EP0668734B1 - Mechanical air removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

Mechanical hair removal device (1) for plucking hair from the skin (P). The device (1) comprises a hair removal member (6), for example consisting of a roller with discs and blades, movable about an axis (61) and powered by an electric motor (3) and mechanical coupling means (7). The device also comprises means for humidifying the skin (P) including a roller (50), a fluid receptacle (2) and a ventilating system (4), also powered by the motor (3), which lowers the superficial temperature of the skin by forced evaporation, and desensitizes the skin. In another embodiment, the skin is humidified by spraying. Application in reducing pain induced by hair removal.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a mechanical hair removal device by plucking hairs on the skin avoiding pain.

PRIOR ART

Indeed, mechanical hair removal by removing the hair is usually quite painful.

This can be done using various Well-known portable devices. Such an apparatus is described, by way of nonlimiting example, in the patent application French FR-A-2.675.354, in the name of SEB S.A. The apparatus taught by this French patent application is a tweezer type hair removal device. He understands a case intended to be held in the hand, containing a electric motor connected to a rotary roller carrying means for pinching and pulling out the hairs.

French patent application FR-A-2 454 283 describes a hair removal device by pulling hairs comprising a housing containing a motor and a helical screw which drives the hairs against the internal part of the casing filled with an adhesive material. A air flow is only intended to draw the hairs into the helical screw. Such a device also includes, at the bottom crankcase, a simply refreshing product vaporizer but unrelated to the pain caused by hair removal.

This type of device, or devices fulfilling the hair pulling function by implementing methods similar mechanical, fill satisfactorily this function assigned to them. However, as it has been indicated, pulling out the hair causes pain.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

It is also well known that cold numbs.

Document EP-A-0 348 862 proposes to attenuate the pain caused by pulling out the numb hair partially the skin just before depilation by cold. The means used are either a thermoelectric element or a cold accumulator.

However, these means used prove to be complex and difficult to implement, either independently limited.

The invention, by taking advantage of this observation, is sets the goal of a mechanical hair removal device which, while retaining the functionality of known art devices, allows simultaneously, to delete, or at least greatly reduce the pain sensations caused by pulling out the hair.

To do this, the hair removal device is provided with means for cooling the area of skin to be depilated, before or during the pulling of the hair. In reality, this action also continues after this operation.

• avant : la peau est préparée pour l'insensibilisation,
• après : le refroidissement soulage, apporte du confort.

There are therefore at least two phases:

• before: the skin is prepared for numbing,
• after: cooling relieves, brings comfort.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, the skin is cooled from a distance. For this, a fluid is deposited on the skin by different means: roller applicator, sprayer, etc. Then, we proceed to forced evaporation of the fluid using a ventilation which lowers the surface temperature of the skin a few degrees.

The fluid can be water, a more volatile, for example an alcoholic solution, or a antiseptic or hypoallergenic product.

According to a first embodiment, humidification of the skin is carried out using a humidifying roller, itself humidified by a fluid contained in a tank autonomous.

In a variant of this embodiment, the humidifier roller itself serves as a reservoir.

In general, the means of hair removal (for example a disc and blade roller as described in the request of the aforementioned French patent) are driven by a motor electric incorporated in the housing of the device.

Advantageously, the ventilation system is provided by a fan also driven by the motor of means of hair removal.

According to this first embodiment, humidification of the skin is carried out before the hair removal operation, means of humidification (a roller for example) being located upstream of the hair removal means relative to the movement of the device on the skin.

According to an additional variant of this mode of realization, we can also get a humidification and simultaneous hair removal.

Finally, according to a second embodiment, the moistening of the skin is obtained by spraying the fluid.

The invention therefore relates to a hair removal device mechanical by pulling hairs from the skin comprising a portable case comprising depilation means for perform said pulling of hair on the skin, means of hair removal means for plucking hairs, and means for moistening the skin on a specific area thereof using a fluid, characterized in that it includes means for drying this area determined of skin so as to obtain an evaporation of said fluid and a superficial lowering of the temperature of said zone causing insensitization, at least partial, of this skin area during said removal of fur.

