EP1633217B1 - Skin drying appliance - Google Patents

Skin drying appliance Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1633217B1
EP1633217B1 EP04767300A EP04767300A EP1633217B1 EP 1633217 B1 EP1633217 B1 EP 1633217B1 EP 04767300 A EP04767300 A EP 04767300A EP 04767300 A EP04767300 A EP 04767300A EP 1633217 B1 EP1633217 B1 EP 1633217B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
diffuser
skin
end portion
air outlet
appliance according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04767300A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1633217A2 (en
Inventor
Marc Legrain
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SEB SA
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SEB SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1633217A2 publication Critical patent/EP1633217A2/en
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Publication of EP1633217B1 publication Critical patent/EP1633217B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D20/00—Hair drying devices; Accessories therefor
    • A45D20/04—Hot-air producers
    • A45D20/08—Hot-air producers heated electrically
    • A45D20/10—Hand-held drying devices, e.g. air douches
    • A45D20/12—Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
    • A45D20/122—Diffusers, e.g. for variable air flow

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for drying the skin of the portable and blowing type which sends a flow of hot air towards the skin and more particularly relates to such an apparatus for drying the skin of a baby.
  • blowers are generally used for drying hair and they mainly comprise a housing provided with a handle and equipped with air circulation means between an inlet grille in the housing and an outlet port of the latter, as well as means for heating the blown air.
  • the air circulation means are constituted by a fan driven by an electric motor which sends a flow of air through an electric heating element, in the direction of the outlet orifice.
  • the apparatus may include a plurality of accessories removably mounted to the air outlet port.
  • the document WO99 / 39609 discloses a hairdryer provided with an accessory for shaping the hair by being mounted at the air outlet end of the apparatus, said accessory comprising a convex wall covered with velvet or bristles, provided with air outlets, and a plurality of fingers distributed on its periphery.
  • the long fingers are intended to grip the hair before they are combed by the convex surface forming a brush.
  • Such a device equipped with a hair shaping accessory can not be used to dry the skin, because its sharp fingers can hit the skin, or rub on the skin and cause irritation, redness, etc.
  • such fingers made of the same material as the body of the diffuser, generally a hard plastic material, heat up during operation and can burn the skin.
  • this diffuser is not suitable for drying the skin of a baby because, when the device blows a stream of low air, the wall The ring of the diffuser may remain closed, not deployed, and the rigid central disk could then hit or even burn the baby's skin during an accidental contact with the baby.
  • Drying a baby's skin is usually done with a towel or disposable wipes.
  • This type of drying may be subject to the development of germs or bacteria on the sensitive skin of the baby, or even produce irritation when contact with a non adapted towel.
  • it can be accompanied by an unpleasant feeling of cold, which makes the drying even more unbearable for the baby.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a device for drying the skin of a baby which is of safe use and operation, able to protect against injuries or burns sensitive skin, such as a baby's skin.
  • Another object of the present invention is a device for drying the skin of a baby which is effective during its operation even at a distance from the skin and which can ensure, at the same time, a good protection of the skin of the baby when accidental contact of the blower part of the appliance with the latter.
  • Another object of the present invention is an apparatus for drying the skin of a baby that is effective, reliable in operation and easy to industrialize for a lower manufacturing cost.
  • a baby skin drying apparatus having a housing enclosing means for circulating a flow of hot air between an inlet end and an outlet end of said housing, a handle, and a a bell-shaped air diffuser arranged at the outlet end, said diffuser having at least one air outlet opening on its front surface having a bi-material end portion, because the end portion is made from a first support material covered with at least a second outer layer material having soft touch properties or damping properties or having a thermal effusivity lower than the first.
  • a bell-shaped air diffuser comprises an air circulation device of circular section flaring outwards, which device receives, at its inlet end, the air blown by the apparatus for the direct towards the opposite end or outlet with a decrease in the intensity of the airflow received from the apparatus.
  • Such diffusers generally have a shape of the watering can knob closed contour and provided with a plurality of orifices at its outlet end, or open flared tube at the air outlet end.
  • Such a diffuser may be removably mounted relative to the apparatus or it may be permanently attached to the air outlet end thereof.
  • front surface of the diffuser is understood the surface that sees an observer who holds the diffuser oriented with the longitudinal axis in the direction of gaze, and facing the air outlet end of the diffuser.
  • the end portion of this frontal surface is then the part that is closest to the observer.
  • This end portion may be a flat or left surface, preferably convex, the front portion of the diffuser then having an annular air outlet orifice surrounding this end portion, or several air outlet orifices distributed on the end portion and / or around the latter.
  • These air outlet orifices located on the front part of the diffuser provide an evacuation of the air blown when the end portion is placed on the skin, thus avoiding total obstruction of these orifices by the skin.
  • an end part made of bi-material comprises a part which is composed of at least two different materials superimposed.
  • a first base material which is of the same type, or even the same, as that of the body of the diffuser and at least one second which has soft touch properties (for example because it has a Shore hardness lower than the first material) or damping properties, or even thermal effusivity lower than that of the base material.
  • Such a combination of two different superimposed materials confers on the end portion of the diffuser both good mechanical strength and at least one complementary property which can be: a better protection in contact with the hot body of the diffuser and / or a pleasant feeling to the touch and / or an attenuation of the impact when the diffuser is in contact with the skin.
  • Such a bi-material end part can be made by a bi-material injection technique with a support of the body of the diffuser, or by thermoforming with the latter, by gluing or welding on the body of the diffuser, or by a mechanical fixing between two plates on the body of the diffuser, etc.
  • a diffuser used with a device to dry the skin of a baby must meet very strict safety requirements because, the skin of a baby being extremely sensitive, it is prone to irritation or redness on contact and especially to a rise in temperature above a well established threshold that must be less than 40 ° C.
  • a device designed to dry the skin of a baby must not only send a flow of low intensity and low temperature air, but also protect the skin in case of accidental contact of the latter with the blower part of the device .
  • the diffuser of the invention was thus designed to avoid any risk during remote drying as well as during a possible contact with the skin of the baby, the area of softer material or thermal effusivity lower than the material of medium being able to be put first in contact with the skin.
  • said end portion is located in the center of said front surface.
  • the end portion is the portion of the diffuser of the skin drying apparatus intended to come into first contact with the skin.
  • this end surface should be central ring-shaped or ring-shaped peripheral to ensure good protection against contact.
  • the arrangement in the center is however chosen because one thus obtains a good orientation of the diffuser with respect to the skin for a surface of contact of relatively small dimensions, and better visibility when moving parallel to the skin.
  • the diffuser has a contour composed of curved shapes, the front surface of the diffuser having a plurality of air outlet orifices.
  • a diffuser in the form of a conical flared tube having in its transverse frontal face a bi-material prominence in the center.
  • a closed contour diffuser composed of a plurality of curved shapes and provided with air outlet orifices on its front surface and preferably also on the end part thereof is preferred. Indeed, such a curved-shaped diffuser can not hit the skin and therefore provides better protection in contact with the latter and this in all possible angles of impact.
  • the outer layer of said end portion is a material of Shore hardness and thermal effusivity lower than that of the diffuser body.
  • the thermal effusivity characterizes the sensation of cold or hot felt in contact with different objects at the same temperature, sensation due to the different values of the contact temperature of each object.
  • Such an outer layer is therefore provided to ensure both a contact surface pleasant to the touch and a thermal protection when in contact with the skin of the baby.
  • said outer layer comprises a damping cushion.
  • the outer portion of such a cushion is made of a fabric with hypoallergenic properties, for example lycra.
  • the edge of said outer layer is sandwiched on its edge between an internal support of said diffuser and a peripheral outer cap of the body of the diffuser.
  • such a solution first ensures a good peripheral attachment of said outer layer, which may be for example a layer of fabric, a layer which thus fits well the contour of its fixing support.
  • said outer layer which may be for example a layer of fabric, a layer which thus fits well the contour of its fixing support.
  • such a solution provides axially leveling of the front surface of the outer cap and that of the end portion passing through a central opening of said cap. This makes it possible to have a continuity of the front surface of the diffuser, which does not have any apparent edges.
  • said diffuser comprises additional air outlet orifices which are offset relative to said end portion of the front surface.
  • Such openings may be provided on the surface of the diffuser, being deported relative to the end portion of the front surface, that is to say having at least a portion of their orifices outside and behind (one comprises towards the housing) the tangent plane passing in the center of said end portion.
  • This provides additional air outlets for evacuation of the air contained in the diffuser in case the air outlets provided on the end portion would be completely or partially blocked by the baby's skin. This therefore provides a safety against burns due to overheating of the air sent by the device inside the diffuser.
