Electric hair removal devices, kits, and attachments

Abstract

To provide an electric hair removal device comprising a handle and a head.SOLUTION: An electric hair removal device, in particular an electric shaver or a hair trimmer or a hair epilator, comprises a handle and a head. The head comprises: a head base; a first attachment for skin treatment, the first attachment being releasably connectable with the head base; and a second attachment having a hair removal tool, the second attachment being releasably connectable with the head base. A motor output drive is moveable and non-operatively coupled within an inner head space of a joint head housing of the head base and the first attachment for generating head housing vibrations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric hair removal device including a handle and a head, particularly an electric shaver or a hair trimmer or a depilator, wherein the head includes a head base, a first attachment for skin treatment, which is removably connectable to the head base, a first attachment, and a second attachment having a hair removal tool, which is removably connectable to the head base, a second attachment, and the head base and one of the first attachment and the second attachment form a joint head housing, the head housing surrounds an internal head space, a motor provided in the handle is connected to a drive train, the drive train extends into the head and has an output drive, and the output drive is removably connectable to the hair removal tool to drive the hair removal tool of the second attachment. The present invention also relates to a kit of an electric hair removal device and a first attachment for the head.

Background Art

[0002] An electric shaver usually includes a battery for driving a motor. A drive train connects a motor drive to one or more lower blades that are part of one or more cutting units. Each of the cutting units includes an upper blade having a pattern of, for example, hexagonal openings for capturing hair and a lower blade that moves relative to the upper blade to cut the captured hair.

[0003] Separate skin treatment devices are known in which a handle and a motor for driving an eccentric mass are provided, thereby causing, for example, a skin treatment surface having bristles of the device to vibrate. It is desirable to enhance the capabilities of an electric shaver or another hair removal device for the purpose of skin treatment of the skin (of the face).

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved electric hair removal device, kit, or head for such device, which enables the electric hair removal device to be used for skin treatment.

[0005] A further objective is to provide such a device or kit that enables the head to vibrate without a rotational eccentric mass to generate such vibrations.

[0006] At least one of the above objectives is an electric hair removal device, particularly an electric shaver or hair trimmer or epilator, comprising a handle and a head, wherein the head comprises a head base, a first attachment for skin treatment which is detachably connected to the head base, and a second attachment having a hair removal tool which is detachably connected to the head base, wherein the head base and one of the first and second attachments form a joint head housing, and the head housing The hair removal device is addressed by an electric hair removal device in which a motor located within the handle surrounds the internal head space, the drivetrain extending into the head and having an output drive, the output drive being detachably connectable to the hair removal tool of the second attachment to drive the hair removal tool, and the output drive being movable and non-operationally coupled within the internal head space of the head base and the joint head housing of the first attachment to generate vibrations of the head housing. Thus, the hair removal device does not require any additional mechanism to generate vibrations when the skin treatment head is coupled to the handle of the device. The travel motor and drivetrain used provide sufficient vibrations to passively drive the skin treatment head. Such vibrations reduce friction and allow it to glide over the user's skin. Furthermore, the shaving performance is not adversely affected by the additional functions provided by the skin treatment attachment. The hair removal device, which can be used multiple times, is more sustainable because it does not require additional skin care devices. All the mechanical and electrical elements necessary for a skin treatment device are used by these parts of the hair removal device. In the context of the present invention, it is understood that the skin treatment head attachment cannot be used for hair cutting and does not include metal strips or other blade components that directly interact with another movable blade for cutting hair, nor does it include any housing portion that enables cutting or removing hair. Therefore, the skin treatment head attachment is a non-hair cutting attachment or a hair removal attachment.

