EP4098145B1 - Hair treatment device with steam containment - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating hair fibers.

State of the prior art

It is known to straighten hair with straightening tongs. These tweezers allow you to straighten the hair fibers at high temperature without pulling on the hair unlike blow-drying. However, to obtain a good smooth appearance, it is necessary to carry out several passes of the pliers, which significantly lengthens the treatment time. Furthermore, repeated application of straightening tongs can sometimes cause damage to hair fibers, due to the temperature to which the hair is exposed.

It is known to use steam for the treatment of hair, for example associated with treatment using hot plates, the steam being projected or diffused onto the hair. Such a method can be implemented by a hair treatment device and/or be associated with different cosmetic hair treatments. As an example, we can cite the documents EP 659 395 , EP 659 393 , EP 659 396 , EP 659 397 , US 2004/0000319 , US 2004/0045570 , JP 2000157322 , EP1396207 , EP1515628 , EP1515629 , EP1516554 , FR 2967017 And WO 2004/002262 .

International demand WO 2014/064660 describes a device for applying a cosmetic product to the hair, exposing it to steam, subjecting it to heat treatment and combing it.

It is also known for international demand WO2017017158 a process for treating hair fibers comprising combing the hair fibers, applying a composition to the hair fibers, applying steam and heat treating the hair fibers by conduction and/or radiation using plates heating.

Finally, it is known to publications FR3020930 And WO 2015/173507 a hairdressing appliance comprising a portable treatment unit having two arms configured to form a clamp provided with two heated contact surfaces, defined by plates arranged opposite each other, which concomitantly enable pinching of a lock of hair. This processing unit comprises steam diffusion means configured to diffuse steam from a first of the two surfaces to the second. One of the arms comprises a comb arranged downstream or upstream of one of the contact surfaces.

The devices of the prior art do not give complete satisfaction, particularly from the point of view of the results obtained on the hair fibers, for example in terms of volume and discipline. The use of these devices has also shown that the steam outlet orifices could become blocked, in particular because of the various elements which may be present on the user's hair, thereby reducing the performance of these devices.

There is therefore a need to develop a new hair treatment device which is easy to use and efficient, in particular which produces a satisfactory result from the first pass on the hair.

Presentation of the invention

The invention aims to meet this need and it achieves this thanks to a hair treatment apparatus according to claim 1. Advantageously, the confinement structure allows at least partial confinement of the steam, outside the surfaces of contact, that is to say outside the contact surfaces.

The term "hair" includes the corresponding human or animal keratin fibers, as well as synthetic fibers called "extensions" which are sometimes attached to a person's natural hair by different means, in particular by gluing, in order for example to modify the the appearance of a person's natural hair.

By “contact surface” we mean a hair treatment surface, preferably a straightening surface, for example constituted by an advantageously heated straightening plate as will be detailed later. Each treatment surface is intended to be in contact with at least one strand of hair when treating the hair.

By “containment structure” is meant, as indicated above, at least one part or set of parts which allows at least partial confinement of the steam generated by said at least one steam outlet.

By “recess”, we advantageously designate a hollow zone which extends opposite the steam outlet and which is intended to accumulate, contain or even at least partially confine the steam. It can extend longitudinally. Preferably, the recess has a concave shape defining a volume inside which the steam can accumulate. It forms a groove. The axis of the groove belonging to the median plane of the groove, can be parallel or even merge with an axis of the steam outlet or make a non-zero angle, for example equal to 45° or less, with the axis of the steam outlet. The recess can be delimited by the same part or by several parts, in particular being a U-shaped hollow in cross section.

The confinement, at least partial, obtained according to the invention makes it possible to locally accumulate steam, advantageously outside the contact surfaces, in the volume located between said at least one steam outlet and the confinement structure, this which may lead to a reduction in steam flow required for hair treatment. It is possible, due to the reduction in the quantity of steam necessary for the treatment, to extend the autonomy of the device and to reduce the quantity of residual humidity of the hair when leaving the device. In addition, the containment structure can contribute to a better distribution of the steam longitudinally, between the steam outlets. The lock of hair can thus be treated in a more homogeneous in the transverse direction. Furthermore, the partitioning created by the confinement structure makes it possible to apply most of the steam only locally, during the passage of the lock of hair in the zone located between said at least one steam outlet and the throat, zone which can thus be qualified as a steam application zone.

