System for removing body hair from difficult access sites

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (100) for removing body hair in hard-to-access locations, with a head part (102) that comprises a contact surface (104) for contact with the skin, wherein at least one electrically operated device (106) for depilation or epilation of body hair is present on the contact surface (104), wherein an electrical storage device for electrically supplying the device (106) for depilation or epilation, a communication module and a position sensor and / or a speed sensor are incorporated in the head part (102), wherein the communication module is configured to produce a communication connection (108) with a further communication module of a control device (110) and to transmit the data from the position sensor and / or from the speed sensor to the control device (110), and wherein the control device (110) is configured, to detect the position of the head part (102) using the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor, and to evaluate at which locations the depilation or epilation has already taken place.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for removing body hair in hard-to-reach places, in particular for removing body hair on the back of a user.

[0002] Body hair removal is equally common and popular among women and men. Body hair removal is performed for hygienic and / or aesthetic reasons. Body hair removal or body depilation refers to all methods aimed at removing body hair in part or, in the case of full-body hair removal, completely. A distinction is made between the following hair removal methods: depilation, using shaving, hair removal cream, or flame-cutting; and epilation, such as halawa (sugaring), hot wax, cold wax strips, epilators, tweezers, or permanent electro- or laser hair removal.

[0003] DE 10 2009 051 777 A1 describes a body razor shaped like a tab with two razor blades. A loop is attached to each side of this tab, allowing the user to easily shave hard-to-reach areas—such as the back—with the blades on the tab.

[0004] WO 2015 / 067 484 A1 describes a system for treating a body part to be treated. In particular, it relates to a system for cutting hair on a body part to be treated. The system comprises a handheld treatment device with a treatment unit, as well as an imaging module configured to generate information indicating the position of the treatment device relative to the body part to be treated based on an image of a body part and the treatment device.

[0005] WO 2015 / 067 489 A1 describes a shaving guidance system for guiding a user during a shaving process. The system described therein comprises an imaging module configured to register an image of a portion of the user's body. Furthermore, an image data analyzer is provided, which is configured to determine a local hair growth direction based on data in the image. The system also comprises a controller configured to generate instructions regarding a direction in which a hair cutting device is to be moved across the body depending on the determined local hair growth direction. A feedback system is provided, which is configured to communicate the instructions to the user.

[0006] EP 3 835 010 A1 describes a computer-implemented method relating to the provision of user guidance to improve hair removal results and / or to reduce skin irritation caused by hair removal.

[0007] WO 2017 / 220 689 A1 describes a method for operating an automated hair processing system and also a corresponding computer program.

[0008] EP 3 528 091 A1 discloses a device for determining a position of a personal care device on a user. The device comprises a processor configured to detect a position of one or more body parts of a user and movements of at least one of the user's body parts caused by the personal care device when the personal care device is in use. The processor is further configured to determine the position of the personal care device on the user based on the detected movements.

[0009] Removing body hair from hard-to-reach areas is often time-consuming using conventional methods. Especially in the back area, it has proven difficult to verify whether body hair has been removed from all areas.

[0010] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a system for removing body hair in hard-to-reach places which takes the above disadvantage into account.

[0011] This problem is solved by a system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] The system according to the invention for removing body hair from hard-to-reach areas comprises a head section having a support surface for resting on the skin. At least one electrically operated device for depilating or epilating body hair is provided on the support surface. The device may be a razor, a trimmer, or an epilator. An electrical storage device for supplying electricity to the depilating or epilating device, a communication module, and a position sensor and / or a speed sensor are integrated into the head section. The communication module is configured to establish a communication connection with another communication module of a control device and to transmit the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor to the control device.The control device is designed to detect the position of the head part based on the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor and to evaluate at which points the depilation or epilation has already taken place.

[0013] This gives the user the ability to reliably and completely remove body hair from hard-to-reach or poorly visible areas of the body. The system is a perfect everyday aid for back hair removal.

[0014] Position sensors (also called gyrometers or angular rate sensors) are used in many different devices, for example, in mobile phones, cars, pedometers, game consoles, cameras, etc. The gyrometer does not measure absolute acceleration, but rather the rotational speed of a body around an axis, or its angular velocity. Its name is derived from the gyroscope, or gyroscope instrument, whose construction principle with microelectromechanical components is used for the measurement.

