EP3193658B1 - Skin treatment apparatus with vibrating elements - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of tweezers of the type comprising a rotary cylinder with tongs for tearing unwanted hairs from the human body, and more particularly relates to an epilator comprising a massage means producing a pain-relieving effect.

A plucking tweezers generally comprise blade or disc grippers disposed on a rotating barrel, the pliers being caused to close and open periodically to grip and tighten the bristles close to the barrel. the skin to tear them by the rotation of the cylinder and then to evacuate the torn hairs before starting a new cycle of tearing. Pulling the hair is a very effective method against their regrowth, but it often causes significant pain.

Such a pain function on a depilatory device has been presented in the document EP1294249 in the name of the applicant which describes an epilator having a movable element in the form of a pad having a substantially flat or convex surface or comprising protuberances, the movable element having a displacement in the plane of the skin. This document already showed that, in tests on various people, it has been found that vigorously rubbing a pain-sensitized area has the effect of immediately calming the pain perceived during the hair removal process.

Another document EP1782709 in the name of the applicant describes a depilatory device comprising a depilatory head removable and interchangeable with a cutting head. The cutting head comprises a fixed blade and a movable blade, the movable blade being driven in translation by a vibrating element in a direction parallel to the axis of the hair removal roller. According to the invention, the vibrating element is fixed relative to the housing of the apparatus and is driven by a cam recovering the movement of the electric motor by a gear train, the cam itself being also fixed with respect to the housing. This document discloses a razor adjacent to a painkiller driven by a cam that can directly transmit the movement of the motor in a displacement in translation.

Another document EP2462832 describes a depilatory device with a movable flap in rotation which comprises a bearing heel on the area to be dehaired.

These solutions make it possible to effectively produce a massage and pain-relieving effect on the skin to be depilated. However, they require, like most hair removal devices equipped with a pain function, a complex structure and a high manufacturing cost.

The object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide an epilation apparatus having a reliable pain-relieving means, of simple construction and which lends itself to mass production, for less manufacturing costs.

Another object of the invention is an effective and ergonomic depilatory device, for tearing the hair always closer to the skin for a better hair removal result.

• un boitier qui renferme un moteur électrique associé à des moyens de transmission,
• une tête de traitement qui est liée au boîtier et qui comprend :
  • un corps creux qui délimite une chambre de traitement ouverte au niveau d'une fenêtre de traitement,
  • un moyen de traitement qui est disposé à l'intérieur de la chambre de traitement et qui est entrainé en rotation d'axe Δ par les moyens de transmission,
  • Un volet mobile en rotation dudit axe Δ qui comprend un talon d'appui définissant une surface (S) de contact avec la peau à traiter.
  Selon l'invention, ledit volet comprend au moins un élément allongé dans le prolongement du talon d'appui, l'axe de symétrie longitudinal Δ' dudit élément étant orthogonal audit axe Δ, l'une (E1) des extrémités de l'élément étant liée audit talon d'appui tandis que l'extrémité opposée (E2) est destinée à prendre contact avec la peau à traiter.
  Selon l'invention le volet comprend une pluralité d'éléments parallèles entre eux ayant la même longueur.

These goals are achieved with a skin and / or hair treatment apparatus comprising:

• a box that encloses an electric motor associated with transmission means,
• a treatment head which is connected to the housing and which comprises:
  • a hollow body which delimits an open treatment chamber at a treatment window,
  • processing means which is arranged inside the processing chamber and which is rotated about the axis Δ by the transmission means,
  • A flap movable in rotation of said axis Δ which comprises a bearing heel defining a surface (S) of contact with the skin to be treated.
  According to the invention, said flap comprises at least one elongated element in the extension of the bearing heel, the longitudinal axis of symmetry Δ 'of said element being orthogonal to said axis Δ, one (E1) of the ends of the element being connected to said support heel while the opposite end (E2) is intended to make contact with the skin to be treated.
  According to the invention the flap comprises a plurality of elements parallel to each other having the same length.

Said elongated element is intended to amplify the vibration of the shutter and transmit it to the skin to create stimuli. The user thus perceives less pain due to the treatment (pulling of hair for example) on his skin.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment means is an epilation roller comprising a series of clamps opening and closing as the rotation of the roller about the axis Δ. So we are in the case of a depilatory device.

Advantageously, the treatment head comprises means for defining the angular sectors around the axis Δ, the opening and closing of the clips of the hair removal roller.

In addition, the surface (S) of contact is tangent to a cylinder of revolution (C) of the axis Δ within which the epilation roller is inscribed.

Advantageously, the movable flap is integral with the means for defining the angular sectors so as to ensure a modification of the position of the angular sectors relative to the epilation head according to the orientation of the movable flap.

In order to ensure good transmission of the vibration of the shutter, the element has at said opposite end (E2) a curved shape towards the outside of the housing.

Still in the case of a depilatory device and according to a first variant of the invention, the length of the element is between 20 mm and 30 mm, preferably 25 mm.