The fact that said at least one steam outlet is located at a distance, that is to say separated, from the adjacent contact surface and not within it as in the prior art, leads to not applying of steam on the area of the hair located between the contact surfaces. The heat treatment generated by the contact surfaces is thus dissociated from the application of steam coming from said at least one steam outlet.

The device according to the invention can be autonomous, with an integrated water reservoir, or comprise a handpiece which is formed by the arms and a base station to which the handpiece is connected, which comprises a reservoir containing the water intended for steam production.

The apparatus preferably comprises a comb having teeth, carried by one of said arms. In this case, said at least one steam outlet can be inserted between the comb and the contact surfaces. The comb can thus contribute to the containment of the steam. Still in this case, the confinement structure advantageously includes a covering for the comb. Such a covering can only cover one side of the teeth of the comb. Alternatively, the covering covers both sides of the teeth of the comb in the direction of passage of the hair. Alternatively, the cowling only covers the tops of the teeth. An advantage of cowling is that it can contribute to vapor containment. Another of its advantages is that it forces the strand of hair to penetrate, as it passes, between the teeth of the comb, which improves the efficiency of combing the hair. The strand of hair is then detangled first during the straightening process and the hair fibers are well ordered before undergoing the steam treatment, which improves the effectiveness of the latter. Then, the strand of hair passes between the contact surfaces which are kept closed in order to apply pressure on the latter and complete the straightening process. According to this preferred arrangement, the device is perfectly ambidextrous.

The aforementioned groove and the cover of the comb can be separated, on the containment structure, by a rib arranged parallel to the groove. This rib can be formed by a portion of a part which also defines the cowling and the groove, this part being made in one piece by molding of material for example. Such a rib makes it possible in particular to limit the risk of contact between the bottom of the throat and the lock of hair

The confinement structure is for example located near the contact surface, preferably of the plate, carried by the same arm. The confinement structure can be fixed on the plate, that is to say on the contact surface, or on the contrary be independent of the plate, for example with a slight functional clearance, which allows the plate to maintain certain degrees mobility, for example being able to pivot on itself.

Preferably, one of the arms carries one of the contact surfaces, said at least one steam outlet and possibly the comb, while the other of said arms carries the other of the contact surfaces, the confinement structure and possibly the covering of the comb.

Preferably, the steam outlet(s) are set back from a plane defined by the edge of the contact zone between the contact surfaces (in the absence of hair) on the side of the steam outlet(s) and the base of the comb teeth. This prevents the hair from coming into contact with the steam nozzles and therefore limits the risk of them becoming clogged or blocked. In addition, the closing plane of the contact surfaces is located above the bottom of the comb in the closed position of the device, which makes it possible to prevent the hair from coming off the head at the start of hair treatment, known as the “cushion effect”. ". Thus, thanks to this particular arrangement, the hair can be correctly placed in rectilinear tension between the comb and the contact surfaces.

The confinement structure is preferably located at least partially, or even completely, set back from a plane connecting the edge of the contact zone between the contact surfaces on the side of the confinement structure and the top of the comb when the arms are in close configuration, which limits the risk of contact between the containment structure and the strand of hair.

The containment structure may comprise a single part or several parts assembled together and made for example by molding from a thermoplastic material, for example PBT, or from a thermoplastic elastomer material such as for example TPE.

The groove may have a width, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the contact surfaces, preferably plates, and parallel to the heating surfaces in close configuration of the arms, of between 1 and 20 mm, preferably between 2 and 12 mm and advantageously substantially equal to 4 mm. The groove may have a depth of between 1 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 2 and 5 mm, and advantageously substantially equal to 2.5 mm. The throat does not have its own heating means, such as an electrical resistance. The temperature of the surface at the bottom of the throat preferably comes almost exclusively from the heating of this surface caused by the projection of steam. The edges of the groove do not preferably come into contact with a surface of the opposite arm carrying said at least one steam outlet.

The cumulative steam flow rate for the steam outlet(s) is preferably between 0.5 and 1.1 g/min, preferably less than or equal to 3.5 g/min, better still less than or equal to 1 g /min, for example between 0.7 g/min and 0.9 g/min.

The steam outlet(s) are preferably supplied with steam by a vaporization chamber which is itself supplied with water by a pump.

Said at least one steam outlet advantageously comprises at least one steam ejection channel and at least one steam ejection nozzle. This channel can be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding arm. The nozzle can have the same orientation; thus, the steam is emitted in a direction perpendicular to the contact surfaces, and preferably to the plates, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the strand of hair in the device.