[0015] It is possible for one, two, three (x, y, z-planes) or even six axes (3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer) to record the movements; using appropriate wiring, the position values ​​can then be output; thus, evaluated by the control device and, if necessary, output to an output device.

[0016] For the communication connection, a communication interface (I2C, SPI, etc.) is used, which is selected depending on the model used. The sensitivity regarding position and speed changes is extremely high, reliably detecting even the smallest changes (e.g., 12 mg / digit).

[0017] An acceleration sensor (so-called accelerometer) can also be used. This determines the inertia of a moving mass. This seismic mass is mounted on a spring-loaded, movable base and, for example, operates a sliding resistor via a sliding contact. An acceleration sensor (accelerometer) therefore contains a spring-loaded weight for each spatial axis along which the acceleration is to be measured. In conventional accelerometers, this weight moves against the spring force. However, for the purpose of miniaturization, the use of a piezoelectric sensor, preferably a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System), is preferred to determine the mass inertia along the individual spatial axes.

[0018] In this context, it has proven advantageous if the control device is a component of a smartphone or tablet, and if the smartphone or tablet, in particular the control device, is configured to display the detected positions on the smartphone or tablet's display. An application is installed on the mobile device, namely the smartphone or tablet, which—when executed on the device—graphically displays and monitors the depilation or epilation process.

[0019] For this purpose, it is provided, for example, that the mobile device, in particular the smartphone or tablet, comprises a camera, and that the control device is configured to output the detected positions of the head part superimposed over an image of the user's back captured by the camera. In other words, the user's back can first be photographed, with the position of the head part in the image then being determined, and the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor then being used to visualize the locations of the head part currently located and the areas that still need to be depilated or epilated. The display is in real time, although a wireless communication connection is preferably present between the mobile device and the head part.

[0020] In this context, it is advantageous if the control device is configured to determine the progress of depilation or epilation based on the image and position data, and if the display is configured to show the progress graphically. If necessary, a time display can even be included to indicate the remaining time or the impending completion of depilation or epilation.

[0021] In order to ensure particularly good depilation or epilation results, it has proven advantageous if the depilation or epilation device is assigned a pressure sensor and if the control device is set up to evaluate the contact pressure during depilation or epilation. This evaluation can then be used to record the contact pressure of the head section on the entire back area. The contact pressure is preferably displayed on the mobile device, in particular on the display of the smartphone or tablet. The mobile device can emit an acoustic and / or visual alarm signal if the pressure falls below or exceeds predetermined pressure values. The contact pressure can therefore be used as a value for the quality of the depilation or epilation, with the control device and the display being set up to display this quality on the display.

[0022] In order to ensure rapid removal of body hair from large areas, such as the back, it has proven advantageous if a plurality of electrically operated devices for depilation or epilation are integrated into the head part and if the devices are arranged offset from one another.

[0023] To facilitate handling of the system, it has proven advantageous to have two straps attached to the headpiece. These straps allow for quick and clean depilation or epilation on the back of a user. The straps can be individually adjusted, allowing the headpiece to be manually moved along the back.

[0024] To make the straps easier to handle, they are preferably provided with a handle or a hand loop at their free ends.

[0025] To ensure reliable hair removal or depilation in hard-to-reach areas of the body, regardless of the angle and growth direction of body hair, the invention provides for the head and its support surface to be shaped like a flattened or elongated ellipsoid of revolution. This creates an approximately oval and therefore aerodynamic shape that can easily glide over a user's shoulder blades, for example, while ensuring reliable and thorough hair removal or depilation.

[0026] Instead of using straps, it is also possible to have the headrest movably attached to a rail. For example, the rail can be attached to a wall with two or more attachment points, particularly with suction cups, allowing the headrest to be moved along the rail to fully reach the user's back.

[0027] In this context, there is therefore the advantageous possibility of equipping the headboard with an electric drive that is designed to adjust the headboard along a rail.

[0028] For the adjustment of the headboard along the rail, the control device can optionally be configured to control the movement of the headboard along the rail, in particular in the manner of a remote control.

