GB2638162A

GB2638162A - Attachment for a haircare appliance

Info

Publication number: GB2638162A
Application number: GB2401981.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dabbs Peter; Lloyd Taylor Peel Ayrton
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-13
Filing date: 2024-02-13
Publication date: 2025-08-20
Also published as: WO2025172794A1; GB202401981D0

Abstract

An attachment 100 for a haircare appliance, comprising an air inlet 102, a main body (110, figure 3) defining an air outlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the main body, and a movable assembly movably connected to the main body, the movable assembly comprising an outer member 132 having an aperture 138 extending therethrough. The movable assembly moves relative to the body between open and closed positions. In the open position, the outer member is separated from an outer surface 116b of the main body by a lateral opening 150 defined by and between the outer member and the outer surface and extending around a periphery of the outlet such that airflow emitted from the nozzle exits the attachment through the lateral opening. In the closed position, the outer member contacts the outside of the main body around the periphery of the outlet to restrict the side opening, such that airflow emitted from the outlet leaves the attachment through the aperture of the outer member and is inhibited from passing out through the lateral opening. Other attachments with different forms of moveable assembly are also claimed.

Description

ATTACHMENT FOR A HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

BACKGROUND

Haircare appliances are generally used to treat or style hair, and some haircare appliances may treat or style hair using airflow. To provide versatility in treating and styling hair, some haircare appliances provide a selection of different airflow flow paths.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: an air inlet, a main body defining an air outlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the main body, and a movable assembly movably connected to the main body, the movable assembly comprising an outer member having an aperture extending therethrough. The movable assembly is movable relative to the main body between: an open position, in which the outer member is separated from the outer surface of the main body by a lateral opening defined by and between the outer member and the outer surface of the main body, the lateral opening extending around a periphery of the air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to an exterior of the attachment through the lateral opening, and a closed position, in which the outer member contacts an outer surface of the main body around the periphery of the air outlet to restrict the lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to the exterior of the attachment through the aperture of the outer member and is inhibited from passing to the exterior of the attachment through the lateral opening.

Using the attachment with the movable assembly in the open position results in a first air profile being emitted to the exterior of the attachment, and using the attachment the movable assembly in the closed position results in a second air profile being emitted to the exterior of the attachment, the first air profile being different to the second air profile.

Thus, the attachment provides additional functionality compared to an attachment that does not comprise the movable assembly.

With the movable assembly in the open position, air is emitted through the lateral opening, and thus around the periphery of the air outlet. This may result in relatively diffused air flow being emitted from the attachment. This may help, for example, to style and/or dry hair without unduly disturbing the hair, which may generate flyaways.

With the movable assembly in the closed position, air is emitted through the aperture of the outer member. This may result in more directional air flow being emitted from the attachment, compared to when the movable assembly is in the open position. This may help, for example, to set hair in a particular style.

The aperture may be configured such that airflow that passes through the aperture is emitted from the attachment in a direction generally orthogonal to the outer member. The air may thus be directed generally orthogonal to hair that extends across the outer member in use.

The outer member may comprise a plurality of bristles extending in a direction away from the main body. The plurality of bristles may be for engagement with hair of a user, and used for detangling and/or smoothing the hair.

The air outlet may comprise plural openings in the main body. The plural openings may be arranged in series along a length of the main body.

The air outlet may have a first length in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the attachment, and the outer member may have a second length in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the attachment, the second length greater than the first length. Accordingly, the outer member may contact the outer surface of the main body along a complete length of the air outlet. This may provide more control over air profiles emitted from the attachment.

The outer surface of the main body may be arcuate, and the movable assembly may be movable between the first and second positions in a radial direction of the outer surface.

This may provide an ergonomic arrangement.

The attachment may comprise an outer sealing element positioned at a contact region between the outer member and the outer surface of the main body. This may help to further inhibit airflow through the lateral opening when the movable assembly is in the closed position.

In use with the movable assembly in the open position, air emitted from the air outlet may pass to the exterior of the attachment through the aperture of the outer member. This may result in air flow that is more diffused from being emitted from the attachment, compared to an attachment in which air does not pass through the aperture when the movable assembly is in the open position. This may help to style and/or dry hair whilst minimising disturbance of the hair.

In use, the movable assembly may be biased to the open position by airflow, and may be movable to the closed position upon application of a force that urges the outer member towards the outer surface of the main body. The movable assembly may be biased to the open position only by airflow emitted from the air outlet. This may negate the need for a drive system to move the movable assembly to the open position, which may permit a relatively simple arrangement.

The force may comprise an external force, for example pressure exerted on the outer member by a user's hair or scalp. This may provide a relatively simple arrangement. This may also help to ensure that the movable assembly is moved to the closed position when directional airflow through the aperture is beneficial to the way in which the attachment is being used.

The force may comprise an internal force, for example generated by a drive motor configured to move the movable assembly from the open position towards the closed position. The drive motor may be configured to move the movable assembly towards the closed position in response to an input, for example a user input or an input from a sensor that is indicative that the movable assembly should be moved to the closed position. This may permit selective positioning of the movable assembly without the need for direct manual actuation of the movable assembly and irrespective of a position of the attachment relative to the hair or scalp of a user.

In the closed position, the outer member may form a seal with the outer surface of the main body around a complete periphery of the air outlet. Accordingly, air cannot pass to the exterior of the attachment through the lateral opening when the movable assembly is in the closed position. This may increase an air flow rate through the aperture of the outer member.

