EP0328426A2 - Hair-plucking apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Hair plucking apparatus comprising a rotating plucking roller formed by a series of blades disposed side by side. The blades (5a, 5b) of this roller are mounted in a movable manner on their drive shaft (6) in order to be able to pivot about an axis perpendicular to this shaft. It is furthermore provided with mechanical means for operating these blades, which are capable of causing, at least once per revolution of the roller (4), the pivoting of these blades (5a, 5b), one in one direction and the following one in the opposite direction, each about a separate axis (x.x') perpendicular to the drive shaft. In this way the tightening of two adjacent blades against each other is obtained at the working surface and consequently the gripping of hairs between these blades in order to pluck them. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to small depilatory devices capable of being held in the hand in order to remove excess hair.

More specifically, the invention relates to devices of the type described in patent FR 2,556,939. This device comprises, for pulling out the hairs to be removed, a rotary depilation roller formed by a series of thin discs arranged side by side with little play between them, and means ensuring periodically the nipping of the hairs engaged between these discs. . These are then torn off due to the rotation of the hair removal roller.

In one of the embodiments described in this patent, the nipping of the bristles is carried out against one of the faces of the rotating discs, and this by the blades of a movable comb which are nested between these discs. Appropriate means are then provided for periodically ensuring the axial displacement of this comb in order to apply the pinching blades thereof against the rotating discs to trap the hairs to be pulled out.

However, with such a system it is difficult to obtain regularity of the gripping force, from one disc to another. Indeed, this regularity depends on the precision of two elements: the stacking of the discs and the blades of the comb, the intervals of which must be strictly equal to each other.

In another embodiment described in the same patent, the discs are flexible and the plucking of the hairs to be plucked is carried out between two successive discs by the deformation of all of these discs under the effect of thrust members provided for each end. The arrangement is then such that the tightening of all of the discs occur at least once per turn of the roller. However, such a system can only work if the number of discs, or the spacing between two successive discs, is very small, which is an unfavorable factor for the engagement of the bristles in the epilating roller. This goes against the efficiency of the device.

This is why the present invention aims to achieve an apparatus of the same general type, but which is designed differently so that the nipping of the hairs to be plucked is carried out between two successive discs according to a process ensuring perfect effectiveness of this nipping and without encountering the drawbacks set out above.

To this end, the device according to the invention comprises a rotary depilation roller formed by a series of blades arranged side by side and this device is characterized in that these blades are mounted mobile on their drive shaft so as to be able to pivot along an axis perpendicular to this shaft, and mechanical means for actuating these blades are provided, capable of causing them to pivot, at least once per revolution of the roller, one in one direction and the next in the opposite direction, each around a separate axis perpendicular to the drive shaft, so as to ensure the clamping of the blades in groups of two on their respective parts then being at the location of the surface of work, in order to pinch the hairs engaged between these blades to pull them out.

Thus, on each revolution of the depilation roller, one or more times the clamping of each of the blades thereof is clamped against a neighboring blade, and this by a pivoting movement of these blades, one towards the 'other, not by deformation and compression of all the blades of the roller. Consequently, between pinching phases, the blades of the roller may have a relatively large spacing facilitating the engagement of the bristles between these blades, which considerably increases the efficiency of the device. In addition, the regularity of the pinching only depends on the precision of the mechanical means for actuating the blades of the roller. Furthermore, although it is these blades which alone pinch the hairs to be plucked, their number is limited only by the power of the engine of the device.

According to another characteristic of this device, each blade of the rotary epilation roller has at its periphery one or more protruding parts constituting the pinching zones of these blades, these zones being arranged in the same alignment on the rotary roller. This particular characteristic makes it possible to obtain a greater efficiency of the apparatus than with blades constituted by discs of circular contour because there are thus steps between the protruding pinching zones, which further facilitates the engagement of the hairs to inside the hair removal roller.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present device, the rotary shaft for driving the epilation blades has a polygonal section, for example square, and these blades have a central opening also of polygonal section inside which is engaged this shaft, and in two diametrically opposite zones, the edge of the central opening of each tear blade is engaged in a transverse retaining groove inside which it has freedom of movement allowing it to pivot about 'an axis perpendicular to the drive shaft.

