HAIR DRYER

Abstract

 Provided is a hair treatment device for treatment of hair. The device comprises an air inlet portion comprising an air inlet being positioned at the front side of the hair treatment device to face user's hair when in use; an air flow generator arranged for drawing air into the device via the air inlet; at least two output portions partially surrounding the air inlet portion so that at least part of the air inlet portion is positioned in-between the at least two output portions; each of the at least two output portions comprising a first air outlet for output a first air flow in a direction towards the user or inwardly towards the air inlet; a bottom portion surrounding a bottom part of the air inlet portion; wherein the bottom portion is arranged to either not output air flow, or to output a second air flow downwards away from the air inlet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a hair treatment device, more specifically a hair dryer with air flow blown in different direction in different portions of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Prior art hair dryers generally comprise a housing, an air inlet allowing air to enter the housing, a fan to move the air from the air inlet via a heater to an air outlet where heated air leaves the housing.

[0003] WO2022157056A1 discloses a hair dryer for generating an air flow, the hair dryer comprising a curved shape unit defining an outer surface of the hair dryer, a first part of the outer surface being at an angle to a desired direction of the air flow, and a second part of the outer surface being aligned with the desired direction of the air flow; a fan unit at the first part of the outer surface, the fan unit having an air inlet, and an air outlet arranged for blowing air along the first part of the outer surface; and a heater arranged for heating a user's hair.

[0004] US2021/307479A1 discloses a hair dryer comprising a primary air flow path extending from an inlet port provided on a first side of the hair dryer and extending to an outlet port. A water collection member can be located inward of the inlet port.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is, inter alia, an object of the invention to provide alternative designs of a hair dryer, which may be more efficient than existing hair dryers. The invention is defined by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a hair treatment device is proposed, comprising:

an air inlet portion comprising an air inlet being positioned at the front side of the hair treatment device to face user's hair when in use;

an air flow generator arranged for drawing air into the device via the air inlet;

at least two output portions partially surrounding the air inlet portion so that at least part of the air inlet portion is positioned in-between the at least two output portions; each of the at least two output portions comprising a first air outlet for output a first air flow in a direction towards the user or inwardly towards the air inlet;

a bottom portion surrounding a bottom part of the air inlet portion; wherein the bottom portion is arranged to either not output air flow, or to output a second air flow downwards away from the air inlet.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, another hair treatment device is proposed, comprising:

an air inlet portion comprising an air inlet being positioned at the front side of the hair treatment device to face user's hair when in use;

an air flow generator arranged for drawing air into the device via the air inlet;

a top portion surrounding a top part of the air inlet portion, an output portion positioned on the top portion, comprising a first air outlet for output a first air flow in a direction towards the user or inwardly towards the air inlet;

a bottom portion surrounding a bottom part of the air inlet portion, wherein the bottom portion is arranged to output downwards a second air flow away from the air inlet.

[0009] It is noted that the aforementioned two devices the former one comprises at least two output portions, and the bottom portion does not output air flow, or to output a second air flow, the latter one comprises only one output portion and the bottom portion is arranged to output the second air flow. The following further embodiments can be used for the aforementioned two devices.

[0010] Advantageously, the above devices may comprise an upper portion connected with the bottom portion to form an annular portion surrounding the air inlet portion, when in use the upper portion is intended to be closer to the root of user's hair than the bottom portion, wherein the at least two output portions being positioned on the upper portion.

[0011] Advantageously, the upper portion comprises a top portion surrounding the top part of the air inlet portion, and a middle portion positioned in between the top portion and the bottom portion.

[0012] When in use the top portion and the middle portion is intended to be closer to the root of user's hair than the bottom portion, and the top portion is closest to the root of the user's hair than the middle portion and the bottom portion.

[0013] The shape of the annular portion is selected from the following: circular, polygonal, and the combination of circular and polygonal. The polygonal includes triangle, rectangular, pentagon, hexagon or more sides.

[0014] Advantageously, the above devices may comprise a heating element to heat air drawn into the device.

[0015] Advantageously, the above devices may comprise a handle portion for gripping the device.

[0016] Advantageously, one or more of output portions are arranged to guide at least part of the first air flow towards the air inlet.