The lateral opening may have a minimum height of at least 1 mm when the movable assembly is in the open position. This may be a sufficient height for diffused air flow to be emitted to the exterior of the attachment via the lateral opening. Air may be emitted from the attachment via the lateral opening in a direction that is along, or tangential to, the outer surface of the main body.

The lateral opening may have substantially constant height around a complete periphery of the air outlet when the movable assembly is in the open position. This may help to provide relatively even airflow through a complete extent of the lateral opening in use.

The lateral opening may have a first cross-sectional area when the movable assembly is in the open position, and the aperture may have a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being less than the first cross-sectional area. Accordingly, air may be emitted from the attachment via the aperture at a first air flow rate when the movable assembly is in the closed position, and may be emitted from the aperture at a second, lower air flow rate when the movable assembly is in the open position, for the same air flow rate emitted from the air outlet.

The first cross-sectional area may be at least two times greater than the second cross-sectional area. Accordingly, when the movable assembly is in the open position, a majority of air emitted from the air outlet may pass through the lateral opening rather than through the aperture.

The aperture may comprise a plurality of openings extending through the outer member, and each opening may have an equivalent diameter of from 0.5 to 1.5 mm. The aperture may comprise a plurality of openings extending through the outer member, and each opening may have an equivalent diameter of from 0.8 to L2 mm. Openings with such equivalent diameters may help to provide directional air flow through the outer member when the movable assembly is in the closed position.

The main body may have a hollow interior defined by an inner surface. The movable assembly may comprise an inner member housed within the hollow interior, the inner member being fixed to the outer member and having at least one bleed hole extending therethrough. With the movable assembly in the closed position, the inner member may be separated from the inner surface by an inner lateral opening defined by and between the inner member and the inner surface of the main body, the inner lateral opening extending around a periphery of the air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow may pass through the inner lateral opening upstream of the air outlet. With the movable assembly in the open position, the inner member may contact the inner surface around the periphery of the air outlet to restrict the inner lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow may pass through the at least one bleed hole upstream of the air outlet and may be inhibited from passing through the inner lateral opening. Contact between the inner member and the inner surface of the main body when the movable assembly is in the open position may help to limit airflow through the air outlet, which may reduce a flow rate of diffused air flow emitted from the attachment. This may help to provide greater control over the flow rate.

With the movable assembly in the open position, the inner member may contact the inner surface of the main body around a complete periphery of the air outlet. This may help to increase the amount of air that passes through the one or more bleed holes.

The attachment may comprise an inner sealing element positioned at a contact region between the inner member and the inner surface of the main body. This may help to further inhibit airflow through the inner lateral opening when the movable assembly is in the open position.

The inner member may be immovable relative to the outer member. This may help to ensure that the inner member is correctly positioned relative to the inner surface of the main body when the movable assembly is in the open and closed positions.

The inner member may be fixed to the outer member by one or more ribs. The one or more ribs may extend through the air outlet. This may provide a relatively compact arrangement.

A total cross-sectional area of the at least one bleed hole may be less than a cross-sectional area of the inner lateral opening, when the movable assembly is in the closed position.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: an air inlet, a main body defining an air outlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the main body, and a movable assembly movably connected to the main body, the movable assembly comprising an outer member having a first contact portion and a second contact portion, the first and second contact portions configured to selectively contact an outer surface of the main body on respective opposing first and second sides of the air outlet. The movable assembly is movable relative to the main body between: an open position, in which the outer member is separated from the outer surface of the main body by a first lateral opening defined by and between the first contact portion and a first region of the outer surface of the main body and a second lateral opening defined by and between the second contact portion and a second region of the outer surface of the main body, the first and second regions being disposed on opposing sides of the air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to an exterior of the attachment through the first and second lateral openings, and a first position, in which the first contact portion contacts the first region of the outer surface of the main body to restrict the first lateral opening, and the second contact portion is separated from the outer surface of the main body by the second lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to the exterior of the attachment through the second lateral opening and is inhibited from passing through the first lateral opening.

Using the attachment with the movable assembly in the open position results in a first air profile being emitted to the exterior of the attachment, and using the attachment with the movable assembly in the first position results in a second air profile being emitted to the exterior of the attachment, the first air profile being different to the second air profile. Thus, the attachment provides additional functionality compared to an attachment without the movable assembly.

With the movable assembly in the open position, air is emitted through the first and second lateral openings, and thus around the periphery of the air outlet. This may result in relatively diffused air flow being emitted from the attachment. This may help, for example, to style and/or dry hair without unduly disturbing the hair, which may generate flyaways.

With the movable assembly in the first position, air is emitted through second lateral opening, and thus between the second contact portion of the outer member and the second region of the outer surface of the main body. The air is emitted in a first direction along the outer surface of the main body and away from the outer member. In normal use of the attachment, hair is drawn across the outer member and extends away from the attachment in a direction generally parallel to the first direction. Air emitted from the attachment, with the movable assembly in the first position, is therefore directed along and adjacent to the hair. This may help to provide a smooth styling finish.

The attachment may comprise an outer sealing element positioned at one or both of the first contact portion of the outer member, and the first region of the outer surface of the main body. This may help to further inhibit airflow through the first lateral opening when the movable assembly is in the first position.

The movable assembly may be rotatable relative to the main body between the open position and the first position. This may permit use of a relatively simple and space-efficient arrangement.

The first and second lateral openings may be of substantially equal height when the movable assembly is in the open position. This may help to provide relatively even air flow around the periphery of the air outlet.

