CN210227228U

CN210227228U - Molding device

Info

Publication number: CN210227228U
Application number: CN201822249290.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: Lauchet Nicolas; 尼古拉斯·洛谢; Javelle Valentin; 沃兰迪·吉威勒
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-12-29
Publication date: 2020-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-29
Also published as: FR3076189B1; CN109984445A; WO2019129875A1; CN109984445B; EP3731693A1; FR3076189A1; EP3731693B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a styling device (1) designed to be gripped and manipulated by hand and comprising at least one main body (2) which carries, on the one hand, a clamping device (3) which varies between a hair-lock introduction configuration and a hair-lock clamping configuration, and, on the other hand, a return member (6) which returns said clamping device (3) in the clamping configuration, said clamping device (3) itself comprising at least one first jaw (4) which is mounted movably with respect to said main body (2) between at least one open position and a closed position, said device (1) being characterized in that said first jaw (4) is designed to move between said open position and said closed position while remaining parallel to itself.

Description

Molding device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the general technical field of haircutting or hairdressing apparatuses, preferably for domestic use, and more particularly to a portable electric haircutting apparatus for ensuring hair shaping, in particular hair straightening.

The present invention relates more particularly to a styling apparatus designed to be gripped and manipulated by hand, comprising at least one main body which carries, on the one hand, a clamping device which varies between an introduction configuration and a clamping configuration of a lock of hair, and, on the other hand, a return member of said clamping device in the clamping configuration, said clamping device itself comprising at least one first jaw movably mounted with respect to said main body between at least one open position and a closed position.

Background

Electric hair straighteners are well known. They are usually presented in the form of V-shaped tongs, usually in the shape of "sugar tongs" (ping a staple), the jaws of which consist of heating plates. These known hair straighteners allow the user to exert a localised pressure on a lock of hair through the clip in question, while heating the lock of hair, which allows straightening said lock of hair when the user moves the clip along said lock of hair.

These known devices have some drawbacks, even if they are generally satisfactory.

First of all, these known devices do not guarantee constant and repeatable results. In fact, the displacement pressure and speed given manually by the user can vary from one hair lock to another. In addition, some hairs may be subjected to higher pressure and temperature than other hairs in the same lock.

Finally, the hair-straightening effect obtained with these known devices varies very considerably in practice, depending on the way the user uses the device (applied pressure, positioning of the locks of hair in the device, speed of movement … … of the device with respect to the locks of hair), it being understood that the user himself does not necessarily have to be aware of parameters that may affect the end result.

Variability of results is accompanied by a risk of discomfort: with known devices, it is indeed common that some of the hair is pulled rather than just straightened, which makes the use of these devices sometimes uncomfortable and even painful.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the present invention is therefore to seek remedies to the various drawbacks mentioned above, and to propose a new molding machine which allows to improve the quality and the repeatability of the molding results, as well as the comfort and safety of use.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new molding device of particularly simple and compact structure.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new styling device designed to facilitate the application of uniform pressure on the hair to be combed.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new molding device that is particularly robust and reliable.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a new molding machine which allows obtaining a particularly effective straightening under comfortable operating conditions.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new molding device that is ergonomically designed and particularly intuitive to use.

The object of the present invention is achieved with the aid of a styling apparatus designed to be gripped and manipulated by hand and comprising at least one main body carrying, on the one hand, a gripping device that varies between an introduction configuration and a gripping configuration of a lock of hair, and, on the other hand, a return member of said gripping device in the gripping configuration, said gripping device itself comprising at least one first jaw movably mounted with respect to said main body between at least one open position and a closed position, said apparatus being characterized in that said first jaw is designed so as to move between said open position and said closed position while remaining parallel to itself.

The utility model provides a following technical scheme:

the technical scheme 1: styling device designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising at least one main body carrying, on the one hand, a clamping device which varies between a hair-lock introduction configuration and a hair-lock clamping configuration, and, on the other hand, a return member which returns said clamping device in the clamping configuration, said clamping device itself comprising at least one first jaw which is mounted movably with respect to said main body between at least one open position and a closed position, said styling device being characterized in that said first jaw is designed to move between said open position and said closed position while remaining parallel to itself, and in that said first jaw is mounted in circular translation with respect to said main body between its open position and closed position.

The technical scheme 2 is as follows: the molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first jaw of the molding machine is mounted in circular translation with respect to the main body according to a deformable parallel quadruplex mechanism.

Technical scheme 3: the molding machine of any one of claims 1-2, wherein said body carries a first link and a second link, each link extending between a respective first end connected to said body and a respective second end connected to said first jaw, respectively.

The technical scheme 4 is as follows: the molding machine according to claim 3, wherein said return member exerts a restoring force on said first link.

The technical scheme 5 is as follows: the molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises a control device movably mounted with respect to the body, said control device being connected to the clamping device and being manually operable to move the clamping device from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration.

The technical scheme 6 is as follows: the molding machine of claim 5 wherein said control device is movably mounted relative to said body between a first position corresponding to a clamping configuration and a second position corresponding to a lead-in configuration, said first position being a return position.

The technical scheme 7 is as follows: the molding apparatus of claim 5 wherein said body carries first and second links each extending between a respective first end connected to said body and a respective second end connected to said first jaw, and said first link and control means are provided with respective interengaging surfaces cooperating to transmit a manual control force applied to the control means to said first link to move said first jaw from its closed position to its open position.