The mechanical hair removal device according to the invention therefore provides effective mechanical hair removal and in a simple manner, that is to say in particular keeps all of the functionalities of a known Art device provided for this effect. However, it allows you to do this hair removal in comfort conditions that do not allow not said known art devices, that is to say allows strongly attenuate or even suppress the sensations of pain that accompanies the hair removal operation.

In addition, this advantageous characteristic is obtained without the need to make the structure of the hair removal device. In particular, it can be taken advantage of the almost general presence of an engine electric training means of hair removal. It is enough add a fan to this motor which could moreover preexisting for the purpose of cooling said engine.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 illustre schématiquement un premier mode de réalisation d'un appareil à épilation mécanique selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre schématiquement une première variante de ce mode de réalisation ;
• les figures 3A et 3B illustrent schématiquement une deuxième variante de ce mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 4 illustre schématiquement un second mode de réalisation dans lequel on obtient une humidification et une épilation simultanées ;
• les figures 5 et 6 illustrent une variante du mode de réalisation selon la figure 4 ;
• la figure 7 illustre schématiquement un troisième mode de réalisation dans lequel l'humidification est obtenue par pulvérisation ;
• la figure 8 illustre schématiquement un quatrième mode de réalisation dans lequel l'humidification et l'épilation sont réalisées l'une après l'autre ;
• les figures 9 et 10 illustrent une variante de mode de réalisation selon la figure 8 ; et
• la figure 11 illustre schématiquement un cinquième mode de réalisation dans lequel l'humidification est obtenue par des moyens extérieurs.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the description which follows with reference to the appended figures and among which:

• Figure 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a mechanical hair removal device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a first variant of this embodiment;
• Figures 3A and 3B schematically illustrate a second variant of this embodiment;
• FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a second embodiment in which humidification and epilation are obtained simultaneously;
• Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a variant of the embodiment according to Figure 4;
• FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a third embodiment in which humidification is obtained by spraying;
• FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment in which the humidification and the epilation are carried out one after the other;
• Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative embodiment according to Figure 8; and
• Figure 11 schematically illustrates a fifth embodiment in which humidification is obtained by external means.

In the following, the elements of the figures filling identical, or at least similar, functions have the same reference and will only be re-described as as needed. For reasons of simplification, we will call "hair removal device" the hair removal device mechanical by pulling out hairs.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a first example according to a first embodiment.

The epilating appliance 1 conventionally comprises a housing 10 of suitable shape to be handled by hand. In this case, are incorporated, also so classic, means of hair removal under the general reference 6, a drive motor 3 of rotation shafts 30, 31 and mechanical coupling means under the general reference 7. For these, it can be gear trains driven by the end 31 of the motor rotation shaft 3, possibly supplemented by drive belts (as illustrated in Figure 1), or by any other means classic. The motor can be powered by means exteriors derived from the sector or autonomous so preferential (batteries, rechargeable batteries). These means were not represented.

The elements which have just been described are common to Known Art and we can advantageously refer to the French patent application cited above for a more detailed description detailed example of a possible embodiment of the part epilator of the device according to the invention.

In this example, the depilation means 6 are made up, as indicated, by a roller 60 comprising pinching and tearing means (not shown) rotating around a tree, one of the ends 61 is visible in FIG. 1.

The lower solid arrow indicates the direction of movement of the epilator device 1 in contact with the skin area P to depilate. The cooling causing a skin numbing P must be done before pulling out the hair.

In this version of the invention, means for moisten the skin P and cool it from a distance are incorporated in the epilator 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, humidification is carried out using an organ 5 comprising a roller 50 rotating around a tree of which one of the ends 51 is visible in this figure. The roller 50 is supplied with fluid using a reservoir 2 in the manner which will be explained below.

