U.S. patent application number 17/422987 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-10 for tank with a hooking device for a steam hairdressing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEB S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is SEB S.A.. Invention is credited to Mathias Ganem, Stephane Poncet, Fabrice Renault, Johan Sabattier.
Application Number | 20220039532 17/422987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005981761 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220039532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poncet; Stephane ; et
al. |
February 10, 2022 |
Tank With A Hooking Device For A Steam Hairdressing Apparatus
Abstract
The invention relates to a tank (2) intended for containing a
liquid to be vaporised and for being assembled with a main body (1)
of a hairdressing apparatus, said tank (2) being intended for being
connected with a vaporising device of the hairdressing apparatus
designed for vaporising the liquid and diffusing it towards a
strand of hair. According to the invention, the tank (2) has a
movable hooking device (3) comprising at least one hooking means
designed to correspond with at least one complementary hooking
means belonging to the main body (1) so as to hook the tank (2)
with the main body (1), said movable hooking device (3) being
movable between a first position providing the hooking of the tank
(2) with the main body (1) and a second position allowing a user to
assemble or disassemble the tank (3) with the main body (1).
Inventors: |
Poncet; Stephane; (Mions,
FR) ; Ganem; Mathias; (Lyon, FR) ; Sabattier;
Johan; (Tassin La Demi Lune, FR) ; Renault;
Fabrice; (Chassieu, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEB S.A. |
Ecully |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SEB S.A.
Ecully
FR
|
Family ID: |
1000005981761 |
Appl. No.: |
17/422987 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
January 14, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/050825 |
371 Date: |
July 14, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 4/10 20130101; A45D
2006/005 20130101; A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 2001/008 20130101; A45D
2/001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 4/10 20060101
A45D004/10; A45D 2/00 20060101 A45D002/00; A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 15, 2019 |
FR |
FR1900373 |
Claims
1. A tank intended for containing a liquid to be vaporized and for
being assembled with a main body of a hairdressing apparatus, said
tank being intended for being connected with a vaporizing device of
the hairdressing apparatus designed for vaporizing the liquid and
diffusing the liquid towards a strand of hair, the tank comprising:
a movable hooking device comprising at least one hooking means for
correspondence with at least one complementary hooking means
belonging to the main body so as to hook the tank with the main
body, said movable hooking device being movable between a first
position providing the hooking of the tank with the main body and a
second position allowing a user to assemble the tank with the main
body or disassemble it the tank from the main body.
2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises at least one button configured to be
directly actuated by the user to move the movable hooking device
from the first position to the second position or from the second
position to the first position.
3. The tank according to claim 2, wherein the at least one button
comprises two buttons.
4. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the movable hooking
device is translationally movable relative to the tank.
5. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the tank extends
longitudinally along a first axis, said movable hooking device
being translationally movable relative to the tank along a second
axis perpendicular to said first axis.
6. The tank according to claim 4, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises a translational guiding device, and the
tank further comprises a complementary translational guiding
device, said translational guiding device and said complementary
translational guiding device cooperating to translationally guide
the movable hooking device within the tank.
7. The tank according to claim 4, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises a first stop device in the first position,
and the tank further comprises a first complementary stop device in
the first position, said first stop device in the first position
and said first complementary stop device in the first position
cooperating to prevent the translation of the movable hooking
device beyond said first position.
8. The tank according to claim 7, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises a second stop device in the first
position, and the tank further comprises a second complementary
stop device in the first position, said second stop device in the
first position and said second complementary stop device in the
first position cooperating to prevent the translation of the
movable hooking device beyond said first position.
9. The tank according to claims 4, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises a stop device in the second position, and
the tank further comprises a complementary stop device in the
second position, said stop device in the second position and said
complementary stop device in the second position cooperating to
prevent the translation of the movable hooking device beyond said
second position.
10. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the first position of
the movable hooking device is an at-rest position.
11. The tank according to claim 10, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises an elastic return device.
12. The tank according to claim 3, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises an elastic return device arranged between
the two buttons.
13. The tank according to claim 12, wherein the two buttons are in
contact when the movable hooking device is in the second
position.
14. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the movable hooking
device further comprises a housing designed to accommodate the
elastic return device.
15. The tank according to claim 1, further comprising an additional
fixed hooking device for cooperating with an additional
complementary hooking means belonging to the main body when the
tank is in the first position.
16. The tank according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
guiding device for cooperatinge with at least one complementary
guiding device of the main body when the tank is in the first
position.
17. A hairdressing apparatus comprising a vaporizing device
designed for vaporizing a liquid and diffusing the liquid towards a
strand of hair, a main body, and the tank according to claim 1 that
is removable and intended for containing a liquid to be vaporized
and for being assembled with the main body in order to be connected
with the vaporizing device to supply the vaporizing device with
liquid to be vaporized.
18. The hairdressing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
main body comprises a recess that is complementary in shape to at
least a portion of a shape of the tank and designed to accommodate
at least a portion of the tank when the tank is in the first
position, said recess comprising at least one complementary hooking
means for correspondence with the at least one hooking means of the
movable hooking device.
19. The hairdressing apparatus according to claim 17, further
comprising a first arm connected to a second arm by a hinge so as
to form a clip that can be moved between an open position and a
closed position.
20. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the elastic return
device is a coil spring.
21. The tank according to claim 12, wherein the elastic return
device is a coil spring.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hairdressing
apparatuses and preferentially to the field of hairdressing
apparatuses that vaporize liquid and diffuse it towards a strand of
hair, such as, for example, steam hairdressing apparatuses.
[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the field of
hairdressing apparatuses comprising a vaporizing device designed
for vaporizing liquid and diffusing it towards a strand of hair, a
main body, and a tank that is removable and intended for containing
a liquid to be vaporized and for being assembled with the main body
in order to be connected with the vaporizing device to supply the
latter with liquid to be vaporized.
[0003] The invention also relates to the field of tanks for
hairdressing apparatuses, and more particularly to tanks intended
for containing a liquid to be vaporized and for being assembled
with a main body of a hairdressing apparatus, said tank being
intended for being connected with a vaporizing device of the
hairdressing apparatus designed for vaporizing the liquid and
diffusing it towards a strand of hair.
PRIOR ART
[0004] There are many hairdressing apparatuses that are used to
vaporize liquid and diffuse it towards the hair. Indeed, vaporizing
a liquid onto a strand of hair while styling is known to improve
the effectiveness and the result of the hairdressing operation.
[0005] In order to carry out this vaporization, the known
hairdressing apparatuses are equipped with tanks to contain the
liquid to be vaporized. This tank can generally be removed from the
main body of the hairdressing apparatus in order to make it easier
to fill. Thus, the user must frequently, in general at least once
before each hairstyling operation, remove the tank from the main
body of the apparatus, fill it with liquid (for example with
water), then assemble the tank with the main body of the
hairdressing apparatus in order to supply the latter with liquid to
vaporize.
