Wax applicator

Abstract

A wax applicator is provided for applying epilation wax to nasal cavities, comprising a stem for handling the wax applicator, a nipple at one end of the stem, and a collar disposed around the stem at a base of the nipple, wherein the nipple has a contoured surface that narrows at its base where it meets the collar, operatively to achieve formlock with hardened epilation wax following cooling of hot epilation wax applied to the nipple, and thereby allowing removal from their roots of hairs set in the hardened epilation wax.

Claims

1. A wax applicator for removing nasal hairs, comprising: a handle for handling the wax applicator, a nipple at one end of the handle, and a collar disposed at a base of the nipple, wherein the nipple, handle, and collar are of integral molded construction, the nipple has a continuous, solid outer surface and a shape which generally conforms with a major portion of a spheroid having a contoured surface that narrows at its base where the nipple meets the collar, and the nipple is configured to receive epilation wax in use of the wax applicator, and the collar is of a substantially planar configuration protruding radially outward from the handle thereby defining a waist between the nipple base and the collar in which hardened epilation wax form-locks with the wax applicator for removing nasal hairs in use of the wax applicator.

2. The wax applicator according to claim 1, wherein the nipple has the shape of a truncated regular sphere.

3. The wax applicator according to claim 1, wherein the collar has a shape which generally conforms with an ellipse.

4. The wax applicator according to claim 1, wherein the handle is a stem having a shape which generally conforms with a cylinder having a circular cross-section.

5. The wax applicator according to claim 1, wherein the nipple is dimensioned to allow for insertion of the nipple into nasal cavities, and wherein the collar is dimensioned to limit against over-insertion of the applicator into nasal cavities.

6. The wax applicator according to claim 1, wherein the collar is shaped and dimensioned to restrict or prevent heated wax applied to the nipple from running down the handle during use.

7. The wax applicator according to claim 1, wherein the nipple, handle and collar are formed using a thermosetting polymeric material.

8. The wax applicator according to claim 1, wherein the nipple extends about 10 mm above the collar.

9. A method for removing hair from nasal cavities using a wax applicator comprising a handle for handling the wax applicator, a nipple at one end of the handle, and a collar disposed at a base of the nipple, wherein the nipple, handle, and collar are of integral molded constructions, the nipple has a continuous, solid outer surface and a shape which generally conforms with a major portion of a spheroid having a contoured surface that narrows at its base where the nipple meets the collar, the nipple is configured to receive epilation wax in use of the wax applicator, and the collar is of a substantially planar configuration protruding radially outward from the handle thereby defining a waist between the nipple base and the collar in which hardened epilation wax form-locks with the wax applicator for removing nasal hairs in use of the wax applicator, the method comprising the steps of: applying a quantity of hot epilation wax to the nipple of the wax applicator, inserting the nipple of the wax applicator into a nasal cavity using the handle of the wax applicator, allowing the epilation wax to cool and set hard around the nipple and collar and within the nasal cavity, and removing the wax applicator from the nasal cavity causing removal of hairs trapped in the hardened epilation wax from their roots.

10. The method for removing hair from nasal cavities using a wax applicator according to claim 9, wherein the nipple of the wax applicator extends about 10 mm above the collar.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wax applicator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 5 are respectively side, plan, and end views of the wax applicator of FIG. 1.

(2) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wax applicator according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an application according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) FIGS. 1 to 5 collectively represent different views of a wax applicator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) The wax applicator 10 consists of a stem 12, a collar 14, a nipple 16 and a spatula 18 at the distal end opposite the nipple. The wax applicator 10, as depicted, is generally of an elongate construction (owing primarily to the stem 12) and is manufactured of a suitable thermoplastic polymeric material, such as polypropylene. Other suitable materials include polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polytetrafluoroethylene.

(6) The stem 12 may be molded solid or hollow, and provides a convenient means of handling the wax applicator 10. Consequently, the stem 12 is advantageously dimensioned to allow for ease of manual handling of the wax applicator 10, and is preferably of a simple, circularly cylindrical form.

(7) The nipple 16 has a smooth, contoured surface and has a generally rounded, bulbous shape/contour. The nipple 16, as depicted in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, is shaped to conform to a substantial degree with that of a major portion of an idealized spheroid, preferably a regular spheroid or sphere. Alternatively, the nipple 16 may be of alternative shape, such as a spheroid which is elongated slightly along a major axis of the stem 12, thus taking the form of a prolate spheroid. Thus, the nipple 16 presents a regular, rotationally symmetrical shape, which narrows slightly from its maximum diameter before it meets the collar 14. Consequently, the nipple 16 is recessed where it meets the collar 14, and has a channelled, stepped-in or concave form, which assists in creating formlock with epilation wax that has hardened on nipple 16, to thereby enhance hair removal with the hardened wax.

(8) The collar 14, which is generally elliptical in shape in the preferred embodiment, advantageously serves two roles.

