RU2830828C9 - Improved hairdressing device in form of oscillating hair dryer-brush - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: household appliances.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the general technical field of hairdressing devices. Portable hairdressing device comprises an air blowing module for creating an air flow, a handle for manual gripping and an accessory connected to the handle, comprising a main element of mechanical gripping of hair and at least first and second air outlet holes located separately from each other on both sides of the main mechanical hair gripper. Device contains an air distribution channel fixed relative to the handle, which contains two separate air distribution holes located at a distance from each other and intended for distribution of the air flow created by the air blower module in different middle directions. Accessory is installed with possibility of rotation relative to the handle around the axis of rotation so as to take at least the first angular configuration, which allows changing the angular position of the accessory relative to the handle within the specified angular range. Accessory is adapted to move when in first angular configuration between first angular position, in which the first of said air distribution holes of the air distribution channel has air communication with the first air outlet hole of the accessory, and the second angular position, in which the second of the above air distribution holes of the air distribution channel has air communication with the second air outlet hole of the accessory. Air distribution channel passes longitudinally along axis of longitudinal length, which coincides with axis of rotation of accessory relative to handle.

EFFECT: providing easy and effective drying and styling of hair without using an additional device for hair styling of a user who does not have special professional skills in the field of hair styling.

15 cl, 13 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to the general technical field of hairdressing devices, for example for home use, and in particular to the field of portable hairdressing devices intended to create an air flow for the purpose of drying and/or facilitating hair styling.

In the field of hairdressing devices, hair dryer-brush type devices are already known. The latter usually comprise a brush-shaped head connected to a handle and provided with bristles over the entire surface or over part of it. Air supply holes are located near the bristles of the brush, so that a stream of air, hot or cold, can be supplied to the hair through the brush head. Such hair dryer-brushes are intended to provide a certain degree of drying of the hair, while allowing the hair to be styled or shaped in one or more ways.

Although such known hair dryer brushes generally provide satisfactory results, they can nevertheless be improved. Indeed, the ways in which the user is supposed to style his hair with the latter are not always easy to apply in practice, in particular for users who do not have special knowledge in the field of hair styling. Such known hair dryer brushes can also have a very complex design, which, in particular, tends to affect their reliability and ease of use. In addition, the lack of compactness of some known hair dryer brushes makes them not very ergonomic and not very convenient to handle.

Moreover, although such known hairdressing devices of the hair dryer-brush type are intended to replace a plurality of separate devices by combining the combing function with the hair drying function, in practice they are nevertheless not very suitable for performing satisfactory hair drying, wherein drying in this case is necessarily associated with styling or combing the hair. Known hairdressing devices of the hair dryer-brush type by themselves do not allow for the effective performance of a plurality of different hair drying, styling and shaping operations, so that for satisfactory performance of all desired hair styling operations, it is usually necessary to use an additional styling device.

Thus, the task set before the invention is to create a new portable hairdressing device that will make it easy to achieve a satisfactory result when styling hair and giving it shape even for a user who does not have special professional skills in the field of hair styling.

Another objective of the invention is to create a new portable hairdressing device, the use of which is at the same time very practical, intuitive and simple even for a user who does not have special professional skills in the field of hair styling.

Another objective of the invention is to create a new portable hairdressing device that has a simple and reliable design.

Another objective of the invention is to create a new portable hairdressing device that has a compact design.

Another object of the invention is to create a new portable hairdressing device that allows the user to easily and effectively perform many different operations without using an additional hair styling device.

Another objective of the invention is to create a new portable hairdressing device that allows for effective drying and styling of hair in comfortable conditions of use.

The tasks set before the invention are solved by a portable hairdressing device, comprising an air blower module for creating an air flow, a handle for gripping by hand and an accessory connected to the handle, comprising a main element of a mechanical gripping of hair and at least a first and second air outlet openings, located separately from each other on both sides of the main element of a mechanical gripping of hair, wherein this device comprises an air distribution channel, mounted fixedly with respect to the handle and extending from one end of the handle, wherein the air distribution channel comprises two separate air distribution openings, located at a distance from each other and intended for distributing the air flow created by the air blower module, in different average directions, wherein said accessory is mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to the handle around the axis of rotation, so as to adopt at least a first angular configuration, allowing to change the angular position of the accessory relative to the handle within a given angular range, wherein the position of the accessory, located in the first configuration, can be changed between:

- a first angular position in which the first of said air distribution openings of the air distribution duct has air communication with the first air outlet opening of the accessory, and

- a second angular position in which the second of the said air distribution openings of the air distribution duct has air communication with the second air outlet opening of the accessory.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description, which includes references to the drawings, which are included solely as illustrations of non-limiting examples and illustrate the following.

Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a hairdressing device according to the invention, wherein an accessory of the device has a first angular configuration relative to the handle, in which the accessory is locked by a locking means, preferably provided in the device;

Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the hairdressing device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the hairdressing device of Fig. 1 and 2, wherein the accessory of the device in this case has a second angular configuration relative to the handle, wherein in this configuration the accessory is locked by a locking means, preferably provided in the device;

Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the hairdressing device of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the hairdressing device of Figs. 1 and 2 at the level of an accessory, wherein the accessory of the device occupies a second angular position of the first angular configuration;

Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the hairdressing device of Figs. 1 and 2 at the level of an accessory, wherein the accessory of the device occupies the third angular position of the first angular configuration;

Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the hairdressing device of Figs. 3 and 4 at the accessory level (second angular configuration);

Fig. 8 illustrates a front view of a portion of the structure of the hairdressing device of Figs. 1, 2 and 5 (first corner configuration), with some elements of the accessory omitted or made transparent in order to highlight some important aspects of the structure;

Fig. 9 illustrates an internal front view of the first element of the housing of the accessory of the hairdressing device of Figs. 1-8;

Fig. 10 illustrates in section the first element of the housing from Fig. 9 with respect to the part of the handle and the air distribution channel of the accessory of the hairdressing device. The air blower channel and the air distribution channel of the device are made transparent;

Fig. 11 illustrates an internal front view of the second element of the housing of the accessory of the hairdressing device, from Figs. 1-8;

Fig. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the hairdressing device of Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 8 (the first angular configuration) at the level of the accessory near the interface between the handle and the accessory;

Fig. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the hairdressing device from Figs. 3, 4 and 7 (second corner configuration) at the level of the accessory, near the interface between the handle and the accessory.

The hairdressing device 1 according to the present invention is a portable hairdressing device intended for manual manipulation and use. This hairdressing device is preferably intended for use at home by a user who does not have special professional skills in the field of hairdressing, i.e. skills in drying, combing and styling hair. Preferably, the hairdressing device 1 is intended for use by the user for himself, i.e. for his own hair. However, without changing the essence of the invention, the device 1 may also be intended for use by the user on the hair of other people.