The technical scheme 8 is as follows: the molding machine of claim 7 wherein said return member exerts a return force on said first link, said control device being movably mounted relative to said body between a first position corresponding to a clamped configuration and a second position corresponding to a drawn-in configuration, said first position being a return position, and said respective interengaging surfaces further cooperate to transmit the return force exerted by said return member on said first link to said control device to return said control device to its first position.

Technical scheme 9: the molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said return member comprises at least one magnet or spring.

Technical scheme 10: the molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said clamping device comprises a second jaw arranged opposite said first jaw, so that in a clamping configuration said first and second jaws are close enough to each other to clamp a lock of hair between them, and in an introduction configuration they are far enough from each other to release said lock of hair.

Technical scheme 11: the molding machine of claim 10 wherein said second jaw is movably mounted relative to said body between an open position and a closed position corresponding to said introduction configuration and said clamping configuration, respectively.

Technical scheme 12: the molding machine of claim 11 wherein said second jaw is mounted in circular translation relative to said body between its open and closed positions.

Technical scheme 13: the molding machine according to claim 12, characterized in that said first jaw and said second jaw are designed to move simultaneously in opposite directions with respective circular translational movements.

Technical scheme 14: the styling device according to claim 10 characterised in that said main body carries a lock of hair friction drive designed to roll a lock of hair between said first jaw and said second jaw in the closed position.

Technical scheme 15: the styling device according to claim 14, characterised in that said main body is further provided with a comb device of said locks driven by driving means, said comb device being arranged upstream of the gripping means with respect to the rolling direction of said locks.

Technical scheme 16: the styling device according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises on the one hand a frame movably mounted with respect to the main body and on the other hand a cushion floatingly mounted with respect to the frame, the cushion being intended to be in contact with the lock of hair to be clamped.

Technical scheme 17: the molding machine of claim 10 including a control device movably mounted relative to said body, said control device being connected to said clamping device and manually operable to move the clamping device from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration, and said control device being simultaneously connected to the first jaw and the second jaw to drive them from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.

Technical scheme 18: the molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the clamping device is arranged with heating means for clamping and heating the lock of hair.

Technical scheme 19: the styling device according to claim 18 characterised in that the clamping device comprises a second jaw arranged opposite the first jaw, such that in a clamping configuration the first and second jaws are sufficiently close to each other to clamp a lock of hair between them, and in an introduction configuration they are sufficiently far from each other to release the lock of hair, and at least one of the first and second jaws comprises a heating pad for contacting the lock of hair to be clamped.

The technical scheme 20 is as follows: the styling device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it forms a hair straightener.

Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge and be derived in greater detail upon reading the following description with reference to the annexed drawings, given purely diagrammatically and in a non-limiting manner, in which:

fig. 1 shows a styling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention in a perspective view, with the clamping device in the clamped configuration, which styling apparatus in this case constitutes an automatic hair straightener.

Fig. 2 shows the device of fig. 1 in a schematic sectional view.

Fig. 3 shows the device of fig. 1 and 2 in a schematic axial cross-sectional view.

Figure 4 shows the device of figures 1 to 3 in a schematic perspective view, with the clamping device in the introduction configuration.

Fig. 5 shows the device of fig. 4 in a schematic axial section.

Figure 6 shows, in a schematic axial section, the device of the preceding figures, with its clamping means in an intermediate configuration, which clamping means is employed when it is moved from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration.

Figure 7 shows the device of the preceding figures in a schematic cross-sectional view with its clamping device in a clamping configuration.

Figure 8 shows the device of the preceding figures in schematic cross-section, with the clamping device in the introduction configuration.

Fig. 9 shows in a schematic axial section a molding machine according to a second embodiment of the invention and its clamping device in a clamping configuration.

Figure 10 schematically shows a device according to the invention in use.

Detailed Description

The molding machine 1 according to the present invention is designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand. It is therefore a portable manual device, preferably for use in a domestic environment by users who are not skilled in styling or hairdressing, that is to say hair styling and in particular hair straightening.

Preferably, and according to the various embodiments shown in the figures, the styling device 1 forms a hair straightener, which allows the user to straighten his hair, preferably by applying heat and pressure. Preferably and as shown, the device 1 forms an automatic hair straightener, that is to say the apparatus 1 is designed to limit the active intervention of the user without specific technical gestures being performed, such as gestures and operations that the hairdresser can perform to obtain a similar result. The automatic nature of the device 1 allows in particular the device 1 itself to guarantee the relative movement of the lock of hair to be combed and of the device 1. Preferably, the device 1 is designed to be substantially fixed (with respect to the user's head) while allowing the movement of the locks of hair.

The invention is not, however, limited to this particular embodiment and it is fully contemplated that the styling apparatus 1 forms a hair curler, a hair iron, or any other apparatus for styling hair, automatic or non-automatic, for example. However, for the sake of brevity, the following description will focus only on the styling apparatus 1 ensuring the hair-straightening function.

As shown, the device 1 according to the invention comprises at least one body 2, which itself advantageously comprises a casing, for example made of injection-moulded material. The body 2 may be in the form of a single piece (as shown in the figures) or alternatively in the form of a combination of parts that may be movable relative to each other (variants not shown). The device 1 advantageously comprises a handle 2A for manual gripping to operate the device 1. The handle 2A is advantageously formed by the rear portion 200 of the aforesaid housing and extends backwards, for example by means of a power cord (not shown), and is used, by means of the active portion 201, to receive the lock C to be turned to shape it (in this case to straighten it).

