EP1024726A1

EP1024726A1 - Epilation device

Info

Publication number: EP1024726A1
Application number: EP98934978A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Holger Knesch; Pedro Sanchez-Martinez
Original assignee: Braun GmbH
Current assignee: Braun GmbH
Priority date: 1997-10-17
Filing date: 1998-06-18
Publication date: 2000-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-18
Also published as: DE59805736D1; WO1999020147A1; TR200000977T2; ATE224658T1; ES2185189T3; JP2001520060A; AU8439298A; US6306148B1; EP1024726B1

Abstract

An epilation appliance for the removal of hairs from the skin of a human body includes a rotary cylinder equipped with clamping elements operable to execute a closing movement within a zone of the rotary movement of the rotary cylinder. A mechanism of the epilation device is pivotable for adjusting the zone of the closing movement in dependence upon the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin, with the pivot axis being disposed in offset relation to the axis of rotation.

Description

Epilation device

The invention relates to an epilation device for removing hair from the skin of a human body, with a rotary cylinder which is provided with clamping elements with which a closing movement can be carried out in a region of the rotary movement of the rotary cylinder, means for adjustment being provided which can be pivoted about a pivot axis the range of the closing movement depending on the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin.

Such an epilation device is known from patent application FR 2 668 902 A1.

From this document an epilation device is known, in which means are provided for adjusting the range of the closing movement depending on the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin. This is intended to increase the effectiveness of the device by automatically adjusting the closing time of the clamping elements to a preferred value depending on the angle between the epilation device and the skin. The means have a frame which is pivotally mounted about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. Approximately in the middle of the rotating cylinder, a U-shaped bracket is provided between the two sides of the frame, which extends over the rotating cylinder. This means that the range of the closing movement can be adjusted as a function of the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin. However, it has proven disadvantageous in practice that this frame, including the U-shaped bracket arranged thereon, does not readily follow the tilting movements of the device or the curvatures of the skin surface. Especially in the case of rapid tilting movements or uneven skin, this leads to the frame with the U-shaped bracket becoming stuck or tipping over, the longitudinal side of the U-shaped bracket then no longer resting on the skin and therefore no longer the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin, can be detected. Moreover, the U-shaped bracket, which extends over the outer jacket of the rotary cylinder, prevents the rotary cylinder or the clamping elements arranged in the rotary cylinder from being able to be placed on the skin of the user. In any case, in the middle area of the rotating cylinder according to the prior art there is always a distance between the skin surface and the jacket of the rotating cylinder or the clamping elements, so that the hair detection is difficult and is made impossible with short hair.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to further develop an epilation device of the type mentioned in such a way that a reliable detection of the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin is made possible, according to a side aspect of the invention, the efficiency or effectiveness of epilation is not worsened by the means for detecting the angle or for ordering the range of the closing movement compared to conventional devices.

In an epilation device of the type mentioned in the introduction, this object is essentially achieved in that the pivot axis of the pivot means is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder and preferably above the axis of rotation.

This measure has the advantage that the means for adjusting the area of the closing movement or for detecting the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin easily rest on the skin surface and easily follow the curvatures of the skin. This constructive measure largely prevents, for example, one-sided lifting of these agents from the skin with the associated incorrect angle detection. Under certain circumstances, the agent can also follow rapid changes in the angle of the epilation device, which are caused by the individual handling of the user. This measure ensures a constant and accurate detection of the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin, even under unfavorable conditions, and accordingly the range of the closing movement depending on this angle is adjusted accordingly and correctly, so that this measure an extremely effective epilation device is provided.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a detection means is provided with which the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin can be detected, and the detection means can be pivoted about a pivot axis which is arranged approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder.

With the detection means, the angle at which the user is automatically detectable the epilator is placed on the skin. The detection means can be swiveled about a swivel axis and can thus easily follow possible changes in this angle. The angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin is thus detected automatically at any point in time and can therefore be used to influence or modify the closing movement of the clamping elements.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the detection means spans a support surface with which the epilation device can be placed on the skin.

The support surface on the one hand makes it easier for the user to operate the epilation device, who only has to place the epilation device on the skin with this support surface, so that the angle between the epilation device and the skin can be detected.

It is particularly advantageous if either the pivot axis on the side of the support surface facing the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder is arranged at a slight distance from the support surface, or if the pivot axis is arranged on the side of the support surface facing away from the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, the pivot axis also can lie in the contact surface. The position of the pivot axis is determined, on the one hand, by the fact that the contact surface lies easily against the skin, even if the epilation device is already placed in the non-vertical position of the skin. On the other hand, the position of the pivot axis is determined by the construction which is still acceptable in terms of construction.

In both cases it is achieved that the detection means always lie completely on the skin when the epilation device moves over the skin. Uneven skin in particular does not result in the detection means getting caught or even tilting. This ensures that, even when the epilation device moves over the skin, the detection means automatically correctly detect the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin by the user.

In an advantageous further development, the detection means has two rods, rollers, hair-straightening combs, housing edges or a combination of these means or the like which are arranged approximately parallel to one another and approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder and which span the support surface. This represents a structurally particularly simple implementation of the detection means. The support surface is advantageously spanned by the two rods. The rotary cylinder with the clamping elements is arranged between the rods. The user places the epilation device on the skin with the two rods. This ensures that the entire contact surface is always placed on the skin. The area in which the closing movement of the clamping elements takes place is set via the contact surface. In operation, the clamping elements rotating between the rods can then easily grasp and pluck the hair on the skin.

It is particularly advantageous if the detection means has at least one side part which is pivotably connected to a pin or the like bearing forming the pivot axis and on which the two rods or the like are held.

