EP0766937A1 - Wax epilation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The epilator consists of a reservoir (9) designed to contain an amount of the epilatory wax (10). A heater (11) melts the wax in the reservoir. A separate holder (1) receives the wax and applies it to the surface of the skin. The reservoir has a valve (12,13) operated by a spring-loaded push-button (15,16) to dispense the required amount of molten wax into the holder. The holder is in the form of a supple container approximately spherical in shape and with a circular opening. The heater is situated close to the reservoir's outlet valve. The upper edge of the reservoir has a recycling platform (17) with its own heater (19) and a filter (20), enabling used strips of wax to be returned to the reservoir.

Description

The present invention relates to the general technical field of devices for applying hot-melt products, such as depilatory wax, in which the product is stored in solid form at room temperature and must be heated to change state, and pass to at least a pasty state, so that it can be applied.

The present invention relates more particularly to a waxing device comprising, a reservoir of the product to be applied intended to be heated by heating means and a dispensing instrument for applying this product.

Whatever type of depilatory wax applicator is considered, the hair removal technique by applying a depilatory wax consists in melting a certain amount of wax, then in applying it in the molten state to the area to be treated. depilate in a thin layer. After at least partial hardening, the wax film is then removed. The hairs from the area to be epilated are then extracted from the skin due to their attachment to the wax.

To implement this widely used technique, waxing devices therefore generally comprise a tank intended to contain a volume of depilatory wax. This tank is in relation to these heating means making it possible to melt said wax. Most often, when all of the wax, contained inside the tank, is melted, the user introduces a spatula into the melted wax in order to remove a part which she quickly applies to the area to be depilated. .

These devices have the advantage of being simple and allow the use of any kind of wax, however their handling remains particularly delicate since the wax can easily fall and soil the floors when traveling with the spatula. . In addition, the start-up time of this device is long, because it is necessary to melt a large amount of wax before being able to use the spatula.

In order to improve these traditional devices, applicators of hot-melt product, in particular depilatory wax, have been developed. They are described in particular in European patent applications EP-A-0.629.366 and EP-A-0.592.340.

These devices generally include a housing, in which are located heating means and a reservoir of the product to apply. The reservoir has an upper opening connected to a dispensing roller allowing, after the product contained in the reservoir has been melted, the latter to be applied.

These particularly compact devices allow good handling, limit the risk of soiling and facilitate the implementation of the waxing technique. Despite their convenience, these devices require a waiting time before being used, so that the wax contained in the reservoir is completely melted and reaches the distribution roller. On the other hand, the homogeneity of a wax deposit requires a uniform melting of the wax across the width of the tank. What is more, these monoblock devices are of small dimensions, which limits the reserve of wax and leads to having to refill the reservoir during depilation, which leads to new waiting times.

Although these devices are recognized as very practical for individual use of a small amount of wax, it has appeared useful to develop different devices, in particular for the depilation of relatively large areas.

Furthermore, French patent application FR-A-2,517,940 presents a device separating the melting of the wax and its distribution. In this device, the dispensing member is portable and is connected to the reservoir containing the depilatory wax by a flexible hose. A pump allows the wax to circulate from the reservoir to the pipe, then to the dispensing member.

This device can have a great autonomy. However, one of its drawbacks is that it is necessary to wait for the melting of all of the wax contained in the reservoir before its implementation, which leads to a relatively long waiting time. In addition, like stand-alone applicators, it requires the use of a wax adjusted according to the characteristics of the application roller and the various conduits through which the wax passes, which limits the choice of the type of wax that can be used.

The object of the invention is a device making it possible to use any kind of depilatory wax, ensuring a clean implementation of the waxing process, thus limiting the risks of soiling as well as untimely spreading, and having a great autonomy.

Another object of the invention is to have a device whose preparation time before implementation can be particularly limited.

Another object of the invention is also to allow its user easy handling, making it possible to control the thickness of the strip to be produced, as well as to facilitate in particular the tearing off of the cooled strip.

To achieve these goals, the invention relates to a waxing device comprising at least one reservoir, intended to contain a volume of depilatory wax, heating means making it possible to melt said depilatory wax contained in the reservoir, and a removable instrument, independent of the reservoir, intended to withdraw from the reservoir a quantity of molten wax.

According to the invention, the waxing device comprises means for transferring a quantity of depilatory wax from the reservoir to the removable instrument, and the removable instrument is a deformable container whose internal volume is variable.

