阅读说明：本技术 用于手持式器具的附件 (Accessory for a hand-held appliance ) 是由 C.W.庞 W.J.沈 C.A.赖 于 2019-05-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于头发定型器具的附件,该附件包括具有大体管状形状的外壁,和具有大体管状形状的内壁,该外壁包括在外壁的侧部中的进气口和在外壁的打开的端部处的出气孔,该内壁包括多个圆周地间隔开的焊接肋部,外壁超声焊接到该肋部。(an attachment for a hair styling appliance, the attachment comprising an outer wall having a generally tubular shape, the outer wall comprising an air inlet in a side portion of the outer wall and an air outlet at an open end of the outer wall, and an inner wall having a generally tubular shape, the inner wall comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced welding ribs to which the outer wall is ultrasonically welded.)

1. An accessory for a hair styling appliance, the accessory comprising:

An outer wall having a generally tubular shape, the outer wall including an air inlet in a side portion of the outer wall and an air outlet at an open end of the outer wall, and

An inner wall having a generally tubular shape, the inner wall including a plurality of circumferentially spaced weld ribs, the outer wall being ultrasonically welded to the ribs.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the inner wall comprises

A first end portion defining a side of the gas exit aperture, and a second end portion having at least one flange.

3. The accessory according to claim 2, wherein the inner wall comprises at least one connector and the outer wall comprises at least one connector, wherein one of the connectors comprises a male connector and another of the connectors comprises a female connector for receiving said male connector.

4. The accessory of claim 3, wherein the male and female connectors include respective tab projections and receiving slots.

5. an accessory according to any preceding claim, including a plastics outer wall surrounding the outer wall to define an air passage therebetween.

6. The attachment of claim 5, wherein the outer wall comprises a plurality of outer walls comprising a plurality of angularly spaced weld ribs ultrasonically welded to the air outlet end of the outer wall.

7. An accessory according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a series of spaced apart vanes located between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the series of vanes are ultrasonically welded to the inner surface of the outer wall.

8. an accessory according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a back plate having an annular shape engaging each of the inner and outer walls.

9. The accessory defined in claim 8 wherein the back plate includes an internal flange that engages the second end of the inner wall by friction fit and secondary securing structure.

10. The accessory of claim 9, wherein the secondary securing structure comprises a plastic clip member.

11. The accessory defined in claim 8 wherein the backing plate further includes a retaining lip that engages the outer wall and the outer wall in frictional mounting contact.

12. A method of assembling an accessory, comprising the steps of:

Providing an outer wall having a generally tubular shape, the outer wall including an air inlet in a side portion of the outer wall and an air outlet at an open end of the outer wall, and

Providing an inner wall having a generally tubular shape, the inner wall including a plurality of circumferentially spaced weld ribs;

Positioning an outer wall around the inner wall; and

the outer wall is ultrasonically welded to the weld rib.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of angularly spaced weld ribs on the outer wall;

Providing a plastic outer wall having a generally tubular shape;

positioning the outer wall over the outer wall; and

the weld rib is ultrasonically welded to the outer wall.

14. the method of claim 13, comprising the steps of:

Providing a plastic backing plate comprising a locating lip and secondary securing structure and an internal flange;

Positioning a backing plate at a distal end of the air exit hole; and

Engaging the locating lip and the secondary securing structure with the outer wall; and

the inner flange is engaged with the inner wall.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an attachment for a hand-held appliance, in particular a hair care appliance, such as a hot air setting device or a hair dryer.

Background

In conventional hot air styling apparatus, air is drawn into the inlet by the fan unit and directed towards the hair by the attachment or head. Depending on the type of heating desired, the air stream may or may not be heated. A removable attachment is attached to the air outlet of the hot air styling apparatus or hair dryer and helps to modify the speed and shape of the air flow that occurs from the hot air styling apparatus before the air is incident on the user's hair.

concentrators are known accessories that concentrate and flatten the emitted air flow. Another known accessory is a diffuser, which reduces the velocity of the emitted air stream. The flow of heated air through the accessory can cause the outer surface of the accessory to become scaly to the touch. It is desirable to reduce overheating of the outer surface while not interfering with the drying and styling functions of the accessory.

Disclosure of Invention

in a first aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for a hair styling appliance comprising an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling appliance, an annular air outlet, a duct for transporting air from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is located at a front edge of the duct and is oriented substantially parallel to the direction of the air flow at the air inlet.

Advantageously, the attachment acts as a rough drying tool, the emitted air flow experienced by the user being substantially uniform in temperature and velocity.

