Epilatory Wax Heating Device with PTC Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for heating wax for epilation are inefficient and pose safety hazards due to difficulty in controlling temperature, risk of overheating, and messy handling, particularly when using hot water or microwaves, and require waiting for the entire wax quantity to melt.

Innovation Solution

A device with a central heating tower and temperature control system using PTC elements, which maintains the wax at a consistent temperature between 50°C and 70°C, ensuring safe and efficient melting of wax blocks or pearls, preventing overheating and allowing for easy application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If wax is heated in hot water, then the wax reaches a liquid state, but the temperature control becomes difficult and safety hazards arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewax temperatureVSAvoidtemperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a water-soluble polymer coating on the container exterior that acts as an intermediary layer. This coating prevents direct contact between water and the user's hand, allowing the container to be held comfortably even when filled with hot water for wax heating, thereby solving the temperature control and safety hazard problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable container system where the container is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for complex temperature control mechanisms and cleaning processes, as each new container provides a fresh, clean surface with the water-soluble polymer coating already applied, ensuring safety and ease of use without sophisticated temperature regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If wax is heated in a microwave oven, then the wax melts quickly, but localised hot spots and overheating occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidlocalised hot spots
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble polymer coating serves as a thermal intermediary that distributes heat evenly across the container exterior. When the container is placed in hot water or subjected to microwave heating, this coating layer ensures uniform heat transfer to the wax, preventing localized hot spots while maintaining rapid melting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the container surface by applying a water-soluble polymer coating. This modification alters the thermal conductivity and heat distribution characteristics of the container, enabling uniform heating of wax regardless of the heating method used, thereby eliminating overheating and hot spot formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If the container is immersed in hot water, then the wax melts, but the container becomes wet and messy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater temperatureVSAvoidcontainer handling
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble polymer coating on the container exterior acts as a protective intermediary that repels water. This coating allows the container to be immersed in hot water for wax heating while preventing water from adhering to the container surface, keeping the user's hands and the container dry and easy to handle throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable nature of the container means that the water-repellent coating is applied fresh to each container. This single-use design eliminates the need for cleaning and drying the container after use, as the entire container is discarded, thereby solving the messiness and handling difficulty associated with wet containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Quantity of substance

If the whole quantity of wax is heated, then the wax is fully molten, but the heating time increases and overheating risk rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewax quantityVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the wax into multiple smaller units or portions within the container. This segmentation increases the surface area-to-volume ratio of the wax, allowing heat to penetrate and melt the wax more quickly and uniformly. The segmented wax structure reduces the overall heating time while minimizing the risk of overheating any single portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water-soluble polymer coating on the container acts as a thermal mediator that distributes heat evenly throughout the wax. This uniform heat distribution ensures that all portions of the wax melt simultaneously at the appropriate temperature, reducing the total heating time required and preventing any section from overheating while waiting for the rest to melt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device ensures the wax is maintained at an optimal temperature for application, reducing safety risks and handling difficulties, while allowing for immediate use of molten wax without overheating, enhancing user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

temperature control system using PTC elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

central heating tower... maintains the wax at a consistent temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3054807B1Novel heating device
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTH LTD
  • EP3054807B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a device for heating an epilatory wax, a unit block of a solidified epilatory wax for use with the device and a kit comprising the device and at least one unit block of a solidified epilatory wax.