More specifically, the body 2 comprises a gripping device 3 that is alternated between a hair-lock C introduction configuration (see figures 4, 5, 8 and 9) and a hair-lock C gripping configuration (see figures 1 to 3 and 7). The introduction configuration advantageously corresponds to an open configuration of the device 1, in which the device 1 is substantially unable to exert any fastening, or at least only able to exert a fastening that is less than that exerted in the clamping configuration, on the lock of hair C to be combed. It is even possible that, in the introduction configuration, all or part of the lock of hair C is not in contact with the gripping means 3. The introduction configuration advantageously allows the user to easily introduce at least one lock of hair C into the gripping means 3. It is therefore an open configuration allowing one or more locks C to be placed in the device 3. In the clamping configuration, the clamping means 3 exert a fastening on the lock or locks C in question, that is to say a localized pressure on the lock or locks introduced into the clamping means 3 when the clamping means 3 is in said clamping configuration. For this purpose, the gripping means 3 themselves comprise at least one first jaw 4 mounted to move with respect to the main body 2 between at least one open position (fig. 4, 5, 8 and 9) and at least one closed position (fig. 1 to 3 and 7). Preferably, the open and closed positions correspond to the introduction and clamping configurations, respectively.

Preferably, the open position and the closed position of the first jaw 4 are stop positions defining the total travel of the first jaw 4. However, without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is perfectly possible that the open position of the first jaw 4 does not necessarily correspond to the introduction configuration, in particular without forming an end stop position. In this case (not shown), the first jaw 4 can continue its travel beyond said open position, for example reaching a maximum open position, for example corresponding to the introduction configuration. The open position is thus formed in this variant in an intermediate position between the closed position and the maximum open position. In this case, it is possible for the first jaw to move parallel to itself when moving between its open and closed positions, but between its open and maximum open position according to different movements (for example a pivoting movement with a change in direction and a steady change). Thus, the first jaw 4 may first be pivoted (pure rotation) from the maximum open position in the direction of the closed position and then, when the closed position is approached, be moved parallel to itself (e.g. using a circular translation) to its closed position. In particular and advantageously, the first jaw 4 can move parallel to itself to at least a proximal position of the lock of hair C, for example over at least about 20% of the total stroke before said first jaw comes into contact with the lock of hair C.

The first jaw 4 is arranged substantially opposite to a complementary support element, which is intended to cooperate to release or clamp a lock of hair C when the first jaw 4 is in the open position or in the closed position. The complementary support element in question may be fixedly mounted with respect to the body 2, or conversely may be movably mounted with respect to the body 2 (as shown in the figures), and in this case for example in the form of a second jaw 5 which will be described in more detail below. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the body 2 advantageously forms a fixed housing in which the moving parts of the gripping means 3 move.

As shown, the body 2 further comprises a return member 6 of the clamping device 3 in the clamping configuration. In other words, the return member 6 is designed so as to exert a return force on the clamping device 3, directly or indirectly, preferably permanently, so as to constrain the clamping device 3 to remain in the clamped configuration without user intervention. This means that at rest, the molding machine 1 is designed such that its clamping device 3 is by default in the clamping configuration. In other words, in the absence of external stresses, the device 1 adopts a natural closing/clamping configuration corresponding to the clamping configuration. Thanks to this feature, the pressure exerted locally by the gripping means 3 on the lock of hair C to be shaped does not depend on the manual force exerted by the user, but only on the return member 6. Thus, the gripping means 3 allow to apply a predetermined pressure defined by the return member 6 independently of the user, to the lock of hair to be shaped. As will appear more clearly from the following description, the return member 6 can take various forms, for example exerting an elastic return force through a spring 6B or another elastic body, or implementing a magnetic return force through the combination of a magnet 6A (permanent magnet or electromagnet) and an element 10 made of ferromagnetic material cooperating with said magnet 6A. Whatever the embodiment chosen, the return force exerted by the return member 6 is therefore predetermined by construction and is not dependent on the user. This allows to obtain optimal hair strand shaping results, independent of the user's know-how and flexibility. For example, the return member 6 is designed so that the clamping force exerted by the clamping device 3 in the clamping configuration is substantially between 10 and 50N, and preferably substantially equal to 30N.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first jaw 4 is designed to move between its open and closed positions, while remaining parallel to itself. In other words, when the first jaw 4 is moved from its open position to its closed position, it remains permanently parallel to itself, that is to say its orientation with respect to the main body 2 remains fixed and unchanged, only the position of the first jaw 4 with respect to the main body 2 (i.e. the distance apart from the first jaw 4 of the main body 2) is changed. Thus, the steady state of the first jaw 4 advantageously remains unchanged when the first jaw 4 is moved from its open position to its closed position, that is to say the steady state/inclination of the first jaw 4 remains unchanged regardless of the position of the first jaw (open, closed, intermediate … …). This means that the first jaw 4 considered at the time T is always parallel to the first jaw 4 at a later time T +1 when moving from its open position to its closed position and/or vice versa when moving from its closed position to its open position. Preferably, the body 2 comprises a rectilinear portion 20A (for example, allowing the device 1 to be stably placed on a table) and the first jaw 4 is advantageously kept permanently parallel to this rectilinear portion 2A.

The first jaw 4 defines, for example, a pressure surface S1 for locally coming into contact with the lock of hair C to be shaped, said pressure surface S1 being substantially parallel to the mean median plane P_M. The pressure surface S1 defined by the first jaw 4, for example in the context of a styling device designed to straighten hair, is a substantially flat surface, likewise cooperating with the opposite pressure surface S2 defined by the complementary support element (for example the second jaw 5) to grip the lock of hair C.

