FR3015877A1 - DEVICE FOR TREATING THE HAIR AND RELATED RECHARGE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refill for a hair treatment apparatus, comprising: - a reservoir (23) containing a capillary product, - a nozzle dispensing the product contained in the reservoir (23), - at least one component of a pump with valves supplying the dispensing nozzle with product contained in the reservoir (23).

Description

The present invention relates to devices for treating the hair, and more particularly, but not exclusively, those intended for shaping the hair, in particular those intended for smoothing, wrapping or embossing the hair, comprising a refill in a cosmetic product.

Usually, the hair straighteners consist of two arms connected to each other by means of a hinge which allows the opening and closing of the latter and at least one heating element disposed on the arms. During styling operations of a lock of hair, the latter is introduced between the two arms in the open position, then the two arms are closed manually on the lock of hair. The lock of hair is then subjected, until the opening of the two arms and the extraction of the lock of hair, to the heat emitted by the heating element. WO 2009/078046 discloses a styling apparatus having two arms interconnected to allow the opening and closing of the apparatus, at least one heating member and at least one seat of a capillary treatment device , the capillary treatment device for dispensing, in operation, a hair product. The hair treatment device is composed of a support material impregnated with a hair product and adapted for a single use. WO 2009/015027 and US 2009/0025247 disclose a device for smoothing the hair, allowing the application of a hair product by contact with the hair. The hair product to be applied is contained in a removable refill for its application. The removable refill comprises a reservoir containing the capillary product in gelled form and dispensing and application openings of the product, made directly through a wall of the reservoir. The refill is introduced into a housing disposed on one of the two arms of the hair straightener, by sliding.

There is a need to further improve the devices for applying a hair product to allow the user to easily reload the device into a hair product and / or change the hair product to be applied. There is also an interest in having a sufficient quantity of hair product to be applied without changing the refill, to allow, on the one hand, to comb the hair more abundant and, on the other hand, to repeatedly reuse the same refill .

SUMMARY The object of the invention is, according to a first of its aspects, a refill for a hair treatment apparatus, comprising: a reservoir containing a hair product, a mouthpiece dispensing the product contained in the reservoir, at least one component of a valve pump supplying the dispenser nozzle product contained in the reservoir. The reservoir present in the refill makes it possible to have a quantity of capillary product sufficient for dispensing a plurality of doses of product.

The fact that the refill comprises at least one component of the valve pump facilitates the tank change by reducing the number of connections to ensure, this number can be advantageously reduced to zero when the refill carries all the components of the valve pump. The use of a valve pump facilitates actuation of this pump, since a simple push on a pump component varying the volume of the pump chamber may be sufficient to dispense a dose of product. Thus, a more complex mechanism, for example a peristaltic pump, can be avoided. The recharge can be handled in one block. Thus, when the refill is put in place in the device that will use it, the reservoir, the dispensing tip and said at least one valve pump component are introduced together into the device. along a longitudinal axis, said at least one component being located along said longitudinal axis between the reservoir and the dispensing tip. This can facilitate its actuation. Preferably, this component directly connects the reservoir to the dispensing tip. Preferably, the interior volume of the reservoir varies when the refill is in use. This can allow operation without air intake, favorable to better preservation of the product. The maximum capacity of the reservoir is preferably between 2 ml and 20 ml. The capillary product is preferably in the fluid state in the reservoir, that is to say liquid, at ambient temperature or at a higher temperature, for example between 25 and 95 ° C. In this case, the product may initially be in the solid state or pasty at room temperature in the tank and be reheated within the tank to make it sufficiently fluid to be dispensed by a distribution mechanism intended to feed the body. 'application. The product is thus fluid in the tank at the time of application. Preferably, the product is liquid at room temperature.

When the product is initially solid in the refill and heated to be fluidized, the area around the applicator member is preferably non-heating so as to control the temperature of the product more easily. The reservoir preferably extends along a longitudinal axis and the length of the reservoir is preferably less than or equal to half of the total length of the refill measured along said longitudinal axis. This tends to facilitate the handling of the refill. This can also simplify the construction by disposing the tank, said valve pump component and the dispenser tip end to end. The distributor end and the reservoir preferably have respective longitudinal axes that are not coincidental, in particular parallel and offset by a distance of between 10 mm and 40 mm. This can facilitate the realization of the recharge and the device to receive it. The valve pump preferably comprises a pumping chamber and an elastically deformable membrane at least partially delimiting the pumping chamber. The valve pump can be without air intake.

The valve pump may comprise a connection end to the reservoir and a connection piece to the dispensing nozzle, in particular a nozzle intended to fit into the flexible conduit of the dispensing nozzle. Preferably, the valve pump forms a rigid assembly, except for the membrane. The refill may comprise the pumping chamber, the membrane and the connection tips to the reservoir and the dispensing tip. In this case, it suffices for the device that receives the refill to be arranged to exert a force on the membrane in order to deform and vary the volume of the pumping chamber. This force can be exerted when closing the device on the hair. The dispensing tip is preferably pre-filled with the hair product.

This can avoid having to pump the pump multiple times before the first use of the refill. The pumping chamber is also pre-filled with the product.

As a variant, the dispenser tip may be filled at least partially, and more completely, with product when the refill is introduced into the apparatus, in particular when the reservoir sees its interior volume decrease when the refill is placed in it. the device. In this case, the valve pump can let the product flow from the tank to the dispensing nozzle, the valves opening under the pressure of the product contained in the tank. The dispensing nozzle may have at least one dispensing orifice, better a plurality of dispensing orifices, in particular closed at rest and being able to open with the pressure exerted by the capillary product. The distribution orifices are preferably made through a particularly deformable wall, preferably a wall defined by a flexible duct, the flexible duct being, in particular, connected to the pumping chamber at one of its ends. , in particular by the aforementioned connection end of the valve pump. The or each dispensing orifice may be constituted by a slot with contiguous edges at rest.