This device allows its user to manipulate the melted depilatory wax inside the internal volume of the removable instrument, which limits the risks of loss of wax and, soil or the environment during the journey from the reservoir to the area to be epilated. On the other hand, the container with variable geometry allows its user to apply the wax to the area to be depilated, forming a regular strip. After cooling, this regularity and a particular use of the container facilitate the lifting operation.

• le récipient est un récipient souple. Il est de préférence constitué dans une matière élastomère,
• le volume intérieur du récipient débouche sur une ouverture, unique, circulaire,
• le volume intérieur du récipient débouche sur une ouverture munie d'un bourrelet,
• le récipient déformable au repos a approximativement une forme de sphère ouverte,
• des moyens de chauffage sont disposés à proximité des moyens de transfert,
• les moyens de transfert comprennent une soupape, ou clapet de distribution, maintenue en position fermée par l'action d'un ressort,
• ils comportent une plate-forme de refusion destinée au recyclage des bandes,
• la plate-forme est munie d'une zone de filtration,
• le réservoir, destiné à contenir un volume de cire à épiler, est constitué d'un plateau tournant muni d'alvéoles.

In different particular embodiments, the invention comprises the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all their technically possible combinations:

• the container is a flexible container. It is preferably made of an elastomeric material,
• the interior volume of the container opens onto a single, circular opening,
• the interior volume of the container opens onto an opening provided with a bead,
• the deformable container at rest has approximately the shape of an open sphere,
• heating means are arranged near the transfer means,
• the transfer means comprise a valve, or distribution valve, held in the closed position by the action of a spring,
• they include a reflow platform intended for recycling bands,
• the platform is equipped with a filtration zone,
• the reservoir, intended to contain a volume of depilatory wax, consists of a turntable provided with cells.

Various other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a deformable container constituting the removable instrument.

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show the different stages of making a strip using the removable instrument.

Figure 3 shows a schematic section of a first embodiment of the waxing device according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a schematic section of a second embodiment of a waxing device according to the invention.

The removable container 1 shown more particularly in FIG. 1 comprises an opening 2 allowing the introduction of the depilatory wax, intended for making a strip, into the interior volume 3 of the container 1. It is also through this opening 2 that the depilatory wax is removed during the application of the liquid wax with a view to producing the strip. This opening 2 is provided with a bead 5 making it possible on the one hand to reinforce or consolidate the opening 2, and on the other hand serving as lips facilitating the spreading of the depilatory wax during the production of the strip. The rounded shape of this bead 5 also makes it possible to avoid any aggressiveness, or risk of injury, towards the skin of the user, when the container 1 is used.

This bead 5 is in continuity with the walls 4 enveloping the interior volume 3. Advantageously the walls 4 are made of a flexible, elastomeric material, for example rubber or latex.

These flexible walls 4 thus confer a variable geometry making it possible to vary the interior volume 3 of the container 1. A pressure exerted on the walls 4 thus makes it possible to remove the molten wax contained inside the container 1 during the production of the band.

The container 1 has a substantially spherical shape. More precisely, this shape of the container, at rest, is a truncated sphere since compared to a complete sphere, it lacks a spherical cap. This truncation constitutes the opening of the container. The capacity of the interior volume 3 must be sufficient to contain a quantity of wax necessary for the execution of a hair removal strip. Advantageously, this sphere has a diameter of between 25 and 45 mm, for example around 35 mm.

The opening 2 is substantially circular, and with an internal diameter between 15 and 35 mm, for example about 25 mm.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C represent the different stages of use of the container 1 during the formation of a band 7 intended for depilation of an area to be depilated 8.

In a first step, shown in FIG. 2A, a quantity of molten wax is introduced inside the container 1, sufficient to produce a strip 7. The user grasps the container 1 by hand 6, the opening 2 being located upwards. The fact that the molten wax is contained within a volume facilitates handling by avoiding soiling the environment. The truncated sphere shape given to the container, at rest is particularly advantageous.

In a second step, after moving to the area to be epilated, as shown in Figure 2b, the container 1 is oriented so that its opening comes into contact with the zone 8 to be epilated from the skin of the user . Simultaneously, the container 1 is subjected to a displacement D along the depilatory zone 8, and its walls 4 are subjected to a slight compression so that the wax is extracted from the container 1 and is applied regularly to the skin to make a hair removal strip 7.