To cool the fluid remotely, the apparatus 1 is provided with a blower 4 or with a member equivalent. Advantageously, the fan 4 is mounted on the end 30 of the motor rotation shaft 3. It might as well be driven by the body of mechanical coupling 7 without departing from the scope of the invention.

We provided the housing 10 with a first opening 100, preferably provided with a grid or an element similar, used to extract ambient air (arrow A). A second opening 101, also preferably provided a grid or similar element, allows to evacuate direction of the skin P, the air blown by the fan 4 (arrows B and B ').

The operation of the epilator device 1 according to the invention will now be explained.

The roller 50 is moistened and kept in this state. Preferably, this consists of a spongy or hydrophilic material, for example foam hydrophilic, at least on the periphery.

Apply the roller 50 thus moistened to the skin P in the place to be epilated. Fan 4 blows an air jet ambient (under the opening 101) at the rear of the roll 50 by relative to the direction of movement (black arrow).

When the device 1 is moved over the skin P, the roller 50 turns and moistens the skin P. It is dried by the air flow produced. This forced evaporation in area, water or more generally fluid, as it is well known by the laws of physics, is accompanied by a cooling. The skin therefore cools strongly, a large amount of heat is removed causing a lowering of the surface temperature of the area treated a few degrees: typically 4 to 5 ° C. This phenomenon causes at least partial numbness of the skin area P to be depilated. This last operation (hair removal) is actually performed when the roller 60 (or more generally the means of hair removal mechanical) arrives on the previously cooled area.

Means for dispensing the fluid to the roller 5 will now be described.

In accordance with the embodiment illustrated on the Figure 1, there is, in the housing 10, a tank 2 intended to store the fluid dispensed on the roller 50 for moisten it. It consists of a cavity whose wall lower 20 (in the example illustrated), in a zone in look of the roller 50, follow the shape thereof, that is to say a substantially cylindrical shape. This portion of wall is provided with at least one orifice 200 facing the roller 50. Advantageously, this portion of wall is provided a row of orifices 200 parallel to, and facing a generator of the roller. Tank 2 has a cap 201 or the like ensuring sealing after fluid filling. The latter is usually water but any appropriate solution may be added thereto.

The average space, or clearance "d", between the surface of the roller 50 and the facing wall is determined so that it fills, by capillary action, with water or more generally liquid, contained in the tank 2.

The orifices 200 are then "drowned" and the air cannot no longer enter tank 2 to compensate for the loss of water, which stops the flow. Roll area 50 in look of the wall soaks with water.

When the roller 50 rotates, the film of water included in the thick space "d" is entrained by it and is deposits on the skin of the area to be epilated. Air can enter again through the port (s) 200 and the water will flow to again to roller 50, thus compensating for the amount filed.

The fan 4, as illustrated, generally comprises a central body provided with peripheral fins. But others types of fans, turbines, or the like may naturally be implemented as part of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a variant of the embodiment which has just been described. The epilator device 1 comprises as before, arranged in a box 10 of form appropriate, a motor 3 driving the hair removal means mechanical 6 via a coupling member mechanical 7; gears, etc ... The motor drives also a turbine 4 disposed on the end 30 of the motor rotation shaft 3. This blows air cold (arrow B) in a direction substantially longitudinal (direction of movement: lower solid arrow).

According to this variant, the fluid contained in the tank 2 feeds the humidifying roller 50 through a channel 21, leading to one of the ends 51, of the shaft of rotation of this roller. This tree is hollow at least in part, so as to define a channel comprising orifices (not shown) allowing the soaking of the roller 50. This is made of hydrophilic material. The fluid dispensed to the diffuse roller towards its outer surface and moistens the skin when the roller 50 is in contact with the latter and rotating around its shaft 51-52.

Figures 3A and 3B illustrate an example of additional embodiment in which the reservoir of fluid is integrated into the humidifier 5.

To do this, in the example of FIG. 3A, the member humidifier 5 includes a drum 55 having two walls side 550 and 551, advantageously of larger diameter important that the diameter of the drum 55, giving it the shape general of a coil. There is around the drum 55 a peripheral ring 500 of hydrophilic or spongy material.