The volume of capillary product delivered to the dispensing tip each time the valve pump is actuated may be between 0.01 ml and 0.5 ml. The refill preferably has an inlet valve disposed upstream of the pumping chamber, in particular on the connection end to the reservoir, the inlet valve opening in the direction of a flow from the reservoir to the reservoir. pumping chamber.

The refill preferably has an outlet valve disposed downstream of the pumping chamber, the outlet valve opening in the direction of a flow from the pumping chamber to the dispensing tip. Where appropriate, the above-mentioned dispensing orifices may form the outlet valve, when they are produced through an elastically deformable wall. This is particularly advantageous because the dispensing orifices then play a dual function, namely to distribute the product and serve as an outlet valve. The manufacture of the valve pump is facilitated because it avoids the use of a specific valve between the pump chamber and the dispensing tip. Alternatively, the outlet valve may be disposed in the connection piece to the dispenser tip.

The valve pump is preferably formed by a unitary part including the pumping chamber and at least one of the inlet and outlet valves. This unitary piece can be made by molding material.

The refill preferably comprises an applicator member supplied with product by the dispensing nozzle. The applicator member preferably covers at least partially the dispenser tip. The applicator member may comprise a porous material and / or capable of releasing or diffusing the cosmetic product, in particular an open cell foam. The applicator member may be, if desired, made with a relatively small thickness, for example less than or equal to 10 mm. The refill may comprise a support carrying the dispensing nozzle and / or the valve pump and / or the reservoir, better carrying the dispensing nozzle, the valve pump and the reservoir. Alternatively, the support can carry the dispensing nozzle and be fixed on the valve pump by the connection end thereof to the dispensing nozzle, the valve pump itself fixing to the tank by the nozzle connecting it to the tank. Preferably, the refill forms a single piece of a block easy to handle. The applicator member may be mounted in a fixed or removable manner on the support at least partially covering the dispensing tip. The support may have at least one opening superimposed at least partially on the dispensing nozzle and allowing the product of the dispenser tip to pass to the applicator member. Preferably, the applicator member comes into contact with the dispenser tip. The dispensing tip is preferably made so as to fill with product during the actuation of the pump by increasing volume by elastic deformation under the pressure of the product. Thus, product may be accumulated in the dispensing tip for distribution after the filling action ceases. This allows a delayed supply of the application member, to avoid having to accumulate a lot of product within the application member, and thus reduce product losses during the change thereof . This assumes that the volume of the pumping chamber does not increase until all of the product accumulated by elastic deformation of the nozzle has been dispensed, which is normally the case when the pump is actuated by the closure of the pump. device on the hair as long as the treatment of a wick. In the presence of a nonreturn valve between the dispensing nozzle and the pumping chamber, the opening of the device can be performed while all the product accumulated by elastic deformation of the dispensing tip has not yet been distributed. .

The refill may comprise a closure member thereof in the absence of use, in particular a lid or cover intended to cover the applicator member at least partially. This closure member may be provided to the user by being initially mounted on the refill and removed by the user when placing the refill on the device and or use it. The invention further relates to a device for treating the hair, comprising: at least two movable arms relative to each other between a close configuration of the treatment of the hair and a configuration apart from engagement between them hair to be treated, - a refill according to the invention, the refill being carried by at least one of the arms. The use of a refill allows the user to easily apply different hair products by simply changing the refill.

The two arms extend along respective longitudinal axes and are preferably connected by a hinge present at their proximal end, this hinge defining an axis of rotation oriented preferably perpendicularly to a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the arms. . Both arms can define extended half-handles towards their distal end by jaws. The maximum thickness of the arms, measured at the level of the jaws, is preferably greater than that measured at the level of the half-handles; the maximum thickness of each arm is preferably between 10 and 40 mm, better between 17 mm and 32 mm.

The approximation of the arms actuates, preferably, the valve pump for supplying the dispenser nozzle product. The recharge can be received in a housing for integration into the arm. The arm opposite the one carrying the refill may comprise a relief coming, in configuration close to the arms, operate the valve pump. This relief preferably has a degree of saliency adjustable by the user depending on the dose to be dispensed. The refill may have at least one extension opening out of the arm, preferably a lateral extension protruding or flush on the side of the arm, in particular on the side opposite the articulation of the flap on the arm, allowing a user to visualize the presence of the refill on the arm. The device may include an electrical switch disposed on the same arm as the recharge and operated by the recharge, including to detect the presence of the refill on the arm. The applicator member is arranged to come into contact with the hair during the closing of the arms. The arm opposite the one carrying the refill can define a counter-support surface, so that the hair is applied with a certain pressure by the counter-bearing surface against the applicator member.

Preferably, the device is made in such a way that the application member is automatically supplied with product when the device is used. Thus, the user does not have to worry about exerting a particular action on the device. to apply the product. The closing of the arms can actuate the pump which makes it possible to supply the application member with product, in particular with a dose of product. A dose of product is preferably between 0.015 ml and 0.5 ml. The applicator member is preferably supplied with product with a temporary accumulation by the dispenser nozzle of pressurized product. The presence within the dispensing nozzle of pressurized product, after the jaws have been brought together, makes it possible to continue feeding the applicator member with product while the device is moved along a lock of hair with jaws close together. The arm opposite the one carrying the refill may have a steam outlet, and preferably also a comb. It may be advantageous to use two combs, located respectively downstream and upstream of the application zone of the cosmetic product, to promote the homogeneous distribution of the product on the hair.