[0006] Overall, users are satisfied with these hairdressing
apparatuses, in particular with regard to the hairstyling results
obtained. On the other hand, there are nevertheless certain
disadvantages or risks when handling these apparatuses, and in
particular when assembling the tank with the main body of the
apparatus or disassembling it therefrom.
[0007] Indeed, if the tank is not correctly assembled with the main
body of the apparatus, the liquid may leak during the styling
operation. These risks are significantly increased due to the fact
that the hairdressing apparatuses in question are designed to be
manually operated by the user and to be subjected to numerous
movements in connection with the styling operations. In addition,
the tank may accidentally detach from the hairdressing apparatus.
These leaks or this detachment may cause the user inconvenience
ranging from simply wetting his/her clothes, for example, to the
risk of electrocution, as the hairdressing apparatuses in question
are usually electric appliances.
[0008] To limit this type of risk, various principles for attaching
the tank to the main body of the hairdressing apparatus have been
proposed.
[0009] One known solution, as can be seen, for example, in many
commercially-available apparatuses or as illustrated in document
WO2017008413, consists of sliding the tank onto the main body of
the hairdressing apparatus to assemble it: the tank must then slide
within the main body in order to be assembled or dismantled. The
tank is then kept in place in part by friction depending on the
sliding direction. However, this solution is particularly
inconvenient for the user who, when he/she wants to assemble or
disassemble the tank from his/her hairdressing apparatus, must
firmly grasp the main body of the hairdressing apparatus with one
hand and firmly grasp the tank with the other hand, then exert a
substantial relative movement between their parts to disassemble or
assemble them. This operation therefore requires both of the user's
hands as well as considerable effort in terms of both amplitude and
force (to overcome the frictional force). Moreover, with the
repeated assembly and disassembly operations, the parts that
undergo friction with each other will become worn and slacken, and
the reliability of the assembly will decrease over time, which may
subsequently lead to accidental disassembly.
[0010] Another known solution is to equip the main body of the
apparatus with an element whose elastic deformation ensures the
assembly or disassembly of the tank. The elasticity of this
element, usually a tab, will thus make it possible to ensure that
the tank is kept in a hooked position, but also to enable the user,
by exerting force on the tank, to elastically deform this tab
during the assembly or disassembly operations. This solution has
proven to be particularly unreliable with regard to keeping the
tank in place and presents risks of accidental disassembly. In
addition, this solution is not very durable over time since, due to
the repeated assembly and disassembly operations, the tab will wear
out and the assembly will develop slack, which increases the risk
of accidental disassembly. Furthermore, there is a high risk of
fatigue failure of the tab after it has been repeatedly deformed,
and then the tank can no longer be held on the main body. The
reliability and durability of this solution therefore appear
limited.
[0011] There is thus a need to improve the existing apparatuses, in
particular with regard to the assembly of the tank with the main
body of the apparatus.
[0012] Presentation of the Invention
[0013] The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned
drawbacks.
[0014] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a
particularly reliable and robust tank for a hairdressing
apparatus.
[0015] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a
particularly durable tank for a hairdressing apparatus.
[0016] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a tank
for a hairdressing apparatus that is particularly easy to handle,
in particular when assembling it with a hairdressing apparatus or
disassembling it therefrom.
[0017] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a tank
for a hairdressing apparatus that is particularly intuitive and
ergonomic to handle, in particular when assembling it with a
hairdressing apparatus or disassembling it therefrom.
[0018] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a tank
for a hairdressing apparatus that is particularly compact and
lightweight.
[0019] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a
hairdressing apparatus that is particularly reliable and
robust.
[0020] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a
hairdressing apparatus that is particularly durable.
[0021] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a
hairdressing apparatus that is particularly easy to handle, in
particular when assembling the tank with the main body of the
hairdressing apparatus or disassembling it therefrom.
[0022] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a
hairdressing apparatus that is particularly intuitive and ergonomic
to handle, in particular when assembling the tank with the main
body of the hairdressing apparatus or disassembling it
therefrom.
[0023] One of the purposes of the invention is to propose a
hairdressing apparatus that is particularly compact and
lightweight.
[0024] These objectives are achieved by means of a tank intended
for containing a liquid to be vaporized and for being assembled
with a main body of a hairdressing apparatus, said tank being
intended for being connected with a vaporizing device of the
hairdressing apparatus designed for vaporizing the liquid and
diffusing it towards a strand of hair, characterized in that the
tank has a movable hooking device comprising at least one hooking
means designed to correspond with at least one complementary
hooking means belonging to the main body so as to hook the tank
with the main body, said movable hooking device being movable
between a first position providing the hooking of the tank with the
main body and a second position allowing a user to assemble the
tank with the main body or disassemble it therefrom.
[0025] These objectives are also achieved by means of a
hairdressing apparatus comprising a vaporizing device designed for
vaporizing the liquid and diffusing it towards a strand of hair, a
main body, and a tank that is removable and intended for containing
a liquid to be vaporized and for being assembled with the main body
in order to be connected with the vaporizing device to supply the
latter with liquid to be vaporized, characterized in that the tank
is consistent with the above description.
[0026] The invention therefore relates to two separate products, in
this case a tank for a hairdressing apparatus and a hairdressing
apparatus, there being a connection between them since the former
is designed to be connected to the latter.
[0027] Preferentially, the liquid is water. However, the invention
is not limited to this particular liquid and the liquid may be, for
example, oil, a cosmetic product, or any other liquid product that
could be diffused onto the hair in order to treat it or in order to
improve the effectiveness of the styling operation. The liquid may
optionally be a mixture of water and another product, such as, for
example, a cosmetic product.
[0028] In this case, the expression "vaporize" can be understood in
the broadest sense. It thus refers to any type of liquid
projection, regardless of its nature, form or state. Thus, for
example, the liquid can be vaporized by being dispersed as a
multitude of fine droplets, preferentially of microscopic size, for
example like a mister.
[0029] Preferentially, "vaporize" can also be understood in its
strictly physical sense; i.e., as an operation causing liquid to be
transformed into steam. In other words, "vaporization" can imply a
change in state: the liquid changes from the liquid state to the
gaseous state. For example, in the preferential case in which the
liquid is water, this change of state; i.e., this vaporization,
occurs when the liquid reaches a temperature of 100.degree. C.
under normal atmospheric pressure.
[0030] "Tank" refers to any type of watertight container that can
hold a liquid, and preferentially water. Preferentially, the tank
capacity is between 5 mL and 500 mL, and advantageously between 15
mL and 100 mL. Preferentially, the tank is made of plastic.
[0031] Advantageously, the tank comprises an upper housing and a
lower housing assembled such that that they cannot be disassembled
(for example by bonding or welding).
[0032] The tank is removable, which means that it can be assembled
or disassembled (or hooked in and removed) as desired from the main
body of the hairdressing apparatus with no deterioration of the
tank or of the main body.
