Heating device

Abstract

A heating device for heating wax includes an electronically operated first heat source that can be supplied with electrical energy by an electrical energy supply unit. In order to constructively simplify the processing, handling and use of wax for body hair removal, it may be provided that the heating device has a depositing surface on which at least one flexible fabric strip can be deposited directly or indirectly and which can be heated by means of the heat source, the fabric strip having a wax layer and the heating device being designed for this purpose, to heat the fabric strip with the wax layer up to a setpoint temperature, the setpoint temperature being adjustable by a user, and the heating device being configured to provide corresponding output signals in a time-controlled manner by means of output indicators as soon as the wax is in a viscous state.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2023 110 291.5, filed on Apr. 23, 2023, the contents of which is incorporated in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a heating device for heating wax. The disclosure also relates to a method for removing body hair using a heating device.

BACKGROUND

It is known in practice to use wax to remove body hair. Various types of wax mixtures are used for this purpose.

For example, soft warm wax on a cream or resin base can be slightly heated and applied in a thin layer to an area of skin so that a strip of fabric can then be pressed onto the area of skin to be treated and quickly removed against the direction of hair growth. This allows large areas of hair to be removed from the skin. The disadvantage of this method is that warm wax adheres well to the skin, which means that the hair removal process usually irritates and slightly damages the affected area of skin.

To reduce the effects of irritated skin areas, soft cold wax can optionally be used for hair removal. The soft cold wax can either be applied directly to the skin area or in advance to a strip of fabric or plastic, for example, with the wax side of the fabric strip against the skin. The disadvantage of this is that cold wax adheres less well to the skin than warm wax, meaning that the quality of the hair removal is also lower, and several treatments must be carried out on each area of skin.

Alternatively, warm hard wax can be used to remove body hair using a different method. Warm hard wax is applied generously to the skin, allowing it to harden almost completely as it cools. The hardened but still flexible wax is then quickly removed and torn off. Although this method is gentler on the skin, the quality of the hair removal is not as good as when using soft wax.

Various mixtures of substances can be used as wax, whether as warm or cold wax, and what they have in common is that all waxes have a thick or viscous consistency at 20° C. to 40° C. A conventional wax mixture can consist of sugar, water, citric acid, starch and/or oil.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a heating device for heating wax, with which the processing, handling and use of wax for body hair removal can be improved over know devices.

This is accomplished by a heating device with an electronically operated heat source which can be supplied with electrical energy by an electrical energy supply unit, and a depositing surface on which at least one flexible fabric strip can be deposited directly or indirectly and which can be heated by means of the heat source. The fabric strip has a wax layer and the heating device is configured to heat the fabric strip with the wax layer up to an adjustable setpoint temperature and to provide corresponding output signals in a time-controlled manner by means of output indicators as soon as the wax is in a viscous state.

The wax on the fabric strip is heated to the target temperature by means of the heating device, whereby at the setpoint temperature the wax is still viscous, so that it still adheres to the fabric strip, but has already become liquid to such an extent that it can be applied directly to a skin area by means of the fabric strip and cooled. Preferably, the setpoint temperature is at least 25° C., particularly preferably more than 35° C.

Hot wax treatments can irritate the areas of skin that come into contact with the wax, which may also be perceived as painful. This is particularly the case if the wax is not heated to the setpoint temperature specified for the wax in question in a controlled manner. This is because the wax is usually at room temperature at the start of a hot wax treatment. However, the wax is preheated or even overheated in the course of the hot wax treatment.

If the wax reaches a temperature above the setpoint temperature during the course of the treatment and thus comes into contact with the skin areas when overheated, unpleasant skin irritation and/or skin burns can occur. Studies show that around 40% of all hot wax treatments with state-of-the-art heating devices lead to skin irritation. The wax should therefore be kept as close as possible to the setpoint temperature during the hot wax treatment.

The fabric strip already has the wax on it before it is placed on the depositing surface, whereby the wax is not yet liquefied in this state. The wax is located on one wax side of the fabric strip. The fabric strip is placed on the deposit surface with a deposit side of the fabric strip opposite the wax side.

After placing the fabric strip with the wax side on a skin area, the almost completely liquefied wax can wrap itself around the hairs of the skin area, surround them and cool down. The fabric strip with the wax can then be removed from the skin, whereby the hairs of the skin area around which the wax has wrapped are removed with the wax and the fabric strip.

As soon as the fabric strip is placed on the depositing surface and the heating device is switched on, the heat source heats the fabric strip either from the depositing side and/or from the wax side. The heat source can also only keep the wax warm without heating it to the setpoint temperature. Preferably, according to an advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the wax layer of the fabric strip comprises a wax mixture comprising a warm wax.

The heating device can heat the wax efficiently, which means that heating energy can be saved, since, for example, only as much wax is heated as is required.

