Steam Hairdressing Apparatus

Abstract

A steam hairdressing apparatus to style the hair, including: a first and a second jaw arranged facing one another, a first treatment surface borne by the first jaw and a second treatment surface borne by the second jaw, the surfaces intended to grasp a lock of hair, a reservoir of liquid, a means of vaporization of the liquid in fluid communication with the reservoir, a steam distribution means in communication with the means of vaporization, comprising one or more steam distribution orifices in the direction of a lock of hair, the means of vaporization comprising a first vaporization chamber forming a unique volume, a second vaporization chamber equipped with a plurality of baffles, said chambers in fluid communication, the internal volume (V1) of the first chamber being greater than the internal volume (V2) of the second chamber.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a steam hairdressing apparatus which is intended to style hair, in particular, the smoothing, curling and crimping of a person's hair.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditionally there have been two types of hairdressing apparatuses that allow the smoothing or curling or crimping; the surfaces that grasp the hair are flat or curved or corrugated and are heated or heating.

The apparatuses of the grasping type for smoothing or curling generally comprise two pivoting jaws, each of which has an end supporting a treatment surface, at least one of the treatment surfaces being heated, the other provided to bring the hair into contact with the former, namely, via a position opening the jaws that allows the insertion of the hair into a closing position, bringing it into contact with the heating part.

The other end of the jaws forms two half handles acting as a holding area and making it possible to change from the opening to the closing position. The transition is done manually by pressing the two articulated half-handles of the apparatus towards one another to bring the heating part in contact with the hair. The smoothing of a lock of hair is accomplished by moving the apparatus along this lock, from the root to the tip. The curling of a lock of hair is done by rolling the lock at least partially around one or the other of the treatment surfaces and by applying heat to fix the curl so it holds. To improve the shaping of the hair, it is possible to use steam projected on the hair as well.

Known from document U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,597 is a hair curler comprising a water reservoir, a vaporization chamber and a compartment for distributing the steam, this compartment comprising both the baffles and the orifices for the steam outlets. This apparatus has the advantage of being compact. The baffles were introduced to “prevent the flow of water directly across the holes while allowing the passage of the steam so that no matter how the apparatus was positioned by the user, there would no water leak. Nevertheless, this apparatus does not allow for optimal safety, that is, it does not prevent any drop of water from falling on the scalp hair and burning it.

Also known from document U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,648 is a steam curling iron in the water steam category: a water reservoir, a chamber with baffles, a principal vaporization chamber equipped with outlets for the steam to the hair. However, the baffles are placed at the inlet to the fluid, and the vaporization chamber is situated just above the steam outlet holes; therefore they should be heated sufficiently so that it does not generate any drop of spray via its outlet orifices onto the scalp hair. Furthermore, being highly heated involves undesirable boiling problems in the apparatus, which could have the projection of drops of hot water on the scalp hair as its consequence.

WO04002263 discloses a steam smoother with flat plates comprising a reservoir with a cosmetic agent, the means of transport by capillary action (felt) to a heating chamber including a vaporization plate to pass the steam across the heated smoothing plate. It is the felt that prevents the conversion of the drops of boiling water into the spray undesired on the scalp hair, but this part has a short lifespan, clogs rapidly and does not make it possible to ensure a continuous flow. Furthermore, when the felt is dry, no steam can be produced.

EP1652445 discloses a steam smoother with a chamber for generating steam placed below the smoothing plate and in fluid communication with two lines of steam outlet orifices on each side of the smoothing plate. There is a risk that drops of the boiling water from the chamber might turn into spray on the scalp hair.

Finally, FR2921804 and FR2921803 in the name of the applicant disclose the steam smoother gun comprising a vaporization chamber uniquely equipped with 2 pathways in a symmetrical labyrinth that come together in a common steam distribution chamber. If this device does not allow boiling drops of water converted to steam to fall from the chamber onto the scalp hair, it has, on the other hand, quite a weak flow of steam and a limited lifespan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of this invention is to remedy, at least in part, the inconveniences mentioned above and to propose a hair treatment apparatus likely to communicate rapidly, in an efficient, uniform manner, a controlled humidity to the treated hair, while disassociating it from a possible supplementary supply of heat and/or supplementary mechanical tensile force and/or supplementary supply of a chemical component.

Another aim of the invention is a steam hair treatment apparatus that can be used efficiently in multiple hair styling processes, with an excellent resistance to scale and operating in a safe manner.