The hairdressing device 1, a non-limiting embodiment of which is shown in the figures, comprises a handle 2 (or a grip) for gripping by hand, intended for the user to hold the hairdressing device 1 by it during use. The handle 2 is generally located between the first end 3 and the opposite second end 4, preferably in the longitudinal direction along the (first) axis A-A'. The hairdressing device 1 also comprises an air blower module 5, preferably built-in, intended for (forced) creation of an air flow F, and an accessory 6 connected to the handle 2, through which the air flow F created by the air blower module 5 is directed from the hairdressing device 1 outward toward the user's hair. The hairdressing device 1 has an air inlet 7, through which air from the environment can be sucked in by the air blower module 5 for subsequent blowing in the direction of the user's hair. The air blower module 5, generally comprising a fan driven by an electric motor, is preferably arranged inside the handle 2 or inside the accessory 6. It is even more preferable if the air blower module 5 of the hairdressing device 1 is connected to the handle 2 at the second end 4 of the latter, so that the air blower module 5 preferably continues the handle 2 beyond the second end 4 of the latter. Preferably, the accessory 6 of the device 1 is, in turn, connected to the handle 2 at its first end 3. Therefore, the air blower module 5 is preferably remote from the accessory 6 and from the handle 2. In this way, it is possible to select the size of the air blower module 5, which will allow for the economical creation of a high-speed air flow F, without increasing the overall dimensions of the accessory 6 and the handle 2. Another advantage is that such an arrangement of the air blower module 5 allows for a better balance of the weight of the hairdressing device 1, distributing the mass on both sides of the handle 2, which improves its ergonomics and ease of use. If the air blower module 5 is located inside the handle 2 or is connected to the handle 2 at its second end 4, as described above and shown in the drawings, the advantage is that the hairdressing device 1 can comprise a guide channel 8 (Fig. 8) formed inside the handle 2 for directing the air flow F generated by the air blower module 5 outward from the handle 2 in the direction of the accessory 6.

Preferably, the hairdressing device 1 also comprises a heating element intended to increase the temperature of the air flow F generated by the air blower module 5. The heating element built into the hairdressing device 1 is arranged so as to be located inside the air flow F generated by the air blower module 5. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the heating element is preferably located inside the guide channel 8 of the air flow F made in the handle 2 (Fig. 8) as described above. The heating element is generally an electric heating element operating due to the Joule effect and comprising at least one electric heating resistor formed from an electrically conductive wire (not shown) wound around an insulating core 9. Alternatively, the heating element can be placed inside the accessory 6, which, however, will worsen the compactness of the latter.

Preferably, the hairdressing device 1 comprises a means 10 for manual control and/or adjustment by the user of the operation of the hairdressing device 1, in particular the air blower module 5 and/or the heating element of the latter. This may be, for example, an adjustment means 10 of the type of a toggle switch, a button and/or a slider or disk variator, as in the example of Figs. 1-4, which the user can directly act on in order to switch on/off the electric power supply of the hairdressing device 1, change the rotation speed of the fan of the air blower module 5, and, consequently, the speed/intensity of the air flow F blown out of the accessory 6, and/or the heating temperature of the heating element. Such a means 10 for manual control/adjustment may be located, for example, in the area of the location of the handle 2 or the air blower module 5 in the case when this module is mounted on the second end 4 of the handle, as shown in the example of Figs. 1-4. The electric power supply of the hairdressing device 1, which is a portable electric device, is preferably carried out from the network via the power cord 11. According to another embodiment, the power supply of the hairdressing device 1 can be carried out from its own energy source, such as, for example, an electric storage battery, which can be located in the handle 2.

The accessory 6 of the device 1 according to the invention comprises a main element 12 of mechanical hair gripping, mounted with the possibility of mechanical interaction with the user's hair, in particular for combing and/or styling it. The accessory 6 generally comprises a support 13 having a support surface 14 facing the outer side of the device 1, to which said main element 12 of mechanical hair gripping is attached, optionally in a removable manner. For example, as in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the main element 12 of the mechanical gripping may comprise a plurality of rows or strips 12A, 12B, 12C of bristles (or pins) attached to the support 13 and protruding from the support surface 14, preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the latter. In another embodiment, the main element 12 of the mechanical gripper may, for example, contain bristles (or pins) of a brush that are part of the said support 13. The support surface 14 may be substantially flat or, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings, curved outward from the accessory 6.

The accessory 6 also comprises at least the first and second (main) air outlet openings 15, 16, through which the air flow F can be blown by the accessory 6 in the direction of the user's hair. The said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 are separate from each other and, therefore, do not coincide and are not adjacent, they are located on both sides of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper. As can be seen in the drawings, the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 are conveniently located on the border of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper, along the opposite side edges of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper.

As can be seen, in particular, in Fig. 5-7, the presence of said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 is a permanent, i.e., an uncontested feature. In other words, the first and second outlet openings 15, 16 are always present on both sides of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper; the first and second outlet openings 15, 16 are not temporary.

According to a variant not shown in the drawings, the accessory 6 may in some cases comprise one or more auxiliary elements for mechanically gripping hair. For example, the accessory 6 may comprise a first auxiliary element for mechanically gripping hair, installed in such a way that the first air outlet opening 15 is located between this first auxiliary element and the main element 12 for mechanically gripping hair, and a second auxiliary element for mechanically gripping hair, installed in such a way that the second air outlet opening 16 is located between the second auxiliary element and the main element 12 for mechanically gripping hair.

The accessory 6 preferably comprises a housing 17, the advantage of which is that its outer surface defines the overall external shape and contour of the accessory 6. Preferably, the housing 17 is connected to the handle 2 at its first end 3 so that the housing 17 (and therefore the accessory 6) is located directly in the continuation of the handle 2 and projects beyond said first end 3 of this handle. Thus, the advantage is that the outer surface of the housing 17 defines the overall external shape and contour of the end part of the hairdressing device 1, located in the continuation of the handle 2 of the hairdressing device 1. As shown by way of example in the drawings, the housing 17 preferably comprises at least a first surface 18A, wherein preferably a part of it forms said support 13 of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper. Thus, the advantage is that the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper attached to said support 13 is formed in one piece with the housing 17 and is immovable relative to it. Preferably, the surface 18A of the housing 17 comprises the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6, so that said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 form a single unit with the housing 17 and the main element 12 of the mechanical hair grip, wherein said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 are stationary relative to the latter. The housing 17, the main element 12 of the mechanical hair grip and the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory thus form a single kinematic unit of the hairdressing device 1.

Preferably, the first surface 18A of the housing 17 can be formed by the entire or part of the outer surface of the first element 17A of the monolithic housing, as in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. In this case, the support 13 of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper and the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6 form a single unit with the first element 17A of the housing. The design and execution of the accessory 6 are significantly simplified, since said first element 17A of the housing can be easily manufactured, for example, by injection molding of a plastic material under pressure.

Preferably, as shown in the drawings, said housing 17 (and, more generally, accessory 6) is arranged in the longitudinal direction along the (second) middle axis B-B' between the lower end 19, on which the housing 17 is arranged in continuation of the handle 2, extending beyond its second end 4, and the opposite upper end 20. Preferably, each of said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 is formed by a continuous elongated opening, such as a slit, arranged in the longitudinal direction along one and second lateral edges of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper, respectively, in the middle direction, which as a whole is arranged along said axis B-B' in continuation of the housing 17. However, in other embodiments, other configurations and directions of arrangement of the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 can be considered, without changing the essence of the invention.

The hairdressing device 1 also comprises an air distribution channel 21 extending from one end 3 of the handle 2, in this case from the first end 3 of the handle 2 in the embodiment shown in the drawings. Said air distribution channel 21 comprises two air distribution openings 22, 23, separate and distant from each other, intended for directing the air flow F generated by the air blower module 5, from the air distribution channel 21 in different average directions. Preferably, the air distribution openings 22, 23 are diametrically opposed, as can be seen in Figs. 5-7. Preferably, the air distribution channel 21 comprises only two air distribution openings 22, 23, preferably having corresponding essentially identical useful cross-sections for the passage of air. In case the air blower module 5 is located inside the handle 2 or at the second end 3 of the handle 2, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the air distribution channel 21 may preferably comprise an air inlet opening 24 connected to a guide channel 8 formed inside the handle 2 for receiving the air flow created by the air blower module 5. Preferably, the air distribution channel 21 is located in the continuation of said guide channel 8 beyond the first end 3 of the latter. Preferably, the air distribution channel 21 and the guide channel 8 inside the handle 2 can form a single monolithic part, which further simplifies the design and manufacture of the hairdressing device 1. For example, said air distribution channel 21 can comprise a hollow tube 25, having the shape of a cylinder or the shape of a truncated cone, as described below, open at one end, wherein the air distribution openings 15, 16 are made in the wall of the tube 25, wherein this wall is essentially airtight.

