EP2203085B1 - Epilator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an epilator with an additional hair removal unit.

From the patent DE 41 43 514 C2 an epilator is known which has an epilation head with clamping elements, wherein the clamping elements serve to capture hair between each two adjacent clamping elements, wherein Zupfelemente act on movable clamping elements such that hair between each movable clamping element and a stationary clamping element are clamped and then out the skin are plucked. The epilation head is preceded by a trimmer for cutting hair to a short length in the feed direction, which cuts off the hair, which are then plucked from the epilation head.

This known epilator cuts the hair with the trimmer only to a uniform length, so that the epilator can pluck hair evenly long. Plucking problems caused by long hair are avoided.

A disadvantage of such an epilator that because of the typically imperfect efficiency of Epilierkopfes, the epilator must be performed several times over the same skin area, so that a complete hair removal can be achieved. This is both time consuming and also increases the time that a user feels pain when plucking the hair.

From the WO 98/07551 a hair removal device is known which can pluck hair by pinching all or over an adjustable distance. If the hair is only partially plucked out of the skin, the hair in the clamped and partially plucked state can be cut off by a cutting unit. This allows the user to choose between a painful plucking, but longer lasting, smooth hair removal result, and a reduced-pain plucking with trimming, but less long lasting, smooth skin.

From the DE 600 20 901 T2 an epilator is known which has two successive Ausreißköpfe in the direction of use.

A disadvantage of this hair removal device is that hair that has not been pinched in a first use operation continue to remain in the skin and a or several more uses are necessary to achieve an acceptable smooth skin result.

From the JP 2000-060629 A is a hair removal device is known in which a Scherfolienrasiererkopf an epilation roller is connected downstream. From the JP 11-187924 A An epilation device is known in which a long-hair trimmer is connected upstream of an epilating roller so that only hair of a preset length is fed to the epilation roller. Furthermore, from the WO 2007/033746 A1 an epilation device is known, in which an epilation head, a grinding system is connected downstream.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an epilator and a method in which hair removal is achieved which substantially eliminates the need to run over the same skin region several times and still provides an acceptable hair removal result.

This object is achieved by an epilator according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10. Further developments of the invention are specified in the appended claims.

In addition to the epilation unit, in addition to the epilation unit for applying and / or plucking hair out of the skin over an effective epilation width, an additional non-plucking hair removal unit is provided, which serves to leave hair which has remained in the skin after passing over the skin with the epilation unit are to be removed by clipping. The hair removal unit is therefore independent of the Epiliereinheit in their hair removal effect, ie in contrast to that of the WO 98/07551 Known method, where a cutting of the hair only takes place when the hair is trapped, all hair that are still remaining in the skin after the Epiliereinheit be supplied in at least one mode of depilation of the hair removal unit and removed by this. Thus, this allows a virtually complete hair removal in one go, so in a use of Epiliergerätes. This avoids that a skin area that has already been run over by the epilator must be run over again with the epilator because of hair remaining in the skin, which leads to further painful plucking operations. The extra hair removal unit removes the hair remaining in the skin by cutting, both of which happen without significant pain. In contrast, about the case of DE 600 20 901 T2 a second pull-out provided, so that a higher tear-out is also associated with additional Ausreißschmerz.

According to the invention, the hair removal unit is designed as one or more razor blades or blade cartridge. An embodiment as a razor blade or blade cartridge is easy to realize, since a blade consumes little space and is typically not driven electrically (a vibration excitation of the blade can be provided).

In a further development of the epilator, the hair removal unit acts at most beyond the epilation width, i. it is subordinate to the Epiliereinheit so that the hair removal effect of the hair removal unit when driving over the skin in the direction of use of the epilator is maximum on the Epilierbreite. If the hair removal effect of the hair removal unit would act over a greater width, strips of non-plucked hair would be cut, resulting in the regrowth of hair to stripes of faster regrowing hair, as the plucked hair longer need to regrow.

In a further embodiment, the hair removal unit is designed as a detachable unit, in particular as an attachment. The hair removal unit can be clamped about the epilator in a known manner, so that the hair removal unit is locked in this position. The hair removal unit is releasably attached again. This allows a user to use the epilator either without an additional hair removal unit or with the additional hair removal unit, depending on the pain sensation and also on the time period for use, as the hair removal can be done faster in one go (in one usage procedure) the repeated epilation of a skin area.