[0017] Advantageously, the one or more of output portions comprising one or more of the following output portions:

a first output portion comprising an exterior curving surface curving towards the air inlet to guide the first air flow from the first air outlet towards the air inlet;

a second output portion comprising an air guiding element extending from a base of the second output portion towards the air inlet to guide the first air flow towards the air inlet;

a third output portion comprising an air guiding channel to receive and guide air blown from the air flow generator towards the first air outlet; the air guiding channel being configured to guide at least part of the first air flow towards the air inlet.

[0018] Advantageously, the air guiding element comprises a duct to guide the first air flow towards the air inlet, or comprises a curved surface curving towards the air inlet to guide the first air flow from the first air outlet towards the air inlet.

[0019] Advantageously, the top portion comprises either the first output portion or the third output portion, and the middle portion comprises a pair of the second output portion symmetrically positioned on the middle portion.

[0020] Advantageously, the annular portion having a length from the upper edge of the top portion to lower edge of the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion extends circumferentially less than one third of the length in the vertical direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] 

Fig. 1A schematically shows a front view of a hair treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1B shows cross section view of Fig. 1A from X-X direction.

Fig. 1C shows cross section view of Fig. 1A from Y-Y direction.

Fig. 1D shows a stereogram of the hair treatment device of Fig. 1A.

Fig. 2A schematically shows a front view of a hair treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2B shows cross section view of Fig. 2A from Y-Y direction.

Fig. 3A schematically shows a front view of a hair treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3B shows cross section view of Fig. 3A from Y-Y direction.

Fig. 3C shows cross section view of Fig. 3A from X-X direction.

Fig. 3D shows a stereogram of the hair treatment device of Fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A schematically shows a front view of a hair treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4B shows cross section view of Fig. 4A from X-X direction.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a cross section view of a hair treatment device according to another embodiment.

Fig. 6A schematically shows a front view of a hair treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6B shows cross section view of Fig. 6A from Y-Y direction.

Fig. 7A schematically shows a front view of a hair treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7B shows cross section view of Fig. 7A from Y-Y direction.

Fig. 8 schematically depicts an annular portion of a hair treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Provided is a hair treatment device for treating of hair including drying and/or styling hair. The hair treatment device comprises an air inlet portion comprising an air inlet. The air inlet is positioned at the front side of the hair treatment device. In the context of this application, the front side means the side of the hair treatment device that faces user's hair when in use. The hair treatment device also comprises an air flow generator for drawing air from the environment into the hair treatment device via the air inlet and a heating element to heat air drawn into the device.

[0023] The hair treatment device further comprises at least two output portions partially surrounding the air inlet portion so that at least part of the air inlet portion is positioned in-between the at least two output portions. Each of the at least two output portions comprise a first air outlet for output a first air flow.

[0024] The first air flow is output in a direction towards the user, in other words, in a direction that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the air inlet. This direction may also be referred to as longitudinal direction, i.e the direction from rear side of the device to the front side of the device.

[0025] Alternatively, the first air flow may be output in a direction inwardly towards the air inlet.

[0026] The hair treatment device further comprises a bottom portion surrounding a bottom part of the air inlet portion.

[0027] Because the air inlet is at the front side of the treatment device, when the user uses the hair treatment device, and thus user's hair may be drawn towards the air inlet portion, and the user's hair may even touch against the surface of the air inlet portion. When the user moves the treatment device, the user's hair can thus move along the surface of the air inlet portion. This can be benefit as hair may be smoothed by moving along the surface of the air inlet portion together with the effect of the first air flow.

[0028] However, it is found that if the air flow output from the bottom portion is not properly arranged, the user's hair will be blown away by the air flow from the bottom portion. To avoid this issue, the bottom portion of the hair treatment device, according to an example of the present invention, is arranged to either not output air flow or to output a second air flow downward away from the air inlet. When the second air flow downwards away from the air inlet, it moves downward towards/incline to the plane defined by the air inlet/air inlet portion.

[0029] With this arrangement on the bottom portion, user's hair will be more organized or "tamed" and this also gives a smoother feeling to the user after applying the first air flow on user's hair.

[0030] The hair treatment device may also comprise a heating element to heat air drawn into the device to provide heated air. The heating element can be positioned anywhere inside the device as long as the air can be heated before it is output from the outlet.

[0031] Fig. 1A~Fig. 1D show a front view, cross section views and stereogram of a hair treatment device 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. A hair treatment device 100 for blowing air for treating hair including drying and/or styling. Styling in the context of this invention includes but is not limited to smoothing, straightening, volumizing, curling, etc.