[0033] In particular, the tank can be in a hooked position. In this
position, the tank is attached to the main body of the hairdressing
apparatus: the tank is then joined to the main body, advantageously
sealed to the main body. This hooked position allows the tank to
deliver the liquid it contains to the hairdressing apparatus so
that the vaporizing device can vaporize the liquid and then diffuse
it towards a strand of hair.
[0034] The tank can also be in an unhooked position. In this
position, it is not joined to the main body. Preferentially, the
tank is separate from the main body and can then be freely and
easily handled by the user, for example to fill the tank, clean it,
etc.
[0035] "Movable hooking device" is preferentially understood to
mean any movable device or means; i.e., that can be moved to
several positions, making it possible, among other things, to hook
(i.e., to attach) the tank with or onto the main body of the
hairdressing apparatus. To this end, the movable hooking device of
the invention comprises at least one hooking means designed to
correspond with at least one complementary hooking means belonging
to the main body so as to hook the tank to the main body. Thus, two
hooking means that are complementary between them are used: on one
hand, a hooking means embedded onto the movable hooking device,
preferentially a male hooking means, and, on the other hand, a
complementary hooking means embedded onto the main body of the
hairdressing apparatus, preferentially a complementary female
hooking means. Said at least one hooking means of the movable
hooking device and at least one complementary hooking means of the
main body will then cooperate with each other to ensure the
hooking; i.e., the attachment, between the tank and the main body.
Preferentially, the movable hooking device comprises two hooking
means designed to correspond with two complementary hooking means
belonging to the main body so as to attach the tank to the main
body at two distinct points, which reinforces the mechanical
strength of the hooking.
[0036] The hooking device of the invention is movable between a
first position ensuring that the tank is hooked to the main body
and a second position allowing a user to assemble the tank with the
main body or disassemble it therefrom. In other words, the first
position of the movable hooking device corresponds to the hooked
position of the tank as defined above. The second position of the
movable hooking device corresponds to the unhooked position of the
tank as defined above. Thus, due to the movable hooking device of
the invention, the user can easily and quickly control the movement
of the tank from its hooked position to its unhooked position, or
inversely. In addition, the movable hooking device is embedded onto
the tank, which enables the user to actuate it with the same hand
as the one grasping the tank. The movable hooking device makes it
possible to move the tank from its hooked position to its unhooked
position according to the user's wishes. The user can thus hook up
or unhook the tank with one hand. In particular, only a deliberate
action by the user on the movable hooking device (the user has to
move it between its two positions) makes it possible to move the
tank from its hooked position to its unhooked position, which
avoids any accidental separation of the tank from the main body of
the hairdressing apparatus. This significantly reinforces the user
comfort and safety of the hairdressing apparatus.
[0037] A "hairdressing apparatus" is any type of device that
enables a user to perform a hairdressing operation on hair (or
optionally on fur, in the case of animals, for example). For
example, the hairdressing apparatus can be a straightening iron for
straightening hair, a curling iron for making curls or waves, or a
versatile apparatus for creating various types of hairstyles.
[0038] According to one embodiment, the hairdressing apparatus
comprises a first arm connected to a second arm by a hinge so as to
form a movable clip between an open position and a closed position.
The open position enables the user to insert a strand of hair into
the apparatus, while the closed position allows the user to apply
pressure to the hair, and preferentially heat, to shape the hair,
usually to straighten it. Thus, the apparatus forms a straightening
iron, which is an apparatus that is well-known as such and will not
be further detailed herein. Particularly, this type of apparatus
comprises in particular at least one heat treatment surface, and
preferentially two, arranged at the end of an arm (or of each arm)
and designed to come into contact with the hair to transfer heat
thereto.
[0039] "Main body" preferentially refers to the portion of the
hairdressing apparatus that is designed to accommodate the tank.
According to one embodiment, the main body comprises the vaporizing
device, and advantageously the first and second arms.
[0040] However, an embodiment could be conceived in which the
hairdressing apparatus comprises a main body containing the
removable tank and a secondary body comprising in particular the
vaporizing device, and advantageously the first and second arms. In
this case, the main body and the secondary body would be connected
to each other by a cord designed to convey the liquid contained in
the main body tank to the secondary body.
[0041] Advantageously, the main body comprises a recess that is
complementary in shape to at least a portion of the shape of the
tank and designed to accommodate at least a portion of the tank
when the latter is in a hooked position, said recess comprising
said at least one complementary hooking means. Thus, the tank is at
least partially located inside the main body of the hairdressing
apparatus, which makes it possible, on one hand, to limit the
overall footprint of the hairdressing apparatus, and on the other
hand to ensure that the tank is securely maintained in its hooked
position.
[0042] According to a preferential embodiment, the movable hooking
device comprises at least one button intended to be directly
actuated by the user to move the movable hooking device from its
first position to its second position or inversely. This makes the
movable hooking device, and accordingly the hairdressing apparatus,
particularly easy and intuitive to use. Advantageously, the button
is a push button designed to be actuated by one finger of the
user's hand. Preferentially, the movable hooking device comprises
two buttons, which makes it possible to distribute the effort and
therefore to improve the ergonomics of the tank and hairdressing
apparatus. Advantageously, the two buttons are coaxial and oriented
in opposite directions so that they can be actuated by the user
using a pinching movement between two fingers, for example between
the thumb and index finger. Indeed, this is a natural and intuitive
movement for humans when handling an object.
[0043] According to one advantageous embodiment, the movable
hooking device is movable in translation relative to the tank. In
other words, the movement of the movable hooking device will cause
it to move relative to the tank, which will remain stationary. This
mode of movement of the movable hooking device makes it possible to
reconcile simplicity, robustness and ergonomics. Indeed, due to
this embodiment, the user can place the tank in the palm of his/her
hand while translationally actuating the movable hooking device
with one or more fingers of this hand.
[0044] Preferentially, the tank extends longitudinally along a
first axis, and said movable hooking device is movable in
translation relative to the tank along a second axis perpendicular
to said first axis. Having a translational movement perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the tank makes it possible to obtain a
particularly ergonomic tank insofar as a minimum effort is
necessary to hold the tank in one hand. Indeed, the longitudinal
axis of the tank is placed in the palm of the hand, giving the tank
excellent support, and the translational movement of the movable
hooking device, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is thus
remarkably well-oriented relative to a movement of the thumb and/or
index finger of the hand holding the tank.
[0045] According to this advantageous embodiment, the movable
hooking device comprises a translational guiding device, the tank
comprises a complementary translational guiding device, said
translational guiding device and the complementary translational
guiding device cooperating with each other so as to translationally
guide the movable hooking device within the tank. Thus, the
translational movement of the movable hooking device is limited to
a single translation that is guided by the tank itself. This
ensures easy movement, good ergonomics and intuitiveness for the
user, who therefore cannot make any handling mistakes.