On the one hand, the side part or parts represent structurally simple options for pivotably fastening the two rods of the detection means that span the bearing surface. On the other hand, the side part is also used to automatically detect and forward the angle at which the support surface and thus the epilation device is placed on the skin via the pivoting position of the rods.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an actuating means is provided with which the closing movement of the clamping elements can be generated in the predetermined range, and it is the actuating means depending on the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder swiveling.

The actuating means serves to generate the closing movement of the clamping elements. This closing movement takes place in a predetermined range during the rotating movement of the rotating cylinder. The clamping elements therefore carry out the closing movement in a specific rotation angle range of the rotating cylinder. This range of rotation angle is adjustable by pivoting the actuating means. So if the actuating means is rotated through an angle about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, this has the consequence that thereupon also the closing movement of the clamping elements in one Range takes place that is rotated by exactly this angle compared to the previous range. It is thus achieved by the actuating means that the range of the closing movement of the clamping elements can always be adjusted by pivoting about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, as is necessary for the respective angle with which the epilation device is placed on the skin. If the user places the epilation device on the skin, for example, at a certain angle of inclination, rotating the actuating means about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder means that the angle of rotation range in which the closing movement of the clamping elements takes place is adjusted by this angle of inclination, so that the clamping elements continue to execute the closing movement exactly when the rotary cylinder is facing the skin. It is thus ensured that the clamping elements can always grasp and pluck the hair of the skin. Empty plucking or the like and associated pain for the user are safely avoided.

It when the actuating means has at least one pressure element and an adjusting element with which the clamping element or elements can be adjusted is particularly advantageous.

By rotating the pressure element about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, the adjustment of the range of the closing movement of the clamping elements can be realized in a structurally particularly simple manner. For this purpose, the pressure element can be mounted, for example, on a disk, which in turn can be rotated about the axis of rotation of the rotating cylinder.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a transmission means is provided, with which the detection means and the actuation means are coupled.

The transmission means serves to transmit the angle detected by the detection means to the actuating means. The angle detected with the aid of the contact surface, at which the epilation device is placed on the skin, is transmitted from the transmission means to the actuating means. There, the area of the closing movement of the clamping elements is adjusted depending on the angle obtained in such a way that the closing movement takes place precisely when the clamping elements are positioned in the predetermined area and in particular face the skin. The above- Carrier thus ensure an automatic coupling of the detection means and the actuating means and thus a constant correct adjustment of the range of the closing movement depending on the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin by the user.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, the transmission means has a pivotable rocker arm or the like, which is coupled to the detection means and the actuating means via drivers.

This represents a structurally particularly simple and inexpensive realization of the transmission means. In particular, the rocker ensures direct and precise transmission of the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin to the actuating means. It goes without saying that the transmission means can also be designed as a gear transmission or other coupling mechanism.

It is particularly advantageous if the rocker consists of a flexible material, in particular a plastic.

In this way, bending movements in the rocker arm, which arise during the pivoting movement of the rocker arm for design-related reasons or due to manufacturing tolerances, can be compensated for in a simple manner.

It is particularly advantageous if the transmission means has a pin which engages in an elongated hole in the detection means and a pin which engages in an elongated hole in the actuating means.

The two pins represent drivers which cause the detection means and the actuating means to be coupled via the elongated holes. This represents a structurally simple but nevertheless reliable possibility of realizing the transmission means.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the distance of the pivot axis of the detection means from the pin engaging in the elongated hole of the detection means is approximately equal to the distance of the engaging in the elongated hole of the actuating means. the pin from the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder.

In this way it is achieved that the angle detected by the detection means, with which the epilation device is placed on the skin, is transmitted unchanged to the actuation means. The range of the closing movement of the clamping elements is thus adjusted by exactly the same angle as the epilation device is placed on the skin. There is thus a 1: 1 translation of the detected angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin to the angle by which the range of the closing movement is adjusted.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the range of the closing movement can be adjusted by an angle of up to approximately 60 degrees, in particular by an angle of approximately 35 degrees.

This covers the angular range in which a user usually places the epilation device on the skin. In this usual angular range it is thus ensured that the range of the closing movement of the clamping elements is automatically adjusted in accordance with the angle at which the epilation device is placed on the skin, so that perfect use and function of the epilation device is always possible.

It is particularly advantageous if the area of the closing movement in an undeflected state is arranged approximately in the main plane of expansion of the epilation device, and if the area of the closing movement can be deflected from the main plane of expansion by an angle of approximately 17.5 degrees. Under the main expansion level is symmetrical devices, z. B. a central transverse plane in asymmetrical devices is understood as a plane or other direction suitable for specifying the orientation of the device to the skin.

This range of + / - 17.5 degrees has proven to be particularly useful in practice and can be implemented with relatively inexpensive technical means and thus at low cost.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transmission means can Transfer angle detected by the detection means to the actuating means with a ratio of iw 1: 1. This means that the actuating means is adjusted iw by the angle detected by the detection means.

It when the rotary cylinder and the means for adjusting the range of the closing movement form an independently manageable unit is particularly advantageous. While in the prior art the means for adjustment or the actuating means is arranged fixed to the housing, the invention provides for the actuating means to be assigned to the rotary cylinder, wherein an adjustment of the actuating means relative to the housing is made possible.

An advantageous further development is that the means comprise at least one actuating means which can be pivoted or rotated about an axis of the rotary cylinder.

