EPILATING SPRING FOR HAIR REMOVAL

Abstract

An epilating spring for hair removal, includes a spring element designed as a coil spring and having a central axis, as well as having an epilating region with a plurality of spring windings which are spaced apart from one another in an unloaded state of the spring element and between which the hairs can be clamped by pressing together the spring element in the axial direction by way of the handles, and cover elements arranged at the ends of the spring element, which are connected to one another via a bracket element having respective arms, wherein the cover elements and the bracket element are produced as a single part from plastic.

Claims

1. An epilator spring for hair removal, comprising: a spring element configured as a coil spring and having a central axis, as well as having an epilation region with a plurality of spring windings which are spaced apart from one another in an unloaded state of the spring element and between which hairs can be clamped by pressing together the spring element in the axial direction by way of handles, and cover elements arranged at the ends of the spring element, wherein the cover elements are connected to one another via a bracket element having respective arms, wherein the cover elements and the bracket element are produced as a single part from a plastic.

2. The epilator spring according to claim 1, wherein the arms of the bracket element when the spring element is in the unloaded or loaded state run at least substantially parallel to one another at a distance and are connected to one another via a connecting region.

3. The epilator spring according to claim 2, wherein the connecting region is designed as an arch with a chord which corresponds to the distance between the arms.

4. The epilator spring according to claim 1, wherein the arms extend at least over 50%, of a length of the bracket element.

5. The epilator spring according to claim 1, wherein the cover elements in their outer diameter are at least substantially equal to the outer diameter of the spring element, whereby the epilation region can be placed parallel to a surface of a skin to be epilated over a corresponding length.

6. The epilator spring according to claim 5, wherein the arms of the bracket element correspond in their width at least substantially to the outer diameter of the respective cover element.

7. The epilator spring according to claim 1, wherein the cover elements have respective plug pins which are adapted in their outer diameter to the inner diameter of the spring element, wherein the spring element has between 1.5 and 2.5 turns abutting one another at both ends, and the plug pins correspond in their axial length at least substantially to the length of the turns abutting one another.

8. The epilator spring according to claim 7, wherein the plug pins in their axial length correspond to a maximum length of 2.5 turns abutting one another of the spring windings.

9. The epilator spring according to claim 7, wherein the spring element is easily detachably connected to the plug pins.

10. The epilator spring according to claim 1, wherein respective handle structures are provided on the outside of the arms in a region of the cover elements.

11. The epilator spring according to claim 10, wherein the respective handle structures are formed by linear bars running transversely to the arms.

12. The epilator spring according to claim 2, wherein the connecting region has, at least regionally, a smaller wall thickness than the arms.

13. The epilator spring according to claim 12, wherein the wall thickness in a transition region of the arms to the connecting region decreases.

14. The epilator spring according to claim 1, wherein the arms are reinforced by bars.

15. The epilator spring according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is configured with a polygonal basic shape.

16. The epilator spring according to claim 4, wherein the arms extend at least over 70% of the length of the bracket element.

17. The epilator spring according to claim 4, wherein the arms extend at least over 90% of the length of the bracket element.

18. The epilator spring according to claim 7, wherein the plug pins in their axial length correspond to a maximum length of 1.5 turns abutting one another of the spring windings.

19. The epilator spring according to claim 15, wherein the spring element is configured with a triangular, square, or octagonal basic shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Additional advantages, features and details of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. In the figures:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the epilator spring for hair removal, with a spring element designed as a coil spring, at the ends of which cover elements are arranged which are connected to one another via a bracket element having a respective arm, wherein the cover elements and the bracket element are made in one piece from a plastic;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the epilator spring according to FIG. 1 in which the arms of the bracket element run at least substantially parallel to one another at a distance and are connected to one another via an arcuate connecting region;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the epilator spring according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the epilator spring;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view and a side view of a third embodiment of the epilator spring; and

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view and a side view of a fourth embodiment of the epilator spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show in a perspective view, a side view, and a plan view a first embodiment of an epilator spring for hair removal in particular in the facial and head region. This epilator spring substantially comprises a spring element 10 which in this case is designed as a coil spring with a central axis M. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the spring element 10 designed as a coil spring comprises a plurality of spring windings 12. At least in a central epilation region 14, these spring windings 12 are spaced apart from one another by a respective distance a (FIG. 2), which is preferably less than 1 mm, when the spring element 10 is in the unloaded state shown here, i.e., when no axial manual pressure is exerted thereon. The spring wire of the metallic coil spring is designed in the present case a rectangular or square in cross-section. However, other cross sections are also conceivable. Other basic shapes are also conceivable instead of the circular coil spring in this case. In particular, a polygonal, for example triangular, hexagonal, or octagonal basic shape of the spring element 10 is conceivable.