The first and second lateral openings may have a minimum height of at least lmm when the movable assembly is in the open position. This may be a sufficient height for diffused air flow to be emitted to the exterior of the attachment via the first and second lateral openings.

The second lateral opening may have a minimum height of at least lmm when the movable assembly is in the first position.

The movable assembly may be movable relative to the main body to a second position, in which the second contact portion contacts the second region of the outer surface of the main body to restrict the second lateral opening, and first contact portion is separated from the outer surface of the main body by the first lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet may pass to the exterior of the attachment through the first lateral opening and may be inhibited from passing through the second lateral opening. With the movable assembly in the second position, air is emitted through first lateral opening, and thus between the first contact portion of the outer member and the first region of the outer surface of the main body. The air is emitted in a second direction, generally opposite the first direction, along the outer surface of the main body and away from the outer member. In normal use of the attachment, hair is drawn across the outer member and extends away from the attachment in a direction generally parallel to the second direction. Air emitted from the attachment, with the movable assembly in the second position, is therefore directed along and adjacent to the hair. This may help to provide a smooth styling finish.

The movable assembly may be rotatable relative to the main body between the open position, the first position and the second position.

The attachment may comprise another outer sealing element positioned at one or both of 10 the second contact portion of the outer member, and the second region of the outer surface of the main body. This may help to further inhibit airflow through the second lateral opening when the movable assembly is in the second position.

Together, the outer sealing element and the other outer sealing element may extend around a complete periphery of the air outlet.

The outer surface of the main body may be arcuate and, in use, with the movable assembly in the first position, air may be emitted through the second lateral opening in a first tangential direction tangential to the outer surface of the main body, and, in use, with the movable assembly in the second position, air may be emitted through the first lateral opening in a second tangential direction tangential to the outer surface of the main body and opposite to the first tangential direction. Accordingly, air may be emitted from the attachment in opposing tangential directions depending on whether the movable assembly is in the first or second position. This may permit the attachment to be used on opposite sides of the head or by left-and right-handed users, for example, whilst directing air along hair interacting with the attachment.

The outer member may comprise an aperture extending therethrough, and the movable assembly may be movable relative to the main body to a closed position, in which the first and second contact portions contact the respective first and second regions of the outer surface of the main body to restrict the first and second lateral openings, and, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet may pass to the exterior of the attachment through the aperture of the outer member and may be inhibited from passing to the exterior of the attachment through the first and second lateral openings. With the movable assembly in the closed position, air may be emitted through the aperture of the outer member. This may provide additional functionality to the attachment.

The aperture may be configured such that airflow that passes through the aperture is emitted from the outer member in a direction generally orthogonal to the outer member. The air may thus be directed generally orthogonal to hair that extends across the outer member in use.

The aperture may have a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first lateral opening and the second lateral opening. The cross-sectional area of the first lateral opening and the second lateral opening may each be at least two times greater than the cross-sectional area of the aperture.

In use, the movable assembly may be biased to the open position by airflow. In use, the movable assembly may be biased to the open position only by airflow from the air outlet. This may negate the need for a drive system to move the movable assembly to the open position, which may permit a relatively simple arrangement.

The movable assembly may be movable to the first and/or second position upon application of a force that urges the first or second contact portion of the outer member towards the respective first or second region of the outer surface of the main body. The force may be a rotational force. The force may comprise an external force, for example pressure exerted on the outer member by a user's hair or scalp. This may provide a relatively simple arrangement. This may also help to ensure that the movable assembly is moved to whichever of the first or second position that is most appropriate, based on how the attachment is orientated relative to the hair or scalp of the user.

The force may comprise an internal force, for example generated by a drive motor configured to move the movable assembly from the open position towards the first or second position. The drive motor may be configured to move the movable assembly towards the closed position in response to an input, for example a user input or an input from a sensor that is indicative that the movable assembly should be moved to the closed position. This may permit selective positioning of the movable assembly without the need for direct manual actuation of the movable assembly and irrespective of a position of the attachment relative to the hair or scalp of a user.

The movable assembly may be movable to the closed position as described with reference to the first aspect.

The movable assembly may comprise any suitable features of the movable assembly described with reference to the first aspect.

The main body may have a hollow interior defined by an inner surface, and the movable assembly may comprise an inner member, which is as described above with reference to the optional features of the first aspect. In addition, the inner member may comprise a first inner contact portion and a second inner contact portion, the first and second inner contact portions being configured to selectively contact respective first and second inner regions on the inner surface of the main body. The first region of the outer surface of the main body and the first inner region of the inner surface of the main body may be on a first side of the air outlet. The second region of the outer surface of the main body and the second inner region of the inner surface of the main body may be on a second side of the air outlet, opposite the first side of the air outlet. With the movable assembly in the open position, the first and second inner contact portions contact the first and second inner regions. With the movable assembly in the first position, the second inner contact portion contacts the second inner region, and the first inner contact portion is separated from the inner surface of the main body by a first interior lateral opening defined by and between the first inner contact portion and the first inner region. In use, airflow passes through the first interior lateral opening upstream of the air outlet, and is inhibited from passing through a second interior lateral opening defined by and between the second inner contact portion and the second inner region. With the movable assembly in the second position, the first inner contact portion contacts the first inner region, and the second inner contact portion is separated from the inner surface of the main body by the second interior lateral opening. In use, airflow passes through the second interior lateral opening upstream of the air outlet, and is inhibited from passing between through the first interior lateral opening.

Provision of the inner member may help to provide better directionality of airflow emitted from the attachment when the movable assembly is in the first and second positions, by funnelling airflow along a longer path, compared to the movable assembly not comprising the inner member, that generally extends in the respective first or second direction.