Preferably, the nozzle(s) are of conical shape with a circular section, and the section of the nozzles widens towards the outlet of the nozzles.

Said at least one steam outlet may include between 3 and 10 steam ejection nozzles, preferably 7 nozzles. The maximum width of a nozzle is for example between 2 mm and 8 mm and advantageously substantially equal to 5.3 mm. The height of a nozzle is for example between 2 and 10 mm, preferably between 3 and 6 mm, advantageously substantially equal to 3.5 mm. The distance between two adjacent nozzles, measured between their axes, can be between 5 and 20 mm and advantageously substantially equal to 11 mm.

The groove is located at a distance from the upper end of the steam ejection nozzle(s), this distance being for example between 3 and 20 mm, preferably between 5 and 10 mm, when measured along the longitudinal axis of the arm in the closed position.

The steam is preferably water vapor, in particular without additives.

The or each steam ejection nozzle is preferably mounted at one end of the or each steam ejection channel. Each channel has for example a width of between 0.2 mm and 5 mm, advantageously substantially equal to 1.6 mm. Each channel has for example a height of between 1 mm and 15 mm, advantageously substantially equal to 5 mm.

The nozzles can be identical to each other. The channels can be identical to each other.

The device may not include a reservoir for a cosmetic composition, nor a cosmetic composition applicator.

However, the invention does not exclude such an application of composition by the device, using for example an applicator carried by one of the arms, nor an application prior to treatment by the device or subsequent to this one.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement, en perspective latérale, un exemple d'appareil de traitement de la chevelure conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement, vu en perspective de l'autre côté, l'appareil de la figure 1, l'appareil ayant été retourné,
• la figure 3 représente de manière schématique, en perspective frontale, l'appareil de la figure 1,
• la figure 4A est une vue schématique, en coupe transversale, de l'appareil de la figure 1,
• les figures 4B et 4C sont des vues agrandies selon IVB et IVC de la figure 4A,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique et partielle de dessus de la partie intérieure d'un des bras de l'appareil de la figure 1,
• la figure 6 est une coupe longitudinale, partielle et schématique, de l'appareil de la figure 1,
• la figure 7 est une coupe transversale schématique et en perspective de l'appareil de la figure 1,
• la figure 8 est une coupe transversale, schématique et partielle, d'un autre exemple d'appareil conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 9 est une coupe transversale schématique et partielle d'un autre exemple d'appareil conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 10 est une vue de côté schématique et partielle d'un autre exemple d'appareil selon l'invention,
• la figure 11 illustre de manière schématique, en coupe transversale, une variante d'appareil conforme à l'invention, et
• la figure 12 est une vue isolée, schématique et en perspective, de l'élément d'étanchéité de l'appareil de la figure 1.

The invention can be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• there figure 1 schematically represents, in side perspective, an example of a hair treatment device according to the invention,
• there figure 2 schematically represents, seen in perspective from the other side, the device of the figure 1 , the device having been returned,
• there Figure 3 represents schematically, in frontal perspective, the device of the figure 1 ,
• there figure 4A is a schematic view, in cross section, of the apparatus of the figure 1 ,
• THE Figures 4B and 4C are enlarged views according to IVB and IVC of the figure 4A ,
• there Figure 5 is a schematic and partial top view of the interior part of one of the arms of the device of the figure 1 ,
• there Figure 6 is a partial and schematic longitudinal section of the device of the figure 1 ,
• there Figure 7 is a schematic and perspective cross-section of the device of the figure 1 ,
• there figure 8 is a schematic and partial cross section of another example of apparatus according to the invention,
• there Figure 9 is a schematic and partial cross section of another example of apparatus according to the invention,
• there Figure 10 is a schematic and partial side view of another example of apparatus according to the invention,
• there Figure 11 illustrates schematically, in cross section, a variant of apparatus according to the invention, and
• there Figure 12 is an isolated, schematic and perspective view of the sealing element of the device of the figure 1 .

Detailed description of embodiments

In the remainder of the description, identical elements or identical functions bear the same reference sign. Their description is not repeated with regard to each of the figures, only the main differences between the embodiments being mentioned.

We represented on the figure 1 a device 1 for treating hair, conforming to a first embodiment according to the invention.

In the example illustrated, the device 1 is autonomous, with integrated water tank 2. Only part of the power cord 3 is visible on the figures 1 and 2 .