  • These additional holes could, in addition, be additional air calls that ensure better mixing of the air inside the diffuser and a drop in the air temperature leaving the diffuser.
  • said end portion of the front surface is extended on the sides by a curved surface of larger transverse diameter provided with additional air outlet orifices distributed on its periphery.
  • This curved surface is advantageously located in a distant plane and at the rear of the plane tangent to the frontal surface passing through its center, the longitudinal section of this surface may be in a circular arc of small radius, for example between 50 and 70 mm.
  • the additional air outlet orifices on such a curved surface located in the extension of the front surface which is therefore free of ridges or cutting parts, since this increases the number of outlet orifices on the part. frontal to obtain an even more diffuse air outlet flow, avoiding the rise in pressure and the hot spots inside the diffuser.
  • said additional air outlet orifices direct the blown air in a direction divergent with respect to that of the flow of air blown by the apparatus.
  • Such an orientation ensures a tangential drying of the skin at the same time as the frontal drying carried out by the air exiting through the openings of the front surface of the diffuser, which increases the surface swept by the air flow leaving the appliance. and thus the efficiency of the apparatus.
  • the additional air outlet orifices then have an inclined-walled hopper shape which directs the flow of air in a direction inclined relative to that of the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
  • said additional air outlet orifices have sections of larger dimensions than the section of the air outlet orifices belonging to the end portion, the total area of the outlet sections of said additional orifices being equal to or greater than that of the air outlet orifices of the end portion.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises an electric heating element of power equal to or less than 300W, preferably equal to 200W.
  • the air flow blown by the apparatus is about 30 m 3 / h.
  • the method of drying the skin of a baby uses a skin drying apparatus according to the invention which is moved parallel to the baby's skin, at a distance of about 5cm from the latter. It has been found in laboratory tests that the temperature measured at a distance of about 5 cm from the skin is near or below 40 ° C. This ensures efficient drying, while using a low airflow, to obtain a gentle drying, at a temperature that is not dangerous for the baby.
  • the skin drying apparatus produced in accordance with the invention comprises a casing 1 having a tubular portion 3 inside which there is arranged a fan actuated in rotation by an electric motor ensuring the flow of air between an air inlet 4 located at the rear of the housing 1 and an air outlet 5 located at the opposite end and heating means of the air flow flowing inside of the device.
  • the housing 1 also comprises a handle 2 arranged in the extension of the tubular portion 3 so as to form an angle less than 90 ° with the latter and supporting a cable 8 for supplying electrical energy.
  • the handle 2 can be mounted fixed or articulated, so as to be folded, relative to the tubular portion 3.
  • the start and stop of the device are done by operating a switch 7 placed on the inner part of the handle 2, the switch 7 ensuring the operation of the device at a preset optimum speed, which confers more security especially for the drying of a very sensitive skin like that of a baby.
  • the skin drying apparatus also comprises a diffuser 10 for modifying the shape of the section of the orifice of the air outlet end 5 and / or the intensity of the air flow blown by the air outlet 5 apparatus.
  • the diffuser 10 may be removably mounted to the air outlet end 5 of the housing 1, for example by bayonet attachment, forced assembly, etc. However, for security reasons it is preferred a fixed mounting, indisputedmontable diffuser relative to the device.
  • the diffuser 10 comprises a body 11 having a bell-shaped shape and having a front surface 14 at its air outlet end.
  • the body 11 is hollow with a circular section concentric with the longitudinal axis of the tubular part 3 or with the direction of the flow of air blown by the apparatus, circular section flaring between a fixing portion 9 at the end of air outlet 5 of the apparatus and an end portion 13 at the opposite end.
  • the end portion 13 is assembled with a cap 20 of convex shape provided with an opening 21 at its center.
  • the opening 21 may have a circular shape, polygonal or any other shape with closed contour.
  • An end portion 15 is a part arranged on the inner face of the cap 20 and out through the opening 21 of the latter so that their respective edges are located axially at the same level.
  • the end portion 15 preferably has a convex shape which follows the profile of the cap 20 and has a plurality of air outlet openings 12 uniformly distributed over its surface.
  • the diffuser 10 thus has a curved shape on its part leaving the device and is therefore free of fingers or any other pointed protuberance that could prove to be aggressive when in contact with the skin.
  • the diffuser may advantageously be made of a plastic material, for example polypropylene, by an injection technique.
  • the end portion 15 has an arcuate section of large radius, for example between 100 mm and 140 mm, and the periphery formed by the cap 20 also has a section. in an arc of radius much shorter, in particular between 50 and 70 mm.
  • the junction of the two parts is done in a plane of tangency to avoid any roughness or projecting part.
  • Such a diffuser made by several pieces thus assembled thus has a continuous and smooth front surface.
  • the end portion 15 is made of bi-material, that is to say based on at least two different superimposed materials, in particular a first, more rigid material which forms a support. for at least one second material having a thermal effusivity lower than the first, or a softer material or having a contact surface pleasant to the touch, this second material being likely to come first in contact with the skin.
  • the first rigid material is represented by the support 18 made for example of polypropylene
  • the second, more flexible material is represented by the outer layer 17.
  • the support 18 comprises on its surface perforations communicating with the air outlet openings 12 of the outer layer 17.
  • the outer layer 17 has a peripheral edge 24 which is sandwiched for attachment to the body 11 of the diffuser 10, between the support 18 and a border internal of the cap 20 covering it.
  • the three parts are then secured by a non-removable assembly method, such as a peripheral weld or by peripheral riveting, or by gluing, etc.
  • the cap subassembly 23 thus obtained is then fixed, preferably non-releasably, to the end portion 13 of the body 11 of the diffuser 10.
  • the outer layer 17 may be constituted by a layer of fabric (including a hypoallergenic fabric), leather, flocking material, flexible plastic (thermoplastic polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride), or it may have a multilayer structure.
  • the outer layer 17 is a multilayer pad composed of a core or core in a layer of foam, for example a polyethylene foam or a polyurethane foam, wrapped with two layers upper and lower , in particular a layer of lycra and a layer of satin, the pad being sealed by welding on its periphery.
  • a pad is then sandwiched between the support 18 and the cap 20 as previously described, with the layer of lycra, which has good hypoallergenic properties, facing the outside of the diffuser, likely to come first in contact with the skin to provide a pleasant contact with the skin.
  • This pad has perforations evenly distributed on its surface.
  • the thickness of the pad forming the outer layer 17 is about 3 mm and that of its support 18 by 2 mm.
  • the cap 20 has additional air outlet orifices 22 arranged on its periphery.
  • These additional orifices 22 have sufficiently large dimensions to let out the flow of air blown by the apparatus in case of total or partial closure of the air outlet openings 12 of the end portion 15.
  • the internal walls of the additional orifices 22 are provided with inclined fins which direct the flow of air exiting through these orifices in a direction divergent to that of the flow of air blown by the oriented apparatus, itself, along the longitudinal axis of the As an example, the flow of air exiting through the additional orifices 22 makes an angle between 45 ° and 75 ° with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
  • the air blown by the apparatus exits the diffuser 10 in two directions: a first which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and a second direction divergent with respect to the latter, which makes it possible to scan a larger area of skin, while using a gentle airflow, with a significant gain in efficiency of the device.
  • the additional air outlet orifices 22 are formed on the periphery of the end portion 15, it, the air outlet openings 12 on its surface. This makes it possible to obtain in the center a lower end portion 15 of curvature which adapts better to the surface of the skin and to the periphery a more pronounced curvature in order to allow the additional air outlet orifices 22 of be sufficiently recessed from the surface of the skin. It has been found that this condition is respected for a ratio between the radius of curvature of the central or end portion 15 and that of the cap 20 of 2: 1, for a diffuser having a diameter of about 100mm.
  • the opening 21 made in the cap 20 has a star shape revealing an end portion 15 of the same shape, part end 15 having outlet orifices 12 over its entire surface.
  • the additional air outlet orifices 22 are arranged around the end portion 15, on the peripheral edge of the cap 20 and have a triangular shape, as viewed from the front, the top of each triangle being inserted between two arms adjacent to the star. This makes it possible to fill the diffuser front surface with as much perforation as possible so as to obtain a diffuse, low intensity air flow and to avoid the appearance of any hot spots inside the diffuser.
  • the diffuser has a flared tubular shape open at its end portion, an end portion, protruding with respect to the end portion of the diffuser, then being provided in the center of the diffuser being supported by ribs peripherals inside the latter.
  • This end portion has a planar or convex frontal surface, without presenting a sharp edge or roughness, and having a surface large enough to make a surface contact with the skin.
  • Such an end portion is made of bi-material, covering the material of the support (made of the same material as the body of the diffuser, for example polypropylene) with a layer of textile material or a flocking material. , with leather, or with a material of the thermoplastic polyolefin type, etc.
  • thermoplastic polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride type could also be envisaged, possibly with the interposition of a layer of foam on a polypropylene type support material.