These combs are advantageously parallel to one another, and may have the same number of teeth. Where appropriate, the device is made to allow a removable attachment of at least one of the combs, preferably each comb. Preferably, especially when one seeks to smooth the hair, the device comprises a heating element intended to come into contact with the hair, and better two heating elements each arranged on an arm. This or these heating elements may each comprise a plate of a good heat-conducting material, defining a hot surface of contact with the hair, whose temperature is for example greater than or equal to 95 ° C, better between 90 and 230 ° vs. Preferably, the application of product on the lock of hair introduced into the device is done before the application of steam and / or combing and / or smoothing by the heating element or elements. Thus, the hair introduced between the arms can come into contact with the applicator member before being exposed to the steam and the heating elements during the movement of the wick between the arms of the device The hair treatment device according to the invention may be a straightener with flat heating elements, in particular coming into contact in the closed position.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. perspective, schematically, an example of a device for treating the hair made according to the invention, with the recharge shown above the arm that will receive it, - Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1, charging being in place on the flap, - Figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figure 2, after closing the flap, - Figure 4 represents in isolation an example of a recharge that can be used with the device of Figure 1, - FIG. 5 shows the refill of FIG. 4, seen from the side, FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the refill of FIG. 4, FIG. 7A represents, in isolation, an example of a dispensing tip in a view from above, FIG. FIG. 7B is an analog view FIG. 7 shows a variant of a device according to the invention, FIG. 9 represents the device of FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-section of a device according to the invention, illustrating the arrangement of different components thereof, and FIGS. 11 and 12 represent, in isolation, variants of tips. distributor. FIGS. 1 to 3 show the handpiece 2 of an example of a device for treating the hair of the invention.

This handpiece 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 movable relative to each other between a spaced configuration (not shown) of introduction between them of a lock of hair and a close configuration of treatment. The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by respective upper 5 and lower arms 6, which are in the example considered interconnected at one end by a hinge 8, the handpiece 2 thus forming a clamp. The upper and lower arms 6 each preferably have a total length of between 22 cm and 31 cm and define, between the hinge 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half-handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press to bring jaws 3 and 4 closer together.

The upper and lower arms 5 extend along respective longitudinal axes X1 and X2, which are preferably parallel to each other when the jaws 3 and 4 are closed. An elastic return member (not shown) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 in a spaced apart configuration, this resilient return member being for example a spring disposed about an axis of the hinge 8. The invention It is not limited to a particular way of connecting the upper and lower arms 6 to each other and the jaws 3 and 4 can be made mobile otherwise without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of a joint is widely preferred for the ergonomics it brings.

The jaws 3 and 4 define between them a hair treatment zone intended to receive a strand of hair to be treated, along which the handpiece 2 is moved during the treatment, for example in the direction from the root towards the tip of the hair. In the example considered, the handpiece 2 is configured to apply a cosmetic product, provide treatment of the hair with steam and to effect heat treatment of the hair by contact with one or more hot surfaces.

The direction D of displacement of the handpiece 2 on the hair, illustrated in FIG. 3, is preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes Xi and X2 of the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6. The handpiece 2 is connected by a cord , in the example considered, to a base station not shown, fixed during the treatment, connected to the sector. This base station provides power to the handpiece 2 and its water supply for steam generation and can also perform ancillary functions for processing electrical signals received from the handpiece 2. The cord 13 which connects the handpiece 2 to the base station can thus include various electrical conductors and a water supply pipe. A user interface, not shown in the figures, may be present on the handpiece 2 to allow the user for example to start or not certain components thereof. The cosmetic product is applied by an applicator member arranged to come into contact with the hair extending through the treatment zone. The applicator member 15 is supplied with product by a dispensing nozzle described later with the aid of a dispensing mechanism which is automatically actuated when the handpiece 2 is used, for example to apply to the hair a quantity of product such that a mass of one gram of hair composed of hair 20 cm long receives between 0.015 and 0.4 g, better between 0.01 and 0.2 g of product in the case of a care product, or even more in the case of thermal smoothing products, coloring or chemical smoothing, the quantity received then being for example between 0.5 and 10g. The upper arm 5 may comprise, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a pivoting flap 18 which can take the open configuration illustrated in Figures let 2, allowing the introduction of a refill 20 according to the invention and the removal of the latter once the product is exhausted, and a closed configuration, shown in FIG. 3, of use of the device for treating the hair. The refill 20 comprises a reservoir 23 containing the product to be applied and a head 25 comprising the applicator member 15.

The flap 18 is for example articulated by a hinge 28, as illustrated in Figure 1, on the proximal portion of the arm 5 which serves as a half-handle 10 when using the handpiece 2. In the illustrated example , the proximal portion 18a of the flap 18 also defines a gripping surface of the half-handle 10. The flap 18 can be hinged to open rearward when the device is observed as in Figure 1. This can facilitate the realization of the hinge 28 and the construction of the device so as to provide the most open access possible to the user to enable him to proceed with the introduction or replacement of the refill 20. The angular movement has the flap 18 is advantageously at least 90 ° to facilitate the introduction of the refill 20 in the handpiece 2 during its introduction or replacement. The closure or opening movement of the flap 18 may, where appropriate, be assisted by an elastic return member, for example by a helical or leaf spring disposed at the hinge 28. This return member may request the flap 18 to its open position, accumulating elastic potential energy when the flap 18 is closed. The use of such a biasing member assisting the opening is particularly advantageous when the device is also equipped with a locking member of the shutter 18 in the closed position. In this case, when the user acts on this locking member to unlock this flap 18, the opening of the flap 18 can be performed automatically, advantageously to its fully open position or, alternatively, to only a part of the opening race. It is possible to provide the flap 18 with a movement retarder when the hinge 28 is equipped with an elastic return member that tends to bias the flap 18 to the open or closed position. The shutter 18 can be held in the closed position on the upper arm 5 in a variety of ways, and preferably with snap-fastening of at least one relief carried by the shutter 18 on a corresponding shape carried by the base of the arm 5. By For example, as illustrated, the flap 18 carries at least one elastically deformable tab 31 which can snap onto a corresponding hooking relief 32 provided on the base of the arm 5. If necessary, a locking / unlocking means by the user is provided to hold the shutter 18 in the closed position. In this case, the user must exert an action on this unlocking means before opening the flap 18. This may reduce the risk of accidental opening of the flap 18, in case of falling of the handpiece 2 for example .

