This invention relates to an attachment for an epilator.
JP 7-289350 A discloses an attachment for use on an epilator. The attachment is constructed as either a rigid protective cap for covering the ends of the epilating cylinder or a two-part device slidably guided on the housing of the epilator. The two-part version of this device possesses masking elements which are arranged laterally adjacent to the actual epilating cylinder in the area of the bearing cheeks so that the full width of the epilator may be utilized. The masking elements may be moved towards each other so that, similar to the one-piece protective cap, the end regions of the epilating cylinder are covered. Accordingly, individual clamping elements on the epilator whose paths of motion lie in the area of the ends can be covered in such manner that they are unable to receive hairs for plucking. According to JP 7-289350 A, the subjective perception of pain is reduced by decreasing the number of clamping elements involved in the plucking operation, because fewer plucking events per unit of time take place. However, often times the active epilation width of the appliance is reduced by a significant amount, making it necessary for the user to repeatedly shift the epilator sideways during use.
In one aspect, a device for use on an epilator is adapted to effect the deactivation of plucking or clamping elements on an epilator head. The reduction of the number of plucking events per unit of time is distributed over the full width of the epilation head. Accordingly, the effective width of the epilation head can be maintained or reduced only insignificantly.
In some embodiments, the device is constructed as a strip-shaped cover having a plurality of apertures between which a respective masking strip is formed. By arranging these apertures or masking strips in an inclined relationship to the paths of motion of the clamping elements, a particularly sturdy construction of this cover can be achieved. Thus, the masking strips can be built with a very thin wall thickness, so that the clamping elements, in spite of the presence of the masking strips, can be held very close to the skin and hence to the hair roots. This arrangement can help to ensure that hairs are extracted with little pain to the user.
In some embodiments, the device is constructed as a removable attachment, enabling epilation to be carried out with the same appliance on less sensitive regions of the skin without the device attached and, thus, with increased efficiency. For the epilation of sensitive skin regions, the device can be attached as an accessory in order to reduce the number of active clamping elements and thus the pain experienced by the user.
In some embodiments, the device is integrated in the epilation head as a permanent fixture. Advantageously, such a system can allow for the manufacture of epilation heads with the same number of clamping elements but varying levels of efficiency and pain reduction. This is particularly suitable in cases where the epilator comes with at least two detachable and interchangeable epilation heads, of which one has the device of the invention integrated in it. In this way, an epilation system can be provided which enables the user to choose between maximum efficiency and maximum pain reduction by using the appropriate epilation head.
In some embodiments the device may be constructed as an arcuate foil. Advantageously, the foil can be relatively thin, thereby avoiding a widening of the distance between the clamping elements and the skin to be epilated. In some embodiments, the foil may be held in a mounting frame. This construction can be advantageous, particularly in terms of handling.
Advantageously, the above-described attachment for an epilator can cause an appreciable reduction of the pain felt by the user without incurring a reduction of the active epilation width of the appliance. At the same, the device can be easily manufactured and used. In particular, it should be possible for the accessory to be manufactured at low cost without necessitating any changes to the epilator.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
In one embodiment, the device may be constructed as an attachment for use on an epilation head of the type shown in
As shown in
The epilation head 1 is comprised of a total of eleven disk elements 4. Between each disk element, two clamping blades 7 are arranged in the associated cutouts 5. Hence 10 pairs of clamping blades are provided. These pairs of clamping blades are circumferentially spaced apart by 36° of arc and extend through the disks 4 along the disks' cutouts 5. The ends of two cooperating clamping blades 7 each form two diametrically opposite clamping elements 6. Accordingly, the structural design of the epilation head is similar to the one disclosed in WO 98/05234.
With the epilator in operation, two clamping elements 6 close at the same time when they register with the two cam elements 8 arranged in the end cheeks 3 and 2, respectively, during rotation. The pushrods 9 associated with the clamping elements are urged inward, with their line of movement running parallel to the axis of rotation of the epilation head 1. Thus, on each rotation through 36°, clamping operations take place at two locations on the surface of the epilation head.
In order to reduce the sense of pain during epilation, the cover device 22 may be attached to the epilator or its housing 15 so as to encompass the epilation head 1.
As shown in
Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102 58 518 | Dec 2002 | DE | national |
This is a continuation of PCT application No. PCT/EP2003/012788, filed on Nov. 15, 2003, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102 58 518.0, filed on Dec. 14, 2002, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4960422 | Demeester | Oct 1990 | A |
5084056 | Eckel et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5190559 | Gabion et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
6261301 | Knesch et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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07289350 | Nov 1995 | JP |
WO9805234 | Feb 1998 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20050288687 A1 | Dec 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP03/12788 | Nov 2003 | US |
Child | 11150911 | US |