A third aspect according to the present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: an air inlet, a main body, the main body comprising a wall having an inner surface defining a hollow interior of the main body and an outer surface, and an air outlet that passes through the wall, and a movable assembly movably connected to the main body, the movable assembly comprising: an inner member housed within the hollow interior of the main body and having at least one bleed hole extending therethrough, a first inner contact portion, and a second inner contact portion, the first and second inner contact portions being configured to selectively contact the inner surface of the main body; an outer member exterior to the main body and having: an aperture extending therethrough, a first outer contact portion, and a second outer contact portion, the first and second outer contact portions being configured to selectively contact the outer surface of the main body; and a connecting member fixing the inner member to the outer member. The first inner contact portion and the first outer contact portion are configured to contact the main body on a first side of the air outlet, and the second inner contact portion and the second outer contact portion are configured to contact the main body on a second side of the air outlet, the first side of the air outlet being opposite the second side of the air outlet. The movable assembly is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the air outlet, wherein, in each position of the plurality of positions, a different pair of the first inner contact portion, the second inner contact portion, the first outer contact portion, and the second outer contact portion contact the main body to inhibit air from passing between the respective contact portion and the main body.

Provision of the movable assembly permits air to be emitted from the attachment, via the air outlet, in different directions depending on which position of the plurality of positions that the movable assembly is in relative to the air outlet. This may provide more functionality to the attachment compared to an attachment without the movable member.

The movable assembly may be movable between two or more of the open position, the closed position, the first position, and the second position, as described above with reference to the first and second aspects.

The movable assembly may comprise any suitable features of the movable assembly described above with reference to the first and second aspects.

The movable assembly of any of the first, second or third aspects may be freely movable relative to the main body when airflow through the attachment is below a threshold. This may permit a relatively simple arrangement, compared to an attachment in which the movable assembly may be held in a particular position when the airflow is below the threshold, because there is no requirement for a locking or biasing element to hold the movable assembly in a given position.

The threshold may be a threshold above which the airflow biases the movable member to the open position.

The movable assembly of any of the first, second or third aspects may be connected to the main body via a linkage mechanism connecting the inner member (when provided) to the main body. The linkage mechanism may comprise a first linkage arrangement disposed at a first end of the inner member, and a second linkage arrangement disposed at a second end of the inner member, the second end opposite the first end. The linkage may provide a simple and space efficient arrangement to permit movement of the movable assembly between the open position, closed position, first position and/or second position.

With respect to any attachment of the first, second or third aspects, the main body may be cylindrical, the main body may defines at least one further air outlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the main body, and the attachment may comprise at least one further movable assembly, the, or each, further movable assembly being associated with a respective one of the at least one further air outlets, and being movably connected to the main body and movable relative to the main body between corresponding positions to those of the movable assembly.

The attachment may thus be able to emit airflow in different directions from different points around the periphery of the main body. This may improve the ergonomics of the attachment.

The at least one further movable assembly may comprise any suitable features of the movable assembly described with reference to the first, second or third aspects. The at least one further air outlet may comprise any suitable features of the air outlet described with reference to the first, second or third aspects.

With one or more of the movable assembly and/or the at least one further movable assembly in the closed position, air may be emitted from the aperture in each outer member in a radial direction of the main body. This may be beneficial, for example when hair is wrapped around the attachment and all of the movable assemblies are in the closed position, to help set hair in a curled style.

With one or more of the movable assembly and/or the at least one further movable assembly in the first or second position, air may be emitted in a direction that is tangential to the main body. This may help to direction air along, rather than across, hair.

The air outlet and the at least one further air outlet may be uniformly distributed around the periphery of the main body. This may help to provide relatively uniform airflow from the air outlets in use.

The air outlet and the at least one further air outlet may each be of equal cross-sectional area to one another. This may help to provide relatively uniform airflow from the air outlets in use.

The movable assembly and the at least one further movable assembly may be substantially identical to one another. This may help to provide relatively uniform airflow from the air outlets in use.

The movable assembly and the at least one further movable assembly may be movable relative to the main body independently of one another. Different air profiles may thus be emitted from different ones of the air outlets simultaneously. This may help to provide the most appropriate air profile from the air outlets depending on a position of the air outlets relative to hair being styled by the attachment. For example, as a tress of hair is drawn along the outer member of the movable assembly, the movable assembly may be moved to the first position so that hair is emitted from the air outlet in the first direction, and the at least one further movable member may face away from the hair and thus remain in the open position, biased there by airflow, so that diffused airflow is emitted from the at least one further air outlet and through the first and second lateral openings.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides haircare appliance comprising a main body and an attachment removably attached to the main body, the attachment according to any one of the first, second or third aspects. The main body may thus be usable with different attachments, increasing the functionality of the haircare appliance.

It will be appreciated that any feature described with reference to one aspect may be applicable to any other aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a haircare appliance according to an example; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a handle unit of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an attachment of the haircare appliance of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a movable assembly of the attachment of Figure 3; Figures 5a and 5b are partial cross-sectional views of the attachment of Figure 3, with the attachment in a first configuration; Figures 6a and 6b are partial cross-sectional views of the attachment of Figure 3, with the attachment in a second configuration; and Figure 7a and 7b are partial cross-sectional views of the attachment of Figure 3, with the attachment in a third configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A haircare appliance according to an example, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in Figure 1. The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 12 and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 12.

The handle unit 12 comprises a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20, as can be seen schematically in Figure 2.

