WO2011103607A1 - Hair removal apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Hair removal apparatus having a twisted region (V) of a stretched belt (1), wherein four belt sections (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) lead away from the twisted region (V) and at least two belt sections (1a, 1b) bear against bearing points (AP1, AP2) of a common operating element 2 which are spaced apart from one another, wherein the distance (A) between the bearing points (AP1, AP2) of the at least two belt sections (1a) changes by means of operation of the operating element (2) and, as a result, the twisted region (V) moves along the stretched belt (1), wherein the bearing points (AP1, AP2) of the belt (1) lie on an oval, preferably ellipsoidal, bearing region (OV) of the operating element (2) and the distance (A) between the bearing points (AP1, AP2) of the belt sections (1a, 1b) changes by means of rotation of the operating element (2).

Description

 Device for removing hair

The invention relates to a device for removing hair with a twisted region of a tensioned band, lead away from the twisted region four band sections and abut at least two band portions at spaced abutment points of a common actuating element, wherein by operating the actuating element, the distance of the abutment points of at least two Changes band sections and thereby the twisted area migrates along the tensioned band.

From the prior art, a variety of depilators (epilator) are known, their effectiveness and design are very different. Devices are known, for example, which tear hair out of the skin by moving twisted bands. When performing appropriate movements with the twisted area thereby reach the hair between the tight-fitting bands in Verdrillbereich and are trapped by the high friction between the tapes and torn with further movement of the skin. From the prior art (US Pat. No. 7,235,085 B1, FR 2,126,084, EP 0 360 253 and US Pat. No. 4,754,768), a very wide variety of types of such dilution-type filters are known.

A generic twist pileer is known from US 5,951,573. This epilator, designed in the manner of a pair of scissors, has a total of four points of engagement for two twisted bands, with the two bands forming a twisting area therebetween. By moving in each case two abutment points of the bands to each other or away from each other, the twisted area migrates along the tensioned band. A disadvantage of this design is, inter alia, the unwieldiness of this device. In addition, the movement of the bands must be as even as possible to ensure a comfortable pulling out of the hair. This is difficult to achieve in this device, as by the manual movement of the two parts to each other no precise control is possible. In addition, the individual abutment points must be relatively widely spread apart to allow the migration of the Verdrillbereiches, which can cause the user to very complicated movements. The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved over the prior art device for removing hair. In particular, a possible uniform migration of the Verdrillbereiches should be achieved, a handy operation of the device for removing hair be possible and the hair can be removed reliably.

This object is achieved for a device with the features of the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the abutment points of the tape lie on an oval abutment region of the actuating element and changes by turning the actuating element, the distance between the abutment points of the band sections. This can be done by a pure rotational movement, the migration of the twisted area, the oval abutment region guaranteed by the rotation of a uniform change in the distance of the abutment points of the band to each other. The more regular this contact area, the smoother the migration of the twisted area can be. Therefore, the ellipticity of the abutment region is particularly preferably provided. Nevertheless, it should not be ruled out that this oval abutment region is, for example, also cam-shaped. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, provision can be made for an actuating element to be arranged on both sides of the twisted region, wherein in each case two of the four band sections leading away from the twisted region lie against an oval or elliptical abutment region of the respective actuating element. Thus, all four band sections abut on a total of two actuators, whereby the migration of the Verdrillbereiches takes place from both sides.

To increase the handiness of the entire device, it can be provided that the device comprises a housing which has two opposite narrow sides, two opposite broad sides, a lower side and an upper side, wherein the actuating elements on the opposite narrow sides and the twisted region on the upper side of the housing are arranged.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuating elements are rotatably mounted on the housing. It may be particularly preferred that the actuating elements are rotatably connected to one another by a preferably rod-shaped connecting element, wherein this connecting element is rotatably mounted in the housing of the device. In order to achieve a uniform movement of the actuating elements, it can be particularly preferably provided that a preferably electromotively operated drive unit is arranged in the housing, which rotatably drives the actuating elements via the connecting element. For this purpose, for example, be provided on the housing an operable during Enthaarens actuator button through which the drive unit can be controlled.

In order to support the migration of the twisted area as well as possible, it can preferably be provided that the elliptical abutment region of both actuating elements is aligned substantially transversely to the axis of rotation of the connecting element, wherein the main apex of the one actuating element - seen in Rotationsachsrichtung of the connecting element - by about 90 ° offset from the main apexes of the other actuating element and are arranged rotated at opposite ends of the connecting element. By this embodiment, the abutment points in an actuating element are very close to each other in the extreme positions, while these points are at the other actuator in mutually most remote position. By turning the connecting element, the distances approach each other again, after which they have after moving further again a greater difference to each other. Preferably, a preferably arranged on the narrow side of the housing band tensioning device, which holds the preferably one-piece band under tension, may be provided. This device ensures that in the twisted area there is always enough tension and friction between the band sections and the hair rupture rate remains as high as possible.

