GB2113994A - Hot wax hair remover apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for heating and applying a depilatory wax to skin for removal of hair in a layer thin enough to prevent pain and burning e.g. 0.8-0.1 mm. The system includes a reservoir 40 which stores a supply of the wax and a dispenser 46 coupled to the reservoir. The depilatory wax is essentially solid at room temperature but becomes flowable when heated. The heated wax flows from the reservoir to the dispenser for application. Different size dispensers may be located in housing 12 and removed therefrom for use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hot wax hair remover apparatus The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for removing hair by application of a hot wax to the skin, and, in particular, to an applicator system which stores and safely and painlessly applies a hot delipatory wax to the skin in sufficiently thin layers to maximise the effectiveness of epilation. The applicator system includes a heating mechanism to heat wax that is normally stored in a hardened state in an applicator in order to melt the wax for safe application by the applicator to the skin.

Epilation by application of a hot depilatory wax to the skin and removal of the wax from the skin after cooling is an accepted technique for effective, long-lasting hair removal. As the wax hardens a cloth is pressed thereagainst. When the wax is hard, the cloth is pulled back and pulls the wax and hair captured thereby from a human's pores.

The accepted commercial technique of removing hair by application of a hot wax depilatory usually includes heating a large quantity of depilatory wax to a molten state in a large open vat. The individual then tests the temperature of the wax by touching. Generally, a skilled individual will apply the melted wax by dipping a spoon or stick applicator into the vat and collecting a blob of molten wax on the applicator and coating the skin in the area where hair is to be removed. Wax is wasted due to the dripping and spilling as the applicator is removed from the vat. Moreover, when the wax is heated to a molten state for application to the skin, it retains a high viscosity similar to that of molasses or thick honey due to the properties thereof. Because of this high viscosity property, the depilatory wax tends to be applied to the skin in thick blobs.

It is noted, however, that depilatory wax is like candle wax and, thus, when molten, can cause severe pain and burning of the skin if applied in thick blobs. Moreover, the imprecise application of molten wax using a spoon or stick does not permit the thickness of the layer of wax applied to be controlled to any great degree and, the thicker the wax layer applied, the less hair is removed by peeling of the wax from the skin after hardening.

It is for these reasons that heretofore, efficient, safe and burn-free waxing has been largely limited to the skill of trained, experienced salon personnel and have not generally been available for home use due to the severe burning and pain which can occur if the wax is improperly applied. Accordingly, a hot wax hair remover apparatus which permits the depilatory wax to be melted and which includes an applicator for applying a sufficiently thin layer of the hot melted wax to the skin that avoids pain and burning and yet is safe and effective for home use, if desired.

According to the present invention a wax applicator for use with a depilatory wax for removal of hair from the skin comprises a reservoir for holding depilatory wax, the depilatory wax being normally in a substantially solid state when at room temperature and being flowable when heated to a predetermined temperature, dispenser means disposed in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing the wax when heated to a predetermined temperature in sufficiently thin layers to assure that final skin temperature immediately after application of the heated wax is below the threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain.The dispenser is adapted to apply the hot melted wax to the skin in a sufficiently thin layer, preferably between 0.1 to 0.3 mm in thickness, so that the final skin temperature immediately after the wax is applied is maintained below 111.20 F, the threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain, thereby preventing pain and burning of the skin.

In an exemplary embodiment the dispenser is a cylindrical roller having a smooth surface formed about the periphery thereof. The width of the roller is determined by the precise anatomy to be epillated.

In a preferred embodiment, a housing is provided that includes three differently sized openings for removably receiving three differently sized applicators. A large applicator is sized for application of melted depilatory wax to skin on the legs. An intermediate sized applicator is sized for application of melted depilatory wax to skin on the body. A smaller applicator device is sized for easy application of melted depilatory wax to skin on the face. The applicators as described above, apply a thin, uniform layer of the melted depilatory wax to the skin. The thin layer of wax causes adhesion and shearing of the hair to be concentrated at the skin-wax interface rather than interstitially in the thicker wax layer applied under known techniques.

