Body Wax Applicator For Body Wax and a System Therefor

Abstract

The invention provides a body wax applicator and system for use in treatments involving the application of wax to the body for removal of undesired body hair. It is particularly suitable for use in strip-less waxing. The applicator is configured with a brush portion of silicone that has a plurality of bristles that provide an angled contact surface. The applicator and system allows for the tidy and controlled heating of hard wax and subsequent application of molten wax to the human body for the purpose of removing hair.

Claims

1. A body wax applicator for use in applying a body wax, wherein the body wax applicator comprises: a body, the body including: a hollow interior portion; and an open neck communicative with the hollow interior portion; a brush portion, the brush portion including: a base, wherein a lower part of the base is configured to close the open neck of the body; a plurality of bristles arising from an upper part of the base; and a channel passing through the base from the upper part to the lower part; and wherein at least the brush portion is configured as a unitary component from silicone rubber.

2. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is configured from silicone rubber.

3. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open neck of the body and the lower part of the base are configured with at least co-operating fastening features or adhesively bonded together.

4. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body and the brush portion is configured as a unitary component.

5. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brush portion is formed from silicone having a Shore A hardness of between 30 to 60.

6. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body is formed from silicone having a Shore A hardness of between 60 to 80.

7. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tips of the plurality of bristles define a contact surface for the applicator.

8. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 7, wherein the contact surface is angled or otherwise contoured.

9. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the angle or contour of the contact surface is defined by: a length of the plurality of bristles; or the angle or contour of the surface from which the plurality of bristles arise.

10. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the contact surface is angled at approximately 45°.

11. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles comprises 50 or more bristles.

12. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel is arranged substantially central to the brush portion and has an opening to the upper part of the base of the brush portion.

13. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the opening of the channel includes a deformable closure means.

14. The body wax applicator as claimed in claim 13, wherein the deformable closure means includes one or more flaps or valves.

15. A body wax system for use in applying a body wax, wherein the body wax system includes: one or more body wax applicators including a body having a hollow interior portion and an open neck in communication with the hollow interior portion; and a brush portion including a base having a lower part of the base configured to close the open neck of the body and a plurality of bristles arising from an upper part of the base and having a channel passing through the base from the upper part to the lower part; and wherein at least the brush portion is configured as a unitary component from silicone rubber; and a container configured to receive the one or more applicators, the container including a heating means arranged to apply heat to the one or more applicators when received in the container.

16. The body wax system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the container is configured with a reservoir for a wax.

17. The body wax system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the wax is a resin-based wax.

18. A method of using a body wax applicator comprising a body having a hollow interior portion and an open neck in communication with the hollow interior portion; and a brush portion including a base having a lower part of the base configured to close the open neck of the body and a plurality of bristles arising from an upper part of the base and having a channel passing through the base from the upper part to the lower part; and wherein at least the brush portion is configured as a unitary component from silicone rubber, the method including the steps of: at least partially filling the hollow interior portion of the body with a hard wax; applying a source of heat to at least a portion of the body to bring the hard wax therein to a molten state; applying the molten wax via the channel provided to the brush portion of the applicator to an area of a person's body from which hair is to be removed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0091] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of an applicator in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[0092] FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of an applicator in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[0093] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of an applicator accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[0094] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of an applicator in accordance with one aspect of the invention; and

[0095] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a system in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0096] The present invention, in the form of an applicator (generally indicated by 100) is shown in FIG. 1 in a side view. An alternative embodiment of the applicator 200 is shown in FIG. 2; note that like features of the respective embodiments are identified by like numbers.

[0097] Each applicator 100, 200 includes two main components; a body 102 and a brush portion 104. The body is in the form of a container with a hollow interior, defined by a circular side walls 105 and a base 108.

