Patent Application
20250160498
The present disclosure relates to an epilator spring for hair removal.
Such an epilator spring for hair removal is already known from WO2014/041211 A2. In this case, a spring element in the form of a coil spring with a central axis is provided, which has an epilation region with a plurality of spring windings which are spaced apart from one another when the spring element is in an unloaded state and between which the hairs can be clamped by compressing the spring element in the axial direction by means of the handles. At the ends of the spring element respective cover elements are arranged, by means of which the coil spring can be compressed against its spring force.
The present disclosure provides an epilator spring of the type mentioned at the outset, the spring element of which can be very reliably compressed linearly in the axial direction and which enables simple and precise operation of the epilator spring with one hand.
Advantageous embodiments of the epilator spring are provided by way of example in the following disclosure.
The epilator spring according to the present disclosure comprises a spring element having a central axis, which is designed in some cases as a coil spring. However, it would also be conceivable that the spring element could also have a triangular, square or polygonal basic shape instead of a circular basic shape. The spring element comprises an epilation region with a plurality of spring windings which are spaced apart from one another when the spring element is in an unloaded state and between which the hairs can be clamped by compressing the spring element in the axial direction by means of the handles. Cover elements are arranged at the ends of the spring element, which are connected to one another via a bracket element having respective arms, wherein the cover elements and the bracket element are made in one piece from a plastic. The spring wire itself has in some cases a square cross-section with an edge length of, for example, about 0.75 to 2 mm, and in some cases about 1 to 1.5 mm. Of course, other edge lengths are conceivable. The spring windings are preferably arranged at a very small distance from each other, for example <1 mm. This can prevent the skin from becoming trapped between the spring windings, in particular when actuating the spring element.
According to the present disclosure, it is provided to connect the two cover elements via a bracket element made of plastic formed in one piece therewith. In this case, the cover elements merge into the arms of the bracket element, or the cover elements are formed as part of the arms at their ends. The advantage of such a bracket element is that by means of it—with the help of the cover elements—the spring element can be compressed very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring in such a manner that the individual coils of the spring element lie exactly against one another in the epilation region. This enables epilation that is very reliable and gentle on the skin. This can prevent misuse by the user.
In addition, the bracket element enables very good handling of the relatively small spring element.
The one-piece design of the bracket element and the cover elements of a plastic enables economical production of the epilator spring.
In an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, the arms of the bracket element run at least substantially parallel to one another at a corresponding distance when the spring element is in the unloaded or loaded state, wherein the arms are connected to one another on their side opposite the spring element via a connecting region. Due to the geometric shape of the bracket element, the at least substantially parallel course of the arms enables at least substantially no transverse forces to be introduced into the spring element in such a manner that the spring element can be compressed very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring, whereby the individual coils of the spring element lie exactly against one another in the epilation region. This enables the desired reliable epilation that is gentle on the skin.
Since this compression occurs in the axial direction of the spring element, no clamping of the skin can, for example, occur between the respective spring windings. In addition, the spring element creates a very large epilation region by means of which hair can be epilated. In addition, by compressing the spring element in the axial direction, it is possible to operate the entire epilator spring with just one hand. The hair can then be plucked out in a simple manner when the spring element is compressed by lifting and moving away the epilator spring or in particular its epilation region from the skin to be epilated. By releasing the spring element by at least substantially removing the pressure on the spring element, the initial state is then established in which the corresponding spring sub-regions or spring windings are again spaced apart from one another, at least in the epilation region. This allows the plucked hairs to be removed from the epilator spring, for example by tapping, blowing out by mouth or similar.
Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous for the connecting region to be designed as an arch with a chord which corresponds to the distance between the two arms. This also ensures that, due to the geometric shape of the bracket element, at least substantially no transverse forces are introduced into the spring element so that the spring element can be compressed very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring.
