EP0795283B1 - Anti pain mechanical hair removal device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The hair remover comprises a hand held casing (1) containing hair removal tweezers on roller (3). A vibrating piece (10) is caused to have a periodic to and fro movement by a shaft (12), balance weight (13) and springs (15-17). The drives for the hair remover and the vibrating pieces are activated simultaneously. The roller, with an axis (18), is carried by the casing and extends through a casing opening (19). It is applied against the surface from which hair is to be removed.

Description

The present invention relates to a device mechanical hair removal and a hair removal process corresponding.

We know mechanical hair removal devices comprising clamps arranged on a roller.

These devices admit kinematics such that when the roller turns, the clamps close nearby skin to be depilated by squeezing the hairs, which are entrained and torn off in the rotation of the roller before the loosening of the clamps. Other mechanical devices known consist of springs whose turns are close together, or discs with close edges, to proximity to the skin, these devices having the same effect as the previous ones. We also know systems with clamps subjected to an essentially vertical movement.

All of these devices pinch and pull hairs in a random, i.e. not necessarily close to the root. Thus, a hair can undergo several pulls before being ripped. These successive pull-ups and uprooting excite the nerve endings close to the hair bulbs and are causing pain experienced during hair removal.

In document DE-44.08.809 C1, a hair removal device with an electrical device that generates currents in the skin to reduce pain felt by a user. But such a device can be subject to contraindications, such as wearing a pacemaker, and its effectiveness is limited.

European patent EP-348,862 describes a device auxiliary for cooling the skin before depilation, planned to reduce pain. However, this device requires significant cooling power to be efficient, and the economy of this system leads to use evaporation of water or lotion to cool, which is somewhat restrictive.

EP-A-0.493.849 discloses a method hair removal whereby hairs are grabbed and pulled out of the skin by an epilation organ. Just before waxing, a vibrating organ comes into contact with the skin to be depilated, exerting forces of varying intensity on the skin of such so that the nerve function of the skin is affected.

Furthermore, the international application W0 97/19613, published on June 5, 1997 and claiming priority from European application EP-95203274.6 dated 28 November 1995, describes a hair removal device comprising a housing (1) and a body (7) for depilating the hair and pull them out of the skin, a vibrating organ (17) to exert mechanical vibrations on the skin. The organ vibratory (17) comprises flexible "projections" arranged on a support (19). Just before depilation, the vibrating organ (17) comes into contact with the skin and exerts vibrations mechanical on the skin having an anesthetic effect, so that pain sensations appearing during hair removal are deleted.

In addition, international application WO 97/00032, published on January 3, 1997 and claiming priority from German application DE-19521585.0 dated June 14, 1994, describes a hair removal device comprising a housing (2, 41) to receive a motor intended to drive a means of clamping (4, 43) for hair removal, a means for reduce feelings of pain during hair removal. This medium has an element (16, 55) which, during depilation hair, impulses the skin and produces advantageously additional pain, which is the same type of pain as that experienced during hair removal, but which is of lower amplitude.

The object of the present invention is a device epilation reducing, or even eliminating pain during hair removal without having the disadvantages mentioned above high.

The invention also has for objective such a device hair removal, having a compact shape.

The invention also relates to such a hair removal device. simple to carry out, and requiring no other source of energy than that used to drive a roller hair removal.

The object of the present invention is also a method hair removal to reduce pain.

To this end, the invention relates to a device mechanical hair removal including the characteristics of the claim 1.

So the nerve endings affected by the pulling of the hairs is excited by a solicitation painful but are constantly receiving the solicitation continuous vibration generating high nerve impulses painless density. By superimposing a request painful to a continuous vibratory stress and properly adjusted, the nerve impulse is saturated by vibrations and you no longer feel the pain.

Preferably, the means of training vibrating parts are coupled to the drive means of hair removal means and activated in operation by these means of training means of hair removal.

This configuration not only allows economy of the energy used, but also makes possible a compact form of the hair removal device.

In a first preferred embodiment of the hair removal device according to the invention, the vibrating parts are intended to undergo a translational movement substantially perpendicular to the surface to be depilated.

• un premier arbre disposé en une position fixe dans le boítier et prévu pour être mû en rotation,
• un second arbre disposé dans le boítier de façon approximativement alignée avec le premier arbre et supporté par les pièces vibrantes,
• un joint élastique reliant les deux arbres,
• des moyens élastiques reliant de manière souple les pièces vibrantes au boítier,
• et une masselotte solidaire du second arbre et excentrée, de telle sorte qu'une rotation du premier arbre provoque un mouvement de translation des pièces vibrantes sensiblement perpendiculaire à la surface à épiler.