It is also advantageous if the actuating means can be adjusted or actuated as a function of the detected angle.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, which can also be used independently of the special positioning of the pivot axis with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, it is provided that the means for adjusting the range of the closing movement or the means for detecting the angle, with which the epilation device is placed on the skin, arranged adjacent to the rotating cylinder and the rotating cylinder or the clamping elements of the skin of the user can in particular be applied directly. Because the means are laid out of the actual clamping area of the rotating cylinder or the area of the clamping elements of the rotating cylinder and are arranged adjacent to the rotating cylinder, the rotating cylinder or the clamping elements arranged in the rotating cylinder can be applied directly to the skin of the user. An obstacle, as in the prior art of the U-shaped bracket, is not provided in this particularly advantageous independent embodiment of the epilation device, so that the effectiveness or efficiency of the hair removal is further improved by this measure.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention it is proposed that Means formed as an adjusting means and is adjustably mounted relative to the rotary cylinder. A change in the position of the adjusting means - relative to the rotary cylinder or device housing - leads to an adjustment of the closing time or closing location of the clamping elements. Such an adjusting means advantageously automatically adjusts the closing position of the clamping elements without the user having to take into account the angle of attack of the device to the skin surface to be epilated. Such an actuating means can be designed, for example, as a housing section of the housing receiving the epilation head, the actuating means executing an essentially rectilinear movement when pressed on the skin. However, an adjusting means according to the invention can also be designed as a component provided separately from the housing of the epilation head, for example as a rod, a plate, a ball, a pin or the like. In this case, these actuating means can make both a straight and an arched movement upon contact with the skin and thereby bring about an adjustment of the closing location or closing time of the clamping elements.

In a development of the invention, the adjusting means is arranged laterally adjacent to the rotary cylinder and can be moved essentially together with the latter over the skin of the user. The actuating means can be designed in such a way that it essentially surrounds the rotary cylinder or is arranged adjacent to the end faces of the rotary cylinder or - seen in the direction of advance of the epilation device - in front of or behind the rotary cylinder. This proposes a simple design of the actuating means that can be produced with little effort, which advantageously brings about a direct and safe adjustment of the closing time of the clamping elements by the essentially common movement with the rotary cylinder over the skin of the user.

The actuating means is also essentially resiliently mounted on a carrier which is provided for receiving the rotary cylinder. Instead of the carrier, the rotary cylinder can also be accommodated in a head housing and the actuating means can be resiliently mounted thereon. The resilient mounting of the actuating means advantageously ensures that, after the rotary cylinder has been placed on the skin to be epilated, the actuating means is also essentially guided over the skin with a constant contact pressure, thus ensuring an exact adjustment of the closing time at all times. accomplishes.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating means is essentially designed as a bracket as a frame or similar component with at least one essentially elongated, straight contact surface for placement on the skin of the user. This proposes an easy-to-produce actuating device which, due to the elongated contact surface, allows good guidance on the skin and, through the formation of a few slim components, allows the user a good view of the skin surface to be epilated. The formation of a frame, for example a square frame, which essentially surrounds the outside of the contact surface of the rotary cylinder with the skin, provides a further adjusting means which reliably follows the contour of the skin surface to be epilated.

It is also proposed to design the actuating means with a roller and / or a comb, the roller and / or the comb being arranged essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. The comb is advantageously provided on the front edge, for example of a frame-shaped adjusting means, and thus enables the hair to be combed to increase the efficiency of the plucking process. The design of the actuating means as a roller enables a simple component which can be moved over the skin with little resistance and which, due to the essentially parallel arrangement to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, also ensures a good support on the skin of the user.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the comb and / or the roller each have a swivel arm on one or both sides, which runs in particular on one or both end faces of the rotary cylinder and is pivotably mounted to the carrier or the device housing. Such a design suggests a simple and, in particular, torsion-resistant design of an actuating means which has the largest possible contact surface with the skin, so that advantageously a safe movement of the epilation head is possible over the skin without tilting the head relative to the skin.

In a further development, the adjusting means is essentially about the axis of the rotary cylinder itself or about another axis which is essentially parallel to the axis of the Rotary cylinder is arranged, pivoted. The fact that the adjusting means is arranged on the axis of the rotary cylinder, a particularly favorable storage is proposed, since the axis of the rotary cylinder is already present anyway. However, it is also conceivable that the actuating means is advantageously pivotally mounted about another axis instead of the axis of the rotary cylinder.

In a further embodiment, an upper and lower stop, in particular on the housing of the epilation head, is provided for the actuating means, so that a structurally predetermined pivoting range can be defined in particular in the case of a pivotably mounted actuating means.

The actuating means is further biased by means of a spring element, so that the actuating means is advantageously constantly pressed against the skin of the user during use and automatically springs back into the upper stop position after use. This also ensures an exact guidance of the adjusting means on the skin to be epilated.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the actuating means, in particular the at least one pivot arm of the actuating means, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to at least one control element. The control element is designed, for example, as a pressure plate with a pressure roller, the pressure roller actuating at least one actuating element for actuating the clamping elements of the rotary cylinder. This makes it possible in a simple manner that every movement of the actuating means immediately automatically adjusts the closing time to the respective contour of the skin surface.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the axis of rotation of the control element, in particular the pressure roller, and the longitudinal axis of the swivel arm are arranged in a plane, essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, so that the closing time of the clamping elements during use to the contact point, in particular the contact line between the rotary cylinder and the skin of the user, has a substantially constant angle. Such a configuration of the individual components to one another advantageously enables an epilation head to automatically define a defined one at any time Maintains the angle of attack to the skin surface without the user needing to pay attention to it. The best possible function of the hair threading and clamping, as well as a pain-reduced plucking of the hair is achieved.

It is also proposed to provide an epilation device with an epilation head, which is either connected in one piece or detachably to the epilation device, in particular the housing of the device.