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  • Cleaning And Drying Hair (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un appareil de séchage de la peau du type portatif et soufflant qui envoie un flux d'air chaud en direction de la peau et elle concerne plus particulièrement un tel appareil prévu pour sécher la peau d'un bébé.The present invention relates to a device for drying the skin of the portable and blowing type which sends a flow of hot air towards the skin and more particularly relates to such an apparatus for drying the skin of a baby.

Ces appareils soufflants sont généralement utilisés pour sécher les cheveux et ils comportent principalement un boîtier muni d'une poignée et équipé de moyens de circulation d'air entre une grille d'entrée dans le boîtier et un orifice de sortie de ce dernier, ainsi que de moyens de chauffage de l'air soufflé. Les moyens de circulation de l'air sont constitués par un ventilateur entraîné par un moteur électrique qui envoie un flux d'air à travers un élément chauffant électrique, en direction de l'orifice de sortie. L'appareil peut comporter plusieurs accessoires montés de manière amovible à l'orifice de sortie d'air.These blowers are generally used for drying hair and they mainly comprise a housing provided with a handle and equipped with air circulation means between an inlet grille in the housing and an outlet port of the latter, as well as means for heating the blown air. The air circulation means are constituted by a fan driven by an electric motor which sends a flow of air through an electric heating element, in the direction of the outlet orifice. The apparatus may include a plurality of accessories removably mounted to the air outlet port.

Le document US 5 394 620 décrit un tel appareil qui est utilisé pour sécher le corps humain, plusieurs accessoires amovibles étant prévus à cet effet. Le problème posé par cet appareil est que, tout en étant muni de moyens de réglage de la vitesse de l'air et de la température et de différents accessoires, il ne présente pas une bonne sécurité d'usage pour sécher la peau d'un bébé, les accessoires prévus pouvant irriter la peau du bébé, voire, à la limite provoquer des brûlures sur celle-ci. De surcroît, un utilisateur non averti pourrait être déconcerté par la multitude de combinaisons offertes par l'appareil et par l'utilisation d'un accessoire et de moyens de commande non adaptés pour sécher la peau d'un bébé.The document US 5,394,620 describes such an apparatus that is used to dry the human body, several removable accessories being provided for this purpose. The problem posed by this device is that, while being provided with means for adjusting the air speed and temperature and various accessories, it does not have a good safety of use to dry the skin of a patient. baby, the intended accessories may irritate the skin of the baby, even, to the limit cause burns on it. In addition, an unsuspecting user could be confused by the multitude of combinations offered by the device and by the use of an accessory and control means unsuitable for drying the skin of a baby.

On connaît également du document US 4 848 007 un diffuseur fixé à l'extrémité de sortie d'air d'un sèche-cheveux, diffuseur qui présente un corps s'évasant vers l'extérieur et dont la surface frontale est munie de plusieurs orifices de sortie de l'air en provenance de l'appareil. La surface latérale de plus petit diamètre du diffuseur comporte des orifices allongés permettant une aspiration supplémentaire d'air frais lorsque l'appareil est en état de fonctionnement et pour permettre la sortie de l'air chaud lorsque l'appareil est arrêté. Fonctionnant à satisfaction pour le séchage des cheveux, cet appareil n'est pas adapté au séchage de la peau, la partie frontale de ce diffuseur présentant des protubérances ou des angles vifs qui pourraient heurter la peau lors d'un contact intempestif, ce qui est particulièrement préjudiciable pour le séchage d'une peau sensible comme celle d'un bébé.Document is also known US 4,848,007 a diffuser attached to the air outlet end of a hair dryer, which diffuser has an outwardly flaring body and whose front surface is provided with a plurality of air outlet ports from the device. The smaller diameter side surface of the diffuser has elongate orifices allowing additional suction of fresh air when the appliance is in working order and to allow the exit of hot air when the appliance is switched off. Functioning to the satisfaction of hair drying, this device is not suitable for drying the skin, the front part of this diffuser having protrusions or sharp angles that could hit the skin during an inadvertent contact, which is particularly detrimental to the drying of sensitive skin like that of a baby.

Le document WO99/39609 décrit un sèche-cheveux muni d'un accessoire pour réaliser la mise en forme des cheveux en étant monté à l'extrémité de sortie d'air de l'appareil, ledit accessoire comportant une paroi convexe recouverte de velours ou de poils de brosse, munie d'orifices de sortie d'air, ainsi qu'une pluralité de doigts répartis sur sa périphérie. Les doigts assez longs sont prévus pour saisir les cheveux avant qu'ils soient peignés par la surface convexe formant brosse. Un tel appareil muni d'un accessoire de mise en forme des cheveux ne peut pas être utilisé pour sécher la peau, car ses doigts pointus peuvent heurter la peau, voire frotter sur cette dernière et provoquer des irritations, rougeurs, etc. De surcroît, de tels doigts réalisés en un même matériau que le corps du diffuseur, généralement en une matière plastique dure, s'échauffent lors du fonctionnement et peuvent brûler la peau.The document WO99 / 39609 discloses a hairdryer provided with an accessory for shaping the hair by being mounted at the air outlet end of the apparatus, said accessory comprising a convex wall covered with velvet or bristles, provided with air outlets, and a plurality of fingers distributed on its periphery. The long fingers are intended to grip the hair before they are combed by the convex surface forming a brush. Such a device equipped with a hair shaping accessory can not be used to dry the skin, because its sharp fingers can hit the skin, or rub on the skin and cause irritation, redness, etc. In addition, such fingers made of the same material as the body of the diffuser, generally a hard plastic material, heat up during operation and can burn the skin.

On connaît, par ailleurs, le document US 4 391 047 qui décrit un sèche-cheveux comportant un boîtier et un diffuseur d'air agencé à l'extrémité de sortie d'air du boîtier. Le diffuseur est réalisé en une feuille mince de matériau plastique transparent souple en forme d'entonnoir. Le diffuseur présente une paroi externe concave, de forme annulaire, munie d'orifices de sortie d'air et fixée en son centre à un disque rigide comportant également des orifices de sortie d'air. Le disque central rigide assure le maintien de la forme du diffuseur lorsqu'il est déployé par l'air soufflé par l'appareil, l'extrémité de la paroi externe souple du diffuseur étant fixée par une attache élastique à ce disque. Bien que réalisé en deux matériaux différents, dont un support rigide au centre entouré d'un matériau souple à sa périphérie, ce diffuseur n'est pas adapté au séchage de la peau d'un bébé car, lorsque l'appareil souffle un flux d'air faible, la paroi annulaire du diffuseur peut rester fermée, non déployée, et le disque central rigide pourrait alors heurter, voire à la limite brûler la peau du bébé lors d'un contact accidentel avec cette dernière.It is known, moreover, the document US 4,391,047 which discloses a hair dryer having a housing and an air diffuser arranged at the air outlet end of the housing. The diffuser is made of a thin sheet of flexible transparent plastic material in the shape of a funnel. The diffuser has a concave outer wall, annular in shape, provided with air outlets and fixed at its center to a rigid disk also having air outlet orifices. The rigid central disk maintains the shape of the diffuser when it is deployed by the air blown by the device, the end of the flexible outer wall of the diffuser being fixed by an elastic fastener to the disk. Although made of two different materials, including a rigid support in the center surrounded by a flexible material at its periphery, this diffuser is not suitable for drying the skin of a baby because, when the device blows a stream of low air, the wall The ring of the diffuser may remain closed, not deployed, and the rigid central disk could then hit or even burn the baby's skin during an accidental contact with the baby.

Le séchage de la peau d'un bébé s'effectue habituellement avec une serviette en éponge ou avec des lingettes jetables. Ce type de séchage peut être sujet au développement de germes ou bactéries sur la peau sensible du bébé, voire produire des irritations lors du contact avec une lingette non adaptée. De surcroît, il peut s'accompagner d'une sensation désagréable de froid, ce qui rend le séchage encore plus insupportable pour le bébé.Drying a baby's skin is usually done with a towel or disposable wipes. This type of drying may be subject to the development of germs or bacteria on the sensitive skin of the baby, or even produce irritation when contact with a non adapted towel. In addition, it can be accompanied by an unpleasant feeling of cold, which makes the drying even more unbearable for the baby.

Le but de la présente invention est de remédier au moins en partie aux inconvénients précités et de proposer un appareil de séchage de la peau d'un bébé qui soit d'une utilisation et d'un fonctionnement sécuritaires, apte à protéger contre les blessures ou brûlures une peau sensible, telle la peau d'un bébé.The object of the present invention is to remedy at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a device for drying the skin of a baby which is of safe use and operation, able to protect against injuries or burns sensitive skin, such as a baby's skin.