The flap 18 may have any shape suitable for at least partial recovery of the refill 20 once it is in place in the device, in particular when the head 25 and the reservoir 23 are not aligned. The flap 18 may have a configuration in which the distal portion 18b of the flap 18 which is located at the jaw 3 is shifted upward relative to the proximal portion 18a of the flap 18 which serves for its articulation on the base of the arm upper 5, when the flap 18 is observed in the open position substantially at 90 °, as can be seen in Figure 1, with the axis of articulation of the horizontal arm. The flap 18 may then comprise an intermediate portion 18c which extends generally obliquely upwards and forwards.

Alternatively, the flap 18 may be hooked otherwise on the base of the arm 5 and for example be articulated by its distal portion 18b at the jaw 3. In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the refill 20 is fixed on the flap 18, which is folded in its closed position to bring the refill 20 in its configuration of use on the handpiece 2.

Alternatively, the refill 20 may be carried by the arm 5, the flap 18 from covering the refill 20 in the closed position. The flap 18 may include reliefs 80 which allow the fixing on the latter of the refill 20 while the flap 18 is in the open position. The flap 18 may be made of an opaque material with at least one transparent window, not illustrated, allowing the user to visualize the presence of the refill 20 and / or the level of product in the reservoir 23 if the refill 20 is provided for this purpose. The housing 33 may comprise at least one opening 36 facing the lower arm 6, to allow the application of the hair product contained in the reservoir 23 on a lock of hair. This opening 36 receives at least the application member 15, better the refill 20, during the introduction of the refill 20 in the housing 33, and has a corresponding elongate shape.

The refill 20 may have various configurations and for example, as illustrated, the reservoir 23 may be situated on the proximal side of the handpiece 2, in particular at the half-handle 10, and the head 25 may be positioned at the level of the jaw 3. It is advantageous that the reservoir 23 is housed in the half-handle 10, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, in particular to reduce the inertia of the handpiece 2 by bringing the center of gravity of the mass of product contained in the reservoir 23 of the axis of the articulation 8 of the upper arms 5 and lower 6. Less inertia makes the handpiece easier to handle and less tiring for the user to wear. The handpiece 2 can be arranged to automatically detect the presence of the refill 20 in its housing 33. This detection can be performed for example electronically, through a contactor actuated by the refill 20 when it is in place on the handpiece 2. This contactor is for example carried by the base of the upper arm 5 and actuated by the reservoir 23. Alternatively, the detection of the presence of the refill 20 on the base of the upper arm 5 can be performed thanks to the flap 18, for example because of the presence on the flap 18 of a contactor whose state changes depending on the presence or absence of the recharge 20. The closure of the flap 18 can itself be detected automatically from for example to allow the operation of the handpiece 2 only after it has been verified that the flap 18 is in the closed position. When the flap 18 is in the closed position, it can remain a communication between the interior of the housing 33 receiving the refill 20 and the outside, allowing the user to view the presence of the refill 20 on the device. 20 can, as illustrated in Figure 3, remain visible after closing the flap 18. The refill 20 may optionally be performed so as to have an extension which remains visible from the outside of the device once the shutter 18 closed, the user can by viewing this extension have knowledge of the presence of the recharge in the device without opening the flap 18.

The flap 18 may carry a member, not shown, for closing the applicator member 15, in the absence of use of the handpiece 2, in particular allowing it to be used without any application being made. of product.

We will now describe, with particular reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, an example of refill 20 that can be used in particular with a handpiece 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. The reservoir 23 can be made without distinction with a body rigid and a follower piston or with a flexible bag and extend along a longitudinal axis Xres. The applicator member 15 is supplied with product by a dispensing nozzle 53 which extends along the longitudinal axis Z of the head 25. The dispensing nozzle 53 is preferably arranged to deliver the product in a unidirectional manner, by at least one dispensing orifice 68, visible in FIGS. 7A and 7B, closed at rest and being able to open under the pressure of the product upstream. Preferably, the dispensing nozzle 53 extends along a longitudinal axis Xem. In the example under consideration and as visible in particular in FIG. 4, the longitudinal axes X 'and Xem of the reservoir 25 and the distributor nozzle 53 are parallel to each other and offset relative to one another. a distance c for example between 24 and 32 mm. The longitudinal axes X ', and Xem are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis Z and the recharge 20 may extend in a plane M, illustrated in Figure 5, which is parallel to the plane of the upper face of the support 83, defined by a peripheral flange 83a, but preferably, as shown in Figure 6, the longitudinal axes X ', and Xen, are located at different distances from this plane. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the dispensing nozzle 53 may comprise a plurality of dispensing orifices 68 arranged in the extension of each other, so as to deliver the product along the applicator member 15. This or these dispensing orifices 68 may be elongated slots along a perpendicular axis, as shown in FIG. 7A, to the longitudinal axis Xem of the dispenser nozzle 53. In a variant, and preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the orifices 68 are oriented along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser nozzle 53. The centroids of the dispensing orifices 68 are preferably aligned along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis Xem of the dispensing nozzle 53. The length p of each dispensing orifice 68 may range from 1 to 5 mm. The dispensing orifices 68 may be of identical length and be evenly distributed along the dispensing nozzle 53.

