EP0827702B1 - Filter for hair-dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter device (10) for a hair dryer or hot air curling brush has a filter element (12) with the inner side arranged in the air entrance of the appliance. The filter element is formed as a thin fabric or perforated foil. Contaminants such as hair and fluff are retained on the outside of the filter element positioned on the appliance to provide free access to the user. Also claimed are (i) the hair care appliance having the filter device attached to the housing (2), and (ii) a method of cleaning the filter device in which the presence of contaminants is indicated by the contrast of colour between the outside of the filter element and the contaminants, the contaminants being removed by wiping. Preferably The filter element is formed as a perforated foil or a screening fabric comprising threads of round cross-sectional area. The screening fabric is manufactured from thermosetting plastics, natural yarns, metal, a glass fabric or thermoplastic material especially polypropylene, polyacrylic or polyester.

Description

The present invention relates to a filter device and a method for cleaning Such a filter device for an electrically operated air flow Hair care device, in particular for a hairdryer, a hot air curling brush or the like with a filter element which has an inside and an outside and wherein the inside of the filter element in the region of an air inlet opening of the Device is arranged.

Such a filter device is known from EP 0 518 035 B1. This shows you Hair suction filter, which is firmly connected to the device housing Air inlet grille and a removable grille cap is arranged. The filter element itself is made from a woven fabric. To clean the filter element must first removed the mesh cap and then removed the filter element and cleaned or exchanged. Filter devices for air flow devices, especially for hair dryers, are intended to prevent unwanted intrusion Impurities such as hair, fluff, dust or the like, to avoid in the interior of the hair dryer and thus contamination and to prevent possible damage to the hair dryer.

In the above filter devices for electrically operated air flow Devices, especially for hair dryers, have been shown to have the necessary cleaning the installation is not carried out regularly by the user or even completely omitted. In the device mentioned at the beginning with a removable filter element according to EP 0 518 035 B1, experience has shown that the degree of soiling of the fleece-like filter element not always clearly recognizable by the user. A However, severe contamination of the filter element disadvantageously has a higher level result in thermal stress on the hair dryer, which until switch off or Damage to the device. The cleaning of the filter element is thus room for improvement, since the grille cap was first removed and the filter element removed and then has to be cleaned. Furthermore, by an irregular Structure of the fleece-like filter element makes cleaning difficult because Predominantly, fix or catch hair, lint and dust in the filter element.

Wet cleaning of the filter element is possible, but requires a correct one Dried by the user before reinstallation.

Other filter devices, which are not covered by a grid cap, show mostly a structure that prevents the penetration of fluff and hair into the Prevent the inside of the hair dryer, but these are difficult for the user to clean. Furthermore, since the external appearance of a hair dryer with and without Filter is almost the same, many users put after unsatisfactory cleaning of the filter element this does not return to the air inlet opening of the dryer and then operate the hair dryer without a filter. Thus, disadvantageously inevitably hair, fluff or dust in the hair dryer and run after a certain operating time for contamination and overheating or damage of the device.

From CH 676540 it is also generally known, in the air inlet area Arrange hair dryer a filter and / or a filter grid.

From US 4,924,602 a hair dryer is known which is in the air inlet area Has a spider web-like plastic grille that has an annular, radial intermittently interrupted openings is provided.

From WO 95/31915 it is also generally known to use a perforated metal foil in the To arrange the air inlet area of the hair dryer.

Furthermore, a hair dryer is known from US 5,490,336, which is in the air inlet area has a washable foam to keep hair and lint from penetrating to hold in the hair dryer.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a filter device for an electrical operated air flow hair care device, in particular for one Specify hair dryer, which initially contains a clogging indicator and signals to the user that the filter device is at the earliest possible time to clean. Furthermore, the filter device should be designed so that the cleaning is easy to carry out even by the user.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in a filter device described above essentially solved by the characterizing features of claim 1. This provides that the filter element as a kind of tissue, perforated film or the like is formed with a relatively small thickness and that of the filter element retained contaminants such as hair, lint or dust essentially be deposited on the outside of the filter element and that the outside of the filter element for the user essentially freely accessible on the Hair care device is arranged. The filter element has a single-layer fabric a ratio of the mesh size to the thread diameter of 80 µm / 55 µm to 1200 µm / 400 µm. According to the invention, the open air can flow through Area of the filter element approx. 30 to 60% of the total flow area of the filter element and the fabric threads, or the webs of the perforated film have a Thread thickness or web width less than or equal to 400 µm. So the required Air flow through the device, especially through a hair dryer as great chosen so that the hair dryer does not overheat. On the other hand, by the thread thickness or web width an opening size of the filter element specified, which fluff and effectively holds back hair; The smallest dust particles, however, can be the filter element pass and flow through the hair dryer.