Un autre but de la présente invention est un appareil de séchage de la peau d'un bébé qui soit efficace lors de son fonctionnement même à distance de la peau et qui puisse assurer, en même temps, une bonne protection de la peau du bébé lors d'un contact accidentel de la partie soufflante de l'appareil avec cette dernière.Another object of the present invention is a device for drying the skin of a baby which is effective during its operation even at a distance from the skin and which can ensure, at the same time, a good protection of the skin of the baby when accidental contact of the blower part of the appliance with the latter.

Un autre but de la présente invention est un appareil pour sécher la peau d'un bébé qui soit efficace, fiable en fonctionnement et facile à industrialiser pour un moindre coût de fabrication.Another object of the present invention is an apparatus for drying the skin of a baby that is effective, reliable in operation and easy to industrialize for a lower manufacturing cost.

Ces buts sont atteints avec un appareil de séchage de la peau d'un bébé comportant un boîtier renfermant des moyens pour faire circuler un flux d'air chaud entre une extrémité d'entrée et une extrémité de sortie dudit boîtier, une poignée, ainsi qu'un diffuseur d'air en forme de cloche agencé à l'extrémité de sortie, ledit diffuseur comportant au moins une ouverture de sortie d'air sur sa surface frontale comportant une partie d'extrémité en bi-matière, du fait que la partie d'extrémité est réalisée à base d'un premier matériau de support recouvert d'au moins un deuxième matériau formant une couche externe ayant des propriétés de toucher doux ou des propriétés d'amortissement ou ayant une effusivité thermique inférieure au premier.These objects are achieved with a baby skin drying apparatus having a housing enclosing means for circulating a flow of hot air between an inlet end and an outlet end of said housing, a handle, and a a bell-shaped air diffuser arranged at the outlet end, said diffuser having at least one air outlet opening on its front surface having a bi-material end portion, because the end portion is made from a first support material covered with at least a second outer layer material having soft touch properties or damping properties or having a thermal effusivity lower than the first.

Par diffuseur d'air en forme de cloche on comprend un dispositif de circulation d'air de section circulaire s'évasant vers l'extérieur, dispositif qui reçoit, à son extrémité d'entrée, l'air soufflé par l'appareil pour le diriger vers l'extrémité opposée ou de sortie avec une diminution de l'intensité du flux d'air reçu de l'appareil. De tels diffuseurs ont généralement une forme du type pommeau d'arrosoir de contour fermé et muni d'une pluralité d'orifices à son extrémité de sortie, voire de tube évasé ouvert à l'extrémité de sortie d'air. Un tel diffuseur peut être monté amovible par rapport à l'appareil ou il peut être fixé à demeure à l'extrémité de sortie d'air de ce dernier.A bell-shaped air diffuser comprises an air circulation device of circular section flaring outwards, which device receives, at its inlet end, the air blown by the apparatus for the direct towards the opposite end or outlet with a decrease in the intensity of the airflow received from the apparatus. Such diffusers generally have a shape of the watering can knob closed contour and provided with a plurality of orifices at its outlet end, or open flared tube at the air outlet end. Such a diffuser may be removably mounted relative to the apparatus or it may be permanently attached to the air outlet end thereof.

Par surface frontale du diffuseur on comprend la surface que voit un observateur qui tient le diffuseur orienté avec l'axe longitudinal selon la direction du regard, et qui regarde en face l'extrémité de sortie d'air du diffuseur. La partie d'extrémité de cette surface frontale est alors la partie qui se situe le plus près de l'observateur. Cette partie d'extrémité peut être une surface plane ou gauche, de préférence convexe, la partie frontale du diffuseur comportant alors un orifice de sortie d'air annulaire entourant cette partie d'extrémité, voire plusieurs orifices de sortie d'air répartis sur la partie d'extrémité et/ou autour de cette dernière. Ces orifices de sortie d'air situés sur la partie frontale du diffuseur assurent une évacuation de l'air soufflé lorsque la partie d'extrémité est posée sur la peau, évitant ainsi une obstruction totale de ces orifices par la peau.By front surface of the diffuser is understood the surface that sees an observer who holds the diffuser oriented with the longitudinal axis in the direction of gaze, and facing the air outlet end of the diffuser. The end portion of this frontal surface is then the part that is closest to the observer. This end portion may be a flat or left surface, preferably convex, the front portion of the diffuser then having an annular air outlet orifice surrounding this end portion, or several air outlet orifices distributed on the end portion and / or around the latter. These air outlet orifices located on the front part of the diffuser provide an evacuation of the air blown when the end portion is placed on the skin, thus avoiding total obstruction of these orifices by the skin.

Par une partie d'extrémité réalisée en bi-matière, on comprend une partie qui est composée d'au moins deux matériaux différents superposés. Notamment un premier matériau de base qui est du même type, voire le même, que celui du corps du diffuseur et au moins un deuxième qui a des propriétés de toucher doux (par exemple du fait qu'il comporte une dureté Shore inférieure à celle du premier matériau) ou de propriétés d'amortissement, voire d'effusivité thermique inférieure à celle du matériau de base. Une telle combinaison de deux matériaux différents superposés confère à la partie d'extrémité du diffuseur à la fois une bonne tenue mécanique et au moins une propriété complémentaire qui peut être : une meilleure protection au contact du corps chaud du diffuseur et/ou une sensation agréable au toucher et/ou une atténuation de l'impact lors du contact du diffuseur avec la peau.By an end part made of bi-material, it comprises a part which is composed of at least two different materials superimposed. In particular, a first base material which is of the same type, or even the same, as that of the body of the diffuser and at least one second which has soft touch properties (for example because it has a Shore hardness lower than the first material) or damping properties, or even thermal effusivity lower than that of the base material. Such a combination of two different superimposed materials confers on the end portion of the diffuser both good mechanical strength and at least one complementary property which can be: a better protection in contact with the hot body of the diffuser and / or a pleasant feeling to the touch and / or an attenuation of the impact when the diffuser is in contact with the skin.

Une telle partie d'extrémité en bi-matière peut être réalisée par une technique d'injection bi-matière avec un support du corps du diffuseur, ou par thermoformage avec ce dernier, par collage ou soudure sur le corps du diffuseur, ou par une fixation mécanique entre deux plaques sur le corps du diffuseur, etc.Such a bi-material end part can be made by a bi-material injection technique with a support of the body of the diffuser, or by thermoforming with the latter, by gluing or welding on the body of the diffuser, or by a mechanical fixing between two plates on the body of the diffuser, etc.

Un diffuseur utilisé avec un appareil pour sécher la peau d'un bébé doit répondre à des exigences très strictes en matière de sécurité car, la peau d'un bébé étant extrêmement sensible, elle est sujette à des irritations ou rougeurs au contact et surtout à une élévation de température au dessus d'un seuil bien établi qui doit être inférieur à 40°C. Ainsi, un appareil conçu pour sécher la peau d'un bébé doit non seulement envoyer un flux d'air de faible intensité et faible température, mais également protéger la peau en cas de contact accidentel de cette dernière avec la partie soufflante de l'appareil. Le diffuseur de l'invention a été ainsi conçu pour éviter tout risque lors du séchage à distance ainsi que lors d'un éventuel contact avec la peau du bébé, la zone de matière plus souple ou d'effusivité thermique inférieure à celle du matériau de support étant susceptible d'être mise en premier en contact avec la peau.A diffuser used with a device to dry the skin of a baby must meet very strict safety requirements because, the skin of a baby being extremely sensitive, it is prone to irritation or redness on contact and especially to a rise in temperature above a well established threshold that must be less than 40 ° C. Thus, a device designed to dry the skin of a baby must not only send a flow of low intensity and low temperature air, but also protect the skin in case of accidental contact of the latter with the blower part of the device . The diffuser of the invention was thus designed to avoid any risk during remote drying as well as during a possible contact with the skin of the baby, the area of softer material or thermal effusivity lower than the material of medium being able to be put first in contact with the skin.

De préférence, ladite partie d'extrémité est située au centre de ladite surface frontale.Preferably, said end portion is located in the center of said front surface.

La partie d'extrémité est la partie du diffuseur de l'appareil de séchage de la peau destinée à venir en contact la première avec la peau. Ainsi, pour un diffuseur de section circulaire, cette surface d'extrémité devrait être centrale de forme circulaire ou périphérique de forme annulaire afin d'assurer une bonne protection au contact. L'agencement au centre est toutefois choisi parce qu'on obtient ainsi une bonne orientation du diffuseur par rapport à la peau pour une surface de contact de dimensions relativement faibles, ainsi qu'une meilleure visibilité lors de son déplacement parallèlement à la peau.The end portion is the portion of the diffuser of the skin drying apparatus intended to come into first contact with the skin. Thus, for a diffuser of circular section, this end surface should be central ring-shaped or ring-shaped peripheral to ensure good protection against contact. The arrangement in the center is however chosen because one thus obtains a good orientation of the diffuser with respect to the skin for a surface of contact of relatively small dimensions, and better visibility when moving parallel to the skin.

