Hair Treatment Apparatus With Improved Sealing

Abstract

Hair treatment apparatus having: -first and second arms which are movable with respect to each other and can adopt a spaced-apart configuration, for introduction of a lock of hair between them, and a closed configuration for treatment of the lock of hair, first and second contact surfaces carried respectively by the first and second arms and arranged opposite each other, at least one of the contact surfaces providing heat, -at least one steam outlet carried by one of the arms at a distance from the contact surface situated on the same arm, in order to expose the hairs engaged between the arms to the steam, -at least the first arm having at least one first part supporting the first contact surface and at least one second part distinct from the first part and separated from the latter, -an elastically deformable sealing element having a proximal portion extending at least partially around the first contact surface between the latter and the first support part, and a distal portion extending in contact with the second part, the proximal portion and the distal portion being connected by an intermediate portion extending between the first and second parts and configured to form a screen to the steam.

1 . The device for treating the hair, comprising:
 a first and a second arms movable with respect to each other, configured to take on a configuration where the first and second arms are apart in order to introduce a lock of hair between them, and a configuration where the first and second arms are closed for the treatment of the lock of hair, where first and second contact surfaces are carried respectively by the first and second arms, arranged opposite, with at least one of said contact surfaces configured to heat up;   at least one steam outlet carried by one of the first and second arms at a distance from the corresponding contact surface located on the same arm, in order to expose the hair engaged between the first and second arms to steam,   
       wherein at least the first arm comprises at least a first part for supporting the first contact surface and at least one second part different from the first part and separate from the first part, an elastically deformable sealing element comprising a proximal portion extending at least partially around the first contact surface between the second part and the first part and a distal portion extending in contact with the second part, the proximal and distal portions connected by an intermediate portion extending between the first and second parts and configured to form a steam screen. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion extends around the entire periphery of the first contact surface. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion is pinched between the first contact surface and a rib of the first part, having a cross section, generally H-shaped, with a groove engaged in a return of the first contact surface and an opposite groove engaged in said rib of the first part. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to the preceding  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion is pinched between the second part and a third internal part of the first arm. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second part has a groove in which the distal portion is received at least partially, and wherein the third part has a rib applying on the distal portion directly above said groove. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate portion has at least one bend in cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate portion is curved concave towards the opposite arm, with a U-shaped bottom in the cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface has a generally rectangular contour and the intermediate portion and the distal portion extend around three of the four sides of the first contact surface only. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the intermediate portion and the distal portion are absent from the side of the first contact surface furthest from said at least one steam outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface is pivotally mounted on the first arm by a ball joint. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion has a height which varies along at least one side of the first surface contact. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the height of the intermediate portion is minimal, substantially at mid-length of at least one side of the first contact surface and grows towards the ends of said side. 
     
     
         13 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element has a shape that is not symmetrical with respect to a median plane passing through the first contact surface parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device and perpendicular to the heated surface of the first contact surface facing the second contact surface. 
     
     
         14 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is present on one of the first and second arms, and said at least one steam outlet is carried by the other of the first and second arms. 
     
     
         15 . The device, according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cartridge containing a cosmetic composition, the second part serving to support said cartridge, and having a slide in which the cartridge is engaged. 
     
     
         16 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein the second part faces said at least one steam outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The device, according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one comb comprising at least one row of teeth, the comb carried by the second arm. 
     
     
         18 . The device, according to  claim 1 , further comprising a confined area around said at least one steam outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the confined area is delimited by at least one of the following elements: a cartridge of composition to be applied to the lock of hair, a comb and a containment structure disposed substantially opposite said at least one steam outlet, wherein the containment structure comprises at least one groove facing said at least one steam outlet ( 20 ) and, when the device comprises a comb, a cover of said comb, the second part, one side of the first and of the second surfaces of contact, or any other element of the device partially creating a confinement around said at least one steam outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The device, according to  claim 1 , further comprising a seal positioned behind said at least one steam outlet behind the last nozzle, on the side of the grip area of the device, wherein said seal is fixed on the second arm, and is configured to come into contact with the first arm in position close to the first and second arms, and wherein the seal is arranged between the end of said at least one steam outlet and a pivot connection allowing the first and second arms to form a clamp. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the third part has an elongated wall in a direction of the grip area of the device, towards the rear of the device.