According to another characteristic of this advantageous embodiment, the mechanical means ensuring the pivoting of the epilation blades consist of two bars mounted sliding against a face of the rotary drive shaft, parallel to the axis thereof, and which have transverse grooves inside each of which is engaged a tooth provided on the edge of the opening central of a tear blade, these blades being thus coupled alternately with one of these sliding bars and with the other, and these two bars being actuated by control means causing them to move in the opposite direction in order to rotate in the opposite direction, two successive epilation blades so as to ensure the clamping of the respective parts of these two blades located at the location of the work surface.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation d'un appareil à épiler selon l'invention, le carter de celui-ci étant ouvert.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale de ce même appareil, celui-ci étant représenté en cours d'utilisation.
• La figure 3 est une vue partielle en élévation de l'une des lames constituant le rouleau rotatif d'épilation.
• La figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe de deux de ces lames, représentées au moment du serrage de leur zone respective de pincement.
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la tête d'épilation du présent appareil.
• La figure 6 est une vue en coupe axiale de cette même tête, avec arrachement.
• La figure 7 en est une vue en coupe transversale suivant la ligne VII-VII de la figure 6.
• La figure 8 est un schéma explicatif des phases de serrage et d'ouverture des lames d'épilation.
• La figure 9 est un schéma explicatif du mode de pincement de ces lames.
• La figure 10 est un schéma similaire correspondant à une variante de réalisation.
• Les figures 11 à 15 représentent diverses variantes de réalisation du contour des lames d'épilation du rouleau rotatif.

However, other particularities and advantages of the device according to the invention will emerge from the following description, given with reference to the attached drawing for information only, and in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of a hair removal device according to the invention, the housing thereof being open.
• Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of this same device, the latter being shown in use.
• Figure 3 is a partial elevational view of one of the blades constituting the rotary epilation roller.
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of two of these blades, shown at the time of tightening of their respective pinching area.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the epilation head of the present apparatus.
• Figure 6 is an axial sectional view of the same head, with cutaway.
• FIG. 7 is a view in cross section along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6.
• Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the tightening and opening phases of the epilation blades.
• Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the pinching mode of these blades.
• Figure 10 is a similar diagram corresponding to an alternative embodiment.
• Figures 11 to 15 show various alternative embodiments of the contour of the epilation blades of the rotary roller.

The device shown comprises a small box 1 capable of being held in the hand and inside which are contained all the mechanical organs of this device. This housing has an elongated shape and one of its ends is closed by a cover 2 constituting in a way the frame of the working head or epilation head of the device. Thus, this epilation head is removable relative to the housing 1.

The cover 2 has an elongated opening 3 behind which is located a rotary epilation roller 4. This is formed by a series of thin blades arranged one after the other on a rotary shaft 6, and designated alternately by references 5a and 5b. The drive of this rotating shaft is ensured by a small electric motor 7 via a reduction gear by pinions 8, or other mechanical system making it possible to obtain an optimal speed. This motor is powered by an electric cell 9, also housed inside the housing 1. Preferably the motor shaft 7 is equipped with a turbine rotor 10 so as to create an overpressure inside the housing 1 in order to oppose the penetration of the torn hairs, through the orifice 11 for passage of one of the drive pinions of the rotary shaft 6.

The rotary shaft 6 of the epilation head is disposed between two flanges 12 integral with the cover 2 and which comprise the rotational bearings of the ends of this shaft. As it appears in Figures 5 and 7, it has a square section. Against two opposite faces of this shaft are arranged two flat strips 13 intended to serve as members for holding the epilation blades 5a, 5b. Against each of the two other faces of this tree are placed two bars 14a, 14b, or respectively 15a, 15b, which are slidably mounted parallel to the axis of the tree 6. As will be explained below, these bars constitute the actuating members of the epilation blades 5a, 5b to periodically cause the clamping zone to be tightened.