The housing 14 is tubular in shape and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14 and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14 and comprises heating elements 30 to selectively heat the airflow.

The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32 and a control module 34. The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the housing 14 and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium or low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold).

In the example of Figure 1, the user interface comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged.

The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16 and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16, in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 18, in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

Various views of the attachment 100 are shown in Figures 3 to 7b. The attachment 100 is open at one end and closed at the other end. An open end serves as an air inlet 102 into the attachment 100, with the air inlet 102 receiving airflow from the air outlet 24 of the handle unit 12 when attached in use.

The attachment 100 comprises a main body 110, four linkage mechanisms 120, and four movable assemblies 130, each movable assembly 130 mounted to the main body 110 by a respective one of the linkage mechanisms 120.

The main body 110 defines an interior cavity 106, which acts as a main airflow path through the attachment 100. The main body 110 has a connection portion 112 for connection to the handle unit 12, with the connection portion 112 having a number of projections 114 which are receivable within corresponding recesses (not shown) formed on the handle unit 12 to ensure correct connection and alignment between the handle unit 12 and the attachment 100.

The main body 110 is elongate. The main body 110 comprises a wall 116 that is generally tubular, the wall 116 having a central longitudinal axis 101, an inner surface 116a and an outer surface 116b. The wall H 6 extends between the end of the attachment 100 that is open and the end that is closed. The wall 116 defines four apertures 118, disposed at 90-degree intervals around a circumference of the wall 116. Each of the four apertures 118 has a central angle of around 50 degrees, and a length that extends in a direction along the central longitudinal axis 101. The apertures 118 act as air outlets of the attachment 100, fluidly connecting the interior cavity 106 of the main body 106 with an exterior of the attachment 100. Circumferentially adjacent pairs of the four apertures 118 are separated from one another by portions 117 of the wall 116.

The four movable assemblies 130 are identical to one another in this example. Each of the movable assemblies 130 comprises an outer member 132, an inner member 134, and a plurality of ribs 136 connecting the outer member 132 to the inner member 134 so that, in use, the outer member 132 and the inner member 134 move together relative to the main body 110. One of the movable assemblies 130 and one of the linkage mechanisms 120 is shown in a partially exploded view in Figure 4. The movable member 130 is shown in cross-section in Figures 5a-7b.

The outer member 132 is arcuate and has a central angle of around 75 degrees. An inner surface 132a of the outer member 132 has a radius of curvature that is substantially equal to a radius of curvature of the outer surface 116b of the wall 116 of the main body 110.

The outer member 132 has a plurality of apertures 138 extending therethrough. The apertures 138 are uniformly distributed across the outer member 132, and each has an equivalent diameter of around 2mm. In this example, the apertures 138 are generally rectangular in shape. The outer member 132 is a bristle bed and supports a plurality of bristles 140 extending from an outer surface 132b of the outer member 132. The outer member 132 has a greater height and width than each aperture 118 defined in the wall 116 of the main body 110. The outer member 132 has a first side 132c and a second side 132d, opposite the first side 132c. The width of the outer member 132 extends from the first side 132c to the second side 132d.

The inner member 134 is arcuate and has a central angle of around 75 degrees. An outer surface 134b of the inner member 134 has a radius of curvature that is substantially equal to a radius of curvature of the inner surface 116a of the wall 116 of the main body 110. The inner member 134 comprises a plurality of connector holes 142 extending therethrough. Each of the connector holes 142 receives an end of a respective one of the plurality of ribs 136. When the respective rib 136 is received in the respective connector hole 142, air is inhibited from passing through the connector hole 142. The inner member 134 comprises a plurality of bleed holes 144 extending therethrough. Each bleed hole 144 has an equivalent diameter of around 0.8mm. Disposed on the outer surface 134b of the inner member 134 is a seal 146, which in this example is obround and encircles the plurality of connector holes 142 and the plurality of bleed holes 144. The seal 146 bounds an area that has a greater height and width than aperture 118 defined in the wall 116 of the main body 110. The inner member 134 has a first side 134c and a second side 134d, opposite the first side 134c. A width of the inner member 134 extends from the first side 134c to the second side 134d.

The linkage mechanism 120 comprises a first linkage bar 122 pivotably connected, at a first end 122a of the first linkage bar 122, to one end of the inner member 134 and towards the first side 134c of the inner member 134, and a second linkage bar 124 pivotably connected, at a first end 124a of the second linkage bar 124, to an opposing end of the inner member 134 and towards the first side 134c of the inner member 132. Each linkage bar 122, 124 generally extends towards the second side 134d of the inner member 134. Each linkage bar 122, 124 has a second end 122b, 124b opposite the first end 122a, 124a.

When the attachment 100 is assembled, as shown in Figure 3, the inner member 134 of each movable assembly 130 is housed within the interior cavity 106 of the main body 110 with the outer surface 134b of the inner member 134 facing the inner surface 116a of the wall 116. The second ends 122b, 124b of the linkage bars 122, 124 of each linkage mechanism 120 are pivotably connected to the main body 110 at opposing ends of the main body 110 to one another, and towards the second side 134d of the respective inner member 134. The outer member 132 of each movable assembly 130 is exterior to the main body 110, with the inner surface 132a of the outer member 132 facing the outer surface 166b of the wall 116. Each outer member 132 is aligned with a respective one of the apertures 118, with the plurality of bristles 140 extending generally radially away from the wall 116. The ribs 136 of each movable assembly 130 pass through the respective one of the apertures 118 to connect the inner member 134 to the outer member 132.