The aforementioned exemplary embodiments essentially relate to an epilation device with an adjusting means which is adjustable relative to the rotary cylinder and which brings about an adjustment of the closing location or the closing time of the clamping elements in the rotating cylinder. In this way, an essentially constant position of the closing position of the clamping elements relative to the contact point between the rotary cylinder and the skin is ensured during use, regardless of the angle of attack of the epilation device to the skin.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, which can also be an independent invention, it is proposed that the adjusting means be firmly connected to the rotary cylinder and that both components form a unit which is arranged to be adjustable relative to the housing of the epilation device. The unit can also consist, for example, of the actuating means, the rotary cylinder, a motor and a gearbox and this unit can be pivotably mounted on the device housing. This advantageously ensures that this unit, which is designed as a swivel head, is constantly guided at a constant angle to the skin during use, regardless of the angle of attack of the device housing to the skin. This second essential embodiment of the invention thus differs from the aforementioned essentially in that, on the one hand, the closing location of the clamping elements is arranged in a stationary manner in the rotating cylinder and the entire unit comprising at least rotating cylinder and adjusting means is adjustable relative to the device housing, in particular is pivotably mounted on the latter.

Further features, possible applications and advantages of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are shown in the figures of the drawing. All of the described or provided features for themselves or in any combination, the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their relationship and regardless of their wording or representation in the description or in the drawing.

1 an epilation device in a schematic and partially broken-open representation in plan view,

2 shows the epilation device according to section 2-2 in FIG. 1,

3 an epilation head in a perspective enlarged view,

4 shows a partial area of the epilation head according to FIG. 3, but without the housing cover,

5 shows an epilation head according to view 21 in FIG. 4,

6 shows an epilation head according to FIG. 5, but with an adjusting means in the upper stop position and

Fig. 7 shows an epilation head during use in side view.

8 shows a schematic longitudinal section through an embodiment of an epilation device according to the invention,

9 shows a schematic side view of the epilation device of FIG. 8 with the side part removed,

FIGS. 10 and 11 show schematic perspective and side views of the epilation device of FIG. 8 in an undeflected state, and

Figures 1 2 and 13 show schematic perspective and side views of the epilation device of Figure 8 in a deflected state. An epilation device 1 (FIG. 1) essentially consists of a housing 3, which accommodates a motor and is designed as a handle, and an epilation head 4, in which the rotary cylinder 5 is arranged. The cylinder 5 is surrounded by an adjusting means 1 1, which is essentially formed from a frame 7. This frame essentially closes with its contact surface 6 of the rotary cylinder 5. The frame 7 is provided with two swivel arms 8, each of which has a pressure plate 9 with a pressure roller 10, the pressure roller 10 actuating the actuating elements for actuating the clamping elements of the cylinder, which are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

In a section along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, the rotary cylinder 5 (Fig. 2) is shown at the upper end of the housing 3. The frame 7 is pivotally mounted on the axis of rotation of the cylinder 5 with its pivot arm 8. The pressure plate 9 connected to the frame 7 carries the pressure roller 10, which with its axis of rotation 25 encloses an angle 30 to the longitudinal axis 17 of the housing 3 and thus determines the closing time of the clamping elements. This is, seen in the direction of rotation of the rotary cylinder, for example about 35 ° behind the longitudinal axis 1 7 of the device. On its upper side, the frame 7 carries a comb 1 2 and a roller 1 3, which run essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 5. The comb 1 2 is arranged for example in front of the rotary cylinder 5, provided that the epilation device 1 is moved in the direction of movement 1 5 to the skin 14 and the rotary cylinder 5 has a direction of rotation 1 6. In the illustration shown, the device 1 is held with its longitudinal axis 17 at an angle of approximately 90 ° to the skin 14, the contact surface 6, which can also be a contact line, essentially coincides with the longitudinal axis 17 of the device 1. However, as soon as the device 1 is guided at an angle other than 90 ° to the skin 14 to be epilated, the contact surface 6 also shifts relative to the longitudinal axis 17 of the device.

An epilation head 4 according to the invention (FIG. 3) consists of a carrier 18 which, on the one hand, accommodates the rotary cylinder 5, the actuating means 11 and the front housing cover 19 and also a housing section 20. The adjusting means 1 1 consists of the two lever-like swivel arms 8, which are fastened on both sides of the cylinder 5 in the housing sections 20. The swivel arms 8 are connected by a rod which carries a rotatable roller 13. This role essentially extends Chen parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 5 and is, seen in the direction of rotation 1 6 of the cylinder 5, arranged in front of the rotary cylinder 5. Instead of the adjusting means 1 1, it is also conceivable that, for example, a housing section 20 is provided so as to be adjustable relative to the carrier 18 and protrudes beyond the housing cover 19 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 5. When the rotating cylinder 5 and the housing section 20 come into contact with a skin surface to be epilated, the housing section 20 could move relative to the carrier 18 and thus bring about an adjustment of the closing time of the clamping elements.

If the housing cover 19 and 20 are removed from an epilation head 4 (FIG. 4), it can be seen that the cylinder 5 is fastened to the carrier 18 by means of the axis 23. On the axis 23, the adjusting means 1 1 is also pivotally mounted, the pivot arm 8 with its lower leg 22 extending approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 of the epilation device. The swivel arm 8 is provided on its outside with a spring 24 which is supported with respect to the carrier 18 and which prestresses the actuating element 11. A pressure plate 9 with a pressure roller 10 is arranged between the swivel arm 8 and the end face of the rotary cylinder 5, the pressure plate 9 being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the swivel arm 8 or the leg 22 by means of a pin, and the pressure roller 10 indicating the closing time or closing point 34 of the clamping elements determined. The pin allows a small movement angle of the pressure plate 9 to the rotary cylinder 5. The two end pressure plates 9 are clamped with a bow spring.