The interval 142 between two consecutive distribution ports 68 is for example 1 to 5 MM. Preferably, the dispenser tip 53 is elastically deformable, so as to be able to increase the internal volume to accumulate product from the reservoir 23 before dispensing it, and the dispensing orifices 68 are arranged to open only after such an increase in volume. Thus, it is possible to spread the product distribution over a period of time greater than the duration of the filling action of the dispenser nozzle 53. A prolonged distribution of the product is useful to ensure the most homogeneous application possible all along the treated wick and reduce the risk of product presence in unsuitable quantities. Preferably, the feeding system of the applicator member is arranged so that the distribution of the product following the approach of the jaws 3 and 4 lasts more than 10 seconds, in particular between 10 and 30 seconds, for example about 20 seconds, or significantly the average duration of treatment of a wick in most users. A particularly simple and effective way to obtain a prolonged distribution of the product is to use an elastomeric material to make the dispensing nozzle 53, of tubular shape closed at one end, for example Shore 55 hardness and to provide it, as illustrated on FIGS. 7A and 7B, of several dispensing orifices 68 in the form of slits closed at rest and capable of opening by elastic deformation under the pressure of the product upstream. The slots are preferably made by cutting, so as to close with a good seal at rest. The dispensing nozzle 53 comprises, for example, a tubular body with a wall thickness of between 0.3 and 2 mm, for example with an internal diameter of 3.2 mm and an outside diameter of 5 mm, made of silicone or another material such as EPDM (rubber). Preferably, the applicator member 15 comes into contact with the dispensing nozzle 53 facing the openings 68, so as to absorb the product delivered by it as soon as it leaves.

The reservoir 23 may be for single use. Alternatively, the refill 20 may comprise a reservoir filling valve 23, not shown, to fill the reservoir 23 when the latter is empty or partially empty.

The dispenser nozzle 53 is fed with a valve pump 103 carried by the refill 20. The handpiece 2 is designed to actuate this valve pump 103, for example when the two arms 5 and 6 are brought together or alternatively, using an actuator which can be actuated by the user regardless of the approximation of the arms. The valve pump 103 may comprise a membrane 105 which is positioned opposite an actuating member, which is for example adjustable in height so as to act on the amount of product delivered by the pump 103 with each actuation. The pumping chamber 114 may be bellows (s), if appropriate.

The valve pump 103 comprises a body which is made in one piece with tips 109 and 111 which serve to connect respectively to the reservoir 23 and the conduit 65 constituting the dispensing nozzle 53. The valve pump 103 comprises a chamber of pumping 114 delimited in part by the membrane 105.

The connection end 109 to the reservoir 23 can accommodate a not shown inlet valve, which opens when the volume of the pumping chamber 114 increases and which closes when this volume decreases, during the actuation of the membrane 105. The pump 103 may also include an outlet valve which can be integrated with the pump 103, being for example located at the endpiece 93 for connection to the duct 65.

In a variant, the outlet valve is constituted by the dispensing orifice (s) 68 of the distributor nozzle 53, which open under the effect of product pressure upstream and close again when the pressure has decreased, thanks to the resilience of the material in which the duct 65 is made. The refill 20 may comprise a support 83 which receives at least the dispensing nozzle 53, this support 83 making it possible to position the dispensing nozzle 53 relative to the reservoir 23 and the valve pump 103. Where appropriate, as shown in Figure 6, the reservoir 23 can be attached to the pump 103 with the presence of an O-ring seal 116 on the inlet nozzle 109 When the membrane 105 is deformed by pressing on the actuating relief 95 of the lower arm 6, the internal volume of the pumping chamber 114 decreases. The inlet valve is closed and the product is driven towards the distributor nozzle 53. The outlet or openings 68 may open under the effect of the pressure of the product and then close when the pressure decreases following the evacuation of the product. When the actuating relief 95 moves away from the membrane 105, the latter resumes its original shape by its own elasticity, which causes the volume of the pumping chamber 114 to increase, which resumes its initial volume. The corresponding depression causes the opening of the inlet valve and the admission of product from the reservoir 23. The flap 18 can be articulated around a longitudinal axis Y which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Xi of the upper arm Or alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, around an axis Y which is transverse to the longitudinal axis X1 of the upper arm 5 and for example an axis which is parallel, better coincidental, with the axis of articulation of the lower arm 6 and upper 5. It may be advantageous that the articulation of the pivoting flap is the same as that of the arms, as this may facilitate the manufacture of the handpiece 2.