[0032] The hair treatment device 100 comprises an air inlet portion 101. The air inlet portion comprises an air inlet 102 and a grill 112 covers the air inlet 102. The air inlet portion 101 is positioned at the front side of the hair treatment device 100. The front side is the side that will face user's hair when the device is used by the user.

[0033] An air flow generator 103 is arranged in the hair treatment device for drawing air from the environment via the air inlet 102.

[0034] The hair treatment device 100 further includes an annular portion 104 surrounding the air inlet portion 101. The annular portion 104 comprises a top portion 105 surrounding a top part of the air inlet portion 101, a bottom portion 106 surrounding a bottom part of the air inlet portion, and two middle portions 107 and 108 surround the left side of the air inlet portion 101 and the right side of the air inlet portion 101 respectively.

[0035] The middle portion 107 and 108 each upwardly connected to the top portion 105 and downwards connected to the bottom portion 106 respectively. The top portion 105 and the middle portions 107 and 108 are collectively referred to as upper portion 109. The upper portion 109 (including top portion 105 and the two middle portions 107 and 108) and the bottom portion 106 together forms the annular portion 104.

[0036] In the context of the present invention, the term "top", "upper", "bottom" should be interpreted as, when in use, the user moves the front side of the hair treatment device 100 along hair for applying air flow to hair, the upper portion of the annular portion is intended to be closer to the root of user's hair than the bottom portion. Similarly, the term "top portion" means when in use the top portion is intended to be at the top and is closest to the root of user's hair comparing with the other portions of the annular portion. The term "bottom portion" means when in use the bottom portion is intended to be closest to the tail of the user's hair than the other portions of the annular portion 104.

[0037] The upper portion 109 comprises at least two output portions. Each of the at least two output portions comprise a first air outlet for output a first air flow. As shown in Fig. 1A~Fig. 1D, there are three output portions. Output portion 115 comprises an outlet 125 and is positioned on the top portion 105. Output portion 117 comprises an outlet 127 and is positioned on the left middle portion 107. Output portion 118 comprises an outlet 128 and is positioned on the right middle portion 108. In the first embodiment, the first air flows AF10, AF11, AF12 output by the three output portions115, 117 and 118 are all perpendicular to the plane defined by the air inlet i.e towards user. The output portions can be two or more depending on different shape and arrangement of the device, and each of the direction of the first air flow from different output portions can be different, this will be explained hereinafter.

[0038] The bottom portion 106 is arranged to not output air flow. When the bottom portion does not output air flow, there is no air outlet arranged on the bottom portion. In this way, the tail of hair will not be blown out, and thus make sure the strand of hair being treated by the device better attracted by the air inlet portion and thus more tamed (organized) and will have smoother feeling after treatment.

[0039] Because the bottom portion does not output air flow, the bottom portion does not need inner air flow path and thus the bottom portion may be just a single wall surrounds the bottom part of the inlet portion and connecting with the upper portion. The bottom portion of the annular portion being a wall may even share the same wall with the external wall of the bottom part of the air inlet portion.

[0040] Alternatively, a second embodiment according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. A hair treatment device 200 comprises a bottom portion 206 having a bottom output portion 216. The device 200 is different from the device 100 in that device 200 comprises a bottom output portion 216 with a second outlet 226. The other portions are the same as device 100 and will not be described again. The output portion 216 is arranged to output via the outlet 226 a second air flow AF2 downwards away from the air inlet. It is to be understood that the term "downwards" means the second air flow moves generally in a direction from bottom portion 206 to further downward, i.e, away from the air inlet portion.

[0041] Using a plane P1 where the air inlet is positioned as reference (the plane P1 is in parallel with user's hair when in use), the second air flow AF2 is arranged to blow out from the second air outlet 226 downwards inclined to plane P1. In other words, the second air flow blows downwards in an acute angle with plane P1 or parallel to plane P1. This means the second air flow shall not blow towards the user's hair in a direction perpendicular to plane P1. The second air flow also does not blow upwardly from bottom portion towards top portion.

[0042] It is to be understood that the angle of the downward second air flow towards plane P1 depends on the airflow amount and airspeed (both determine air push away force) with respect to the air inlet attraction force (air inlet force). In general, a smaller angle to plane P1 will have smaller air force to push away hair. When the second air flow is at an acute angle with the plane P1, less than 45 degrees to plane P1 may allow a larger air speed and airflow because the component force (that will push away hair) at the direction perpendicular to plane P1 is less than the angle that is larger than 45 degree.