In another embodiment of the depilation apparatus, the epilation unit is preceded by an application unit. The application unit can be designed, for example, as a liquid dispenser or as an applicator for an application substance present as a solid. The liquid dispenser can spray a liquid, which may also be a lotion, a gel or a cream on the skin over an outlet, roll up, etc. The liquid may have cooling ingredients, such as menthol, so that the epilation pain is suppressed. The liquid may also contain skin care substances. In particular, but not exclusively, with the liquid dispenser downstream of the epilation unit and upstream of the hair removal unit, the liquid dispenser may apply a shaving cream to the skin for a smooth and comfortable razor experience through the hair removal unit configured as a razor blade. The applicator may include about a soap block, which is pressed about under a slight spring tension against the skin. The soap is then removed by abrasion applied or in an application in the shower, for example, by dissolving with water on the skin. Instead of a soap block other application materials can be applied by means of the applicator, as is known for example of blade cartridges for wet razors, where for example by means of a strip of vitamin E and aloe vera are applied.

In one embodiment, the hair removal unit may be slid between multiple positions, with a first position allowing for post-epilation hair removal, and the hair removal unit not participating in the hair removal in the second position. The second position may be a position where the hair removal unit is slid into the epilator (and is seated below a flap) or a position where the hair removal unit is still visible but remote from the skin surface.

In a further embodiment, the depilation device has a skin and / or hair application unit. The skin and / or hair application unit may, for example, be designed as a roller with pointed projections, the tips of the roller inducing a pain in the nerves, so that the plucking pain is no longer felt as strongly during epilation. The skin and / or hair application unit may alternatively also be designed as a comb or hair setting means. In one embodiment, the skin and / or hair application unit is equipped with an exfoliation head, which removes loose skin flakes by means of an abrasive action and thus contributes to a rejuvenated / refreshed skin impression. Other designs include: massage roller, (powered) peeling attachment, etc. The various forms of the skin and / or hair application unit can also be provided in combination. The skin and / or hair application unit may be arranged before or in front of the epilation unit. There may also be provided several skin and / or hair application units, such as a mechanical skin stimulation in front of the epilation unit and an exfoliation head after the hair removal unit.

In a development, the epilator has a rotatable or tiltably mounted hair removal unit, so that the hair removal unit can still come into effect at an inclination of the epilator even at the optimum angle of use to the skin surface.

In another embodiment, the epilator has means for adjusting the efficiency of the epilator, such as by individual clamps can be disabled. Such the efficiency changing means are about in the EP 1 581 074 ( WO 2004/054401 A1 ) or in the EP 1 797 788 A1 described.

In a further development, the epilator has means to adjust the ratio of complete plucking operations to clean plucking operations in which the hair is not pulled out. Such a means may be in particular a device for adjusting the clamping force of individual clamping devices, because at low set clamping force the hair is only plucked before it can no longer be pulled by the clamping device against the force of the hair root and is pulled out of the clamping device. Such plucked hair has been partially pulled out of the hair channel. Because of the viscoelastic properties of the skin, such hairs retract only slowly back into the hair channel and can therefore be cut by the hair removal unit before retracting completely into the hair canal. This results in a smoother and more sustainable hair removal result than just removing the hair.

The invention further relates to a method for hair removal, wherein in this method first hair on an epilating be plucked or plucked, then the hair remaining in the skin are cut off, the off or plucking the hair and that removal in a single use operation (but separated from each other) takes place. In one development of this method, an application substance (for example a liquid, a cream or lotion, soap or a solid which is applied by abrasion, for example) is applied to the skin. This can also take place, for example, in one go (in one usage procedure), but it can also be preceded by hair removal in one go, for example by applying the application material to the skin with a cloth.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Epiliergerätes mit einer Epiliereinheit und einer in Bewegungsrichtung nachlaufenden Haarentfernungseinheit,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung des Epiliergerätes aus Fig. 1 in einer Betriebsart, bei der die Haarentfernungseinheit in einer Stellung arretiert ist, die keine nachlaufende Haarentfernung erlaubt

Fig. 3

eine Frontansicht (gegen die Benutzungsrichtung) des schematischen Epiliergerätes gemäß Fig. 1 oder Fig. 2 und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Epiliergerätes in einer anderen Ausführungsform, mit einem Flüssigkeitsspender und einer Haut- bzw. Haarbeaufschlagungseinheit.

The invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with reference to figures. It is in the figures

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a not epilator according to the invention with a Epiliereinheit and trailing in the direction of hair removal unit,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the epilating from Fig. 1 in an operating mode in which the hair removal unit is locked in a position that does not allow trailing hair removal

Fig. 3

a front view (against the direction of use) of the schematic depilation according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 and

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of an epilator in another embodiment, with a liquid dispenser and a skin or hair application unit.

In Fig. 1 schematically depicts a not according to the invention epilating 100, which has a Epiliergerät base body 1 'arranged Epiliereinheit 1 and one of them in their hair removal action separate hair removal unit 2. That the epilation unit 1 and the hair removal unit 2 are separated from one another in their hair removal action means that hair which has not been plucked by the epilation unit can be removed by the hair removal unit 2 positioned downstream in the direction of use. The Epiliereinheit 1 may be about a known rotary cylinder with paired clamping elements, which hold by individual control hair in a Zupfzone by clamping by means of pairwise Klemmkontakts the clamping elements and plucking out of the skin by continuous rotation of the rotary cylinder. Such Epiliereinheit is approximately in the patent EP 0 921 744 B1 described. Of course, other known epilator units or further developments of epiliate units can also find use as an epilator unit 1 in the epilator 100. The hair removal unit 2 in this embodiment consists of a hair trimmer 2 ', not claimed as such, which has a hair trimmer unit 3 with a fixed cutting element (comb) and a linearly oscillatingly movable cutting element (blade) against the stationary cutting element and floating in a direction A. The hair removal unit 2 can be made detachable and can be fastened to the epilator main body 1 'and the hair removal unit 2 by clamping devices which can be positively connected to one another not shown) or the hair removal unit 2 can be connected by means of electrical contacting to an energy source in the epilator basic body 1 'Alternatively, the hair removal means 2 by means of a gear to a drive unit in the epilator Gru ndkörper 1 'are coupled.

The epilator 100 is driven in a direction of use B over the skin 50 of a user to remove hair 51. The Epiliereinheit 1 removes the hair 51 by plucking over a given by the effective width of Epiliereinheit epilator (reference character E in Fig. 3 ). Alternatively, the epilation unit 1 may also apply the hair 51 by plucking it by pinching and then cutting the pinched hair close to the surface of the skin (as shown in FIG WO 98/07551 A1 described) remove. In both realizations of an epilation unit, hairs 51 remain in the skin 50, which have not been clamped by the epilation unit 1. The hair removal unit 2 removes the hair 51 remaining in the skin 50 at the skin surface without plucking operation; in the variant shown and not claimed as such, this is done by a designed as a hair trimmer hair removal unit 2 - according to the invention, the hair removal unit 2 is designed as a razor blade or blade cartridge. Since the plucking process causes pain, it is particularly uncomfortable for users or users who use an epilator for the first time or who have a low subjective pain threshold if the duration of the painful hair removal is prolonged by the epilator 100 repeatedly over the same Skin part must be performed in order to pluck hair 51, which were not plucked in the first Epiliervorgang in another epilation. The depilation apparatus 100 described removes hairs 51 which have remained in the skin during use after the epilation unit 1 by means of a painless cutting process by means of the hair removal unit 2. The hair removal result is then very good since no longer hairs remain in the skin. The pain experience is reduced. In the use according to the invention of a razor blade or a blade cartridge, the skin feeling after the hair removal achieved in one go is particularly pleasant, since during a cutting operation by means of one or more blades skin flakes are also removed and the skin becomes particularly smooth.

The epilator 100 may be provided for a wet hair removal (for example, under the shower), so be washable and designed. Waterproof the electrical components.

In an alternative embodiment, the epilation unit 1 is provided with means which allow a lower plucking efficiency across the epilation width (reference symbol E in FIG Fig. 3 ). This can be done for example by means of an essay, are covered by the individual tracks of Klemmpinzettenpaaren. Such an essay is in the EP 1 581 074 described. Instead of an essay but also the Anklemmdruck between Klemmpinzettenpaaren the epilator unit 1 are reduced, so that a higher likelihood that hair slip out of the clamp before they were completely pulled out of the skin. In this case, such hairs are only plucked. After plucking, the hair retreats back into the hair canal, which does not happen immediately because of the viscoelastic properties of the skin. These so plucked hairs are then cut by the hair removal unit 2 before the hair has retracted completely into the hair channel. So the pain is reduced by plucking, but it is still achieved a very good hair removal result.

