ES2804269T3 - Epilation spring for hair removal - Google Patents

Abstract

Hair removal spring for hair removal, with a spring element (10) that has a central axis (M) and is designed as a helical spring, at whose ends (16, 18) there are handles (20, 22) respectively associated, and that presents an epilation area (14) with a plurality of spring coils (12), between which the hairs (34) to be removed can be caught, where the spring coils (12) are separated each other in the depilation area (14) in the unloaded state of the spring element (10) and the hairs (34) can be caught between the spring coils (12) by compressing the spring element (10) in the axial direction by means of the handles (20, 22), characterized in that the handles (20, 22) attached to the respective ends (16, 18) of the spring element (10) are made of plastic and their diameter is adapted to the diameter of the helical spring or spring element (10), so the depilating area Treatment (14) can be placed on a corresponding length parallel to a surface of a skin (32) to be depilated.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Epilation spring for hair removal

[0001] The invention relates to a depilation spring for removing hairs according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a depilation spring for removing hair is already known from US 2486616. This depilation spring comprises a spring element that has a central axis and is designed as a helical spring, at the ends of which are placed assigned handles respectively. Furthermore, the depilation spring has a depilation area with a plurality of spring coils, between which the hairs to be removed are trapped. In the unloaded state of the spring element, the partial spring areas, in particular the spring coils, are separated from each other in the depilation area. However, the problem here is that the handles have a larger diameter than the coil spring so that they can be attached to their ends. Therefore, the hair removal spring with its hair removal area can only remove short hairs insufficiently. Also, the skin can be pinched when the spring element is compressed.

[0003] For hair removal, particularly in the facial area, so-called tinxi® or HARRiSTA® episticks are offered, which have a spring element in the form of a helical spring, at the ends of which an associated handle is arranged. respectively made of plastic. In this case, the spring element designed as a helical spring has a multitude of spring coils, which support each other in the unloaded state of the spring element, that is to say with a straight extension. By placing the U-shaped epilation spring on both handles or with both hands, corresponding clearances are created between the individual spring coils of the spring element, inside which, after an area of corresponding epilation of the spring element on the skin, the hairs to be removed may protrude. By bending back accordingly, these gaps between the spring coils can be reduced or closed, so that the hairs are trapped between the spring coils and can subsequently be pulled out of the skin.

However, the disadvantage of this epilation spring is that it can only be operated with two hands or that the spring element must be positioned in a U-shape so that the hairs to be removed can protrude into the free spaces corresponding between the respective spring coils. This makes the operation complicated, imprecise and long.

[0005] The object of the present invention is, therefore, to create an epilation spring that allows a simple operation of the epilation spring with one hand and a more precise and faster handling.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a depilation spring with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations with appropriate further developments of the invention are indicated in the other claims.

[0007] In order to create an epilation spring of the initially mentioned type, which can be operated with one hand or with two fingers and which, moreover, allows a simpler and faster hair removal, it is provided according to the invention that the handles attached to the respective ends (16, 18) of the spring element (10) are made of plastic and their diameter is adapted to the diameter of the helical spring or spring element, so that the epilation area can be positioned on a corresponding length parallel to a surface of a skin to be depilated. In other words, a depilation spring is consequently created with a spring element, the partial spring areas of which or whose spring coils are spaced from each other at least in the depilation area in the discharged state, so that the epilation area can be placed on the skin to be epilated in an at least essentially discharged state. In this unloaded state, the epilation area can easily be placed on the surface of a skin to be epilated.

[0008] Furthermore, the spring element or the depilation area each has an extension corresponding to a straight line with a central axis. Therefore, the epilation area can be placed on the skin in parallel over a corresponding length.

[0009] At the respective ends of the spring element are attached the respective handles, the diameter of which is adapted to the diameter of the spring element. Subsequently, the respective hairs are drawn between the spring partial areas or the appropriate spring coils by correspondingly compressing both handles, one against the other or towards each other, in the axial direction. Since this compression takes place by the handles in the axial direction of the spring element, the skin cannot be pinched between the respective spring coils, for example. Furthermore, by compressing the spring element in the axial direction, it is possible to operate the entire epilation spring with only one hand or with two fingers, preferably the thumb and the index finger. Obviously, this allows a clearly simpler and faster handling of the depilation spring than was possible in the prior state of the art. In this case, the pulling of the hairs can be easily carried out with the compressed spring element, that is, with the handles moved correspondingly against each other, in such a way that the epilation spring, or, particularly its epilation area, is lifted or separated from the skin to be epilated. By relieving the spring element or at least essentially releasing the pressure on the two handles, the initial state is then established, in which the partial spring areas or the corresponding spring coils are again spaced at least in the area of hair removal. Therefore, plucked hairs can be removed correspondingly, for example by shaking the epilation spring.

Instead of a helical spring, which is made, in particular, of a stainless metal wire, a rubber element can also be used.