The drum 55 contains the fluid and is provided with orifices 552 allowing communication between the interior of the drum 55 and the spongy hydrophilic material 500. This soaks therefore of the liquid contained inside the drum 55.

To introduce the fluid into the drum 55, one can make an opening on one of the side walls (for example wall 550), orifice closed during operation by a plug 54 or any suitable element.

In the example of FIG. 3B, the humidifier member 5 includes a tank 560 in the form of a roller and a shoe 562 in hydrophilic material placed on the reservoir, on a part of the roller surface suitable for being in contact with the skin. The 560 tank is fixed, the humidification of the skin being obtained by the back-and-forth friction of the pad 562 on the skin.

The pad 562 is moistened with holes 561 provided on the surface of the tank 560. It is mounted on the tank by mechanical means 563 such as a lock nut Tightening. The pad 562 can also be glued by a adhesive on the surface of the tank 560.

In the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, the humidification and cooling operation of the skin P is carried out before the hair removal operation and is extend after this operation (regarding the cooling).

In the example of the embodiment illustrated by the figure 4, these two operations are carried out almost simultaneously and the cooling continues after the hair removal operation.

The ventilation member 4 is arranged above (in the example illustrated) of the epilation roller 60. As previously, it is driven by the motor 3 which, itself, drives the roller 60 using members not shown. These organs are similar to those previously mentioned (Figures 1 and 2: 7).

Still in the illustrated embodiment, we has two tanks, 2 and 2 ', on either side of the roller 6. The lower ends of these tanks 2 and 2 ', respectively 22 and 22', are advantageously more narrower than the upper zones 23 and 23 '. This arrangement allows to "pinch" two elements 8 and 8 'in spongy material intended to be brought into contact with the skin P. The length of these elements 8 and 8 'will be preferably at least equal to that of the roller 60 of so as to cover and moisten the entire skin area P to depilate. Humidification is carried out according to this variant of realization by capillarity or drip.

The fact of having two tanks 2 and 2 ', on the other on the other side of the roller 60, makes it possible to no longer take the direction of movement (double black arrow) of the device to depilate 1 on the skin P. However, only one may be provided single tank, for example tank 2.

We realize that the fan, blowing an air jet cold (arrows B and B ') on and around roller 60, allows to cool the skin, still by forced evaporation, at the same time as the hair removal operation is performed.

Suction ports (not shown) are practiced in the wall of the housing 10, so preferential outside the gripping areas of device 1, so that there is no risk shutter, which would cause a malfunction. In effect, even if the skin P was humidified correctly, it would not be the same with ventilation and the numbing effect by cooling the skin P expected would no longer be obtained.

A variant of the embodiment which has just been described in connection with Figure 4 is illustrated by Figures 5 and 6. This alternative embodiment is a preferred variant of this mode because it allows efficiency increased.

Figures 5 and 6 are partial sections of the epilator device along two orthogonal axes.

The ventilation device is made up, as previously, by a fan propeller 4 or an element similar. It is driven by an electric motor 3. It is arranged above this roller and its axis of rotation is parallel to this one. The motor 3 drives the roller 6 by through a set of gears 7.

The apparatus 1 comprises a single fluid reservoir 2, having the shape of a horizontal U. The branches of the U are arranged in the vicinity of the roller 6, on either side of this one, that is to say substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 61-62 of it. This arrangement allows not obstruct the air circulation which can flow between the tank 2 and the walls of the housing 10 of the device 1, on the one hand: arrow B, and inside the U: arrow B '. The tank 2 is extended by a 2010 conduit which is flush with the surface of the floor of the housing 10. This conduit is closed by a plug 201 waterproof. On each side of the roller 6, over its useful length approximately, brushes, markers or fabrics capillaries are supported by an end 80 on the skin P to humidify and are retained, by the other end 81, in a groove 22 provided for this purpose in the lower part of the tank 2. Above these brushes, felts or fabrics capillaries, the reservoir is pierced with at least one nozzle 200 calibrated to pass a low fluid flow and which increases when motor 3 is running due to vibrations up to a suitable nominal flow. The ventilation device 4 pushes the air from an orifice 100 of the wall of the housing 10 towards the interior 110 of the enclosure 10 from which it escapes from each side of the markers 8, as indicated: arrows B and B '; which causes the forced evaporation of the water deposited on the P skin and cools it.