According to the invention, the accessory 6 is mounted with the possibility of rotation, turning relative to the handle 2 around the (third) axis C-C' of rotation, so as to adopt at least the first angular configuration, wherein the accessory 6 occupies the first predetermined spatial position with rotation relative to the handle 2, allowing to change the angular direction of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 within the predetermined angular range. In other words, the first angular configuration corresponds to a plurality of different angular orientations (or positions), which the accessory 6 can occupy relative to the handle 2 when turning around the axis C-C' of rotation, in the predetermined limited angular range. Thus, when the accessory 6 is in the first angular configuration, called “with variable angular orientation”, the accessory 6 has a certain range of rotation around the axis of rotation C-C’ and, therefore, can rotate, oscillate relative to the handle 2 in the specified predetermined limited angular range when blowing out an air flow from the hairdressing device 1 through one and/or the other of the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6.

More specifically, the device 1 according to the invention is designed and configured such that when the accessory 6 has the said first angular configuration, the accessory 6 can rotate between:

- a first angular position (not shown), in which the first 22 of the said air distribution openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 has an air connection with the first air outlet opening 15 of the accessory 6, and

- a second angular position (different from the first angular position illustrated in Fig. 5), in which the second 23 of the said air distribution openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 has air communication with the second opening 16 of the air outlet of the accessory 6.

Thus, when the user uses the hairdressing device 1, and the accessory 6 of the latter is in said first angular configuration, called "with a variable angular orientation", the interaction between the user's hair and the mechanical hair gripping element 12 of the accessory 6 can cause the accessory 6 to rotate relative to the handle 2 around the rotation axis C-C' under the action of the tensile force exerted by the user's hair on the main hair gripping element 12. The result will be a selective blowing of the air flow F through one and/or the other of the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 depending on the direction of combing or styling the hair and, therefore, depending on the direction of rotation of the accessory 6 around said rotation axis C-C' in the direction of one or the other of said first and second angular positions. This ensures that the air flow F is always blown as close as possible to the user's hair and always in the optimal direction depending on the direction of movement of the device 1, without requiring any special actions on the part of the user, except for combing the hair with the device 1. In this case, the air flow will thus always be directed from the roots of the hair to their ends, this direction being particularly favorable when performing certain hair styling or untangling operations. Thus, the hairdressing device 1 according to the present invention makes it easy to obtain very satisfactory results when styling and shaping hair, including by users who do not have special knowledge in the field of hair styling.

Preferably, the first and second angular positions that the accessory 6 can take when turning relative to the handle 2 are opposite extreme positions of the first angular configuration, wherein the predetermined angular range is from 20° to 60°, preferably 50°. Such a range of values helps to make the device 1 very ergonomic in use by optimizing the amplitude of rotation, i.e. the displacement stroke as a result of the tension force exerted by the hair on the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper, which is necessary for bringing it to one of the said first and second angular positions from the other of the said first and second angular positions.

Preferably, said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of accessory 6 are intended to blow air flow F from device 1 in the direction of main element 12 of mechanical hair gripping, substantially tangentially to support surface 14 of main element 12 of mechanical hair gripping. In other words, as illustrated in particular in Fig. 5-7, first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 have a shape and configuration relative to support 13 of main element 12 of mechanical hair gripping, allowing to direct, orient air flow F toward main element 12 of mechanical hair gripping, located between said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 and substantially tangentially to surface 14 of support 13 of said main element 12 of mechanical hair gripping.

Preferably, the average trajectory of the air flow F, which can be released by one and/or the other from the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6, is directed along a secant (and not parallel) direction in which the bristles or pins of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripping protrude from the surface 14 of its support 13. This achieves that the air flow F can be directed as close as possible to the user's hair, captured by the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripping, which makes it possible to further improve the efficiency of styling, combing or straightening hair, performed with the help of the device 1.

Preferably, the device 1 is designed and configured such that the air communication between the second air outlet opening 16 of the accessory 6 and the second air distribution outlet opening 23 of the air distribution duct 21 is blocked when the accessory 6 occupies said first angular position. And vice versa, the device 1 is preferably designed and configured such that the air communication between the first air outlet opening 15 of the accessory 6 with the first air distribution outlet opening 22 of the air distribution duct 21 is blocked when the accessory 6 occupies the second angular position (Fig. 5). In this way, the entire air flow F created by the air blower module 5 can be blown out alternately from one or the other of the said first and second air distribution openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21, depending on whether the first or second angular position is occupied by the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2. The advantage of this feature is, in particular, the possibility of simplifying the design of the accessory 6 and making the distribution of air to the first or second opening 15, 16 for distributing air of the accessory 6 more reliable, due to the limitation of pressure losses.

Preferably, the device 1 is designed and configured so that when the accessory 6 takes the first angular configuration, the accessory 6 can occupy a third angular position shown in Fig. 6, intermediate in angle between said first and second angular positions, in which the first and second air distribution openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 are simultaneously in air communication with the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6. Thus, when the accessory 6 takes the third angular position, the air flow generated by the air blower module 5 can be simultaneously blown out through the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6. This allows the air flow F to exit from both sides of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper, which is especially useful at the beginning of the styling operation, when the user brings the hairdressing device 1 into contact with a strand of hair for the first time. In fact, the entire strand of hair is processed before the user sets the device 1 in motion and the hair begins to exert a tensile force on the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper, and therefore before the air flow F begins to be blown out only through the first or second air outlet opening 22, 23. The advantage lies in the fact that the third angular position is an average angular position between the first and second angular positions within a predetermined angular range. In this case, the rotation amplitude of the accessory 6 between the first and third angular positions will be identical to the rotation amplitude of the accessory 6 between the second and third angular positions (for example, an amplitude of 25° in both directions in the said third angular position).

It is even more preferable if the third angular position is a rest position, wherein the accessory 6 comprises a return means, preferably elastic, intended for automatically returning the accessory 6 to said third angular position, when the accessory 6 occupies one or the other of the first and second angular positions. Thus, in the absence of a force applied to the accessory 6 due to the interaction between the user's hair and the main element 12 for mechanically gripping the hair, the accessory 6 automatically returns to the third intermediate angular position, called the rest position. The advantage lies in the fact that the force and the amplitude of rotation of the accessory 6, driven into rotation as a result of the interaction between the user's hair and the main element 12 for mechanically gripping the hair of the accessory 6, which will subsequently be necessary to achieve one or the other of the said first and second angular positions, are thus reduced, which additionally increases the ease and comfort of use of the device 1.

Said return means preferably comprises a pair of tension springs 26, 27 mounted so as to be able to counteract each other. Preferably, each of the springs 26, 27, located in a plane perpendicular to the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6, is connected by one of its ends to the handle 2 or, as described in detail below, to an intermediate part 28, which can be, at least temporarily, fixed relative to the handle 2. Each of the springs 26, 27 is connected by the other end to the accessory 6 and, for example, to the corresponding supporting surface of its housing 17. Although the use of such a pair of springs 26, 27 appears to be particularly effective and reliable for ensuring the function of automatically returning the accessory 6 to the third intermediate angular rest position, in other embodiments other suitable return means can be used for this purpose, both elastic (leaf spring, tension spring, etc.) and not (a pair of magnets, etc.). Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the return means is located outside the air flow circulating inside the device 1, so that, on the one hand, the return means does not cause a disturbance of the air flow F and, on the other hand, the air flow does not interfere with the proper functioning of the return means, in particular when it is heated by the heating element of the device 1.