Another aim of the invention is a steam hair treatment apparatus that makes it possible to produce a substantial volume of vaporized water.

Another aim of the invention is a steam hair treatment apparatus that operates reliably, is likely to avoid the condensation phenomena and is capable of being executed in a simples and economical manner.

Another aim of the invention is a steam hair treatment apparatus with a continuous flow that is likely to supply the steam in a homogeneous manner to the hair, while having a simplified, compact structure that is capable of being industrialized at a low cost.

Another aim of the invention is a hair treatment apparatus that allows rapid and efficient treatment of the hair, while being easy and practical to use in space, because the apparatus is manipulated by the user in all directions.

These aims are achieved with a steam hair apparatus for styling hair, comprising a first and second jaw arranged facing one another, a first treatment surface borne by the first jaw and a second treatment surface borne by the second jaw, the surfaces being intended to grasp a lock of hair, a reservoir of liquid, means of vaporizing the liquid in fluid communication with the reservoir, means of distributing the steam in communication with the means of vaporization including one or more orifices for distributing the steam in the direction of a lock of hair, the vaporization means comprising a first vaporization chamber forming a unique volume, a second vaporization chamber equipped with baffles, said chambers being in fluid communication.

Thus the formation of the steam is done in at least two different chambers, which makes it possible to retain the undesired tartar effectively and to improve the resistance to scale for the useful life of the apparatus. The first chamber occupies a first unique volume, that is to say, a defined volume without discontinuity or obstacle or barrier. The second chamber occupies a second volume including discontinuities introduced by the presence of baffles to create a changing route, of the labyrinth type, for the steam. This provides an excellent tolerance to scale formation. This also makes it possible to vaporize the possible drops of water as yet unvaporized, ensuring a vaporization of all the fluid due to the exchange surface that has been optimized in value (enlarged surface).

Baffle means any obstacle or barrier placed in the chamber creating uneven movements of the steam, zigzag movements, for example, reducing the speed of the passage through the chamber, increasing the contact with the surfaces of the different walls of the chamber. Because of the baffles, the zigzag of the steam moves along the horizontal and vertical axes: one can actually make zigzags from left to right and from top to bottom. This also makes it possible to vaporize the potential drops of water not yet vaporized, ensuring vaporization of all the fluid thanks to the optimized arrangement of the exchange surface, that is, a three-dimensional arrangement of the baffles.

By vaporization chamber is meant a chamber heated by any possible means of heating, for example, an electrical resistor called a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) resistor or a ceramic resistor.

According to the invention, the first vaporization chamber is arranged upstream from the second chamber in terms of the passage of the steam. Thus one can consider the “creation of steam” function fulfilled primarily in the first chamber and the “anti-scale” function fulfilled primarily in the second chamber.

According to the invention, the internal volume V1 of the first chamber is greater than the internal volume V2 of the second chamber, that is, at least two times greater than the internal volume V2 of the second chamber. An elevated volume V1 allows rapid vaporization and a smaller volume V2 makes it possible to have the required compactness, the ratio between the two volumes enabling a good scale trapping function.

According to the invention, the baffles or barriers may be divided so they are parallel to one another. This permits the passage of the steam according to a regular geometry; therefore the scale will be trapped in a homogeneous manner in the second chamber.

According to the invention, the baffles may be at least three in number, even four or five. This makes it possible to disrupt the course of the steam while maintaining the relatively compact size of the chamber.

According to the invention, the first chamber may have a unique volume that is essentially a parallelepiped, having a section chosen from among one of the following sections: rectangular section, square section, trapezoidal section, etc. “Unique” volume means the fact that the chamber occupies a volume without interruption, without baffle, without barrier or circumventing element. This makes a good compromise possible between the compactness and efficiency of the vaporization system.

According to the invention, the means of distribution may be lateral to the means of vaporization and preferably extend significantly the entire length of the means of vaporization. This makes it possible to provide a good compromise between the compactness and efficiency of the vaporization system.

According to the invention, alternatively or additionally:

• • the first vaporization chamber may have a water inlet in the form of a water supply pipe that is arranged essentially in the center of the first chamber.
  • the first vaporization chamber may have a water inlet in the form of a water supply pipe whose opening is arranged essentially in the first fourth of the length of the first chamber.
  • the first vaporization chamber may have a water inlet in the form of a pipe made of material including or coated with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) known under the brand name “Teflon” or also of another material to which the scale would have difficulty adhering or would not adhere.

