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Epilating apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Instruments, Electrical Application, Systems, DepilationEpilating apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080097423, Epilating apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to an epilating apparatus comprising means for extracting hairs from skin and means for reducing pain by applying stimuli to the skin. [0002] An epilating apparatus of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph is known from EP 1 105 017 B1. The epilating apparatus, which is also referred to as depilation system, comprises an epilation device and a cooling device. The epilation device is provided with epilation means in the region of a head portion for removing hair. The cooling device is provided with a skin contact portion which makes contact with a region to be depilated. In operation, the epilation system is guided by hand over the skin regions to be depilated. During such a depilation operation, first the skin contact portion of the cooling device makes contact with a skin portion to be depilated. Subsequently, the epilation means make operational contact with the skin region which has just been cooled. The cooling of a skin region to be depilated before epilation has a pain reducing effect. However, the epilation process will still be regarded as painful by many users. [0003] It is an object of the present invention to further reduce pain during epilation. [0004] In order to achieve this object an epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the means for reducing pain apply to the skin a combination of at least two of the following stimuli: heat, cold, vibration. The application of two or more stimuli has an additional pain reducing effect, which can be explained as follows: According to the "Gate Control Theory" (Melzack and Wall 1965), a neural mechanism in the spinal cord acts like a gate, i.e. opening and closing, to regulate the flow of nerve signals from the body periphery to the brain. The status of the gate (opened, closed or several intermediate conditions) is controlled by the brain via signals like emotions, expectations, memories, etc. All information from receptors in the body has to pass the gate to be transmitted to the brain and to be defined as an emotion (e.g.: pain, heat, coldness, etc.) and, furthermore, to start a reaction, wherein the information pain, heat, coldness, itchiness is transmitted via nerve tissue at different transmission speeds. The strategy to reduce the pain during epilation is to close the gate for the bad pain signals as far as possible, by the brain, via generating good sensations and emotions. By using two triggers (for example cooling and warming), on the one hand more receptors of different nature can be stimulated (1 cm.sup.2 of skin on average contains 2 heat, 13 coldness, 25 pressure and 200 pain receptors), so the stimulation effect is significantly increased. On the other hand the brain prefers the pleasant signals which are associated with two sensations (in the present example cooling and warming) and blocks the transmission of the pain signals by closing the gate a little more or by shutting it completely. The fact that the brain is irritated by receiving and recognizing the effect of two contrary principles has an effect of diversion. Additionally, for example, the pre-warming of the skin has a relaxation effect, so that easier hair removal is possible. This effect becomes more important for all subsequent epilation strokes, because the skin has already been contacted by the cooling function of the previous stroke. [0005] In preferred embodiments of the epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention, the means for reducing pain comprise first means which apply at least one of the stimuli and second means which apply at least another of the stimuli. By assigning a stimulus to the first and second means, respectively, a variety of arrangement options can be realized. Furthermore, each means can be optimized separately regarding the stimulus to be applied by the means. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to combine the first and second means in a constructive manner. [0006] In this context it is preferred that the first means and the second means are arranged in a serial configuration relative to a preferred direction of movement during operation of the epilating apparatus. A serial arrangement of the first and the second means allows for a sequential application of the stimuli to the skin portion being treated with the epilating apparatus. In addition, the application of the stimuli occurs in a close temporal correlation, thus exciting the different receptors for enabling a pain reducing effect. [0007] Alternatively, or additionally, the first means and the second means are at least partially arranged in a parallel configuration relative to the extracting means. The parallel configuration provides for a smooth operation flow and a reliable cooperation between the first and second means and the extracting means. [0008] In preferred embodiments of the epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention, the extracting means, the first means and the second means each comprise an active surface, and the shape of the active surface of the first means and/or the shape of the active surface of the second means are adapted at least partially to the shape of the active surface of the extracting means. The at least partial adaption of the shapes of the active surfaces of the first and second means to that of the extracting means allows for a reliable application of the pain reducing stimuli to the treated skin. In particular, by surrounding the active surface of the extracting means by the active surfaces of the first and second means, a good pain reducing pre-treatment of the skin before epilation and immediate aftercare of the epilated skin is achieved. [0009] A particular embodiment of the epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention is characterized in that at least the first means and the second means are arranged in front of the extracting means relative to a preferred direction of movement of the extracting means during operation. The application of a pain reducing combination of two stimuli before the epilation operation generates the pain masking effect before the pain receptors are excited. Thus, the transmission of the pain information generated by the pain receptors is reduced. [0010] Further embodiments of an epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention are characterized in that at least the first means and the second means are arranged behind the extracting means relative to a preferred direction of movement of the extracting means during operation. This arrangement provides good visibility of the epilating process and enhances the observation of the epilation operation by the user. [0011] A particular embodiment of an epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention is characterized in that at least the first means are arranged behind the extracting means and at least the second means are arranged in front of the extracting means relative to, a