It will be appreciated that alternative suitable linkage mechanisms are envisaged.

Use of the haircare appliance 10, with the attachment 100 attached to the handle unit 12, will now be described. In use, operation of the airflow generator 16 draws air into the handle unit 12 via the apertures forming the air inlet 22. Airflow is subsequently emitted from the main body 12 via the air outlet 24. An air flow rate generated by the airflow generator 16 is controlled by the controller 20. The heater 18 is controlled by the controller 20 to selectively heat the airflow before it is emitted from the air outlet 24. Upon entering the attachment 100, the airflow passes through the air inlet 102 into the interior cavity 106, and in emitted from the main body 110 via the apertures 118.

When the airflow generator 16 is not in use, or is generating airflow below a minimum threshold flow rate, the movable assemblies 130 are freely movable relative to the main body 110 and relative to one another, and are not biased to a particular position. In other examples, at least one of the movable members may be biased towards a particular position by a respective biasing element.

Movement of the movable assemblies 130 to different positions relative to the main body 110 during use of the haircare appliance 10 will now be described with reference to just one of the movable assemblies 130, but the description is applicable to all four of the movable assemblies 130. Figures 5a-7b show the movable assembly 130 and part of the main body 110 in cross-section, with the other movable assemblies 130 omitted for clarity.

When the airflow generator 16 is generating airflow at or above the minimum threshold flow rate, the movable assembly 130 is biased by the airflow to an open position, in the absence of any other force that overcomes a biasing force exerted on the movable assembly 130 by the airflow. Figure 5a shows the movable assembly 130 in the open position and Figure 5b shows the flow of air to the exterior of the attachment 100 when the movable assembly 130 is in the open position. The force exerted on the movable assembly 130 by the airflow is denoted by arrow A in Figure 5a.

In the open position, the airflow exerts a force on the inner member 134, which urges the inner member 134 towards the wall 116. The seal 146 on the outer surface 134b of the inner member 134 contacts, and forms a seal with, the inner surface 116a of the wall 116 around a periphery of the aperture 118.

Movement of the inner member 134 towards the wall 116 causes movement of the outer member 132 away from the wall 116 in a radial direction of the wall 116. The outer member 132 is separated from the outer surface 116b of the wall 116 by a first lateral opening 150, which extends around the periphery of the aperture 118 and is defined by the outer member 132 and the outer surface 116b of the wall 116. The first lateral opening 150 has a height of around 3mm, and has a greater cross-sectional area than a total area of the plurality of apertures 138 in the outer member 132.

Accordingly, in use with the movable assembly 130 in the open position, airflow passes from the interior cavity 106, through the bleed holes 144 of the inner member 134, and then through the aperture 118. The airflow is then emitted to an exterior of the attachment 100 via the first lateral opening 150 and via the apertures 138 in the outer member 134. The resulting air profile emitted from the attachment 100 via the aperture 118 is relatively diffused and multi-directional, as denoted by the dashed arrows in Figure 5b.

Upon application of a force that urges the outer member 132 in a radial direction towards the wall 116, the movable assembly 130 is moved to a closed position. In this example, the force is an external force, for example exerted by hair or a scalp of a user of the haircare appliance 10. Figure 6a shows the movable assembly 130 in the closed position and Figure 6b shows the flow of air to the exterior of the attachment 100 when the movable assembly is in the closed position. The external force exerted on the movable assembly 130 is denoted by arrow B in Figure 6a.

In the closed position, the inner surface 132a of the outer member 132 contacts the outer surface 116b of the wall 116 around the periphery of the aperture 118. The first lateral opening 150 is substantially closed so that air is inhibited from passing through the first lateral opening 150 when the movable assembly 130 is in the closed position.

Movement of the outer member 132 towards the wall 116 causes movement of the inner member 134 away from the wall 116 in a radial direction of the wall 116. The inner member 134 is separated from the inner surface 116a of the wall 116 by a second lateral opening 152, which extends around the periphery of the aperture 118 and is defined by the inner member 134 and the inner surface 116a of the wall 116. The second lateral opening 152 has a height of around 1.5mm, and has a greater cross-sectional area than a total area of the plurality of bleed holes 144 in the inner member 134. The height of the second lateral opening 152 with the movable assembly 130 in the closed position is less than the height of the first lateral opening 150 with the movable assembly HO in the open position due to compression of the seal 146 when the movable assembly 130 is in the open position.

Accordingly, in use with the movable assembly 130 in the closed position, airflow passes from the interior cavity 106, through the second lateral opening 152 and the bleed holes 144 of the inner member 134, and then through the aperture 118. The airflow is then primarily emitted to the exterior of the attachment 100 via the apertures 138 in the outer member 134. A greater percentage of the airflow passes through the second lateral opening 152 than through the bleed holes 144. The resulting air profile emitted from the attachment 100 via the aperture 118 is a more focussed radial flow compared to when the movable member 130 is in the open position, for the same air flow rate generated by the airflow generator 16, as denoted by the dashed arrows in Figure 66.