The invention also includes a method of applying a hot depilatory wax to the skin comprising the steps of heating wax to a predetermined temperature above 111 .20F to render the wax flowable and directly flowing the hot melted wax to a skin surface in a sufficiently uniformly thin layer so that the final skin temperature after application of the wax is less than the threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is perspective view of a hot wax hair remover apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is an elevational view of the heating mechanism utilised in the hot wax apparatus depicted in Figures 1 to 4, shown removed and spread flat; Figure 6 is a graph illustrating final skin temperature versus thickness of wax applied for describing the characteristics of the hot wax hair remover apparatus of the present invention;; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 3; and Figure 9 is a partial elevational view of a dispensing head having a smooth roller surface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention.

Reference is first made to Figures 1 to 4 wherein a hot wax hair remover system, generally indicated as 10 includes a housing 12 having a unitary bottom and side wall 1 6 defining an inner chamber generally indicated as 1 8 and a top wall 20 secured to the bottom and side wall 1 6. Different sized openings 22, 24 and 26 are provided in top wall 20. Applicator devices 30-1, 30-2 and 30-3 are formed in three different sizes for reasons discussed below and are removably positioned within the chamber 1 8 and respectively extend through openings 22, 24 and 26. It is noted that the present invention is not limited to requiring three applicator devices and is illustrated with three applicators by way of example only.

Each of the three applicators 30-1,30-2 and 30-3 are similarly constructed and include a reservoir 40 which is adapted to hold a supply of depilatory wax 39 therein and a dispensing head 44.

As particularly shown in Figures 4 and 8, reservoir 40 includes a neck finish 37 having an opening 42 at the top 43 thereof through which the depilatory wax can flow when melted in the manner described below.

Dispenser head 44 is hollow and includes an interior cross-strut 45 that defines an opening 45a which is snap fit in an annular recess 37a found in neck finish 37 to thereby removably secure the hollow interior of the dispenser head in fluid communication through opening 42 to the reservoir 40.

Dispensing head 44 is defined by a rounded upright opposed shoulder 47a and a flat wiper wall 47b which define an opening 41 for receiving a grooved roller 46 therein. As depicted in Figure 3, roller 46 includes projections 49 on the ends 46a which are captured in blind holes 51 formed on opposed inner surfaces of shoulders 47a. Roller 46 is cylindrical and includes a plurality of axially oriented grooves 48 peripherally disposed around the surface thereof. The flat wiper walls 47b are spaced from the outer radial dimensions of grooves 48 a predetermined distance to define a clearance of between 0.010 and 0.020 inches to act as a wiper to limit the thickness of the wax flowing onto the roller.

In an exemplary embodiment the reservoir 40 is constructed from a semi-transparent PVC material which allows viewing into reservoir to determine the amount of depilatory wax therein.

Generally, in the art, two types of wax for depiiatory purposes are used for hair removal, a hot wax or a cold wax. Cold wax is gummy at room temperature, whereas hot wax is hard to medium hard at room temperature. The depilatory wax of the present invention is a medium hard hot wax made from hydrogenated rosinates and besswax having a density of the order of 1.080 kg/L. This wax is essentially solid and non-flowable at room temperature. In an exemplary embodiment, a wax having 47% triethylene glycol hydrogenated rosinate, 46% glyceryl hydrogenated rosinate and 7% beeswax will provide a wax having the characteristics described herein although these values are by way of example only. When heated to a sufficient temperature of about 1 500F this wax becomes free flowing and yet, remains hard at room temperature.

