratio r is between 0.03 and 0.08. This makes it possible to increase the bending life of the bristles of the brush.

In a preferred implementation of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the brush comprises a plurality of tufts of bristles, at least two tufts of bristles among the plurality of tufts of bristles being spaced apart by a distance d2 between 1 mm and 5 mm. Preferably, this distance d2 is equal to 3 mm. This allows proper penetration of the hair into the tufts of hair during brushing. Preferably, all the tufts of bristles are spaced apart by this distance d2.

In an implementation of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, the brush is spaced from a lateral edge of the first treatment surface, a distance d3 of between 3 mm and 10 mm. Preferably, this distance d3 is equal to 4.5 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, the at least one bristle of the brush has a visible length L2 of between 3 mm and 8 mm. Preferably, this visible length L2 is equal to 5 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, the at least one bristle has a diameter d1 of between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, each tuft of bristles of the plurality of tufts of bristles comprises between forty and sixty bristles, preferably fifty bristles. In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, the at least one hair is a boar hair. However, it is possible to envisage the use of other types of bristles, for example polyamide bristles, such as nylon PA66 or nylon PA46. In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing appliance according to the invention, at least one of the first treatment surface and the second treatment surface comprises heating means. However, it is possible to provide a hairdressing apparatus with both treatment surfaces equipped with heating means. In an implementation of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention, it comprises a support bar on which the brush is arranged. In addition, removable fixing means are arranged between the support bar and the first arm. This allows the replacement of the brush on the first arm, or by another brush whose bristles have the features of the invention, but are better adapted to the hair of the user, or by another accessory temporarily placed by example a comb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The characteristics of the present invention are highlighted on reading the following description of a non-limiting embodiment of a straightener-type hair styling apparatus, which is based on the following figures:

 FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of the hair styling apparatus for hair smoothing, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

 FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of a first arm of the apparatus of

 hairstyle of Figure 1, provided with a brush;

 Figure 3 illustrates an overall view of a second arm of the hairdressing apparatus of Figure 1;

 FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first arm,

- Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the brush on the first arm, schematically tufts of bristles of this brush presented in the form of strands; Figure 6 shows schematically an enlarged view of a hair isolated from a tuft of hair. detailed description

In the following description, the term straightener will be used to define the hair styling device for hair straightening, object of the invention.

In FIG. 1, the straightener 1 constitutes a portable treatment unit which comprises two arms 2, 3 articulated to each other by means of a pivot connection 13, which makes it possible to constitute a clamp or jaw that can be opened to allow the introduction a lock of hair, then closed to allow the pinch of the lock of hair. These two arms 2, 3 each comprise a proximal portion 2a, 3a for gripping the straightener 1 with one hand so as to handle it easily during the hair styling operation. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the two arms 2, 3 each comprise a treatment surface 4, 5, on their inner faces, at their distal portions 2b, 3b. These treatment surfaces 4, 5 concomitantly allow the pinch of a lock of hair when closing the clamp. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the treatment surfaces 4, 5 each comprise a plate 14, 15 and heating means 6 of this plate 14, 15, illustrated in particular in FIG. 4 for the first arm 2 and the like. on the second arm 3, preferably. The first plate 14 is defined in a plane P and the second plate 15 is defined in a plane P ', said two planes P, P' being merged when the two arms 2, 3 are in the nip position. The heating means 6 comprise a heating device 16 consisting of a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient, called PTC, and a measuring device (not shown) of the temperature of the heating device, consisting of a thermistor with a coefficient of negative temperature, says CTN. Variants are conceivable, one could in particular provide a straightener 1 with such heating means 6 on the treatment surface 4 of the first arm 2 only or, conversely, on the treatment surface 5 of the second arm 3 only, the other surface treatment that only contributes to the pinching of the lock of hair, for carrying out the mechanical treatment. It could also provide treatment surfaces 4, 5 without heating means 6. The characteristics of such heating means 6 are known to those skilled in the art, they will not be detailed, other variants also remaining feasible without departing from the scope of the invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the straightener 1 comprises a brush 7 which extends longitudinally close to the edge 10 of the plate 14. The brush 7 and the lateral edge both extend parallel to a direction DE extension of the first arm 2. The brush 7 is positioned on the upstream side of the plate 14, the straightener 1 being moved in the direction of the arrow 17 during the styling operation, from the root to the tip of the hair, which allows to brush the hair before smoothing. The brush 7 could be positioned near the other edge 18 of the first plate 14, or even close to one or other of the edges 19, 20 of the second plate 15 on the second arm 3, without leaving the framework of the invention. This simply requires taking into account the position of this brush 7 on the first arm 2 or the second arm 3, in order to impose the direction of movement of the straightener 1 during the styling operation. For this purpose, it will be possible to provide a particular shape of the arms 2, 3 of the straightener 1 or indications on said arms 2, 3 so that, naturally, the user is required to correctly grasp the straightener 1 to perform the operation. styling.

By limiting itself to brushing the hair prior to their passage between the two treatment surfaces 4, 5, the result is a smoother and silky smoothing of the hair than with a straightener 1 which would include two brushes similar to the brush 7 and placed near the two respective edges 10, 18 of the first plate 14, or both of the edges 19, 20 of the second plate 15. This also allows stylization of the tips during smoothing to obtain a retracted tip effect or, conversely, a effect spikes outputs, which is not possible with two brushes. This last variant with two brushes remains possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, although less efficient.