On this subject it should be noted that these blades do not have the shape of discs of circular contour. In fact, as shown in FIG. 11, each of them comprises at its periphery two projecting parts 16 arranged in diametrically opposite directions and which are intended to constitute the nip zones of the corresponding blade. Compared to the circle C circumscribed around the assembly, there are therefore somehow two recessed parts 26 between the projecting parts 16. This has the effect of facilitating the engagement of the bristles inside the epilating roller. Outside the protruding parts 16 each blade may have a circular or other contour, this contour being determined so as to facilitate the engagement of the bristles to be torn between the blades.

These various blades have a central opening 17 of polygonal section whose shape is such that it allows the passage of both the rotary shaft 6 and the various bars 13 and strips 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b. However, the parts of the internal edge of this opening 17, which are located opposite the strips 13, are engaged inside grooves transverse 18 mixed on the outer face of these strips. This ensures that the various blades 5 are held and the desired spacing between them is maintained. However, the grooves 18 widen on either side of their median part at the place where a transverse rib 19 is provided on each wall. This gives a possibility of pivoting of each blade 5 around an axis XX ′ materialized in some way by the ribs 19 and which extends at right angles to the axis YY ′ of the rotary shaft 6. Thus the different blades 5 can pivot around a series of distinct axes XX ′, all perpendicular to the axis YY ′ (see FIG. 5).

The sliding bars 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b of each pair have for their part a series of transverse grooves 20. However in each pair of such bars, there is a shift between the grooves of the one and the other corresponding bars. As for the blades 5, they have, on the edge of their central opening 17, a projecting tooth 21a for the blades 5a and 21b for the blades 5b. The teeth 21a of the blades 5a are engaged in the grooves 20 of the two bars 14a and 15a. As for the teeth 21b of the blades 5b, they are engaged in the grooves 20 of the bars 14b and 15b. Thus, the epilation blades are coupled alternately with one and with the other of the two sliding bars of the same pair.

Each sliding bar carries an operating head 22a or 22b, and in each pair the head of one of the bars is located at one end and the head of the other at the opposite end. However, on the side of the opening 3 of the depilation head, there are provided, on either side of the rotary roller 4, two rollers 23a and 23b which are intended to apply pressure respectively on the head 22a of a bar 14a or 15a and on the head 22b of a bar 15b or 14b. However springs 24 tend to normally maintain the sliding bars in positions normally ensuring the maintenance of a spacing between the different blades 5a and 5b. In this regard it should be noted that instead of springs 24 provided at the ends, as is the case in the example shown in Figure 6, it is possible to provide a single spring arranged in the middle.

When the two sliding bars of the same pair, for example the bars 14a and 14b, arrive at the location of the rollers 23a and 23b, the first of these pushes the bar 14a in the direction of the arrow F1 while the second pushes the strip back in direction F2 (see figure 6). Since the discs 5a are coupled with the strip 14a, this causes them to pivot clockwise around their axis X-X ′. As for the discs 5b, they are made to pivot in the opposite direction under the effect of the displacement of the bar 14b. This causes the pinching protrusions 16 of two adjacent blades to be tightened in pairs, as shown in FIG. 6 as well as in the diagram in FIG. 9.

The arrangement is such that the clamping zones 16 are tightened while they are located opposite the opening 3 of the cover 2 of the epilation head. The axes X-X ′ of pivoting of the epilation blades are then arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the tangent plane of the working surface of the rotary roller in contact with the skin. However there may be an angular shift in one direction or the other.

The diagram in FIG. 8 illustrates the different successive phases of bringing together and spacing the pinching zones 16 of the epilation blades. In this figure, the reference F indicates the closing phase of these pinching zones, the reference P the actual tightening phase, and the reference O the opening phase. The hairs to be plucked engage between the projecting parts 16 of the epilation blades during phase F before they are tightened. Then, these hairs are pinched between the projecting zones of two successive blades during phase P and during this phase the rotary movement of the epilation disc 4 has the effect of plucking the pinched hairs. Finally, these are ejected by centrifugal force during the opening phase of the pinching zones 16 of the epilation blades.