preferred direction of movement of the extracting means during operation. The skin is pre-treated before the epilating process occurs, thus lowering the sensitivity for pain, while the after-treatment afterwards reduces the painful sensations of the epilating process and prevents such a sensation from remaining after the epilating process. Therefore, the painful sensation is covered with positive sensations during every step of the epilating operation. [0012] In accordance with a further development of the epilating apparatus, at least an active surface of the first means and an active surface of the second means match at least partially in a complementary manner. The matching of the active surfaces applying different stimuli provides an arrangement which enables a locally very close application of different stimuli. In particular, there may be provided an active surface for applying one stimulus, e.g. vibration, protruding from the active surface applying a different stimulus, e.g. cold. Thus, a locally very close application of two different stimuli can be achieved by still separating the active surfaces of the different stimuli at the same time. [0013] In alternative embodiments of the invention, at least an active surface of the first means and an active surface of the second means coincide. If two different stimuli are applied by one active surface, the overall size of the means for reducing pain may be reduced. [0014] Also in preferred embodiments of the epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention, it is preferred that at least the first means and the second means are adapted to contact a skin portion synchronously. Synchronous excitation of two or more different receptors in a skin portion results in a pain masking effect, even if the different receptors are localized in different skin portions, as long as the nerval transmission of the information passes the same gate. [0015] A particular embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the means for reducing pain apply the stimuli cold and heat. The combined application of the stimuli heat and cold additionally has a diversion effect. The brain receives and recognizes two contrary sensations and is irritated. An additional advantage may also arise if the heat is applied before the hair extraction occurs. Pre-warming the skin has a relaxational effect on the skin and may ease the hair removal. This effect may gain more importance if the same skin portion has to be epilated in several runs. If the after-treatment provides a cooling of the skin, the skin has to be relaxed by warming it before the next epilation step can be performed. Alternatively, the application of the cold stimulus before extracting hairs and warming the skin afterwards is also possible as well as a combined application of the two stimuli at the same time. [0016] Another particular embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the means for reducing pain apply the stimuli cold and vibration. This embodiment excites the coldness and pressure receptors in the skin, thereby evoking the pain masking effect. This combination in particular facilitates the usage of one active surface for two different stimuli. [0017] Yet another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the means for reducing pain apply the stimuli heat and vibration. This embodiment has similar advantages to the embodiments described above. [0018] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the above object is solved in that the means for reducing pain apply cold to the skin on an electrical basis. Generating the cold to be applied to the skin on an electrical basis provides a significant advantage for the user, compared to solutions using a cold storage that has to be charged separately, for example in a refrigerator. Since the epilating apparatus usually provides a power supply for driving the extracting means, generating the cold on an electrical basis can be realized easily in many cases. Time consuming cooling of the cooling means can be omitted, leading to a continuous and more comfortable epilating process. [0019] In particular, it is preferred that the means for reducing pain comprise at least one Peltier element. A Peltier element may be used for generating the required low temperatures for the cold stimulus. Alternatively, it can be employed for providing high temperatures for the heat stimulus. In a further embodiment of the application, one Peltier element for the two temperature stimuli, namely heat and cold, can be envisaged. The use of a Peltier element has several advantages: The electrical power supply of a Peltier element results in more comfortable handling of the epilating apparatus. The small overall size of a Peltier element and its ability to be customized makes a Peltier element an adequate temperature source for an epilating apparatus. [0020] Alternatively, or additionally, the means for reducing pain comprise at least one resistor. The generation of the heat stimulus can be achieved by employing a resistor. This solution provides a cheap and reliable heat source. [0021] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the means for reducing pain comprise at least one PTC. A PTC with its typical characteristics well known to one skilled in the art can also be applied as a heating element in an epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention. [0022] In some preferred embodiments the means for reducing pain are detachable from the epilating apparatus, at least partially. In particular, if the means for applying the cold stimulus do not work on an electrical basis, it may be advantageous to provide at least one detachable element. Such an element can be separated from the epilating apparatus and can be recharged at a different place. It may also be advantageous for other means for reducing pain to be detachable in order to provide different embodiments for different skin regions. It is even possible to provide the epilating apparatus with different stimuli for different skin regions. [0023] In some embodiments of the epilating apparatus in accordance with the invention, the cold source for the means for reducing pain is a cold storage. This is a cheap and effective cold source for applying the cold stimulus to the skin. [0024] Another embodiment according to the invention is characterized in that the means for reducing pain comprise a cylindrical element for contacting a skin portion, the axis of the cylinder being perpendicular to a preferred direction of movement during operation. The cylindrical element is well suited for transferring pain-reducing stimuli to a skin portion. It may be employed, for example, for transferring the cold stimulus or the heat stimulus and simultaneously the vibration stimulus. In particular, pins protruding from the surface of the cylindrical element have a vibrating/massaging effect on the skin when the cylindrical element is rolled over the surface of the skin. Continue reading about Epilating apparatus... Full patent description for Epilating apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Epilating apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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