Advantageously, the means for driving the vibrating parts include:

• a first shaft disposed in a fixed position in the housing and designed to be rotated,
• a second shaft disposed in the housing approximately aligned with the first shaft and supported by the vibrating parts,
• an elastic joint connecting the two shafts,
• elastic means flexibly connecting the vibrating parts to the housing,
• and a counterweight integral with the second shaft and eccentric, so that a rotation of the first shaft causes a translational movement of the vibrating parts substantially perpendicular to the surface to be depilated.

In this case, the hair removal device comprising a roller on which the depilation means are arranged, the first shaft and the roller are advantageously driven in rotation by the same motor by means of gears.

Preferably, the means for driving the parts vibrating produce in operation a stress vibration on the surface to be epilated at a vibration frequency approximately equal to 100 Hz.

Pain reduction is most effective with vibrational stress at this frequency of 100 Hz. otherwise desirable not to exceed a maximum of 300 Hz, the nervous response no longer being proportional to the frequency of solicitation beyond.

The invention also relates to a method mechanical epilation of a surface to be epilated.

This process is characterized in that a mechanical vibratory stress on the surface in progress hair removal, to reduce pain due to hair removal.

• La Figure 1 représente de façon schématique une coupe longitudinale d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif d'épilation selon l'invention;
• La Figure 2 montre une section transversale du mode de réalisation représenté à la Figure 1;
• La Figure 3 montre une section transversale du rouleau présent dans un dispositif d'épilation ne faisant pas partie de l'invention
• La Figure 4 représente une vue longitudinale du rouleau de la Figure 3;
• La Figure 5 représente une section transversale d'un troisième mode de réalisation du dispositif d'épilation ne faisant pas partie de l'invention.
• La Figure 6 montre une section longitudinale d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif d'épilation selon l'invention;
• La Figure 7 représente en section transversale le dispositif d'épilation de la Figure 6.

Other particularities and advantages of the device and the method according to the invention will emerge from the following description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings for information only, and in which:

• Figure 1 schematically shows a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a hair removal device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows a cross section of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 shows a cross section of the roller present in a hair removal device not part of the invention
• Figure 4 shows a longitudinal view of the roller of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 shows a cross section of a third embodiment of the hair removal device not part of the invention.
• Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a hair removal device according to the invention;
• Figure 7 shows in cross section the hair removal device of Figure 6.

In a first embodiment of a device hair removal according to the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, this device comprises a case 1 of elongated shape which can be hand-held. The housing 1 carries a roller 3 of axis 18, this roller 3 being provided with pliers, and a mechanism opening and closing of these pliers. Roll 3 protrudes from the housing through an opening 19, and is intended to be applied against a surface to be depilated at this level opening 19.

The hair removal device also includes a motor 2 contained in the housing 1, capable of actuating the roller 3 rotating around its axis 18, as well as its clamp opening and closing mechanism. The transmission of movements from motor 2 to roller 3 takes place by a gear train consisting of wheels such as 4, 5, 6, 7, reducing speed.

According to the invention, the hair removal device comprises also a vibrating part 10. This has a shape substantially cylindrical with a straight U-shaped section and a generator parallel to the axis 18 of the roller 3. It includes a base 41 limited by two branches 42 and 43 lateral at right angles, these two branches 42 and 43 having ends 11. The vibrating part 10 partially surrounds the roller 3, the ends 11 being oriented towards the opening 19 and the branches 42 and 43 being approximately centered longitudinally on the roller 3. The ends 11 are provided to extend beyond opening 19, so as to materialize keys allowing the support of the piece vibrating 10 on the skin to be depilated, near the roller 3 hair removal. The vibrating part 10 is intended to undergo substantially translational movements, perpendicular to the surface to be depilated, i.e. approximately parallel branches 42 and 43, by means of drive of this vibrating part 10.

The vibrating part 10 also has legs articulation 44 and 45 from base 41 in one direction opposite branches 42 and 43, legs 44 and 45 being substantially oriented rectangular plates perpendicular to legs 42 and 43.