Alternatively, the ratio between the width of the treatment window in the direction of the axis Δ and the length of the element is between 1 and 1.6.

According to a second variant, said flap comprises a U-shaped frame surrounding the element to prevent it from breaking during a fall or wear test.

In this variant, the length of the element is between 20 mm and 35 mm, preferably 30 mm.

Alternatively, the ratio between the width of the treatment window in the direction of the axis Δ and the length of the element is between 0.9 and 1.6.

In order to amplify the stimulus and to improve the pain-relieving effect, the flap comprises a plurality of elements parallel to one another having the same length. This makes it possible to cover a larger area to be treated.

Advantageously, the elements are arranged coplanar so that the vibration is better distributed on the skin.

In addition, the shutter is made of a one-piece plastic part.

• La figure 1 est une perspective d'un appareil d'épilation électrique comprenant un rouleau de tête d'épilation selon une première variante de l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue de côté de l'appareil illustré à la figure 1,
• La figure 3 est une vue de l'appareil pendant son utilisation sur la peau,
• La figure 4 est une perspective de l'appareil d'épilation électrique selon une deuxième variante de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood from the study of the embodiments taken in no way limiting and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective of an electric hair removal apparatus comprising an epilation head roll according to a first variant of the invention,
• The figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in the figure 1 ,
• The figure 3 is a view of the device while it is being used on the skin,
• The figure 4 is a perspective of the electric hair removal apparatus according to a second variant of the invention.

An apparatus for treating the skin and / or the hair, presented in the form of an electric and mechanical depilation apparatus, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 and 2 , comprises a hollow housing, generally designated by the reference 1, which consists of two half-shells 2 and 3 monoblocks defining together on the one hand, by their outer surfaces a gripping area of the epilator and, d ' on the other hand, a box containing and holding various functional elements constituting the epilator. Thus, the housing 1 encloses an electric motor 4 associated with transmission means 5 of the rotational movement of the output gear of the engine 4. According to the illustrated example, the transmission means 5 comprise a gear train of parallel axes. to the axis of rotation of the motor.

The housing 1 is equipped with a treatment head which is an epilation head 10 according to the illustrated example which comprises a hollow body 11 delimiting a treatment chamber 12 inside which is disposed an epilation roller 13 which is flush with a window 14 formed in the hollow body 11. The epilation roller 13 is rotatable on itself about an axis Δ and is rotated via the drive means or transmission 5 by the electric motor 4. The epilation roller 13 comprises at its periphery a series of clamps opening and closing as the rotation of the roller. So that the clamps are open when they begin to flush at the window 14 and close while they are flush again and well before leaving the window. depilatory window 14, the depilating head 10 comprises means 15 for defining the angular sectors of opening O and closing F of the clamps. The means 15 for defining the angular sectors O and F are, for example, formed by one or more cams associated with adapted cam paths. The embodiment of the clamps as well as the means 15 for defining the angular sectors O and F are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore do not require further descriptions here.

As has been said previously, the epilation roller 13 is flush with the window 14 provided in the body 11 of the epilation head 10. According to the illustrated example, the window 14 is delimited by, on the one hand, two longitudinal edges 20 and 21 parallel to each other and to the axis of rotation Δ of the roller 13 and, secondly, two transverse edges 22 and 23 which are parallel to each other and have an arcuate shape being contained in perpendicular planes to the axis of rotation Δ. One of the longitudinal edges, here the lower edge 20, is fixed by being formed either by a fixed edge of the epilation head 10 or by a fixed edge of the housing 1. According to the invention, the other longitudinal edge, here the upper edge 21 is movable by being formed by a flap 25 rotatable about the axis Δ. The movable flap 25 comprises a bearing heel 26 which extends in the extension of the longitudinal edge 21 movable away from the window 14 depilation. The heel 26 then defines a surface S of contact with the skin of the area to be depilated. The contact surface S defined by the heel 26 is preferably substantially tangential to a cylinder of revolution C of axis Δ within which the epilation roller 13 is registered.

In order to guarantee that the bristles of the zone to be epilated can be removed as efficiently as possible regardless of the inclination of the casing 1 or of the depilating head 10 with respect to the skin P, the movable flap 25 is preferably secured to the means 15 definition of the angular sectors of opening and closing of the clamps. Thus, the means of definition are rotatable about the axis Δ and follow the variations of the inclination of the housing or the epilating head relative to the skin of the area to be epilated. The movable flap 25 in contact with the hair removal roller 13 is subjected to a frictional force during the movement of the latter which creates a vertical vibration of the movable flap 25. The direction of rotation of the hair removal roller 13 is configured such that said frictional force tends to return the movable flap 25 to the skin.

In order to provide a pain-relieving effect during hair removal, the movable flap comprises a plurality of elongated elements 6 which, in the illustrated case, are longitudinal rods 6 making it possible to transmit and amplify the vibration of the flap. Said rods 6 are arranged along its axis of symmetry Δ 'which is orthogonal to said axis Δ. According to the illustrated examples, a plurality of identical rods is present on the shutter to cover a larger area to be treated.