A further advantageous embodiment of the disclosure provides that the arms extend at least over 50%, and in some cases over 70%, and further in some cases over 90% of the length of the bracket element. The spring element is also compressed thereby very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring.
In an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, the cover elements are adapted in their outer diameter to the outer diameter of the spring element, or the outer diameters of the cover elements and the spring element are at least substantially identical. This allows the epilation region of the spring element to be placed parallel to the surface of the skin to be epilated over a corresponding length.
In this context, it has been shown to be even more advantageous if the arms of the bracket element—at least in the transition between the cover elements and the associated arms—correspond in their width at least substantially to the diameter of the cover element. The arms can also taper in their width towards the connecting region.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cover elements have respective plug pins which are adapted in their outer diameter to the inner diameter of the spring element, wherein in the spring element, between 1.5 and 2.5 turns abutting one another at both ends, and the plug pins correspond in their axial length at least substantially to the length of the turns abutting one another. The at least 1.5 to 2.5 turns abutting one another create a very durable plug connection between the spring element and the respective plug pin of the cover elements. However, the cover elements can be removed from the spring element thanks to the plug connections, for example to clean or replace the spring element. The combination of the spring windings abutting one another and the plug pins prevents an accumulation of plucked hairs in this region.
Such an embodiment can also be provided for cover elements which are not connected to one another via a bracket element, but rather are formed separately from one another, analogously to the subject matter described in WO2014/041211 A2. With regard to this subject matter, the disclosure of WO2014/041211 A2 is to be considered as expressly included.
Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the plug pins in their axial length correspond to a maximum length of 2.5, and in some cases 2, turns abutting one another. On the one hand, this creates a very favorable plug connection between the plug pins of the cover elements and the spring element, while on the other hand, very easily removal of the cover elements from the spring element is possible. It also prevents hair from accumulating between the coils in the region of the plug pins.
It is also advantageous if the spring element is easily detachably connected to the plug pins. Easily detachable in this case means that the cover elements can be removed from the spring element by sufficiently, in some cases manually applicable force. On the other hand, the plug pins of the cover elements should however be held to the spring element with sufficient force in such a manner that the cover elements and the spring elements do not separate from one another when handling the epilator spring.
As an alternative to the easily detachable arrangement of the cover elements on the spring element, it would also be conceivable to fix the cover elements to the spring element, for example by joining.
A further advantageous embodiment of the disclosure provides that respective handle structures are provided on the outside of the arms in the region of the cover elements. This makes the epilator spring very easy to handle.
In this context, it has proven to be further advantageous for the respective handle structures to be formed by bars running transversely to the arms. Such bars easily allow the epilator spring to be handled without slipping.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting region has, at least regionally, a smaller wall thickness than the two arms. This allows the spring element to be operated with a comparatively low handling force.
It is also advantageous if the wall thickness is reduced in the transition region from the arms to the connecting region. This results in an advantageous transition between the arms and the connecting region.
Finally, it has proven to be advantageous if the arms are reinforced with bars. This results in a in particular favorable torsional rigidity of the arms.
Additional advantages, features and details of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. In the figures:
As can further be seen from
With other basic shapes of the spring element 10, other shapes of the cover elements 20, 22 are therefore also conceivable, wherein they are at least substantially identical in their basic shape to the basic shape of the spring element 10.
Furthermore, it can be seen from
The arms 26, 28 of the bracket element 24 when the spring element 10 is in the unloaded or loaded state run in the present case at least substantially parallel to one another at a distance s. Due to the geometric shape of the bracket element 24, the at least substantially parallel course of the arms 26, 28 enables at least substantially no transverse forces to be introduced into the spring element 10 in such a manner that the spring element 10 can be compressed very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the central axis M, whereby the individual coils 12 of the spring element 10 lie exactly against one another in the epilation region. This enables the desired reliable epilation that is gentle on the skin.