The means for driving the vibrating part 10 include in particular a wheel 8 meshed with the wheel 6, as well as a first shaft 9 secured to the wheel 8 and arranged along its axis. The means of training the part vibrating 10 also include a second shaft 12 supported by the vibrating part 10. This shaft 12 is substantially aligned on average with the shaft 9. A joint 14 flexible mechanics connects shafts 9 and 12, ensuring their link in rotation while allowing misalignments.

The axis 18 and the shaft 12 make it possible to define a direction 46 of vibration, this direction 46 cutting the shaft 12 and the axis 18 in a cross section of the housing 1 (Figure 2).

The second shaft 12 is integral with a counterweight 13 eccentrically. In the example shown, the flyweight 13 at a section admitting a substantially semi-disc shape, having a center approximately at the level of the second tree 12.

The second shaft 12 crosses the hinge legs 44 and 45 of the vibrating part 10, which carries it leaving it free to rotate.

The counterweight 13 is placed between the legs articulation 44 and 45, and approximately centered above from base 41.

The vibrating part 6 is suspended in the housing 1 by flexible elastic connections. For example, springs 15 and 17 laterally connect the housing 1 to the connecting elbows between base 41 and branches 42 and 43 respectively, and springs 16 connect the hinge legs 44 to the housing and 45.

In operation, the motor 2 drives the roller 3 and its rotating gripper mechanism. Wheel 8 is put in motion and rotates the counterweight 13, which causes vibratory movements of the vibrating part 10, approximately in translation in direction 46.

When roller 3 is applied to the skin and plucks the hairs, it causes a painful sensation but the nerve endings already receive the sensation of vibrations induced by the ends 11 of the vibrating part 10, and are saturated. The pain is thus erased or significantly reduced.

Preferably, the roller 3 is rotated at a speed of the order of 1200 rpm, and the first shaft 9 has a speed of the order of 6000 rpm. The vibrating part 10 is thus subjected to a vibration of approximately 100 Hz, for which pain reduction is most effective.

As a variant of this first embodiment, the vibrating part 10 may have a plurality of ends forming keys on each side of the base 41, at place of a single massive branch 42, 43.

In addition, the drive means of the roller 3 and of the vibrating part 10 can be dissociated, and include including separate engines. The configuration represented is however favorable to an economy energy and compactness of the hair removal device

The hair removal device according to the invention can be equipped with a mechanical hair removal system other than that presented in the previous embodiments, consisting of a roller fitted with pliers. So according to other embodiments of hair removal means, these include a spring, a set of movement clamps vertical, or a stack of discs approaching close to the skin to pinch and pluck hairs.

One of these other possibilities, consisting of a game of clamps with vertical movement, is illustrated by a second embodiment of the hair removal device according to the invention, shown in Figures 6 and 7. The housing 1 of this device of epilation is opened towards a lower side 62, so as to reveal the ends of the pinch blades 63 of fur.

The blades 63 are carried by a part drive 64, or slide, which includes a lug 65 side and two side dials 88A and 88B arranged in its upper part, and having substantially shapes of parallel vertical crowns. A vertical groove 66 practiced in the housing 1 accommodates the lug 65. The lug 65, provided to slide in the groove 66, thus allows a vertical translational movement of the slide 64 in the case 1.

The hair removal device is provided with means slide 64. These include in particular a motor 68, a first pinion 71 driven in rotation by the motor 68, and a toothed wheel 72 meshed on the first pinion 71. The toothed wheel 72 is centered on a first shaft 69 that it rotates. Ways slide 64 also has two eccentrics 67A and 67B wedged on the first shaft 69, and arranged respectively in openings made in the two side dials 88A and 88B. Ball bearings 70 provide the junction between the eccentrics 67A and 67B and respectively the 88A and 88B dials. Eccentrics 67A and 67B, driven in rotation by the motor 68 via the first pinion 71, the toothed wheel 72 and the first shaft 69, can thus producing a vertical oscillating movement of the slide 64.

The hair removal device also includes a blade actuator 63. This device actuator includes in particular a first cam 73 connected to the toothed wheel 72, a second cam 74 associated to the first cam 73, and a rack 75 on which acts the second cam 74. the rack 75, arranged in the slide 64, is connected to the blades 63, and allows the opening and closing clamps formed by the blades 63.