Preferably, the device 1 according to the invention is designed and configured so that essentially the entire air flow F, generated by the air blower module 5 and passing through the air distribution channel 21, is blown out, respectively, through the first air outlet opening 15 of the accessory 6, when the accessory 6 occupies the said first angular position, through the second air outlet opening 16 of the accessory 6, when the latter occupies the second angular position and, if necessary, simultaneously through the said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6, when the latter occupies the said third angular position. However, if necessary, the accessory 6 of the device 1 can comprise an auxiliary air outlet (not shown) different from the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6, intended to be in air communication with the first air outlet opening 22 of the air distribution duct 21 and/or with the second air outlet opening 23 of the air distribution duct 21, depending on whether the accessory 6 occupies the first angular position, the second angular position or even, in some cases, the said third angular position. Thus, the advantage lies in the fact that, when the accessory 6 occupies the said first angular position in the said first angular configuration, the air flow generated by the air blower module 5 can be blown out in priority mainly through the first air outlet opening 15 of the accessory 6, while it can nevertheless be blown out at least partially through the said auxiliary air outlet opening. In the reverse situation, the advantage is that when the accessory 6 occupies the second angular position in the first angular configuration, the air flow generated by the blower module 5 can be blown out in priority mainly through the second air outlet opening 16 of the accessory 6, while it can nevertheless be blown out at least partially through said auxiliary air outlet opening. Thus, in the case where one or the other of said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6 is unfavorably blocked, for example due to the presence of the user's hair, the air flow F can nevertheless exit the device 1 through the auxiliary outlet opening of the accessory 6. Removing air in this way prevents overheating of the device 1 and also reduces the risk of burning the hair or scalding the user's scalp. The presence of such an auxiliary air outlet may also be useful in the event that the size of the useful cross-section of one and/or the other of said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 is insufficient at a very high speed of the air flow F, which can be created by the air blower module 5, when the latter operates with a very high air flow rate. Indeed, in this way the risk of damage to the air blower module 5 under the influence of the internal counterpressure created in the auxiliary device 6 is significantly limited, as well as the risk of burning the user's hair (when heating the air flow with the heating element) under the influence of abnormal heating and acceleration of the air flow F due to a decrease in the useful cross-section of the first or second air outlet openings 15, 16 due to the user's hair, or due to the "insufficient size" of said useful cross-section. The term "undersized" here means that said auxiliary outlet is not an air outlet through which the main part of the air flow is blown out in a priority manner during normal use of the device 1, but, on the contrary, is a non-priority outlet, called a "bypass" or "auxiliary outlet", in the event that the air flow cannot be properly released through one or the other of said main air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6. In other words, the advantage lies in the fact that the device 1 is designed and configured in such a way that the air flow circulating inside said device 1 is essentially and mainly directed from the air distribution channel 21 to one or the other of said air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6 (depending on the angular position occupied by the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2), wherein the auxiliary air outlet opening, in turn, is designed in such a way as to ensure the outlet of at least that part of the air flow that cannot be released, as intended, through one or the other of said openings 15, 16 of the air outlet of the accessory 6. Essentially, the advantage lies in the fact that said auxiliary outlet opening has such a size that, in the absence of any special unforeseen reduction in the useful cross-section for the passage of air of the first and second air outlet openings, at least 60% of the air flow rate F can pass through the first and/or second opening 15, 16 of the air outlet of the accessory 6, and this regardless of the angular position occupied by the accessory 6, when the latter is in said first angular configuration.

Such an auxiliary air outlet is preferably arranged between the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6 at the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper. The auxiliary air outlet may generally be formed by one or more auxiliary openings passing through the support 13 of the main element 12 of the mechanical hair gripper, arranged between the rows or strips 12A, 12B, 12C of the brush bristles so that, when at least part of the air flow comes out through said auxiliary air outlet, the air is nevertheless directed in a controlled manner to the user's hair (and not, for example, to the face or the hand with which the user holds the handle 2 of the device 6). Optionally, such an auxiliary outlet may be equipped with a valve system configured so that at least part of the air flow F is blown out through said additional outlet only when a threshold pressure is reached, wherein said threshold pressure corresponds, for example, to a predetermined level of blockage of one or the other of said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of accessory 6. Alternatively, the additional air outlet opening may be formed by a third air outlet opening 33, which is described below.

Preferably, the air distribution duct 21 extends in the longitudinal direction from said first end 3 of the handle 2 along the (fourth) axis D-D' of longitudinal extent, which coincides with the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2. In this way, the advantage is achieved that the accessory 6 can be mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to the handle 2 around the air distribution duct 21, which, in particular, increases the simplicity of the design and operation of the device 1. As a result, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the air distribution duct 21 can thus extend inside the housing 17 of the accessory 6, wherein the axes B-B', D-D' of longitudinal extent, respectively, of the housing 17 and the air distribution duct 21, are parallel to each other or coincide. It is also preferable to provide the possibility of installing one or more ball bearings between the air distribution duct 21 and the housing 17 of the accessory 6 in order to simplify the rotation of the housing 17 about the air distribution duct 21. Optionally, although this is less preferable, in particular from a design point of view, the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution duct 21 can be parallel to the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory, being more or less offset relative to the latter. Preferably, the axis C-C' of rotation, about which the accessory 6 is mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to the handle 2, coincides with the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings. However, in this case, the axis C-C' of rotation in another embodiment can be parallel to the said axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2 and more or less offset relative to it. Thus, the kinematics of the accessory 6 is simple and reliable and allows the user to intuitively control the hairdressing device 1. In yet another embodiment, it can also be provided that the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6 intersects the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extent of the handle 2 at an angle of, for example, from 5 to 15°. Even more preferable, as in the example shown in the drawings, is the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extent of the handle 2, coinciding with the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory and the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extent of the air distribution duct 21. It can also be provided, for example, that the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6 and the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extent of the air distribution duct 21 coincide with each other, being located along a secant to the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extent of the handle 2 at an angle of, for example, from 5 to 15° or, for example, substantially equal to 90°.

As already mentioned above, the first and second air distribution openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 of the hairdressing device 1 according to the invention are intended to distribute the air flow F generated by the air blower module 5 in different average directions, preferably in opposite directions and, therefore, in directions that are not essentially parallel. In this way, the air flow F can be easily directed to the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6 with a minimum pressure loss, which makes it possible to maintain a good speed and a good flow rate of the air flow F and, therefore, the best efficiency of the hairdressing device 1. Preferably, and in particular in the case where the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6 coincides with the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution channel 21, said first and second air outlet openings 22, 23 can, in particular, be made, from the point of view of their shape and location, with the possibility of distributing the air flow F in different average directions, forming with said axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution channel 21 an angle from 165° to 195°.

In other words, the first and second air outlet openings 22, 23 are designed so that

- the first air outlet opening 22 as such is capable of blowing out an air flow in a first average direction when the accessory 6 occupies a first angular position, and

- the second air outlet opening 23 as such is capable of blowing out an air flow in a second average direction when the accessory 6 occupies a second angular position, wherein the first and second average directions are respectively inscribed in planes that are secants along the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution channel 21, forming with this axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension an angle of from 165° to 195°.

In this case, the said first and second outlet air distribution openings 22, 23 are preferably generally diametrically opposite relative to the axis B-B' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution channel 21. Such a configuration allows, in particular, to simplify the design of the device 1 and optimize its aeraulic characteristics while maintaining the limited size of the accessory 6.