Since in the example shown, two pairs of control bars are provided, which are arranged at right angles to the holding strips 13, two epilations of the epilation blades occur during each revolution of the rotary roller. This is the reason why the blades 5a and 5b each carry two protruding pinching portions 16 which are diametrically opposite and arranged opposite one or the other pair of control bars. Between each period of pinching of the epilation blades, these are recalled by the springs 24 in substantially parallel positions.

Instead of having a direct action of bringing together the parts to be clamped depilation blades 5a, 5b, as is the case in the example represented in FIGS. 1 to 7 as well as in the diagram of FIG. 9, the bars control 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b may have an indirect action, as provided in the diagram in Figure 10. In such a case, the rollers 23a, 23b are arranged in a position diametrically opposite with respect to the axis YY ′ Of the rotary shaft 6. The arrangement is then such that the control bars act in the opposite direction, according to the arrows F2 and F3, on two successive blades 5a and 5b so as to separate their corresponding parts. This causes these blades to pivot as before so that their pinching parts 16, located on the opposite side, are pressed against each other. The operation is therefore the same as in the previous case.

The rollers 23a and 23b may be replaced by cams or any other suitable member capable of causing the displacement of the pivoting control strips 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b each time these arrive opposite these members. The angular position of these cams or control rollers is determined so that the clamping zones of the depilation blades are tightened at the right time depending on the ergonomic position of the device relative to the skin to be depilated. . It is possible to provide only one pinching of the epilation blades per rotation. Conversely, however, it is also possible to provide for a number of pinches greater than two during each revolution by using a greater number of pairs of control strips.

When two or more pinches are provided per rotation, it is possible to alternate the pinch discs, these being always tightened two by two. It then suffices that the discs are coupled in different ways with the control strips of the different pairs of strips. Thus, the arrangement can be such that the first pair of bars acts on the discs located in positions 1 and 2, etc. , while the second pair acts on the discs in positions 2 and 3, etc.

In this regard, many variant embodiments can be envisaged, for example to increase the number of pinches per revolution in order to be able to reduce the speed of rotation of the depilation roller in order to avoid excessive brutality when tearing off the hairs, and consequently a risk of breakage thereof.

As indicated in FIGS. 12 to 15, the tear-off blades may have a contour other than the blades 5a and 5b illustrated in FIG. 11 and which are provided in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

Thus, FIG. 12 represents a variant in which the gripping parts 16c of the corresponding blades 5c have a shape different from that provided previously. These projecting parts are separated from each other by recessed zones 26c intended to promote the engagement of the plucked hairs.

FIG. 13 represents a variant in which the corresponding blades 5d comprise a single projecting part 16d of nipping on either side of which two recessed zones 26d are provided. In such a case, the epilation head is designed to ensure only one pinching per rotation.

FIG. 14 shows another variant also designed for the case of a single pinch per revolution of rotation. The corresponding blades 5e has a circular outline substantially on half of their periphery and two steps 26e on the rest of their periphery. A single pinching zone 16e is then provided at an intermediate point of their length of the circular part.

FIG. 15 represents yet another variant in which the corresponding blades 5f comprise three distinct pinching zones 16f.

However, many other variants could also be envisaged for the contour of the epilation blades of this device.

As already indicated, the recessed parts, provided between the nipping protruding parts, are intended to facilitate the engagement of bristles to be pulled out inside the hair removal roller. These parts are also intended to create an effect of combing of the hairs which are thus entrained oriented parallel to the blades, which is also such as to facilitate the engagement of the hairs between the latter. However, the projecting parts in contact with the skin may be of greater length than that of the actual nipping area (see for example the case of the variants according to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14). These parts in contact with the skin then serve to protect the latter.

On this subject it should be noted that in the same rotary roller, it is possible to combine epilation blades having different contours. In any event, it is advantageous to provide, at both ends of the depilation roller, blades devoid of recessed portions so as to keep the skin outside the depilation roller. This prevents the skin from being pulled when the hairs are pulled out. This also makes it possible to remove the skin protection grid which must usually be provided in the hair removal devices of the type in question. This is an advantage because the presence of such a grid is detrimental to the efficiency of the device.

