GB2237990A - Depilatory device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrically powered depilatory device comprises hair lifting means 10 disposed adjacent to the depilatory element 5, the hair lifting means having its free edge disposed in front of the depilatory element and projecting tangentially with respect to the operative zone of the depilatory element, the hair lifting means being adapted to slide over the skin from which the hairs are to be removed to raise the hairs. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: DEPILATORY DEVICE DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a depilatory device.

It is known to provide an electrically powered depilatory device comprising a hand held portable housing, an electric motor means disposed in the housing and a cylindrical depilatory element formed with a plurality of circumferential gaps in its outer surface the depilatory element being driven by the motor in rotational sliding motion relative to skin bearing hair to be removed, and having an arcuate hair engaging portion defining a convex side whereat the gaps are open and a concave side whereat the gaps are closed, the rotational motion of the element producing continuous motion of the gaps from open at the convex side to closed on the concave side and for the engagement and plucking of hair from the skin. Hereinafter, such a depilatory device will be referred to as a depilatory device of the kind described.It is also known to provide a depilatory element in the form of a helical spring and also in the form of a flexible plastics rod the surface of which is formed with a plurality of circumferential slits.

One of the principal problems of a depilatory device of the kind described is that the pressure of the depilatory element against the skin from which hairs are to be removed tends to flatten the hairs so as to render appreciably more difficult their entrapment between the coils or in the slits of the depilatory element, thus reducing the effectiveness of the device.

Accordingly to the invention, a depilatory device of the kind described, comprises hair lifting means disposed adjacent to the depilatory element, the hair lifting means having a free edge disposed in front of the depilatory element and projecting tangentially with respect to the operative zone of the depilatory element, the hair lifting means being adapted to slide over the skin from which the hairs are to be removed to raise the hairs. The hair lifting means may be arranged to extend only over the arcuate hair engaging portion of the depilatory element. If desired the hair lifting means may be detachable from the housing.

Advantageously the hair lifting means has at its free edge a comb-like conformation. The free edge may be arcuate.

The housing may be provided with a removable cover for the depilatory element, which cover has compartments for receiving complementary utensils, the compartments being closed by a lid.

Preferably the housing carried a push button switch disposed for operation by the index finger of the hand of the user, and whereby the depilatory element is activated. The push button switch may be disposed in the region of the depilatory element.

The housing can be adapted to receive one or more electric batteries for powering the motor, and the electric motor is preferably directly coupled to a bevel gear which, at an angle greater than ninety degrees, meshes with a second bevel gear connected to the depilatory element. In this way, the power transmission occupies the minimum space, which favours the reduction of the dimensions of the depilatory device.

If desired the depilatory element may be a tubular body of synthetic plastics material provided with a continuous helicoidal slit. The slit may extend along the entire length of the body.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the depilatory device complete with a removable cover; Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 but in this case showing the device with the cover removed; Figure 3 is a general perspective view of the depilatory device of Figures 1 and 2 and showing the lid of the cover removed; Figure 4 is a cross sectional front view of the device; Figure 5 is a side view of the device; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the depilatory device, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the device similar to that of Figure 2, but with the depilatory element and the hair lifting comb shown exploded Reference Numerals 1. Hand held portable housing 2. Electric motor 3. Electrical socket for external power supply 4.Electrical batteries 5. Depilatory element 6. Bevel gears 7. Push button switch 8. Switch 9. Protective backing for depilatory element 10. Hair lifting comb 11. Cover 12. Cover compartments 13. Compartments lid 14. Brush 15. Anchorage clips In the drawings there is shown a depilatory device of the kind described and which consists of a hand held portable housing (1), in the form of a casing, inside which is installed an electric motor (2) with the appropriate connections and elements necessary to supply it with electrical power either from a socket (3) which may be connected to the mains electricity supply, or from a set of independent batteries (4), which can be supplied with a recharging arrangement, incorporated in the depilatory device or provided externally.

In this way, the depilatory device may work connected directly to the mains electricity supply, or independently with batteries (4), which gives the depilatory device the capability for cordless operation.

In the upper part of the housing (1) is incorporated in an arcuate arrangement a depilatory element (5) which may comprise either a helicoidal spring or a cylindrical element of synthetic plastics material provided with circumferential slits for gripping and removing hair from the skin. If desired the element (5) may comprise a tubular body of synthetic plastics material, formed with a continuous helicoidal cut. If desired a depilatory element may comprise a helicoidal spring and a cylindrical synthetic plastics body, arranged for example with the former inside the latter; equally the depilatory element (5) may comprise a helicoidal spring, but with a coating of a synthetic or flexible material, in such a way that the trapping of the hairs between the spirals may be achieved, but at the same time obtaining a contributory action from the covering or coating.

The preferred solution is that of a synthetic plastics tubular body with a continuous helicoidal cut, since such a depilatory element (5) can be manufactured simply, continuously, quickly and with precision, by rotating the depilatory element (5) while simultaneously moving it longitudinally with respect to a cutting tool.

The depth of the cut may be regulated with precision so as either to reach or not to reach the whole thickness of the tubular element. It is also possible to vary the separation between the spirals of the cut, so that the depilatory element (5) has areas of greater or lesser depilatory action, and also to provide such a spiral cut in the working area of the depilatory element (5) while leaving the rest without any cut, so as to give it added strength.