[0007] In a further embodiment, the head and the handle are connected by a head support frame, which supports the head and allows the head to pivot relative to the handle. The pivoting head (or which may be further combined with further mobility such as tilting) allows for a perfect fit to the user's skin.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the motor has a motor housing, and the head support frame is coupled to the motor housing, allowing vibrations of the motor housing to be transmitted to the head via the head support frame. Therefore, optionally, vibrations of the motor housing are a further source for actively causing vibrations of the head.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the motor is of the linear motor type, having a motor-electromagnet and a motor-permanent magnet, respectively, supported so as to be able to move substantially linearly back and forth relative to each other. Such smooth linear vibrations have been found to be more pleasant to the skin than vibrations caused by eccentric mass. Single or combined (active and passive) vibrations produce a head amplitude greater than 0.1 mm but less than 1 mm, and optionally, a head amplitude in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. Combined vibrations can facilitate the penetration of cream and massage the skin.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the first attachment is tab or pot-shaped with a snap-fit ​​connector for removably connecting it to the head base. This allows for easy replacement with shaver attachments and facilitates cleaning.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the first attachment is provided with a magnet. By using the magnet, the magnetic electrophoretic effect of specific components in the skin cream can be utilized to enable better skin penetration of the active cosmetic cream components.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the first attachment comprises a metal skin treatment section and a plastic base section, optionally the skin treatment section being made of stainless steel. The metal cap feels cool against the skin and maintains its smooth surface properties over a long period. Furthermore, the plastic base section still allows for some flexibility for a snap-fit ​​connection with the head base, but also allows for sufficient flexibility to eliminate any gap between the base section and the treatment section with a liquid adhesive connecting them. Thus, no dirt can enter the connection between the metal and plastic parts.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the magnet is sandwiched between the base and the skin treatment area, and optionally, the magnet is at least partially or completely surrounded by an adhesive, and optionally, the adhesive is also sandwiched between the skin treatment area and the base. This enables the arrangement of the magnet in water.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the base portion is provided with a recess or indentation for receiving the magnet. This enables the magnet to be arranged in a water encapsulation.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the first attachment is provided with a ring-shaped projection on its skin-contacting side. This improves the uniform distribution of the cream onto the skin.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the protrusion extends only 0.1–2 mm, 0.1–1 mm, or 0.1–0.5 mm from the flat skin-contacting side. Such small protrusions have been found to be comfortable (nearly flat) on the skin while ensuring better distribution of the cream on the skin.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the skin treatment portion is provided with a thickness of less than 1 mm or less than 0.6 mm. This ensures sufficient shape stability while effectively transmitting magnetic flux.

[0018] According to a further aspect, a kit of an electric hair removal device including a skin cream is provided according to any one of the above aspects. According to a further aspect, the skin cream includes a diamagnetic active ingredient that is more easily penetrable to human skin by magnetophoresis.

[0019] According to a further aspect, a first attachment for the head of an electric hair removal device, particularly an electric shaver or a hair trimmer or a depilator, including at least one of the above features is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] This disclosure will be made more apparent by a detailed description of exemplary embodiments and reference to the drawings. [Figure 1] A perspective view of a shaver with a skin treatment attachment and a shaver attachment removed from the electric shaver, respectively. [Figure 2] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the head in a state where a skin treatment attachment is coupled to the motor of the shaver of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view rotated 90 degrees with respect to FIG. 2 showing the head in a state where a skin treatment attachment is coupled to the motor of the shaver of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 passing through the skin treatment attachment for the shaver of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] An exploded perspective view of the skin treatment attachment for the shaver of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] A perspective view of the skin treatment attachment for the shaver of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] A perspective view of the skin treatment attachment for the shaver of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] A schematic front view of a skin cream for a kit having the shaver of FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Figure 1 shows an electric hair removal device embodied as an electric shaver and two different attachments, and therefore each is not connected to the shaver. The shaver includes a shaver handle 1 and a shaver head 2. The shaver head 2 includes a shaver head base 3 that can be connected to the attachments 4, 5 by a snap fit 17 or other connection. As the first attachment 4, a skin treatment attachment is provided. As the second attachment 5, a hair removal tool 6 including several hair cutting units 30, 31, 32 is provided. As the hair cutting units, short hair and / or long hair cutting units may be arranged within the second attachment, and each unit includes an actively driven lower blade and an upper blade that can vibrate linearly.