Thus, when the first jaw 4 is moved from its open position to its closed position, or vice versa, i.e. when the first jaw 4 is moved from its closed position to its open position, the pressure surface S1 defined by the first jaw 4 is permanently parallel to the mean median plane P_M. In other words, the pressure surface S1 defined by the first jaw 4 advantageously has a constant orientation with respect to the main body 2. This feature allowsA particularly uniform and constant force is exerted on the lock of hair C to be shaped, irrespective of the positioning of the lock of hair C in the clamping device 3. In contrast, the prior art devices implement pivoting jaws, which are hinged (pivoted) about a hinge, so it is possible to exert a greater clamping force on the tress of hair closest to the hinge than on the outside of the tress of hair furthest from the hinge. In addition, this movement characteristic allows to apply a constant force, regardless of the thickness of the lock C, since the point of contact between the lock C and the clamping means 3 is no longer present, as is the case in the known devices of the prior art, depending on the distance between the lock C and the hinge (pivot point). The invention therefore allows to avoid this drawback and to facilitate the application of a uniform force, guaranteeing repeatable results regardless of the positioning of the locks of hair to be shaped in the device 1.

The results thus show that the combined implementation of the return member 6 in the clamping configuration and of the first jaw 4 of the clamping device 3, designed to move it between its open and closed positions, while remaining permanently parallel with respect to itself, not only allows to obtain an excellent hair-shaping effect (in this case straightening), but in particular also allows to obtain a repeatability, and the device 1 exerts a predetermined and uniform clamping force on the hair to be shaped, totally independently of the results of the way the user operates the device 1. In fact, thanks to the combined use of the return member 6 and of the specific kinematics of the first jaw 4 (the movement kept parallel to itself), the device allows to apply a predetermined and fully adapted (i.e. selected in advance by the designer of the device and independent of the user), and whatever the position of the lock of hair C with respect to the clamping device and also whatever the lock thickness. In other words, the device object of the present invention guarantees an optimal result and a high repeatability of the styling operation, whatever the level of experience of the user in styling, since the movement of the first jaw 4 and the return member 6 of the clamping device allow random hair lock positioning and sizing. In addition, the combination of the kinematics of the return member 6 and the first jaw 4 avoids any excessive clamping force, thus limiting at the same time the painful risk for the user (hair being pulled or caught).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the implementation of pressure flat surfaces S1, S2, and it is for example perfectly possible that at least one of said pressure surfaces S1, S2 has a surface that is for example irregular, wavy (for example to achieve a curling, a waving or a waving) or otherwise, to obtain a shaping effect different from a straightening effect. At least one of the pressure surfaces S1, S2 may also include one or more protrusions, such as teeth or spikes. The pressure surfaces S1, S2 preferably have complementary conjugate shapes (e.g., one convex and the other concave, or the surfaces S1, S2 have teeth arranged correspondingly in a staggered arrangement, or as shown, the two surfaces S1, S2 are substantially flat and flat).

Advantageously, the gripping means 3 are arranged with heating means in order to simultaneously tighten and heat the lock of hair C to be shaped. The heating means may be carried, for example, in the first jaw 4 and/or in a complementary support element (formed, for example, by the second jaw 5) to heat the hair by conduction when pressed. In this case, the heating means advantageously comprise a resistive heating element, for example of the type of a positive temperature Coefficient (CTP) heating element.

Preferably, each pressure surface S1, S2 is a heat generating heated surface, which is adjusted to a temperature between 100 ℃ and 200 ℃, for example to about 170 ℃.

However, it is entirely possible that the heating means are external to the first jaw 4 and to the complementary support element (second jaw 5) and consist, for example, of convective heating means which achieve a hot air flow towards the clamping area of the clamping means 3. Thus, the styling apparatus 1 is able to heat the hair C to be styled while squeezing it, to obtain a relatively effective and lasting straightening effect.

Advantageously, the first jaw 4 is mounted in circular translation with respect to the main body 2 between its open and closed positions. Thus, the first jaw 4 follows a planar movement, wherein all points follow trajectories, each of which is a circle of the same radius but with a different center, so that the first jaw 4 maintains a constant orientation throughout the displacement between its open and closed positions. The use of such a circular translational movement allows to realize a first jaw 4 which, at the same time, remains parallel to itself, moves in a particularly simple, reliable and inexpensive manner, in particular while limiting the risks of improper blocking and the costs associated with typical rectilinear translational movements (slides, sliding connections). If the use of a circular translation movement is preferred, but not mandatory, for the reasons previously described, and the molding device 1 may for example alternatively be implemented with the first jaw 4 mounted for rectilinear translation with respect to the main body 2, for example in a sliding connection, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, the use of a first jaw 4 mounted in circular translation constitutes the present invention, independently of the other features described herein. Such a stand-alone utility model can for example define more precisely the styling device 1 as it relates to, designed to be gripped and manipulated by hand, and comprises at least one main body 2 carrying a gripping device 3 that varies between an introduction configuration and a gripping configuration of a lock of hair C, said gripping device 3 itself comprising at least a first jaw 4 movably mounted with respect to the main body 2 at least between an open position and a closed position, corresponding respectively to said introduction configuration and to said gripping configuration, said first jaw 4 being mounted with respect to the main body 2 in a circular translation between its open position and closed position. The independent utility model may or may not implement the return member of the clamping device 3 in the clamping configuration or in the introduction configuration.