With such a filter device, it has advantageously been shown that, on the one hand due to the nature of the surface structure of the filter element according to the invention and on the other hand in that the outside of the filter element in substantially is freely accessible after switching off the device, especially after Switching off the fan motor already a large part of the contamination independently detaches from the filter element. A chamber formation on the outside of the filter element, which is known from devices according to the prior art and which to Accumulations of hair and lint in the air intake grille Chamber leads, is advantageously avoided. Those remaining on the filter element Contaminants, such as hair and lint, can be removed directly from the user recognized after formation and by wiping over the outside of the filter element, for example, with the user's bare hand, from the filter element be removed. An additional contamination indicator is therefore advantageous not mandatory. The user recognizes each time the hair dryer is used immediately and clearly the respective degree of contamination of the filter and attention is thus drawn to regular cleaning of the filter element.

In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the filter element is as Screen fabric formed, which consists of threads with a particularly round cross-sectional area consists. On the one hand, this creates a streamlined cross-section of the fabric threads and, on the other hand, easy removal of the impurities made possible by the filter element or the screen fabric without the contaminants can get caught in the filter element.

In a further development of the filter element, it is proposed that the screen fabric be made of a thermoplastic, such as polypropylene or polyacrylic manufacture. The use of polyester (PES) has proven particularly advantageous which is a very easy-care, tear-resistant and non-hygroscopic material represent.

In another development, the screen fabric has a ratio of the mesh size to the thread diameter of approx. 400 µm / 200 µm. It can therefore advantageously a single-layer screen fabric can be used, which for example is similar to a hosiery.

In an alternative embodiment of the screen fabric, this consists of a thermosetting Plastic, from natural yarns, metal or from a glass fabric. This can for example, a particularly durable screen mesh or a soft or hard surface for a screen mesh.

In a special development of the filter element, this has at least on the Outside a dark color, especially black or anthracite. Because of that Impurities retained in the filter element usually have a light color this makes it special, simple and quick for the user on the dark outside to recognize the filter element and signal the user to advantageous Way to clean the filter element.

In a development of the invention, the filter element is attached to the by a holding means Device housing attachable, with the holding means on the outer, the air inlet opening surrounding edge of the filter element attacks. Since the filter element mostly made a material that is not dimensionally stable on its own, in particular a screen fabric, one Perforated film or the like, which is insufficient on the device housing without holding means can be fastened, this is advantageously carried out by a separate holding means attached to the device housing. The holding means, which in particular on the outer Edge of the filter element thus does not reduce the cross-sectional area of the Air inlet opening or does not hinder the air flow through the device. The holding device itself is designed as a clamping ring and / or as a carrier element, which in particular is shaped as a support grid. The filter element can thus advantageously by a clamping ring or a carrier element, in particular a carrier grid to be attached to the device housing alone. However, it can also be a holder of the Filter element done by a clamping ring and a support grid, these parts together form a filter device. This is particularly advantageous because the Carrier grid is located on the inside of the filter element and thus the filter element is supported by the support grid.

In another development, the screen fabric between the clamping ring and the Support element, in particular the support grid held. Thus, advantageously a screen mesh can also be replaced individually and between the clamping ring and the support grid a new screen mesh is inserted and held.

In a development of the invention, the screen fabric is over the carrier element, in particular stretched over the outside of the carrier grid and on its outer Edge fastened with the clamping ring. This will be a simple effective attachment of the screen fabric is proposed, which a tight fit of the screen fabric above the support grid and a stable attachment of the fabric on its outer edge between the clamping ring and the support grid.

In a development of the invention, the clamping ring and / or the carrier grid Fasteners, which in particular as a bayonet lock, snap hooks, Detents or similar means formed and a releasable connection with the device housing are provided. This allows easy attachment of the Filter device on a device housing, for example a hair dryer, which can also be easily removed from the device housing by a user is. This is, for example, for wet cleaning or for an exchange a defective filter element is advantageous for the user.

In another development, there is the clamping ring and / or the carrier grid made of plastic and are inextricably linked to the screen fabric, for example clipped, welded, sprayed or the like. In particular, a shedding of the Screen fabric proposed with the clamping ring and the support grid, which a durable, permanent unit of a filter device enables.

In a special development of a filter device according to the invention, which can also represent an independent invention, it is proposed that Filter element consists of a perforated film, which essentially the same already above described functional and structural features, such as Hole size and surface structure as well as free access to the outside of the filter having. The following essentially applies to such a filter element made of a perforated film the same advantages as for the one already described in detail above Mesh. For a perforated film, however, it is particularly advantageous if it is made of Metal exists because metal is used for production, for example in an etching or photoresist process of perforated films in large quantities is particularly suitable.