However, it is preferable to make the shutter 18 so that it is articulated about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Xi of the arm 5 as this can reduce the span length and thus reduce the need for stiffening the flap 18. The flap 18 may be hinged about a fixed axis of rotation or alternatively, the movement of the joint may be more complex and in particular can be done through a hinge 28 allowing not only a pure rotational movement but also a translational movement so as to ensure for example the parallelism of the surfaces coming into contact with the flap 18 and the base of the arm 5 which carries it. In this case, the hinge 28 has, for example, slightly oblong holes with holes in which the hinge axis can be displaced, possibly with the presence of an elastic return member which tends to bias this axis stop against one end of the slots oblongs. A window may be provided, if necessary, to allow the user to view the degree of emptying of the tank 23. Alternatively, each action of approaching the jaws 3 and 4 increments a counter which is initialized at the installation of a new recharge 20, this counter can be used to warn the user that the complete emptying of the tank 23 is imminent. The meter can still be used to signal to the user that the product is ready to be dispensed, when a certain number of actuating jaws 3 and 4 is required before the product impregnates the applicator member. , considering the dead volume that it is necessary to begin by filling before distributing the product. When the approximation of the jaws 3 and 4 is detected electrically, the counting can be performed electronically by the base station. In a further variant, the product supply system of the applicator member 15 is motor-driven by means of an electric motor housed in the arm 5, or possibly in the refill assembly 20. The refill 20 may if necessary, include an identifier recognized by the device, which allows at least one of the following additional functions: an automated adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the device as a function of knowledge by the base station of the nature of the product, which results from the recognition of the identifier, a display of information guiding the user in the operations to be performed according to the nature of the product contained in the refill 20, a knowledge of the capacity of the reservoir 23 set up and issuing a signal warning the user when the product is exhausted, assuming that the device knows the number of doses dispensed, e.g. example by counting the number of times the jaws 3 and 4 are brought together, - the passage to a predefined state of the device in the event of non-detection of the presence of the tank 23, for example the emission of a warning signal, and blocking operation in the event of non-recognition of an identifier having an authentication function. The identification of the refill 20 can be done mechanically and / or electronically. In the latter case, the refill 20 may carry an electronic chip in which are contained the useful information and one of the arms 5 or 6 of the corresponding reading means. In the examples illustrated, the heat treatment is provided by two heating elements 120 and 122 visible in Figure 10, respectively carried by the upper arm 5 and lower 6, each having a plate defining a hot surface 125 of contact with the hair.

The plates of the heating elements 120 and 122 are made of any material suitable for the treatment to be performed, for example a metal, a ceramic or a glass. The surface condition of the plates of the heating elements 120 and 122, in the area of contact with the hair, depends on the desired treatment, and preferably the plates are smooth when the device aims to smooth the hair. The length of the plates defines the extent of the treatment area perpendicular to the direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 relative to the hair. The hot surfaces 125 defined by the plates are for example flat and rectangular in outline. One of the plates is for example fixedly mounted on the corresponding arm while the other is hinged, for example by means of a ball joint, so as to allow the plates to extend parallel to the one to the other and to a median plane of treatment in closed configuration of the jaws. Where appropriate, at least one of the plates is disposed on one of the arms 5 and 6 being supported by a spring structure. The heating elements 120 and 122 may each comprise an electrical resistance electrically powered by the base station, preferably with a temperature regulation by means of one or more sensors arranged near the heating resistors or in contact with the plates. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the steam treatment is provided by means of a vaporization member constituted by a resistive element present in an evaporation chamber supplied with water by the base station. The latter may comprise an electrically driven pump, preferably peristaltic, taking the water to be sent to the handpiece 2 in a water tank. The pump is for example as disclosed in the publication FR 2 967 018. The evaporation chamber can be made in accordance with the teaching of EP 2449909A1 or otherwise, and communicate with at least one steam outlet.

The evaporation chamber is disposed on one of the arms, namely the lower arm 6 in the example under consideration, and the outlet of the steam is provided on the same arm 6.

The output of the steam is, in the example illustrated, in the form of a ramp 128, of elongate shape in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X2 of the lower arm 6. The ramp 128 may comprise a plurality of projection orifices steam, for example between 6 and 10 orifices, which are preferably equidistant along the ramp 128 and each axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the median plane of treatment. The vaporizer is electrically powered by the base station and a temperature sensor is advantageously disposed in the evaporation chamber. The base station can be made to act on the power supply of the vaporizer member to maintain the temperature of the vapor leaving the evaporation chamber at a value between 110 ° C and 130 ° C. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the applicator member 15 is disposed opposite a counter-support surface 130 defined by a pad carried by the lower arm 6. This counter-support surface 130 is preferably substantially semicylindrical in revolution, generatrix parallel to the longitudinal axis X2 of the lower arm 6. Alternatively, the counter-support surface 130 may be a roller. The counter-support surface 130 can help channel the steam exiting the ramp 128 to the hair.

When the jaws 3 and 4 are closed, the abutment surface 130 bears against the applicator member 15, and preferably, the abutment surface 130 slightly compresses the applicator member 15, by example over a distance k between 1 and 5 mm. The radius of curvature r of the abutment surface 130, measured around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm, is for example between 2 and 10 mm. The counter-support surface 130 can be movable relative to the jaw 4 which carries it and its displacement can be controlled by a regulating member, for example that which makes it possible to adjust the quantity of product dispensed when the arms 5 and 6 are brought together. Preferably, this adjustment member acts on the height of the counter-support surface 130. When the adjustment member is in a position of non-actuation of the pump, the counter-support surface can reach its maximum height and in this way be a compression position of the maximum applicator member. This configuration can make it possible to wring the applicator member after use. The abutment surface 130 can be further defined by a member arranged to define a protective cover of the applicator member 15 in the absence of use.

This member can then partially cover, preferably completely, the applicator member 15 to promote the preservation of the product still impregnating the applicator member 15. The handpiece 2 may comprise a not shown comb, which is This comb is for example made of a rigid thermoplastic material, and has an elongate shape along the longitudinal axis X2 of the lower arm 6. The presence of the comb is advantageous in that it divides the wick into packets, which tends to increase the contact surface of the hair with the hot surfaces 125 and improve the smoothing action. In addition, by dividing the wick, the exchange surface with the steam and the cosmetic product is also increased, to the benefit of the effectiveness of the treatment. The comb can further contribute to increasing the traction exerted on the hair, which can improve their shaping, especially in case of smoothing. The comb may also contribute to homogenizing the product deposited upstream on the hair by the applicator member 15.