Preferably, it may be provided that the output signals control other control units and/or transmit control commands. Optionally, the heating device can be operated automatically. The output indicators can be, for example, lights, displays or similar.

The fabric strip that is heated directly in the heating device eliminates many disadvantages that must be considered when a user has to work with warm wax. The wax does not have to be heated directly, nor does the user come into direct contact with it, whereby the qualitative advantages of hair removal with warm wax remain.

The flexibility of the heating device makes it possible to use different fabric strips for different skin sections during a hot wax treatment. This is necessary, for example, if the different areas of skin react differently to temperature. For example, the warm wax treatment is more painful on the face or intimate area than on the lower legs. This means that different fabric strips with different wax types, wax dosages and therefore different setpoint temperatures can be used for the hot wax treatment.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the wax layer is arranged between the fabric strip and a foil strip. The foil strip encapsulates and covers the wax layer between itself and the fabric strip, so that handling is easier. Optionally, it may be provided that the foil strip must be squeegeed and removed before heating by the heating device. Alternatively, it is also possible to liquefy the wax with the foil strip and then peel off the foil strip before applying the fabric strip with the wax side to a skin area. The foil strip can be manufactured from a plastic, for example.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the heating device has a second heat source, wherein the fabric strip is arranged between the first and the second heat source and can be heated by both. With the second heat source, the wax layer on the fabric strip can be heated more quickly.

Optionally, it can be provided that the fabric strip with the wax is sandwiched between the two heat sources and is heated. With sandwich-like heating of the fabric strip, the wax can also be configured thinner and applied to the fabric strip. This can prevent the wax from having already reached the target temperature on one side while it is not yet ready for application on the other side.

In order to transfer the heat more easily to the fabric strip, according to an optional embodiment, it may be provided that the depositing surface is configured as a heating surface and is operatively connected to the heat source in a thermally conductive manner. The fabric strip can be heated via a contact surface between the heating surface and the deposit side of the fabric strip. The heat transfer from the heat source thus takes place via heat conduction from the heat source to the heat surface via the fabric strip into the wax layer. Optionally, the second heat source can heat the fabric strip distanced from the fabric strip by means of thermal radiation. If the heating surface and/or storage surface is also provided with a non-stick coating, regular cleaning is made easier.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the fabric strip is made of a textile material or paper. The fabric strip can be made of a sustainable and easily biodegradable material.

According to a particular aspect of the heating device, it may be provided that the heating device is configured to provide an optical and/or acoustic output signal when the setpoint temperature is reached. Preferably, the heating device has at least one signal lamp or at least one display element which can be used to indicate that the setpoint temperature has been reached. Alternatively, the heating device can also have several display elements with which different temperature levels or special operating states of the heating device and/or the wax can be displayed.

In order to facilitate handling with the wax, according to one embodiment, it may be provided that the fabric strip has a wax-free edge section along a wax side around the wax layer. The wax layer may be applied in a center region of the wax side of the fabric strip without completely covering the wax side. Rather, the fabric strip has a sufficiently wide wax-free edge section around the wax layer on which the user can grip the fabric strip without getting their fingers dirty.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the heating device has a sensor unit with which the fabric strip can be detected on the deposit surface. The sensor unit can, for example, be designed as a scale with which the weight of at least one fabric strip on the deposit surface can be detected. The heating device can switch off automatically as soon as no more fabric sections can be detected on the storage surface, so that the heating device saves electrical energy.

Also disclosed is a method for removing body hair using a heating device, comprising:

• • depositing at least one fabric strip comprising a wax layer on a heatable depositing surface of the heating device;
  • heating the fabric strip by means of the heating device and its heat source until the wax layer is melted and an adjustable setpoint temperature is reached, wherein corresponding output signals are provided in a time-controlled manner by means of output indicators as soon as the wax is in a viscous state;
  • applying the fabric strip with the melted wax layer to a hairy skin area, so that the wax layer can wrap itself around the hairs of the skin area and so that, after the wax layer has cooled, the hairs of the skin area can be removed with the fabric strip and the wax layer.

Several fabric strips can be prepared and placed on the depositing surface. The heating device heats the fabric strips and keeps the wax on the fabric strips warm, enabling the user to quickly and rapidly apply the wax to a skin area using the heated fabric strips. The heating device serves as a reservoir for preheated fabric strips.

Preferably, the output signals can be used to control other control units and/or transmit control commands. Optionally, the heating device can be operated automatically. The output indicators can be, for example, lights, displays or similar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a heating device,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the heating device,

FIG. 3 a top view of a fabric strip with a wax layer and

FIG. 4 a sectional view of the fabric strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a heating device 1 in a front view and FIG. 2 shows the same heating device 1 in a side view, wherein the heating device 1 has a central heat source 3 in a housing 11, in which further electronics are also integrated, which are provided for proper operation of the heating device 1. A storage surface 4 of the heating device 1 is shown on the housing 11 in a heating area 12, which is in a thermally conductive active connection with the heat source 3 and can be heated by the latter.