Preferably, as shown, the first jaw 4 is mounted in circular translation with respect to the main body 2, according to a deformable parallel quadrigramme assembly. In this advantageous embodiment, therefore, the first jaw 4 forms a first side of the parallel quadruple in question, while the body 2 forms a second side of said parallel quadruple arranged opposite to said first side, said first and second sides (that is to say said first jaw 4 and body 2) being connected by means of a hinging element, preferably having the same length, so as to form a third and fourth side of the deformable parallel quadruple. As shown, the main body 2 advantageously carries a first link 7 and a second link 8, each extending between a respective

first end

7A, 8A and connected (by articulation, preferably by pivoting) to said main body 2, and a respective

second end

7B, 8B connected (by articulation, preferably by pivoting) to said first jaw 4. Each of said first and

second links

7, 8 is therefore advantageously mounted at least rotationally with respect to the body 2 on the one hand and to the first jaw 4 on the other hand according to respective axes of rotation, parallel to each other and perpendicular to a plane in which the circular translational movement of the first jaw 4 is induced. The implementation of this deformable parallel four-bar linkage assembly by the

first links

7 and 8 thus allows the first jaw 4 to move between an expanded state (corresponding to the closed position) and a retracted state (corresponding to the open position) with respect to the main body 2.

Advantageously, the molding machine 1 also comprises a control device 9 mounted movably with respect to the body 2. The control device 9 is connected to the gripping device 3 and is manually operable to move said gripping device 3 from its gripping configuration (figures 1 to 3 and 7) to its introduction configuration (figures 4, 5, 8 and 9). The control means 9 is thus arranged to be manually moved by a user and is connected to the gripping means 3 by means of motion conversion means which allow to convert the motion of the control means 9 into a motion of the first jaw 4 to move the first jaw 4 from its closed position to its open position.

The control device 9 is mounted, for example, movably with respect to the body 2, between a first position (fig. 1 to 3 and 7) corresponding to the clamping configuration and a second position (fig. 4, 5, 8 and 9) corresponding to the introduction configuration. The control means 9 may be mounted, for example pivotably (as shown) and/or translatably, with respect to the body 2, between a first position and a second position thereof, for example corresponding to a deployed state and a retracted state of the control means 9, respectively. In the deployed state, the control device 9 protrudes from the main body 2 towards the outside thereof; in the retracted state, the control means 9 disappear inside the body 2 under the effect of the user exerting, for example, a pressure. Thus, the control means 9 advantageously comprise at least one first switch 90 (or pin) pivotally mounted with respect to the main body 2 according to a first pivot axis parallel to the pivot axes of the first and

second links

7, 8.

In order to convert the movement of the control means 9 into a movement of the first jaw 4, said first link 7 and the control means 9 are arranged with respective mutually engaging

surfaces

700, 900 cooperating to transmit to said first link 7a manual control force applied to the control means 9 to move said first jaw 4 from its closed position to its open position. The interengaging surfaces 900 of the control means 9 are arranged to advantageously form cams, preferably pivoting cams, which cause the complementary interengaging surfaces 700 of the first link 7 to be arranged to convert a rotational movement of the control means 9 (in this case the first switch 90) into a rotational movement of the link 7 which causes a circular translational movement of the first jaw 4 from its closed position to its open position. Of course, the use of such a cam system with free mutual support by the mutually engaging

surfaces

700, 900 is not mandatory, and it is for example perfectly possible to alternatively realize another stress transmission system, for example based on the cooperation of gears, additional links or any other suitable means (mechanical, electrical or otherwise). Similarly, it is entirely possible that the control means 9 directly cause the first jaw 4 to move it from its closed position to its open position, instead of the first link 7. However, the connection of the control means 9 to the first link 7 in order to manipulate the movement of the first jaw 4 is particularly advantageous, since this allows to obtain a yield from the effect of reducing the stresses which contribute to bringing it from the closed position to the open position. Thus, the user can advantageously operate the control device 9 with a single finger, while maintaining the device 1 with the rest of the same hand. Thus, the device 1, in its particularly advantageous form shown in the figures, allows the hair to be shaped (e.g. straightened) using a single hand.

Advantageously, the return member 6 exerts a return force allowing to return the clamping device 3 to the clamping configuration on said first link 7. The fact that the return member 6 exerts its return force directly on the first link 7 also allows to reduce the effect of stresses, which promotes compactness in the dimensions of the return member 6. However, according to an alternative embodiment, for example of fig. 9, it is perfectly possible that the return member 6 does not exert its return force directly on the first link 7, but directly on the first jaw 4, for example in the form of one or more springs 6B or other elastic bodies interposed between the body 2 and the first jaw 4 (with reference to fig. 9) to repel the first jaw 4 in the closed condition.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the return member 6 advantageously comprises at least one magnet 6A or a spring 6B. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 8, the return member 6 comprises at least one first magnet 6A attached to the first link 7, so that the first link 7 carries said first magnet 6A. To this end, the first link 7 is for example arranged with a shutter 71 extending substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first link 7 (which passes through the first end 7A and the second end 7B), said shutter 71 advantageously forming a mutual engagement surface 700 and delimiting a housing containing the permanent magnets forming said first magnet 6A. In this case, the molding machine 1 comprises at least one plate 10 made of ferromagnetic material, fixed (for example by gluing) to the body 2 so as to permanently establish a magnetic attraction between the magnet 6A and the plate 10. This magnetic attraction force forms a restoring force exerted by the return member 6.