[0098] The body 102 includes n open neck 110 to allow access to the interior 112. About its exterior surface, the neck includes a fastening means in the form of a screw thread 114 in the illustrated example, that in use engages with a complementary screw thread 116 on the brush portion 104 of the applicator 100. However, it should be appreciated that in other forms, the fastening means may be a snap-lock type arrangement or other alternative that a person skilled in the art may readily implement.

[0099] In FIG. 1, the body 102 is generally tubular about 120 millimetres long, with a substantially consistent cross-section for most of its length; this allows the person wielding the applicator 100 to use it in a manner similar to a writing implement. This may be particularly helpful when applying the wax to small, discrete areas such as around the eyebrows, which requires relatively high dexterity.

[0100] However, other embodiments, such as in the applicator 200 of FIG. 2, may call for a more oval-shaped body 102, such that it contains a greater amount of wax, for example 80 millilitres, relative to the embodiment of FIG. 1, which may only contain, for example, 40 millilitres. In FIG. 2, it will be seen that the body includes a tapered portion 202 that leads to the neck 110. The user gripping the tapered portion with their thumb and forefinger while the wide part of the body rests on the hand.

[0101] In the applicator 200 of FIG. 2, the body 102 is provided with a base 204 that is substantially flat. This allows it to be stood upright, with the bristles uppermost, if desired.

[0102] However, it will be appreciated that the base 204, as such, may be substantially tapered and even end in a point; this may be preferred for aesthetic reasons.

[0103] Preferably the body 102 is moulded from silicone, which confers it with some flexibility, For example, when applying the wax to the person being treated, to urge molten wax out of the body into the brush portion 104 of the applicator 100, 200, the user may squeeze the side wall 106 of the body. Silicone tends to not retain heat as well as other types of plastics so that even when heated, the applicator 100, 200, is relatively comfortable to hold.

[0104] The brush portion 104 is formed from silicone, preferably of food grade. This is an important aspect of the invention 100, 200 as it means that any set wax is easy to peel off and remove, making it easy to clean the brush portion after use.

[0105] The brush portion 104 is configured in a manner similar to a cap; it has a top surface or base portion 104a from which walls 104b depend downwards to form a skirt 104c. As noted above, a complementary fastening means 116 to that of the neck 110 of the body 102 is provided to the interior surfaces of the skirt. Thus, the brush portion can be secured to the body of the applicator 100, 200.

[0106] Extending upwards away from the top surface 104a of the brush portion 104 are a plurality of silicone bristles 118 (not shown to scale in FIGS. 1 to 4). The tips 118a of the bristles define the contact surface that touches the skin of the person being treated in use. These bristles serve to work and manipulate the hair follicles in order to better ensure that they are covered as much as is practicable by the molten wax as it is dispensed.

[0107] As can be seen, the length of the bristles 118 gradually increase in height from one side 120a or edge of the top surface 104a to the other side or edge 120b. In the example of FIG. 1, this means that the contact surface of the applicator 100 is at an approximately 45° angle relative to the elongate dimension of the body 102. However, it is envisaged that the angle may vary according to the preferences of the user. For example, in the applicator 200 of FIG. 2 the contact surface is at an approximately 30° angle relative to the elongate dimension of the body. A consequence of this is that the applicator 100 of FIG. 1 has a slightly larger contact surface relative to the applicator of FIG. 2; thus the former may be more convenient to use when treating larger areas.

[0108] To allow the heated wax to flow to the bristles, the brush portion 104 includes a channel or aperture 302 as shown in FIG. 3, a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an applicator 300. As can be seen, the channel 302 runs from the top surface 104a through the brush portion; when connected to the body 102, this channel is communicative with the interior of the body. This provides a means to permit the hard wax, once heated, to flow from the interior to the bristles and then onto the skin being treated.