[0046] Also according to this advantageous embodiment, the movable
hooking device preferentially comprises a first stop device in the
first position, the tank comprises a first complementary stop
device in the first position, said first stop device in the first
position and first complementary stop device in the first position
cooperating with each other in such a way as to prevent the
translation of the movable hooking device beyond said first
position. Thus, the translational movement of the movable hooking
device is limited by the tank itself so as not to go beyond the
first position. This ensures easy movement, good ergonomics and
intuitiveness for the user, who therefore cannot make any handling
mistakes. Also advantageously, the movable hooking device comprises
a second stop device in the first position, the tank comprises a
second complementary stop device in the first position, said second
stop device in the first position and second complementary stop
device in the first position cooperating with each other in such a
way as to prevent the translation of the movable hooking device
beyond said first position. Thus, the translational movement of the
movable hooking device is doubly limited by the tank itself. This
guarantees good mechanical strength, with two stops, and in
particular eliminates any risk of accidental disassembly of the
movable hooking device from the tank.
[0047] Also according to this advantageous embodiment, the movable
hooking device preferentially comprises a stop device in the second
position, the tank comprises a complementary stop device in the
second position, said stop device in the second position and
complementary stop device in the second position cooperating with
each other in such a way as to prevent the translation of the
movable hooking device beyond said second position. Thus, the
translational movement of the movable hooking device is limited by
the tank itself so as not to go beyond the second position. This
ensures easy movement, good ergonomics and intuitiveness for the
user, who therefore cannot make any handling mistakes. Lastly, when
the two preferential constructions above are combined within this
advantageous embodiment, the movement of the movable hooking device
is completely limited by and within the tank to a translational
movement between the first and the second position. This ensures
easy movement, good ergonomics and intuitiveness for the user, who
therefore cannot make any handling mistakes.
[0048] According to one embodiment, the first position of the
movable hooking device is an at-rest position. In other words, the
movable hooking device is naturally, or by default, kept stable in
its first position; i.e., in the position that ensures that the
tank is hooked to the main body of the hairdressing apparatus. This
substantially improves the safe use of the apparatus since, with no
action by the user, the tank remains securely attached to the main
body of the hairdressing apparatus. To this end, the movable
hooking device preferentially comprises an elastic return device,
said elastic return device preferentially being a coil spring,
which guarantees reliability, robustness and low manufacturing
cost. However, any other appropriate means of making the first
position an at-rest position can be conceived, such as, for
example, a ferromagnetic device. In the preferential case in which
the movable hooking device comprises two buttons, the elastic
return device is advantageously arranged between the two buttons so
as to push, or move, the latter back or apart. This makes it
possible to achieve a simple, inexpensive, reliable and very
effective construction from a mechanical point of view.
Preferentially, the movable hooking device comprises a housing
designed to accommodate the elastic return device. This housing
thus makes it possible, on one hand, to limit the footprint of the
movable hooking device by incorporating the elastic return device,
and on the other hand, to ensure the guidance and the hold of said
elastic return device during movements, which will improve overall
reliability. Advantageously, when the movable hooking device is in
its second position, the two buttons are in contact, which makes it
possible to form another stop device in the second position in
order to withstand the efforts applied by the user on the
buttons.
[0049] This reinforces the mechanical strength of the movable
hooking device and the reliability of the tank.
[0050] According to one embodiment, the tank comprises an
additional fixed hooking device designed to cooperate with an
additional complementary hooking means belonging to the main body
when the tank is in a hooked position. Thus, two other
complementary hooking means can be used to improve the hooking of
the tank to the main body of the hairdressing apparatus: on one
hand, an additional fixed hooking device; i.e., non-mobile and
non-deformable, preferentially a male hooking device, embedded on
the tank, and on the other hand, by an additional complementary
hooking means embedded on the main body of the hairdressing
apparatus, preferentially a complementary female hooking means.
Said additional fixed hooking device and additional complementary
hooking means will then cooperate with each other to ensure the
hooking; i.e., the attachment, between the tank and the main body.
Preferentially, said additional fixed hooking device and additional
complementary hooking means are arranged parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the tank while said at least one hooking means
and complementary hooking means are arranged perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the tank. This makes it possible to properly
apportion the hooking points between the tank and the main body and
thus to improve the mechanical strength of the hooking.
[0051] According to one embodiment, the tank comprises at least one
guiding device designed to cooperate with at least one
complementary guiding device of the main body when the tank is in
the hooked position. In other words, two complementary guiding
devices are used to improve the hooking of the tank to the main
body of the hairdressing apparatus but also to facilitate the
assembly and disassembly of the tank by guiding the movement of the
latter: on one hand, a guiding device, preferentially female,
embedded on the tank, and on the other hand, a complementary
guiding device, preferentially male, embedded on the main body, and
preferentially incorporated into the recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hairdressing apparatus
according to the invention.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the apparatus in FIG. 1, in
which the tank has been unhooked and removed.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of the tank of the
apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tank in FIG. 3 in which
the upper housing of the tank is hidden.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the tank of
FIG. 3 in which the movable hooking device is hidden.
[0057] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the underside of the
tank in FIG. 3.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of FIG. 5.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but in which all of the
parts are present.
[0060] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the movable hooking device
of the tank in FIG. 3.
[0061] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the movable hooking
device in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0062] The embodiment of the invention illustrated by the various
figures is an embodiment in which the hairdressing apparatus that
is the subject-matter of the invention is a steam straightening
iron. Consequently, the tank 2, also the subject-matter of the
invention, is a tank for a steam straightening iron. However, other
embodiments are altogether conceivable without departing from the
scope of the invention, such as, for example, a steam curling
iron.
[0063] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the hairdressing apparatus
comprises a first arm 11 connected to a second arm 12 by a hinge 13
so as to form a clip that can be moved between an open position and
a closed position. The first and second arms 11, 12 are gripping
means for the user's hand. To this end, they preferentially form,
at least over a portion of their length, a handle forming a
gripping area. The hairdressing apparatus is shown in the closed
position in FIG. 1. The hinge 13 is thus substantially arranged at
the end of said first and second arms 11, 12. The architecture and
operation of this type of hairdressing apparatus are well-known as
such, so they will not be further detailed herein. For example,
each of said first and second arms 11, 12 are known to comprise a
heat treatment surface intended to be in contact with the hair.
These treatment surfaces are arranged at the end of each of said
first and second arms 11, 12, opposite the hinge 13. The hinge 13
is typically a shaft around which said first and second arms are
mounted.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the hairdressing
apparatus comprises a main body 1 designed to house a tank 2 as
will be detailed below. In other words, the tank 2 is intended to
be assembled with the main body 1. According to the illustrated
embodiment, the main body 1 comprises said first and second arms
11, 12. It is also possible to imagine an alternative embodiment in
which the hairdressing apparatus would comprise a secondary body
separate from the main body 1 which houses the tank 2. The
secondary body could then comprise said first and second arms 11,
12 and said hinge 13. The main body 1 and the secondary body would
then be connected to each other by a cord to convey the liquid from
the tank 2 of the main body 1 to the secondary body, and more
specifically to the first arm 11, for example.