In the clamped configuration, the flap 71 carrying the magnet 6A is pressed against the plate 10 by magnetic attraction and is permanently held in this position. When the user exerts a pressure on the switch 90 towards the inside of the casing forming the main body 2, the mutually engaging surfaces 900 carried by the switch 90 in question push the shutter 71 by a cam effect against the return force, thus pivoting the first link 7 to move the first jaw 4 from its closed position to its open position. Of course, instead of a magnet/ferromagnetic plate system, it is entirely possible to realize another return system (spring, electric actuator, electromagnet … …) without leaving the framework of the present invention.

Advantageously, it is possible to adopt that the first position of the control device 9 is the return position, that is to say the control device 9 is naturally maintained in its first position, which corresponds to the gripping configuration, and advantageously the deployed position as shown, without active manual intervention by the user on the control device 9. In this advantageous embodiment, too, the respective mutually engaging

surfaces

700, 900 preferably cooperate to transmit the return force exerted by the return member 6 on the first link 7 to the control device 9, in order to thus return the control device 9 to its first position. Thus, in this advantageous case, the cooperation of the respective interengaging surfaces 700, 900 is reciprocal, since it not only allows the transmission of the manual control force applied to the control means 9 to the first link 7 to cause the first jaw 4 to be transmitted from its closed position to its open position, but also transmits the return force exerted by the return member 6 on the first link 7 to the control means 9 to cause the control means 9 to return to its first position. This design is particularly advantageous since it allows to obtain a particularly reliable and robust device, which also has compact and economical features.

As mentioned above and according to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the clamping device 3 advantageously comprises a second jaw 5 arranged opposite the first jaw 4, so that in the clamping configuration said first jaw 4 and second jaw 5 are sufficiently close to each other to clamp between them a lock of hair C to be combed, and in the introduction configuration they are sufficiently far from each other to release said lock of hair C. The second jaw 5 can be fixedly mounted with respect to the main body 2, but is preferably mounted movably with respect to said main body 2 between an open position and a closed position corresponding to the clamping configuration and the introduction configuration of the clamping device 3, respectively.

Advantageously, the second jaw 5 is also mounted in circular translation with respect to the main body 2 between its open and closed positions. This circular translation assembly is preferably obtained by mounting an assembly of the deformable parallel quad type, preferably similar to that described previously with respect to the first jaw 4. In this case, it is preferred that the third and

fourth links

11, 12 carried in the main body 2 each extend between a respective

first end

11A, 12A connected to the main body 2 and a respective

second end

11B, 12B connected to the second jaw 5. The third link 11 is substantially identical or at least symmetrical to the first link 7, when the second bar 8 and the fourth bar 12 are also substantially identical or at least symmetrical. The third link 11 also preferably carries a magnet 60A for cooperating with the respective sheet 100 to return the second jaw 5 to the closed position. In this case, the control means 9 advantageously comprise a second switch 90 identical to the first switch 91 and, as shown, arranged opposite the first switch 90 with respect to the mean median plane P_MAnd (4) symmetry. The molding machine 1 thus advantageously exhibits a median plane P with respect to symmetry_MIn the embodiment shown in the figures, the median plane P corresponds to the contact surfaces of the first jaw 4 and of the second jaw 5 in their respective closed position, said median plane P_MAdvantageously parallel to the axes of rotation of the first, second, third and

fourth links

7, 8, 11, 12.

Preferably, the first jaw 4 and the second jaw 5 are designed to move simultaneously in opposite directions with a respective circular translational movement. This means that during the passage of the clamping device 3 from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration, the first jaw 4 and the second jaw 5 are simultaneously distanced and, according to a symmetrical respective movement, are distanced from each other until they reach respective open positions corresponding to the maximum spacing between said first jaw 4 and second jaw 5. The first jaw 4 and the second jaw 5 are advantageously moved in phase while preferably remaining permanently parallel to each other, so that the clamping device 3 is in its clamping configuration when they are each in their respective closed position. In order to achieve such simultaneous and synchronized movement of the first jaw 4 and the second jaw 5, the control means 9 are advantageously connected simultaneously to the first jaw 4 and to the second jaw 5 so as to simultaneously drive them from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 8, the two

switches

90, 91 are connected to each other by a transmission link, so that a driving force exerted on one of the

switches

90, 91 is automatically reflected to the

other switch

91, 90, or vice versa, i.e. a driving force exerted on one of the

switches

91, 90 is automatically reflected to the

other switch

90, 91.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first jaw 4 and the second jaw 5 are arranged with a first pad 14 and a second pad 15, respectively, for contact with respective portions of the lock of hair C to be shaped. Thus, the

pads

14, 15 advantageously form the pressure surfaces S1, S2, respectively. The

pads

14, 15 in question are preferably flat and advantageously made of a heat-conducting material, smooth, preferably covered with enamel, ceramic material, glass layer or the like. Each

pad

14, 15 advantageously has a substantially rectangular shape and advantageously forms a straight hair plate. However, as previously mentioned, it is entirely possible that at least one of the

pads

14, 15 does not have a planar shape, depending on the desired shaping effect. For example, as previously mentioned with reference to the pressure surfaces S1, S2, one and/or the other of the

pads

14, 15 may have corrugations, protrusions (teeth, pins, etc.). Preferably, said

pads

14, 15 have complementary shapes to each other, so that when the

jaws

4 and 5 are closed, for example one can enter the other, or carry the other, or press against the other (as shown). Advantageously, at least one of said first jaw 4 and second jaw 5 comprises a

heating pad

14, 15, said

heating pad

14, 15 being intended to come into contact with the lock of hair to be clamped. Thus, at least one of said

pads

14, 15, preferably both

pads

14, 15, directly contributes to pressing and heating the lock of hair to be shaped, interposed between the two

pads

14, 15 and pressed by both of them.