These provisions make a water supply possible that is optimized in that it is placed at a location in the chamber where the temperature is maximum, as far away from the walls as possible, thus permitting an improved vaporization. The inlet is optimized by the PTFE material type or its equivalent, material making it possible to limit the deposit of scale.

This also makes it possible to limit the undesired effect of heating. For the record, heating is called a thermal insulation phenomena of a liquid in relation to a heating surface that has reached a temperature threshold Ts greater than the boiling temperature of the liquid Tb. This phenomena is due to the formation of a layer of steam between the heating surface and the liquid, making the thermal transfer much slower. The heating is observed when a drop of water falls on a hot plate. The drop appears to roll on the surface and does not vaporize immediately.

According to the invention, at least one heating element may be dedicated to the means of vaporization. This permits a vaporization that is controllable in a manner independent of any other heater in the hairdressing apparatus.

The heating element may be arranged against the largest exterior surface of the means of vaporization, preferably placed opposite the distribution orifices.

Alternatively, if the apparatus is comprised of two heating elements, they are arranged laterally against each side of the means of vaporization.

The heating elements extend, placed at least partially against the lateral surfaces of the means of vaporization. Advantageously, one of the two heating elements is placed between an exterior lateral surface of the vaporization chambers and an exterior surface of the steam distribution means (a distribution chamber), this making it possible to apply the heat to the vaporization and distribution means simultaneously within a reduced size.

According to the invention, the intention may be to regulate the heating element(s) with a thermistor. This thermistor functions as a temperature probe. It may be a NTC (negative temperature coefficient). The thermistor is branched to act as a safeguard, because it may block the means of water distribution (pump) depending on the temperature. Other conditions may be added, for example, the detection of the opening of the smoother, which stops the pump. About 95° C. is considered the lower temperature limit and 130° C. as the high temperature limit, or indeed a smaller range of 105 to 120° C., that is, a value equal to 110° C.

According to the invention, at least a part of the interior surface of the vaporization means has a granular coating and/or is coated at least partially with an anti-boiling agent. This agent may be among the following: silicate, Tmate, Ludox, Xylan, etc. The agent is preferably applied to the walls of the first chamber, but may be also applied to the walls of the second chamber. The application is done by vaporization or brush, etc. The granular surface condition allows the fluid “to cling”. These elements alone or in combination make it possible to limit the undesired effect of boiling.

According to the invention, the two hair treatment surfaces are essentially complementary and flat, curved or corrugated in shape. What is involved then is a smoother, a curler and a waver respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more understandable to the study of the modes of execution, one that is non-exhaustive and illustrated here:

FIGS. 1 and 1′ illustrate a cross-sectional view and a perspectival view of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the means of vaporization according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a perspectival view from above and below the means of vaporization according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a longitudinal and lateral cross-sectional view of the means of vaporization according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a lateral cross-sectional view of the first jaw of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 1′ illustrate a steam hairdressing apparatus 1 for styling hair, comprising a first and a second jaw 2, 3 arranged facing one another, a first treatment surface 4 borne by the first jaw 2 and a second treatment surface 5 borne by the second jaw 3, the surfaces (4, 5) intended to grasp a lock of hair, a reservoir of liquid 19, the means of vaporization 7 of the liquid in fluid communication with the reservoir 19, the means of distribution 7″ of the steam in communication with the means of vaporization 7 comprising one or more orifices 75 for distributing the steam in the direction of a lock of hair. The means of vaporization 7 includes a first vaporization chamber 71 forming a unique volume, a second vaporization chamber of 72 equipped with baffles 73, said chambers 71, 72 being in fluid communication. The first jaw 2 and the second jaw 3 are linked by a hinge-type articulation 20 and the maximum angle α (not illustrated) of the opening of the two jaws is between 5° and 60°, even between 10° and 20°, and preferably about equal to 15°.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1′, whose numerical references correspond, the invention concerns an apparatus 1 intended to style hair, comprising a base 1000 consisting of a principal fluid reservoir 19, a portable unit 100 including the means for vaporizing the fluid 7, the means of distributing the steam 7′, 7″ to the destination of the hair, a cord 21 including at least one channel intended for the passage of fluid and arranged between the principal fluid reservoir 19 and the means of vaporization 7. The portable unit 100 includes a single or at least one first treatment surface 4 intended to come in contact with the hair and the means of vaporization of the fluid 7 provided exclusively in the portable unit 100. The base is said to “extend out” from the portable unit and is freestanding on a counter. The base includes a stand 1001 to receive the portable apparatus or handpiece 100 when it is not in use and a cover 2030 having a fixed part 2031 and a mobile, pivoting part 2032 to insert the fluid.