In a view 21 on the end face of the epilation head 4 it can be seen (FIG. 5) that the lower leg 22 of the swivel arm 8 runs approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 of the device. The longitudinal axis 26 of the swivel arm 8, however, has an angle 33 to the longitudinal axis 17 of the device. On the other hand, an angle 30 is provided between the axis of rotation 25 of the pressure roller 10 and the longitudinal axis 17 of the housing which, in the case of a direction of rotation 16 of the cylinder 5, runs for example by approximately 35 ° of the contact point 6 between the cylinder 5 and the skin surface to be epilated. The position of the adjusting means 1 1 shown here corresponds approximately to the used state of the epilation head 4, the swivel arm 8 being approximately in the deflected state at the lower stop. The imaginary interface between the axis of rotation 25 of the pressure roller 10 and the skin to be epilated corresponds to the closing location or closing time 34.

In a spring-loaded, unloaded state (FIG. 6), the adjusting means 11 is pivoted relative to the illustration in FIG. 5; the leg 22 is therefore no longer parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 and the longitudinal axis 26 of the swivel arm 8 now forms an angle 27 to the longitudinal axis 17 of the device. The axis of rotation 25 of the pressure roller 10, on the other hand, now has an angle 28, the total angle 29 of the two individual angles 27 and 28 corresponding to the angle 29 in FIG. 5. If a user placed an epilation head 4 on the skin as shown in FIG. 6, the contact area between the rotary cylinder 5 and the skin to be epilated would be approximately at the contact point 6 marked with an arrow. The angle 30 enclosed between the contact point 6 and the axis of rotation 25 of the pressure roller 10 would thus again correspond to the angle 30 as shown in FIG. 5, so that the closing location 34 of the clamping elements of the rotary cylinder 5 in each position of the adjusting means 11 has an optimal clamping and plucking function guaranteed.

During use of the epilation head 4 according to the invention (FIG. 7), the rotary cylinder bears with its contact surface 6 on the skin surface 14 to be epilated. The closing point 34 of the clamping elements lags the contact point 6 in the direction of rotation 1 6 of the cylinder. The adjusting means 1 1 is also shown in the compressed state, so that on the one hand the roller 13 also bears on the skin 14 and on the other hand the swivel arm 8 on the lower stop 32. As soon as the epilation device or the head 4 is removed from the skin 14 again, the swivel arm 8 springs back to the upper stop 31 of the housing cover 19 into its rest position.

FIGS. 8 to 13 show an epilation device 101 which is provided for removing hair from the human body. The epilation device 101 has a handle part in which, among other things, a drive motor is accommodated. An epilation head 102, in which a rotary cylinder 103 is accommodated, is in particular detachably held on the handle part.

The grip part and the epilation head 102 form approximately a rounded cuboid, on one end side of which the rotating cylinder 103 is arranged. The width and the height of the cuboid correspond approximately to the width and the diameter of the rotating cylinder 103 The length of the cuboid is dependent on the extent of the handle part in the direction transverse to the rotary cylinder 103. The directions of the length and the width of the cuboid span a main expansion plane H of the epilation device 101, which in the direction of the height of the cuboid through the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder 103 is set.

A user can hold the epilation device 101 in the hand and place it on the skin with the rotary cylinder 103. When the rotary cylinder 103 is in place, there is a line of contact with the skin which is approximately parallel to the main plane of expansion H of the epilation device 101. Depending on the angle of inclination with which the user places the epilation device 101 on the skin, this line of contact is arranged on the circumference of the rotary cylinder 103.

The epilation head 102 is provided with a housing part 104 facing the handle part, on whose side facing away from the handle part two legs 105, 106 protrude approximately vertically. A shaft 107 is arranged within the U-shape formed by the housing part 104 and the two legs 105, 106, and is arranged approximately parallel to the housing part 104 and carries the rotary cylinder 103. The shaft 107 is rotatably supported in the two legs 105, 106 and thus forms the axis of rotation 108 for the rotary cylinder 103. The axis of rotation 108 lies in the main plane of expansion H of the epilation device 101.

A plurality of pairs of clamping elements 109 are arranged on the shaft 107, between which holding and spacing disks 110 are present. Each of the pairs of clamping elements 109 has a fixed clamping element 1 1 1 and a movable clamping element 1 1 2, the latter being actuated by an adjusting element 13. In a non-actuated position, the clamping elements 1 1 1, 1 1 2 of the clamping element pairs 109 are arranged at a distance from one another, while in an actuated closed position the free ends of the clamping elements 1 1 1, 1 1 2 rest against one another under pressure. The pressure is generated by the actuators 1 13 and can be adjusted by means of a spring 1 14 or the like. Such a rotary cylinder is described in the unpublished German patent application DE 196 31 41 9, which is incorporated into the subject matter of the present disclosure by express reference. The adjusting elements 1 13 are arranged approximately parallel to the shaft 107 and each extend from the associated movable clamping element 1 1 2 to one of the two end faces 1 1 5 of the rotary cylinder 103. The adjusting elements 1 13 are elongated and are mounted in the rotary cylinder 103 so as to be longitudinally displaceable and can thus be moved from the non-actuated to the actuated position and vice versa.