Advantageously, in order to adapt and compensate for possible thickness variations within the lock of hair C to be clamped for shaping it, at least one of said first jaw 4 and second jaw 5 comprises, on the one hand, a frame 13 movably mounted with respect to the main body 2 and, on the other hand, a pad 15 floatingly mounted with respect to said frame 13, said pad 15 being intended to come into contact with the lock of hair C to be clamped. "Floating assembly" here refers to the fact that the pad 15 is embedded on the frame 13 with a clearance allowing the pad 15 to move with respect to the frame 13, for example perpendicular to the aforesaid mean median plane P at least in a vertical direction_MAnd (4) moving. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the frame 13 is for example part of the second jaw 5 and is thus connected to the main body 2 by the first link 11 and the second link 12, however the pad 15 is attached to the frame 13 and has the possibility of moving relative to the frame 13. For example, the pad 15 is slidably guided with respect to the frame 13 by the cooperation of a pin 15A integral with the pad 14 and a conjugated light 13A carried by the frame. Flexible elements (for example elastomeric blocks or springs) are interposed between the pads 15 and the frame 13 to push the pads 14 inwards (i.e. towards the mean median plane P)_M). The pad 15 can therefore be matched to the profile of the lock of hair C to be shaped, which facilitates satisfactory results by allowing a particularly uniform and homogeneous application of pressure on the lock of hair C concerned.

Advantageously, the styling apparatus 1 is an automatic apparatus designed to automatically roll the locks of hair C to be combed inside the gripping means 3. To this end, the main body 2 advantageously comprises friction drive means 16 of the lock of hair designed to roll the lock of hair C between said first jaw 4 and second jaw 5 in the closed position, for example at a speed comprised between 1 and 5cm/s, preferably of about 2 cm/s. The friction drive means 16 comprise, for example, a motorized roller 16A arranged transversely with respect to said first and

second jaws

4, 5, downstream of said first and

second jaws

4, 5 with respect to the rolling direction of the lock of hair C between the

closed jaws

4, 5, the main body 2 also advantageously carrying a pressure roller 16B, the pressure roller 16B being mounted freely rotatable with respect to the main body 2 and being intended to press against the motorized roller 16A to press the lock of hair C to be combed against the motorized roller 16A. Thus, the relative lock of hair C is intended to be inserted between the two

rollers

16A, 16B and is locally adhered to the motorized roller 16A by the action of the pressure roller 16B, which allows the drive to rub the lock of hair C and slide between the

closed jaws

4, 5, which locally pinch the lock of hair upstream of the

rollers

16A, 16B. Preferably, said first jaw 4 and second jaw 5 carry said motorized roller 16A and pressure roller 16B, respectively, so that said

rollers

16A, 16B advantageously remain permanently parallel to each other, so as to optimize the contact between the

rollers

16A, 16B and thus the driving of the locks C of hair.

Advantageously, the main body 2 also comprises a comb device 17 for said locks of hair C driven by the driving device 16.

The rolling direction of the lock of hair C is advantageously arranged upstream of the gripping means 3. The comb device 17 comprises a plurality of teeth or bristles, for example arranged in rows or tufts, so as to form a comb or brush. The comb device 17 advantageously allows to divide the locks of hair C to be shaped into a plurality of small locks of hair and to distribute them well over the treatment surface formed by the

pads

14, 15. The comb device 17 therefore allows the locks of hair C to spread well between the

jaws

4, 5 to facilitate their shaping by heating the

jaws

4, 5. Preferably, the comb device 17 also guarantees the tensioning function of the lock of hair C, in particular by means of a frictional local resistance against the movement of the lock of hair C towards the drive device 16.

The present invention, in its preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, therefore allows to provide excellent styling results in a simple, quick, automatic and intuitive manner, irrespective of the user and the way in which the device 1 is used.

The present invention therefore relates to a styling apparatus 1, which is preferably used in particular for straightening hair, and whose closed position of the

jaws

4, 5 corresponds to the natural configuration (rest configuration) of the apparatus 1. In this natural rest position, which corresponds to the clamping configuration of the clamping device 3, the

jaws

4, 5 and the

pads

14, 15 are carried by said

jaws

4, 5 parallel to each other and by said

pads

14, 15 abutting against each other, respectively. In this natural rest configuration of the device 1, the control device 9 is in its first position, which is advantageously an elastic return position, and the pressure-applying roller 16B is pressed against the motorized roller 16A.

Exerting pressure on the control means 9 to permanently oppose the elastic return force exerted on the control means 9 allows moving the device 1 from its stable rest configuration to an unstable open configuration, in which the device 1 is maintained by manual operation of the user on the control means 9 to force the user to occupy its second position. During the transition from the natural rest configuration to the unstable open configuration,

jaws

4, 5 and

pads

14, 15 respectively carried by them remain permanently parallel to each other over at least a portion of the terminal ends, and preferably over their respective full displacements. Once device 1 is in the open configuration, pressure roller 16B is distanced from motorized roller 16A, while gripping device 3 is in the introduction configuration. As soon as the user releases his manual force on the control means 9, the device 1 spontaneously reverts to its natural rest configuration (the closed configuration described above).

The operation and use of the device 1 is for example as follows.