Heating sleeves 50, 52 and 54 are constructed of a heat transmissive metal and are provided in housing 12 in alignment with openings 22, 24 and 26 in top wall 20. Heating sleeves 50, 52 and 54 are coupled together by coupling plates 55 to define a unitary structure and are sized to snugly receive applicators 30-1, 30-2 and 30-3 therein. Legs 56 and 58 extend from the ends of the unitary structure defined by coupled sleeves 50, 52 and 54 and are received in slots 60 and 62, defined by the side wall 1 6. The slots 60 and 62 to properly orient the heating sleeves in alignment with the respective openings in top wall 20.

A heating assembly 70 is depicted in Figure 5, and is wrapped around heating sleeves 50, 52 and 54. Heating blanket 70 includes a rope heater 71 sandwiched between thin pressure sensitive aluminium sheets 74. Rope heater 71 is spread between aluminium sheets 74 so as to provide at least one portion thereof along opposite sides of heating sleeves 50, 52 and 54. The rope heater 71 is disposed on both sides of the heating sleeves.

A first terminal wire 66 includes a first end 66a coupled to a first end 71 a of rope heater 71 through a thermostat 78. A second terminal wire 73 includes a first end 73a coupled to the second end 71 b of rope heater 71 through a fuse 72. The second ends 66b and 70b of terminal wires 66 and 70 are coupled to a socket 75. One end 76a of a ground wire 76 is also coupled to socket 75. The second end 76b of ground wire 76 is coupled to leg 56 for grounding. Socket 74 is adapted to be coupled to a suitable power source such as to receive an AC line cord which applies a voltage across ends 71 a and 71 b of rope heater 71 for heating rope heater 71. The heat created by rope heater 71 is passed through aluminium sheets 74 to heat sleeves 50, 52 and 54.

In operation applicators 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 are placed into heating sleeves 50, 52 and 54 through the respective openings in the top wall 20. The rope heater 71 is activated to surround the heating sleeves 50, 52 and 54 with heat. Thermostat 68 controls the heating and limits the temperature to 1 500F. The heat from heating sleeves 50, 52 and 54 will, in turn, be transferred to each of the reservoirs 40 and, thus, to the depilatory wax 39 stored within each reservoir. By heating the wax to a suitable temperature the wax becomes flowable. In the present invention, the depilatory wax is heated to a preferred temperature of 1 500F which assumes that the depilatory wax is melted to a sufficient degree for application by applicator device 30 in the manner described below.Thus, the instant invention is characterised by the heating of the depilatory wax above an individual's threshold temperature of thermally evoked pain.

Each applicator is variously sized for application of the hot melted depilatory wax various to various surfaces of the human body. For example, applicator 30-1 is for application of wax to a person's legs for hair removal. Applicator 30-2 is for proper application of the hot depilatory wax to skin at an underarm area. Applicator device 30-3 is for proper application of the hot depilatory wax 39 to the eyebrow area of the face for hair removal therefrom.

Referring to the graph depicted in Figure 6, the various parameters under which the melted wax is applied to the skin by applicator device 30, in accordance with the present invention, is described. An individual's threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain caused by application of heat to the skin is 111.20 F. Nevertheless, in that instant invention, the depilatory wax in reservoir 40 is heated to about 1 500 F. Application of wax heated to 1 500 by means of a stick or spoon would normally cause pain and if applied in a thick enough layer to raise the final skin temperature above 1 1 1.20F can burn the individual's skin. The critical value is the final skin temperature TSF immediately after the hot wax is applied.