Avantageusement, le diffuseur présente un contour composé de formes galbées, la surface frontale du diffuseur présentant une pluralité d'orifices de sortie d'air.Advantageously, the diffuser has a contour composed of curved shapes, the front surface of the diffuser having a plurality of air outlet orifices.

On aurait pu, certes, envisager un diffuseur en forme de tube conique évasé comportant dans sa face frontale transversale une proéminence en bi-matière au centre. On préfère toutefois un diffuseur de contour fermé composé d'une pluralité de formes galbées et muni d'orifices de sortie d'air sur sa surface frontale et, de préférence, également sur la partie d'extrémité de cette dernière. En effet, un tel diffuseur à formes galbées ne peut pas heurter la peau et assure donc une meilleure protection au contact de cette dernière et ceci sous tous les angles d'impact possibles.It would have been possible, of course, to envisage a diffuser in the form of a conical flared tube having in its transverse frontal face a bi-material prominence in the center. However, a closed contour diffuser composed of a plurality of curved shapes and provided with air outlet orifices on its front surface and preferably also on the end part thereof is preferred. Indeed, such a curved-shaped diffuser can not hit the skin and therefore provides better protection in contact with the latter and this in all possible angles of impact.

De préférence, la couche externe de ladite partie d'extrémité est un matériau de dureté Shore et d'effusivité thermique inférieures à celle du corps du diffuseur.Preferably, the outer layer of said end portion is a material of Shore hardness and thermal effusivity lower than that of the diffuser body.

L'effusivité thermique caractérise la sensation de froid ou de chaud ressentie au contact des objets différents situés à la même température, sensation due aux valeurs différentes de la température de contact de chaque objet. Une telle couche externe est donc prévue pour assurer à la fois une surface de contact agréable au toucher et une protection thermique lors de son contact avec la peau du bébé.The thermal effusivity characterizes the sensation of cold or hot felt in contact with different objects at the same temperature, sensation due to the different values of the contact temperature of each object. Such an outer layer is therefore provided to ensure both a contact surface pleasant to the touch and a thermal protection when in contact with the skin of the baby.

Avantageusement, ladite couche externe comprend un coussin amortisseur.Advantageously, said outer layer comprises a damping cushion.

Une telle couche externe arrive, de plus, à atténuer l'effet de l'impact avec la partie d'extrémité du diffuseur. De préférence, la partie externe d'un tel coussin est réalisée en un tissu à propriétés hypoallergéniques, par exemple du lycra.Such an outer layer, moreover, mitigates the effect of the impact with the end portion of the diffuser. Preferably, the outer portion of such a cushion is made of a fabric with hypoallergenic properties, for example lycra.

Utilement, la bordure de ladite couche externe est prise en sandwich sur son bord entre un support interne dudit diffuseur et une coiffe externe périphérique du corps du diffuseur.Usefully, the edge of said outer layer is sandwiched on its edge between an internal support of said diffuser and a peripheral outer cap of the body of the diffuser.

Ceci permet d'obtenir un assemblage de plusieurs pièces de formes complexes et réalisées en matériaux différents. On remarque qu'une telle solution assure tout d'abord une bonne fixation périphérique de ladite couche externe, qui peut être par exemple une couche de tissu, couche qui épouse ainsi bien le contour de son support de fixation. De plus, une telle solution assure une mise à niveau axialement de la surface frontale de la coiffe externe et celle de la partie d'extrémité passant à travers une ouverture centrale de ladite coiffe. Ceci permet d'avoir une continuité de la surface frontale du diffuseur, qui ne présente de ce fait pas de bords apparents.This makes it possible to obtain an assembly of several pieces of complex shapes and made of different materials. It should be noted that such a solution first ensures a good peripheral attachment of said outer layer, which may be for example a layer of fabric, a layer which thus fits well the contour of its fixing support. In addition, such a solution provides axially leveling of the front surface of the outer cap and that of the end portion passing through a central opening of said cap. This makes it possible to have a continuity of the front surface of the diffuser, which does not have any apparent edges.

De préférence, ledit diffuseur comporte des orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air qui sont déportés par rapport à ladite partie d'extrémité de la surface frontale.Preferably, said diffuser comprises additional air outlet orifices which are offset relative to said end portion of the front surface.

De tels orifices peuvent être prévus sur la surface du diffuseur, en étant déportés par rapport à la partie d'extrémité de la surface frontale, c'est-à-dire ayant au moins une partie de leurs orifices en dehors et en arrière (on comprend vers le boîtier) du plan tangent passant au centre de ladite partie d'extrémité. On obtient ainsi des sorties d'air supplémentaires permettant l'évacuation de l'air contenu dans le diffuseur au cas où les sorties d'air prévues sur la partie d'extrémité seraient complètement ou en partie obstruées par la peau du bébé. Ceci assure donc une sécurité contre les brûlures dues à une surchauffe de l'air envoyé par l'appareil à l'intérieur du diffuseur. Ces orifices supplémentaires pourraient, de plus, constituer des appels d'air supplémentaires qui assurent un meilleur brassage de l'air à l'intérieur du diffuseur et une baisse de la température d'air sortant du diffuseur.Such openings may be provided on the surface of the diffuser, being deported relative to the end portion of the front surface, that is to say having at least a portion of their orifices outside and behind (one comprises towards the housing) the tangent plane passing in the center of said end portion. This provides additional air outlets for evacuation of the air contained in the diffuser in case the air outlets provided on the end portion would be completely or partially blocked by the baby's skin. This therefore provides a safety against burns due to overheating of the air sent by the device inside the diffuser. These additional holes could, in addition, be additional air calls that ensure better mixing of the air inside the diffuser and a drop in the air temperature leaving the diffuser.

Avantageusement, ladite partie d'extrémité de la surface frontale se prolonge sur les côtés par une surface galbée de plus grand diamètre transversal munie d'orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air répartis sur sa périphérie. Cette surface galbée est avantageusement située dans un plan éloigné et à l'arrière du plan tangent à la surface frontale passant par son centre, la section longitudinale de cette surface peut être en arc de cercle de faible rayon, par exemple compris entre 50 et 70 mm.Advantageously, said end portion of the front surface is extended on the sides by a curved surface of larger transverse diameter provided with additional air outlet orifices distributed on its periphery. This curved surface is advantageously located in a distant plane and at the rear of the plane tangent to the frontal surface passing through its center, the longitudinal section of this surface may be in a circular arc of small radius, for example between 50 and 70 mm.

On préfère agencer les orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air sur une telle surface galbée située dans le prolongement de la surface frontale qui est donc exempte d'arêtes ou de parties tranchantes, car on augmente ainsi le nombre d'orifices de sortie sur la partie frontale pour obtenir un flux de sortie d'air encore plus diffus, évitant la montée en pression et les points chauds à l'intérieur du diffuseur.It is preferred to arrange the additional air outlet orifices on such a curved surface located in the extension of the front surface which is therefore free of ridges or cutting parts, since this increases the number of outlet orifices on the part. frontal to obtain an even more diffuse air outlet flow, avoiding the rise in pressure and the hot spots inside the diffuser.

De préférence, lesdits orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air orientent l'air soufflé dans une direction divergente par rapport à celle du flux d'air soufflé par l'appareil.Preferably, said additional air outlet orifices direct the blown air in a direction divergent with respect to that of the flow of air blown by the apparatus.

Une telle orientation assure un séchage tangentiel de la peau en même temps que le séchage frontal réalisé par l'air sortant par les ouvertures de la surface frontale du diffuseur, ce qui augmente la surface balayée par le flux d'air sortant de l'appareil et ainsi l'efficacité de l'appareil. Les orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air ont alors une forme de trémie à parois inclinées qui orientent le flux d'air en une direction inclinée par rapport à celle de l'axe longitudinal de l'appareil.Such an orientation ensures a tangential drying of the skin at the same time as the frontal drying carried out by the air exiting through the openings of the front surface of the diffuser, which increases the surface swept by the air flow leaving the appliance. and thus the efficiency of the apparatus. The additional air outlet orifices then have an inclined-walled hopper shape which directs the flow of air in a direction inclined relative to that of the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.

Avantageusement, lesdits orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air ont des sections de plus grandes dimensions que la section des orifices de sortie d'air appartenant à la partie d'extrémité, la surface totale des sections de sortie desdits orifices supplémentaires étant égale ou supérieure à celle des orifices de sortie d'air de la partie d'extrémité.Advantageously, said additional air outlet orifices have sections of larger dimensions than the section of the air outlet orifices belonging to the end portion, the total area of the outlet sections of said additional orifices being equal to or greater than that of the air outlet orifices of the end portion.