During the third step, the solidification and / or cooling step of the wax, which is generally brief, the container 1 can be left in place at the end of the strip 7 produced.

The wax strip 7 can then be torn off by an action exerted on the container 1, as shown in Figure 2C. Indeed, the container 1 having been left in place on the strip 7 during solidification, it remained, by means of the wax contained in the interior volume 3, secured to one of the ends of the strip 7. L Extraction of the strip 7 is therefore made particularly easy. Thanks to the device of the invention, it is therefore not necessary to lift the start of the strip to pull it. The tearing of the strip 7 entrains the hairs and downs trapped in the wax and ensures the depilation. The lifting of one end of the strip which is generally done with great difficulty is therefore very easy.

The container 1 can then easily be detached from the strip 7 of solid wax, on the one hand because of the sufficient size of its opening 2, and on the other hand by the flexible structure of its walls 4. These facilitate the detachment of the wax contained inside the container. To this end, it is optionally possible to turn the walls 4 of the container 1 on itself, so that the interior walls are found outside the container 1, which further facilitates the emptying operation, and cleaning, of container 1.

The strip of solid wax can then either be recycled immediately, or stored for further recycling, or else discarded.

A first embodiment of a waxing device in accordance with the invention is shown more particularly in Figure 3. This device comprises a reservoir 9, or tank intended to contain a volume of depilatory wax 10. This tank 9 is in contact with heating means 11. Advantageously, tank 9 is made of a material which is a good conductor of heat, for example metal and more precisely aluminum. The heating means 11 make it possible to melt the depilatory wax 10 contained in the reservoir 9.

Advantageously, this hair removal device comprises means for regulating the temperature, comprising in particular a sensor for stabilizing the temperature of the depilatory wax bath 10. These regulating means make it possible to maintain the wax bath 10 at the temperature of use of the wax or at a slightly higher temperature. This temperature can for example be around 80 ° C. in the case of conventional wax. The hair removal device can also include means making it possible to adjust this temperature. The adjustment can be made by the user to take into account on the one hand the nature of the wax used, the desired application temperature, and the slight temperature drop during the transfer.

Transfer means 12 allow the transfer of a quantity of melted depilatory wax from the reservoir 9 to the removable container 1. These transfer means 12 are partially integrated into the body of the reservoir 9. They comprise a valve 13, or valve intended to close, in the closed position an opening 40 for discharging the wax provided in the bottom of the reservoir 9. This valve 13 can be kept in the closed position by means of a spring 16. The valve 13 is connected to a push button 15 by means of a rod 14, or valve stem. During the transfer operation, or loading the container 1, the operator presses the push button 15, this action compresses the spring 16 and releases the valve 13 from its seat 41 arranged in the body of the tank 9. This action has the effect of opening an opening 40 allowing the wax 10 contained inside the tank 9 to flow freely from the inside of the tank towards the inside of the container 1. When the container 1 contains a quantity of wax to epilate sufficient melted, the user releases the push button 15, the valve 13 returns to the closed position by the action of the spring 16 and again closes the opening 40. The wax stops flowing and the operation transfer is thus completed.

Advantageously heating means 11 are positioned near the transfer means. This arrangement thus makes it possible to very quickly melt a quantity of depilatory wax sufficient to carry out the transfer operation, and allowing the user to produce a strip. The transfer or filling operation of the container 1 can therefore be carried out quickly without waiting for the entire volume of wax 10 contained inside the tank 9 is in the molten state. This arrangement thus allows the device to be implemented within a very short time. All of the depilatory wax 10 contained inside the reservoir passing into the molten state subsequently during the depilation operation.

Advantageously during the transfer operation, the container 1 is held in place by a receiving member 21. This receiving member 21 holding the container 1 below the transfer means 12. The depilatory wax can flow directly into the container 1 without it being held by the user.

This receiving member 21 can be of various shapes. It can in particular hold the container 1 by means of two branches bearing under the collar 5. The container 1 can be held only by the action exerted on the collar 5 but also be rested on its bottom.

Advantageously, the waxing device also includes a platform 17 for melting or remelting. This comprises a receptacle 18, also made of a material which is a good conductor of heat, and in relation to heating means 19.