A filter device is in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention with the aforementioned features with an electrically operated hair care device, in particular a hair dryer, a hot air brush or the like releasable connected. Such a filter device can thus be used on a hairdryer attached and by this, for example for the purpose of cleaning or replacement, just be removed.

As an alternative to this design, a filter device according to the invention is proposed in one piece with a hair care device, in particular with a hairdryer, connect to. Thus, a filter device is advantageously specified, which is permanently connected to a hair dryer and thus the hair dryer during the entire lifespan is safe from the ingress of unwanted contaminants, for example hair or lint, dust or the like in the interior of the hair dryer, successfully protects.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, which also has its own Invention may represent a method for cleaning one described above Filter device proposed. In doing so, a user will see the impurities deposited on the outside of the filter element in particular due to the color contrast between the outside of the filter element and the contaminants even early displayed after their deposits. The user is thus particularly advantageous As early as possible visually pointed out the pollution. By the surface structure of the filter element according to the invention then becomes the user by wiping the contaminants on the outside of the filter element easy way to remove. The contaminants can advantageously be added without additional Tool can be removed by the user, for example wiping with the bare hand, especially with the fingers of one hand of the user.

Further features, advantages and possible uses of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments in the drawing are shown in more detail. All described and / or illustrated form Features for themselves or in any combination, the subject of the invention, independently of their combination in the claims and their relationship.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Haartrockners mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Filtereinrichtung im Längsschnitt,

Fig. 2

ein Detail einer Filtereinrichtung ähnlich Ausschnitt X in Fig. 1 in vergrößerter Darstellung und im Schnitt und

Fig. 3

ein lufteinlaßseitiges Ende eines Haartrockners in perspektivischer Ansicht.

Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic representation of a hair dryer with a filter device according to the invention in longitudinal section,

Fig. 2

a detail of a filter device similar to section X in Fig. 1 in an enlarged view and in section and

Fig. 3

an air inlet end of a hair dryer in a perspective view.

A hair dryer 1 (FIG. 1) essentially consists of a cylindrical housing 2 and a handle part 3 provided thereon. The housing 2 has an air inlet opening 4 and an air outlet opening 5 with mostly round opening cross section and is essentially in the main flow direction 6 from one in the hair dryer flows through generated air flow. In the housing 2 are a heater 7 and Motor 8 is provided for driving a fan wheel 9. At the air inlet opening 4 is further attached a filter device 10, which consists essentially of a support grid 11 1 and a filter element 12, which is a screen or can be designed as a perforated film. The carrier grid 11 has a plurality of grid bars 13 on, a chamber 14 being formed between different bars 13.

In a hairdryer housing 2 (Fig. 2), a heating tube 15 is provided, which its air inlet side is delimited by an air inlet grille 16 with bars 17. A The filter device 10 according to the invention consists of a carrier grid 11 with bars 13, wherein the grid pattern of the carrier grid 11 with the grid pattern of the Air inlet grille 16 substantially coincides. On the outside of the carrier grid 11 is a filter element, for example a screen fabric or a perforated film provided which which or which stretched over the bars 13 and to the in Surfaces of the outer side of the carrier grid 11 by a clamping ring 18 is held. Exchangeable around a filter element 12 between the carrier grid 11 and to fix the clamping ring 18 is on the outside of the carrier grid 11 For example, a circumferential groove 24 is provided, into which a circumferential nose 19 of the clamping ring 18 engages. The filter element 12 is through the nose 19 in the Fixed groove 24.

The air inlet end of a housing 2 for a hair dryer (Fig. 3) is with a Annular surface 20 provided, on which a filter device according to the invention is placed and can be attached. For attaching a filter device is, for example a locking means 22 is provided, which is arranged in an opening 21 and at his one end is freely movable, so that this in a corresponding opening the filter device can snap. In the air inlet opening 4 of the housing 2 is an air inlet grille 16 is provided with grille bars 17, these being star-shaped arranged, radially extending rods run in concentrically arranged rings. Individual bars 14 are formed by these bars 17 and rings, which are flowed through by the air flow. In the middle of the air inlet grille 16 is one Washer 23 provided.

A filter element, for example, in the form of a sieve mesh, can be applied directly placed the outside of the air inlet grille 16 and through on its outer surface a clamping ring can be held. On the other hand, a filter device with the Connectable housing 2, which from the components already described in Fig. 2 support grid, a mesh and a clamping ring. Alternatively, you can a central holding button, not shown, is provided on the outside of a filter element and, for example, can be fastened in the disk 23 in order thus to form a filter element press against the outside of the air inlet grille 16.