The final skin temperature TSF can be represented by the following equation:

where: Pw = wax density = 1.080 kg/L = = wax volume = volume/cm2 Cw = specific heat of wax = 0.434 (1500 F) Tw = wax temperature = 1 500F = (343.20K) = = skin density = 1.071 kg/L V5 = skin volume = 1.0 x 10-7 m3 Cs = specific heat of skin = 1.000 T51 = initial skin temperature = 940F = (307.70 K) Thus, as aforenoted, the applicator of the present invention is constructed to apply a sufficiently thin layer of hot melted wax to the skin such that the threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain is never reached on the skin surface.Referring to Figure 6, when the thickness of wax applied is below 0.8 mm and the wax is heated to a temperature of about 1500 F, the temperature threshold for thermally evoked pain, namely, 1 1 1.20F will not be reached on the skin's surface. Accordingly, the clearance between the roller and the wiper wall 47b is specifically selected so as to apply a layer of hot wax to the skin having a thickness no greater than 0.8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the layer of wax applied is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.In this range, the final skin temperature will be between 970F and 1 020F, which is well below an individual's threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain although the wax has been heated to a temperature of about 1 500F to permit the wax to become flowable and dispensed by the dispenser.

When an applicator is turned so that roller 46 is directed downwardiy, gravity will cause the hot melted wax to flow through opening 42 in the reservoir to surround roller 46 on the inside of the cap.

Roller 46 is then pressed against the skin and rolled thereagainst. The hot melted wax supplied to roller 46 is then dispensed through the clearance between wiper wall 47b and roller 46 and is applied by roller 46 as a thin layer of wax. As best depicted in Figure 7, the clearance 41 in the dispenser or head is preferably between .01 and .02 inches, so as to'provide the reduced layer thickness.

Roller 46 applies a thin layer of wax to the skin as it is rolled thereon. As aforenoted, the thickness of the wax layer applied is no greater than 0.8 mm and preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

Although the wax is heated to temperatures as high as 1 500 F, the final skin temperature immediately after the hot wax is applied is maintained below 111.20 F, the temperature threshold for thermally evoked pain. Immediately after the wax is applied to the skin, a fabric, such as polyester cloth, is pressed thereagainst. After the wax cools and hardens to the cloth the wax is peeled off of the skin thereby removing the hair. Due to the thinness of the wax layer, the wax is sheared at the wax-skin interface thereby leaving the skin smooth and stubble free.

Reference is next made to Figure 9, wherein roller 46 is provided with a continuously smooth surface 48'. Initially it was believed that a roller 46 having grooves 48 therein was necessary to provide sufficient friction to the roller to overcome the viscosity of the melted wax so that the roller could be rolled against the skin to apply a thin layer of wax. Although the grooves 48 in roller 46 are believed to have provided such a benefit, this benefit was also accompanied by a disadvantage. Specifically, over zealous users of the applicator would press the grooves 48 of the roller 46 against the skin with a sufficient force to emboss the skin with an impression of the grooves.A further problem was created by users that would squeeze the reservoir 40 in such a manner that an excess amount of wax could flow out of the clearance in the application defined by the roller 46 and wiper wall 47b. This excess can result from the differential clearances caused by the grooves in the roller.

It has therefore been discovered that the roller 46 should have a continuously smooth surface 48' of the type depicted in Figure 9, line reference numerals being used to denote like elements. A continuously smooth surface will cause a thinner film of wax than was heretofore attainable with a grooved roller to be applied to the skin. Using a continuously smooth surface 48', with the same diameter as the outer diameter of the previously discussed grooved roller 48 will cause a layer of wax that is on the order to one-third to one-half the thickness of the wax layer provided by the grooved roller to be applied to the skin. Moreover, the layer of wax applied is of a more uniform thickness and eliminates the skin from being embossed to thereby optimise the hair removal operation that follows.

The hot wax hair remover apparatus of the present invention provides a hot wax depilatory system which can be safely used in the home without the need for professional assistance. The construction of the applicator device is such that a sufficiently thin layer of hot wax is applied to the skin which leaves the final skin temperature below the threshold for thermally evoked pain although the wax is heated to a temperature of about 1 500 F. Moreover, the instant invention improves the efficiency and completeness of hair removal when compared to known techniques because a thin film at a high temperature will wet the hairs more completely and thereby provide increased adhesion of the hair to the wax. The heating mechanism automatically heats the wax in the reservoir which forms a part of the applicator. Thus, the spilling of wax is prevented as in the old vat techniques and the enclosed reservoir acts as the hand grip for the applicator.