[0033] As can further be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, respective cover elements 20, 22 are attached to respective ends 16, 18 of the spring element 10 or the coil spring, which in the present case are made of plastic and are adapted in their diameter to the diameter of the coil spring or the spring element 10. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the spring element 10 is at least substantially equal to the outer diameter of the cover elements 20, 22. In the present case, the two handles 20, 22 are designed as disc elements. Since the cover elements 20, 22 in their outer diameter are equal to the outer diameter of the spring element 10, the epilation region 14 can be placed parallel to a surface of the skin to be epilated over a corresponding length.

[0034] With other basic shapes of the spring element 10, other shapes of the cover elements 20, 22 are therefore also conceivable, wherein they are at least substantially identical in their basic shape to the basic shape of the spring element 10.

[0035] Furthermore, it can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3 that the cover elements 20, 22 are connected to one another in one piece via a bracket element 24 and are made of a plastic. The bracket element 24 comprises respective arms 26, 28 which are connected to one another via a connecting region 30 on the side facing away from the spring element 10 or the cover elements 20, 22.

[0036] The arms 26, 28 of the bracket element 24 when the spring element 10 is in the unloaded or loaded state run in the present case at least substantially parallel to one another at a distance s. Due to the geometric shape of the bracket element 24, the at least substantially parallel course of the arms 26, 28 enables at least substantially no transverse forces to be introduced into the spring element 10 in such a manner that the spring element 10 can be compressed very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the central axis M, whereby the individual coils 12 of the spring element 10 lie exactly against one another in the epilation region. This enables the desired reliable epilation that is gentle on the skin.

[0037] The substantially semi-annular connecting region 30 is therefore designed as an arch with a chord which corresponds to the distance s between the two arms 26, 28. A further advantageous embodiment of the disclosure provides that the arms extend at least over 50%, and in some cases over 70%, and further in some cases over 90% of the length of the bracket element. The spring element is also compressed thereby very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring. This also ensures that, due to the geometric shape of the bracket element 24, at least substantially no transverse forces are introduced into the spring element so that the spring element 10 can be compressed very precisely linearly in the axial direction of the coil spring.

[0038] In particular, FIGS. 1 and 3 also show that the arms 26, 28 of the bracket element 24in the transition between the cover elements 20, 22 and the associated arms 26, 28correspond in their width at least substantially to the diameter of the respective cover element 20, 22. Starting from the transition between the cover elements 20, 22 and the associated arms 26, 28, these can also taper in their width towards the connecting region 30, as is clear from FIG. 3, for example.

[0039] The connecting region 30 has, at least regionally, a smaller wall thickness than the two arms 26, 28. In addition, the wall thickness in the transition region of the arms 26, 28 to the connecting region can decrease. As a result, the arms 26, 28 can be pressed together very easily in order to bring the spring windings 12 of the spring element 10 into mutual contact for clamping the hair.

[0040] On the outside of the arms 26, 28, in proximity to the cover elements 20, 22, respective handle structures 32 are provided which are formed here by bars 34 running transversely to the arms 26, 28. These bars 34 can, for example, be designed curved with their center axial to the cover elements 20, 22, or linear.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the bracket element 24 with the spring element 10 omitted, which substantially corresponds to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3. Accordingly, only special features or very easily recognizable details of this embodiment will be discussed below.

[0042] As can be clearly seen in particular from FIG. 4, the shown bracket element 24, as well as all other embodiments shown here, has respective plug pins 36, 38 on the cover elements 20, 22, which are adapted in their outer diameter to the inner diameter of the spring element 10. Therefore, the spring element 10 is mounted on the plug pins 36, 38 in an easily detachable manner, but is nevertheless sufficiently firmly secured on the respective plug pins 36, 38 in everyday use.

[0043] In conjunction with the first embodiment, it is also clear that in the spring element 10, between 1.5 and 2.5 turns, in the present case in some cases 1.5 turns, of the spring windings 12 abutting one another at both ends. In this case, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 and 2, the plug pins 36, 38 correspond in their axial length I at least substantially to the length of the turns abutting one another. The combination of the spring windings abutting one another and the plug pins prevents an accumulation of plucked hairs in this region.