According to the invention, the thickness of the filter element is dimensioned so small that impurities deposited essentially on the outside of the filter element and especially because of the small thickness not in the filter element can get caught.

The mesh size of the screen fabric is advantageously between 80 and 1200 microns and the thread diameter between 55 and 400 microns, but especially in the dimensions mentioned below, so that the Ratios of mesh size to thread diameter already given.

A particularly preferred embodiment of a filter device according to the invention is also known a sieve made of polyester (PES), which has a ratio of mesh size to thread diameter of 400 µm / 200 µm and an open air flow Area of 44%. The fabric thickness is 370 µm, so that the surface structure, in particular the surface roughness of the fabric is such that those retained by the filter element and on the outside of the filter element adhering contamination, such as hair or lint visually by the user easily recognizable and by simply wiping without effort and without additional Tool easily by a user from the outside of the filter element are removable.

As an alternative to this filter element made of screen fabric, the use of a Perforated film possible, the webs of such a perforated film preferably having a width of greater than or equal to 180 microns and the film a thickness of greater than or equal to 580 microns having.

Claims (21)

1. A filter device for an electrically powered air-moving hair-care appliance, in particular for a hair dryer, a hot-air curling brush or the like, with a filter element having an inner and an outer side, in which the inner side of the filter element is arranged in the area of an air entrance opening of the appliance, characterized in that the filter element (12) is configured as a single-ply fabric with a mesh width to thread diameter ratio of between 80 µm to 55 µm and 1200 µm to 400 µm or as a perforated foil whose open area of the filter element enabling the passage of air amounts to 30 to 60%, approximately, of the total area of the filter element (12) impacted by the air current, or the segments of the perforated foil have a and that the fabric threads or segments of the perforated foil have a width smaller than or equal to 400 µm and of small thickness, so that contaminants such as hair, fluff, dust or the like which are retained by the filter element are substantially deposited on the outside of the filter element, and that the outside of the filter element is positioned on the hair-care appliance in a manner providing substantially free access to the user.
2. The filter device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the filter element is configured as a screening fabric (12) comprising threads of an in particular round area of cross-section.
3. The filter device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the screening fabric (12) is manufactured from a thermoplastic material such as, for example, polypropylene-PP, polyacrylics-PA, in particular polyester-PES or the like.
4. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screening fabric (12) has a mesh width to thread diameter ratio of 400 µm to 200 µm.
5. The filter device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the screening fabric (12) is made of thermosetting plastics, natural yarns, metal or a glass fabric.
6. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element (12) has a dark color, in particular black or anthracite, at least on the outside (26).
7. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element (12) is adapted to be fastened to the appliance housing (2) by a fixing element, and that said fixing element engages the filter element's (12) outer edge surrounding the air entrance opening (4).
8. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element is configured as a clamping ring (18) and/or a carrier element, in particular as a carrier grille (11).
9. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screening fabric (12) is held between the clamping ring (18) and the carrier element, in particular the carrier grille (11).
10. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screening fabric (12) is stretched over the carrier element, in particular over the outside of the carrier grille (11), and is fastened at its outer edge by the clamping ring (18).
11. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping ring (18) and/or the carrier grille (11) include fastening devices, in particular a bayonet catch, latching hooks, latching lugs or the like for effecting a releasable connection with the appliance housing (2).
12. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping ring (18) and/or the carrier grille (11) are fabricated from a plastic material and are non-releasably connected with the screening fabric (12), for example, by clipping, welding, injection-molding or the like, in particular by casting.
13. The filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element is configured as a perforated foil (12) comprising segments of an in particular substantially round area of cross-section.
14. The filter device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the perforated foil (12) is made of metal.
15. The filter device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the perforated foil (12) is made of a plastic material or a glass fabric.
16. The filter device as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the perforated foil has a thickness smaller than or equal to 600 µm.
17. An electrically powered air-moving hair-care appliance, in particular a hair dryer, a hot-air curling brush or the like, characterized in that a filter device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims is releasably connected with the appliance housing (2).
18. An electrically powered air-moving hair-care appliance, in particular a hair dryer, a hot-air curling brush or the like, characterized in that a filter device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims is connected integrally with the appliance housing.
19. A method of cleaning a filter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the presence of contaminants such as hair, fluff, dust or the like deposited on the outside of the filter element is indicated to the user in particular by the contrast of color between the outside of the filter element and the contaminants themselves promptly after they are deposited, and that such contaminants are removed simply by the user wiping over the outside (26) of the filter element (12).
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the contaminants are removed by the user without an additional tool.
21. The method as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the user performs the wiping action with his bare hand, in particular with his fingers.

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