[0065] As can be seen in FIG. 2, advantageously, the main body 1
comprises a recess 111;
[0066] i.e., a hollow space within the main body 1, the shape of
which is complementary to at least a portion of the shape of the
tank 2. In other words, the recess 111 forms a hollow impression
for at least a portion of the tank 2. The recess 111 is thus
designed to accommodate at least a portion of the tank 2 when it is
in a hooked position, as will be detailed below.
[0067] Preferentially, the main body 1, or more specifically the
recess 111, comprises at least one complementary guiding device
114, and advantageously two complementary guiding devices 114, as
shown in FIG. 2. Said at least one complementary guiding device 114
can then be in the form of a circular half-pin.
[0068] The hairdressing apparatus comprises a tank 2 intended to
contain a liquid to be vaporized, preferentially water. The tank 2
is removable; i.e., it is possible to remove, disassemble the tank
2 from the hairdressing apparatus, as can be seen in FIG. 2 which
illustrates the main body 1 of the hairdressing apparatus when the
tank 2 has been disassembled. The tank 2 is therefore intended to
be assembled with the main body 1 of a hairdressing apparatus.
[0069] The tank 2 can be in a hooked position, as can be seen in
FIG. 1, in which it is incorporated into the main body 1 of the
hairdressing apparatus, precisely by being at least partially
arranged inside the recess 111. This makes it possible to offer a
particularly compact hairdressing apparatus with the tank
incorporated into the first arm 11. The hooked position of the tank
2 corresponds to an operational position of the hairdressing
apparatus. The tank 2 can also be in an unhooked position as can be
seen in FIGS. 2 to 8, in which it is separated from and independent
of the main body 1 of the hairdressing apparatus. When the tank 2
is in the unhooked position, it is then possible for a user to fill
it, in particular after removing a fill cap 26 which can be seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6. More specifically, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the
fill cap 26 comprises a fill orifice cap 261, intended to provide a
watertight seal for a fill orifice of the tank 2, and a venting
orifice cap 262 intended to provide an airtight seal for a venting
orifice of the tank while it is being filled. Indeed, to make the
filling operation easier, more precisely to ensure that the
atmospheric pressure of the tank 2 is maintained during filling,
the tank 2 is equipped with two orifices: one with a larger
diameter intended to receive the liquid, the other with a smaller
diameter intended to ensure venting even if the filling orifice is
completely blocked by the liquid or by a funnel or any other
filling pipette.
[0070] Advantageously, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the tank extends
longitudinally along a first axis X-X'; i.e., the tank 2 has an
overall elongated shape, such as a substantially rectangular shape,
the angles being rounded. Indeed, this longitudinal shape is
particularly adapted to enable the tank 2 to be inserted into the
main body 1 and more particularly into the first arm 11 as shown in
FIG. 1 while maximizing the capacity of the tank 2. Preferentially,
the first arm 11 extends parallel to the first axis X-X'.
Advantageously, the first arm 11 extends along the first axis X-X'.
In this advantageous case, as illustrated, the tank 2 can then
extend over more than half the length of the first arm 11, which
makes it possible to maximize the capacity of the tank 2. The tank
2 is then fully incorporated into the first arm 11 and thus
constitutes a grip area for the user's hand.
[0071] The tank 2 also preferentially comprises a connection device
25 which can be seen in FIG. 5 and is intended to correspond to a
complementary connection device 15 which can be seen in FIG. 2 and
is located in the main body 1, and more specifically in the recess
111. As can be seen in these figures, the connection device 25 is a
male connection device, in this case a portion of the tube
protruding from the tank 2, while the complementary connection
device 15 is a female connection device, in this case an orifice.
When the tank 2 is in its hooked position, said connection devices
25 and complementary connection device 15 cooperate in a watertight
manner to allow the liquid contained in the tank 2 to supply the
main body of the apparatus 1, and more specifically a vaporizing
device as will be detailed below. Preferentially, the connection
device 25 is arranged at a longitudinal end of the tank 2, as can
be seen in FIG. 5, and extends longitudinally parallel to the first
axis X-X'.
[0072] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the tank 2 advantageously
comprises a suction tube 251 connected to the connection device 25
in a sealed manner. The suction tube 251 freely extends inside the
tank 2 and comprises at its free end a suction end 252 whose mass
is greater than that of the suction tube 251. This allows the
suction tube 251 to be driven by gravity where the liquid itself is
driven by gravity during the movements of the hairdressing
apparatus. This ensures good suction of the liquid inside the tank
2 regardless of its filling level and spatial position. The suction
tube 251 moves freely inside the tank 2, i.e., it is flexible and
can move around inside the tank 2. Combined with the weighted
suction end 252, this solves the problem of certain
currently-available tanks that do not enable all of the liquid to
be suctioned out: in other words, it is impossible to empty them,
since suction becomes impossible, for example, when the amount of
water has decreased by half. This would result in a lack of
autonomy of the apparatus equipped with the tank.
[0073] The tank 2 also preferentially comprises a venting device 27
which can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6 and is designed, on one hand, to
prevent the liquid from escaping from the tank 2, and on the other
hand, to keep the tank 2 at atmospheric pressure. This venting
device 27 makes it possible to solve the following technical
problem. When the liquid is aspirated by the suction tube 251, the
amount of liquid inside the tank 2 decreases. However, tank 2 is
airtight, such that the amount of liquid aspirated cannot be
replaced by air. This results in the creation of a negative
pressure inside tank 2 as the liquid is suctioned out. After a
certain amount of time, the depressurization is so great that it
becomes impossible to suction the liquid. It then becomes
impossible to suction out all of the liquid contained in the tank
2, which limits the autonomy of the hairdressing apparatus equipped
with the tank.
[0074] The venting device 27 makes it possible to counter this
phenomenon by allowing air to penetrate into the tank 2 as the
amount of liquid inside the tank 2 decreases, while preventing the
liquid from leaking out of the tank 2.
[0075] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the venting device 27 comprises an
umbrella-shaped or mushroom-shaped valve. Due to the weight of the
liquid pressing on the valve cap or head, this device makes it
possible to keep the valve pressed down and thus to prevent the
liquid from escaping from the tank 2. On the other hand, when the
pressure decreases inside the tank 2, the outside atmospheric
pressure pushes the foot of the valve despite the weight of the
liquid, which allows air into the tank 2. When the pressure inside
the tank 2 is balanced with the outside pressure (atmospheric), the
valve returns to its initial position due to the weight of the
liquid as previously explained.
[0076] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tank 2 comprises an
upper housing 21 and a lower housing 22 which are tightly and
advantageously definitively joined together by bonding or welding,
meaning that they cannot be disassembled. Such an assembly makes it
possible to solve the problem of assembling the tank 2 by greatly
facilitating, or even simply by making it possible, to install the
various components inside the tank, and in particular to install
the suction tube 251 described above.