On each of the two end faces 1 1 5 of the rotating cylinder 103 there is a disk 1 1 6 which can be pivoted about the axis of rotation 108 of the rotating cylinder 103. The undeflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11 and the deflected state of FIGS. 12 and 13 differ, inter alia, by different pivoting positions of the two disks 1 16. Each of the two disks 1 1 6 is provided with a pressure element 1 17, the Axis is arranged approximately radially to the axis of rotation 108. The disc 1 1 6 together with the pressure element 1 17, e.g. The pressure roller is not coupled to a drive of the rotary cylinder 103 and therefore does not take part in a rotary movement of the rotary cylinder 103. With a free end, the adjusting elements 1 1 3 of the disc 1 16 and thus the pressure element 1 17 face. With the other free end, the actuating elements rest on the movable clamping element 1 1 2. Pressure element 11 and the rotary cylinder 103 thus form a structural unit, the pressure element 117 no longer being fixed to the housing but being displaceable with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder 103.

To drive the rotary cylinder 103, a gear wheel 18 coupled to the drive motor is rotatably mounted in the housing part 104 and engages in a toothed ring 11 19 arranged on the outer circumference of the rotary cylinder 103.

The pressing element 1 17 and the adjusting elements 1 1 3 are arranged and aligned with respect to one another such that when the rotary cylinder 103 rotates about the axis of rotation 108 due to the non-rotating disc 1 1 6, the adjusting elements 1 13 are actuated by the pressing element 1 17 one after the other. This has the consequence that the clamping elements 1 1 1, 1 1 2 perform a closing movement from the non-actuated position into the actuated closed position.

The pressure element 1 17 is arranged on the circumference of the disc 1 1 6 such that the closing movement of the clamping elements 1 1 1, 1 1 2 when the rotating cylinder 103 is rotating takes place approximately in the area of a line L on the circumference of the rotary cylinder 103. In the case of the undeflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11, the line L represents the highest or outermost line or the zenith of the rotary cylinder 103 with respect to the main expansion plane H of the epilation device 101. In the case of the deflected state of FIGS. 12 and 13, the line L - as will be explained - is pivoted.

If a user places the epilation device 101 according to FIGS. 10 and 11 with the rotary cylinder 103 approximately perpendicular to the skin with respect to the main expansion plane H, the line L forms a line of contact between the skin and the rotary cylinder 103 that is in the main expansion plane H. is arranged. If the rotary cylinder 103 then executes a rotary movement, the closing movement of the clamping elements 1 1 1, 1 12 takes place approximately in the region of this line of contact. If the skin has hair in the area of this line of contact, then this hair is clamped between the closing clamping elements 1 1 1, 1 1 2 and plucked out by the rotating cylinder 103.

At the free ends of the two legs 105, 106, a pin 1 20, 1 21 is provided, which protrude from the outside facing away from each other. The two pins 1 20, 1 21 define a pivot axis 1 22, which is arranged approximately parallel to the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103, and which lies in the main plane of expansion H. The pivot axis 1 22 is also arranged approximately in the region of the circumference of the rotary cylinder 103, specifically the distance of the pivot axis 122 from the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103 is slightly smaller than the radius of the rotary cylinder 103.

Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the pivot axis 122 at a distance from the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103 that is greater than the radius of the rotary cylinder 103 or corresponds to this radius.

A side part 123, 124 is pivotably mounted on each of the two pins 120, 1 21. Each of the side parts 1 23, 1 24 has an approximately flat, rectangular surface 1 25, 1 26 and a partially rounded side surface 1 27, 1 28. The surfaces 1 25, 1 26 are arranged approximately transversely to the main expansion plane H and each have an extension which is approximately transverse to the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103. knife of the rotary cylinder 103 corresponds. In the direction of the axis of rotation 108 of the rotating cylinder 103, the surfaces 125, 126 each have an extent as is necessary for accommodating components arranged underneath. The extent of the side surfaces 1 27, 1 28 is also selected such that the components arranged underneath are sufficiently covered.

In the direction transverse to the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103, a rod 1 29, 130 is held at the two ends of the surfaces 1 25, 1 26. The side parts 1 23, 1 24 are thus connected to one another via the rods 1 29, 130. The rods 1 29, 130 are aligned approximately parallel to the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103 and to the pivot axis 1 22 of the side parts 1 23, 1 24 and are also arranged approximately parallel to one another. Rotatable rollers 1 31, 132 or the like are attached to the rods 1 29, 130.

The two side parts 1 23, 1 24 and the two rods 1 29, 130 form a unit which is pivotable about the pivot axis 1 22 formed by the pins 1 20, 1 21. The two rods 129, 130 and the two surfaces 125, 126 of the side parts 123, 1 24 span a bearing surface A, which is thus also pivotable about the pivot axis 1 22. The support surface A is arranged in the direction of the main expansion plane H with a small distance from the pivot axis 1 22. The support surface A thus forms, at least in the non-deflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11, approximately a surface lying tangentially on the circumference of the rotary cylinder 103.

If the user places the epilation device 101 on the skin, the support surface A is largely automatically aligned approximately parallel to the skin by the two rods 129, 130. At the same time, the contact surface A always has exactly the angle of inclination to the main expansion plane H of the epilation device 101 with which the user places the epilation device 101 on the skin.

If the user places the epilation device 101 approximately perpendicular to the skin with regard to the main expansion plane H, the support surface A is arranged approximately transversely to the main expansion plane H. If the user places the epilation device 101 on the skin with an inclination angle with respect to the main expansion plane H, the support surface A has an angle to the main expansion plane H that is 90 degrees plus or minus the angle of inclination (depending on the direction of inclination).

In the area of the attachment of the two legs 105, 106 to the housing part 104, a rocker 33 is arranged on the sides of the legs 105, 106 facing away from each other. Each of the rockers 133 is approximately U-shaped and is pivotally connected to the associated legs 105, 106 by the free ends of its two legs 134. The pivot axes 135 of the two legs 134 coincide in the two rockers 133 and are arranged approximately parallel to the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103 and approximately symmetrically on both sides of the main plane of expansion H.