(9) First, the collar 14 allows insertion of the wax applicator 10, but guards against over-insertion of the wax applicator 10that is, more particularly, over-insertion of the nipple 16 of the wax applicator 10 in the nasal cavity. Over-insertion is to be avoided to reduce the risk of irritating or damaging sensitive membranes and associated cilia that line the inner surfaces of the nasal cavities. These membranes and associated cilia are located at a distance inwardly of the openings of the nasal cavities.

(10) Second, the collar 14 discourages heated epilation wax from running down the stem 12, and in this respect, also assists the viscous, cooling epilation wax in collecting or pooling at the base of the nipple 16, where it narrows. Once the wax is set, formlock is achieved between the nipple 16 and the set wax, such that the wax applicator 10 can be used to transmit tension through to the hardened wax, and thus the hairs set in the wax, which are consequently prised loose from their roots.

(11) With experience, one becomes familiar with how much force is sufficient to effect quick and clean removal of hairs trapped in the wax from their roots. Quick and clean removal is intended to largely avoid pain or discomfort which may otherwise ensue.

(12) The wax applicator 10 may be advantageously fabricated using a suitable injection technique, and be of an integral construction, or fabricated in parts that are subsequently joined using, for example, ultrasonic welding techniques. A diverse range and combination of manufacturing techniques may be used when constructing preferred and other embodiments of the wax applicator, as would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts.

(13) The wax applicator 10 is preferably of relatively compact dimensions. Indicative dimensions of the applicator 10 being preferably 90 mm in total length, from the tip of the nipple 16 to the end of the spatula 18. The collar 14, being elliptical in shape, is preferably dimensioned to be 25 mm along its major dimension, and 16 mm along its minor dimension. The stem is preferably 8 mm in its outer diameter, with the nipple 16 extending approximately 10 mm above the collar 14, and having a maximum width (or diameter) of approximately 10 mm. The nipple 16 is recessed where it meets the collar 14, and may be approximately 8 mm in diameter at this region. The collar is preferably 3 mm in thickness, and the spatula 18 is preferably 20 mm in length, and is preferably a little wider than the stem. These indicative dimensions can be varied as required, as is understood by skilled persons.

(14) While generally rigid, the wax applicator 10 can be constructed with a certain amount of flexibility or resilience while maintaining its function. Moreover, a certain amount of resilience is preferred for reasons of aesthetic tactile appeal, and comfort during use. Also, a certain amount of resilience to the stem 12 can act to moderate forces acting through the wax applicator 10 upon the hairs during use. Also, a certain amount of resilience is particularly desirable, though not essential, in the spatula 18.

(15) FIG. 6 depicts a wax applicator 10, in accordance with an alternative embodiment, in perspective view. The collar 14 is circular rather than elliptical in construction, as with the collar 14 of the wax applicator 10 of the preferred embodiment. As will be appreciated, the collar 14 can be of any design and dimensions suitable for guarding against over-insertion of the nipple 16, and discouraging the heated (and thus unset) epilation wax from draining down the stem 12. While an elliptical construction provides a functional and pleasing design, circular and other designs may also be adopted. Further examples include collars which are of rounded rectangular, or polygonal (eg, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc) design. The collar 14 is depicted as having a flat, plate-like structure, but can also be curved or cupped as required. Other suitable shapes can be adopted with similar results.

(16) FIG. 7 depicts another wax applicator 10, in accordance with yet a further alternative embodiment, also presented in perspective view. Here, compared with the wax applicator 10 of the preferred embodiment, the spatula 18 is omitted entirely, and replaced by another collar 14 and another nipple 16. The nipple 16 may advantageously have different dimensions to those of the nipple 16 at the opposite distal end of the applicator 10. It could equally have a different shape, eg prolate spherical as compared with circular spherical. Such double-ended applicator 10 has the advantage that it can accommodate users having differently contoured/shaped or dimensioned nostrils.

(17) In a non-illustrated embodiment, the stem 12 can terminates simply in a rounded end. The spatula 18 is an entirely optional feature of the wax applicator 10 of the preferred embodiment. Accordingly, an accompanying spatula can be omitted for simplicity of construction, and may be preferred for aesthetic reasons, and in the interests of producing a more compact or elegant design.

(18) Further alternative designs for a wax applicator may be provided in accordance without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Yet further additional designs may provide an enlarged collar supporting two nipples, arranged adjacently in a spaced apart manner for simultaneous application of hot wax, and simultaneous application to both nostrils in one operation. Also, a handle may be provided not as a simple stem but as a ring grip or contoured finger grip (for one, two, three or four fingers) a means of holding the wax applicator.

(19) A variety of further alternatives may be readily conceived by persons skilled in the relevant arts. Various modifications and variations to the described wax applicators are within the ambit of persons skilled in the relevant arts, without departing from the present invention.