[0077] As will have been understood, the devices described above,
and in particular the suction tube 251 and the venting device 27,
each make it possible to solve a particular technical problem and
may, in this respect, constitute inventions as such.
[0078] As can be seen in FIG. 5 and in more detail in FIG. 7, the
tank 2 advantageously comprises a guide frame 23 which itself
preferentially comprises different bars that make it possible to
provide various guiding and hooking functions as will be detailed
hereafter. The guide frame 23 is advantageously located at a
longitudinal end of the tank 2, preferentially opposite the
connection device 25.
[0079] The hairdressing apparatus comprises a vaporizing device
designed for vaporizing the liquid and diffusing it towards a
strand of hair. The vaporizing device can, for example, comprise a
vaporization chamber in which the liquid contained in the tank 2 is
transformed into steam when heated. The steam is then diffused
towards a strand of hair, for example through diffusion orifices.
This kind of system is well-known as such and will therefore not be
detailed herein. Another vaporizing device can, for example, be a
misting system that transforms the liquid into fine droplets like a
mister, without changing the state of the liquid.
[0080] Thus, the tank 2 is intended to be connected with the
vaporizing device of the hairdressing apparatus designed for
vaporizing the liquid and diffusing it towards a strand of hair.
The tank 2 will thus supply the latter with liquid to vaporize.
Preferentially, the connection is airtight and is especially made
by means of the connection device 25 and the complementary
connection device 15. The hairdressing apparatus, and more
preferentially, the main body 1 can also comprise a flow generation
device, such as a pump for example, and preferentially a
peristaltic pump which makes it possible to suction the liquid
contained in the tank, using the suction tube 251 to convey the
liquid to the vaporizing device.
[0081] According to the invention, the tank 2 comprises a movable
hooking device 3 as can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8. In other
words, the movable hooking device 3 is embedded on the tank 2,
i.e., the movable hooking device 3 is built into the tank 2.
[0082] This allows for a more ergonomic use of the tank 2, and
accordingly the hairdressing apparatus, insofar as it is possible
to simultaneously handle the tank 2 and the movable hooking device
3 with one hand.
[0083] As can be seen in FIG. 10, the movable hooking device 3
comprises at least one hooking means 333. More specifically, the
movable hooking device 3 preferentially comprises a foot 33 which
itself comprises a hook forming a rib that protrudes from the foot
33 and is intended to be hooked to a complementary part; said rib
thus forming the hooking means 333. In other words, the hooking
means 333 is a male hooking means whose shape is substantially
rectangular. Advantageously, as illustrated, the movable hooking
device 3 comprises two hooking means 333, which makes it possible
to multiply the hooking points between the tank 2 and the main body
1 and thus to reinforce the mechanical strength of the hooking. The
two hooking means 333 are advantageously symmetrical relative to a
median plane P perpendicular to the first axis X-X' of the tank as
can be seen in FIG. 10.
[0084] Said at least one hooking means 333 is designed to allow the
tank 2 to be hooked to the main body 1, i.e., to keep the tank 2 in
the hooked position. Preferentially, the hooking means 333 is
rigid, i.e., it cannot be deformed. This characteristic ensures the
mechanical strength of the hooking between tank 2 and the main body
1 and thus avoids any risk of accidental unhooking. In addition,
unlike the currently-known tank hooking techniques which operate on
the basis of an elastic deformation of such a hooking device, the
rigidity of the hooking means 333 of the invention makes it
possible to guarantee the mechanical strength of the hooking over
time, i.e., including after numerous uses. Indeed, the risk of
fatigue failure of the hooking means 333 is eliminated. The
reliability and longevity of the hooking means 333 and therefore of
the tank 2 and thus of the hairdressing apparatus is increased
accordingly.
[0085] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the main body 1, and more
particularly the recess 111, comprises at least one complementary
hooking means 112. The latter is designed to be complementary to
the hooking means 333, i.e. to cooperate with the latter in order
to ensure the hooking of the tank 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the
complementary hooking means 112 is preferentially a female hooking
means, comprising, for example, a substantially rectangular cavity.
This complementary hooking means 112 will then receive the male
hooking means 333 to ensure the hooking. The preferentially
substantially rectangular shapes of said hooking means 333 and
complementary hooking means 112 make it possible to distribute the
mechanical forces over a certain length, which improves the
mechanical strength, in particular with regard to pullout, of the
hooking of the tank 2 to the main body 1. Thus, said at least one
hooking means 333 is designed to correspond with said at least one
complementary hooking means 112 belonging to the main body 1 so as
to hook the tank 2 to the main body 1. Preferentially, said recess
111 comprises said at least one complementary hooking means 112 as
can be seen in FIG. 2, advantageously near an angle.
Preferentially, the main body comprises two additional
complementary hooking means 112 located [sic: along] a second axis
Y-Y' perpendicular to the first axis X-X'.
[0086] The movable hooking device 3 is movable between a first
position ensuring that the tank 2 is hooked to the main body 1 and
a second position allowing a user to assemble the tank 3 [sic: 2]
with the main body 1 or disassemble it therefrom. In other words,
in order to move the tank 2 from its hooked position to its
unhooked position, the user must move the movable hooking device
3.
[0087] More specifically, in order to move or keep the tank 2 in
its hooked position, the movable hooking device 3 must be moved or
kept in its first position. The first position of the movable
hooking device 3 therefore corresponds to the hooked position of
the tank 2 and therefore to an operating position of the
hairdressing apparatus. In order to secure the hooking of the tank
2 and to limit the user's interventions, the first position of the
movable hooking device 3 is advantageously an at-rest position. In
other words, with no action by the user, the movable hooking device
3 is naturally in its first position, i.e., in the position
ensuring the hooking of the tank 2 with the main body 1 of the
hairdressing apparatus.
[0088] Conversely, to move the tank 2 to its unhooked position, the
movable hooking device 3 must be moved to its second position,
which will unhook the tank 2 as will be detailed hereafter.
[0089] In the various figures, the movable hooking device 3 is in
fact shown in this second position.
[0090] Preferentially, as can be seen in the different figures, the
movable hooking device 3 comprises at least one button 31, and
preferentially two buttons 31. "Button" means any part intended to
be directly operated by the user, preferentially by the user's hand
and more particularly by at least one of the user's fingers.
Preferentially, the button 31 is a push button designed to be
actuated by only one of the user's fingers. Said at least one
button 31 is connected, preferentially rigidly, with the hooking
means 333 such that when the user actuates said at least one button
31, this will cause the hooking means 333 to move; more
specifically, it will detach the hooking means 333 from the
complementary hooking means 112 (i.e., said hooking means 333 and
the complementary hooking means 112 no longer cooperate with each
other) and therefore cause the movable hooking device 3 to move
from its first position to its second position or inversely. In
other words, the movable hooking device 3 can thus move between
said first and second positions.
[0091] Advantageously, the movable hooking device 3 is movable in
translation with respect to the tank 2, i.e., the movable hooking
device 3 moves in a translational movement, and advantageously only
a translational movement, relative to the tank 2, which then
constitutes a fixed reference frame.