The cover may be totally immovable to replace the means of demineralization (cartridge) when necessary. Part of the base may be transparent so the user could be visually alerted to the change in color of the ion exchange resin when it is no longer working. It includes the means of demineralization 2000 that makes it possible to reduce the scale content of the fluid introduced into the base. This means of demineralization 2000 is arranged between an intermediate reservoir which received the “gross” fluid and the principal reservoir 19 which contains the “purified” fluid intended for the hairdressing apparatus 100.

The first hair treatment surface 4 and the second hair treatment surface 5 are complementary, flat or curved surfaces of an apparatus for smoothing (not illustrated), an apparatus to curl or wave (not illustrated) or an apparatus to crimp. A curling apparatus, for example, is described in patent EP0619087 or again in patent EP2152114 cited as examples. A curling apparatus relates to an apparatus for treatment and/or for styling hair, preferably used manually, comprising a means of grasping, arranged from a principal body, a rolling body for locks of hair, mounted preferably free to rotate on the principal body around its longitudinal axis, and at least one set of mobile jaw clamps for grasping the lock of hair on the body. A crimping apparatus is an apparatus equipped with two jaws facing one another, each with a treatment surface that is not flat, described, for example, in patent WO2008129172. The aforementioned patent documents are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, the first vaporization chamber 71 is arranged upstream from the second chamber 72 in terms of the passage of the steam. The internal volume (V1) of the first chamber 71 is greater than the internal volume (V2) of the second chamber 72, that is, at least two times greater than the internal volume (V2) of the second chamber 72. The baffles 73 are distributed parallel to one another. The second chamber 72 as illustrated includes three baffles 73. The first chamber 71 has a volume that is essentially a parallelepiped, having a section chosen among one of the following sections: rectangular section as illustrated in the first embodiment and trapezoidal as illustrated in the second embodiment in FIG. 7.

The means of distribution 7″ are arranged lateral to the means of vaporization 7 and preferably extend essentially the entire length of the means of vaporization 7. The first chamber 71 has a water inlet in the form of a water supply pipe 74, the orifice of which is arranged approximately at the center of the first chamber 71, illustrated essentially in the middle in relation to its width and essentially in the first quarter of the length of the first chamber 71. The first vaporization chamber 71 has a water inlet in the form of a pipe made of PTFE material. At least one heating element 8 is dedicated to the means of vaporization 7. The first embodiment provides a unique heating element for the means of vaporization, while the second embodiment provides two heating elements. The heating element 8 is arranged against the largest exterior surface of the means of vaporization 7 in the first embodiment, preferably placed opposite the distribution orifices 75. The two heating elements 8 of the second embodiment are arranged laterally against each side of the means of vaporization 7. The heating element(s) 8 are intended to be regulated by a thermistor 10. At least part of the interior surface of the means of vaporization 7 has a granular coating and/or is coated, at least partially, with an anti-boiling agent. The two hair treatment surfaces 4, 5 are essentially complementary and flat or curved or corrugated in shape.

The chambers are executed in aluminum and may be arranged in two parts with two covers: a first part illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, which is placed on a second part, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, and will be sealed by a silicone joint. This first part includes the steam distribution orifices 75, while the second part will be placed against the heating element 8. The proper performance of the heating element and therefore its optimal operation is done by a leaf spring, for example. The temperature sensor 10 may be preferably arranged above the water inlet. The heating element may be a PCT or a ceramic thermistor.

The reservoir of liquid may be built into the smoother which makes up the apparatus or may alternatively be arranged at a distance from the smoother in an extended base as illustrated in FIG. 1. When it is at a distance, it may be included in a bottle separate from the smoother-curler apparatus and in liquid communication with the apparatus' means of vaporization.

The parts where the vaporization is effective are the means of vaporization and the means of steam distribution. The means of vaporization is divided into 2 distinct parts: the first chamber 71 is primarily the vaporization zone 10 per se: it is in this space that the water is primarily transformed into water vapor. The second vaporization chamber 72 is made of a set of baffles 73 which will prevent any drop of water from following a direct route toward the vaporization holes 75 of the steam distribution chamber 7′. This ensures a homogeneous steam quality.

