EP0748174B1 - Device for removing hair - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP95/00694 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 29, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 29, 1996 PCT Filed Feb. 25, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/24840 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 21, 1995An appliance for epilating hair of the human skin includes an epilation head with at least two electrical conductors and a clamping device for gripping and plucking the hair. The electrical conductors at least temporarily engaging the skin during hair plucking. A casing is attached to the epilation head and a motor housed in the casing drives the clamping device to cause the clamping device to automatically and periodically perform its functions of gripping and plucking. A generator electrically connected to the electrical conductors provides a stimulator current to the skin when the electrical conductors are in contact with the skin so as to electrically stimulate the nerve system under the skin during hair plucking.

Description

The invention relates to a device for plucking hair, in particular hair of human skin, with a hand-held housing for recording a motor for driving one provided in a plucking head of the device Clamping device for grasping and plucking the hair, the clamping device is feasible over the skin to be treated. Such a device is from the EP-A-0348862 and EP-A-0493849 are known. Serve in EP-A-0348862 cooling elements to numb the skin. EP-A-0493849 uses a pulsating element used. A variety of other devices are already known from the literature, whereby some of these devices have also been tried and tested in practical use to have. For example, such a device is in the European patent application 0 147 285. Another device is from the German patent application DE 39 22 949 A1 known. After all, is a more recent evolution of an epilation device in German patent application DE 43 09 406 described. The disclosure content of the aforementioned (based on the applicant declining) registrations is by express reference in the present Registration included.

A common problem with these devices is the effectiveness of plucking increase the hair and the pain sensation of the user of the user when removing the hair. Although it was in the past There has been no shortage of attempts to increase the effectiveness of these devices the application will increase and decrease the pain sensation of the user such devices for plucking hair from human skin, at least by some of the users, who found it extremely uncomfortable or this method of hair removal due to high pain sensation completely rejected in their application.

In contrast, the object of the present invention is a device to pluck the hair further to develop the feeling of pain reduced as much as possible while using the devices becomes.

This object is achieved in that the Device at least two electrically conductive parts, in particular electrodes or the like, which with the clamping device can be brought into contact with the skin, a generator for the device Stimulation current, in particular a pulse generator or the like, assigned and the skin while using the clamp over the electrically conductive parts by means of a stimulation current is acted upon.

The invention accordingly makes a nerve stimulation by acting use stimulating current, in particular current impulses, on the skin, in order to stimulate or stimulate the underlying nerve structures pain relief or even pain relief during use of the device for plucking the hair. During use of the device are the electrically conductive parts together with the clamping device in contact with the skin, using the electrically conductive parts a pulse generator or the like, the skin to be treated with current pulses is applied. These current pulses ensure that in human Organism existing body's own pain relief systems electrically be activated and consequently the forwarding of by plucking the pain impulses generated by the hair is blocked. The action of the stimulation current on the skin leads to a noticeable increase in pain thresholds, caused by the release of endogenous morphine-like substances (endorphins) is achieved. The intensity of the stimulation current is individual set so that the user in the area between the electrodes Slight tingling, vibrating or the like is felt on the skin. In any case, the stimulation current must be set so low by the user that that muscle contractions cannot be triggered. How practical Experiments have shown plucking the hair at the same time stimulating current acting on the skin to a clearly perceptible Reduction of pain sensation when plucking hair.

According to an advantageous development, the generator is in the housing recorded and in particular together with the motor to a supply voltage, especially to the mains voltage or via a transformer biased AC voltage or to a DC voltage of a rechargeable battery, a battery or the like, connectable. Thereby, that the generator is integrated in the device, the manageability of the Device improved, with a battery or a rechargeable battery equipped devices can also be used independently of the mains.

The generator is advantageous as an adjustable pulse generator with a pulse repetition frequency in the range between 1 Hz and 500 Hz, a pulse duration between 1 ms and 0.5 s and a pulse amplitude between 1 V and 100 V.

The generator preferably supplies alternating current or unipolar pulses, i.e. H. one pulsating direct current with an adjustable intensity in the range of 0 - 200 mAs.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping device as in the plucking head rotatably mounted roller, spiral or the like with a A plurality of clamping elements, in particular periodically and in pairs or are movable in groups towards and away from one another and the roller with the outer surface can be placed on the skin.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the clamping device is as formed with the end face on the skin cylinder, the Clamping elements, e.g. B. jaws, in particular periodically on the cylinder jacket can be created. There is in particular the possibility of the cylinder form as a partial cylinder, whereby, as in the above-mentioned prior art described, an effective detection of the hair is favored.