[0109] The opening of the channel 302 to the top surface is guarded through the use of a closure in the form of a pair of flaps 304. These effectively seal the interior of the body 102 although can still be biased open upon application of a force to the walls of the body. This results in an increase in internal pressure that biases the flaps outwards which, when the applicator 300 is inverted, allows molten wax to flow to the skin being treated. Similarly, the flaps may fold inwards, such as when the user forces hard wax pellets (not shown), or the end of a nozzle or funnel (not shown) dispensing hard wax pellets, against the flaps for the purpose of refilling the applicator 300.

[0110] In FIG. 3, the channel 302 is aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the brush portion 104 but in alternative examples not shown here, the channel may be offset so that it favours one side, for example 120a more than the other. This favours the longer bristles and makes it easier to spread and work the molten wax across the skin of the person being treated.

[0111] The previous examples of applicator 100, 200 described the use of screw threads to secure the brush portion 104 to the body 102, in the embodiment of the applicator 300 of FIG. 3, the engagement is a simple push-fit and the co-operating surfaces of the neck 110 and skirt 104c are secured through the use of an adhesive. This means that once assembled, the applicator is a unitary structure.

[0112] It should be noted that the angle of the contact surface of the applicator 300 of FIG. 3 is steeper than that of the applicators 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, assuming the brush portion 104 of each applicator has a consistent cross-section, the contact surface gets progressively larger, the steeper the angle.

[0113] A further embodiment of an applicator 400 is shown in FIG. 4 in a partial cross-section. It will be seen that the top, surface 104a of the brush portion 104 has a dome-shaped profile. In contrast to previous embodiments described, the bristles 118 of the applicator of FIG. 4 are all of the same length, and thus the contact surface defined by the tips 118a of the bristles similarly has a dome-shaped profile.

[0114] It will be appreciated that beauty therapy professionals may have several clients a day requiring treatment for hair removal. In such a scenario, to maximise throughput, the therapist will want to ensure that the applicators are ready to use at any time. At the same time, it would be preferably to operate a clean and professional working environment for the comfort of the client and a messy workspace, with wax drips on table and bench surfaces would be counterproductive. The present invention is ideal for such a scenario, when used as part of a heating and dispensing system.

[0115] A schematic of such a system 500 for use with the applicator 100 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 5 in a cross-sectional side view. As can be seen, this shows a substantially rectangular container 502, the upper surface of which is provided with receptacles 504, shown in dashed lines, that receive the applicators (not shown). It will be appreciated that the dimensions of these receptacles are substantially complementary to those of the exterior of the body 102 of the applicator 100 of FIG. 1.

[0116] The container 502 includes a plate 506 positioned beneath the receptacles 504. When positioned in the container, the applicators stand on this plate, which is thermally heated by an electrical element 508 connected via an electrical lead 510 to mains power 512.

[0117] The container 502 may include a reservoir 514 that is thermally insulated. In this reservoir, hard wax pellets (not shown) may be stored. To maintain hygiene, the reservoir may be covered by a hinged lid 516. This may be opened to allow the reservoir to be restocked as the need arises.

[0118] The reservoir 514 also includes a dispensing tap 518. Depending on the embodiment of applicator, this allows the applicators to be replenished. For example, for the applicators of FIGS. 1 and 2, once they have been cleaned, the brush portion is removed and the neck 110 of the body 102 is offered to the nozzle 520 of the dispensing tap; wax pellets are thus are introduced to the body. Alternatively, for the applicator 300 of FIG. 3, the user inserts the nozzle 520 into the channel 302, forcing open the flaps 304 of the brush portion before activating the dispenser. Regardless of how it is filled, the applicators can then be placed within one of the receptacles 504 so that once the wax has become molten, it is ready for use.

[0119] When being used in a treatment session, the beauty therapist turns on the electrical element 508 to heat the plate 506. This then heats up any applicators located within the receptacles 504, thereby melting the hard wax contained therein. This could be done at the start of the working day, with the plate being maintained at a set temperature and ensuring all the applicators are effectively ready to use when required.

[0120] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0121] The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

[0122] Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

[0123] The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

[0124] Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. it is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.