The body of the means of vaporization may be executed by extrusion; it is enough then to replicate this body for the vaporization holes and for the insertion of each part in order to ensure the leak tightness of the chamber. These end plugs may be made in an aluminum foundry. The leak tightness between these parts can be accomplished with the aid of a silicone joint.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the portable unit 100 consists of a heating means 41 to heat the first treatment surface 4. It may involve a heating element 41, which may be a PTC or a ceramic thermistor that is placed against the treatment surface 4 or arranged inside the elements comprising the treatment surface 4. The means of fluid vaporization 7 includes a vaporization chamber 7′ and the heating means 8 of the vaporization chamber 7′. The chamber(s) are executed in aluminum and may include the steam distribution orifices 7″ and be placed in direct or indirect contact against the heating element 8. The proper performance of the heating element 8 and therefore its optimal operation is done, for example, with a leaf spring. The temperature sensor 10 may be arranged preferably above the water inlet 21.

The heating means 8 of the vaporization chamber may be at least one heating element, which may be a PTC or a ceramic thermistor which is placed against one of the walls or arranged inside the element forming the treatment surface. They can be identical to or separated from the heating means of the treatment surface. The steam distribution means (7′, 7″) has a series of orifices 75 for the outlet of steam arranged laterally to the first treatment surface 4, preferably set back a little from the treatment surface 4. Alternatively or additionally, the steam distribution means (7′, 7″) has a series of orifices arranged on the treatment surface.

A second embodiment consists in the use of two heating elements and is illustrated in FIG. 7. According to this embodiment, the means of vaporization (2 vaporization chambers) has a maximum external volume of 110×35×12.5 mm, incorporating heating systems sufficient to vaporize the water in a sequence of 10 continuous seconds and 10 seconds at rest with a flow of around 2.5 g/min±1 g/min and an internal volume sufficient to store the scale contained in at least 35 liters of hard water with 28° F. hardness. It has taken these dimensional constraints into account. Three points remain to limit the deposit of scale at the water inlet pipe in the compact vaporization chamber. The first point is the nature of the material of the pipe at the contact of the chamber with a PTFE pipe for the passage of the water to the vaporization chamber. On the one hand, this material has an excellent performance at the temperature (greater than 300° C.) and has a very low friction coefficient; on the other hand, this does not facilitate the deposit of the scale on its walls. The second point is the diameters of the water supply sections of the pipe. The internal section of this pipe should be large to avoid any premature clogging. Its internal section should be at least 4 mm in diameter. To limit the transfer of heat from the walls of the vaporization chamber to the water, the pipe should have a thickness of at least 1 mm. Furthermore, a seal 6 mm for the internal section and 7 mm for the external section made of PPS (polyphenylene sulphide) should be added to the periphery of this pipe which will limit still more the thermal transfer to the internal wall of the water inlet pipe. The third point is the minimum distances between the external section of the water pipe and the internal walls of the vaporization chamber.

This distance is fixed by experience at 1 mm. This distance makes it possible to limit the deposit of scale on the outlet section of the pipe and therefore its premature clogging. This latter fact requires a height of the vaporization chamber that is equal to at least 8 mm. The two vaporization chambers, for example, have the following measurements: a length of about 107 mm, a width of about 34 mm, the greatest height of about 12.5 mm and the smallest height of about 8.5 mm. The interior width of the first chamber is 16.5 mm, the width of the distribution chamber is 3.5 mm, and the width of the compartments provided to receive the heating elements is 35 mm. The water supply pipe penetrates the interior of the mm chamber. With the dimensions cited, the calculated volume of this “vaporization” zone is 14 cm³ approximately. The height of the means of vaporization is maximized to allow it to fulfill the abovementioned functions. Thus it remains possible to place the pipe made PTFE 14 of a major section at least 1 mm from the walls above and below the first vaporization chamber. A PPS washer is added at the entry to the vaporization zone. To ensure a maximum height at the vaporization zone, it has been necessary to place the heating elements vertically along the edge. Taking the cut-off geometry of this chamber necessary for the maximum reduction of its external volume and its low height (12.5 mm), the width of the ceramic or PTC type heating elements (preferably for reasons of cost) is limited. If there is just the single heating element (PTC1), the exchange surface between the heating element and the vaporization zone (1) is too weak to ensure the desired flow. Another heating element (PTC2) is integrated to improve the thermal capacities of the chamber and to ensure the vaporization of this flow. For information purposes, the PTC chosen are a PTC1 of dimensions 3.5×10.2×96 mm and Tmax 225° C. and a PTC2 of dimensions 3×6.5×74 mm and Tmax 285° C.