Preferably, the device is made so that a portion of hair engaging between the jaws 3 and 4 and moving relatively thereto when the handpiece 2 is pulled from the hairline to their tip according to the direction D, successively undergoes exposure to the cosmetic product, by passage between the applicator member 15 and the counter-support surface 130, to the vapor by passage to the right of the steam projection ramp 128 and a treatment The handpiece 2 may advantageously comprise on the top a mark, visible to the user, such as an arrow, indicating the latter on the correct direction of movement of the device. steam can improve the penetration of the product deposited upstream on the hair. The heat treatment makes it possible to dry the hair and fix their shape.

Many modifications can be made to the device that has just been described, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In a variant not shown, the heating elements 120 and 122 and the associated hot surfaces 125 are absent, the device being arranged to perform only the application of the cosmetic product and the exposure to steam, for example in the context of a hair care or color treatment. The heating elements 120 and 122 may be multiple on each of the arms 5 and 6, which may allow the use, if necessary, of the handpiece 2 regardless of its direction of movement on the hair. The device can also maintain a preferential direction of movement D during the treatment, even when the heating elements 120 and 122 are multiple on each of the arms 5 or 6. The heating elements 120 and 122 carried by the same arm 5 or 6 can comprise plates of identical width and operate simultaneously. To obtain a symmetrical treatment irrespective of the direction of movement, the device may comprise two steam outlets on either side of the cosmetic product application member and between the hot surfaces 120 and 122. In the presence of Multiple heating elements 120 and 122 on each of the arms 5 and 6, the cosmetic product application member 15 can be disposed outside the heating elements 120 and 122, only a steam outlet being present between the plates.

The movement on the hair is preferably carried out so as to ensure the deposition of the cosmetic product first. In a non-illustrated variant, at least one of the heating elements 120 and 122 is made so as to be able to turn in contact with the hair when the handpiece 2 is moved along the wick to be treated, and is for example under the shape of a rotating cylinder. The other heating element 120 and 122 may have a concave curved shape adapted to receive the roll when the jaws 3 and 4 are brought together. The direction of vapor projection may be non-perpendicular to the median plane of treatment, to increase the area impacted by the jet of steam, with an inclination relative to the normal of 0 to 20 ° for example. The jet exiting each exit port of the ramp (also called nozzle) may be sufficiently divergent to lead to a substantially uniform exposure of the wick in the direction of its width.

The device according to the invention is preferably used with a base station; alternatively, the handpiece 2 is autonomous, including the water supply necessary for the production of steam. The cosmetic product applied by the device according to the invention can be any type of hair product. By capillary cosmetic product, is meant a composition comprising one or more active substances for capillary use and in particular a product as defined in the EC Directive 93/35 of June 14, 1993. Water in liquid or gaseous form which contains no additives for capillary use does not constitute a cosmetic product within the meaning of the present invention. The cosmetic product may be intended to facilitate the shaping of the hair. Examples of assets are given for example in the publication US 2010/0307528 A1 in paragraphs [0031] and [0032]. The product may be aqueous or non-aqueous based. In the examples which have just been described, the cosmetic product is not heated other than by the heat losses due to the presence of the heating elements 120 and 122 and the projection of steam between the jaws 3 and 4. In a variant, the cosmetic product is heated by a specific heating means, so as to raise its temperature before its application, for example a screen printed heating resistor on a sleeve traversed by the product or disposed on the reservoir or in contact with it. This rise in temperature may have the effect of reducing its viscosity and facilitate its application. The applicator member 15 may be made otherwise than with a foam, for example with a felt, a sinter or a brush. The refill 20 may comprise at least one closure member that can be releasably positioned on the application head 25, in particular on the applicator member 15, to protect it from the external environment in the absence of use to apply the product. The closure member may be applicable on the refill 20 when the latter is not or is on the handpiece 2. When the refill 20 is positioned in the housing 33 of the handpiece 2, the closure member The closing member may be separable from the device, or, alternatively, may be an element permanently present on the device. The member defining the counter-support surface 130 may be removable and to serve, especially when returned, of closure member of the refill 20.

Because of the longitudinal configuration of the refill 20, the dispensing of product through dispensing orifices 68 of constant size and equal distribution is not uniform. The dispensing orifices near the reservoir are subjected to a higher pressure than those located at the end and, as a result, open more and dispense more product towards the applicator member 15. The variants below allow to distribute the product to the applicator member 15 along the dispensing nozzle 53. The dispensing orifices 68 of the dispensing nozzle 53 are alternatively as illustrated in FIG. 11, spaced apart from each other. a variable distance, the density of distribution orifices 68 then varying with the position on the dispensing nozzle 53. Preferably, the density of distribution orifices 68 increases away from the reservoir 23 to allow a uniform product distribution by direction of the applicator member 15. The dispensing orifices 68 of the dispensing nozzle 53 are, alternatively as illustrated in FIG. 12, of variable width p as a function of their position on the dispensing nozzle. 53. Preferably, the width p of the dispensing orifices increases away from the reservoir 23 to allow a uniform product distribution towards the applicator member 15. The counter-support surface 130 is alternatively inclined obliquely to the applicator member 15 so as to exert a variable pressure on the applicator member 15. Preferably, the pressure exerted by the abutment surface 130 on the applicator member 15 increases. away from the reservoir 23, to allow a uniform product application on the lock of hair introduced between the upper arm 5 and lower 6.

