Epilating device having open configuration

Abstract

An epilating device (1) has a housing (2) defining a handle (4) and first and second shoulder portions (6, 8) forming an open jaw (10). A tweezer portion (12) is mounted in the jaw (10) for rotation about its axis such that an opening (20) is formed through the device (1) from a front side (22) of the housing (2) to a rear side (24) of the housing (2), the opening (20) being bounded by the handle (4), the shoulder portions (6,8) and the tweezer portion (12). A drive mechanism (36) located within the housing (2) is arranged to apply rotational motion to rotate the tweezer portion (12) about the axis. By providing an opening (20) through the housing (2) of the epilator (1) from the front (22) to the rear side (24), collection of hair and debris beneath the tweezer portion (12) is avoided.

Claims

1. An epilating device for removing hairs from skin by pinching, pulling and releasing the hairs, comprising: a housing defining a handle and first and second shoulder portions extending from the handle and forming an open jaw there between; a tweezer portion having first and second ends and at least one pair of tweezer elements, the tweezer portion being mounted to rotate about an axis during use and defining at least one pinching region at its circumference at which hairs may be pinched, the tweezer portion being mounted in the jaw with the first and second ends being supported by the respective first and second shoulder portions; and a drive mechanism located within the housing and arranged to apply rotational motion to rotate the tweezer portion about the axis; wherein the tweezer portion is mounted between the shoulder portions at a distance from the handle such that an opening is formed through the device from a front side of the housing to a rear side of the housing, the opening being bounded by the handle, the shoulder portions and the tweezer portion, wherein the opening has a height in a direction radial to the tweezer portion that is at least equal to a radius of the tweezer portion.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tweezer portion has a diameter and a width in a direction parallel to the axis, wherein a ratio between the width and the diameter is less than 2.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the open jaw is generally U-shaped and the opening is D-shaped, with a straight side of the D-shape being formed by the tweezer portion.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the axis is rigid.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the axis is curved.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the shoulder portions extend from the handle to define a jaw direction and the curved axis lies in a plane that crosses the jaw direction at an angle of between 0 and 45 whereby the pinching region is defined at the front side of the housing.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer bar extending from the first shoulder portion to the second shoulder portion at the rear side of the housing.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a removable guard, attachable to the housing to at least partially cover the tweezer portion.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein, in the attached position, the guard covers the opening at the front side of the housing.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the guard comprises slots or holes, allowing hairs to protrude there through for engagement by the tweezer elements.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the guard is mechanically clipped to the housing.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the guard is magnetically attached to the housing.

13. The device according to claim 8, further comprising a spacer bar extending from the first shoulder portion to the second shoulder portion at the rear side of the housing, wherein the guard is attached to the spacer bar.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tweezer portion comprises a plurality of disks having the tweezer elements at their outer circumference, the disks being mounted for rotation on the axis and biased such that the tweezer elements engage each other at the pinching region.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features and advantages of the invention will be further appreciated upon reference to the following drawings of a number of exemplary embodiments, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an epilating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in perspective view;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front view of the epilating device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the epilating device of FIG. 3 in direction IV-IV;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the device of FIG. 3 provided with a guard;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the device of FIG. 5 in cross-section along line VI-VI;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 provided with a guard; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a rear view of the device of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(10) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an epilating device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The epilating device 1 comprises a housing 2 defining a handle 4 and first and second shoulder portions 6, 8 extending from the handle and forming an open jaw 10 there between. A tweezer portion 12 comprising a plurality of tweezer elements 14 is mounted for rotation within the jaw 10. The tweezer portion 12 has first and second ends 16, 18 which are supported by the first and second shoulder portions 6, 8 respectively. The tweezer portion 12 is mounted at a distance from the handle 4 such that an opening 20 is formed through the device 1 from a front side 22 of the housing 2 to a rear side 24. The handle 2 is also provided on its front side 22 with an actuation switch 26 and contacts 28 for the purpose of recharging.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a front view of the device 1 of FIG. 1. As can be seen, the tweezer portion 12 comprises a plurality of disks 30 having the tweezer elements 14 formed at their outer circumferences. The disks 30 are supported by a shaft 32 and driven by appropriate transmission 34 located within the housing 2. Also indicated by broken lines within the housing are motor 36 and rechargeable battery 38. The shaft 32 is slightly curved, causing the disks 30 to converge at a pinching region 40 formed slightly towards the front side 22 of the housing 2 within the jaw 10. The disks 30 diverge again at a releasing region 42 formed within the opening 20. Further details of the operation of the tweezer portion 12 can be found in WO2006/117755A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Although the invention is described in relation to a disk based tweezer portion, it will be understood that the principle applies equally to any similar tweezer mechanism that can achieve the required pinching and pulling of hairs. During operation, the rotating tweezer portion 12 is brought into contact with the skin of a user. Hairs are grasped at the pinching region 40 and pulled out from the skin as the tweezer portion 12 rotates further. In prior designs in which the tweezer portion is recessed in a housing, the hairs rotate downwards into the housing recess before release. According to the present design, the releasing region 42 is located at the opening 20 and on release, the hairs are free to fall away from the tweezer portion 12. Since the opening 20 formed between the handle 4 and the tweezer portion 12 is relatively large, even relatively long or springy hairs can escape and the device can easily be kept clean. Furthermore, because of the open space between the tweezer portion 12 and the handle 4, skin folds cannot be nipped at this position.