[0043] The second air flow can be guided to blow out downwards by the design of the air channel between the second air outlet 226 and the air flow generator 203, especially the channel close to the second air outlet. As shown in Fig. 2B, the air channel 236 extends towards the second air outlet 226 in a downward direction thus can guide the second air flow blowing out downwards away from air inlet.

[0044] During use, due to the negative pressure caused by the air flow generator, when the user puts the hair treatment device close to hair for treating/drying hair, the user's hair may be attached against the surface of the air inlet portion. The bottom output portion will output the second air flow AF2 in a downward direction, i.e, the direction from the root of the user's hair to the tail of the user's hair. In this way, the second air flow will not blow out user's hair, instead, because it blows along hair from root to tail, hair may further smoothen hair.

[0045] Now referring to Figs. 3A~3D which give more embodiments on different types of output portions on the upper portion 309 that are arranged to guide at least part of the first air flow towards the air inlet.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3A~Fig. 3C, a hair treatment device 300 comprises a top portion 305. The top portion 305 has a first type of output portion 315 that is arranged to guide at least part of the first air flow output inwardly towards the air inlet. The first type of output portion 315 comprises an exterior curving surface 335 curving from the first air outlet 325 towards the air inlet 302 to guide at least part of the first air flow AF15 from the first air outlet 325 towards the air inlet 302. It is to be understood that the exterior surface means the outer surface of the device directly facing the external environment, the exterior curving surface can have a convex curvature. In such embodiments, the Coand

effect can be utilized, this curving surface can cause more the air to be recirculated back to the air inlet 302. Such recirculation can assist to reduce energy consumption, via re-use of thermal energy, so that more efficient hair drying can be achieved.

[0047] Still referring to Fig. 3A~Fig. 3D, which show a second type of output portions 317 and 318 positioned on the left and right middle portions 307 and 308 and are arranged to guide at least part of the first air flow towards the air inlet. The output portions 317 and 318 each have an air guiding element 337 and 338 which extending respectively, from a base of the output portion 317 and 318, towards the air inlet 302 to guide their respective first air flow AF17 and AF18 towards the air inlet 302.

[0048] One or more air guiding elements that protrude beyond the outer surface (base of the output portion) so as to guide a secondary flow of first air flow AF17 and AF18 displaced by the air flow generator, with the secondary flow of air AF17 and AF18 being spaced apart, in a direction away from the air inlet 302, from a primary flow of the first air flow AF15 guided by the curving surface 335, the user's hair can be retained by the secondary flow of air AF17 and AF18 proximal to the hair treatment device 300.

[0049] Moreover, the air guiding elements 337 and 338, which can be regarded as air guiding wings, can assist to provide hot air (heated by the heating element of the device) behind the user's hair once the hair is sucked/drawn onto an area of the hair treatment device delimiting the air inlet 302. Such hot air can be sucked through the hair, which can help to increase drying speed.

[0050] The device can comprise one or more of such guiding elements and are arranged around the air inlet portion 301. For example, as shown in Fig. 3C and Fig. 3D, the air guiding elements can be in the form of a pair of air guiding elements 337 and 338 spaced apart from, e.g. opposite, each other, with the air inlet portion 301 and the air inlet 302 being disposed in-between the pair of air guiding elements 337 and 338. In other words, the pair of air guiding elements is symmetrically positioned on the left and right middle portions 307 and 308.

[0051] Such a pair of air guiding elements 337 and 338 can each be arranged at sides of the hair treatment device so as to delimit a central channel for receiving hair. In this way, the central channel can receive hair in the direction in which it naturally falls.

[0052] The openings of the central channel towards the top of the device and towards the bottom of the device, when orientated for use, may be relatively large, to provide air flow along the scalp direction.

[0053] In addition to the bottom portion does not output air flow or output a second air flow downwards away from air inlet, the air guiding elements 337 and 338 can further assist to alleviate the issue of hair being blown away from the hair dryer as a consequence of a so-called air multiplier effect caused by the air being guided around (at least) the exterior curving surface 335 entraining air surrounding the outer surface. The latter can cause blowing of hairs, which may not be bundled but rather spread out, out of the drying airstream.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig. 3C, the one or more air guiding elements 337, 338 inwardly curve, e.g. inwardly and convexly curve, towards a path taken by the air drawn into the air inlet 302. This arrangement of the air guiding element(s) can assist to retain hair proximal to the hair dryer, by the secondary flow of air AF17 and AF18 effectively providing an air curtain extending transverse to the direction that air is drawn into the air inlet, which air curtain inhibits hair being blown away from the air inlet 302.