The device 1 comprises two arms 4 and 5 extending along a longitudinal axis Y, movable relative to each other, capable of taking a spaced configuration for introducing a lock of hair between them and a close configuration treatment of the hair strand. THE figures 1, 2 and 3 in particular illustrate this last configuration. There Figure 10 represents the spaced configuration of the arms 4 and 5, for introducing a lock of hair between them.

The arms 4 and 5 are articulated together by means of a pivot connection 6 so as to form a clamp. The housings of the arms 4 and 5 include respective shells 17 and 18, which house different constituent elements of the device. The arms 4 and 5 are movable in the close configuration along the lock of hair to be treated and comprise respective proximal parts 4a and 5a which can be concomitantly grasped with one hand to manipulate the device 1.

The arms 4 and 5 also include respective distal parts 4b and 5b equipped with corresponding plates 10 and 11, located opposite each other and which allow the hair to be pinched between them.

The plates 10 and 11 define respective contact surfaces 13 and 12.

In the example illustrated, the contact surfaces 12 and 13 are substantially flat.

The plate 11 is heated by at least one resistive heating element 15 received in a housing 22 of the arm 5, not far from the contact surface 12. Alternatively, the plates 10 and 11 are each heated by a separate heating device, in which case another resistive heating element is mounted in the housing 23, for example.

It should be noted that variants are possible for the shape of the contact surfaces 12 and 13. It is possible, for example, to use curved surfaces, as on certain hairdressing devices allowing the curling of hair, or even wavy surfaces, like those used for the embossing of hair, or even equipped with a plurality of protuberances, such as teeth for example.

The device 1 comprises at least one steam outlet 20, in this case several outlets, carried by the arm 4 at a distance from the plate 10, to expose the hair engaged between the arms 4 and 5 to steam when they are found in this steam application zone.

In accordance with the invention, a confinement structure 21 allows at least partial confinement of the vapor emitted by the device. This confinement structure 21 is carried by the arm 5. It includes a recess formed by a groove 25 facing the steam outlets 20.

In the example illustrated, the steam outlets 20 are 7 in number but the invention is not limited to a particular number of outlets. The latter are located at a distance from the plate 10 and not within it. This makes it possible not to apply steam to the portion of the hair positioned between the plates 10 and 11 at a given moment, and also to protect the steam outlets from any risk of clogging or blockage by elements which could be on the surface. hair, such as remnants of cosmetic products or dandruff. The heat treatment generated by the plates 10 and 11 is thus dissociated from the application of steam via the outlets 20.

The arm 4 further comprises a comb 30 which has, in the example illustrated, a single row of teeth 31, visible on the figures 2 And 7 notably. The comb may include rigid teeth and/or flexible bristles such as tufts of silk bristles.

Each steam outlet 20 comprises a channel 26 extending along an axis figures 4A And 4C , surmounted by a nozzle 27, the axis X being that of the steam outlet. Each nozzle 27 has a shape flared outwards. This makes it possible to distribute the steam evenly throughout the containment zone and to continuously renew the steam which escapes from the containment zone, in particular from the front and/or the rear of the device.

The groove 25 is centered on the axis X, that is to say that in cross section, the axis of the groove coincides with the axis X of the steam outlet. The bottom of the groove is at a distance d from the upper end 28 of the nozzles 27 equal to approximately 8.5 mm in this example, when the arms 4 and 5 are in a close position. The throat 25 does not have its own heating system.

As visible on the Figure 6 , each nozzle 27 has for example a height h of 2.8 mm and a maximum width l , at its upper end, of 3.4 mm. Each channel 26 has for example a height h' of 4.8 mm and a width l ', corresponding to an internal diameter of 1.6 mm.

The lower part of the arm 4 houses the vaporization chamber which allows the creation of steam which is then projected through the outlets 20 passing through the channels 26 and nozzles 27.

Such a vaporization chamber may include a heating device consisting for example of a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient, called PTC, and a device for measuring the temperature of the heating device consisting for example of a thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient, called CTN. These heating and measuring devices are arranged in housing 24 visible on the figures 4 And 7 , under housing 23.

The total steam flow delivered by all steam outlets can be between 0.5 g/min and 0.8 g/min.

The steam outlets 20 are supplied with steam by a vaporization chamber which can be supplied by means of a pump and in particular a peristaltic pump, itself connected to the tank 2, these elements being preferably located in the same arm 4.