[0029] Even with the rail-based version, the sensors are used to evaluate and display the areas where depilation or epilation has already been completed. The optional pressure sensor can monitor the contact pressure and, if necessary, output an acoustic and / or visual signal on the mobile device's display.

[0030] In another variant, the headrest can be attached to a support bar, allowing the user to fully support their back. The headrest is preferably detachably connected to the support bar, which facilitates cleaning. The support bar itself can be equipped with one or more joints to allow for the adjustment and temporary fixation of an optimal angle. The support bar can also be made of a thermoformable material, for example, to adapt to the physical characteristics of the individual user.

[0031] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced from the explained embodiments through separate feature combinations.

[0032] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a system for removing body hair in hard-to-reach places, with the head part shown in a side view, Fig. 2 the system from Figure 2 , the head part being shown in a plan view, Fig. 3 an enlarged side view of the head part of the system from Figure 1 , Fig. 4 a schematic representation of another system for removing body hair in hard-to-reach places, wherein the head part is made of Figure 3 attached to a support bracket, and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of another system for removing body hair in hard-to-reach places, wherein the head part is made of Figure 3 is fixed so that it can be moved along a rail.

[0033] In the Figures 1, 2 , 4 and 5A system 100 for removing body hair in hard-to-reach areas, in particular for removing body hair from a user's back, is shown. The system 100 comprises a head part 102, which has a support surface 104 for resting on the skin. An electrically operated device 106 for depilating or epilating body hair is provided on the support surface 104. The depilating or epilating device can be, for example, a razor or an epilator. Integrated into the head part 102 are an electrical storage unit (not shown in detail) for supplying electricity to the depilating or epilating device 106, a communication module (not shown in detail), and a position sensor (not shown in detail) and / or a speed sensor (not shown in detail). These sensors detect the movement of the head part 102.These sensors can also be used to detect the position of the head section 102 relative to the user's back. The communication module of the head section 102 is configured to establish a communication connection 108 with a further communication module (not shown in detail) of a control device 110 and to transmit the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor to the control device 110. The control device is configured to detect the position of the head section 102 based on the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor and to evaluate the locations at which depilation or epilation has already taken place.

[0034] In this case, the control device 110 is part of a smartphone 112, wherein the smartphone 112 is configured to output the detected positions on the display 114 of the smartphone 112. It should be noted that any other mobile device could also be used to implement a control device 110, for example, a tablet.

[0035] In the present case, the smartphone 112 comprises a camera (not shown in detail), wherein the control device 110—in particular the microprocessor of the smartphone 112—is configured to output the detected positions of the head part 102 superimposed over an image of the user's back captured by the camera. The control device 110 is configured to determine the progress of the depilation or epilation based on the image and the position data. The progress is displayed graphically on the display 114. To ensure a good depilation or epilation result, a pressure sensor (not shown in detail) is assigned to the depilation or epilation device 106, wherein the control device 110 is configured to evaluate the contact pressure during depilation or epilation.The device 106 for depilation or epilation is, in particular, spring-mounted, so that the device 106 can retract axially; in other words, it can partially engage the housing of the head part 102. The contact pressure is displayed graphically on the display 114 of the smartphone 112. In addition, an acoustic and / or visual alarm signal is output if the contact pressure exceeds a predetermined limit pressure or falls below a predetermined limit pressure. The contact pressure is used, for example, as a value for the quality of the depilation or epilation, and this quality is also displayed on the display 114.

[0036] To reliably reach all areas of the back and to accommodate all growth directions of body hair, the head part 102 with its support surface 104 has the shape of a flattened or elongated ellipsoid of revolution. It is possible for the head part 102 to have a plurality of electrically operated devices 106 for depilation or epilation, with the devices 106 then being arranged offset from one another in order to be able to depilate a larger area, for example, a larger area of ​​the back.