[0055] In some embodiments, the, e.g. each of the air guiding element(s) 337 and 338 may protrude beyond the base of the middle portion 307 and 308 to reach an extremity 347 and 348 spaced apart from the air inlet 302, with the curving surface 335 being arranged closer to the air inlet 302 than the respective extremity 337 and 338 in the longitudinal direction Z. Further, respective extremity 337 and 338 may have different distance (not shown in the drawing) to the air inlet in the longitudinal direction Z, as a result, the opposite secondary first air flows from the two air guiding elements will be blown out at different height and will not disturb each other.

[0056] The guiding element may also be used on the top portion, and the extremity of the air guiding element on the top portion can also have different distance to the air inlet comparing with the other air guiding element such that each of the multiple air guiding elements will not disturb the other air guiding elements.

[0057] In the example of Fig. 3C, the air guiding elements 337 and 338 comprise a duct 357 and 358 to guide the first air flow AF17 and AF18 to output at the extremity 347 and 348 towards the air inlet 302.

[0058] In some embodiments, the air guiding element comprises a curved surface curving towards the air inlet to guide the first air flow from the first air outlet towards the air inlet. Referring to Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the device 400 comprises one or more of the air guiding element(s) 437 and 438 and is/are arranged to guide air displaced by the air flow generator 403 on an exterior curving surface 447 and 448 of the air guiding elements 437 and 438. In such embodiments, the exterior surfaces 447 and 448 can have a convex curvature. In this embodiment, the air guiding elements do not have a duct, and the first air outlet 427 and 428 are located outside and close to the outer surface 447 and 448 of the air guiding elements 437 and 438 respectively.

[0059] In such embodiments, the Coand

effect can be utilized, in terms of the air flow over the exterior curving surface 437 and 438 entraining surrounding air. This can assist the secondary flow of first air flows AF12 and AF13 to retain hair proximal to the hair dryer.

[0060] In other embodiments of a device 500, referring to Fig. 5, one or more of the air guiding element(s) is/are arranged to guide air displaced by the air flow generator on an interior surface 547 and 548 of the air guiding element(s) 537 and 538. In such embodiments, the interior surface can have a concave curvature.

[0061] In such embodiments, there may be no Coand

effect entraining surrounding air, which can assist to enhance thermal efficiency, since less surrounding, non-heated air is drawn into the hair treatment device for heating by the heating element.

[0062] Now referring to Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, a third type of output portion 615 that are arranged to guide at least part of the first air flow towards the air inlet is shown. The output portion 615 is positioned on top portion 605 of device 600. The output portion 615 comprises an air guiding channel 635 inside the device to receive and guide air blown from the air flow generator towards the first air outlet 625. The air guiding channel 635 is configured to guide at least part of the first air flow AF16 towards the air inlet. Similar with the air guiding element, it can be easily understood that the air guiding channel 635 can guide the first air flow AF16 to blow out towards the air inlet 602 by having the extension direction of the end part of the air guiding channel (close to the air outlet 625) inclined towards the air inlet 602. The air guiding channel 635 is different with air guiding elements 337 and 338 shown in Fig. 3C and Fig. 3D in that the air guiding channel 625 is inside the main body (base portion) of the device, the air guiding element protrudes from the base, so the air flow can be blown by the air guiding element at different distance along the longitudinal axis.

[0063] Above describes different types of output portions on the upper portion of the hair treatment device, including: output portion to output air flow towards user, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the air inlet (perpendicular type), the three types of output portions that can guide air flow inwardly towards the air inlet. It is to be understood that the at least two output portions on the upper portion of the treatment device can use one single type of output portion or any combination of aforementioned different types of output portions.

[0064] For example, the hair treatment device shown in Figs. 1A~ 1D uses a single perpendicular type output portions on the upper portion. The at least two output portions can also use any one of other types of output portions, such as using only the first type, the second type or the third type of aforementioned output portion to direct the air flow towards air inlet.

[0065] The device shown in Figs. 3A~3D describes combination of two types of output portion, the top portion comprises the first type of output portion, i.e using exterior curving surface curving from air outlet toward air inlet to guide the first air flow towards air inlet, and the middle portion comprises a pair of the second type of output portion symmetrically positioned on the middle portion.