The hair removal device further includes a part vibrating 76 in the shape of a horseshoe, which crosses the housing 1 through lower openings 77 and 78. The ends 84 and 85 of the vibrating part 76, respectively exceeding case 1 through the openings 77 and 78, form keys applicable on the surface to be depilated, on either side of the blades 63 for pinching the bristles. The ends 84 and 85 are each made of a block. In a variant of embodiment, they comprise a plurality of teeth.

Means for driving the vibrating part 76 include, in addition to the motor 68, the first pinion 71 and the toothed wheel 72, a second pinion 81 meshed on the wheel toothed 72, and integral with a second shaft 82 arranged according to its axis. The second tree 82 is connected to a third tree 79 by a flexible transmission joint 83 allowing misalignments between the second pinion 81 and the third shaft 79. The seal 83 is for example a spring. The third shaft 79 is carried by the vibrating part 72. It is integral an eccentric flyweight 80, having approximately the shape of a half-disc, it rotates. The room vibrating body 76 comprises two upper arms 89A and 89B, crossed by the third tree 79 and between which is the counterweight 80 arranged. The vibrating part 76 is connected to the case 1 by two lateral holding pieces 86 and 87 in elastomer of low hardness. These holding pieces 86 and 87 contribute, with the seal 83, to maintain in medium position the vibrating part 76.

In operation, the lower part is applied open the housing 1 on the surface to be epilated. The clamps formed by the blades 63 grip the hairs and pull them out pulling up. Simultaneously and continuously, the rotation of the counterweight 80 at a rotation frequency causes the vibrating part 76 to move vertically to a equal frequency of vibration. The ends 84 and 85, acting as vibrating keys, thus apply a mechanical vibratory stress on the current area hair removal, which greatly reduces pain.

Advantageously, the motor rotates at 6000 rpm approximately as well as the counterweight 80, which corresponds to a vibration frequency of 100 Hz. Slide 64 is meanwhile operated at a frequency four times lower.

Claims (8)

1. A mechanical hair-removing device comprising:

   a casing (1),

   at least one hair-removing means (3, 63) for a hairy surface provided with nippers,

   driving means (2, 4-7, 67-75) for the hair-removing means,

   at least one vibrating part (10, 76),

   means for driving (2, 4-6, 8, 9, 12-17, 68, 71, 72, 79-83) the vibrating parts (10, 76), liable to cause a periodic reciprocal movement of the said parts (10, 76), whereas the driving means of the hair-removing means (3, 63) and of the vibrating parts (10, 76) are actuated simultaneously during a hair-removing session in order to solicit in vibration the hairy surface, said vibrating parts (10, 76) comprising ends (11, 84, 85) forming keys liable to press on the skin on either side of the hair-removing means (3, 63).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the vibrating parts (10, 76) are designed for undergoing a translational movement substantially perpendicular to the hairy surface.
3. A hair-removing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the vibrating parts (10, 76) are hung in the casing (1) by flexible elastic links (15-17, 86, 87).
4. A hair-removing device according to claim 3, characterised in that the driving means of the vibrating parts (10, 76) comprise an excentred balance weight (13, 80).
5. A hair-removing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the driving means of the vibrating parts (10, 76) comprise:

   a first shaft (9, 82) arranged in a fixed position in the casing (1) and designed to be driven into rotation,

   a second shaft (12, 79) arranged in the casing (1) substantially aligned with the first shaft (9, 82) and supported by the said vibrating parts (10, 76),

   an elastic seal (14, 83) connecting both shafts (9, 12, 82, 79),

   elastic means (15-17, 86, 87) connecting flexibly the vibrating part (10, 76) to the casing (1),

   and a balance weight (13, 80) integral with the second shaft (12) and excentred,

   such that the rotation of the first shaft (9, 82) causes a translational movement of the vibrating parts (10, 76) substantially perpendicular to the hairy surface.
6. A hair-removing device according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the driving means (2, 4-6, 8, 9, 12-17, 68, 71, 72, 79-83) of the vibrating parts are coupled to the driving means (2, 4-7, 67-75) of the hair-removing means and actuated in operation by the said driving means of the hair-removing means.
7. A hair-removing device according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a roller (3), on which have been arranged the hair-removing means, the first shaft (9) and the roller (3) are driven into rotation by the same motor (2) using a gearing system (4, 8).
8. A hair-removing device according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the driving means (2, 4-6, 8, 9, 12-17, 68, 71, 72, 79-83) of the vibrating parts (10, 76) generate during operation a vibratory solicitation on the hairy surface at a vibration frequency of approximately 100 Hz.

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