Ces orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air de grandes dimensions (comparées à celles des orifices de sortie d'air de la partie frontale) situés sur une partie galbée périphérique en retrait par rapport à la surface frontale, constituent des sorties de flux d'air plus concentré que celui sortant par les ouvertures de la surface frontale. Ainsi, avec un tel agencement d'ouvertures de sortie d'air on obtient un diffuseur qui envoie en même temps un flux d'air diffus en son centre et un flux d'air plus concentré sur sa périphérie. Les dimensions et le positionnement radial et axial de ces orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air ont été calculés de manière à obtenir une température d'air constante au centre, ainsi que sur la périphérie de la surface balayée par le flux d'air sortant du diffuseur. De surcroît, vu la surface totale des orifices de sortie d'air supplémentaires, ces orifices peuvent alors assurer un fonctionnement normal de l'appareil même lors de l'obturation complète des orifices situés sur la partie frontale du diffuseur.These additional large air outlet orifices (compared to those of the air outlet orifices of the front part) situated on a peripheral curved part set back from the front surface constitute airflow outlets. more concentrated than the one coming out through the openings of the frontal surface. Thus, with such an arrangement of air outlet openings there is obtained a diffuser which at the same time sends a diffused air flow in its center and a more concentrated air flow on its periphery. The dimensions and the radial and axial positioning of these additional air outlet orifices have been calculated so as to obtain a constant air temperature in the center, as well as on the periphery of the surface swept by the air flow coming out of the air. diffuser. In addition, given the total surface area of the additional air outlet ports, these openings can then ensure normal operation of the device even when completely closing the orifices located on the front part of the diffuser.

Utilement, l'appareil de l'invention comporte un élément chauffant électrique de puissance égale ou inférieure à 300W, de préférence égale à 200W.Usefully, the apparatus of the invention comprises an electric heating element of power equal to or less than 300W, preferably equal to 200W.

Lors de nombreux tests effectués au laboratoire, il a été établi qu'un tel élément chauffant assure un chauffage à des températures inférieures à la température seuil de la douleur, même lorsque l'appareil est amené à fonctionner à seulement quelques centimètres de la peau.In many laboratory tests, it has been established that such a heating element provides heating at temperatures below the threshold temperature of the pain, even when the appliance is operated only a few centimeters from the skin.

Avantageusement, le débit d'air soufflé par l'appareil est d'environ 30 m3/h.Advantageously, the air flow blown by the apparatus is about 30 m 3 / h.

Une telle valeur du débit d'air, nettement inférieure à celui d'un sèche-cheveux traditionnel, est suffisamment faible pour assurer un séchage en douceur d'une peau sensible telle la peau d'un bébé.Such a value of the air flow, much lower than that of a traditional hair dryer, is low enough to ensure a smooth drying of sensitive skin such as the skin of a baby.

De préférence, le procédé de séchage de la peau d'un bébé utilise un appareil de séchage de la peau selon l'invention qui est déplacé parallèlement à la peau du bébé, à une distance d'environ 5cm de cette dernière. Il a été constaté lors des tests effectués en laboratoire que la température mesurée à une distance d'environ 5 cm de la peau est voisine ou inférieure à 40°C. Ceci assure un séchage efficace, tout en utilisant un débit d'air faible, pour obtenir ainsi un séchage en douceur, à une température qui n'est pas dangereuse pour le bébé.Preferably, the method of drying the skin of a baby uses a skin drying apparatus according to the invention which is moved parallel to the baby's skin, at a distance of about 5cm from the latter. It has been found in laboratory tests that the temperature measured at a distance of about 5 cm from the skin is near or below 40 ° C. This ensures efficient drying, while using a low airflow, to obtain a gentle drying, at a temperature that is not dangerous for the baby.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'étude des modes de réalisation pris à titre nullement limitatif et illustrés dans les figures annexées dans lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 a est une vue latérale de l'appareil de l'invention;
  • la figure 1 b est une vue frontale de l'appareil de l'invention;
  • la figure 2a est une vue frontale d'un diffuseur utilisé avec l'appareil de l'invention;
  • la figure 2b est une vue en coupe axiale selon le plan A-A du diffuseur de la figure 2a.
The invention will be better understood with the study of the embodiments taken in no way limiting and illustrated in the accompanying figures in which:
  • Figure 1a is a side view of the apparatus of the invention;
  • Figure 1b is a front view of the apparatus of the invention;
  • Figure 2a is a front view of a diffuser used with the apparatus of the invention;
  • Figure 2b is an axial sectional view along the plane AA of the diffuser of Figure 2a.

Tel que visible en figures 1a et 1b, l'appareil de séchage de la peau réalisé conformément à l'invention comporte un boîtier 1 présentant une partie tubulaire 3 à l'intérieur de laquelle sont agencés un ventilateur actionné en rotation par un moteur électrique assurant la circulation de l'air entre une entrée d'air 4 située à l'arrière du boîtier 1 et une sortie d'air 5 située à l'extrémité opposée et des moyens de chauffage du flux d'air circulant à l'intérieur de l'appareil. Le boîtier 1 comporte également une poignée 2 agencée dans le prolongement de la partie tubulaire 3 de manière à former un angle inférieur à 90° avec cette dernière et supportant un câble 8 d'alimentation en énergie électrique. La poignée 2 peut être montée fixe ou articulée, afin de pouvoir être pliée, par rapport à la partie tubulaire 3. La mise en marche et l'arrêt de l'appareil se font en actionnant un interrupteur 7 placé sur la partie interne de la poignée 2, l'interrupteur 7 assurant le fonctionnement de l'appareil selon un régime optimum préétabli, ce qui confère plus de sécurité notamment pour le séchage d'une peau très sensible comme celle d'un bébé.As visible in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the skin drying apparatus produced in accordance with the invention comprises a casing 1 having a tubular portion 3 inside which there is arranged a fan actuated in rotation by an electric motor ensuring the flow of air between an air inlet 4 located at the rear of the housing 1 and an air outlet 5 located at the opposite end and heating means of the air flow flowing inside of the device. The housing 1 also comprises a handle 2 arranged in the extension of the tubular portion 3 so as to form an angle less than 90 ° with the latter and supporting a cable 8 for supplying electrical energy. The handle 2 can be mounted fixed or articulated, so as to be folded, relative to the tubular portion 3. The start and stop of the device are done by operating a switch 7 placed on the inner part of the handle 2, the switch 7 ensuring the operation of the device at a preset optimum speed, which confers more security especially for the drying of a very sensitive skin like that of a baby.

L'appareil de séchage de la peau comporte également un diffuseur 10 permettant de modifier la forme de la section de l'orifice de l'extrémité de sortie d'air 5 et/ou l'intensité du flux d'air soufflé par l'appareil. Le diffuseur 10 peut être monté amovible à l'extrémité de sortie d'air 5 du boîtier 1, par exemple par une fixation à baïonnettes, par un assemblage forcé, etc. Toutefois, pour des raisons de sécurité on préfère un montage fixe, indémontable du diffuseur par rapport à l'appareil.The skin drying apparatus also comprises a diffuser 10 for modifying the shape of the section of the orifice of the air outlet end 5 and / or the intensity of the air flow blown by the air outlet 5 apparatus. The diffuser 10 may be removably mounted to the air outlet end 5 of the housing 1, for example by bayonet attachment, forced assembly, etc. However, for security reasons it is preferred a fixed mounting, indémontable diffuser relative to the device.

Tel que mieux visible aux figures 2a et 2b, le diffuseur 10 comporte un corps 11 ayant une forme en cloche et présentant une surface frontale 14 à son extrémité de sortie d'air. Le corps 11 est creux de section circulaire concentrique à l'axe longitudinal de la partie tubulaire 3 ou à la direction du flux d'air soufflé par l'appareil, section circulaire s'évasant entre une partie de fixation 9 à l'extrémité de sortie d'air 5 de l'appareil et une partie terminale 13 située à l'extrémité opposée. La partie terminale 13 est assemblée avec une coiffe 20 de forme convexe munie d'une ouverture 21 en son centre. L'ouverture 21 peut avoir une forme circulaire, polygonale ou toute autre forme à contour fermé. Une partie d'extrémité 15 est une pièce agencée sur la face interne de la coiffe 20 et ressort par l'ouverture 21 de cette dernière de manière à ce que leurs bords respectifs soient situés axialement au même niveau. La partie d'extrémité 15 a, de préférence, une forme convexe qui suit le profil de la coiffe 20 et elle comporte une pluralité d'ouvertures de sortie d'air 12 uniformément reparties sur sa surface. Le diffuseur 10 présente ainsi une forme galbée sur sa partie sortant de l'appareil et il est donc exempt de doigts ou toute autre protubérance pointue qui pourrait s'avérer agressive lors du contact avec la peau. Le diffuseur peut avantageusement être réalisé en un matériau plastique, par exemple du polypropylène, par une technique d'injection.As best seen in Figures 2a and 2b, the diffuser 10 comprises a body 11 having a bell-shaped shape and having a front surface 14 at its air outlet end. The body 11 is hollow with a circular section concentric with the longitudinal axis of the tubular part 3 or with the direction of the flow of air blown by the apparatus, circular section flaring between a fixing portion 9 at the end of air outlet 5 of the apparatus and an end portion 13 at the opposite end. The end portion 13 is assembled with a cap 20 of convex shape provided with an opening 21 at its center. The opening 21 may have a circular shape, polygonal or any other shape with closed contour. An end portion 15 is a part arranged on the inner face of the cap 20 and out through the opening 21 of the latter so that their respective edges are located axially at the same level. The end portion 15 preferably has a convex shape which follows the profile of the cap 20 and has a plurality of air outlet openings 12 uniformly distributed over its surface. The diffuser 10 thus has a curved shape on its part leaving the device and is therefore free of fingers or any other pointed protuberance that could prove to be aggressive when in contact with the skin. The diffuser may advantageously be made of a plastic material, for example polypropylene, by an injection technique.