The user first grasps the lock C with one hand and the device 1 with the other hand, while preparing to apply the hair to his scalp, or at least close to the scalp, so that the drive device 16 is arranged close to the scalp and the comb device 17 is arranged opposite the drive device 16, in the position furthest from the scalp.

The user then actuates the control means 9, thereby forcing the device 1 out of its normally closed configuration to reach its unstable open configuration. The user can then move the device 1 in order to easily place the lock of hair C inside the device 1, also between the motorized roller 16A and the pressure roller 16B, on the one hand between the first jaw 4 and the second jaw 5, and on the other hand between the teeth of the comb device 17. Once the lock of hair C is inside the device 1, the user releases the control means so that the device 1 returns to its normally closed configuration, in which the drive means 16 are therefore able to drive the lock of hair C to be shaped. The lock of hair C will then roll in the comb device 17 at a suitable speed, and then in the gripping device 3 it suitably grips the hair to straighten it in a particularly sustainable, rapid and automatic manner.

Claims

1. A molding device (1) designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand and comprising at least one body (2), the body carries, on the one hand, a gripping device (3) which varies between a hair-tress introduction configuration and a hair-tress gripping configuration, and, on the other hand, a return member (6), which returns the clamping device (3) in the clamping configuration, the clamping device (3) itself comprising at least one first jaw (4), which is movably mounted with respect to the body (2) between at least an open position and a closed position, said molding device (1) being characterized in that said first jaw (4) is designed to move between said open and closed positions, while remaining parallel to itself, and in that the first jaw (4) is mounted in circular translation with respect to the main body (2) between its open and closed positions.

2. The molding machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first jaw (4) of the molding machine is mounted in circular translation with respect to the main body (2) according to a deformable parallel quadruplex.

3. The molding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the main body (2) carries a first link (7) and a second link (8), each link extending between a respective first end (7A, 8A) connected to the main body (2) and a respective second end (7B, 8B) connected to the first jaw (4), respectively.

4. The molding machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the return member (6) exerts a restoring force on the first link (7).

5. The molding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the molding machine (1) comprises a control device (9) movably mounted with respect to the body (2), the control device (9) being connected to the clamping device (3) and being manually operable to move the clamping device from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration.

6. The molding machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said control device (9) is movably mounted with respect to said body (2) between a first position corresponding to a clamping configuration and a second position corresponding to a introduction configuration, said first position being a return position.

7. The molding machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said main body (2) carries a first link (7) and a second link (8), each extending between a respective first end (7A, 8A) connected to said main body (2) and a respective second end (7B, 8B) connected to said first jaw (4), respectively, and in that said first link (7) and control means (9) are provided with respective mutually engaging surfaces (700, 900) cooperating to transmit to said first link (7) a manual control force applied to the control means to move said first jaw (4) from its closed position to its open position.

8. The molding machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said return member (6) exerts a return force on said first link (7), said control device (9) being movably mounted with respect to said body (2) between a first position corresponding to a clamping configuration, which is a return position, and a second position corresponding to a lead-in configuration, said respective interengaging surfaces (700, 900) also cooperating to transmit the return force exerted by said return member (6) on said first link (7) to said control device (9) to return said control device (9) to its first position.

9. The molding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the return member (6) comprises at least one magnet (6A) or spring (6B).

10. The molding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the clamping device (3) comprises a second jaw (5) arranged opposite the first jaw (4) such that, in a clamping configuration, the first jaw (4) and the second jaw (5) are sufficiently close to each other for clamping a lock of hair between them, and, in an introduction configuration, they are sufficiently far from each other for releasing the lock of hair.

11. The molding machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said second jaw (5) is mounted movable with respect to said main body (2) between an open position and a closed position corresponding to said introduction configuration and to said clamping configuration, respectively.

12. The molding machine (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said second jaw (5) is mounted in circular translation with respect to said body (2) between its open and closed positions.

13. The molding machine (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said first jaw (4) and said second jaw (5) are designed to be moved simultaneously in opposite directions with a respective circular translational movement.

14. The styling device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said main body (2) carries a lock of hair friction drive means (16) designed to roll a lock of hair between said first jaw (4) and said second jaw (5) in the closed position.

15. The styling device (1) according to claim 14, characterised in that the main body (2) is further provided with a combing device (17) of the lock of hair driven by driving means, the combing device (17) being arranged upstream of the clamping device (3) with respect to the rolling direction of the lock of hair.

16. The styling device (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one of the first jaw (4) and the second jaw (5) comprises on the one hand a frame (13) movably mounted with respect to the main body (2) and on the other hand a pad (15) floatingly mounted with respect to the frame (13), the pad (15) being intended to be in contact with the lock of hair to be clamped.

17. The molding machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said molding machine (1) comprises a control device (9) movably mounted with respect to said main body (2), said control device (9) being connected to said clamping device (3) and being manually operable to move the clamping device from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration, and said control device (9) being simultaneously connected to the first jaw (4) and to the second jaw (5) to drive them from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.

18. The styling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the clamping device (3) is arranged with heating means for clamping and heating locks of hair.

19. The modelling device (1) according to claim 18, wherein said clamping means (3) comprise a second jaw (5) arranged opposite said first jaw (4), so that in the clamping configuration said first jaw (4) and said second jaw (5) are sufficiently close to each other for clamping a lock of hair between them, and in the introduction configuration they are sufficiently far from each other for releasing said lock of hair, and at least one of said first jaw (4) and said second jaw (5) comprises a heating pad (14, 15) for contacting the lock of hair to be clamped.

20. The styling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it forms a hair straightener.