[0066] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B also describe a combination of the first type of output portion and second type of output portion.

[0067] Other combination is also possible, Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B describe combination of the third type output portion and the second type output portion, i.e. the top portion using the third type of output portion which uses an air guiding channel to receive and guide air blown from the air flow generator towards the first air outlet and towards air inlet after leaving air outlet, and the middle portions use a pair of the second type of output portion.

[0068] Further examples of the combination are also possible, such as, perpendicular type and one or more of the first type, the second type and the third type, combination of two or more of the first type, second type and third type, etc.

[0069] It is also to be understood that the combination of the bottom portion and the upper portion are also not limited to the embodiments and figures that are described, other combination that is not described in the aforementioned descriptions and figures are also possible, i.e each of the two types of the bottom portion (do not output air flow "no air flow type" and output air flow downwards away from the outlet "downwards air flow type") can be combined with one or more of the types of the output portion on the upper portion.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the invention, the shape of the annular portion may be the following: circular, polygonal, and the combination of circular and polygonal. The polygonal shape comprises triangle shape, rectangular shape, square shape, pentagon shape, hexagon shape, or more sides. The circular shape includes ring shape and oval shape, or other non-regular circular shape.

[0071] It is to be understood that the at least two output portions in the present invention may be connected together as a single one output portion, especially when the device is in circular shape and the output portions are continuously extended along the upper portion. In this case, any two parts of the output portion in this single output portion can be deemed as two output portions as long as these two parts partially surrounds the air inlet portion so that at least part of the air inlet portion is positioned in-between the two parts of this single output portion.

[0072] Alternatively, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B show another embodiment according to the present invention, in this embodiment, the treatment device only comprise one output portion on the top portion of the annular portion (i.e the output portion is on the top of the air inlet, not surrounds the air inlet such that the air inlet is in-between the two parts of the output portion). The top portion and the bottom portion is arranged to output the first air flow and the second air flow.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, the bottom portion 706 comprises a second output portion 716 to output a second air flow AF2 downwards away from the air inlet, i.e. incline to (towards) the plane defined by the air inlet 702. To use only the top portion and bottom portion, the air flow may be more concentrated. The first output portion 715 on the top portion 705 is arranged to output a first air flow AF19 inwardly towards the air inlet 702.

[0074] It is specially benefit when the first air flow output by the output portion on the top portion is guided inwardly towards the air inlet, and the output portion on the bottom portion guide the second air flow downwards away from the air inlet, i.e. towards the plane defined by the air inlet, in this embodiment, the first air flow from the top portion and the second air flow from the bottom portion are in the similar direction, the two air flows both blowing from top to bottom along the hair which will help to better smoothen the dishevelled hair.

[0075] Alternatively, the top portion 705 can be arranged to blow a first air flow towards user in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the air inlet 702 (not shown in Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B).

[0076] According to an embodiment of the invention, the device comprising a housing to contain all the elements of the device including air flow generator, the heating element, controller, etc. the annular portion defines part of the housing of the device, in other words, the exterior wall of the annular portion is part of the housing, and therefore, the shape of the annular portion defines the shape of the device.

[0077] It is to be understood that the upper portion, middle portion and bottom portion can be defined differently according to shape of the device. Now referring to Fig. 8 as an example, which shows an oval shaped hair treatment device 800. The annular portion 810 is oval shaped with a width D. The annular portion 810 includes an upper portion 809 and a bottom portion 806. The upper portion 809 may further include a top portion 806, a left middle portion 807 and a right middle portion 808. The annular portion 810 has a length H in the vertical direction Y (direction from top portion to bottom portion) from the upper edge of the top portion 805 (marked in Fig. 8 with a reference line L1) to lower edge of the bottom portion 806 (marked in Fig. 8 with a reference line L6). The bottom portion 806 extends circumferentially towards the middle portion 807 and 808.

[0078] According to another embodiment of the invention, the bottom portion 806 does not exceed 1/3 (one third) of the length H in the vertical direction Y. A reference line L3 indicates the location that is with H/3 distance from upper edge of the top portion downwards, line L4 indicates the location that is with H/3 distance from lower edge of the bottom portion upwards. In other words, the bottom portion 806 is between the reference line L4 and L6.

[0079] According to another embodiment of the invention, the top portion 805 extends circumferentially towards the middle portion 807 and 808 without exceeding 1/3 (one third) of the length H in the vertical direction Y. In other words, the top portion 805 is between the reference line L1 and L3.