This platform 17 advantageously allows reflow of the strips of wax recently torn off. These strips of wax are placed in the receptacle 18 so as to be remelted therein for recycling. A filtration zone 20 arranged in a low point of the receptacle 18 allows the filtration of the recycled bands. By construction, the target temperature of the platform 17 is adjusted to 140 ° C. maximum, which allows the molten wax to be very fluid and to flow rapidly into the tank 9 through the filtration zone 20 while the hairs, torn from the area to be epilated with the strip of wax, are retained inside the receptacle 18.

The entire waxing device can therefore use any kind of wax. The presence of the strip recycling platform 17 allows continuous use of the depilatory wax, and thus gives the device a very great autonomy. The use of the reflow platform 17, provided with a filtration zone 20, allows re-use of the depilatory wax in good conditions, and thus limits the consumption or loss of wax.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown more particularly in Figure 4.

In this embodiment, the reservoir, intended to contain a volume of depilatory wax, essentially consists of a plate 22 rotating around an axis 23. This plate is provided with several cells 24 whose internal volume corresponds substantially to the filling volume of removable receptacles 1. The plate 22 is brought into contact with heating means 25, making it possible to melt the depilatory wax 20 contained in the cells 24 or bowls. Each bowl 24 is provided with openings 26 through which the depilatory wax 10 can flow. Under each bowl 24 can be put in place a container 1 held by a receiving member 27. The molten wax can therefore flow directly from the bowls 24 into the container 1.

The entire device is located inside an enclosure 42, which prevents at least the wax from cooling in the containers 1. This enclosure is provided with an opening allowing the user, on the one hand, to enter a container 1, containing a quantity of melted wax sufficient for the production of a strip. This opening also allows the user to refill the bowls 24 with depilatory wax. The strips torn off during depilation are replaced by the user in a bowl 24. The wax melts and flows gently towards the container 1. The hairs torn off with the strip are retained inside the bowl 24, the openings 26 also constituting a filtration zone. In order to compensate for the losses in wax, the user can supplement the charge of the bowls 24 from time to time, or renew it, in new wax preferably delivered in grains.

During the hair removal operation, and after reloading the bowl, the user rotates the plate 22 in order to place the next container 1 containing molten wax in front of the opening. The user takes the container 1, makes a strip of wax and pulls off this strip after cooling. After the strip has been torn off, the container 1 is replaced on the receiving member 27 and the wax strip is replaced in the bowl 24. The user turns the plate 22 again and continues the operation d 'hair removal.

When the hair removal is finished, the appliance is disconnected, and the wax solidifies inside the containers 1. During a new start-up, the shape of the containers 1 as well as their constituent material makes it possible to empty them very easily because they can be turned over, like a sock, their relatively large opening, and the elastomer walls facilitating this operation.

In this embodiment, the quantities of wax 10 to be melted contained in each bowl 24 are sufficiently low to allow a particularly short processing time.

The turntable 22 can have a diameter of between 14 and 20 cm, for example around 16 cm, and include several cells 24 or bowls, the number of which can be between 4 and 10, for example 6.

In this device, the melting and the use of any type of wax is possible, and the small quantities used reduce the processing time.

Claims (10)

Waxing device comprising: - at least one reservoir (9) intended to contain a volume of depilatory wax (10), - heating means (11) making it possible to melt said depilatory wax (10) contained in the reservoir (9), - a removable instrument, independent of the reservoir (9), intended to withdraw from the reservoir (9) a quantity of molten wax, characterized in that it comprises means (12) for transferring the quantity of depilatory wax, from the reservoir (9) to the removable instrument, and that the removable instrument is a container (1), deformable whose volume interior (3) is variable. Waxing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) is a flexible container. Waxing device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the interior volume (3) of the container (1) opens onto a single, circular opening (2). Waxing device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the interior volume (3) of the container (1) opens onto an opening (2) provided with a bead (4). Waxing device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the container (1) deformable at rest has approximately the shape of an open sphere. Waxing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that heating means (11) are arranged near the transfer means (12). Waxing device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the transfer means (12) comprise a valve (13), or distribution valve, held in the closed position by the action of a spring (16). Waxing device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that they comprise a reflow platform (17) intended for recycling the strips (7). Waxing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the platform (17) is provided with a filtration zone (20). Waxing device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the reservoir, intended to contain a volume of depilatory wax, consists of a turntable (22) provided with cells (24 ).

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