Plus particulièrement selon la vue en coupe de la figure 2b, la partie d'extrémité 15 présente une section en arc de cercle de rayon important, par exemple compris entre 100 mm et 140 mm et la périphérie formée par la coiffe 20 présente également une section en arc de cercle de rayon beaucoup plus court, notamment compris entre 50 et 70 mm. La jonction des deux parties se fait dans un plan de tangence pour éviter toute aspérité ou partie saillante. Un tel diffuseur réalisé par plusieurs pièces ainsi assemblées présente donc une surface frontale continue et lisse.More particularly according to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2b, the end portion 15 has an arcuate section of large radius, for example between 100 mm and 140 mm, and the periphery formed by the cap 20 also has a section. in an arc of radius much shorter, in particular between 50 and 70 mm. The junction of the two parts is done in a plane of tangency to avoid any roughness or projecting part. Such a diffuser made by several pieces thus assembled thus has a continuous and smooth front surface.

Plus particulièrement selon l'invention, la partie d'extrémité 15 est réalisée en bi-matière, c'est à dire à base d'au moins deux matériaux différents superposés, notamment en un premier matériau plus rigide qui forme support pour au moins un deuxième matériau ayant une effusivité thermique inférieure au premier, ou un matériau plus souple ou ayant une surface de contact agréable au toucher, ce deuxième matériau étant susceptible de venir le premier en contact avec la peau. Dans la réalisation mieux visible à la figure 2b, le premier matériau rigide est représenté par le support 18 réalisé par exemple en polypropylène, et le deuxième matériau, plus souple, est représenté par la couche externe 17. Le support 18 comporte sur sa surface des perforations communiquant avec les ouvertures de sortie d'air 12 de la couche externe 17. La couche externe 17 comporte une bordure 24 périphérique qui est prise en sandwich en vue de sa fixation au corps 11 du diffuseur 10, entre le support 18 et une bordure interne de la coiffe 20 la recouvrant. Les trois parties sont ensuite rendues solidaires par un procédé d'assemblage non démontable, telle une soudure périphérique ou par rivetage périphérique, ou par collage, etc. Le sous-ensemble coiffe 23 ainsi obtenu est ensuite fixé, de préférence de manière non démontable, à la partie terminale 13 du corps 11 du diffuseur 10.More particularly according to the invention, the end portion 15 is made of bi-material, that is to say based on at least two different superimposed materials, in particular a first, more rigid material which forms a support. for at least one second material having a thermal effusivity lower than the first, or a softer material or having a contact surface pleasant to the touch, this second material being likely to come first in contact with the skin. In the embodiment that is better visible in FIG. 2b, the first rigid material is represented by the support 18 made for example of polypropylene, and the second, more flexible material, is represented by the outer layer 17. The support 18 comprises on its surface perforations communicating with the air outlet openings 12 of the outer layer 17. The outer layer 17 has a peripheral edge 24 which is sandwiched for attachment to the body 11 of the diffuser 10, between the support 18 and a border internal of the cap 20 covering it. The three parts are then secured by a non-removable assembly method, such as a peripheral weld or by peripheral riveting, or by gluing, etc. The cap subassembly 23 thus obtained is then fixed, preferably non-releasably, to the end portion 13 of the body 11 of the diffuser 10.

La couche externe 17 peut être constituée par une couche de tissu (notamment un tissu hypoallergénique), de cuir, de matériau de flocage, de plastique souple (thermoplastique polyoléfine, polychlorure de vinyle), ou alors elle peut présenter une structure multicouches.The outer layer 17 may be constituted by a layer of fabric (including a hypoallergenic fabric), leather, flocking material, flexible plastic (thermoplastic polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride), or it may have a multilayer structure.

Dans un exemple préféré de l'invention, la couche externe 17 est un coussinet multicouches composé d'un noyau ou âme en une couche de mousse, par exemple une mousse polyéthylène ou une mousse polyuréthane, enveloppé(e) de deux couches supérieure et inférieure, notamment une couche de lycra et une couche de satin, le coussinet étant scellé par soudure sur sa périphérie. Un tel coussinet est ensuite pris en sandwich entre le support 18 et la coiffe 20 comme précédemment décrit, avec la couche de lycra, qui a de bonnes propriétés hypoallergéniques, orientée vers l'extérieur du diffuseur, susceptible de venir la première en contact avec la peau afin d'offrir un contact agréable avec cette dernière. Ce coussinet présente des perforations uniformément réparties sur sa surface.In a preferred example of the invention, the outer layer 17 is a multilayer pad composed of a core or core in a layer of foam, for example a polyethylene foam or a polyurethane foam, wrapped with two layers upper and lower , in particular a layer of lycra and a layer of satin, the pad being sealed by welding on its periphery. Such a pad is then sandwiched between the support 18 and the cap 20 as previously described, with the layer of lycra, which has good hypoallergenic properties, facing the outside of the diffuser, likely to come first in contact with the skin to provide a pleasant contact with the skin. This pad has perforations evenly distributed on its surface.

A titre d'exemple, l'épaisseur du coussinet formant la couche externe 17 est d'environ 3 mm et celle de son support 18 de 2 mm.For example, the thickness of the pad forming the outer layer 17 is about 3 mm and that of its support 18 by 2 mm.

Selon un autre aspect avantageux de l'invention, la coiffe 20 présente des orifices supplémentaires 22 de sortie d'air agencées sur son pourtour. Ces orifices supplémentaires 22 ont des dimensions suffisamment importantes pour laisser sortir le flux d'air soufflé par l'appareil en cas d'obturation totale ou partielle des ouvertures de sortie d'air 12 de la partie d'extrémité 15. De surcroît, les parois internes des orifices supplémentaires 22 sont munies d'ailettes inclinées qui dirigent le flux d'air sortant par ces orifices selon une direction divergente à celle du flux d'air soufflé par l'appareil orienté, lui, selon l'axe longitudinal de la partie tubulaire 3. A titre d'exemple, le flux d'air sortant par les orifices supplémentaires 22 fait un angle compris entre 45° et 75° avec l'axe longitudinal de l'appareil. Ainsi, l'air soufflé par l'appareil sort du diffuseur 10 selon deux directions : une première qui est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe longitudinal de l'appareil et une deuxième direction divergente par rapport à ce dernier, ce qui permet de balayer une surface plus importante de peau, tout en utilisant un flux d'air doux, avec un gain important en efficacité de l'appareil.According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the cap 20 has additional air outlet orifices 22 arranged on its periphery. These additional orifices 22 have sufficiently large dimensions to let out the flow of air blown by the apparatus in case of total or partial closure of the air outlet openings 12 of the end portion 15. In addition, the internal walls of the additional orifices 22 are provided with inclined fins which direct the flow of air exiting through these orifices in a direction divergent to that of the flow of air blown by the oriented apparatus, itself, along the longitudinal axis of the As an example, the flow of air exiting through the additional orifices 22 makes an angle between 45 ° and 75 ° with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. Thus, the air blown by the apparatus exits the diffuser 10 in two directions: a first which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and a second direction divergent with respect to the latter, which makes it possible to scan a larger area of skin, while using a gentle airflow, with a significant gain in efficiency of the device.

De manière avantageuse, les orifices supplémentaires 22 de sortie d'air sont pratiqués sur la périphérie de la partie d'extrémité 15 comportant, elle, les ouvertures de sortie d'air 12 sur sa surface. Ceci permet d'obtenir au centre une partie d'extrémité 15 de courbure plus faible qui s'adapte mieux à la surface de la peau et à la périphérie une courbure plus prononcée afin de permettre aux orifices supplémentaires 22 de sortie d'air d'être suffisamment en retrait par rapport à la surface de la peau. Il a été constaté que cette condition était respectée pour un rapport entre le rayon de courbure de la partie centrale ou d'extrémité 15 et celui de la coiffe 20 de 2:1, pour un diffuseur ayant un diamètre d'environ 100mm.Advantageously, the additional air outlet orifices 22 are formed on the periphery of the end portion 15, it, the air outlet openings 12 on its surface. This makes it possible to obtain in the center a lower end portion 15 of curvature which adapts better to the surface of the skin and to the periphery a more pronounced curvature in order to allow the additional air outlet orifices 22 of be sufficiently recessed from the surface of the skin. It has been found that this condition is respected for a ratio between the radius of curvature of the central or end portion 15 and that of the cap 20 of 2: 1, for a diffuser having a diameter of about 100mm.

