US20130103053A1

US20130103053A1 - Disposable Hair Removal Apparatus for Nose, Ears, and Small Orifices

Info

Publication number: US20130103053A1
Application number: US13/660,813
Authority: US
Inventors: Timothy T. Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-25
Filing date: 2012-10-25
Publication date: 2013-04-25

Abstract

A disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and other small orifices provides a user with the ability to utilizes the depilation method of waxing in the nose, ears, and/or other small orifices currently unsuitable for waxing. The present invention accomplishes this by providing an application method which can contour to the particular shape of a user's body but additionally contains specific curvatures which are able to maximize the contacting surface of the device with the user's unwanted hair follicles. The present invention comprises an ergonomic handle and at least one applicator tip. The applicator tip comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the second section serves as a flexible hinge and or a widened guard. The first section contains the shaped applicator where the wax element is affixed to. After a user removes unwanted hairs from their body the device can be disposed of.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/551,204 filed on Oct. 25, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hair removal device, more specifically to a disposable apparatus intended for removing hair from a user's nose, ears, and other small orifices utilizing a specialized wax covered tip attached to the distal end of an ergonomic handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The removal of unwanted body hair is an important aspect of an individual's personal grooming regiment. Depilation, as the process is generally referred to, allows an individual to improve their aesthetic and cosmetic appearance to others within their society. Currently, depilation is accomplished through a plurality of methods which include but are not limited to shaving, tweezing, depilatories, and waxing. While the current methods available are able to remove hair from a plurality of locations, some methods are better suited for certain hair types or locations on an individual's body.
Shaving/trimming of unwanted body hair can be accomplished through the use of a straight blade or through the use of a mechanical shaving device. The process of shaving is best suited for fast growing thick hair follicles found on a plurality of surface types. While this method is able to work for almost any hair type, it typically requires more frequent application intervals.
Depilatories are a hair removal method that relies on a chemical compound that breaks down the molecular bonds that give the hair follicles their strength. Unlike the other hair removal methods, depilatories can irritate an individual's skin and are not recommended for uses near sensitive areas of an individual's body.
Tweezing of unwanted body hair is accomplished through the use of tweezers or an individual's fingers. Unlike shaving tweezing functions primarily as a means to remove individual hairs or touch up areas that have been missed by trimming or shaving. The process of tweezing functions well at removing particular hairs from small crevices and unlike trimming and shaving, tweezing require less frequent application by removing the entire hair follicle.
Waxing of unwanted body hair is accomplished by spreading a hair removal wax element over an individual's skin. The individual then applies a thin layer or paper or fabric to the wax element. The individual then removes the thin layer of paper of fabric removing the wax and any hair follicles that were adhered to the wax. Similar to tweezing, waxing removes the entire hair follicle, but unlike tweezing waxing is generally provided for large surfaces areas with few contours. Additionally waxing is a preferred method of hair removal for individuals with sensitive skin.
Compared to the other processes, waxing has several convenient advantages. One of the advantages is the frequency of use. In most cases new hair does not grow back into a previously waxed area for two to eight weeks. Another advantage is unlike waxing and manual or mechanical shaving methods, waxing reduces irritation to the skin. This advantage is especially beneficial for individuals with sensitive skin. While wax carries several advantages the above mentioned hair removal methods, it carries a few disadvantages that are not currently addressed.
One of the disadvantages faced by waxing is its inability to remove hairs in small orifices and small contoured areas of an individual's body. Areas such as an individual's nose or ears are difficult to apply and remove a waxing element. Another disadvantage currently experience by waxing is its inability to be applied to difficult to reach areas of a user's body. These areas include an individual's shoulder blades or other difficult to reach crevices.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is capable applying wax to the small orifices of an individual's body for the purposes of removing the unwanted body hair. The present invention accomplishes this through a wax application device that is shaped to optimize the contacting surface area of particular locations of a user's body. Furthermore, the present invention provides the user with the ability to bend and angle the applicator tip to become in contact with difficult to reach areas of their body. Through the use and combination of these components, the present invention is able to provide several improvements over current waxing techniques and devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the current embodiment of the present invention with a flexible hinge and an angled formed detail tip.