Claims (23)

1. A wax applicator for use with a depilatory wax for removal of hair from the skin comprising a reservoir for holding depilatory wax, the depilatory wax being normally in a substantially solid state when at room temperature and being flowable when heated to a predetermined temperature, dispenser means disposed in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing the wax when heated to a predetermined temperature in sufficiently thin layers to assure that final skin temperature immediately after application of the heated wax is below the threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain.

2. A wax applicator according to claim 1 wherein the wax, when heated to said predetermined temperature, becomes flowable, said predetermined temperature being above a human's threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain.

3. A wax applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dispenser means includes a roller and surrounding wiper means, the roller being seated in the surrounding wiper means to define a clearance for limiting the hot melted wax flowing onto the roller.

4. A wax applicator according to claim 3 wherein the roller is a continuously smooth cylindrical surface.

5. A wax applicator according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said clearance between the wiper means and roller prevents the layer of hot melted wax applied to the skin from exceeding a thickness of 0.8 mm.

6. A wax applicator according to claim 5 wherein the dispenser means applies hot melted wax to the skin at a thickness between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

7. A wax applicator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wax is adapted to become flowable at predetermined temperatures in excess of 1 1 1.20F.

8. A wax applicator according to claim 7 wherein the wax becomes optimally flowable at temperature at or about 1 500 F.

9. A wax applicator assembly comprising in combination a housing having at least one sleeve, heating means supported in the housing about the sleeve, applicator means including a reservoir for storing depilatory wax and a dispensing means supported on the reservoir for dispensing the depilatory wax when melted, the reservoir being in fluid communication with the dispensing means, the applicator means being positionable in the sleeve, the heating means being adapted to heat the wax in the reservoir to a predetermined temperature when the applicator means is positioned in the housing sleeve to thereby melt the wax so that the dispensing means can apply hot melted wax to the skin in a sufficiently thin layer so that the final skin temperature after application of the wax is less than the threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain.

10. A wax applicator assembly according to claim 9 wherein the applicator means is selectively insertable into the heating sleeve.

11. A wax applicator assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the heating means is a rope heater adjacent the sleeve for heating the sleeve to a predetermined temperature.

1 2. A wax applicator assembly according to claim 11 wherein the heating means further includes a thermostat for regulating the heat produced thereby.

1 3. A wax applicator assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the dispensing means is adapted to be releasably coupled to the reservoir and including a rotatably supported roller means.

14. A wax applicator assembly according to claim 1 3 wherein the roller means is cylindrical and has a smooth surface.

1 5. A wax applicator assembly according to claim 1 3 or claim 14 wherein the dispensing means includes a wiper wall means surrounding the roller means for creating clearance to limit the thickness of the layer of wax applied by the roller means.

1 6. A wax applicator assembly according to claim 1 5 wherein said roller means applies a layer of hot melted wax to skin at a thickness no greater than 0.8 mm.

1 7. A wax applicator assembly according to claim 1 6 wherein the roller means applies the layer of hot melted wax to the skin at a thickness between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

1 8. A method of applying a hot depilatory wax to the skin comprising the steps of heating wax to a predetermined temperature about 1 1 1.20F to render the wax flowable and directly flowing the hot melted wax to a skin surface in a sufficiently uniformly thin layer so that the final skin temperature after application of the wax is less than the threshold temperature for thermally evoked pain.

1 9. A method according to claim 1 8 wherein the uniformly thin layer is less than 0.8 mm.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the uniformly thin layer is between 0.2 and 0.3 mm.

21. A method according to claim 1 8 wherein the reservoir of wax is heated to temperatures up to about 1 500 F.

22. A method according to claim 1 8 and including the step of applying a cloth the uniformly thin layer of wax before the heated wax cools down.

23. A wax applicator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.