The substantially semi-annular connecting region 30 is therefore designed as an arch with a chord which corresponds to the distance s between the two arms 26, 28. A further advantageous embodiment of the disclosure provides that the arms extend at least over 50%, and in some cases over 70%, and further in some cases over 90% of the length of the bracket element. The spring element is also compressed thereby very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring. This also ensures that, due to the geometric shape of the bracket element 24, at least substantially no transverse forces are introduced into the spring element so that the spring element 10 can be compressed very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring.
In particular,
The connecting region 30 has, at least regionally, a smaller wall thickness than the two arms 26, 28. In addition, the wall thickness in the transition region of the arms 26, 28 to the connecting region can decrease. As a result, the arms 26, 28 can be pressed together very easily in order to bring the spring windings 12 of the spring element 10 into mutual contact for clamping the hair.
On the outside of the arms 26, 28, in proximity to the cover elements 20, 22, respective handle structures 32 are provided which are formed here by bars 34 running transversely to the arms 26, 28. These bars 34 can, for example, be designed curved with their center axial to the cover elements 20, 22, or linear.
As can be clearly seen in particular from
In conjunction with the first embodiment, it is also clear that in the spring element 10, between 1.5 and 2.5 turns, in the present case in some cases 1.5 turns, of the spring windings 12 abutting one another at both ends. In this case, as can be seen in particular from
The plug pins 36, 38 can correspond in their axial length l to a maximum length of 2.5, and in some cases 1.5, turns abutting one another.
In particular, it can be seen from
The epilator spring is preferably handled by grasping the bracket element 24 with one hand, wherein the thumb and index finger, for example, grip the two arms 26, 28 in the region of the handle structures 32. By pressing together and releasing the arms 26, 28, the spring windings of the spring element 10 can be easily pressed together so that they come into mutual contact or are spaced apart from one another again. The distance s between the arms 26, 28 or the length of the spring element 10 is preferably between about 1.5 cm and about 4 cm. In the present embodiments, the spring element 10 is approximately 2 cm long. This length has proven to be very advantageous since the epilator spring can be easily operated by both women and men, regardless of the size of the hand of the operator.
The spring element 10 is then compressed by exerting a corresponding pressure on the spring element 10 by means of the arms 26, 28 using the fingers, in some cases the thumb and the index finger. It can be seen that this pressure is exerted on the bracket element 24 substantially in the axial direction, i.e., parallel or coaxial to the central axis M of the spring element 10, due to the special shape of the bracket element 24. As a result, the distance a between the spring windings 12 is reduced or eliminated, so that the hairs 34 are clamped between respective clamping surfaces of the spring windings 12. It can be seen that the respective spring windings 12 have a substantially rectangular and in some cases square cross-section, at least in the epilation region 14. This allows the corresponding clamping surfaces which enable a large-format and not just point-or line-shaped clamping of the respective hair. Of course, the spring windings 12, which preferably consist of a rust-proof metal, are correspondingly burr-free on their edges and may also have a slight radius. It is essential, however, that appropriate clamping surfaces are present so that the hairs can be reliably clamped between the respective spring windings 12.
Finally, the hairs are plucked out by applying an appropriate pulling force. It is clear that for this purpose, corresponding compressive forces must still be applied to the spring element 10 via the arms 26, 28 so that the hairs are still reliably clamped between the spring windings 12. After the hairs have been plucked out, the force applied by the fingers, preferably the thumb and index finger, can be released in such a manner that the spring element 10 in the epilation region 14 relaxes again. Accordingly, the respective distances a between the spring windings 10 are again achieved in such a manner that the plucked hairs can be removed.
In another embodiment, not shown here, it would also be conceivable to use an epilator spring as described in WO2014/041211 A2, which can be clipped onto the respective arms of a bracket element with its cover elements/handles shown therein. Accordingly, the bracket element could be easily clipped to the epilator spring according to WO2014/041211 A2 to obtain an epilator spring according to the present disclosure.
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the patents, applications, and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications, and publications to provide yet further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/054551 | 2/23/2022 | WO |