Upon application of a force to the movable assembly 130 in a tangential direction relative to the main body 110, the movable assembly 130 is moved to one of a first tilted position or a second position, depending on the direction of the force. In the first and second tilted positions, the movable member 130 is rotated relative to the open position and the main body 110. The movable member 130 rotates in a first direction to the first tilted position, and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to the second tilted position. In this example, the force is an external force, for example exerted by hair or the scalp of the user of the haircare appliance 10. Figure 7a shows the movable assembly HO in the first tilted position and Figure 7b shows the flow of air to the exterior of the attachment 100 when the movable assembly 130 is in the first tilted position. The external force exerted on the movable assembly 130 is denoted by arrow C in Figure 7a. Such a force may be exerted on the movable assembly 130 by drawing hair across the outer surface 132b of the outer member 132, through the bristles 140, in a direction across the width of the outer member 132. If the external force exerted on the movable assembly 130 were in an opposite direction to the direction denoted by arrow C, the movable member 130 would be moved to the second tilted position. A cross-section of the attachment 100 with the movable member 130 in the second tilted position would essentially be a mirror image about a vertical line down the centre of Figure 7a.

In the first tilted position, a contact portion of the inner surface 132a of the outer member 132 contacts the outer surface 116b of the wall 116 at the portion 117 of the wall 116 to a first side of the aperture 118. The contact portion is to the second side 132d of the outer member 132. The inner surface 132a of the outer member 132 that is to the first side 132c of the outer member 132 is separated from the outer surface 116b of the wall 116 at the portion 117 of the wall 116 that is to a second side of the aperture 118, opposite the first side, by a third lateral opening 156. The third lateral opening 156 extends along the full length of the second side of the aperture 118 and is defined by the outer member 132 and the portion 117 of the wall 116 to the second side of the aperture 118. The third lateral opening 156 has a height of around 3mm, and has a greater cross-sectional area than a total area of the plurality of apertures 138 in the outer member 132.

Rotation of the outer member 132 relative to the main body 110 causes corresponding rotation of the inner member 134 relative to the main body 110 in the same rotational direction. In the first tilted position, a portion of the seal 146 contacts the inner surface 116a of the wall 116 at the portion 117 of the wall 116 to the second side of the aperture 118. The portion of the seal 146 is to the first side 134c of the outer member 134. The outer surface 134b of the inner member 134 that is to the second side 134d of the inner member 134 is separated from the inner surface 116a of the wall 116 at the portion 117 of the wall 116 that is to the first side of the aperture 118 by a fourth lateral opening 158. The fourth lateral opening 158 extends along the full length of the first side of the aperture 118 and is defined by the inner member 134 and the portion 117 of the wall 116 to the first side of the aperture 118. The fourth lateral opening 158 has a height of around 1.5mm, and has a greater cross-sectional area than a total area of the plurality of bleed holes 144 in the inner member 134.

Accordingly, in use with the movable assembly 130 in the first tilted position, airflow primarily passes from the interior cavity 106 to the aperture 118 via the fourth lateral opening 158. A small proportion of the airflow passes through the bleed holes 144 of the inner member 134. The airflow then passes through the aperture 118 and is primarily emitted from the attachment 100 via the third lateral opening 156. A small proportion of the airflow passes through the apertures 138 of the outer member 132. Since the movable assembly 130 contacts the inner and outer surfaces 116a, 116b of the wall 116 to opposite sides of the aperture 118, a majority of airflow is directed from the interior cavity 106 to the exterior of the attachment 100 in a tangential direction of the main body 110, the tangential direction being generally opposite to the direction that the force denoted by arrow C is applied.

The above description may be reversed for when the movable assembly 130 is in the second tilted position, in which air is emitted in an opposite tangential direction of the main body 110 compared to when the movable assembly 130 is in the first tilted position.

The described attachment 100 may thus provide four different air profiles from each movable assembly 130. The movable assemblies 130 may he in different positions to one another in use of the attachment 100, such that airflow from the aperture 118 associated with a respective movable assembly 130 is appropriate given the position of the movable assembly 130 relative to the hair or scalp of a user of the haircare appliance 10.

For example, in use, drawing the attachment 100 along a tress of hair, with airflow at or above the minimum threshold flow rate, may cause one, and possibly two, of the movable members 130 to move from the open position to either the first or second tilted position, depending on the direction of movement of the attachment 100 relative to the tress of hair.

In this scenario, airflow emitted from the aperture(s) 118 associated with the one, and possibly two, movable members 130 is emitted in a direction that is generally along the tress of hair towards the tip of the tress of hair. The remaining movable members 130 stay in the open position and a relatively low flow rate, diffused airflow is emitted from the apertures 118 associated with the remaining movable members. :30

For example, in use, tautly wrapping hair around a complete circumference of the attachment 100 may cause each of the movable members 130 to move to the closed position. In this scenario, airflow emitted from the apertures 118 is emitted in a radial direction through the plurality of apertures 138 of each of the movable members 130. Accordingly, the hair that is wrapped around the attachment 100 may be subjected to relatively uniform airflow along a length of the hair.

It will be appreciated that, in other examples, at least one of the movable assemblies may be movable only between the open and closed positions, or between the open position and one or both of the first and second tilted positions. It will also be appreciated that, in other examples, the attachment may comprise a greater or lesser number of movable assemblies and corresponding apertures.

