Heating device

Abstract

A device for heating an epilatory wax, a unit block of a solidified epilatory wax for use with the device and a kit including the device and at least one unit block of a solidified epilatory wax.

Claims

1. A device for heating unit blocks of epilatory wax comprising: a chamber configured to receive at least one unit block of the solidified epilatory wax, wherein the chamber is provided with an additional heating element in the form of a tower; and a temperature controlling element configured to maintain wax in a molten state within a temperature range of approximately 50? C.-70? C.; wherein the temperature controlling element is configured to be in direct contact with a metallic container which holds the wax; wherein the tower covers about 40%-60% of the area of the chamber; and wherein the chamber and the additional heating element act together to provide heat to the unit blocks of epilatory wax.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tower is located in the center of the chamber.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height of the tower is up to approximately 95% of the height of the chamber.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a channel formed between the tower and a wall of the chamber has a width that is from approximately 20%-30% of the width of the chamber.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature controlling element is configured to maintain wax in a molten state within a temperature range of approximately 60? C.-68? C.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature controlling element is provided with a sensor that measures the temperature of the wax.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a positive thermal co-efficient material (PTC material) and a negative thermal co-efficient material (NTC material).

8. An epilatory kit comprising: the device for heating an epilatory wax according to claim 1; and unit blocks of a solidified epilatory wax.

9. The kit as claimed in claim 8, wherein each unit block of wax is in a form selected from the group consisting of a disc and a pearl.

10. The kit as claimed in claim 8, wherein each unit block of wax is in the form of a disc having a circumference of approximately 55 mm and a depth of approximately 7 mm.

11. The kit as claimed in claim 8, wherein each unit block of wax is in the form of a pearl having a generally hemispherical shape and a radius in the range of approximately 2 mm-5 mm.

12. A unit block of a solidified epilatory wax for use in the device of claim 1, wherein the unit block of a solidified epilatory wax is in the form of a disc.

13. The unit block of a solidified epilatory wax of claim 12, wherein the disc has a circumference of approximately 55 mm and a depth of approximately 7 mm.

14. The unit block of a solidified epilatory wax of claim 12, wherein the disc comprises a range of approximately 15 g-25 g of wax.

15. The unit block of a solidified epilatory wax of claim 12, wherein the disc comprises approximately 20 g of wax.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a device in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a view from above of a device in accordance with the present invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the device of the present invention containing wax discs prior to the application of heat.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the various embodiments of the invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Although exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

(6) It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality of components. References to a composition containing a constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

(7) Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

(8) Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately or substantially one particular value and/or to about or approximately or substantially another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

(9) Similarly, as used herein, substantially free of something, or substantially pure, and like characterizations, can include both being at least substantially free of something, or at least substantially pure, and being completely free of something, or completely pure.

(10) By comprising or containing or including is meant that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named.

(11) It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a composition does not preclude the presence of additional components than those expressly identified.

(12) The materials described as making up the various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention.

(13) Referring to the Figures, a device in accordance with the present invention is generally shown at 1. The device comprises body 2 in which is placed the solid wax discs. The body is provided with a central tower 3 which also serves to heat the wax. The body is provided with a heating mechanism (not shown). The chamber 4 is configured to receive at least one unit block of the solid wax further contained in the body 2, and the chamber is provided with an additional heating element in the form of a tower 3.

(14) Once the wax has reached its temperature of use and has softened, a spatula can be used to apply the wax to a user's skin.

(15) The heat generated by the conductive element is absorbed by the wax which increases its temperature up to an optimal value at which the viscosity of the wax is ideal for spreading the wax through the applicator over the skin and the temperature is not too high to be harmful or to cause discomfort when the wax gets in contact with the skin.

(16) The heat generated by the heating element is controlled by the electrical properties of the material of the heating element which has a positive temperature resistance: PTC heating element. The PTC heating element increases its electrical resistance with the temperature, this has the effect of decreasing the power generated by the heating element and the heat transferred to the wax. The heating behavior of the PTC is such to limit the temperature of the wax to its optimal dispensing temperature. In the device of the present invention the PTC heating element initially provides a power of about 600 W. After a short period, typically of about 500 ms, the power drops to about 50 W. Subsequently after a few minutes, the power drops to between 25 W and 30 W. The minimum power produced by the PTC heating element is between 15 W and 20 W.

(17) A sensor is attached to the bottom of the aluminum pot, and is connected to the PTCs. When the sensor senses a temperature >65? C. (upper limit) it powers off the PTC. Once the PTCs are not powered the temperature of the whole system decrease. When the sensor senses a temperature <60? C. (lower limit) it powers on the PTCs.

(18) If the sensor is located too close to the heating element (PTC) it measures only the temperature of the PTC, which is not the same as the temperature of the wax as the area around the PTC is hotter than the rest of the system. Placing the sensor at a certain distance from the PTC ensures a temperature reading which is more representative of the whole wax content.

(19) Further modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described herein. Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.