According to an extremely advantageous development of the invention, at least one electrically conductive part formed as a roller, which causes the sliding behavior, such as the guidance of the plucking head on the skin to be treated has also been improved becomes.

The axis of rotation of the roller is essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the Roller, spiral or the like aligned.

The electrically conductive parts are advantageously laterally adjacent to the Skin to be fitted section of the clamping device and together with this section arranged approximately in a common plane. This ensures that the electrodes are plucked during the Hair is permanently in contact with the skin and the beneficial effects of Stimulation current comes into play.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, they are electrical conductive parts in a common bracket attached to the plucking head.

In that the holder is rotatably arranged on the plucking head, the Axis of rotation of the holder substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller, Spiral or the like is aligned, increased flexibility in the Guaranteed handling of the device according to the invention, whereby also ensured is that the electrically conductive parts even when the Device in constant contact with the skin to be treated the skin.

A particularly advantageous behavior of the electrically conductive parts during tilting movements of the device results when the axis of rotation of the bracket in essentially identical to the axis of rotation of the roller, spiral or the like, is.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the are electrically conductive Parts formed as skids or the like and laterally adjacent to the the skin to be placed section of the clamping device.

Characterized in that the electrically conductive parts are resiliently mounted on the plucking head is also in the treatment of more curved skin areas constant contact of the electrically conductive parts with the skin is ensured.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the electrodes are of Advantage from a flexible material, such as. B. conductive rubber, conductive plastic or the like, produced, whereby a flat contact of the conductive parts with curved skin surface sections is ensured.

According to a further, extremely advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Clamping elements themselves designed as electrically conductive parts and to the generator connected.

For this purpose, it is advantageous that the clamping elements in the clamping area are made of electrical formed of non-conductive material or with a non-conductive coating are provided.

According to a further embodiment, the cylinder of the clamping device is from another cylinder, ring or the like, the outputs the generator on the cylinder and the further cylinder, ring or the like, are connected.

But there is also the possibility that the outputs of the generator on a clamping jaw of the clamping device and the cylinder are connected, whereby, as already described above, by a suitable, electrical non-conductive coating of the clamping device a short circuit of the generator can be avoided if the clamping elements come into contact.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Housing one or more switches and / or knobs or the like for individual setting of the parameters of the generator by the user arranged, preferably the parameters intensity and / or pulse repetition frequency are variable.

According to another, independent embodiment of the invention Plucking head Means for discharging a liquid, such as a Sponge, brush, dosing container or the like assigned. Through this Means can be the skin sections located between the electrically conductive parts slightly moistened and thus the contact resistance between the Electrodes and skin are reduced and / or skin conductivity is increased become. As a result, already low-intensity, for the user completely harmless stimulation currents a considerable increase in pain threshold cause.

Further features, advantages and possible uses of the invention result derive from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which in the drawing are shown in more detail. All described and / or depicted features for themselves or in any combination Subject of the invention, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or their relationship back.

Fig. 1

eine Prinzipdarstellung eines Gerätes nach der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der Funktionsweise des Gerätes nach der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer besonderen ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer besonderen zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer besonderen dritten Ausführungsform nach der Erfindung und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer besonderen vierten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic diagram of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

1 shows a schematic representation of the functioning of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 3

1 shows a schematic illustration of a particular first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

1 shows a schematic illustration of a special second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5

is a schematic representation of a particular third embodiment according to the invention and

Fig. 6

is a schematic representation of a particular fourth embodiment of the invention.

The device 10 for plucking the hair 12 from the human skin 14 has a hand-held housing 16 for receiving a motor 18. Of the Motor 18 is in drive connection with one arranged in a plucking head 20 Clamping device 22. The clamping device 22 has a tweezer-like design acting clamping system for grasping and plucking the hair 12. For Treatment is the device with the clamping device 22 on or over epilating skin 14 feasible.

In the area of the plucking head 20 and laterally adjacent to the clamping device 22 the device 10 has at least two electrically conductive parts 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, in particular electrodes or the like, which are used to pluck the Hair 12 together with the clamping device 22 in contact with the skin 14 are feasible.

Furthermore, a generator 38 is assigned to the device 10, which in particular in the housing 16 is housed and a stimulation current for increasing the pain threshold generated. The generator 38 is in particular a pulse generator formed, the outputs 40, 42 of the generator 38 to the electrically conductive parts 24 to 36 are connected.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the generator 38 is in common with the motor 18 connected to a supply voltage 44 of the device 10. In particular, the line voltage or also come as the supply voltage a DC voltage of a rechargeable battery, a battery or the like, in question. In the latter case, the device 10 can be network-independent be operated, which under certain circumstances when using the device 10 interfering line connection between the device 10 and the mains voltage can be omitted.