Preferably, the air outlet has a substantially constant width W, which is in the range from 0.5-4.0mm, and more preferably, in the range from 1.0-2.0 mm. Preferably, the conduit has a substantially constant width D, which is in the range from 2.0-5.0mm, and more preferably, in the range from 3.0-4.0 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the duct has a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases as the front edge of the duct is approached. Furthermore, the duct is preferably defined by an inner wall and an outer wall which tapers towards the inner wall near a front edge of the duct.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for a hair styling appliance comprising an annular duct having an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling appliance, at least one vane located within the duct for directing the air flow from the air inlet towards the air outlet.

it has been found to be advantageous to utilize one or more vanes within the duct to smoothly direct the inlet air flow through approximately 90 degrees to the air outlet. The vanes may also be referred to as "baffles".

Preferably, the at least one vane is not contiguous with the air outlet. Preferably, the at least one vane is disposed rearwardly from the air outlet at a distance in the range of 2 to 9mm, more preferably in the range of 4 to 7 mm.

in a preferred embodiment, the duct is defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, and the at least one vane is sheet-like, extending between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Preferably, the conduit has a curved top section connected to a curved lower section by a straight side section, and the at least one vane is positioned at the straight side section.

Advantageously, turbulent air flow is minimized within the enclosure, and thus the amount of sound of the hot air setting apparatus with the enclosure is minimized in use.

Preferably, the at least one blade has an aerofoil shaped cross-section. Preferably, the at least one vane is a split vane having a minor section and a major section. Also, there may be two or more vanes, and each vane may have an arcuate shape. In a preferred embodiment, five blades are fixed within the conduit.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for a hair styling appliance comprising a main air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling appliance, a first duct for carrying the air flow from the main air inlet to a main air outlet, an outer wall surrounding the first duct to define a second duct therebetween, wherein a terminal edge of the outer wall extends beyond the main air outlet and the outer wall comprises a sloped portion proximate the terminal edge. Preferably, the angled portion is chamfered (chamfer).

in the event that the air flow entering the primary air inlet is hot, the inner and outer walls become hot during use. The cold wall serves to minimize the temperature of the outermost surface of the attachment, as the air-filled second duct insulates the cold wall from the outer wall.

Advantageously, the cold wall minimises the surface contact temperature of the accessory in use.

Preferably, the terminal edge of the outer wall extends 2.5-4.5mm, more preferably 3.0-4.0mm, beyond the end of the main air outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, the terminal edges of the outer walls define an elongated circle. Also, the primary air inlet may be circular and the primary air outlet may be annular. Preferably, the second conduit carries air from the secondary air inlet to the secondary air outlet, the secondary air inlet including at least one port in fluid communication with the ambient environment. Each port may be in the form of a groove, and each groove may be annular in shape. Each port is positioned proximate to the back of the accessory.

Preferably, the outer wall has a curved top section and a lower section, the curved top section being connected to the curved lower section by straight side sections, the lower section being usable to form a loop for engagement with a hair styling appliance.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for a hair styling appliance, the attachment comprising an outer wall having a generally tubular shape, the outer wall comprising an air inlet in a side portion of the outer wall and an air outlet at an open end of the outer wall, and an inner wall having a generally tubular shape, the inner wall comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced welding ribs to which the outer wall is ultrasonically welded.

ribs are provided on the outer surface of the outer wall construction and serve to maintain a substantially constant spacing between the outer wall construction and the cold wall.

Preferably, the inner wall includes a first end portion defining a side of the air exit aperture and a second end portion having at least one flange. In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall comprises at least one connector and said outer wall comprises at least one connector, wherein one of the connectors comprises a male connector and the other of the connectors comprises a female connector for receiving said male connector.

The male and female connectors may include corresponding tab projections and receiving slots. The accessory may also include a plastic outer wall surrounding the outer wall to define an air passage therebetween. The outer wall may include a plurality of angularly spaced weld ribs ultrasonically welded to the air outlet end of the outer wall. Also, the attachment may include a series of spaced apart blades located between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the series of blades are ultrasonically welded to the inner surface of the outer wall.

preferably, the accessory further comprises a back plate having an annular shape engaging each of the inner and outer walls, and the back plate may include an inner flange engaging the second end of the inner wall by friction fit and secondary securing structure. Also, the secondary fixing structure includes a plastic clip member. Preferably, the back plate includes a locating lip that engages the outer wall and the outer wall in a friction fit contact.

in a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of assembling an accessory, comprising the steps of: for providing an outer wall having a generally tubular shape, the outer wall including an air inlet in a side portion of the outer wall and an air outlet at an open end of the outer wall, and an inner wall having a generally tubular shape, the inner wall including a plurality of circumferentially spaced weld ribs that position the outer wall around the inner wall and ultrasonically weld the outer wall to the weld ribs.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of angularly spaced welding ribs on the outer wall, providing a plastic outer wall having a generally tubular shape, positioning the outer wall over the outer wall and ultrasonically welding the welding ribs to the outer wall.