[0022] The handle 1 of the shaver includes a motor 9 energized by a battery. The motor is of a rotary type or a linear type. A drive train 10 couples the motor drive to one or more output drives 11. The motor 9 in Figure 1 is of a linear type, and thus the output drive 11 moves back and forth along a linear path (see arrow 50). The linear motor 9 includes an electromagnet 14 and a permanent magnet 15 that move relative to each other (see Figure 2). The lower blade connector 35 is provided at each end of the output drive 11.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a cross section of the skin treatment head 4 connected to the head base 3 along the vibration direction 50 or along the axis B-B of Figure 3. A motor 9 having a drive train 10 coupled to the head 2 is schematically shown. The drive train 10 includes a vibration bridge that linearly guides the output drive 11 as part of the head 2.

[0024] A substantially U-shaped head support frame 12 for supporting the head 2 with the handle 1 is provided. The lower end of the head support frame 12 is fixedly connected to the housing 13 of the motor 9. The upper end of the head support frame 12 is pivotally connected to the housing 7 of the head base 3 by a pivot support 33. The pivot axis is parallel to the vibration direction 50 of the lower blade.

[0025] Motor vibrations are introduced to the head as a further effect of the connection between the motor housing 13 and the head housing 7 by the head support frame 12, and as a result the head is actively driven in response to the motor vibrations. Furthermore, the skin treatment attachment also vibrates passively due to the back-and-forth movement of the output drive 11 with respect to the internal space 8 of the head. To generate vibrations in the skin treatment head, at least one of the above vibration sources, or both vibration sources as shown herein, are provided. The vibration frequency may be in the range of 50 to 300 Hz, or optionally in the range of 100 to 200 Hz.

[0026] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the skin treatment head connected to the head base 3, perpendicular to the vibration direction along axis AA in Figure 1 or along arrow 50, and a schematic connection between the motor 9 of the handle 1 and the head base 3. The first attachment 4 is pivotable around axis 18 and includes one or more snap-fit ​​protrusions 19 that snap into a snap-fit ​​hook 17 provided on the head base 3, thereby forming one or more snap-fit ​​connections 16.

[0027] The skin treatment attachment 4 may be of any type suitable for treating skin. Therefore, the skin contact surface 26 may have bristles or rubber bristles, or it may be a substantially flat surface. The skin treatment attachments shown in Figures 1 to 7 are of the type having a substantially flat skin contact surface 26.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the skin treatment attachment comprises a plastic base portion 22 and a treatment portion 21 made of metal, more preferably stainless steel. Both the base portion 22 and the treatment portion 21 are rectangular (with rounded edges) in top view and substantially tab-shaped. The lower surface of the treatment portion 21 is molded to conform to the upper shape of the base portion 22. The base portion 22 is provided with a permanent magnet 20 embedded in a recess or depression on the outer upper surface of the base portion 22. As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the magnet is surrounded by a rectangular adhesive ring 23, which allows for both the fixation of the treatment portion to the magnet and the fixation of the base portion by adhesive, but also provides a water seal for the magnet sandwiched between both the base portion 22 and the treatment portion 21. Thus, the treatment portion 21 forms a cap on the base portion 22.

[0029] The magnet 20 comprises a magnetic array including multiple pole directions, which is optionally a permanent magnet. The kit may also include a skin cream 40 containing a diamagnetic active ingredient that penetrates more easily into human skin through magnetophoresis interacting with the magnet 20 of the skin treatment attachment 4. The magnetic properties may be μs < 1,3 on the skin contact side 26 adjacent to the magnet 20 and the treatment area 21.