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the current embodiment of the present invention configured with a flexible hinge and an angled formed detail tip.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the current embodiment of the present invention configured with a flexible hinge and an area spatula tip.

FIG. 4 is an expanded view of the current embodiment of the present invention configured with a flexible hinge and an area spatula tip.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the current embodiment of the present invention configured with a widened guard and a transparent protective cover.

FIG. 6 is an expanded view of the current embodiment of the present invention configured with a widened guard and a transparent protective cover.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Referencing FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6, the present invention is a disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices which provides a user with a handheld waxing device that facilitates the application and stripping of unwanted hair follicles from a user's body. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ear, and small orifices comprises an ergonomic handle 1 and at least one applicator assembly 2. The ergonomic handle 1 is the gripping surface that allows a user to manipulate the device. At least one applicator assembly 2 is found being engaged adjacent to the ergonomic handle 1, wherein an applicator assembly 2 could be positioned either a single end or both ends of the ergonomic handle 1. The applicator assembly 2 functions as the contact point between the device and the hair follicles found in a user's nose, ears, and/or other small orifice. Each applicator assembly 2 comprises a first section 3 and a second section 10. The first section 3 and second section 10 are aligned in series to the ergonomic handle 1. The first section 3 is coupled to the second section 10. The alignment of the first section 3 and the second section 10 orients the first section 3 to be distal to the ergonomic handle 1, while providing a proximal positioning to the second section 10 relative to the ergonomic handle 1. The second section 10 serves as the connection between the first section 3 and the ergonomic handle 1. The first section 3 comprises a furrowed surface 4, a hair removal wax element 8, and a wax retention surface 7. The furrowed surface 4 is a shaped integrated component that provides an attachment point for the wax retention surface 7. The furrowed surface 4 utilizes adhesives or mechanical fastening methods to securely affix the wax retention surface 7 to it. The wax retention surface 7 provides a particular surface that is optimally suited for providing gripping the hair removal wax element 8. In the present invention the hair removal wax is an adhesive wax substance that is specially suited for use as a hair removal wax.
The second section 10 of the disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices contains configurations that further define the connection between the applicator assembly 2 and the ergonomic handle 1. The configurations are differentiated by the variation to the second section 10 and its components. The configurations mentioned by the present invention comprise the second section 10 containing a flexible hinge 11 and/or a widened guard 12.
Referencing FIG. 1-4, the configuration of the present invention wherein the second section 10 comprises a flexible hinge 11 provides the disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices, with the ability to bend and conform in order to facilitate or to make accessible harder to reach locations on a user's body. the flexible hinge 11, being positioned between the first section 3 and the ergonomic handle 1, provides the first section 3 the ability to align and orient itself with a surface, crevice, or hard to reach area, in order to provide optimal adhesion of the hair removal wax element 8 with the follicles present. In addition to the flexible hinge 11 the current embodiment of the present invention additionally comprises the furrowed surface 4 being shaped in different configurations. The shaped configurations of the furrowed surface 4 provide the present invention with specialized surfaces that are optimally suited for particular contour and/or orifices of a user's body. The different configurations for the furrowed surface 4 comprise the furrowed surface 4 being shaped as an angled formed detail tip 5 and as an area spatula tip 6.
Referencing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the angled formed detail tip 5 configuration provides the furrowed surface 4 with an angled protrusion with rounded edges. The angle formed detail tip 5 provides the present invention with a shaped surface particularly designed to fit the contours of a users ears, nose, and/or other small orifice. The angled formed tip provides the present invention with compatible contours that allow for greater surface area contact between the hair removal wax element 8 on the wax retention surface 7 and the hair follicles of the user's ears, nose, and/or other small orifice area. The angled formed tip is well suited for removing hair from the openings of a user's nasal passage and ear canal, but additionally allows the present invention to fit well into a plurality of small orifice or crevice where a user would wish to remove hair.
Referencing FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the area spatula configuration provides the furrowed surface 4 with a flat surface with geometric contours. The area spatula tip 6 provides the present invention with a shaped surface particularly designed for fitting the less contoured areas of a user's body. The area spatula tip 6 provides the present invention with a flat surface that is well suited for areas of a user's body that are flatter and more open, allowing this configuration to be optimally suited for touching up difficult to reach surfaces such as a user's neck, back, or other difficult to reach areas. Furthermore, current embodiment of the present invention allows the users to use the area spatula tip 6 for cleaning up surfaces around the eyebrow or bikini area.