[0044] The plug pins 36, 38 can correspond in their axial length l to a maximum length of 2.5, and in some cases 1.5, turns abutting one another.

[0045] FIGS. 5 and 6 show two further embodiments of the epilator spring with the spring element 10 omitted, i.e., the bracket element 24, wherein this substantially corresponds to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4. Accordingly, only special features or very easily recognizable details of this embodiment will be discussed below.

[0046] In particular, it can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the arms 26, 28 are reinforced by bars 40, which either rise or fall obliquely over the course of the arms 26, 28 (FIG. 5), or are constant (FIG. 6)

[0047] The epilator spring is preferably handled by grasping the bracket element 24 with one hand, wherein the thumb and index finger, for example, grip the two arms 26, 28 in the region of the handle structures 32. By pressing together and releasing the arms 26, 28, the spring windings of the spring element 10 can be easily pressed together so that they come into mutual contact or are spaced apart from one another again. The distance s between the arms 26, 28 or the length of the spring element 10 is preferably between about 1.5 cm and about 4 cm. In the present embodiments, the spring element 10 is approximately 2 cm long. This length has proven to be very advantageous since the epilator spring can be easily operated by both women and men, regardless of the size of the hand of the operator.

[0048] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the epilation region 14 in the unloaded state of the spring element 10, that is, when the epilation spring is held by the respective operator via the two arms 26, 28, but is not subjected to any significant pressure. In this unloaded state, it can be seen that the respective spring windings 12 are arranged at a distance a of, for example, approximately 1 mm from one another. In this unloaded state, the epilation region 14 can be easily placed on the surface of the skin to be epilated. Corresponding hairs, which protrude from the skin, protrude into the respective spaces between the spring windings 12 spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, it can be seen that the spring element 10 or the epilation region 14 have a correspondingly straight extension with a central axis M. This allows the epilation region 14 to be placed parallel to the skin 32 over a corresponding length.

[0049] The spring element 10 is then compressed by exerting a corresponding pressure on the spring element 10 by means of the arms 26, 28 using the fingers, in some cases the thumb and the index finger. It can be seen that this pressure is exerted on the bracket element 24 substantially in the axial direction, i.e., parallel or coaxial to the central axis M of the spring element 10, due to the special shape of the bracket element 24. As a result, the distance a between the spring windings 12 is reduced or eliminated, so that the hairs 34 are clamped between respective clamping surfaces of the spring windings 12. It can be seen that the respective spring windings 12 have a substantially rectangular and in some cases square cross-section, at least in the epilation region 14. This allows the corresponding clamping surfaces which enable a large-format and not just point-or line-shaped clamping of the respective hair. Of course, the spring windings 12, which preferably consist of a rust-proof metal, are correspondingly burr-free on their edges and may also have a slight radius. It is essential, however, that appropriate clamping surfaces are present so that the hairs can be reliably clamped between the respective spring windings 12.

[0050] Finally, the hairs are plucked out by applying an appropriate pulling force. It is clear that for this purpose, corresponding compressive forces must still be applied to the spring element 10 via the arms 26, 28 so that the hairs are still reliably clamped between the spring windings 12. After the hairs have been plucked out, the force applied by the fingers, preferably the thumb and index finger, can be released in such a manner that the spring element 10 in the epilation region 14 relaxes again. Accordingly, the respective distances a between the spring windings 10 are again achieved in such a manner that the plucked hairs can be removed.

[0051] In another embodiment, not shown here, it would also be conceivable to use an epilator spring as described in WO2014/041211 A2, which can be clipped onto the respective arms of a bracket element with its cover elements/handles shown therein. Accordingly, the bracket element could be easily clipped to the epilator spring according to WO2014/041211 A2 to obtain an epilator spring according to the present disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0052] 10 spring element [0053] 12 spring winding [0054] 14 epilation region [0055] 16 end of spring element 10 [0056] 18 end of spring element 10 [0057] 20 cover element [0058] 22 cover element [0059] 24 bracket element [0060] 26 arms of the bracket element 26 [0061] 28 arms of the bracket element 26 [0062] 30 connecting region of the bracket element 26 [0063] 32 handle structures [0064] 34 bars [0065] 36 plug pins [0066] 38 plug pins [0067] 40 bars [0068] a distance [0069] s distance [0070] l length [0071] M central axis

[0072] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the patents, applications, and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications, and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

[0073] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.