Approximately in the region of the connecting part of the two legs 134, a pin 136 which projects outward on the sides facing away from one another is provided in each of the two rockers 133. The pins 136 are aligned approximately parallel to the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103 and lie in the non-deflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11 in the main plane of expansion H. Each of the pins 136 is in each case an elongated hole 137 in the side surfaces 122, 128 of the assigned to both side parts 1 23, 1 24, through which the respective pin 1 36 extends. The elongated holes 137 lie in the non-deflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11 in the main expansion plane H of the epilation device 101.

Also in the area of the connecting part of the two legs 134, a pin 138 projecting inwards on the sides facing each other is provided in each of the two rockers 133. The pins 1 38 are aligned approximately parallel to the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103 and lie in the non-deflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11 in the main expansion plane H. Each of the pins 138 has an opening 139 in each of the two side parts 1 23, 1 24 assigned, through which the respective pin 138 is inserted. In the undeflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11, the openings 139 lie approximately transversely to the main expansion plane H of the epilation device 101. Furthermore, each of the pins 138 is assigned an elongated hole 140 in each of the two disks 116 of the rotary cylinder 103, through which the respective pin 138 extends. The elongated holes 140 lie in the undeflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11 in the main expansion plane H of the epilation device 101. A pivoting movement of the support surface A and thus the side parts 1 23, 124 about the pivot axis 1 22 formed by the pins 120, 1 21 is transmitted to the rockers 133 via the elongated holes 137 and the pins 136 acting as drivers. The rockers 133 therefore perform a corresponding pivoting movement about the axes 135. This pivoting movement of the rockers 133 is transmitted to the disks 116 of the rotary cylinder 103 via the pins 138 acting as further drivers and the elongated holes 140. The pegs 138 extend through the openings 139 during the pivoting movement without influencing them or being influenced by them. The disks 1 1 6 of the rotary cylinder 103 and thus the actuating wheels 1 1 7 thus also perform the pivoting movement of the side parts 1 23, 1 24 and thus of the bearing surface A. The disks 1 16 pivot about the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 9, the distance of the pivot axis 1 22 formed by the pins 1 20, 1 21 from the pins 136 on the one hand and the distance of the pins 138 from the axis of rotation 108 of the rotary cylinder 103 on the other hand are approximately the same. This has the consequence that a pivoting movement of the side parts 1 23, 1 24 by a certain angle results in a pivoting movement of the disks 1 1 6 by the same angle.

In the non-deflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11, the support surface A is arranged approximately transversely to the main expansion plane H of the epilation device 101 and the pins 136 and the pins 138 lie in the main expansion plane H. This has the consequence that the disks 116 are not are deflected and the line L thus represents the highest or outermost line or the zenith of the rotary cylinder 103 in this undeflected state with respect to the main expansion plane H. If the user places the epilation device 101 approximately perpendicular to the main expansion plane H and thus in the undeflected state of FIGS. 10 and 11, the closing movement of the pairs of clamping elements 109 takes place in the area of the line L and thus approximately exactly along the line of contact of the Rotating cylinder 103 and the skin of the user instead. Hair located there is gripped by the clamping element pairs 109 and plucked by the rotation of the rotating cylinder 103. In the deflected state of Figures 1 2 and 13, the support surface A has an inclination angle W transverse to the main plane of expansion H. The side parts 1 23, 1 24 are thus also deflected about the pivot axis 1 22. The result of this is that the disks 1 16 of the rotary cylinder 103 are also deflected about the axis of rotation 108 via the pins 1 36 and 138 and the associated elongated holes 137, 140. With the disks 1 16, the pressure elements 1 17 are pivoted accordingly about the axis of rotation 108. Due to the corresponding distances of the pivot axis 1 22 from the pin 136 on the one hand and the pin 138 from the axis of rotation 108 on the other hand, the actuating wheels 11 are deflected with respect to the main plane of expansion H by the same angle of inclination W as the bearing surface A.

If the user places the epilation device 101 on the skin with the aforementioned inclination angle W and thus in accordance with the deflected state of FIGS. 12 and 13, the closing movement of the pairs of clamping elements 109 takes place around the line L ′ due to the deflected pressing elements 117 Tilt angle W pivoted instead of and is therefore again exactly along the line of contact of the rotary cylinder 103 and the skin of the user. Hair located there is gripped by the clamping element pairs 109 and plucked by the rotation of the rotating cylinder 103.

Claims

claims

1 . Epilation device (101) for removing hair on the skin of a human body, with a rotary cylinder (103) which is provided with clamping elements (1 1 1, 1 1 2) with which in a region (L) of the rotary movement of the rotary cylinder ( 103) a closing movement can be carried out, means being pivotable about a pivot axis (1 22) for adjusting the area (L ') of the closing movement as a function of the angle (W) with which the epilation device (101) is placed on the skin , characterized in that the pivot axis (1 22) of the means is offset from the axis of rotation (108) of the rotary cylinder (103) and preferably above the axis of rotation (108).

2. epilation device (101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means have a detection means with which the angle (W) with which the epilation device (101) is placed on the skin can be detected, and that the detection means around Swivel axis (1, 22) is pivotable, which is arranged approximately parallel to the axis of rotation (108) of the rotary cylinder (103).

3. epilation device (101) according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection means spans a support surface (A) with which the epilation device (101) can be placed on the skin.

4. epilation device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (1 22) on the axis of rotation (108) of the rotary cylinder (103) facing side of the support surface (A) at a slight distance from the support surface (A ) is arranged.

5. epilation device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (1 22) on the axis of rotation (108) of the rotary cylinder (103) facing away from the support surface (A) or in the support surface (A) is arranged .