The device can be used by moving the jaws 3 and 4 along a wick, to smooth the hair. The device can also be used by winding the wick around a jaw 3 or 4 and by dragging it by sliding on the jaw 3 or 4, to curl the hair. The device can be used hot without producing steam or without activating the heating elements 120 or 122. Alternatively, the steam outlet and the application member 15 occupy substantially the same position relative to the direction of travel D on the lock of hair of the device. In this case, or the steam outlet orifices are for example formed through a counter-bearing surface on which the applicator member 15 applies when the jaws 3 and 4 are closed. In the illustrated examples, the steam generation is on the lower arm 6 and the product application on the upper arm 5. This provision can be reversed. The dispensing nozzle 53 may be non-elastically deformable and the product may be dispensed only during the movement of the jaws 3 and 4 approaching together. An elastically deformable product accumulation chamber may also be interposed on the product path between the duct. 65 on which apply the pressing element 95 and the dispensing nozzle 53, this chamber being for example formed by a section of elastically deformable pipe or by an elastically deformable or mobile membrane without proper elasticity but bearing against a elastic return that deforms to accompany the increase in volume and generates the pressure necessary to continue the distribution of the product once the jaws 3 and 4 close together.

The housing of the device receiving the refill may comprise at least one light source. This source can allow the user to visualize the presence of the refill during the operation of the device When the refill is at least partially made of a material to see the cosmetic product contained therein, the light source can facilitate the determination by the user of the level of cosmetic product remaining in the refill. Thus, it may be advantageous to perform the refilling with at least a portion of the reservoir in a transparent or translucent material, and to arrange the light source so as to illuminate the reservoir. Preferably, the flap has a window that makes it possible to see at least one illuminated part of the reservoir, so that the user can know the level of product remaining while the flap is in the closed position. If necessary, the color of the light source may change depending on certain parameters, for example to indicate that the treatment temperature is reached or that the product or water level is low.

The phrase "having one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one" and in all the ranges of values indicated, the boundaries are included.

Claims (22)

REVENDICATIONS1. Refill (20) for a hair treatment apparatus, comprising: - a reservoir (23) containing a hair product, - a dispensing tip (53) of the product contained in the reservoir (23), - at least one component of a valve pump supplying the dispensing nozzle with product contained in the reservoir (23). 2. Refill according to claim 1, extending along a longitudinal axis (Z), said at least one component being located along said longitudinal axis (Z) between the reservoir (23) and the distributor nozzle (53). 3. Refill according to claim 1 or 2, the reservoir extending along a longitudinal axis (Xres) and the length L 'of the reservoir, measured along the longitudinal axis (Xres), being less than or equal to the total length. , eh of the refill measured along the same axis (Xres). 4. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, the dispensing nozzle (53) and the reservoir having respective longitudinal axes (X, Xres) not coincident, in particular parallel. 5. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, the capacity of the reservoir being between 2 ml and 20 ml. 6. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, the volume of capillary product delivered at each actuation of the valve pump being between 0.01 ml and 0.5 ml. 7. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, the valve pump comprising a pumping chamber and an elastically deformable membrane at least partially delimiting the pumping chamber. 8. Refill according to claim 7, the valve pump (95) being without air intake. 9. Refill according to claim 7 or 8, having an inlet valve disposed upstream of the pumping chamber, the inlet valve opening in the direction of a flow from the reservoir to the pumping chamber. 10. Refill according to any one of claims 7 to 9, having an outlet valve disposed downstream of the pumping chamber, the outlet valve opening in the direction of a flow from the pumping chamber to the dispensing nozzle (53). 11. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, the dispensing nozzle having at least one dispensing orifice, better a plurality of dispensing orifices, in particular closed at rest and being able to open with the pressure exerted by the hair product. , the or the dispensing orifices being made through a particularly deformable wall, preferably a wall defined by a flexible conduit, the flexible conduit being, in particular, connected to the pumping chamber at one of its ends. 12. Refill according to claim 11, the dispensing orifice (68) being constituted by at least one slot with contiguous edges at rest. 13. Refill according to claims 10 and 11 or 12, the or the dispensing orifices forming the outlet valve. 14. Refill according to claims 9 and 10, the valve pump being formed by a unitary part including the pumping chamber and at least one of the inlet and outlet valves. 15. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, the dispensing nozzle (53) being pre-filled with the hair product. 16. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an applicator member supplied with product by the dispensing nozzle, the applicator member preferably covering at least partially the dispenser tip, the dispenser member, application preferably comprising a porous material and / or capable of salting out or diffusing the cosmetic product, in particular an open cell foam. 17. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support (83) carrying the dispensing nozzle and / or the valve pump and / or the reservoir, better carrying the dispensing nozzle, the valve pump and the reservoir. . 18. Refill according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a closure member of the refill (20) in the absence of use. 19. A device (2) for treating the hair, comprising: at least two movable arms (5, 6) relative to each other between a close configuration of treatment of the hair and a configuration apart from engagement between them hair to be treated, - a refill (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, the refill (20) being carried by at least one of the arms (5; 6). 20. Device according to claim 19, the approach of the arms (5, 6) actuating the valve pump (95). 21. Device according to claim 19 or 20, the arm (6; 5) opposite to that carrying the refill (20) having a relief (96) coming, in configuration close to the arms, actuate the valve pump (95) said relief (96) having a degree of saliency adjustable by the user depending on the dose to be dispensed. 22. Device according to one of claims 19 to 21, being a straightener, each of the two arms (5, 6) having a heating element (120, 122), the heating elements (120, 122) each preferably comprising a plate defining a hot surface (125) of contact with the hair.