In the embodiment shown as an example in the drawings, and as can be seen in particular in Fig. 8 and 10, the air distribution duct 21 comprises a hollow tube 25, essentially having the shape of a truncated cone (as discussed above), the axis of rotation of which is preferably formed by the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution duct 21. The axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution duct 21 here coincides with the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2. The axes A-A', D-D' of the longitudinal extension, respectively, of the air distribution duct 21 and the handle 2, themselves coincide with the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6, as shown above as a preferred embodiment. Preferably, said air distribution duct 21 is located inside the housing 17 of the accessory 6, when the latter is connected to the handle 2, wherein the housing 17 is mounted with the possibility of rotation around the tube 25 of the air distribution duct 21 (Fig. 10). The air distribution duct 21 preferably continues the air guide duct 8, formed inside the handle 2, through the large base of the tube 25, having the shape of a truncated cone, on which the air inlet opening 24 of the air distribution duct 21 is located. In this way, the useful section for the passage of the air flow F inside the tube 25 decreases along the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution duct 21 in the direction from the handle 2. The air distribution duct 21 preferably comprises two separate air distribution openings 22, 23 with corresponding identical useful sections, formed in the side wall 29 of the hollow tube 25, wherein the wall 29 is airtight. In this example, each of said outlet air distribution openings 22, 23 has the shape of an oblong slit extending in a plane containing the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution duct 21. In this example, the first and second outlet air distribution openings 22, 23 are located substantially diametrically opposite relative to the axis D-D' of the extension of the air distribution duct 21. Preferably, the shape of the tube 25 of the air distribution duct 21, which is substantially a truncated cone, is intended to impart uniformity to the profile of the air flow F circulating inside the tube 25 along the axis D-D' of the extension of the air distribution duct 21 and exiting through the outlet air distribution openings 22, 23. The air distribution duct 21 preferably comprises deflector flaps 30 located at the outlet air distribution openings 22, 23 to facilitate the passage of air through the latter in radial directions, that is, preferably perpendicular to the axis D-D' of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution channel 21, and for imparting uniformity to the profile of the air flow D distributed in this way. In turn, in the embodiment shown as an example in the drawings, the accessory 6 preferably comprises first and second channel sections 31, 32 intended to ensure air communication of the first and second air distribution openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 with the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6, respectively, when the latter assumes said first angular configuration relative to the handle 2. As shown in the example depicted in Figs. 5-7, the first and second channel parts 31, 32 can advantageously be formed in the first element 17 of the housing 17 of the accessory 6. Preferably, as shown in particular in Fig. 5-7, the direct interaction with the possibility of rotation between the air distribution channel 21 and the corresponding inner surface of the housing 17 of the accessory 6 allows, in the variant illustrated in the drawings, to alternately block the air communication between the second opening 16 of the air outlet of the accessory 6 and the second outlet air distribution opening 23 of the air distribution channel 21 and vice versa, the first opening 15 of the air outlet of the accessory 6 with the first outlet air distribution opening 22 of the air distribution channel 21, in accordance with the indicated first or second angular position (Fig. 5) occupied by the accessory.

According to the preferred embodiment selected in the embodiment example shown in the drawings, the accessory 6 also comprises a third (main) air outlet opening 33, different from the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 (and preferably from the said auxiliary air outlet opening, if present), wherein the accessory 6 is mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to the handle 2 along the said rotation axis C-C' of the accessory 6 and with the possibility of bringing it, as an alternative to the first angular configuration described above, into a second angular configuration, in which the accessory 6 can blow out an air flow only through the said third air outlet opening 33. Thus, the accessory 6 is preferably mounted with the possibility of rotation, turning relative to the handle 2 around the axis C-C' of rotation so as to move at least between the said first angular configuration (Fig. 1, 2, 5, 6, 10 and 12) described above, in which the air flow is blown out by the accessory 6 through one and/or the other of the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6, and the second angular configuration (Fig. 3, 4, 7 and 13), in which the air flow is blown out by the accessory 6 only through the third air outlet opening 33. In other words, the accessory 6 is mounted pivotally relative to the handle 2 so as to be able to rotate relative to the handle 2, wherein the hairdressing device 1 is preferably designed and configured so as to allow the user, by rotating the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2, to alternately select either the first and/or second air outlet opening 15, 16, or the third air outlet opening 33 of the accessory 6, through which the air flow will be blown out by the accessory 6.

Thus, the hairdressing device 1 is preferably designed and configured such that:

- when the accessory 6 takes the specified first angular configuration, none of the first and second air outlet openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 of the device 1 has air communication with the third air outlet opening 33 of the accessory 6, and

- when accessory 6 takes on said second angular configuration, at least one of the first and second air outlet openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 of device 1 has air communication with the third air outlet opening 33, while none of said first and second air outlet openings 22, 23 has air communication with one and/or the other of said first and second air outlet openings 15, 16 (and/or the auxiliary air outlet opening, if present) of accessory 6.

For example, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, such a characteristic is ensured during rotation by direct contact of the air distribution channel 21 with the corresponding inner surface of the housing 17 of the accessory 6 (Figs. 5-7).

Thus, by rotating the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2, the user can switch from the “air blower brush” mode of use, in which the accessory 6 occupies the first angular configuration and can move between the first and second angular positions for blowing air through one and/or the other of the first and second air outlet openings 15, 16, to another mode of use, which corresponds to the adoption by the accessory 6 of the second angular configuration, in which the air flow will be blown predominantly through the third air outlet opening 33 of the accessory 6.

Preferably, as shown by way of example in the drawings, the housing 17 of the accessory 6 comprises a second surface 18B on which said third air outlet opening 33 is arranged. Preferably, the first and second surfaces 18A, 18B of the housing 17 are arranged on both sides of the axis C-C' of the longitudinal extension of the housing 17 of the accessory 6 and of the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2. The accessory 6 preferably comprises a third part 34 of the channel intended to provide air communication between at least one of said first and second air distribution outlet openings 22, 23 of the air distribution channel 21 and said third air outlet opening 33 of the accessory 6 when the latter is in the second angular configuration. Preferably, the useful section of the third air outlet opening 34 of the accessory 6 can be formed, as shown in Figs. 5-7, by the contour of the outlet end 35 of the third section 34 of the channel. The housing 17 of the accessory 6 preferably comprises a second housing element 17B, monolithic or not monolithic, attached (for example, by screwing or snapping) to the first housing element 17A indicated above, and is stationary relative to the latter. In this case, the second housing element 17B can comprise the said third section 34 of the channel as in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, or rigidly attached to the second housing element 17B by any suitable means.

As shown in particular in Fig. 4, the third air outlet opening 33 may advantageously comprise an opening of a generally elongated, extended shape (the air flow comes out in the form of a flat jet). In another embodiment, the third air outlet opening 33 could, for example, comprise an opening of a generally circular shape (the air flow essentially has a cylindrical shape or a truncated cone shape). Thus, when the accessory 6 occupies the second angular configuration relative to the handle 2, the hairdressing device 1 can advantageously be used for drying the user's hair (the "hair dryer" mode). In this case, the second angular configuration preferably corresponds to a single predetermined angular orientation (or position) (and, therefore, does not change within a predetermined angular range) of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2. Thus, when the accessory 6 is not arranged in accordance with this single predetermined angular direction or position relative to the axis of rotation C-C', the air flow cannot be blown out of the accessory 6 through said third air outlet opening 33. Thus, the accessory 6 is preferably capable of blowing out an air flow through the third air outlet 33 in one predetermined average direction. It is obvious that the third air outlet 33 may have one or more openings with a general shape different from that described above, whereby the accessory 6 may have a wider application, in addition to drying hair, when it occupies such a second angular configuration relative to the handle 2. In addition, the device 1 may have an alternative configuration that allows changing the angular direction (which is no longer the only one) of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 within a predetermined angular range.

Thus, the hairdressing device 1 is preferably a multifunctional device combining the "hairdryer-brush" operating/use mode and at least one other alternative operating/use mode (a so-called "two-in-one" hairdressing device), which is preferably the "hairdryer" mode, as has just been explained in connection with the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in particular according to the configuration of the selected third air outlet opening 33.