[0092] Preferentially, as can be seen in FIG. 8, said movable
hooking device 3 is movable in translation relative to the tank 2
along a second axis Y-Y' perpendicular to said first axis X-X'. In
other words, the translational movement of the movable hooking
device 3 thus takes place perpendicularly to the longitudinal
direction of the tank 2. In the preferential case in which the
movable hooking device 3 comprises two buttons 31, this means that
the two buttons 31 are movable in translation along the second Y-Y'
axis. Such a configuration is an ergonomic improvement that is
altogether remarkable since it is thus possible for the user to
handle the tank 2 and its hooking system, namely the movable
hooking device 3, with one hand. More specifically, the user can
position the tank 2 in the palm of his/her hand, with the first
axis X-X' substantially perpendicular to his/her arm. The movable
hooking device 3 and in particular the buttons 31 are then in the
ideal position to be able to be directly actuated by the thumb and
index finger of the user's hand holding the tank.
[0093] As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the movable hooking device
3 comprises a plane of symmetry P perpendicular to the second Y-Y'
axis. In other words, the plane P can comprise the first axis X-X'.
The movable hooking device 3 is therefore perfectly symmetrical
with respect to the plane P. The movable hooking device comprises
two sub-assemblies arranged on either side of the plane P and
symmetrically with respect to the plane P. Consequently, in the
following description, only one of the sub-assemblies will be
described, the other being the symmetrical mirror of the first
sub-assembly.
[0094] The foot 33 of the movable hooking device is secured to said
button 31. Preferentially, the foot 33 is in material continuity
with the button 31, meaning that it is made of the same material
and can be made at the same time as the button, for example, by
machining or molding. However, the foot 33 can also be assembled
with the button 31, for example by welding. The foot 33 is roughly
in the shape of an inverted T. The vertical bar of the T is thus
joined to the button 31 whereas the horizontal bar of the T
comprises the hooking means 333.
[0095] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a
translational guiding device 331 advantageously formed by the
vertical bar of the T of the foot 33. The tank 2 thus comprises a
complementary translational guiding device 231, which can be seen
in FIG. 7, advantageously formed by one bar of the guide frame 23.
Said translational guiding device 331 and complementary
translational guiding device 231 thus cooperate with each other to
translationally guide the movable hooking device 3 within the tank
2, and more specifically within the guide frame 23.
[0096] Preferentially, as can be seen in FIG. 8, translational
guidance takes place by means of a slide link advantageously formed
by the vertical bar of the T moving inside a U-shaped space formed
by the guide frame 23 as can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, and by the
horizontal bar of the T which rests on the U, the length of the
horizontal bar of the T being greater than the opening of the U.
Preferentially, the U formed within the guide frame 23 opens
outwards, and the second Y-Y' axis is an axis of symmetry for the
U-space of the guide frame 23. In addition, the button 31 is also
designed to press on the U of the guide frame 23. Thus, the
particular shape of the movable hooking device 3, and in particular
of its foot 33, combined with the complementary shape of the guide
frame 23, make it possible to create a slide link to guide the
movable hooking device 3 in the guide frame 23 of the tank 2 of the
hairdressing apparatus. A similar translational guiding device that
could be created using a dovetail-type device could be conceived
without departing from the context of the invention.
Preferentially, the slide link is on the Y-Y axis.
[0097] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a
first stop device in the first position 341 as can be seen in FIG.
9 or 10. More specifically, the button 31 is, when seen from above,
in the shape of a T, the horizontal bar of the T being the portion
that the user will actuate with his/her finger, as can be seen in
FIG. 9. The button 31 advantageously comprises a first pin 34 that
protrudes from the vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31,
in a direction similar to that of the foot 33. Preferentially, the
pin 34 and the foot 33 extend in parallel directions, and
advantageously in the same direction. Advantageously, the first pin
34 comprises a substantially flat surface perpendicular to the
vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31, said surface forming
said first stop device in the first position 341. Said first stop
device in the first position 341 is thus advantageously parallel to
the plane P.
[0098] Advantageously, the button 31 has reliefs that improve the
quality of the contact between the button 31 and the user's finger.
These reliefs also enable the user to see where to position his/her
finger to unhook the tank 2.
[0099] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a first complementary
stop device in the first position 232, as can be seen in FIG. 7.
More specifically, said first complementary stop device in the
first position 232 is comprised in the guide frame 23 which forms a
substantially rectangular window in this portion. Said first
complementary stop device in the first position 232 is therefore
formed by a bar parallel to the first X-X axis.
[0100] Preferentially, said bar is rectangular or square in
cross-section in order to provide substantially flat lateral
surfaces, and in particular a lateral surface substantially
parallel to the first stop device in the first position 341.
[0101] Said first stop device in the first position 341 and first
complementary stop device in the first position 232 thus cooperate
with each other in such a way as to prevent the translation of the
movable hooking device 3 beyond said first position; in other
words, so as to provide the movable hooking device 3 with a first
position stop. As can be seen in FIGS. 7 to 10, the cooperation in
question is advantageously a plane-on-plane type cooperation. This
allows for good contact that distributes efforts well and therefore
guarantees a reliable, robust and durable first stop position over
time. This limits the translational movement of the movable hooking
device 3 such that the latter cannot go beyond its first position.
Good stopping quality is all the more important since, as explained
above, the first position can correspond to an at-rest position,
i.e., a position very frequently occupied by the movable hooking
device 3.
[0102] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a
second stop device in first position 351 which can be seen in
particular in FIGS. 9 and 10. More specifically, the button 31
advantageously comprises a second pin 35 which protrudes from the
vertical bar of the T formed by the button 31, in a direction
opposite but parallel to that of the foot 33. Preferentially, the
first pin 34 and the second pin 35 extend in parallel but opposite
directions. In other words, said first and second pins 34, 35
extend on either side of the vertical bar of the T formed by the
button 31, as can be seen in FIG. 9. Preferentially, the second pin
35 is parallel to the plane P.
[0103] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a second complementary
stop device in the first position 233, which can be seen in FIG. 7.
The latter can then be formed by one wall of a notch made directly
in the upper housing 21 of the tank 2. Preferentially, the second
complementary stop device in the first position 233 extends
longitudinally parallel to the first axis X-X'.
[0104] Said second stop device in the first position 351 and second
complementary stop device in the first position 233 thus cooperate
with each other in such a way as to prevent the translation of the
movable hooking device 3 beyond said first position; in other
words, offering a first position stop to the movable hooking device
3. In this case, too, cooperation is advantageously a
plane-on-plane-based cooperation which therefore offers the same
advantages as the ones previously listed. The fact that the movable
hooking device comprises two stop devices in the first position
341, 351, each cooperating with two complementary stop devices in
the first position 232, 233 of the tank 2 thus makes it possible to
provide the movable hooking device 3 with two first-position stops.