(12) FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the upper portion of a device 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Like elements to the first embodiment are hereby assigned the same reference numeral preceded by 100.

(13) The device 101 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment by the presence of a spacer bar 148, provided on the upper rear side 124 of the housing 102, spanning from the first shoulder portion 106 to the second shoulder portion 108. The bar 148 is spaced slightly from the tweezer portion 112 and located at a position slightly ahead of the pinching region 140 in the direction of rotation R of the tweezer portion 112. The device 101 also differs in that the opening 120 at the rear side 124 of the housing 102 is larger than at the front side 122 so that the lower surface 150 of the opening 120 slopes downwards towards the rear side 124.

(14) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the device 101 of FIG. 3, taken along line IV-IV during use, with the device 101 in contact with the skin S. In this view, the pinching region 140 is shown covering an angle of around 45. Following the pinching region 140 in the direction of rotation R is the releasing region 142. As will be understood, the pinching region 140 is denoted as such as being the area at which hairs are pinched. Nevertheless, prior to the pinching region 140, the tweezer elements 114 of the disks 130 are starting to close and can already trap folds of skin e g if pressure is exerted. The bar 148 effectively covers the part of the tweezer portion 112 where skin pinching could otherwise occur. Additionally, the bar 148 provides a guide for users during use and serves to space the tweezer portion 112 from the skin S.

(15) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the device 101 of FIG. 3 viewed from the rear side 124 and provided with a guard in the form of a cap 152. The cap 152 is in the shape of a plastic frame 154 carrying a metal foil 156, which substantially covers the pinching region 140. The foil 156 has slots 158 extending parallel to the disks 130 of the tweezer portion 112. The cap 152 provides additional control over the epilating procedure and limits the exposed region of the tweezer portion 112 to the slots 158. This makes the device 101 much easier to use in restricted areas where skin folds can otherwise become pinched.

(16) FIG. 6 shows a cross section similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the manner in which the cap 152 is retained over the pinching region 140. As can be seen, the frame 154 has a clip 160 at its rear side, which engages with bar 148. The frame 154 is resilient and is flexed into engagement with the shoulders 106, 108. The skilled person will well recognize that additional fixation elements may be provided on the housing 102 to hold the frame in place.

(17) FIG. 7 shows an alternative guard 52 that can be applied to the device 1 of the first embodiment. This guard 52 extends further over the front side 22 of the housing 2 and completely covers the opening 20. As in the case of the cap 152 of FIG. 5, the guard 52 has slots 58 through which the hairs can be engaged by the tweezer portion 12. In this embodiment, the guard 52 is formed of magnetic material and is held to the housing 2 by magnetism.

(18) FIG. 8 shows the device of FIG. 1 from the rear side 24, with the guard 52 in position. As can be seen, the opening 20 is exposed at the rear side 24 of the housing 2, such that pulled hairs can exit. The skilled person will understand that the guard 52 can also close the rear side of the opening to form a closed chamber for collection of hairs.

(19) Thus, the invention has been described by reference to certain embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art. In particular, the construction of the tweezer portion may be distinct from the schematically illustrated design.

(20) Many modifications in addition to those described above may be made to the structures and techniques described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.