[0030] The metal skin treatment section 21 is less than 1 mm, less than 0.6 mm, or about 0.4 mm thick in order to reduce the distance between the magnetic array and the skin being treated, and thus maximize the effect of the magnetophoretic function of the cream. This promotes the penetration of the cosmetic ingredients of the cream. The treatment section 21 may be coated, galvanized, or lacquered, but preferably it is untreated, uncoated, galvanized, and unlacquered in order to maintain smooth surface properties independently of defects in such coatings that may occur over time.

[0031] The skin-contact side 26 of the treatment section 21 is further provided with several, preferably 2 to 5, ring-shaped projections 25, which are substantially rectangular with rounded edges. The projections 25 protrude from the flat skin-contact side (26) by p=0.1 to 2 mm, p=0.1 to 1 mm, or p=0.1 to 0.5 mm. The outer edge of the treatment section 21 is rounded with a radius of 2 to 10 mm to provide a smooth feel against the skin.

[0032] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0033] The present invention includes the following embodiments. (Aspect 1) An electric hair removal device comprising a handle (1) and a head (2), more particularly an electric shaver, hair trimmer, or hair removal device, The head is connected to the head base (3), A first attachment (4) for skin treatment, which is detachably connected to the head base (3), A second attachment (5) having a hair removal tool (6), the second attachment (5) being detachably connected to the head base (3), The head base (3) and one of the first attachment (4) and the second attachment (5) form a joint head housing (7). The head housing (7) surrounds the internal head space (8), The motor (9) located within the handle is connected to the drivetrain (10). The drivetrain (10) extends into the head and has an output drive (11), The output drive (11) is detachably connected to the hair removal tool (6) to drive the hair removal tool of the second attachment (5). In an electric hair removal device, An electric hair removal device characterized in that the output drive (11) is movable and non-operationally coupled within the internal head space (8) of the joint head housing (7) of the head base (3) and the first attachment (4) in order to generate vibrations of the head housing. (Aspect 2) The electric hair removal device according to embodiment 1, wherein the head (2) and the handle (1) are connected by a head support frame (12), the head support frame (12) supports the head (2) and enables the head to rotate relative to the handle. (Aspect 3) The electric hair removal device according to embodiment 2, wherein the motor (9) has a motor housing (13), and the head support frame (12) is coupled to the motor housing (13), enabling the vibration of the motor housing to be transmitted to the head via the head support frame (12). (Aspect 4) The electric hair removal device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the motor (9) is of the linear motor type, having a motor-electromagnet (14) and a motor-permanent magnet (15) respectively supported so as to be able to move substantially linearly back and forth relative to each other. (Aspect 5) The electric hair removal device according to any one of the embodiments, wherein the first attachment (4) for skin treatment is in the shape of a tab or pot having a snap-fit ​​connector (16) for detachably connecting to the head base (3). (Aspect 6) An electric hair removal device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein a magnet (20) is provided on the first attachment (4). (Aspect 7) The electric hair removal device according to embodiment 6, wherein the first attachment comprises a metal skin treatment section (21) and a plastic base section (22), and optionally the skin treatment section (21) is made of stainless steel. (Pattern 8) The electric hair removal device according to embodiment 7, wherein the magnet (20) is sandwiched between the base portion (22) and the skin treatment portion (21), optionally the magnet (20) is at least partially or completely surrounded by an adhesive (23), and optionally the adhesive (23) is also sandwiched between the skin treatment portion (21) and the base portion (22). (Aspect 9) The electric hair removal device according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, wherein the base portion (22) is provided with a recess or indentation (24) for receiving the magnet (20). (Aspect 10) The electric hair removal device according to any one of the above embodiments, wherein the first attachment (4) has a ring-shaped projection (25) on its skin contact side (26). (Aspect 11) The electric hair removal device according to the above embodiment, wherein the protruding portion (25) protrudes from the flat skin contact side (26) by a distance of p=0.1 to 2 mm, or p=0.1 to 1 mm, or p=0.1 to 0.5 mm. (Aspect 12) The electric hair removal device according to any one of embodiments 7 to 10, wherein the skin treatment portion (4) is provided with a thickness t of less than 1 mm or less than 0.6 mm. (Aspect 13) A kit comprising an electric hair removal device and a skin cream (40) according to any one of the above embodiments. (Aspect 14) The kit according to embodiment 13, wherein the skin cream (40) comprises a diamagnetic active ingredient (41) that makes it easier to penetrate human skin by magnetic electrophoresis. (Aspect 15) A first attachment for skin treatment for the head of an electric hair removal device, particularly an electric shaver or hair trimmer or epilator, comprising the features described in at least one of embodiments 5 to 12.