This makes it possible to best apportion the contact pressures
between the two stops and therefore to improve the strength,
reliability and durability of the movable hooking device 3.
Moreover, each of these stops makes it possible to keep the button
31 joined with the tank and to avoid accidental disassembly of the
movable hooking device 3 from the tank 2.
[0105] Preferentially, the movable hooking device 3 comprises a
stop device in the second position 332 which can be seen in FIG. 10
and is advantageously formed by the foot 33. More specifically,
said stop device in the second position 332 is formed by a surface
of the foot 33 that is substantially parallel to the first stop
device in the first position 341 and preferentially parallel to the
plane P. Thus, said stop device in the second position 332 and
first stop device in the first position 341 form two parallel stops
that limit the translational movement of the movable hooking device
3.
[0106] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a complementary stop
device in the second position 234, which can be seen in FIG. 7. The
complementary stop device in the second position 234 is thus
advantageously parallel to the first complementary stop device in
the first position 232, for example by being arranged on an
opposite side of the same bar of the guide frame 23.
[0107] Said stop device in the second position 332 and
complementary stop device in the second position 234 then cooperate
with each other so as to prevent the translation of the movable
hooking device 3 beyond said second position so as to form a second
position stop, especially when the user exerts pressure on the
button or buttons 31.
[0108] Preferentially, as previously mentioned, the plane P forms a
plane of symmetry for the movable hooking device. Thus, the movable
hooking device comprises two buttons 31, two feet 33, two first
pins 34, two second pins, two translational guiding devices 331,
two stop devices in the second position 332, two hooking means 333,
two first stop devices in the first position 341, two second stop
devices in the first position 351, each of them being symmetrically
arranged on either side of the plane P as can be seen in FIGS. 9
and 10.
[0109] Advantageously, the movable hooking device 3 comprises an
elastic return device 32, which can be seen in FIG. 9, designed to
keep the movable hooking device 3 in its first position. The
elastic return device 32 is preferentially a coil spring designed
to keep the buttons 31 apart. However, without departing from the
scope of the invention, other return devices could be conceived
that would keep the buttons 31 apart; i.e., keep the movable
hooking device 3 in the first position. For example, an
electromagnetic device could be imagined, the tank 2 being equipped
with a magnet and each of the buttons 31 being made of magnetic
material (or inversely). Preferentially, as illustrated in FIG. 9,
the elastic return device 32 is arranged between the two buttons
31, which helps simplify construction and allows the elastic return
device 32, in this case the coil spring, to transmit all its effort
to the buttons 31 and only to the buttons 31. Preferentially, the
movable hooking device 3 comprises a housing 312 designed to
accommodate the elastic return device 32 as can be seen in FIG. 9.
This ensures that the elastic return device 32 is kept in position
and is guided when it deforms. The housing 312 is advantageously
formed by a groove running from one end of the button 31, in this
case the free end of the vertical bar of the T formed by the button
31 and extending in part towards the interior of the button 31,
preferentially along the second axis Y-Y'. Thus, when the movable
hooking device 3 is in its second position, the two buttons 31 are
in contact, the footprint of the movable hooking device is zero
since it is fully incorporated into the housing 312; i.e., inside
the buttons 31. This helps to limit the footprint of the movable
hooking device 3. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the elastic return
device extends longitudinally along the second Y-Y' axis.
[0110] Advantageously, as can be seen in FIG. 9, the second Y-Y'
axis forms an axis of symmetry for the movable hooking device
3.
[0111] As can be seen in FIG. 8, the first axis X-X' forms an axis
of symmetry for the guide frame 23; the plane P preferentially
forms a plane of symmetry for the guide frame.
[0112] Preferentially, the tank 2 comprises a fixed additional
hooking device 221; i.e., non-mobile and non-deformable, which can
be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, and advantageously comprising a
substantially rectangular tab protruding from the tank in a
direction parallel to the first axis X-X'. Preferentially, the
additional hooking device 221 is located at a longitudinal end of
the tank 2 and advantageously opposite the movable hooking device
3, itself located at another longitudinal end of the tank 2. This
makes it possible to arrange the various hooking points of the tank
2 on the main body 1 as far as possible from each other, which
improves the stability and mechanical strength of the hooking of
the tank 2 with respect to the main body 1. Moreover, in the
preferential case illustrated in which the movable hooking device 3
comprises two hooking means 333, this gives the tank 2 three
hooking points on the main body 1, which corresponds to an
isostatic assembly. Moreover, the hooking points can in particular
be arranged in a triangle due to the arrangement of two hooking
means 333 on the second Y-Y' axis and to the arrangement of the
additional hooking device 221 on an axis parallel to the first X-X'
axis, or optionally on the first X-X' axis. A triangular
arrangement of the points on which the tank 2 is hooked to the main
body 1 makes it possible to improve the stability and the
mechanical strength of the hooking between the tank 2 and the main
body 1, and therefore the reliability of the hooking between the
two elements.
[0113] The main body 1 thus comprises an additional complementary
hooking means 113 which can be seen in FIG. 2. The additional
complementary hooking means 113 comprises, for example, a
substantially rectangular groove running inside the main body 1
from the recess 111 in a direction parallel to the first axis
X-X'.
[0114] Said additional hooking device 221 and additional
complementary hooking means 113 are thus designed to cooperate
together when the tank 2 is in the hooked position, the additional
hooking device 221 preferentially being a male hooking device and
the additional complementary hooking means 113 preferentially being
a complementary female hooking means. The illustrated embodiment
uses at least one additional complementary hooking means 113
cooperating with at least one additional hooking device 221, but it
is altogether conceivable that these elements could be multiplied
in order to reinforce the mechanical strength of the hooking.
[0115] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tank 2 comprises at least one
guiding device 24 designed to cooperate with at least one
complementary guiding device 114 of the main body 1 when the tank
is in the hooked position. This makes it possible to propose at
least one guiding means between the hooking means 333 and the
additional hooking device 221, which makes it substantially easier
to hook the tank 2 to the main body while providing the user with
an intermediate guiding means. In addition, the guiding device 24
and the complementary guiding device 114 make it possible to
reinforce the mechanical strength of the hooking when the tank 2 is
in the hooked position, by blocking any translational movement of
the tank 2 along the first axis X-X'. This makes it possible to
relieve the hooking means 333 and the additional hooking device 221
which then only have to ensure a pullout-resistant attachment,
along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis X-X'. This
improves the strength and durability of the tank. The longer the
length of tank 2, the more important this intermediate guiding
point is. Preferentially, the guiding device 24 is a female guiding
device, such as, for example, a hole or, as illustrated, a lateral
notch in the shape of a semi-circular hole. The complementary
guiding device 114 is thus a complementary male guiding device that
can be in the form of a semi-circular (in a longitudinal direction)
pin as can be seen in FIG. 2. Advantageously, the tank 2 comprises
two guiding devices 24 and the main body 1 comprises two
complementary guiding devices 114.
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