In this example, as visible on the Figures 4A to 4C , the arm 5 comprises at least a first part 140 for supporting the plate 11 and at least one second part 141 distinct from the first and separated from it. The device 1 further comprises a sealing element 150, elastically deformable, comprising a proximal portion 151 extending at least partially around the plate 11 between the latter and the first part 140 and a distal portion 152 extending at contact of the second part 141, the proximal portions 151 and distal 152 being connected by an intermediate portion 153, flexible, extending between the first and second parts 140 and 141. The proximal portion 151 extends over the entire circumference of the plate 11. As can be seen more precisely on the figure 4B , the proximal portion 151 of the sealing element 150 is pinched between the plate 11 and a rib 155 of the first part 140. In this example, the proximal portion 151 has a generally H-shaped cross section. The proximal portion 151 has a groove 156 engaged in a return 157 of the plate 11 and an opposite groove 158, engaged in the rib 155 of the first part 140.

The distal portion 152 is, for its part, pinched between the second part 141 and a third part 142 of the arm 5, formed in this example by the shell 18.

The intermediate portion 153 has at least one bend in cross section. In the example illustrated, the intermediate portion 153 is curved concave towards the opposite arm 4, with a U-shaped bottom in cross section. The intermediate portion 153 then has a shape similar to a bellows, such as an accordion bellows which gives the intermediate portion 153 of the sealing element 150 a great flexibility, advantageously to be able to follow the movement of the plate 11 as described below while guaranteeing sealing around the plate 11.

The plate 11 has an outline of generally rectangular shape with four sides. The intermediate portion 153 and the distal portion 152 extend around three of the four sides of the plate 11 only. The intermediate portion 153 and the distal portion 152 are absent from the side 16 of the plate 11 furthest from said at least one steam outlet 20. Thus, we can see on the Figure 4A Or 4B that the sealing element 150 only comprises the proximal part 151 of the side 16 of the plate 11 which is opposite the steam outlet 20. On the other three sides of the plate 11 the proximal part 151 is extended by the part intermediate 153 of the sealing element 150, as visible in particular on the Figure 4A Or 4C . The fact of limiting the sealing element 150 forming a seal to only the proximal part 151 of the side 16 of the plate makes it possible to reduce the width of the device 1 without significantly harming the sealing.

The sealing element 150, as in particular visible in isolation on the Figure 12 , has a non-symmetrical shape with respect to a median plane crossing the plate 11 parallel to the longitudinal axis Y of the device 1 and perpendicular to a heating surface 12 of the plate 11 facing the plate 10.

According to this example, the proximal portion 151 of the sealing element 150 is mounted over the entire periphery of the plate 11, being interposed between the plate 11 and the first plate support part 140. In other words, the peripheral edge of the plate 11 is isolated from the first plate support part 140 by the sealing element 150, which makes it possible to make the assembly watertight.

Still in this example, the sealing element 150 is present on a single arm, namely the arm 5, said at least one steam outlet 20 being carried by the other arm, namely the arm 4. The plate 11 is, in the example illustrated on the Figure 4A , pivotally mounted on the corresponding arm via the engagement of a head 160 in the form of a sphere portion, said head 160 being integral with the first support part 140 of the plate 11. The sphere portion is then mounted in a housing defined by a cylindrical wall 161 formed with the shell 18 of the arm 5.

The support of the spherical surface of the head 160 on the circular edge of the wall 161 creates a ball joint which allows the plate 11 to pivot when the thickness of the lock of hair which is pinched between the plates is not homogeneous, and thus to have a larger contact surface with the bit. The deformability of the sealing element 150 thanks to the intermediate portion 153 allows it to accompany this pivoting of the plate 11 while playing a role as a barrier against steam.

The device 1 may also include an electronic card, not shown, configured to manage the electrical power supply to the resistive heating elements in order to control the operating temperature. This electronic card can be arranged inside one of the two arms 4 or 5, for example in the proximal part 4a of the arm 4, and have a user interface.

The device 1 may further comprise a magnetic sensor, not illustrated, of the ILS flexible reed switch type, which makes it possible to detect the close configuration of the arms 4 and 5, in which the surfaces 12 and 13 are substantially against each other. 'other to pinch the section of hair to be treated. In another variant, the flexible reed switch is replaced by a magneto-resistive sensor MRS, or by any other means of detection.