According to another embodiment, one realizes humidification of the skin by spraying. An example of embodiment according to this particular mode is illustrated schematically in Figure 7.

In the example illustrated, the epilating roller 60 is with an axis of rotation at least partially hollow, on the side from the end 62 a channel 620 dug in this axis 62-61 communicates with the fluid reservoir 2. Channels transverse 63 and peripheral 64, communicating with the axial channel 620 make it possible to irrigate brushes 9 arranged on the periphery of the roller 60. These brushes 9, in contact with P skin, moisten it. The rotation of the roller 60 creates a vacuum circulating the fluid drawn from the tank 2 to the brushes 9.

As before, the motor 3 drives the roller 60 via a set of gears 7 or organs equivalent. The motor 3 also drives a blower 4, sucking in fresh air (arrow A) through an opening 100 practiced in the wall of the housing 10 and the propellant (arrows B and B ') towards the depilation means 6 and the skin P, which produces the lowering of the surface temperature and the expected desensitization.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the means 5 for moistening the skin P and the means 6 for plucking the hairs are disposed respectively at two opposite ends 1a and 1b of the device 1.

The means 5 for humidifying can be similar to any device already described with reference to modes of realization, such as a roller with a reservoir incorporated, or a spray device.

Means 4 for drying, such as a fan powered by a motor 3 are disposed between the means 5 to moisten and the means 6 for pulling out the hairs.

The air is adapted to leave the device 1 at both ends 1a and 1b, as illustrated by arrows B and B '.

Thus, in use, the skin P is first moistened by applying the end of the device 1 to the skin P, the fan 4 being on to allow the cooling of the skin P by lowering the temperature.

Then the user turns the device to use from the other end 1b equipped with the epilating roller 6. The motor 3 continues to operate fan 4 for depilation in order to perfect drying and to continue cool the skin.

Hair removal is therefore performed on P skin perfectly dry and cooled.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 9 and 10, the means 5 to moisten the skin P and the means 6 for tearing off the hairs are arranged respectively along two sides adjacent to the section apparatus substantially parallelepiped.

The means 6 for lifting and the means 5 for humidifying the skin are arranged at right angles to one another with the other.

Thus, if the means 5 for humidifying are constituted a roller 55, with a reservoir incorporated for example, the axis of the roller 55 is substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the lifting means 6.

The means for drying comprise two fans 4a and 4b powered by a motor 3.

One of the fans 4a is an axial blower then that the other fan 4b is a centrifugal blower.

In this exemplary embodiment, the motor 3 has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of lifting means 6.

Each fan 4a and 4b is mounted at one end of the axis of rotation of the motor 3, via a wheel free 51, 52 so that, according to its direction of rotation, the motor 3 alternately drives one of the fans 4a and 4b.

A selector (not shown) is provided on the body of the device 1 to modify the direction of rotation of the motor 3.

So, in use, the skin is first moistened P thanks to the humidification means 5 as illustrated in the figure 9.

The selector is switched to a first position, from so that the motor 3 turns in a first direction, driving thus the fan 4a disposed behind the means for humidify 5. The other fan 4b and the means tear-off 6 remain stationary, thanks to the freewheel 52.

The device is placed against the skin P.

Air enters the device, in particular through the opening formed at the lifting means 6 (arrow A) and is channeled, thanks to the fan 4a, on the axis of rotation of the fan 4a and motor 3 so as to be ejected from the device through the opening in which the means for humidifying 5 (arrow B).

This gives the cooling of the skin P.

In the second phase of use, the device is rotated a quarter of a turn so as to place the means tear-off 6 in contact with the skin P.