The generator 38 is designed as an adjustable pulse generator, the Pulse repetition frequency in a range between approximately 1 Hz and 500 Hz, the pulse duration between about 1 ms and 0.5 s and the pulse amplitude between about 1 V and 100 V can be varied. The generator 38 generates alternating current or pulsating direct current or unipolar pulses or a pulsating direct current an adjustable intensity in the range of approximately 0 to 200 mAs.

According to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, the clamping device 22 is as in the plucking head 20 rotatably mounted roller 46, spiral or the like a plurality of clamping elements 48 are formed. The clamping elements 48 are periodically and in pairs or in groups towards and from each other movable away. The roller 46, spiral or the like, is for treating the Skin 14 with the outer surface 50 can be placed on the skin 14.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the clamping device 22 is as with the End face 56 formed on the skin 14 cylinder 52, the as Clamping jaws 82 designed clamping elements 48, in particular periodically the cylinder jacket 54 of the cylinder 52 can be put on.

The electrically conductive parts 24, 26 are advantageously designed as rollers 58. The axes of rotation 60 of the rollers 58 are substantially parallel to the Axis of rotation 62 of the roller 46, spiral or the like, aligned. The electric Conductive parts 24 to 36 are laterally adjacent to the skin 14 to be placed section 64 of the clamping device 22 and together with this section 64 is arranged approximately in a common plane.

3 are the electrically conductive parts 24, 26, in particular the rollers 58, attached to the plucking head 20 in a common holder 66. The bracket 66 is rotatably mounted on the plucking head 20, the axis of rotation 68 of the holder 66 substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 62 of the roller 46, spiral or the like, is aligned. 3 is the The axis of rotation 68 of the holder 66 is essentially identical to the axis of rotation 62 the roller 46, spiral or the like.

As shown in Fig. 4, the electrically conductive parts 28, 30 are as skids 70 or the like and laterally adjacent to the skin 14 to be placed section 64 of the clamping device 22.

It should be noted that the skids 70 are in themselves sufficient for the application of the stimulation current on or on the skin. In some circumstances, however, it may be appropriate to additionally add the rollers 58 To arrange plucking head 20, the rollers 58 and skids 70 in pairs together on a single generator or separately on two generators 38 or two channels of a single generator 38 are connected.

It is advantageous that the electrical parts 24 to 36 on the plucking head 20th are resiliently mounted. Another alternative is that the electrically conductive parts 24 to 36 made of flexible material, such as. B. conductive rubber, conductive plastic or the like exist.

As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the clamping elements 48 are electrical Conductive parts 24 to 36 formed and connected to the generator 38. According to this embodiment, the clamping elements 48 are in the Clamping area 78 made of electrically non-conductive material 72 or with a provided non-conductive coating 74. In the area where the Clamping elements 48 come into contact with the skin 14 is electrically conductive Material 76 is provided and is connected to the outputs 40, 42 of the Generator 38.

5, the cylinder 52 is of another cylinder, ring 80 or the like, with the outputs 40, 42 of the generator 38 to the Cylinder 52 and the other cylinder, ring 80 or the like, connected are. (Fig. 5b).

Furthermore, there is also the possibility that the outputs 40, 42 of the generator 38 to a jaw 82 and the cylinder 52 or the other Cylinder, ring 80 or the like are connected. (Fig. 5a).

In both cases of FIG. 5 is, for example, by a non-conductive coating 74 of the jaw 82 to ensure that during the clamping process the generator 38 is not short-circuited.

All electrical contacts between the outputs 40, 42 of the generator 38 and the optionally movable electrically conductive parts 24 to 36 can in a conventional manner, e.g. B. by means of sliding contacts, slip rings, Rotary couplings or the like can be realized.

On the housing 16 are knobs 84 or the like for individual Setting the parameters of the generator 38 arranged by the user, preferably the parameters intensity and / or pulse repetition frequency can be varied are.

It has been found to be very beneficial to skin 14 for easy treatment to moisten, as this will cause the contact resistance between electrodes and Skin and / or the conductivity of the surface of the skin is reduced and the effect of the stimulation current increased or compared to the treatment dry skin the intensity of the stimulation current can be reduced. For moistening the skin 20 means 86 to discharge in the plucking head a liquid, such as a sponge, brush, dosing container or the like. The liquid can be tap water or also water enriched with salts to create special moisture emulsions, Moisturizers of the like.