According to a first variant presented to Figures 1 to 3 each rod 6 comprises two ends, one of which (E1) is connected to the support heel 26. The opposite end (E2) being free makes it possible to transform the movement of the mobile flap 25 into vibration, which creates a pain sensation on the skin. In order to amplify the vibration while keeping a reasonable size of the device, each rod 6 is of a length of between 20mm and 30mm. As visible at figure 2 , each rod 6 may have at said opposite end (E2) a shape 61 which allows firm contact between the opposite end (E2) and the skin to be treated. It can be a curved shape towards the skin. The opposite end (E2) may also include a hook or protrusion to the skin.

According to a second variant of the invention which is illustrated in FIG. figure 4 the movable flap 25 comprises a U-shaped frame 7 connected to the support heel 26 at its two ends. A series of rods 6 is arranged inside the frame and has a length which is less than that of the first variant, that is to say a length of between 20mm and 35mm.

The longitudinal rods 6 are preferably made of plastic having a certain degree of flexibility promoting the vibration. In order to facilitate the manufacture of the apparatus and to optimize the cost price, the rods 6 come from a molding at the same time as the mobile flap 25 and form with it a one-piece piece.

The hair removal apparatus thus constituted is used in the following manner. As illustrated in figure 3 after switching on the electric motor 4, the user places the epilation head 10 against the skin P of the zone to be depilated as shown in FIG. figure 3 . The user moves the head applied against the skin P in the direction of the arrow F1 so that the heel 26 is upstream of the window 14 at which the epilating roller 13 is flush with the heel. The heel 26 and its surface S then ensure a slight tensioning of the skin P which helps to lift the hair and promotes their grip and tearing by the clips of the hair removal roller 13 which is in contact with the skin P at the window 14. As far as the flap 25 and the heel 26, which it carries, are movable about the axis of rotation Δ, they can follow the slight oscillations of the housing 1, indicated by the arrow F2, induced by the user during the displacement of the hair removal apparatus . Thus, the support heel 26 and the epilation roller 13 always remain in contact with the skin P of the zone to be depilated. The rods 6 which are substantially flush with the support heel also remain in contact with the skin to transmit the vibration of the movable flap. The opposite end (E2) subjected to further movement provides stimuli to the skin to reduce the pain due to hair removal. The shape 61 hook or protrusion makes it possible to achieve a pain-killing effect more effectively.

Each elongated element 6 may also take other forms, for example that of a thin blade allowing greater flexibility and greater vibration amplification.

Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. Appliance for treating the skin and/or hair, comprising:

   - a housing (1) that contains an electric motor (4) associated with transmission means (5),

   - a treatment head (10) that is connected to the housing (1) and which comprises:

   - a hollow body (11) that delimits a treatment chamber (12) open at a treatment window (14),

   - a treatment means (13) that is disposed inside the treatment chamber and is driven on a rotation axis Δ by the transmission means (5),

   - a flap (25) able to rotate on said axis Δ and which comprises a support heel (26) defining a surface (S) making contact with the skin to be treated,

   said flap (25) comprising at least one elongate element (6) in line with the support heel (26), the longitudinal symmetry axis Δ' of said element (6) being orthogonal to said axis Δ, one (E1) of the ends of the element (6) being connected to said support heel (26) while the opposite end (E2) is intended to make contact with the skin to be treated,
   characterised in that the flap (25) comprises a plurality of elements (6) parallel to each other and having the same length.
2. Appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the treatment means (13) is a depilation roller (13) comprising a series of clamps opening and closing as the roller (13) rotates about the axis Δ.
3. Appliance according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the treatment head (10) comprises means (15) for defining angular sectors, around the axis Δ, of opening and closing of the clamps of the depilation roller (13).
4. Appliance according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the contact surface (S) is tangent to a cylinder (C) formed by revolution about the axis Δ, inside which the depilation roller (13) fits.
5. Appliance according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the movable flap (25) is secured to means (15) defining the angular sectors so as to provide a modification of the position of the angular sectors with respect to the depilation head according to the orientation of the movable flap (25).
6. Appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the element (6) has, at said opposite end (E2), a form (61) curved towards the outside of the housing.
7. Appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the length of the element (6) is between 20 mm and 30 mm, preferably 25 mm.
8. Appliance according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the ratio between the width of the treatment window (14) in the direction of the axis Δ and the length of the element (6) is between 1 and 1.6.
9. Appliance according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said flap (25) comprises a frame in a U shape surrounding the element (6).
10. Appliance according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the length of the element (6) is between 20 mm and 35 mm, preferably 30 mm.
11. Appliance according to claim 9, characterised in that the ratio between the width of the treatment window (14) in the direction of the axis Δ and the length of the element (6) is between 0.9 and 1.6.
12. Appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elements (6) are arranged so as to be coplanar.
13. Appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flap (25) is made from plastics material in a single piece.

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