For this purpose, it can be particularly preferably provided that the tape with its two ends in the band tensioning device can be fastened under tension, the tape from the band tensioning device on the first actuating element on the twisted area at the top to the second actuator and on the twisted area and the first actuator leads back to the band tensioning device.

In order to improve the deflection of the belt between the two actuators and the top between them with the Verdrillbereich or to keep the wear as low as possible, the device preferably provides a arranged at the top of the housing Umlenkbügel, wherein the individual band sections between their attachment points abut the actuators on this deflection, which deflects the band sections by approximately 90 °.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the figures with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. 1 shows an exploded view of a device according to the invention,

2 is a view of the device from above,

 3 and 4 are views of the device from the side,

 5 is a front view of the device,

 6 is a detailed view of the device from above,

7 is a detailed view of the device from the front,

 8 shows a detailed detail in the region of an actuating element from the front,

 9 is a detail of an actuating element from above,

Fig. 10 and 1 1 views of the actuating element from above or from the front, Figs. 12 and 13 are views of the actuating element from the side and

 Fig. 14 to 17, the traveling movement of the twisted area from above.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the essential components of the device according to the invention. In this case, the housing 4 is essentially formed by the lower housing base 10 and a replaceable protective cover 9, which are connectable to each other, for example via a snap connection, not shown. In between are protected introduced the drive unit 6 with the actuators 2 and 3, the Umlenkbügel 8 (with illumination means 13) and the tensioned by the band tensioning device 7 band 1 with its Verdrillbereich V. From this representation it can be seen that the two Actuators 2 and 3 are arranged on the narrow sides S and the twisted portion V on the upper side O of the housing 4, while the broad side B and the underside U serve primarily to comfortably hold the entire device. In Fig. 2 is a view of the top O of the device is shown, in which the protective cover 9 of the housing 4 is applied over the deflection bracket 8. The individual band sections 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d of the band 1 are stretched over the slightly bent deflecting bow 8 and converge in the twisted region V: The deflecting bar 8 can have a special non-stick coating so that the band 1 can slide along more easily.

In Fig. 3, the attached to the narrow side S actuator 3 is shown in a vertical position, whereby the band 1 rests with its band sections 1c and 1d substantially to the ^" two main vertices H3 of the oval or elliptical abutment region OV on the abutment points AP3 and AP4 ,

In contrast, in Fig. 4, the band portions 1 a and 1 b at the abutment points AP1 and AP2 in the region of the minor vertex N2 at the oval abutment region OV. In this illustration, the band tensioning device 7 is shown in which the ends of the belt 1 are fixed, preferably clamped, said belt tensioning device 7 by a band tension spring 11, the band 1 under tension.

In Fig. 5, the broad side B of the device for removing hair is shown in front view, wherein in the upper part of the band 1 with the Verdrillbereich V is freely accessible. By maintaining the entire device on the protective cover 9 and on the housing base 10, a comfortable handling of this Verdrillepilierers is given.

In Fig. 6, the different distances A between the abutment points AP1 and AP2 or AP3 and AP4 on the abutment areas OV of the actuators 2 and 3 can be seen. By moving or rotating the actuating elements 2 and 3, the distance A between the abutment points AP1 and AP2 or AP3 and AP4 changed, whereby the Verdrillbereich V can wander in the direction W. In Fig. 7, the lateral arrangement of the actuating elements 2 and 3 on the connecting element 5 can be seen, wherein the side vertex N2 of the actuating element 2 and the main vertex H3 of the actuating element 3 are in this representation from the front both on the same plane formed by the rotation axis R. In contrast, the side vertex N3 of the actuating element 3 seen in Rotationsachsrichtung by 90 ° relative to the side vertex N2 of the actuating element 2 is offset (see in particular Fig. 3 + 4). By this arrangement of the actuating element 2 and 3 is also guaranteed that the plucking Z for plucking the hair between the band sections 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d in the Verdrillbereich V remains as constant as possible during the migration W of the Verdrillbereichs V. The picking angle Z is approximately between 55 ° and 35 °, preferably between 48 ° and 42 °. In order to facilitate the guidance of the band 1 to the abutment areas OV of the actuators 2 and 3, these actuators 2 and 3 each tape guides 12, which are preferably disc-shaped and have a larger diameter than the elliptical abutment areas OV of the actuators 2 and 3.

Fig. 8 shows in detail an actuating element 2 or 3, wherein the protective cover 9 surrounds the region of the actuating element 2 and 3 respectively. In the elliptical abutment region OV depressions, not shown, may be formed as guide grooves for the band 1.

In Fig. 9, the illustration of FIG. 8 can be seen from above, with the dashed line of the actuating element 2 and 3, the cover is illustrated by the protective cover 9.