Referencing FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the configuration of the present invention wherein the second section 10 comprises a widened guard 12 provides the disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices, with a protective barrier that prevents accidental injuries. The widened guard 12 functions as a large obstruction that prevents the user from accidentally harming themselves by inserting the first section 3 too deeply into an orifice. The widened guard 12 configuration further comprises the first section 3 containing a transparent protective cover 9. The transparent protective cover 9 is removably engaged to the widened guard 12 by way of a friction snap fit contour located on the widened guard 12. The transparent protective cover 9 envelopes the furrowed surface 4, the wax retention surface 7 and the hair removal wax element 8.
The configurations described provide the present invention with slight variations as to the implementation of its preferred embodiment. It should be noted that the configurations described above could combine or included elements of other configurations and still be interpreted as the same invention in the preferred embodiment. More specifically, the present invention can combine the flexible hinge 11 configuration with the inclusion of a widened guard 12 while permitting the attachment the angled formed detail tip 5 or the area spatula tip 6.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ergonomic handle 1 is a disposable component that is constructed of a bio-plastic material that reduces the environmental impact of the present invention. While the present invention is constructed of a bio-plastic material, it should be noted that the present invention can be constructed of a plurality of material. the material that the ergonomic handle 1 may be constructed of include but are not limited to bio-plastics such as cellulose-based plastic and bio-derived polyethylene, milled wood, as well as inexpensive materials such as High density polyethylene (HDPE).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the wax retention surface 7 is constructed of a muslin fabric. The muslin fabric provides a porous surface that provides greater adhesion to the hair removal wax element 8 than relative to the surface of a user's skin. While the present invention utilizes a muslin fabric as the wax retention surface 7 other materials can potentially be used to achieve the same results. The materials that can potentially be used with the present invention include but are not limited to strong porous paper products, a plurality of fabric types, and flexible plastics with a higher friction coefficient relative to a person's skin as well as any combination thereof.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the coupling method found between the first section 3 and the second section 10 is not fully described to not unnecessarily detract focus from the current embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can potentially utilizes a plurality of attachment methods currently available between two plastic parts which can include temporary coupling methods to permanent coupling methods. These coupling methods can include but are not limited to screw-in system, snapping lock system, adhesives, and friction fit methods, as well as any combination thereof. Furthermore, it should be noted that due to the presence of a connection method between the first section 3 and the second section 10, that the present invention can allow for interchangeability of the configurations of the first section 3. It should be noted that differentiating between connection methods that provide no additional functionality to the apparatus would be considered an obvious difference.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the transparent protective cover 9 is constructed from a clear bio-plastic. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a clear bio plastic it should be noted that additional materials could potentially be utilizes to provide the transparent protective cover 9 with the same functionality that is currently allowed in its present configuration.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hair removal wax element 8 comprises a sugaring wax that does not require heating prior to application. While the present invention utilizes sugaring wax, it should be noted that non-sugar waxing can additionally be utilized. Furthermore, it should be noted that the hair removal wax element 8 as described in the preferred embodiment could be included as a packaged component or provided separately by an end user.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hair removal wax element 8 comprises an antiseptic agent that reduces the risk of harmful epidermal and sub dermal infections. The antiseptic agent that the hair removal wax element 8 may comprise include but are not limited to pharmaceutical antibiotic compounds and naturally derived antimicrobial extracts included in the hair removal wax element 8.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hair removal wax element 8 is applied to the wax retention surface 7 prior to use. While this is the current hair removal wax application method it should be noted that an additional embodiment can potentially incorporate a prepackaged component comprising the wax retention surface 7 and the hair removal wax element 8 assembled as a singular component. Furthermore, it should be noted that additional embodiment could potentially be integrated into the furrowed surface 4 or function as a separate component which could potentially be incorporated with the ergonomic handle 1.
In an additional embodiment of the present invention the ergonomic handle 1 could comprises a wax dispensing container in fluid communication with a wax delivery channel located in the second section 10. Furthermore, the furrowed surface 4 and the wax retention surface 7 would comprise wax extrusion pores which when aligned would allow the delivery of the hair removal wax element 8 from the wax dispensing container on to the wax retention surface 7.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices comprises,

An ergonomic handle;

at least one applicator assembly;

the at least one applicator assembly comprises a first section and a second section; and

the first section comprises a furrowed surface, a hair removal wax element, and a wax retention surface.

2. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the at least one applicator assembly being engaged adjacently to the ergonomic handle;

the first section being coupled adjacent to the second section;

the first section being positioned distal from the ergonomic handle;

the second section being positioned proximal to the ergonomic handle;

the wax retention surface being affixed to the furrowed surface; and

the hair removal wax element being adhered to the wax retention surface.

3. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices of claim 1 wherein the second section comprises a flexible hinge.

4. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 3 comprises:

the furrowed surface comprises an angled formed detail tip; and

the angled formed detail tip being surrounded by the wax retention surface.

5. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 3 comprises:

the furrowed surface comprises an area spatula tip; and

the area spatula tip being surrounded by the wax retention surface.

6. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as of claim 1, wherein the second section comprises a widened guard.

7. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

the first section comprises a transparent protective cover;

the protective cover being removably engaged with the widened guard; and

both the wax retention surface and the hair removal wax element being enclosed by the transparent protective cover.

8. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the ergonomic handle and the applicator assembly being constructed of a bio-plastic material, wherein the bio-plastic material is a plastic derived from renewable biomass sources designed to degrade in an aerobic or anaerobic environment.

9. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

The hair removal wax element comprises an antiseptic agent, wherein the antiseptic agent is a pharmaceutical antibiotic compound and/or a naturally derived antimicrobial extract that reduces risk of harmful epidermal and sub dermal infections.

10. A disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices comprises,

an ergonomic handle;

at least one applicator assembly;

the at least one applicator assembly comprises a first section and a second section;

the first section comprises a furrowed surface, a hair removal wax element, and a wax retention surface;

the at least one applicator tip being engaged adjacently to the ergonomic handle;

the first section being coupled adjacent to the second section;

the first section being positioned distal from the ergonomic handle;

the second section being positioned proximal to the ergonomic handle;

the wax retention surface being affixed to the furrowed surface;

the hair removal wax element being adhered to the wax retention surface;

the ergonomic handle and the applicator assembly being constructed of a bio-plastic material, wherein the bio-plastic material is a plastic derived from renewable biomass sources designed to degrade in an aerobic or anaerobic environment; and

11. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices of claim 10 wherein the second section comprises a flexible hinge.

12. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the furrowed surface comprises an angled formed detail tip; and

the angled formed detail tip being surrounded by the wax retention surface.

13. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the furrow surface comprises an area spatula tip; and

the area spatula tip being surrounded by the wax retention surface.

14. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices of claim 10, wherein the second section comprises a widened guard.

15. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 14 comprises:

the first section comprises a transparent protective cover;

the protective cover being removably engaged with the widened guard; and

16. A disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices comprises,

an ergonomic handle;

at least one applicator assembly;

the first section being coupled adjacent to the second section;

the first section being positioned distal from the ergonomic handle;

the second section being positioned proximal to the ergonomic handle;

the wax retention surface being affixed to the furrowed surface;

the hair removal wax element being adhered to the wax retention surface;

17. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices of claim 16 wherein the second section comprises a flexible hinge.

18. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices claimed in claim 17 comprises:

the furrowed surface comprises an angled formed detail tip; and

the angled formed detail tip being surrounded by the wax retention surface.

19. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 17 comprises:

the furrow surface comprises an area spatula tip; and

the area spatula tip being surrounded by the wax retention surface.

20. The disposable hair removal apparatus for nose, ears, and small orifices as claimed in claim 16 comprises:

the second section comprises a widened guard;

the first section comprises a transparent protective cover;

the protective cover being removably engaged with the widened guard; and