Six fabric strips 5 are deposited on the depositing surface 4, each of which has a wax layer 6 of a hot wax 2, whereby all fabric strips 5 can have different sizes and different amounts of wax 2 depending on the area of application. Each of the six fabric strips 5 lies with a deposit side 13 on the deposit surface 4.

In addition, the heating device 1 has a heating surface 8 on a cover 14, which is attached to the heating device 1 in a rear area 15 of the latter so that it can pivot about an axis 16. With the heating surface 8, which can also be supplied with a quantity of heat from the heat source 3, the six fabric strips 5 can advantageously be heated from both sides—from the deposit side 13 as well as a wax side 17—by means of the deposit surface 4 and the heating surface 8 of the cover 14. For this purpose, the cover 14 can be displaced about the axis 16 from an open position to a closed position and vice versa. Optionally, the cover 14 can remain unused in the open position if the fabric strips 5 are heated and not as much heat is required to heat the wax 2.

Once the fabric strips 5 have been placed and positioned on the depositing surface 4, the cover 14 with the heating surface 8 can be brought into an individual, infinitely adjustable position and position over the fabric strips 5 by means of a handle 18, whereby the cover 14 can maintain its position independently. As a result, heat input into the fabric strips 5 by means of the cover 14 can also be adjusted via a distance to the fabric strips 5. The heating device 1 is then controlled via control elements 19, whereby a desired setpoint temperature can be set using a rotary knob 20 and the heating device 1 can be switched on and off using a control knob 21.

If a sensor unit of the heating device 1 detects the fabric strips 5 when it is switched on, the heat source 3 is activated so that the fabric strips 5 can be heated on both sides by the heat source 3 and the heating surface 8. As soon as the wax 2 is in a viscous state, corresponding output signals are displayed in a time-controlled manner by means of output indicators 9, by means of which a user can recognize whether, for example, the setpoint temperature has been reached and/or the heating device 1 has been switched off to save energy.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a fabric strip 5 with a wax layer 6 in a top view and a side view. The wax layer 6 is located at the center of a wax side 17 of the fabric strip 5, which is opposite a deposit side 13, so that sufficient free edge areas 10 of the fabric strip 5 can remain free of wax around the wax layer 6. At the wax-free edge areas 10, the user can grasp the fabric strips 5 and work with them without getting soiled with the wax 2 himself.

FIG. 4 also shows that the wax layer 6 is wrapped by means of a film 7, the film 7 consisting of a plastic material being placed over the wax layer 6 and being attached to the wax side 17 of the fabric strip 5 along the free edge areas 10 around the wax layer 6. In this respect, the wax layer 6 is laminated by means of the film 7, which protects the wax layer 6 during storage or transportation of the fabric strip 5.

Claims

1. A heating device (1) for heating wax (2), comprising: an electrically operated first heat source (3), which can be supplied with electrical energy from an electrical energy supply unit; anda depositing surface (4), on which at least one flexible fabric strip (5) can be deposited directly or indirectly and which can be heated by the heat source (3),wherein the fabric strip (5) has a wax layer (6) and the heating device (1) is configured to heat the fabric strip (5) with the wax layer (6) up to an adjustable setpoint temperature and to provide time-controlled corresponding output signals by output indicators (9) as soon as the wax (2) is in a viscous state.

2. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wax layer (6) of the fabric strip (5) consists of a wax mixture comprising a hot wax.

3. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wax layer (6) is arranged between the fabric strip (5) and a foil strip (7).

4. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a second heat source (8), the fabric strip (5) being arranged between the first and the second heat source (3, 8) and being heatable by both.

5. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the depositing surface (4) is designed as a heating surface and is operatively connected to the heat source (3, 8) in a thermally conductive manner.

6. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fabric strip (5) consists of a textile fabric or paper.

7. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (1) is configured to provide an optical and/or acoustic output signal (9) when the setpoint temperature is reached.

8. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fabric strip (5) has a wax-free edge section (10) along a wax side (17) around the wax layer (6).

9. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (1) has a sensor unit with which the fabric strip (5) on the depositing surface (4) can be detected.

10. A method for removing body hair with the heating device (1) according to claim 1, comprising: depositing at least one fabric strip (5), which has a wax layer (6), on a heatable depositing surface (4) of the heating device (1);heating the fabric strip (5) by the heating device (1) and its heat source (3) until the wax layer (6) is melted and an adjustable setpoint temperature is reached, with corresponding output signals being provided in a time-controlled manner by output indicators (9) as soon as the wax (2) is in a viscous state; andapplying the fabric strip (5) with the melted wax layer (6) to a hairy skin area, so that the wax layer (6) can wrap itself around the hairs of the skin area and so that, after the wax layer (6) has cooled, the hairs of the skin area can be removed with the fabric strip (5) and the wax layer (6).