The steam outlets 20 are organized in the example considered in a row, the latter being parallel to the longitudinal axis Y as well as to a lateral edge 37 of the heating plate 10 and to the row of teeth 31 of the comb 30, as visible on the Figure 7 . The row of steam outlets is arranged between the comb 30 and the lateral edge 37 of the plate 10. The distance f between two adjacent nozzles 27, measured between the axes of these as visible on the figure 5 , is for example equal to 9.7 mm.

As can be seen on the figures 4A And 4C in particular, the upper end 28 of each steam outlet 20 is set back from the plane (Y, Z) defined by the surface 13, the distance e between it and the plane (Y, Z) being equal for example at 4.6mm. The upper end 28 of each steam outlet 20 is also set back relative to the plane T connecting the end M of the surface 13 and the base N of the teeth of the comb, as visible on the Figure 9 .

The confinement structure 21 comprises, in addition to the groove 25, a covering 40 for the comb, separated from the groove 25 by a rib 41. The latter extends parallel to the longitudinal axis Y. The confinement structure 21 is constituted by a single molded part of thermoplastic material, in the example illustrated. We do not depart from the scope of the invention when the confinement structure 21 is made from several parts assembled together.

The containment structure 21 is located mainly set back from a plane W illustrated in dotted lines on the Figure 7 , connecting the edge O of the contact zone between the plates 10 and 11 in close configuration of the arms 4 and 5, and the top of the comb 31 corresponding to the straight line F joining the ends of the comb teeth. Rib 41, in this example, protrudes slightly under plane W.

The confinement structure 21 can be fixed on the associated arm in various ways. In the example illustrated, the part which defines the confinement structure 21 is attached and fixed to the shell 18 by any assembly means known as such, such as screwing, gluing, welding or snap-fastening.

The groove 25 has a cross section of concave shape, in particular substantially semi-circular, of width i, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y of the plates 10 and 11 and parallel to the surfaces 12 and 13 in close configuration of the arms 4 and 5, for example equal to 3.5 mm and depth p for example equal to 1.8 mm, but the invention is not limited to a particular section shape, and U-shaped, V-shaped or semi-elliptical sections are possible. In the example illustrated, the groove 25 does not have symmetrical edges with respect to a plane parallel to the axis X.

The cover 40 only covers in this example, in a close configuration of the arms, a part of the interior side 32 of the teeth 31 of the comb 30, that is to say that facing the plate 11.

In the variant illustrated on the figure 8 , the covering 40 of the comb 30 covers part of the interior 32 and exterior 33 sides of the teeth 31. The covering 40 may include walls 44 and 45 substantially parallel respectively to the sides 32 and 33 of the teeth 31, at a distance from those -this and offset upwards along the axis

The confinement provided by the covering 40 does not prevent the steam from escaping by passing between the teeth 31 of the comb 30 and through the space above the upper end of the teeth 31 under the covering 40. The latter can nevertheless behave with respect to the escape of the steam as an additional obstacle which contributes to the confinement of the latter upstream of the plates 10 and 11.

We materialized on the Figure 4A by dotted lines the volume V in which the steam is mainly confined, this volume being delimited on the interior side by the lateral edges 37 and 38 of the plates 10 and 11, on the exterior side by the teeth 31 of the comb, and above by the groove 25, the rib 41 and the cowling 40. The sealing element 150 also participates in delimiting this volume and to confine the steam. This volume V can be between 2000 and 10000 mm ³ being for example close to 5500 mm ³ . In other words, a volume V of steam is therefore confined between the comb 30, the confinement structure 21, the plates 10, 11, and the steam outlets 20.

As can be seen on the Figure 6 in particular, at least one vapor barrier 43 can be placed on the arm 4 at the end of the row of steam outlets 20, on the proximal part 4a side, so as to confine the steam on that side.

It should be noted that the plates 10 and 11 are not centered on the device 1 but offset towards a side edge 6 of the device 1, while the comb 30 adjoins parallel to it the other side edge 7 of the device 1. The row of steam outlets 20 extends between the comb and the plates 10 and 11, parallel to these and to the longitudinal axis Y.