In FIG. 10, the actuating element 2 or 3 is shown with the main vertex H of the elliptical abutment region OV lying substantially in the middle, whereas in FIG. 11 the secondary vertex N of the abutment region OV lies substantially in the middle of the actuating element 2 or 3.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show the circular band guides 12, which have a slightly larger radius than the elliptical contact regions OV. In particular, in FIG. 12, the main vertices H and side vertices N of this elliptical region OV are designated. In Fig. 14, the Verdrillbereich V is shown in a starting position 0, wherein the distance A between the abutment points AP1 and AP2 of the band 1 is maximum, while the distances A between the abutment points AP4 and AP3 at the abutment region OV of the actuating portion 3 are minimal. Fig. 15 shows the changed position π / 2 after a rotation of the actuating elements 2 and 3 by approximately 45 °. The distances A between the abutment points AP1 and AP2 or AP3 and AP4 are the same size, which results in a traveling movement W of the twisting region V to the left relative to the position 0 in the position ττ / 2. If, as shown in FIG. 16, the actuating elements 2 and 3 are then preferably moved by 45 ° again via the connecting element 5, the twisting region V reaches the extreme position ττ. After a further rotation of the actuating elements 2 and 3 by 45 °, the position 3π / 2 according to FIG. 17 is reached, wherein the twisting region V has performed a traveling movement W to the right relative to the position π. After another 45 ° rotation, the starting position 0 is reached again.

In general, it should not be ruled out that only one actuator 2 is provided, for example, instead of the actuating element 3, only one guide element for a one-piece belt 1 or clamping areas for a two-piece belt 1 can be provided.

The entire upper part 9 can be designed as an exchangeable or retrofittable "disposable part." For example, this upper part could be replaced after repeated use, similar to razor blades It is also possible to provide epilator attachments whose bands 1 have different thicknesses or diameters have, so that they can be adapted to the hair to be removed (fine to bristly hair) and quickly changed.

Claims

claims 1. An apparatus for removing hair with a twisted region (V) of a tensioned band (1), wherein the twisted region (V) four band sections (1a, 1 b, 1c, 1d) lead away and at least two band sections (1 a, 1 b ) abut at spaced abutment points (AP1, AP2) of a common actuating element (2), wherein by actuation of the actuating element (2) the distance (A) of the abutment points (AP1, AP2) of the at least two band sections (1a, 1b) changes and characterized in that the twisted region (V) along the tensioned band (1) migrates, characterized in that the abutment points (AP1, AP2) of the band (1) lie on an oval, preferably elliptical abutment region (OV) of the actuating element (2) and by turning the actuating element (2) the distance (A) between the abutment points (AP1, AP2) of the band sections (1a, 1 b) changes. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that on both sides of the twisted region (V) in each case an actuating element (2, 3) is arranged, wherein in each case two of the four of the twisted region (V) leading away band sections (1 a, 1 b 1c, 1d) abut against an elliptical abutment region (OV) of the respective actuating element (2, 3). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the device comprises a housing (4) having two opposite narrow sides (S), two opposite broad sides (B), a bottom (U) and an upper side (O), wherein the Actuating elements (2, 3) on the opposite narrow sides (S) and the twisted portion (V) on the upper side (O) of the housing (4) are arranged. 4. Device according to claims 3, characterized in that the actuating elements (2, 3) are rotatably mounted on the housing (4). 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating elements (2, 3) by a preferably rod-shaped connecting element (5) are rotatably connected to each other, said connecting element (5) in the housing (4) of the device is rotatably mounted. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that in the housing (4) is arranged a preferably electric motor driven drive unit (6) which rotatably drives the actuating elements (2, 3) via the connecting element (5). 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the elliptical abutment region (OV) of both actuating elements (2, 3) is aligned substantially transverse to the axis of rotation (R) of the connecting element (5), wherein the main vertex (H2) of the one actuating element (2) - seen in Rotationsachsrichtung (R) of the connecting element (5) - by about 90 ° relative to the main vertices (H3) of the other actuating element (3) are offset or rotated at opposite ends of the connecting element (5) are arranged. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a, preferably on the narrow side (S) of the housing (4) arranged band tensioning device (7) which holds the preferably one-piece band (1) under tension. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the band (1) with its two ends in the band tensioning device (7) can be fastened under tension, wherein the band (1) from the band tensioning device (7) via the first actuating element (2) further over the twisted area (V) at the top (O) to the second actuating element (3) and over the twisted area (V) and the first actuating element (2) leads back to the belt tensioning device (7). 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a at the top (O) of the housing (4) arranged Umlenkbügel (8), wherein the individual band sections (1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d) between their abutment points (AP1 , AP2, AP3, AP4) on the actuating elements (2, 3) on this deflection Abut (8), which deflects the band sections (1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d) by approximately 90 °.