It will be appreciated that, in other examples, the attachment may comprise a drive mechanism configured to selectively move one or more of the movable assemblies to one or more of the open position, closed position, first tilted position and second tilted position, in response to an input such as a user input via the user interface 32.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An attachment for a ha care appliance, the attachment comprising: an air inlet; a main body defining an air outlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the main body; and a movable assembly movably connected to the main body, the movable assembly comprising an outer member having an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the movable assembly is movable relative to the main body between: an open position, in which the outer member is separated from the outer surface of the main body by a lateral opening defined by and between the outer member and the outer surface of the main body, the lateral opening extending around a periphery of the air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to an exterior of the attachment through the lateral opening, and a closed position, in which the outer member contacts an outer surface of the main body around the periphery of the air outlet to restrict the lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to the exterior of the attachment through the aperture of the outer member and is inhibited from passing to the exterior of the attachment through the lateral opening.
2. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein, in use with the movable assembly in the open position, air emitted from the air outlet passes to the exterior of the attachment through the aperture of the outer member.
3. The attachment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, in use, the movable assembly is biased to the open position by airflow, and is movable to the closed position upon application of a force that urges the outer member towards the outer surface of the main body.
4. The attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the closed position, the outer member forms a seal with the outer surface of the main body around a complete periphery of the air outlet.
5. The attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral opening has a minimum height of at least lmm when the movable assembly is in the open position.
6. The attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral opening has a first cross-sectional area when the movable assembly is in the open position, and the aperture has a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being less than the first cross-sectional area.
7. The attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture comprises a plurality of openings extending through the outer member, and each opening has an equivalent diameter of from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
8. The attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the main body has a hollow interior defined by an inner surface; and the movable assembly comprises an inner member housed within the hollow interior, the inner member being fixed to the outer member and having at least one bleed hole extending therethrough, wherein: with the movable assembly in the closed position, the inner member is separated from the inner surface by an inner lateral opening defined by and between the inner member and the inner surface of the main body, the inner lateral opening extending around a periphery of the air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow passes through the inner lateral opening upstream of the air outlet, and with the movable assembly in the open position, the inner member contacts the inner surface around the periphery of the air outlet to restrict the inner lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow passes through the at least one bleed hole upstream of the air outlet and is inhibited from passing through the inner lateral opening.
9. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: an air inlet; a main body defining an air outlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the main body; and a movable assembly movably connected to the main body, the movable assembly comprising an outer member having a first contact portion and a second contact portion, the first and second contact portions configured to selectively contact an outer surface of the main body on respective opposing first and second sides of the air outlet, wherein the movable assembly is movable relative to the main body between: an open position, in which the outer member is separated from the outer surface of the main body by a first lateral opening defined by and between the first contact portion and a first region of the outer surface of the main body and a second lateral opening defined by and between the second contact portion and a second region of the outer surface of the main body, the first and second regions being disposed on opposing sides of the air outlet, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to an exterior of the attachment through the first and second lateral openings, and a first position, in which the first contact portion contacts the first region of the outer surface of the main body to restrict the first lateral opening, and the second contact portion is separated from the outer surface of the main body by the second lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to the exterior of the attachment through the second lateral opening and is inhibited from passing through the first lateral opening.
10. The attachment according to claim 9, wherein the movable assembly is movable relative to the main body to a second position, in which the second contact portion contacts the second region of the outer surface of the main body to restrict the second lateral opening, and first contact portion is separated from the outer surface of the main body by the first lateral opening, wherein, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to the exterior of the attachment through the first lateral opening and is inhibited from passing through the second lateral opening.
11. The attachment according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the outer surface of the main body is arcuate and, in use, with the movable assembly in the first position, air is emitted through the second lateral opening in a first tangential direction tangential to the outer surface of the main body, and, in use, with the movable assembly in the second position, air is emitted through the first lateral opening in a second tangential direction tangential to the outer surface of the main body and opposite to the first tangential direction.
12. The attachment according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the outer member comprises an aperture extending therethrough, and the movable assembly is movable relative to the main body to a closed position, in which the first and second contact portions contact the respective first and second regions of the outer surface of the main body to restrict the first and second lateral openings, and, in use, airflow emitted from the air outlet passes to the exterior of the attachment through the aperture of the outer member and is inhibited from passing to the exterior of the attachment through the first and second lateral openings.
13. The attachment according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein, in use, the movable assembly is biased to the open position by airflow. 20
14. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: an air inlet; a main body, the main body comprising a wall having an inner surface defining a hollow interior of the main body and an outer surface, and an air outlet that passes through the wall; and a movable assembly movably connected to the main body, the movable assembly comprising: an inner member housed within the hollow interior of the main body and having at least one bleed hole extending therethrough, a first inner contact portion, and a second inner contact portion, the first and second inner contact portions being configured to selectively contact the inner surface of the main body; an outer member exterior to the main body and having: an aperture extending therethrough, a first outer contact portion, and a second outer contact portion, the first and second outer contact portions being configured to selectively contact the outer surface of the main body; and a connecting member fixing the inner member to the outer member, wherein: the first inner contact portion and the first outer contact portion are configured to contact the main body on a first side of the air outlet, and the second inner contact portion and the second outer contact portion are configured to contact the main body on a second side of the air outlet, the first side of the air outlet being opposite the second side of the air outlet, and the movable assembly is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the air outlet, wherein, in each position of the plurality of positions, a different pair of the first inner contact portion, the second inner contact portion, the first outer contact portion, and the second outer contact portion contact the main body to inhibit air from passing between the respective contact portion and the main body.
15. The attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable assembly is freely movable relative to the main body when airflow through the attachment is below a 20 threshold.
16. The attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the main body is cylindrical; the main body defines at least one further air outlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the main body; and the attachment comprises at least one further movable assembly, the, or each, further movable assembly being associated with a respective one of the at least one further air outlets, and being movably connected to the main body and movable relative to the main body between corresponding positions to those of the movable assembly.
17. The attachment according to claim 16, wherein the movable assembly and the at least one further movable assembly are movable relative to the main body independently of one another.
18. A haircare appliance comprising a main body and an attachment removably attached to the main body, the attachment according to any one of the preceding claims.