The user orders the start-up of the means tear-out 6, by switching the selector in a second position.

The motor 3 is then driven in the other direction of rotation so as to drive the other fan 4b and the lifting means 6 in rotation.

The fan 4a then remains stationary thanks to the wheel free 51.

As shown in Figure 10, air enters the device (arrow A) through the opening in the body of it, in which the means extend for moisten 5 while still.

The fan 4b, placed behind the means tear-off 6, along an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the lifting means 6, is provided to have a centrifugal action on the air so as to eject the air towards the lifting means 6 and out of the apparatus 10 (arrow B ').

Thus, during the hair removal phase, drying and P skin cooling are continued, so that the pain is further alleviated.

Freewheel 51 can also be removed so that, in the epilation phase, the fan 4a is maintained in rotation, in the opposite direction to its direction of rotation when the humidification phase, which further improves the cooling action of the skin.

According to another version of the invention, such as illustrated in FIG. 11, the means 5 ′ for humidifying the skin P are external to the hair removal device 1 and are consisting of a 5 'cloth, sponge, felt, etc., impregnated with fluid.

The device then includes a fan positioned behind the means 6 for depilating. These last are actuated by a motor 3 which also allows to drive the fan 4.

The depilation means 6 are however disengageable from the motor 3 to allow the action of the fan alone to cool the skin before waxing.

Thus, the user wets the part of the skin P to epilate using the 5 'damp cloth. Then, during a first phase, the device 1 is moved on the skin P, the means 6 hair pulling is stopped and the fan 4 blowing air according to arrows B.

The skin is thus dried and cooled.

Then, while maintaining the ventilation to continue to cool the skin P, the depilation means 6 are put in actuation.

Such a system makes it possible to better dose the water deposited on the skin P.

The invention is naturally not limited to only variants precisely described in relation with the figures.

In particular, although it was implicitly admitted that the blower is driven by the drive motor means of hair removal, and although this provision is advantageous, nothing stands in the way of it being otherwise and that an additional motor is provided for the wind tunnel.

In addition, the exact configuration of the device, in particular of the case and the spatial arrangement the interior of the housing of the components of the device: engine, tank, etc, proceed from choice technological and / or ergonomic within the reach of the Tradesman.

As noted, the power supply electric can be done by an external power supply derived from the sector or, preferably, by autonomous means: batteries, rechargeable batteries. We can not also exclude the use of means of hair removal powered by purely mechanical means: spring motor by example.

Claims (21)