[0037] As can be seen from the variants of the Figures 1 and 2In the system 100 shown here, two retaining straps 116 are attached to the head part 102. The retaining straps 116 have a hand strap 118 at their free ends, which facilitates operation. The retaining straps 116 are articulated to the head part 102 via a strap receiving part 130. In other words, the strap receiving part 130 connects the retaining strap 116 to the head part 102 in an articulated manner, in particular in a multidirectional manner, which further improves the result of the depilation or epilation. The length of the retaining straps 116 is variably adjustable. Figures 1 and 3It can be seen that a tensioning bracket 120 is attached to the head part 102. This tensioning bracket 120 is connected to the head part 102 via a fastening web 126. The tensioning bracket 120 rigidly connects the two ends of the retaining straps 116 attached to the head part 102. The tensioning bracket 120 is preferably designed such that the mobility of the strap receiving parts 130 is maintained. In any case, the tensioning bracket 120 ensures that the head part 102 does not twist undesirably and that the support surface 104 always remains facing the back during use.

[0038] The head part 102 can also be attached to a support bracket 124, as shown in Figure 4This support bracket 124 can, for example, be provided with at least one joint or even with more than one joint to ensure optimal positioning of the head part 102 relative to the user's back. It is also possible for the support bracket 124 to be formed from a thermoformable material, so that the support bracket 124 can be individually adapted to the user's body.

[0039] In Figure 5Another variant of the system 100 is shown, in which the head part 102 is movably attached to a rail 122. In this case, the rail 122 itself can be fixed or is fixed to the wall by means of suction cups 128. In this case, it is possible for the head part 102 to comprise an electric drive configured to adjust the head part 102 along the rail 122. The user can press their back against the head part 102, which then results in shaving or epilation. They can monitor the progress of body hair removal on the smartphone 112. It is possible for the movement of the head part 102 to be controlled with the smartphone 112 like a remote control, in which case the head part 102 can then be controlled along the rail 122 using the smartphone 112.

[0040] Overall, the present system 100 is characterized by the fact that it enables quick and thorough depilation or epilation of hard-to-reach areas. The visualization on the display 114 offers the user additional convenience and ensures that all desired areas are depilated or epilated. The system 100 has proven to be multifunctional, so it can be used, for example, with hand straps 118, a holding bar 124, or even using a rail 122. The sensors integrated into the head section 102 offer maximum user comfort and ensure high-quality depilation or epilation. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0041] 100System 102Headpiece 104Support surface 106Device (e.g. trimmer, razor, epilator) 108Communication connection (wireless) 110Control device 112Mobile device / smartphone / tablet 114Display / touchscreen 116Holding strap 118Hand strap / handle 120Clamping bracket 122Rail 124Holding bracket 126Fastening bar 128Suction cup

Claims

1. System (100) for removing body hair from hard-to-reach areas, with a head part (102) that includes a support surface (104) for resting on the skin, wherein at least one electrically operated device (106) for depilation or epilation of body hair is provided on the bearing surface (104), in that an electric accumulator for supplying power to the hair removal device (106), a communication module and a position sensor and / or a speed sensor are integrated in the head part (102), wherein the communication module is configured to establish a communication link (108) with an additional communication module of a control device (110) and to transmit the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor to the control device (110), and wherein the control device (110) is configured to detect, using the data from the position sensor and / or the speed sensor, the position of the head part (102) and to evaluate the locations at which depilation or epilation has already been performed, characterized in that the head part (102) has the shape of a flattened or elongated ellipsoid of revolution with its bearing surface (104).

2. System (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (110) is a component of a smartphone (112) or tablet, and in that the smartphone (112) or tablet is configured to display the detected positions on the screen (114) of the smartphone (112) or tablet.

3. System (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the smartphone (112) or tablet includes a camera, and in that the control device (110) is configured to output the detected positions of the head portion superimposed on an image of the user's back detected by the camera.

4. System (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the control device (110) is configured to determine the progress of hair removal or hair re sisting of the image and the position data, and in that the display (114) is configured to graphically display the progress.

5. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a pressure sensor is associated with the device (106) for depilation or epilation, and in that the control device (110) is configured to evaluate the contact pressure during depilation or epilation.

6. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a plurality of electrically controlled devices (106) for depilation or epilation are integrated into the head portion (102), and in that the devices (106) are arranged offset relative to one another.

7. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that two retaining straps (116) are placed on the head portion (102).

8. System (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that a clamping bracket (120), which rigidly connects the two ends of the retaining straps (116) placed on the head part (102) to each other, is fixed to the head part (102).

9. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the head portion (102) comprises an electric drive which is configured to move the head portion (102) along a rail (122).

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