Claims

1. An electric hair removal device comprising a handle (1) and a head (2), more particularly an electric shaver, hair trimmer, or hair removal device, The head comprises a head base (3) and A first attachment (4) for skin treatment, which is detachably connected to the head base (3), A second attachment (5) having a hair removal tool (6), the second attachment (5) being detachably connected to the head base (3), The head base (3) and one of the first attachment (4) and the second attachment (5) form a joint head housing (7). The joint head housing (7) surrounds the internal head space (8), The motor (9) located within the handle is connected to the drivetrain (10). The drivetrain (10) extends into the head and has an output drive (11), The output drive (11) is detachably connected to the hair removal tool (6) to drive the hair removal tool of the second attachment (5). In an electric hair removal device, The output drive (11) is freely movable within the internal head space (8) of the joint head housing (7) of the head base (3) and transmits vibrations to the first attachment (4) without contacting the first attachment (4). An electric hair removal device characterized in that the head (2) and the handle (1) are connected by a head support frame (12), and the head support frame (12) supports the head (2).

2. The electric hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein the head (2) and the handle (1) enable the head to rotate relative to the handle.

3. The electric hair removal device according to claim 2, wherein the motor (9) has a motor housing (13), and the head support frame (12) is coupled to the motor housing (13), enabling the vibration of the motor housing to be transmitted to the head via the head support frame (12).

4. The electric hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein the motor (9) is a linear motor type having a motor-electromagnet (14) and a motor-permanent magnet (15) respectively supported so as to be able to move substantially linearly back and forth relative to each other.

5. The electric hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment (4) for skin treatment is in the shape of a tab or pot having a snap-fit ​​connector (16) for detachably connecting to the head base (3).

6. The electric hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein a magnet (20) is provided on the first attachment (4).

7. The electric hair removal device according to claim 6, wherein the first attachment comprises a metal skin treatment section (21) and a plastic base section (22), and optionally the skin treatment section (21) is made of stainless steel.

8. The electric hair removal device according to claim 7, wherein the magnet (20) is sandwiched between the base portion (22) and the skin treatment portion (21), optionally the magnet (20) is at least partially or completely surrounded by an adhesive (23), and optionally the adhesive (23) is also sandwiched between the skin treatment portion (21) and the base portion (22).

9. The electric hair removal device according to claim 7, wherein the base portion (22) is provided with a recess or indentation (24) for receiving the magnet (20).

10. The electric hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment (4) is provided with a ring-shaped projection (25) on its skin contact side (26).

11. The electric hair removal device according to claim 10, wherein the protruding portion (25) protrudes from the skin contact side (26) by 0.1 to 2 mm, 0.1 to 1 mm, or 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

12. The electric hair removal device according to claim 7, wherein the skin treatment portion (21) is provided with a thickness t of less than 1 mm or less than 0.6 mm.

13. A kit comprising an electric hair removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a skin cream (40).

14. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the skin cream (40) comprises a diamagnetic active ingredient (41) that makes it easier to penetrate human skin by magnetic electrophoresis.

15. A first attachment for skin treatment for the head of an electric hair removal device, particularly an electric shaver or hair trimmer or epilator, comprising the features of at least one of claims 5 to 12.

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