1. A mechanical epilator (1) that pulls out hairs from the skin, the epilator comprising a portable housing (10) containing epilator means (6) for said pulling out of hairs from the skin (P), drive means (3, 7) for driving the epilator means (6) for pulling out hairs, and means (2, 5, 5') for moistening the skin (P) over a determined zone thereof by means of a fluid, the epilator being characterized in that it comprises drying means (4a and 4b) for drying said determined zone of skin (P) so as to obtain the evaporation of said fluid and a reduction in the surface temperature of said zone of said skin (P) giving rise to at least partial numbness thereof while hairs are being pulled out therefrom.
2. An epilator according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (2, 5) for moistening the skin (2) are incorporated in said epilator (1).
3. An epilator according to claim 2, characterized in that said means (5) for moistening the skin comprise a moistening roller (50) rotatable about a shaft (51, 52), and a fluid tank (2) feeding said moistening roller (50) with fluid, and in that the peripheral zone of the roller (50) is in contact with the skin (P) in such a manner as to moisten it.
4. An epilator according to claim 3, characterized in that the tank (2) is provided with at least one orifice (200) facing the roller (50), and in that a gap of determined thickness ("d") is left between the roller (50) and the tank (2) in such a manner that a film of liquid is formed by capillarity, by said liquid contained in the tank flowing out through each of said orifices (200) and extending over said zone of skin (P) to be moistened when the roller (50) moves over said zone.
5. An epilator according to claim 4, characterized in that said tank (2) is provided with a plurality of orifices (200) disposed facing a generator line of said roller (50).
6. An epilator according to claim 2, characterized in that said moistening means (5) comprise a fluid tank (2) and a moistening roller (50) movable about a shaft (51, 52) that is hollow at least in part so as to define a channel for the flow of said fluid and communicating (21) with said tank, and in that said channel is provided with orifices allowing said fluid to escape towards the periphery of the roller (50) in such a manner as to moisten the skin (P) when the roller (50) is in contact therewith.
7. An epilator according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said roller (50) includes at least one peripheral zone made of a hydrophilic material.
8. An epilator according to claim 2, characterized in that said moistening means (5) comprise a hollow roller having a cylindrical wall (55) that is movable about a shaft (51, 52) and that is provided with orifices (552) through its cylindrical wall, in that the hollow inside of said roller (55) is designed to receive said fluid, and in that it is provided with a peripheral ring (500) of hydrophilic material receiving the fluid via said orifices (552) and moistening the skin (P) when the moistening means (5) are in contact therewith.
9. An epilator according to claim 2, characterized in that said moistening means comprise at least one tank (2, 2') of fluid including an open end (22) in which an element (8, 8') of hydrophilic material is disposed that is put into contact with the skin (P) to moisten it.
10. An epilator according to claim 9, characterized in that it includes two tanks (2, 2') disposed on either side of the epilator means (6).
11. An epilator according to claim 9, characterized in that it includes a tank (2) in the form of a horizontal U-shape, the branches of said tank (2) being disposed on either side of the epilator means (6).
12. An epilator according to claim 11, characterized in that the element made of hydrophilic material (8) is held at one end (81) in a groove (22) provided in the bottom portion of the tank (2), said tank being pierced above the element made of hydrophilic material by at least one calibrated opening (200) for allowing a small flow rate of the fluid to pass therethrough.
13. An epilator according to claim 2, characterized in that said epilator means (6) are in the form of a roller (60) rotating about a shaft (61, 62) that is hollow at least in part so as to form a circulation channel (620) for circulation of said fluid, the moistening means comprise a tank (2) of fluid communicating with said channel (620) and brushes (9) disposed at the periphery of the roller (60) forming the epilator means (6), and in that said epilator means are provided with channels (63, 64) communicating with said circulation channel (620) and distributing said fluid to the brushes (9) in such a manner as to moisten the skin (P) by spraying when the epilator means (6) are in contact therewith.
14. An epilator according to any one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that said tank (2) is provided with a plug (201, 54) enabling it to be filled with said fluid and for sealing it after filling.
15. An epilator according to claim 2, characterized in that the means (5) for moistening the skin (P), and the epilator means (6) are disposed at respective opposite ends (1a, 1b) of the epilator (1), said drying means (4) being disposed between the moistening means (5) and the epilator means (6).
16. An epilator according to claim 1, characterized in that means (5') for moistening the skin (P) are external to said epilator (1) and are constituted by a fluid-impregnated cloth (5').
17. An epilator according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for drying the skin (P) comprise at least one fan (4a, 4b) driven by an electric motor (3) that generates a jet of air (B, B') at ambient temperature directed towards the determined zone of moistened skin (P), and that cools it so as to produce said numbing.
18. An epilator according to claim 2, characterized in that the means (5) for moistening the skin, and the epilator means (6) are disposed along two respective adjacent sides of the epilator (1).
19. An epilator according to claim 18, characterized in that the drying means comprise two fans (4a, 4b) actuated by a motor (3), each fan (4a, 4b) being mounted at one end of the drive shaft of the motor (3) via a respective freewheel (51, 52) such that the motor drives one or other of the fans (4a, 4b) in alternation depending on its direction of rotation.
20. An epilator according to claim 19, characterized in that one of the fans (4a) is an axial blower, while the other fan (4b) is a centrifugal blower.
21. An epilator according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that said fluid is water, a more volatile substance such as an alcohol solution, or a hypoallergenic substance.

Images