[0011] In another advantageous configuration of the invention, the spring element has a straight line extension. Consequently, the epilation spring can be operated in a particularly easier way with only two fingers or with one hand.

[0012] In this case, in another embodiment of the invention it has proven to be advantageous if the total length of the depilation spring is between about 1 cm and about 8 cm and preferably between about 1.5 cm and about 4 cm. Such a length guarantees, on the one hand, a sufficiently large depilation area of the spring element, by means of which the hairs can be removed, and, on the other hand, a safe handling of operating with one hand. The selected area of the epilation spring or spring element between 1.5 cm and about 4 cm guarantees, in this case, the advantage that both men and women or people with different hand sizes can easily operate the epilation spring and furthermore it is ensured that the spring element can be operated in the axial direction with a corresponding pressure on the respective handles.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the handles are designed as pressure elements with the respective finger cavities. These finger cavities increase the operational safety of the depilation spring.

[0014] Other advantages, characteristics and details of the invention appear from the following description of the preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings; these are shown in the:

Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a depilation spring for hair removal, with a spring element that has a central axis in the form of a helical spring, at the ends of which there are associated handles, and that presents a depilation area with a plurality of partial spring areas in the form of spring coils, between which the hairs to be removed can be caught, where the spring coils in the depilation area are separated from each other in the unloaded state of the spring element that shown here and the hairs are trapped between the spring coils by compressing the spring element in the axial direction by means of the handles;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the depilation spring according to figure 1, where, in particular, the specific configuration of one of the two identically designed handles can be seen;

Figure 3 a side view on a person's face, using the depilation spring for hair removal in the cheek area, where, in particular, the length of the depilation spring can be seen;

Figure 4 another perspective representation of the depilation spring according to figures 1 and 2, which exists to show its size between an index finger and a thumb of a person operating the depilation spring;

Figures 5a-c a sequence of schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the depilation spring for hair removal, where figure 5a shows the positioning of the depilation area in the state at least essentially unloaded of the spring element on the skin that hair removal, Figure 5b shows the compression of the spring element in the axial direction by means of the handles, whereby the hairs are pinched between the spring coils, and Figure 5c shows the lifting of the hair removal area of the skin, whereby the hairs are lifted up and pulled out by means of the spring coils that are still pressurized; and in the

FIG. 6 another schematic sectional view of a depilation area of a spring element of an alternately configured depilation spring, where the respective spring coils have corresponding contours to allow the hairs to be pinched in a particularly favorable manner.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, in a perspective view, an epilation spring is respectively represented for the removal of hairs, in particular in the facial area and in the head area. This hair removal spring it essentially comprises a spring element 10, which, in the present case, is designed as a helical spring and is represented further in Figures 5b to 5c in a respective schematic sectional view. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the spring element 10 designed as a helical spring comprises a plurality of spring coils 12. At least in a central depilation area 14, these spring coils 12 are separated from each other by a respective distance a (figure 5a) in the unloaded state of the spring element 10 shown here, that is to say when no axial manual pressure is exerted on them.

[0016] The present coil spring only shows one type of the spring element 10 by way of example. Naturally, instead of, as in the present case, a circular course of the spring coils 12, this spring element 10 could also have a polygonal, in particular square, course of the spring coils 12.

[0017] As can also be seen in Figures 1 and 2, at the respective ends 16, 18 of the spring element 10 or of the helical spring the respective handles 20, 22 are attached, which are made of plastic and their diameter is adapted to the diameter of the helical spring or of the spring element 10. In the present case, the two handles 20, 22 are consequently designed as disk elements, which have a groove, hollow or similar cavity for the fingers 24 on their respective sides opposite to the spring element 10. In this case, the handles 20, 22 are connected to the corresponding end 16, 18 of the spring element 10, for example, via the corresponding plug pins and / or the couplings respective. An injection molding or similar connection of the plastic of the handle 20, 22 to the respective end 16, 18. It would also be conceivable that the handles 20, 22 were formed by the respective ends of the spring element 10. Therefore, if necessary it would be optionally conceivable to transform the respective ends of a spring element 10 made of metal to act as handles 20, 22. It would also be conceivable, for example, in the case of a spring element 10 made of plastic, to provide respective handles 20, 22 at the ends of the spring element 10. Therefore, the handles 20, 22 and the spring element 10 can also be designed in one piece.

As can finally be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the two respectively last spring coils 12 are not at least essentially separated from each other at the respective end 16, 18 of the spring element 10, that is to say, differently to the spring coils 12 in the epilation area 14.