Utilement, l'ouverture 21 pratiquée dans la coiffe 20 présente une forme en étoile laissant apparaître une partie d'extrémité 15 de même forme, partie d'extrémité 15 comportant des orifices de sortie 12 sur toute sa surface. Les orifices supplémentaires de sortie d'air 22 sont agencés autour de la partie d'extrémité 15, sur la bordure périphérique de la coiffe 20 et ont une forme triangulaire, tels que regardés de face, le sommet de chaque triangle étant inséré entre deux bras adjacents de l'étoile. Ceci permet de remplir de perforations autant que possible la surface frontale soufflante du diffuseur pour ainsi obtenir un flux d'air diffus, de faible intensité et éviter l'apparition d'éventuels points chauds à l'intérieur du diffuseur.Usefully, the opening 21 made in the cap 20 has a star shape revealing an end portion 15 of the same shape, part end 15 having outlet orifices 12 over its entire surface. The additional air outlet orifices 22 are arranged around the end portion 15, on the peripheral edge of the cap 20 and have a triangular shape, as viewed from the front, the top of each triangle being inserted between two arms adjacent to the star. This makes it possible to fill the diffuser front surface with as much perforation as possible so as to obtain a diffuse, low intensity air flow and to avoid the appearance of any hot spots inside the diffuser.

Dans une variante non représentée aux dessins, le diffuseur présente une forme tubulaire évasée ouverte à sa partie terminale, une partie d'extrémité, protubérante par rapport à la partie terminale du diffuseur, étant alors prévue au centre du diffuseur en étant supportée par des nervures périphériques à l'intérieur de ce dernier. Cette partie d'extrémité présente une surface frontale plane ou convexe, sans présenter d'arête vive ou d'aspérité, et ayant une surface suffisamment importante pour réaliser un contact de surface avec la peau. Une telle partie d'extrémité est réalisée en bi-matière, en recouvrant le matériau du support (réalisé en un même matériau que le corps du diffuseur, par exemple du polypropylène) d'une couche de matériau textile ou d'un matériau de flocage, avec du cuir, ou avec un matériau du type thermoplastique polyoléfine, etc.In a variant not shown in the drawings, the diffuser has a flared tubular shape open at its end portion, an end portion, protruding with respect to the end portion of the diffuser, then being provided in the center of the diffuser being supported by ribs peripherals inside the latter. This end portion has a planar or convex frontal surface, without presenting a sharp edge or roughness, and having a surface large enough to make a surface contact with the skin. Such an end portion is made of bi-material, covering the material of the support (made of the same material as the body of the diffuser, for example polypropylene) with a layer of textile material or a flocking material. , with leather, or with a material of the thermoplastic polyolefin type, etc.

D'autres variantes de l'invention peuvent être envisagées sans sortir du cadre de ses revendications.Other variants of the invention may be envisaged without departing from the scope of its claims.

Ainsi, on peut envisager de réaliser une partie d'extrémité en bi-matière par injection de deux matériaux différents, par exemple du caoutchouc sur du plastique. On pourrait également envisager un thermoformage d'un matériau du type thermoplastique polyoléfine ou du polychlorure de vinyle, avec, éventuellement interposition d'une couche de mousse, sur un matériau support du type polypropylène.Thus, it is conceivable to make a bi-material end part by injection of two different materials, for example rubber onto plastic. Thermoforming of a material of the thermoplastic polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride type could also be envisaged, possibly with the interposition of a layer of foam on a polypropylene type support material.

Claims (14)

  1. An appliance for drying the skin of a baby, the appliance comprising a housing (1) containing means for causing a stream of hot air to flow between an inlet end (4) and an outlet end (5) of said housing (1), a handle (2), and a bell-shaped air diffuser (10) arranged at the outlet end, said diffuser having at least one air outlet opening (12) in its front surface (14) that includes an end portion (15) made of two materials, the appliance being characterized in that the end portion (15) is made on the basis of a supporting first material (18) covered in at least one second material forming an outer layer (17) having soft touch properties or damping properties or presenting thermal effusivity that is less than that of the first material.
  2. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said end portion (15) is situated in the center of said front surface (14).
  3. An appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the diffuser (10) presents an outline made up of rounded shapes, the front surface (14) of the diffuser (10) presenting a plurality of air outlet orifices (12).
  4. An appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer layer (17) of said end portion (15) is a material having Shore hardness and thermal effusivity that are less than those of the body (11) of the diffuser (10).
  5. An appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that said outer layer (17) comprises a damper pad.
  6. An appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the margin of said outer layer (17) is sandwiched at its edge between an internal support (18) of said diffuser (10) and a peripheral outer cover (20) of the body (11) of the diffuser (10).
  7. An appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said diffuser (10) has additional air outlet orifices (22) that are offset relative to said end portion (15) of the front surface (14).
  8. An appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said end portion (15) of the front surface (14) extends over the sides of a rounded surface of greater transverse diameter that is provided with additional air outlet orifices (22) distributed at its periphery.
  9. An appliance according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that said additional air outlet orifices (22) direct the blown air in a direction that diverges relative to the direction of the air stream blown by the appliance.
  10. An appliance according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that said additional air outlet orifices (22) are of sections of greater dimensions than the section of the air outlet orifices (12) belonging to the end portion (15), the total area of the outlet sections of said additional orifices (22) being equal to or greater than the total area of the air outlet orifices (12) of the end portion (15).
  11. An appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it includes an electric heater element of power equal to or less than 300 W, preferably equal to 200 W.
  12. An appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the flow rate of air blown by the appliance is about 30 m3/h.
  13. An appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the treatment measured at a distance of about 5 cm from the skin is close to or less than 40°C.
  14. A method of drying the skin of a baby, the method being characterized in that it uses a skin dryer appliance according to any preceding claim that is moved parallel to the skin of the baby at a distance of about 5 cm therefrom.
EP04767300A 2003-06-11 2004-06-09 Skin drying appliance Expired - Lifetime EP1633217B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0306966A FR2855957B1 (en) 2003-06-11 2003-06-11 APPARATUS FOR DRYING THE SKIN
PCT/FR2004/001434 WO2004110203A2 (en) 2003-06-11 2004-06-09 Skin drying appliance

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1633217A2 EP1633217A2 (en) 2006-03-15
EP1633217B1 true EP1633217B1 (en) 2007-12-12

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04767300A Expired - Lifetime EP1633217B1 (en) 2003-06-11 2004-06-09 Skin drying appliance

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EP (1) EP1633217B1 (en)
FR (1) FR2855957B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004110203A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009049838A1 (en) 2009-10-16 2011-04-21 Marion Perplies Air apparatus i.e. hair drying apparatus, for blow-drying of infants and small children with air, has protection unit preventing passing of fluid towards components guiding current into interior of housing by fluid jet
WO2017177272A1 (en) * 2016-04-14 2017-10-19 Tomlinson, Michael Body dryer
USD1026311S1 (en) 2021-03-02 2024-05-07 Dyson Technology Limited Hair dryer
JP1706982S (en) 2021-03-02 2022-02-07 Accessories for hair care equipment
JP1706979S (en) 2021-03-02 2022-02-07 Accessories for hair care equipment
USD1028344S1 (en) 2021-03-02 2024-05-21 Dyson Technology Limited Hair dryer
USD1020084S1 (en) 2021-03-02 2024-03-26 Dyson Technology Limited Accessory for hair styling and hair care apparatus
JP1706981S (en) 2021-03-02 2022-02-07 Accessories for hair care equipment
JP1706980S (en) 2021-03-02 2022-02-07 Accessories for hair care equipment
JP1707006S (en) 2021-03-02 2022-02-07 Accessories for hair care equipment

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL7902158A (en) * 1979-03-20 1980-09-23 Philips Nv HAND HAIR DRYER.
US4848007A (en) * 1987-12-30 1989-07-18 Helen Of Troy Corporation Diffuser attachment for a hair dryer
US5060398A (en) * 1990-05-02 1991-10-29 John Wolens Air diffuser
US5275339A (en) * 1992-12-10 1994-01-04 Andis Company Diffuser for hair dryer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2855957A1 (en) 2004-12-17
WO2004110203A2 (en) 2004-12-23
WO2004110203A3 (en) 2005-02-17
EP1633217A2 (en) 2006-03-15
FR2855957B1 (en) 2006-07-07

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