The method may comprise the steps of: a plastic backplate is provided that includes a locating lip and secondary securing structure and an inner flange, the backplate is positioned at a distal end to the air outlet aperture and the locating lip and secondary securing structure are engaged with the outer wall and the inner flange and inner wall.

The above description of features relating to the first aspect of the invention applies equally to the other aspects of the invention and vice versa.

drawings

Preferred features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an accessory;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the accessory;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the attachment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the attachment;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the attachment;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the attachment taken along line X-X in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the attachment;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the attachment;

FIG. 9 is a front exploded view of the attachment;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the inner wall;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a hot air setting apparatus to which accessories can be attached.

Detailed Description

fig. 1-5 and 7-8 are external views of the attachment 10. The attachment 10 includes an air inlet 12 for receiving a flow of air from the air outlet end of a hot air setting apparatus or similar appliance. The air inlet 12 is defined by a collar 14, which collar 14 is of substantially circular shape, enabling an air-tight connection with a substantially circular air outlet end of the hot air setting device.

The general shape of the attachment 10 is an elongated annular cylinder with a transverse air flow oriented from the direction of incidence of the hot air setting device. The elongate annular cylindrical form comprises two flat parallel side sections and a semi-tubular top section and a generally semi-tubular lower section. Both the front surface 24 and the back surface 26 of the accessory are elongated annular shapes, which may also be referred to as stadium shapes. The fitment 10 includes a primary outlet 28, which is an annular groove, extending around the inner edge of the front surface 24 of the fitment 10. The secondary air intake 30 is an annular groove that extends around the outer edge of the attachment proximate the back surface 26.

The annular front surface 24 of the outer surface of the attachment 10, is angled outwardly away from the center of the attachment 10 and toward the attachment axis a (as shown in fig. 2). The annular back surface 26 of the outer surface of the attachment slopes inwardly towards the centre of the attachment 10.

With particular reference to fig. 5, the collar 14 has one or more locating projections 32 on its outer surface to enable secure engagement with the air outlet end of the hot air setting apparatus. The collar 14 is connected to the annular barrel portion of the accessory by a tubular neck portion 34.

Figure 9 shows a component comprising the accessory. The first part 36 defines an inner wall 38 of the attachment 10 and has an elongate cylindrical shape comprising two flat parallel side sections and a semi-tubular top section and a generally semi-tubular lower section. The first end 18 of the inner wall 38 partially defines the main air outlet and the second end 20 of the inner wall 38 has a plurality of flanges 22. A plurality of short rectangular projections 40 extend from one of the flanges 22. The inner wall 38 has a plurality of vanes on the outer surface of the two flat side sections. Five blades 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 are shown and each blade is formed from a curved narrow lamina. The vanes 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 are oriented approximately parallel to the collar proximate the air inlet and oriented transverse to the collar proximate the air outlet. The first vane 42 is the shortest in length and the other three vanes 44, 46, 48 are of progressively greater length. The fifth vane 50 extends from part way along the parallel side sections of the first member 36 to proximate the air outlet 18. An inner wall rib 52 projects from each of the semi-tubular top and bottom sections of the inner wall 38.

The second part 54 defines an outer wall 56 of the attachment 10 and has an elongate cylindrical shape comprising two flat parallel side sections and a semi-tubular top section and a generally semi-tubular lower section. The first end of the outer wall 56 partially defines the main air outlet and the second end 60 of the outer wall 56 has a plurality of slots 62, the slots 62 engaging the rectangular projections 40 extending from the second end 20 of the inner wall 38. A plurality of locating ribs 64 are located on the outer surface of the outer wall 56 adjacent the air outlet. The lower section of the outer wall 56 includes a neck 66 that defines the air inlet of the attachment. The second member 54 has a gradually sloping section 70 at the member first end 58.