In Fig. 2 For example, the epilator 100 is shown in a different mode of operation in which the hair removal unit 2 is locked in a position recessed against the skin surface 50 and is not involved in the hair removal process. In this case, in the variant shown, the hair trimmer 2 'not claimed as such has been inserted into the trimmer housing 2 "The epilation unit 1 is guided over the skin surface 50 in the direction of use B. By means of a typically imperfect epilation efficiency of the epilation unit 1, hairs 51 remain in the skin 50 in the skin area already passed over by the epilator 100. The experienced user for whom the sensed graft pain has no relevant significance, but who prefers prolonged hair removal, may then further dilute the same skin area in further epilation procedures Epilation until no more hair is left in the skin Alternatively or in addition to the shown backward position of the hair removal unit 2, the hair removal unit 2 can also be designed as a lockable and detachable attachment that is placed about the Epiliereinheit 1 and remains aligned at an inclination of the epilator tangentially to the skin surface by being designed to be rotatable or tiltable.

In Fig. 3 is a front view (seen in relation to the direction of use of the epilator 100) of the epilator 100 shown. The epilator 100 has an epilator base body 1 'and an epilation unit 1, the epilation unit 1 having an epilating width E (which is perpendicular to the direction of use B in the user surface, ie the displacement distance in the direction of use B multiplied by the epilation width E is the over-painted skin area on which hair has been removed) is effective. The Epiliereinheit 1 has clamping devices 40 which consist of paired Klemmpinzettenlamellen which are opened in a known manner to the skin to be rotated, so that hair can be threaded between the Klemmpinzettenlamellen, after which close the Klemmpinzettenlamellen in a Zupfstellung and pinch the hair and in the pluck further rotation out of the skin. In one embodiment, the hair removal unit is which is arranged in the front view shown behind the Epiliereinheit 1, only a maximum of the predetermined by the Epiliereinheit 1 Epilierbreite E effective. A wider hair removal unit would remove all hairs aside from the epilation width E, which can lead to hairlines when regrowth, which are undesirable from the visual-aesthetic impression.

In Fig. 4 an epilator 100 is shown, in which an epilation unit 1 'is arranged on an epilator base body 1' and which further has an application unit 20 arranged in front of the epilation unit 1 in the direction of use B, which is designed here as a liquid dispenser and which via a nozzle 21 forms a liquid mist 22 on the skin surface 50 and the hair 51 sprays. In particular, the liquid may contain a cooling agent (such as menthol), through the cooling effect of which the perceived nasal pain is reduced. The liquid may also contain other or further ingredients, such as a perfume, a skin pretreatment agent, etc. Alternatively, the liquid dispenser 20 may apply the liquid to the skin and hair or to the liquid dispenser via a roll supplied with the liquid via a liquid container Apply the liquid through a cloth soaked in the liquid. Liquid should also be understood here as meaning a lotion or a cream. Of course, other common application mechanisms are also included in the description.

In the embodiment of the epilator 100 according to Fig. 4 the epilation unit 1 downstream in the direction of use B hair removal unit 2 is equipped with a sharp-edged blade 4, wherein the blade may be designed as a razor blade with a tip radius of about 30 nm or as a slightly blunt cutting blade with a tip radius of about 1 micron. In the latter case, the blade lasts longer than the very sharp razor blade and the blade must then be changed less often. Alternatively, the blade may also be made of a ceramic material, as known from ceramic kitchen knives. A ceramic material has the advantage that even a curved blade that follows approximately the outer shape of a convex Epiliergeräte housing can be relatively easily realized, since the shape can be specified during sintering of a ceramic powder material. An ergonomic bend, which follows the typical curvature of a skin surface on the leg, can also be realized in this way. Instead of a single blade 4, the hair removal unit 2 may also have a blade cartridge, such as is known from wet razors. Additionally or alternatively, an application unit 20 may also be arranged between the epilation unit 1 and the hair removal unit 2 and in the embodiment as a liquid dispenser then as an application substance Apply liquid, including a shaving cream or shaving gel, which supports the shaving by the blade 4 and possibly also cares for the skin, so that not only a good hair removal result is achieved after the hair removal process in one go, but also a pleasant feeling on the skin. Instead of being a liquid dispenser, the application unit can also be configured as an applicator for application of an application substance present as a solid. Thus, for example, an application substance (for example a shaving soap) may be present as a block on the applicator, the application substance being applied by means of abrasion or by dissolution by means of liquid present on the skin (possibly also by means of the skin fat).