In order to maintain simplicity of design and manufacture, the device 1 is preferably designed and configured so that the transition of the accessory 6 from one to the other of the said first and second angular configurations can be carried out manually by the user. In particular, the housing 17 of the accessory 6 is preferably configured so that the user can easily hold it with his hand so that, holding the handle 2 of the hairdressing device 1 with one hand and grasping the housing 17 with the other hand, it is possible to directly manually set the housing 17 (and, therefore, the accessory 6) in rotation around the axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2, with the transition of the accessory 6 from one to the other of the said first and second angular configurations.

Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the hairdressing device 1 is designed and configured so as to provide the possibility of transferring the accessory 6 from one to the other of the said first and second angular configurations by rotating the accessory 6 about the axis of rotation C-C' by an angle equal to 90°. However, in practice, the value of the angle is not limited, and the transition from the first angular configuration to the second angular configuration of the accessory 6 may, for example, in another embodiment correspond to rotating the accessory 6 about the axis of rotation C-C' by an angle equal to 180°.

In the preferred case, when the hairdressing device 1 is preferably designed so that the accessory 6 can alternately occupy the first and second angular configurations described above, the hairdressing device 1 preferably comprises a means for locking the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2, provided for preventing the accessory 6 from leaving the first angular configuration (the "hairdryer-brush" mode) by rotating about the rotation axis C-C', when the accessory 6 is in this configuration. However, said locking means, of course, does not block the rotation of the accessory 6 about the rotation axis C-C' in said predetermined angular range. Even more preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the locking means is further intended to prevent the accessory 6 from leaving the second angular configuration (for example the "hairdryer" mode) by rotating about the rotation axis C-C', when the accessory 6 is in the corresponding configuration. In this case, the hairdressing device 1 preferably also comprises a control element 36 allowing the user of the hairdressing device 1 to control the locking and/or unlocking of the accessory 6 using said locking means.

Thus, the locking means is preferably designed with the possibility of reversible movement between:

- a locking configuration in which the locking means mechanically blocks any possibility of bringing the accessory 6 into rotation relative to the handle 2 around the axis C-C' of rotation and of the accessory 6 leaving the said first angular configuration (and preferably their said second angular configuration in the reverse situation) in which it is locked, and

- an unlocking configuration in which the locking means, on the contrary, allows the rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 around said axis of rotation C-C', so that it then becomes mechanically possible for the accessory 6 to exit said first angular configuration (and preferably from said second angular configuration in the opposite situation) in which it is located, and, preferably, to bring it into the second angular configuration that it can periodically assume (and preferably into the first angular configuration).

In this case, the transition from the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration and vice versa from the unlocking configuration to the locking configuration requires an action by the user on the control element 36 for locking/unlocking the accessory 6. Indeed, after locking in one and/or the other of the first and second angular configurations relative to the handle 2, the accessory 6 will not be able to leave the angular configuration in which it is located without a preliminary action by the user on the control element 36 to unlock the locking means. In particular, manual rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 becomes impossible when the accessory 6 is in one and/or the other of said first and second angular configurations, and the locking means is in the locked configuration. Preferably, the control element is functionally independent of the handle 2 and the accessory 6. In other words, although the control element 36 can be installed, integrated into the handle 2 and/or into the accessory 6, as described in detail below, the latter as such do not form the said control element 36. In particular, the user cannot control the unlocking of accessory 6 by applying force as a whole to handle 2 and/or accessory 6.

The possibility of locking the angular configuration of the accessory 6 in the "hair dryer-brush" mode (the first angular configuration), preferably provided by the device 1, makes it possible, in particular, when the user combs the hair using the device 1, to avoid the occurrence of a force sufficient to cause the accessory 6 to rotate around the axis C-C' and, accordingly, to remove it from the first angular configuration "hair dryer-brush" due to the interaction between the user's hair and the element 12 of the mechanical gripping of the hair of the accessory 6. And vice versa, the additional possibility of locking the accessory in an angular configuration, for example in the "hair dryer" mode (the second angular configuration), preferably provided by the device 1, makes it possible, in particular, to prevent the rotation of the accessory 6 by inertia and its sudden exit from the first angular configuration "hair dryer", when the user, during drying the hair using the device 1, performs an alternating rotational movement of the wrist of the hand holding the handle 2 of the device 1. The use of such a means for locking the angular configuration adopted by the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 allows the user to thus avoid a number of practical inconveniences when using the hairdressing device 1 and contributes to the high reliability of its use. In addition, said locking means contributes to ensuring high safety when using the hairdressing device 1, since such means makes it possible, in particular, to prevent the unexpected direction of the hot air flow in an unexpected direction, for example, in the direction of the user's eyes, when the accessory 6 is accidentally turned, which may occur as a result of a sudden change in its angular configuration. It also makes it possible to limit the risk of overheating and damage to the device 1, which could arise as a result of accidentally turning the accessory 6 and bringing it into an angular position outside the specified first and second angular configurations, which would result in the occurrence of an excessively strong restriction or even a complete blocking of the outlet from the hairdressing device 1 of the air flow generated by the air blower module 5. This achieves the advantage that the hairdressing device 1 can be used in a multitude of different operating modes (multifunctional device) not only in an extremely simple and practical way, since the user only needs to change the configuration/direction of the accessory 6 relative to the handle to switch from one mode of use to another, but also reliably and safely, since the hairdressing device 1 cannot change the angular configuration adopted by it during operation without the user's desire.

Optionally, if the hairdressing device 1 does not comprise such a means for locking the accessory 6, the device 1 may, however, comprise a means for limiting the rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2, which limits, but does not completely block, the possibility of the accessory 6 leaving the angular configuration it occupies. Said limiting means may, for example, consist of a pair of magnets, recesses or other similar elements. Preferably, said limiting means may also perform the functions of an indexing means indicating to the user that the accessory 6 is indeed in the corresponding angular configuration. In this case, it remains possible to move the accessory 6 out of the angular configuration by applying a sufficient torque to the accessory 6 and to the handle 2. For example, the hairdressing device 1 may comprise the above-mentioned means for preventing the accessory 6, which is in the first angular configuration (the "hairdryer-brush" mode), from leaving this latter configuration, as well as a limiting means in accordance with the above, intended to limit, but not completely prohibit, the exit of the accessory 6, which is in the second angular configuration (for example, the "hairdryer" mode), from this second configuration.

Preferably, the unlocked configuration of the locking means is an unstable configuration, so that said locking means, being in the unlocked configuration, tends to naturally return to its locked configuration. This increases the safety of the hairdressing device 1, since in the absence of user action on the control element 21 of the locking means, the latter will naturally return to its locked configuration and, therefore, lock the accessory 6 (provided that the accessory 6 occupies one of the said first and second angular configurations that allow locking). Thus, the locked configuration of the locking means is preferably a rest configuration, wherein the locking means can assume this configuration naturally in the absence of user action on the control element 36.

In order that the locking means can lock the accessory 6 in the first angular configuration (the "hairdryer-brush" mode), while allowing the latter to rotate in the said predetermined angular range between the first and second angular positions described above, the locking means can preferably comprise a tongue 37 and an angular groove 38, that is, an opening (or gap) in the form of an arc of a circle as shown in Fig. 12 and 13, the shape of which allows the tongue 37 to be inserted into it between two opposite ends 39, 40 of the angular groove 38 that form stops. The length of the angular groove 38 is preferably selected so as to limit the said predetermined angular range. In the locked configuration of the locking means, after the tongue 37 has entered the angular groove 38, the relative movement of the tongue 37 and the angular groove 38 (and, consequently, the rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2) is limited by the opposite ends 39, 40 of the angular groove 38. In the unlocked configuration of the locking means, the tongue 37 can no longer interact with the angular groove 38, so that there are no longer any obstacles to the rotation of the accessory 6, and the latter can leave the first angular configuration. The angular groove 38 is preferably formed as a single unit with the accessory 6, and the tongue 37 as a single unit with the handle 2, which allows, in particular, to simplify the design of the accessory 6. As illustrated in the drawings, the tongue 37 can preferably have the form of a rigid rod (or "pin") of circular cross-section, located along the longitudinal axis, wherein this rod is intended for translational movement, sliding along this axis between at least one position in which at least one section of the rod is located inside the said groove 38 (locking configuration), and a position in which the rod, on the contrary, is located completely outside the angular groove 38 (unlocking configuration).