The above-described embodiments of the invention only serve the purpose of explaining the invention, however, the invention is not based on limited to these embodiments. What is essential for the invention is the measure the sensation of pain when mechanically removing hair from human skin using motorized clamping devices by simultaneous application of a stimulation current in the area of the to reduce the respective skin section to be treated.

Claims (21)

1. An appliance (10) for plucking hairs (12), in particular hairs (12) of the human skin (14), having a casing (16) adapted to be held in the user's hand for accommodating a motor (18) driving a clamping device (22) provided in an epilation head (20) of the appliance (10) for gripping and plucking the hairs (12), said clamping device (22) being adapted to be guided over or on the skin (14) to be treated, characterized in that the appliance (10) includes at least two electrically conductive parts (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36), in particular electrodes or the like, which are movable into engagement with the skin (14) with the clamping device (22), that the appliance (10) has a related generator (38) producing a stimulator current, in particular a pulse generator or the like, and that during use of the clamping device (22) the electrically conductive parts (24 to 36) are operable to apply a stimulator current in pulse fashion to the skin.
2. The appliance as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the generator (38) is received in the casing (16) and is connectible, in particular together with the motor (18), to a power supply (44), in particular the line voltage or a d.c. voltage of a rechargeable accumulator, a battery or the like.
3. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator (38) is configured as a preferably adjustable pulse generator with a pulse repetition frequency in the range of between 1 Hz and 500 Hz, approximately, a pulse duration of between 1 ms and 0.5 s, approximately, and a pulse amplitude of between 1 V and 100 V, approximately.
4. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator (38) supplies unipolar pulses or alternating current of an adjustable intensity varying between 0 and 200 mAs, approximately.
5. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (22) is configured as a barrel (46), spiral or the like mounted for rotation in the epilation head (20) and having a plurality of clamping elements (48) movable in particular periodically and in pairs or groups toward and away from each other, and that the outer envelope surface (50) of the barrel (46), spiral or the like is adapted to be placed in contact with the skin (14).
6. The appliance as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping device (22) is configured as a cylinder (52) adapted to have its end surface (56) in engagement with the skin (14), with said clamping elements (48), for example, the clamping jaws (82), being in particular periodically placeable against the cylinder shell (54).
7. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrically conductive part (24 to 36) is configured as a roller (58).
8. The appliance as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the axis of rotation (60) of the roller (58) is aligned essentially parallel to the axis of rotation (62) of the barrel (46), spiral, or the like.
9. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive parts (24 to 36) are arranged laterally adjacent to that section (64) of the clamping device (22) that is to be placed in contact with the skin (14), and lie in an approximately common plane with said section (64).
10. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive parts (24 to 36) are secured to the epilation head (20) in a common mounting structure (66).
11. The appliance as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the mounting structure (66) is rotatably arranged on the epilation head (20), with the axis of rotation (68) of the mounting structure (66) being aligned essentially parallel to the axis of rotation (62) of the barrel (46), spiral or the like.
12. The appliance as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the axis of rotation (68) of the mounting structure (66) is substantially identical with the axis of rotation (62) of the barrel (46), spiral or the like.
13. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive parts (24 to 36) are configured as skids (70) or the like and are arranged laterally adjacent to that section (64) of the clamping device (22) that is to be placed in contact with the skin (14).
14. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive parts (24 to 36) are resiliently mounted on the epilation head (20).
15. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive parts (24 to 36) are made of a flexible material as, for example, conducting rubber, conducting plastics or the like.
16. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping elements (48) are configured as electrically conductive parts (24 to 36) and are connected to the generator (38).
17. The appliance as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the clamping location (78) of the clamping elements (48) is made of an electrically non-conducting material (72) or is provided with a non-conducting coating (74).
18. The appliance as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 17, characterized in that the cylinder (52) is encompassed by a further cylinder, ring (80) or the like, and that the outputs (40, 42) of the generator (38) are connected to said cylinder (52) and to the further cylinder, ring (80) or the like.
19. The appliance as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 17, characterized in that the outputs (40, 42) of the generator (38) are connected to a clamping jaw (82) and to the cylinder (52, 80).
20. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or several switches and/or rotary controls (84) or the like are provided on the casing (16) for individual adjustment of the parameters of the generator (38) by the user, with preferably the intensity and/or pulse repetition frequency parameters being variable.
21. The appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the epilation head (20) includes liquid-applying devices (86) as, for example, a sponge, a brush, a metering container or the like.

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