The depilatory element (5) includes at one end a shaft which is located in a corresponding socket in the housing on one side of the depilatory device; while the other end of the element is coupled to a bevel gear (6) engaged with another bevel gear (6). The axis of the bevel gears are such that they define an angle greater than 90 degrees, as can be seen in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The second bevel gear (6) is mounted on the power output shaft of the electric motor (2), so that it drives the depilatory element (5) in rotation.

The electric motor (2) is connected so that its starting is effected by means of a push button switch (7), which is situated on the housing in a suitable position in order to be able to keep it depressed with the finger of the hand with which the device is held.

Preferably the switch (7) is sited near the head of the depilator, so that for a right handed person, on picking up the device with the right hand, at the place on which the index finger must be placed in order to exert the necessary pressure with the depilatory element (5) to the area of skin from which the hair is to be removed it is in this area of rest for the index finger that the switch (7) is situated.

On being pressed the switch (7) starts the device and is such that it stops immediately when pressure on the switch (7) ceases, which permits the convenient and immediate control of the working of the device, avoiding use when depilation is not actually taking place, which brings about an appreciable energy saving, this aspect being fundamental in the type of device now described, conceived to be used with batteries (4), whose consumption is limited and must be conserved.

The switch (7), would already be enough to bring about the general starting and stopping of the device.

Nevertheless a general switch (8) for starting and stopping the device is also provided to avoid unwanted starting of the device and, moreover, in order to be able to establish optionally a position of continuous working, in which the device may be used continuously without the need to actuate the push button switch (7), as for example, when the power supply is obtained directly from the mains. It is foreseen that this switch (8) may bring about different rotating speeds in the depilatory element (5).

In Figures 4 and 5 it can be seen that a rear cover or protective backing (9) is provided adjacent to the depilatory element (5) and which is intended to stop the element (5) suffering excessive distortion on being pressed against the skin from which the hairs are to be removed. The protective backing (9) carries hair lifting means in the form of a comb piece (10) which, as can be seen in Figure 5, has its free edge projecting tangentially with respect to the operative area of the depilatory element (5) and situated in front of the element in the working direction of the device.

Said free edge of the comb-piece (10), as can be seen in figure 2, is arcuate and has a toothed profile so that during the process of depilation, the comb-piece (10) works in front of the depilatory element (5) and lifts the hairs, in such a way as to notably improve the later catching of said hairs by the depilatory element (5). This eliminates or reduces omissions in depilation produced in hairs which remain flattened against the skin and also, it achieves a reduction in the time taken to complete the depilation process, and increases the effectiveness of the same and requires less strokes, which again results in less consumption of energy, which is fundamental in the device described herewith.

The comb-piece (10), which is preferably detachable, may be fixed with anchorage clips (15), as can be seen in Figure 7, so that its assembly and disassembly are very simple operations. If desired a small precise light source may be fitted in relation to said comb piece (10) which allows the illumination of the area from which the hairs are to be removed.

A general cover (11) is provided and which protects the depilatory element to avoid the deterioration of the element when the device is not being used or during transportation of the same, for example in a toilet bag with other items of personal hygiene; so that the device may be carried thus with security during journeys and trips as just another item which is carried for personal hygiene, the cover (11) avoiding the deterioration of the depilatory element (5), and also its clogging or soiling and said cover (11) also prevents unintended operation of the push button switch (7).

The cover (11) defines within itself, preferably in its upper half, compartments (12) which act as housings for retaining cleaning tools for the device for example a brush (14), as well as accessories for the device itself, which may be other depilatory elements (5), or even elements and things needed in the depilation process, such as liquids, creams, et cetera.

The compartments (12) are closed by a lid (13), which may be integral with the cover (11), and connected thereto by a hinged joint which allows its opening and formed with clips by which the lid is retained closed.

Alternatively the lid (13) may be made in a removable form with elastic clips to hold the lid closed. the lid may be of any other convenient form.

The invention thus provides a depilatory device of great versatility and performance in the process of depilation and which is capable of cordless operation.

Claims (10)

1. A depilatory device of the kind described, comprising hair lifting means disposed adjacent to the depilatory element, the hair lifting means having free edge disposed in front of the depilatory element and projecting tangentially with respect to the operative zone of the depilatory element, the hair lifting means being adapted to slide over the skin from which the hairs are to be removed to raise the hairs.

2. A depilatory device according to claim 1, where in the hair lifting means is detachable from the housing.

3. A depilatory device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hair lifting means has at its free edge a comb like conformation.

4. A depilatory device according to any preceding claim, wherein the free edge of the hair lifting means is arcuate.

5. A depilatory device according to any preceding claim, wherein the hair lifting means is disposed adjacent to the arcuate hair engaging portion of the depilatory element.

6. A depilatory device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is provided with a removable cover for the depilatory element, which cover has compartments for receiving complementary utensils, the compartments being closed by a lid.

7. A depilatory device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing carries a push-button switch disposed for operation by the index finger of the hand of the user, and whereby the depilatory element is activated.

8. A depilatory device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is adapted to receive one or more electric batteries, and wherein the electric motor is directly coupled to a bevel gear which, at an angle greater than ninety degrees, meshes with a second bevel gear connected to the depilatory element.

9. A depilatory device according to any preceding claim, wherein the depilatory element is a tubular body of synthetic plastics material provided with a continuous helicoidal slit.

10. A depilatory device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.