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the accessory 6 preferably comprises an intermediate piece 28, as previously indicated, movably mounted for sliding inside said angular groove 38. The intermediate piece 28 is mechanically connected to the accessory 6 by means of two tension springs 26, 27, which preferably comprise a means for automatically returning the accessory 6 to said third intermediate angular position in accordance with the above explanations. As shown in Fig. 12 and 13, one end of the springs 26, 27 rests against the first internal supporting surface of the housing 17 of the accessory 6, and the other end is respectively connected to said intermediate piece 28 and secured to it. In this way, the springs 26, 27 counteract each other, so that the intermediate piece 28 can perform oscillatory movements inside the angular groove 38 between a first extreme position, in which one end of the intermediate piece 28 rests against one of the said ends 39, 40 of the angular groove 38, and a second extreme position, in which the opposite end of the intermediate piece 28 rests against the other of the said ends 39, 40 of the angular groove 38. The intermediate piece 28 is further provided, preferably at an equal distance from its ends, with a first opening 41, made so that the tongue 37 fits tightly into it, thereby locking the accessory 6 in the said first angular configuration (Fig. 12), while leaving the auxiliary device 6 a certain range of rotation around the axis C-C' of rotation.

Said first and second extreme positions of the intermediate part 28 inside the angular groove 38 preferably correspond to said first and second angular positions between which the accessory 6 can move when it occupies said first angular configuration relative to the handle 2. Thus, when the accessory 6 is locked in the first angular configuration due to the interaction of the tongue 37 and the angular groove 38, said first and second angular positions preferably represent extreme positions of the stop, limiting the amplitude of free rotation, oscillatory movements of the accessory 6 around the axis C-C', when the accessory 6 is in the first angular configuration.

Optionally, the angular groove 38 may advantageously comprise a second opening (not shown), for example, located at an equal distance from the ends 39, 40 of the angular groove 38, into which the distal end portion of the tongue 37 can fit tightly when the accessory 6 is locked in the first angular configuration. In this way, the accessory 6 can be locked in the above-mentioned third angular position by means of the interaction of the tongue 37 with such a second opening made in the angular groove 38 (as well as with the said first opening 41 of the intermediate part 28, if the latter is present). This could be advantageously used in case the user wants to avoid rotation in the said predetermined angular range of the accessory 6 locked in the first angular configuration.

It should be noted that in the case where such a third intermediate resting position of the accessory 6, which is in the first configuration (the “hairdryer-brush” mode), is not provided, the intermediate part 28 may be absent, and the tongue 37 may rest directly (and not indirectly) against the ends 39, 40 of the angular groove 38.

In the embodiment shown as an example in the drawings, the second angular configuration (for example the "hair dryer" mode) preferably corresponds to a single given angular direction of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2. Also, in order that the locking means can, in addition, block the exit of the accessory 6 located in the second angular configuration from this second angular configuration, as indicated above, said locking means can also comprise a third opening 42 formed in the body 17 of the accessory 6 and having a shape allowing the tongue 37 to fit tightly therein to lock the accessory 6 in said second angular configuration (Fig. 13). In the locking configuration of the locking means, the tongue 37 is then held inside the third opening 42 without significant play in the direction of rotation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2.

If the device 1 is designed so that each of the said first and second angular configurations of the accessory 6 (and not only the first angular configuration) allows the auxiliary device 6 to occupy an angular position relative to the handle 2, which can vary within a given angular range (the size of which is not necessarily the same for each of the angular configurations), and in which it is desirable to be able to lock the accessory 6, the locking means may preferably comprise at least one tongue and two corresponding separate angular grooves. In this case, each of these angular grooves will have a shape that allows the tongue 37 to be alternately inserted into them in accordance with the above, depending on whether the accessory 6 is in the first or second angular configuration and is to be locked.

Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the control element 36 of the locking means is a manual mechanical control element 36 connected to the tongue 37 (directly or not) so that the user can perform the locking and/or unlocking of the accessory 6 with the locking means by direct manual action on the control element 36. This manual mechanical control element 36 is thus preferably mounted with the possibility of moving at least between a locking position in which the locking means takes the said locking configuration, and an unlocking position in which the locking means takes the said unlocking configuration under the action of the control element 36. The advantage of such an embodiment lies in the relative simplicity, cheapness and reliability of its implementation. In another embodiment, an automatic control element can be used, which the user will indirectly act on to control the locking and/or unlocking of the accessory 6 with the locking means. In this case, such an automatic control element may, for example, comprise an electromechanical relay connected, on the one hand, to the locking means, and on the other hand, to the manual means 10 for controlling and/or adjusting the operation of the hairdressing device 1 by the user. Thus, when the user switches on the hairdressing device 1 by acting on the control and/or adjusting means 10, the automatic control element may, for example, automatically control the locking of the locking means in the angular configuration occupied by the accessory 6. In this case, changing the angular configuration of the accessory 6 may require the user to stop the operation of the hairdressing device 1 by again acting on the control and/or adjusting means 10 in order to give a command for the automatic unlocking of the accessory 6.

Preferably, the manual mechanical control element 36 of the locking means is mounted so as to be movable on the handle 2, and not on the accessory 6. In this way, the user can preferably manipulate the manual mechanical control element 36 using a finger of the hand with which he holds the handle 2 of the device 1, which helps to impart special ergonomics to the hairdressing device 1. It is also preferable if the manual mechanical control element 36 is mounted on that end of the handle 2 on which the accessory 2 is located in continuation of the handle 2, in this case, on the second end 4 of the handle 2, as in the example shown in the drawings. Such an arrangement of the manual mechanical control element 36 as close as possible to the interface between the rotating accessory 6 and the handle 2 makes it possible, in particular, to create a simpler, more reliable and less cumbersome design of the mechanical connection of the manual control element 36 and the locking means, in particular, by limiting the need to resort to complex coupling means. It is possible to provide different types of kinematics of the manual mechanical control element 36. According to a particularly simple variant applicable in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the manual mechanical control element 36 is preferably mounted with the possibility of rectilinear translational movement, preferably along the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2. The manual mechanical control element 36 preferably consists of a slider 36 mounted with the possibility of sliding in a guide 43 formed in the handle 2. In another variant, the manual mechanical control element 36 can be mounted with the possibility of rotation, preferably about the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2. In yet another variant, the manual mechanical control element 36 can be mounted with the possibility of translational movement and rotation, preferably along and around the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2, i.e., it belongs to the screw type. In these two variants, the manual mechanical control element 36 can be made in the form of a ring mounted with the possibility of rotation or translational movement and rotation in a corresponding annular groove or annular slot made in the handle 2. In another variant, less preferred, the manual mechanical control element 36 can be mounted with the possibility of movement in the direction along a secant (for example, perpendicularly) to the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2. In this case, the manual mechanical control element 36 can be a push button.