When using the device 1, the treated strand of hair follows relative to the device 1 the direction illustrated on the figure 4A , taking into account the movement of the device along the wick. First of all, a given area of the hair contacts the teeth 31. Given the shape of the cover, the hair is forced by it to pass between the teeth 31 of the comb 30. The aforementioned area of the strand then arrives in volume V where the steam can accumulate, and it is exposed there to the steam emitted by the steam outlets 20. Finally, the area in question is pinched between the heating surfaces 12 and 13, where it undergoes heat treatment without steam. With such a configuration, satisfactory hair straightening is obtained from the first pass. The reduction in steam flow allowed by confinement, preferably to a value less than 3.5 g/min, makes it possible to have less residual humidity on arrival between the plates and to obtain good results.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

For example, the device may include a hair product applicator, arranged for example at the edge of the contact zone between the plates or before the comb, or inserted between the comb and the vapor confinement zone, or between the latter and the plates.

The containment structure can be modified. For example, the groove 25 can be given another shape or orientation.

Where applicable, the rib which separates the groove from the cowling in the example of the figure 8 is deleted.

In the embodiment illustrated on the Figure 11 , there is no rib between the groove and the cowling but a convex zone 50 separating the concave parts that form the groove 25 and the cowling 40. The groove 25 then does not constitute a cavity substantially closed laterally towards the cowling 40 Furthermore, the groove 25 has, in this example, an axis G transverse and passing through the bottom of the groove, said axis G forming a non-zero angle α, equal in this example to 45° with the axis X of the. steam outlet. The axis G is oriented such that the groove 25 is generally turned towards the comb, as visible in the figure. Such an arrangement advantageously makes it possible to direct the confinement of the vapor towards the comb 30 and away from the plates 10, 11.

Furthermore, on this Figure 11 , we can see a helical spring 162 which rests at one end in the bottom of the housing defined by the cylindrical wall 161 and at the other end against the head 160. In this figure, the confinement structure 21 is located recessed by relative to the plane W connecting the edge of the contact zone between the plates 10 and 11 in close configuration of the arms 4 and 5, and the top of the comb 31 to avoid contact of the lock of hair with the confinement structure 21 while providing a certain volume of steam between said structure 21 and said wick.

Claims (13)

1. Hair treatment device (1), comprising:

   - two arms (4, 5) movable against one another, being able to take a spaced apart configuration for introducing a hair strand between them, and a close configuration for treating the hair strand, the arms (4, 5) being movable in this close configuration along the strand,

   - two contact surfaces (12, 13) respectively carried by the two arms (4, 5), disposed opposite one another, at least one of the contact surfaces (12, 13) being heating,

   - at least one steam outlet (20) carried by one of the arms (4) at a distance from the corresponding contact surface (13), to expose the hair engaged between the arms (4, 5) to steam,

   - a containment structure (21), enabling an at least partial containment of the steam, carried at least partially by the other of said arms (5), characterized in that the containment structure (21) has at least one reinforcement (25) forming a recess, located facing said at least one steam outlet (20).
2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the axis of the recess (25) is parallel to an axis (X) of the steam outlet.
3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a comb (30) having teeth (31), carried by one of said arms (4).
4. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said one of the arms (4) carries one of the contact surfaces (13), said at least one steam outlet (20) and the comb (30), while the other of said arms (5) carries the other of the contact surfaces (12), and the containment structure (21).
5. Device according to claim 4, said at least one steam outlet (20) being inserted between the comb (30) and the contact surfaces (12, 13).
6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said at least one steam outlet (20) is disposed set back with respect to a plane (T) defined by the edge of the contact zone between the contact surfaces (12, 13) of the side of said at least one steam outlet (20) and the base of the teeth of the comb (30).
7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the containment structure (21) comprises a cover (40) for the comb (30).
8. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the containment structure (21) is located at least partially set back with respect to a plane (W) connecting the edge of the contact zone between the contact surfaces (12, 13) and the top of the comb (30) when the arms (4, 5) are in close configuration.
9. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the recess (25) and the cover (40) of the comb (30) are separated, on the containment structure (21), by a ridge (41) disposed parallel to the recess (25).
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the containment structure (21) is located in the proximity of the contact surface carried by the same arm (5).
11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (25) has a width (i) of between 1mm and 20mm, preferably between 2mm and 12mm, and advantageously substantially equal to 4mm, and a depth (p) of between 1mm and 15mm, preferably between 2mm and 5mm, and advantageously substantially equal to 2.5mm.
12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steam flow rate cumulated for the or all the steam outlets is less than or equal to 3.5g/min.
13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one steam outlet (20) comprises at least one steam ejection channel (26) and at least one steam ejection nozzle (27).

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