A first elastomeric O-ring is mounted over the outer surface of neck 66. A second elastomeric O-ring 72 is positioned over the flange 22 proximate the second end 20 of the first member 36.

the third part 74 defines a cold wall 76 of the attachment 10 and has an elongate cylindrical shape comprising two flat parallel side sections and a semi-tubular top section and a generally semi-tubular lower section. The lower section of the cold wall 76 includes a tubular neck 34 that is connected to the collar 14. At the first end 75 of the cold wall 76, the annular front surface 24 slopes outwardly away from the center of the attachment 10. The center of the attachment 10 is considered to be the midpoint of each of the height, width and depth of the elongated barrel section of the attachment 10.

the fourth member 78 defines a back plate 80 having an annular shape comprising two straight parallel side sections connected by a curved top section and a curved lower section. The back plate 80 is inclined inwardly towards the centre of the attachment 10 and has an inner flange 82 at the inner edge of the annular shape, extending parallel to the axis a. A locating lip 84 is attached to the outer edge of the curved top section of the annular backplate 80 and extends parallel to the axis a. A series of attachment clips 86 are positioned on the inner surface of fourth member 78, along each of the two straight parallel side sections. The attachment clip 86 engages a receiver on the inner surface of the third member 74.

A series of ribs 88 are positioned on the inner surface of fourth member 78 alternating with a series of joining clips 86. In fig. 9, six ribs 88 are shown extending between the outer edge of the back plate and the inner flange 82, and these ribs are used to prevent hair ingress.

During assembly of these four components 36, 54, 74, 78, the second end 60 of the outer wall 56 moves over the first end 18 of the inner wall 38 and further therealong until the second end 60 of the outer wall 56 engages the flange 22 at the second end 20 of the inner wall 38. In particular, the slot 62 at the second end 60 of the outer wall 56 engages the rectangular tab 40 extending from the flange 22 at the second end 20 of the inner wall 38.

Referring to fig. 6 and 9, the vanes 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and the internal ribs 52 on the inner wall 38 serve to retain the first duct 35 between the outer wall 56 and the inner wall 38. The vanes 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and the inner wall ribs 52 are fused to the inner surface of the outer wall 56 by, for example, ultrasonic welding. Such fusion structures also serve to increase the stiffness of the outer wall construction.

The second end 77 of the cold wall 76 is moved over and further along the first end 58 of the outer wall construction until the inner surface of the annular front surface 24 of the cold wall 76 abuts the plurality of locating ribs 64 on the outer wall construction. The locating ribs 64 may be fused to the inner surface of the cold wall 76 by, for example, ultrasonic welding. This fusion bond also serves to increase the stiffness of the attachment 10.

finally, a back plate 80 is positioned at the second end 77 of the cold wall 76, thereby enclosing the outer wall configuration within the cold wall 76. The locating lip 84 slides inside the semi-tubular top section of the cold wall 76 and the inner flange 82 cooperates with the second end 20 of the inner wall 38.

the entire construction is secured together at multiple points within the attachment 10 using one or more of glue, screws, ultrasonic welding and push-fit securement.

The preferred embodiment of the attachment 10, shown in fig. 10, has a series of five vanes 42, 44, 46, 48, 50. The vanes serve to direct the air flow from the primary air inlet 12 into the primary air outlet 28 while preventing any turbulent flow from occurring within the first duct 35. Referring to fig. 10, each blade 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 has a different length and shape, which is optimized so that the overall arrangement of the blades is:

-first of all controlling the incident air flow,

Directing the air flow towards the main air outlet while minimizing air flow dead spots, and finally,

-emitting the air flow with a uniform velocity and a distribution balanced around this main air outlet.

The profile of each vane 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 allows airflow to attach along the length of each vane. Moreover, the vanes direct the air flow emitted at the main air outlet 28 so that the emitted air flow has a relatively slow velocity decay and exits the first duct 35 uniformly at right angles to the direction of the incident air entering the enclosure. In the exemplary embodiment, the velocity of the air flow directly at main air outlet 28 is between approximately 30m/s and 35 m/s.

the front view of the attachment shown in FIG. 7 illustrates the primary air outlet 28 with the five vanes 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 partially visible therethrough. It can be seen that the outlet ends of the vanes 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 are not evenly spaced but are spaced to provide an even distribution of outlet air flow.

Referring to fig. 10, the inlet end of each vane 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 is aligned with the direction of incident primary air flow entering the attachment through the primary air intake 12. The outlet end of each vane 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 is aligned with the direction of emitted primary air flow exiting the attachment 10 through the primary air outlet 28.

In use, the attachment 10 is attached to a hair care device 90, as shown in fig. 11. The temperature of the air stream emitted from the hair care device may be warm, ambient or cold. The first conduit 35 is in fluid communication with the primary air intake 12. As the heated air flow is emitted from the hair care apparatus 90 and flows through the first duct 35 to the main air outlet 28, the inner and outer walls 38, 56 may increase in temperature. The area between the outer wall 56 and the cold wall 76 includes a second duct 37 for insulating the outer wall 56.