Preferably, the hairdressing device 1 comprises a return means intended to automatically return the manual mechanical control element 36 to said locking position of the locking means when the manual mechanical control element 36 occupies said unlocking position of the locking means (and when the user stops any direct action on the manual mechanical control element 36). This ensures the above-described preferable unstable nature of the unlocking configuration of the locking means. Preferably, the return means is an elastic return means comprising at least one spring intended to operate under tension or compression in order to return the manual mechanical control element 36 to the locking position when it is in the unlocking position. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the return means is such an elastic return means, which in this case preferably comprises a pair of tension springs 44, 45 arranged between the surface of the handle 2 and the corresponding surface of the manual mechanical control element 36, as shown in Fig. 8, where the manual mechanical control organ 36 is made transparent.

It is obvious that in other embodiments, other return means, elastic (one or more leaf springs, compression springs, etc.) or not (a pair of magnets, etc.), can be used to perform the function of automatically returning the manual mechanical control element 36 to the locking position of the locking means.

According to another variant (not shown) of the hairdressing device 1 in accordance with the invention, the accessory 6 is mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to the handle 2 along the said axis C-C' of rotation of the accessory 6, in order to bring the latter only to the said first angular configuration, allowing the accessory 6 to occupy an angular position relative to the handle 2, variable in a predetermined angular range, and, therefore, to be able to oscillate during rotation between the said first and second angular positions, in order to blow out an air flow through the said first and/or second air outlet openings 15, 16 of the accessory 6 (only the "hairdryer-brush" mode). In this case, the accessory 6 of such a hairdressing device in this variant does not contain a third air outlet opening 33, through which the accessory 6 could blow out an air flow, when the accessory 6 is in the second angular configuration as described above. In this case, it is preferable to provide that the said first and second angular positions are the extreme positions of the stop. For this purpose, the hairdressing device 1 may comprise additional stop means designed and arranged in such a way as to mechanically limit the specified angular range and, consequently, mechanically limit the range of rotation, oscillation of the accessory 6 in relation to the handle 2.

According to one embodiment (not shown), the accessory 6 is designed to be detachably connected to the handle 2, so that the user can detach the accessory 6 from the handle 2, for example, for cleaning or for replacing the accessory 6. According to another embodiment, used in the example embodiment shown in the drawings, the accessory 6 is intended for permanent connection, is made integral with the handle 2 of the hairdressing device 1, and therefore cannot be detached (during normal use) from the handle 2 of the hairdressing device 1. This simplifies both the design and the use of the hairdressing device 1. Thus, in the example illustrated in the drawings, the air distribution channel 21 is preferably provided near the first end 3 of the handle 2 with an annular peripheral edge 46, which is located in a plane perpendicular to the axis A-A' of the longitudinal extension of the handle 2. The accessory 6 preferably comprises an annular groove that is a counterpart to said annular peripheral edge 46 and intended for receiving and enabling the latter to slide in it. Such a mating annular groove may generally comprise groove sections 47A, 47B, which respectively relate to the first and second elements 17A, 17B of the housing 17 of the accessory 6 (Figs. 9 and 11), for gripping said annular peripheral edge 46 and enabling the accessory 6 to be assembled by rotation, in which said first and second elements 17A, 17B of the housing are fixed to each other.

Claims (18)

1. A portable hairdressing device (1) comprising a blower module (5) for creating an air flow (F), a handle (2) for manual gripping and an accessory (6) connected to the handle (2), wherein the accessory (6) comprises a main element (12) for mechanically gripping hair and at least first and second air outlet openings (15, 16) located separately from each other on both sides of the main element (12) for mechanically gripping hair, wherein the device (1) comprises an air distribution channel (21) mounted fixedly relative to the handle (2) and extending from one end (3) of the handle (2), wherein the air distribution channel (21) comprises two separate air distribution openings (22, 23) located at a distance from each other and intended to distribute the air flow (F) created by the blower module (5) in different average directions, wherein the accessory (6) is mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to the handle (2) around an axis (C-C') rotation so as to adopt at least a first angular configuration allowing the angular position of the accessory (6) to be changed relative to the handle (2) within a given angular range, wherein the accessory (6) is adapted to move when in the first angular configuration between: - a first angular position in which the first of the said air distribution openings (22, 23) of the air distribution duct (21) has air communication with the first opening (15) of the air outlet of the accessory (6), and - a second angular position in which the second of the said air distribution openings (22, 23) of the air distribution channel (21) has air communication with the second opening (16) of the air outlet of the accessory (6), wherein the said air distribution channel (21) extends longitudinally along the axis (D-D') of longitudinal extent coinciding with the axis (C-C') of rotation of the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2). 2. The device (1) according to the previous paragraph, in which the first and second angular positions are opposite the extreme positions of the first angular configuration, and the predetermined angular range is from 20° to 60°, preferably 50°. 3. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the air communication between the second air outlet opening (16) of the accessory (6) and the second air distribution outlet opening (23) of the air distribution duct (21) is blocked when the accessory (6) occupies the first angular position, while the air communication between the first air outlet opening (15) of the accessory (6) with the first air distribution outlet opening (22) of the air distribution duct (21) is blocked when the accessory (6) occupies, respectively, the second angular position. 4. The device (1) according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the first and second air outlet openings (15, 16) of the accessory (6) are designed to blow an air flow from the device (1) in the direction of the main element (12) of the mechanical hair gripper and tangentially to the support surface (14) of the main element (12) of the mechanical hair gripper. 5. A device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which, when the accessory (6) takes the first angular configuration, the accessory (6) is adapted to occupy a third angular position, intermediate in angle between said first and second angular positions, in which the first and second air distribution openings (22, 23) of the air distribution channel (21) are in air communication simultaneously with the first and second air outlet openings (15, 16) of the accessory (6). 6. The device (1) according to the previous claim, in which the third angular position is a rest position, wherein the accessory (6) comprises a return means (26, 27) intended for automatically returning the accessory (6) to the third angular position when the accessory (6) occupies one or the other of the said first and second angular positions. 7. The device (1) according to the previous paragraph, in which the return means (26, 27) comprises a pair of tension springs (26, 27) installed so as to be able to counteract each other. 8. A device (1) according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the directions (D1, D2) in which the first and second air distribution outlets (22, 23) distribute the air flow (F) form an angle with the axis (D-D') of the longitudinal extension of the air distribution channel (21) comprising from 165° to 195°. 9. A device (1) according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the axis (C-C') of rotation of the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2) coincides with the axis (A-A') of the longitudinal extension of the handle (2). 10. A device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory (6) comprises an auxiliary air outlet opening, different from the first and second air outlet openings (15, 16) of the accessory (6), adapted for air communication with the first air distribution outlet opening (22) and/or with the second air distribution outlet opening (23) of the air distribution duct (21), depending on whether the accessory (6) occupies the first angular position or the second angular position. 11. The device (1) according to the previous paragraph, in which the said auxiliary air outlet opening is located between the first and second air outlet openings (15, 16) of the accessory (6) at the level of the main element (12) of the mechanical hair gripper. 12. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory (6) comprises a third air outlet (33) different from the first and second air outlet (15, 16) of the accessory (6), wherein the accessory (6) is mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to the handle (2) according to the said axis (C-C') of rotation of the accessory (6) so as to adopt a second angular configuration in which the accessory (6) can blow out an air flow only through the said third air outlet (33). 13. The device (1) according to the previous claim, in which the second angular configuration corresponds to a single predetermined angular orientation of the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2). 14. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) further comprises a means for locking the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2), designed to prevent the accessory (6) from leaving the first angular configuration when the accessory (6) is in this configuration, as well as a control element (36) allowing the user of the hairdressing device (1) to control the locking and/or unlocking of the accessory (6) by means of said locking means. 15. The device (1) according to the previous paragraph, in which the locking means is additionally intended to prevent the accessory (6) from leaving the second angular configuration when the accessory (6) is in this configuration.