In Figures 3 and 4 it is also possible to see, in particular, the use and the size of the respective depilation spring. In this case, figure 3 shows, in a side view, a user of the depilation spring for the removal of hairs in his cheek area. In conjunction with Figure 4, which shows the epilation spring, which can be held with one hand, it can be seen that the epilation spring is preferably operated with the thumb 26 and the index finger 28. In particular, it can also be see that the epilation spring or its spring element 10 has a length between about 1 cm and about 8 cm, and preferably between about 1.5 cm and about 4 cm. In the present exemplary embodiment, a depilation spring with a length of approximately 2 cm is used. This length has proven to be particularly advantageous, since the depilation spring can be favorably operated by both women and men, regardless of the respective size of the operator's hand.

[0020] The method of operating the depilation spring shown in Figures 1 to 4 will now be explained below with reference to Figures 5a to 5c. To this end, Figures 5a to 5c show in sections the depilation area 14 of the spring element 10 in a respective schematic and partial sectional view. Figure 5a shows, first, the epilation area 14 in the unloaded state of the spring element 10, that is, when the epilation spring is held by the respective operator through two handles 20, 22, but not apply no significant pressure. In this unloaded state it can be seen that the respective spring coils 12 are arranged at a distance from each other. In this unloaded state, the depilation area 14 can be placed on the surface of a skin 32 to be depilated in a simple manner, as represented by an arrow 30. In this case, the corresponding hairs 34, protruding from the skin 32, project into respective spaces 36 of spring coils 12 spaced apart. Furthermore, it can be seen that the spring element 10 or the epilation area 14 has an extension correspondingly in a straight line with a central axis M. Therefore, the epilation area 14 is positioned on a corresponding length parallel to the skin 32.

[0021] In the step of the additional method according to figure 5b, the spring element 10 is now compressed by applying a corresponding pressure to the spring element 10 by means of the fingers, in particular the thumb 26 and the index finger 28, using the handles 20, 22. This pressure is indicated in Figure 5 by arrows 38. It can be seen that this pressure is exerted on the spring element 10, essentially in the axial direction, that is, parallel or coaxially to the central axis M of the spring element 10. As a result, the distance a between the spring coils 12 is reduced or eliminated, so that the hairs 34 are caught between the respective clamping surfaces 40 of the spring coils 12. It can be seen that the Respective spring coils 12 have at least an essentially rectangular and particularly square cross-section in the depilation area 14. This makes it possible for the appropriate clamping surfaces 40 to allow the respective hairs 34 to be caught in a large size and not just in the form of points or lines. Naturally, the spring coils 12, which preferably consist of a stainless metal, are correspondingly surrounded on one of their edges or they also feature, if necessary, a light radius. However, it is essential that the corresponding clamping surfaces 40 are present so that the bristles 34 can be reliably trapped between the respective spring coils 12.

[0022] Finally, as shown in figure 5c, the hairs are pulled out by applying a pulling force according to arrow 42. It is clear that, for this purpose, the corresponding pressing forces must still be applied to the spring element 10 by middle of the handles 20, 22 according to arrows 38, so that the hairs 34 are still reliably pinched between the spring coils 12. After the hairs 34 have been pulled out, the force applied by fingers, preferably thumb 26 and index finger 28 so that the spring element 10 is relaxed again in the epilation area 14. Therefore, the respective distances a between the spring coils 10 are reached again, so that plucked hairs can be removed. It is clear that the method steps described in Figures 5a to 5c can also take place in an overlapping manner, depending on the practice of the person performing the depilation.

FIG. 6 finally shows, similarly to FIG. 5a, an alternative configuration of the spring element 10 in the depilation area 14. This differs, in particular, from the design of the respective spring coils 12, which in this case they have respective grooves 44 or springs in their appropriate clamping surfaces 40. The respective hairs 34 can be trapped particularly well between the spring coils 12 by means of these grooves 44 or springs 46. In principle, the respective clamping surfaces 40 can naturally also have other contours, for example saw tooth profiles or the like.

Claims (4)

1. Depilation spring for hair removal, with a spring element (10) that has a central axis (M) and is designed as a helical spring, at whose ends (16, 18) there are handles (20, 22 ) respectively associated, and presenting a depilation area (14) with a plurality of spring coils (12), between which the hairs (34) to be removed can be caught, where the spring coils (12) are separated from each other in the depilation area (14) in the unloaded state of the spring element (10) and the hairs (34) can be caught between the spring coils (12) by compressing the spring element (10) in the axial direction by means of the handles (20, 22), characterized by the fact that the handles (20, 22) attached to the respective ends (16, 18) of the spring element (10) are made of plastic and their diameter is adapted to the diameter of the helical spring or of the spring element (10), therefore that the depilation area (14) can be placed on a corresponding length parallel to a surface of a skin (32) to be depilated. 2. Depilation spring according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the spring element (10) has a straight line extension. 3. Depilation spring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the spring element (10) has a length between approximately 1 cm and approximately 8 cm, and, in particular, between approximately 2 cm and approximately 4 cm. 4. Depilation spring according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the handles (20, 22) are designed as pressure elements with respective cavities for the fingers (24).