6. epilation device (101) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the detection means two approximately parallel to each other and approximately parallel to the Has axis of rotation (108) of the rotating cylinder (103) arranged rods (1 29, 130), rollers, erecting combs, housing edges or the like, which span the bearing surface (A).

7. epilation device (101) according to claim 6, characterized in that the detection means has at least one side part (123, 1 24) which is pivotally connected to a pin (120, 1 21) forming the pivot axis (1 22), and on which the two rods (1 29, 130) or the like are held.

8. epilation device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuating means is provided with which the closing movement of the clamping elements (1 1 1, 1 1 2) in the region (L, L ') can be generated, and that the actuating means is pivotable about the axis of rotation (108) of the rotary cylinder (103) as a function of the angle (W) with which the epilation device (101) is placed on the skin.

9. epilation device (101) according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating means has at least one, preferably two pressure elements (1 17) and an adjusting element (1 1 3) with which one of the clamping elements (1 1 2) is adjustable.

10. epilation device (101) according to one of claims 2 to 9 and one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that a transmission means is provided with which the detection means and the actuating means are coupled.

1 1. Epilation device (101) according to claim 10, characterized in that the transmission means has a pivotable rocker arm (1 33) or the like, which is coupled to the detection means and the actuating means via drivers.

1 2. epilation device (101) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the rocker (133) consists of a flexible material, in particular of a plastic.

13. epilation device (101) according to any one of claims 10 to 1 2, characterized in that the transmission means has a pin (136) which engages in an elongated hole (137) of the detection means, and a pin (138) which in an elongated hole (140) of the actuating means engages.

14. epilation device (101) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the distance of the pivot axis (122) of the detection means from the engaging in the slot (137) of the detection means pin (136) is approximately the same as the distance into the Elongated hole (140) of the actuating pin (138) from the axis of rotation (108) of the rotary cylinder (103).

1 5. epilation device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the region (L, L ') of the closing movement is adjustable by an angle (W) up to about 60 degrees, in particular by an angle (W) of about 35 degrees.

1 6. epilation device (101) according to claim 1 5, characterized in that a skin expansion plane (H) of the epilation device (101) is present, that the region (L, L ') of the closing movement in a non-deflected state (figures 3 and 4) is arranged approximately in the main plane of expansion (H), and that the region (L, L ') of the closing movement can be deflected from the main plane of expansion (H) by an angle (W) of approximately 17.5 degrees.

17. epilation device (101) according to any one of claims 10 to 1 2, characterized in that the transmission means the angle detected by the detection means on the actuating means with a translation of i.w. 1: 1 transmits.

18. Epilation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary cylinder and the means for adjusting the region (L ') of the closing movement form an independently manageable structural unit.

19. Epilation device according to claim 18, characterized in that the means comprise at least one actuating means (1 17) which is pivotable or rotatable about an axis of the rotary cylinder.

20. Epilation device according to claim 19, characterized in that the actuating means can be actuated as a function of the angle (W).

21. Epilation device for removing hair according to the preamble of claim 1 or one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (1 1) is arranged adjacent to the rotary cylinder (5) and the rotary cylinder (5) or the clamping elements of the skin (14) of the user can be created.

22. epilation device according to claim 21, characterized in that the means is designed as an adjusting means (1 1) and is arranged adjustable relative to the rotary cylinder (5), a change in the position of the adjusting means (1 1) an adjustment of the closing location or closing time (34) brings about the clamping elements.

23. Epilation device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the adjusting means (1 1) is arranged laterally adjacent to the rotary cylinder (5) and is essentially movable together with the rotary cylinder (5) over the skin (14) of the user.

24. epilation device according to claim 21, 22 or 23, characterized in that the adjusting means (1 1) is resiliently mounted on a support (18) or a housing (1 9, 20) for receiving the rotary cylinder (5).

25. Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the adjusting means (1 1) substantially as a bracket (1 1), frame (7) or similar means with at least one essentially flat, straight contact surface for placement on the Skin (14) of the user is formed.

26. Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that the adjusting means (1 1) has a roller (13) and / or a comb (1 2) which / which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder (5) is / are arranged.

27. Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that the comb (12) and / or the roller (13) on one or both sides of a swivel arm (8), which runs in particular on one or both end faces of the rotary cylinder (5) and is pivotally mounted to the carrier (18), in particular to the housing (19, 20).

28. Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 27, characterized in that the adjusting means (1 1) substantially around the axis of the rotary cylinder (5) or around another axis which is arranged essentially parallel to the axis of the rotary cylinder (5) , is pivotally mounted.

29. Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 28, characterized in that an upper and lower stop (31, 32), in particular on the housing (1 9, 20) are provided for the adjusting means (1 1).

30. epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 29, characterized in that the adjusting means (1 1) is biased by a spring element (24) such that the adjusting means (1 1) during use on the skin (14) of the user is pressed and springs back into the upper stop position (31) after use.

31 Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 30, characterized in that the adjusting means (1 1), in particular the at least one swivel arm (8), is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to at least one control element, for example a pressure plate (9) with a pressure roller (10) , wherein the pressure roller (10) controls at least one actuating element for actuating the clamping elements.

32. Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 31, characterized in that in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder (5), the axis of rotation (25) of the control element, in particular the pressure roller (10), and the longitudinal axis (26) of Swivel arms (8) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the closing location or the closing time (34) of the clamping elements during use to the contact point, in particular the contact surface (6) between the rotary cylinder (5) and the skin (14) of the user, has an essentially constant angle (30).

33. Epilation device according to one of claims 21 to 32, characterized in that it has an epilation head (4) which is integrally or removably connected to the epilation device (1).