Operational Description:

When operational, when the apparatus is turned on, the heating element begins to heat the chambers and another element begins to heat the surfaces intended to come in contact with the hair.

When the temperature sensor reaches a temperature threshold (for example, 150° C.), it releases the water by the action of the pump 6 activated by the motor 6′. The water arrives by the supply pipe made of PTFE (so the scale does not adhere to it) and falls into the first chamber equipped with the anti-boiling agent and a specific surface finish. The water should fall on the hottest surface because it is in direct contact with the heating element. The water is transformed into steam, and the steam produced passes into the second vaporization chamber, passes by the baffles and arrives in a third chamber (the means of distribution) equipped with steam distribution orifices. For the entire lifespan of the apparatus, scale is going to form, depending on the hardness of the water used. This scale will remain trapped in the vaporization chambers: first of an, in the first chamber, then, if it is not trapped in the first chamber, then in the second chamber due to the baffles. The scale will never be projected onto the hair of the user. In tests, the flows of steam found are on the order of 3 and 4 g/min, closer to 3.5 g/min. However, the pump ensures a relatively continuous, and even relatively constant flow, on the order of 1 and 5 mL/min, that is, between 3 and 4, preferably equal to 3.5 mL/min.

Advantages of the Invention

The invention provides numerous advantages, among which are proposing an apparatus:

• • likely to communicate rapidly in an efficient and uniform manner, a controlled humidity for the treated hair, although disassociating it from possible additional heat and/or tension mechanics and/or chemical input,
  • capable of being used efficiently during multiple hair styling processes
  • having excellent resistance to scale,
  • having a safe operation,
  • that is reliable during operation,
  • likely to avoid the condensation phenomena,
  • capable of being executed in a simple and economical manner, within the entire space,
  • likely to supply the steam to the hair in a homogeneous manner,
  • having a simplified, compact structure
  • capable of being industrialized at a low cost and
  • that permits a rapid and efficient treatment of the hair
  • easy and practical to use,
  • having excellent tolerance to scale formation,
  • having an anti-scale function,
  • having a scale trapping function,
  • likely to limit the undesired effect of boiling.
  • does not consume too much energy and does not heat the parts sensitive to heat (plastic, pump, etc) too much.

Of course, the invention is not in any way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has only been given as an example. Modifications remain possible, namely from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or through the substitution of equivalent techniques, without leaving the domain of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Steam hairdressing apparatus to style hair comprising:

a first and a second jaw arranged facing one another, a first treatment surface borne by the first jaw and a second treatment surface borne by the second jaw, the surfaces intended to grasp a lock of hair,

a reservoir of liquid,

a means of vaporization of the liquid in communication with the reservoir for generating steam,

means of distribution of the steam in communication with the means of vaporization including one or more steam distribution orifices in the direction of a lock of hair,

wherein the means of vaporization includes a first vaporization chamber forming a unique volume, a second vaporization chamber equipped with baffles, said first and second chambers in fluid communication, and wherein the internal volume (V1) of the first chamber is greater than the internal volume (V2) of the second chamber.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the first vaporization chamber is arranged upstream from the second vaporization chamber relative to a direction of the passage of steam.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the internal volume (V1) of the first chamber is at least two times greater than the internal volume (V2) of the second chamber.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the baffles arranged parallel to one another.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the second chamber includes three to five baffles.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the first chamber has a volume that is essentially a parallelepiped, having a section chosen among one of the following sections: a rectangular, square or trapezoidal section.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the means of distribution is lateral to the means of vaporization and preferably extends essentially an entire length of the means of vaporization.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the first chamber has a water inlet in the form of a water supply pipe an orifice of which is arranged essentially in a center of the first chamber.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the first vaporization chamber has a water inlet in the form of a water supply pipe, an orifice of which is arranged essentially in a first quarter of a length of the first chamber.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the first vaporization chamber has a water inlet in the form of a pipe made of material consisting of or coated with PTFE.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means of vaporization comprises at least one heating element.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 where a heating element is arranged against a largest exterior surface of the means of vaporization, preferably placed opposite the steam distribution orifices.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising two heating elements arranged laterally against each side of the means of vaporization.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 where the heating element is regulated by a thermistor.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 where at least a part of the interior surface of the means of vaporization has a granular coating and/or is coated at least partially with an anti-boiling agent.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the two hair treatment surfaces are essentially complementary and flat, curved or corrugated in shape.

17. Apparatus according to claim 13 where the heating element is regulated by a thermistor.