[0080] A reference line L2 indicates the location that is with D distance from upper edge of the top portion downwards, line L5 indicates the location that is with D distance from lower edge of the bottom portion upwards. Alternatively, according to an example of the invention, the top portion 805, or the bottom portion may have a D length in the vertical direction, i.e has a length of the width of the annual portion, in other words, the top portion 805 may be between the reference line L1 and L2, the bottom portion may be between the reference line L5 to L6.

[0081] Alternatively, other ways of separating the bottom portion and/or upper portion are also possible depending on the design of the device, for example, it could be 1/4 (one fourth) instead of 1/3. When the annual portion is polygon, the lowest one or two portions can be the bottom portion.

[0082] A hair treatment device according to the present invention, the device may be a hair dryer for drying hair, and meanwhile because of the device can attract hair towards the surface of air inlet portion, the device can also be used as a hair styler for providing a certain level of straightening effect, and by utilizing the curved exterior surface, the device may also provide curling effect for hair.

[0083] A hair treatment device according to the present invention, further comprises a handle portion for gripping the device. The handle portion may be attached to the rear side of the device or on the side of the device.

[0084] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. Measures recited in mutually different dependent claims may advantageously be used in combination.

Claims

1. A hair treatment device, comprising:

an air inlet portion comprising an air inlet being positioned at the front side of the hair treatment device to face user's hair when in use;

an air flow generator arranged for drawing air into the device via the air inlet;

at least two output portions partially surrounding the air inlet portion so that at least part of the air inlet portion is positioned in-between the at least two output portions; each of the at least two output portions comprising a first air outlet for output a first air flow in a direction towards the user or inwardly towards the air inlet;

a bottom portion surrounding a bottom part of the air inlet portion; wherein the bottom portion is arranged to either not output air flow, or to output a second air flow downwards away from the air inlet.

2. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a heating element to heat air drawn into the device.

3. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a handle portion for gripping the device.

4. A hair treatment device, wherein one or more of the at least two output portions are arranged to guide at least part of the first air flow towards the air inlet.

5. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least two output portions comprising one or more of the following output portions:

a first output portion comprising an exterior curving surface curving towards the air inlet to guide the first air flow from the first air outlet towards the air inlet;

a second output portion comprising an air guiding element extending from a base of the second output portion towards the air inlet to guide the first air flow towards the air inlet;

a third output portion comprising an air guiding channel to receive and guide air blown from the air flow generator towards the first air outlet; the air guiding channel being configured to guide at least part of the first air flow towards the air inlet.

6. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the air guiding element comprises a duct to guide the first air flow towards the air inlet.

7. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the air guiding element comprises a curved surface curving towards the air inlet to guide the first air flow from the first air outlet towards the air inlet.

8. A hair treatment device as claimed in any one of claims 1 ~7, comprising an upper portion connected with the bottom portion to form an annular portion surrounding the air inlet portion, when in use the upper portion is intended to be closer to the root of user's hair than the bottom portion, wherein the at least two output portions being positioned on the upper portion.

9. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the upper portion comprises a top portion surrounding a top part of the air inlet portion, and a middle portion positioned in between the top portion and the bottom portion.

10. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 9 when referring to claim 5, wherein the top portion comprises either the first output portion or the third output portion, and the middle portion comprises a pair of the second output portion symmetrically positioned on the middle portion.

11. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 8, the annular portion having a length from the upper edge of the top portion to lower edge of the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion extends circumferentially less than one third of the length in the vertical direction.

12. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the shape of the annular portion is selected from the following: circular, polygonal, and the combination of circular and polygonal.

13. A hair treatment device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the annular portion is substantially rectangular in shape.

14. A hair treatment device, comprising:

an air inlet portion comprising an air inlet being positioned at the front side of the hair treatment device to face user's hair when in use;

an air flow generator arranged for drawing into the device air via the air inlet;

a top portion surrounding a top part of the air inlet portion, an output portion positioned on the top portion, comprising a first air outlet for output a first air flow in a direction towards the user or inwardly towards the air inlet;

a bottom portion surrounding a bottom part of the air inlet portion, wherein the bottom portion is arranged to output downwards a second air flow away from the air inlet.

15. A hair treatment device according to claim 14, when in use the bottom portion is intended to be closer to the tail of user's hair than the top portion.

Drawing