In Figure 4, the edge 10 includes a side edge 21 which defines with the edge 10 a rounded portion 22. The brush 7 comprises tufts of bristles 8 illustrated in the form of strands in Figures 4 and 5. Each tuft of hair 8 comprises between forty and sixty hairs 9, preferably fifty bristles 9, one of which is shown schematically in Figure 6. These bristles 9 are preferably wild boar bristles. It is also possible to envisage nylon bristles of the PA66 type. Each pile 9 comprises an end portion 9a and a base portion 9b, said portions 9a, 9b being delimited between each other by the position of the lateral edge 21 on the first plate 14, as shown in FIG. end portion 9a of each bristle 9 defines a length L1 with respect to the plane P in which the lateral edge 21 of the plate 14 is located, this end portion 9a of the hair 9 penetrating into the hair during the brushing prior to the smoothing operation. Each hair 9 further has a visible length L2 and a diameter d1. The bristles 9 work essentially in flexion during the brushing. In other words the bristles 9 are therefore substantially flexible, yet have sufficient rigidity so that they can stand straight.

To ensure a more natural smoothing and keep more volume smoothed hair, and to ensure excellent bending resistance of the bristles 9 throughout the life of the straightener 1, the length L1 is between 2 mm and 6 mm, a result optimal being achieved with a length L1 equal to 4 mm.

In order to further optimize the smoothing and to increase the life of the bristles 9 of the brush 7, the diameter d1 and the visible length L2 of the bristles 9 are chosen so that the ratio r of the diameter d1 over the length visible L2 (r = d1 / L2) is between 0.02 and 0.12, preferably between 0.03 and 0.08. The diameter d1 is preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm and the visible length L2 is preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably equal to 3 mm.

The tufts of bristles 8 of the brush 7 are spaced from the edge 10 of the plate 14 by a distance d3 which is between 3 mm and 10 mm, this distance d3 being preferably equal to 4.5 mm, which allows to space the brushing operation of the smoothing operation, so as to properly spread the hair between the two plates 14, 15 during said smoothing.

Furthermore, the tufts of bristles 8 of the brush 7 are spaced apart by a distance d2 which is between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably equal to 3 mm, which allows a suitable introduction of the bristles 9 in the lock of hair when brushing before smoothing.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the straightener 1 comprises a support bar 1 1 which extends longitudinally parallel to the extension direction DE on the first arm 2, the tufts of bristles 8 being mounted on this support bar 1 1. In addition, removable fixing means 12 are arranged between the first arm 2 and the support bar 1 1. These removable fixing means 12 consist for example of a T-shaped groove arranged on the face lower of the support bar 1 1, and a protruding shape in T complementary to said groove, arranged on the first arm 2, so as to ensure a slide mounting of the support bar 1 1 on the first arm 2. Other removable fixing means 12 remain possible, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The foregoing description has no limiting character, the straightener 1 may include design variants or additional features, without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, it is possible to envisage treatment surfaces 4, 5 provided with plates 14, 15 having a slightly curved or slightly wavy shape. It is also possible to provide, in addition, vapor projection means on the straightener 1, known to those skilled in the art, these steam projection means can be directly integrated with the straightener 1, or even partially offset in a base connected to said straightener 1. It is also possible to provide a brush 7 provided with bristles 9 other than boar bristles or hairs of nylon PA66. Other examples are possible.

Claims

B.1723ext CLAIMS 1. Hair styling apparatus (1) comprising:  a first arm (2) comprising a first treatment surface (4) and a second arm (3) comprising a second treatment surface (5), the first arm and the second arm being movable relative to each other between a position of engagement of a lock of hair and a position of pinching a lock of hair and,  a brush (7) comprising at least one pile (9), the brush (7) being arranged along at least a portion of the first arm (2) and intended to brush the lock of hair when the first arm (2) and the second arm (3) are in the pinch position of the lock of hair,  characterized in that the at least one pile (9) comprises an end portion (9a) protruding from an edge (10) of the first treatment surface (4) of a protruding length (L1) , said length L1, between 2 mm and 6 mm, when the device is in the pinch position.  2. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 1, comprising a single brush (7) disposed along at least a portion of the first arm (2). 3. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first treatment surface (4) is substantially coincident in a plane (P). Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first arm (2) extends in an extension direction (DE), and the brush (7) extends according to the extension direction (DE). Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the brush (7) is adjacent to the first treatment surface (4). Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the length (L1) of the end portion (9a) of the at least one pile (9) with respect to the edge ( 10) of the first treatment surface (4) is equal to 4mm. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a ratio (r) of a diameter (d1) of the at least one hair (9) over a visible length (L2) at least one hair (9) is between 0.02 and 0.12, preferably between 0.03 and 0.08. 8. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the brush (7) comprises a plurality of tufts of bristles (8), at least two tufts of bristles among the plurality of tufts of bristles being spaced apart by a distance (d2) of between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably equal to 3 mm. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the brush (7) is spaced from the edge (10) of the first treatment surface (4) by a distance (d3) between 3 mm and 10 mm, preferably equal to 4.5 mm. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one bristle (9) of the brush (7) has a visible length (L2) of between 3 mm and 8 mm, preferably equal to 5mm. 1 1. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one bristle (9) has a diameter (d1) of between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, wherein the brush (7) comprises a plurality of tufts of bristles (8), each tuft of bristles (8) comprises between forty and sixty hairs. (9), preferably fifty hairs (9). 13. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one bristle (9) is a boar hair. 14. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the first treatment surface (4) and second treatment surface (5) comprises heating means (6). Hairdressing appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, which comprises a support bar (1 1) on which the brush is arranged, removable fixing means (12) being arranged between the support bar (1 1) and the first arm (2).