In use, the second duct 37 is filled with ambient air which enters the second duct 37 at the secondary air inlet 30 and exits the second duct 37 at the secondary air outlet 31. Referring to fig. 6, the cold wall 76 and the outer wall 56 extend approximately parallel to each other across a majority of the outer wall 56. Proximate to primary air outlet 28 and secondary air outlet 31, cold wall 76 defines annular front surface 24 at an oblique angle γ. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular front surface 24 terminates beyond the primary air outlet 28. In other words, the secondary air outlets 31 are in a different plane than the primary air outlets 28.

Referring again to fig. 6, the inner wall 38 and the outer wall 56 extend approximately parallel to each other along a majority of the inner wall 38. Proximate the primary and secondary air outlets 28, 31, the outer wall 56 is sloped toward the inner wall 38, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the first conduit 35. Thus, the primary air flow velocity and thrust at the primary air outlet 28 is greater than the velocity and thrust of the incident air flow from the hair care device 90. The primary air flow forms an air jet at the primary air outlet 28.

The inclined front surface 24 of the cold wall 76 serves to direct the secondary air flow towards and thus entrained by the primary air flow, moving the air through the second duct 37 and drawing ambient air through the secondary air intake 30. The movement of ambient air through the second duct 37 enhances the effectiveness of the cold wall 76. However, the secondary air stream is cooler than the heated primary air stream and thus the relative proportions of the secondary and primary air streams should be controlled to optimise the temperature of the air stream as experienced by the user. This control is achieved by the outlet nozzle geometry, including the size and relative positioning of the primary and secondary air outlets 28, 31.

The width W of the primary air outlet is a factor in determining the velocity of the primary air flow exiting the attachment. In a preferred embodiment, the width W of the main air outlet is 1mm to 4mm, preferably about 1.6 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the inclination of the outer wall towards the inner wall proximate the main air outlet results in an outlet air flow angle β of 1 ° -15 °, preferably 5 °.

The inclined front surface 24 of the cold wall 76 terminates a distance C beyond the primary air outlet 28. In a preferred embodiment, the distance C is 1mm to 8mm, preferably about 4 mm. In the preferred embodiment, the annular front surface 24 of the cold wall 76 is at an oblique angle γ (which is 1 ° -90 °, preferably about 45 °) relative to the generally cold wall plane.

in use, the outlet nozzle geometry may also determine the primary air flow injection area of the combined primary and secondary air flow injection. In the exemplary embodiment, the air flow in the primary air flow injection zone has a velocity of about 20 m/s. In particular, the angle of the bevel has a significant effect on the distance between the first end 75 of the attachment and the primary air flow ejection area. In a preferred embodiment, the primary air flow injection zone begins at about 4cm from the first end 75 of the attachment and may extend up to about 25cm from the first end 75.

In a preferred embodiment, the size of the appendage is about 65mm from the first end 75 to the second end 77 and about 100mm in height from the top section of the cold wall to the distal end of the collar 14. As also shown in fig. 7, the vanes within the first conduit are visible when the attachment is assembled. The vanes are positioned about 5mm from the edge of the main air outlet to avoid disruption of the air flow.

The main air outlet is elongate and annular in shape and in a preferred embodiment has a height to width ratio of about 3: 1.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a hot air setting device to which the accessory 10 can be attached. The hot air setting apparatus includes a generally tubular handle having an air inlet and an air outlet at opposite ends. At the air inlet, an array of apertures extends around and partially along the handle. A fan unit (not shown) is housed within the handle and includes a fan and a motor. In use, the motor drives the fan and air is drawn through the air inlet along an air flow path (which extends through the length of the handle). The air is optionally heated by a heater (not shown) before exiting the hot air setting apparatus at the air outlet.

Alternative embodiments of the attachment may include different arrangements of the vanes. For example, more or less than five blades may be used, and split blades and blades having an airfoil-shaped cross-section may be present in any combination.

The attachment 10 may be made of any suitable heat resistant material and, in a preferred embodiment, is made of glass filled nylon. The maximum preferred operating temperature of such an accessory 10 connected to a hot air setting device is about 130 degrees celsius.

In an alternative embodiment, when a similar hot air setting device is used to provide the input air flow, it is desirable to produce a reduced exhaust air flow velocity from the attachment 10. This can be achieved by increasing the overall size of the accessory. For example, the total depth, height and width of the attachment may each be 10mm or more, and the air outlets may be increased to 3 mm.

The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.