As already indicated, the main advantage of the device according to the invention lies in the fact that the pinching of the epilation blades is carried out by pivoting of two adjacent blades towards one another and not not by deformation and compression of the assembly of the blades of the epilation roller as is the case in the prior device mentioned above. However, this method of pinching the epilation blades by pivoting has the advantage that it is possible to provide a relatively large initial spacing between the different blades, which facilitates the penetration of the hairs inside the epilation roller. Furthermore, this solution has the advantage of being much simpler. than that provided in the aforementioned apparatus and in which there was a movable comb ensuring the nipping of the bristles against the blades of the rotary roller. For these various reasons, the efficiency and the reliability of the present device are considerably improved compared to prior devices of the same kind.

Claims (9)

1. An epilating device comprising, for pulling out the hairs to be eliminated, a rotary roller formed by a series of blades arranged side by side and means ensuring periodically the nipping of the hairs engaged between these blades, characterized in that these blades ( 5a, 5b) are mounted mobile on their drive shaft (6) so as to be able to pivot about an axis perpendicular to this shaft, and there are provided mechanical means for actuating these blades, capable of causing, at least one times per turn of the roller (4), the pivoting of these blades (5a, 5b), one in one direction and the next in the opposite direction, each around a separate axis (XX ′) perpendicular to the shaft drive, so as to clamp the blades in groups of two on their respective parts then being at the location of the work surface, in order to pinch the hairs engaged between these blades to pull them out. 2. epilating device according to claim 1, characterized in that each blade (5a, 5b) of the rotary epilation roller (4) has at its periphery one or more protruding parts (16) constituting the pinching zones of these blades , these areas being arranged in the same alignment on the rotary roller. 3. epilating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotary shaft (6) for driving the epilation blades (5a, 5b) has a polygonal section, for example square, and these blades have a central opening (17) also of polygonal section inside which this shaft is engaged, and in two diametrically opposite zones, the edge of the central opening of each epilation blade is engaged in a transverse groove (18) of restraint, within which it has a freedom of travel allowing it to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the drive shaft (6). 4. epilating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the grooves (18) inside which are engaged the edges of the central opening (17) of each epilation blade (5a, 5b) each comprise, in the middle of each of their walls, a transverse rib (19) somehow materializing the pivot axis (XX ′) of the corresponding epilation blade (5a or 5b). 5. epilating device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the grooves (18) inside which are engaged the edges of the central opening (17) of each epilation blade (5a, 5b) are formed in two strips (13) arranged against two opposite faces of the rotary drive shaft (6). 6. epilating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical means ensuring the pivoting of the epilation blades (5a, 5b) consist of two bars (14a, 14b or 15a, 15b) mounted sliding against a face of the rotary drive shaft (6), parallel to the axis thereof, and which have transverse grooves (20) inside each of which is engaged a tooth (21a, 21b) provided on the edge of the central opening (17) of a depilation blade (5a, 5b), these blades being thus coupled alternately with one and the other of these two sliding bars, which actuated by control means causing them to move in the opposite direction in order to rotate in the opposite direction two successive epilation blades so as to ensure the clamping of the respective parts of these two blades located at the location of the work surface. 7. hair removal device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control means of the bars sliding (14a, 14b and 15a, 15b) actuating the epilation blades (5a, 5b) consist of two cams or rollers (23a, 23b) arranged on either side of the rotary roller formed by these blades, these cams or rollers being capable of pushing in the opposite direction one and the other sliding bars (14a, 14b and 15a, 15b), against one or more spring (24) provided to normally maintain the pinching zones (16 ) depilation blades separated from each other. 8. epilating device according to claim 7, characterized in that the cams or rollers (23a, 23b) controlling the sliding bars for actuating the epilation blades are arranged, relative to the axis of the rotary shaft d drive, on the side of the work surface of the device. 9. Hair removal device according to one of claims 5 to 8 characterized in that the rotary drive shaft (6) carries two pairs of bars (respectively 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b) for actuating the blades of depilation (5a, 5b), these two pairs of bars being slidably mounted against two opposite faces of this rotary shaft.

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