In Fig. 4 is also a hair and Hautbeaufschlagungseinheit 10 arranged for mechanical loading of skin and / or hair, which in the present case has an exfoliation head 11 which ablates dead skin cells by means of an abrasive roller and so to a younger and fresher skin impression after the hair removal process contributes. Of course, the hair and skin application unit 10 can also be arranged in the direction of use B behind the hair removal unit 2. Additionally or alternatively, the hair and skin application unit 10 may have a comb, by means of which the hair 51 remaining in the skin after the epilation unit 1 is erected so that the hair removal unit 2 can better remove it. The hair and skin application unit 10 may, of course, also use other conventional methods to mechanically apply hair and / or skin. Thus, the hair and Hautbeaufschlagungseinheit 10 may be provided with a sprocket that generates low pain impulses in the nerves of the skin to reduce the grafting pain and is then preceded for this purpose the Epiliereinheit 1 in the direction of use B.

Application unit 20, hair and skin treatment unit 10 and hair removal unit 2 may be integrally connected to the epilator base body 1 'or be designed jointly or individually as removable units.

Claims (11)

1. Epilation device (100) having an epilation unit (1) for pulling or plucking hairs (51) from the skin (50) over an epilation width (E), wherein a hair-removal unit (2) is provided that follows the epilation unit (1) in the direction of use (B), characterized in that, in at least one operating mode, the hair-removal unit (2) removes hairs (51) by cutting off the ones that were not plucked by the epilation unit (1), wherein the hair-removal unit is designed to remove the hairs remaining on the skin surface without a plucking operation and wherein the hair-removal unit (2) is a razor blade (4) or a blade cartridge.
2. Epilation device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hair-removal unit (2) is effective across, at most, the epilation width (E).
3. Epilation device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hair-removal unit (2) is designed as a removable unit - in particular, as an attachment that can be brought into a locked position on the epilation device (100) and again detached from it.
4. Epilation device (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an application unit (20), which, in one operating mode, applies an application substance (22) to the skin, is arranged preceding or following the epilation unit (1).
5. Epilation device (100) according to one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the epilation device (100) has a first operational position, in which, by cutting, the hair-removal unit (2) removes hairs (51) that still remain in the skin (50) behind the epilation unit (1) in the direction of use (B), and has a second operational position, in which the hair-removal unit (2) is locked in a position separated from the skin (50), and only the epilation unit (1) removes hairs (51) by plucking them.
6. Epilation device (100) according to one of claims 1 through 4, wherein a skin and/or hair application unit (10) is arranged on the epilation device (100) - in particular, between the epilation unit (1) and the hair-removal unit (2).
7. Epilation device (100) according to one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the hair-removal unit (2) is rotatably mounted in such a manner that the cutting direction of the hair-removal unit (2) remains oriented at an optimal angle of use to the skin (50), even in the case of an inclination of the epilation device out of an optimal use position.
8. Epilation device (100) according to one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the epilation unit (1) has means by which the efficiency of the epilation unit (1) can be modified - in particular, by means of an at least partial covering of hair-clamping devices (40) of the epilation unit (1).
9. Epilation device (100) according to one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the epilation unit (1) has means by which the ratio of complete plucking operations to pulling operations, in which a hair is pulled from the skin only by a more limited distance than is necessary for a plucking operation, can be set.
10. Method for the removal of hairs (51), using an epilation device according to one of the preceding claims, that has the following steps:

    • pulling and/or plucking of hairs (51) across an epilation width (E),

    • removal of hairs (51) that remain in the skin (50) after the pulling and/or plucking processes, by cutting off at the skin surface,

    wherein the pulling and/or plucking and the removal take place in a single use operation of the epilation device.
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises the additional step of application of an application substance (22) to the skin (50).

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