Hair removal apparatus

A hair removal apparatus adapted to remove hair can be manually, electrically, or battery operated, and is configured to fit comfortably from various parts of the body utilizing a threading member. The hair removal apparatus within the palm of a user's hand such that the user may accurately guide the hair removal apparatus over the desired hair-removal region.

BACKGROUND

There are many techniques and devices used to facilitate hair removal. For example, hair can be plucked using a tweezing apparatus, which can be time consuming and painful. Hair can be removed via a waxing substance, which can also be painful and may cause infections as the warm temperature of the wax fosters bacteria growth. As another example, hair can be removed via razor shaving. Although not particularly painful, shaving often times results in small cuts in the skin, and only removes hair at the skin surface rather than the hair follicle root.

Hair threading is a hair removal technique that incorporates intertwined thread, wherein hair is removed at the intertwining region. Although hair threading is not a new technique, it is becoming more popular in the U.S. Hair threading is desirable because it removes hair from the root and does not utilize chemicals, commonly found in hair removal techniques, that may agitate the skin. It is thus desirable to create a hair removal apparatus that incorporates the threading technique, wherein a user can perform hair threading on his or herself, eliminating the need for a hair threading technician.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Briefly described, embodiments of the present invention relate to a hair removal apparatus adapted to quickly engage and remove hair.

The hair removal apparatus may comprise an elongated body having a first section, a middle section, and a second section; a cartridge defining an indented region, the cartridge housed in the middle section; a threading member partially wrapped around the indented region of the cartridge; and a plurality of threading fingers extending out of an open face of the second section, wherein the plurality of threading fingers accommodate the threading member.

The threading member may define a first main loop, a second main loop, and an intertwining section. The intertwining section may be intertwined about three times to create three substantially symmetrical ovals. The hair removal apparatus is battery, electrically, or manually propelled such that the intertwining section tightens and loosens, which consequently removes hair from a desired hair-removal region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are herein described. It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in typical hair removal devices and methods of making and using the same. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.

The various embodiments of the present invention provide a hair removal apparatus adapted to remove hair utilizing a threading member from various parts of the body. It shall be understood that the hair removal apparatus can be manually, electrically, or battery operated, and is configured to fit comfortably within the palm of a user's hand such that the user may accurately guide the hair removal apparatus over the desired hair-removal region.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a hair removal apparatus100, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The hair removal apparatus100comprises an elongated body105. The elongated body105includes a first section110, a middle section115, and a second section120along its length. As illustrated, the first section110of the elongated body105may comprise a power supply125to propel a threading member, which will be further discussed herein. In exemplary embodiments, the power supply125may be made up of at least one battery; however the power supply125may comprise a plurality of batteries as well. The batteries may be disposable and/or rechargeable. Alternatively, the power supply may comprise electronic components as needed for electrical operation or manual components as needed for manual operation.

As illustrated, a cartridge130may be housed in the middle section115of the elongated body105. In exemplary embodiments, the cartridge130is adapted to rotate about an axis aligned with the length of cartridge130. As will be described, a threading member is secured around an indented region135of the cartridge130. The rotation of the cartridge130(powered by the power supply125) manipulates the threading member such that it engages and removes hair from a desired hair-removal region. The cartridge130is replaceable and may be snapped into place and secured by two securing elements140adjacent opposing sides of the cartridge130. This configuration enables the cartridge130to be replaced as the user desires.

Referring now to the second section120, there is an open face comprising a plurality of threading fingers145. The threading fingers145extend out of the open face of the second section120and are configured such that the threading fingers145accommodate the threading member315, which is illustrated inFIG. 3. The threading fingers145are positioned such that they provide tension to the threading member315. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the threading member315defines a first main loop305, a second main loop310, and an intertwining section320. In an exemplary embodiment, the threading member315is intertwined approximately three times to create three substantially symmetrical ovals at the intertwining section320. In other embodiments, however, the threading member315can be intertwined at least three times. Ultimately, the intertwining section320is the point of hair removal.

As described above, the threading member315propels around the indented region135of the cartridge130, which is powered by the power supply125. The continuous rotation of the threading member315propels the tightening and loosening of the threading member315at the intertwining section320. This continuous motion enables the intertwining section320to engage and remove hair.

In exemplary embodiments, the threading member315of the present invention can be, for example but not limited to, plastic, rubber, cotton, silicon, or an admixture thereof. The first and second loops305,310of the threading member315are continuous loops and therefore do not require the tying of knots around the string to complete the loops. In an exemplary embodiment, the threading member315can be coated with a soothing agent, for example but not limited to, aloe, to sooth the skin as the threading member315engages and removes hair. Although not illustrated, in some embodiments, the elongated body105can further comprise a cartridge containing a soothing agent, adapted to continuously release the soothing agent through an open face to protect the skin against irritation caused by hair removal.

The first section110, middle section115, and second section120are substantially identical in circumference, however the middle section115can have an inwardly extending portion155adapted to cooperate with the palm of a hand to assist in the guidance of the hair removal apparatus100. Further, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, the inwardly extending portion155may comprise an activating member205that extends from a first to a second side of the elongated body105. The power supply125may be activated to the user's desire by manually depressing the activating member205. In one embodiment, each depression of the activating member205may propel the threading member315around the first and second loops305,310one time, thus enabling a user to tailor his or her hair removal needs. In another exemplary embodiment, one depression of the activating member205may continuously propel the threading member315and a subsequent depression of the activating member205may stop the threading member315(via turning the power supply125off). As described, the activating member205extends from a first to a second side of the elongated body105. Alternatively, one side can be depressed to propel the threading member315and the opposite side can be depressed to stop the threading member315. Alternatively, one side may be depressed to propel the threading member315a first direction, while the opposite side may be depressed to propel the threading member315in a second, opposite direction.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated body105comprises a top half, illustrated inFIG. 1, and a bottom half, illustrated inFIG. 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the top half and the bottom half of the elongated body105engage each other such that they can be easily attached and detached from each other. This embodiment enables easy replacement of the interior components, therefore enhancing the reusable nature of the hair removal apparatus100. Each half comprises mating elements150that may be snap-fit or press-fit together. In another exemplary embodiment, the top half and the bottom half of the elongated body may be permanently engaged, therefore substantially limiting their separation.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown a front view of the elongated body105in its enclosed form, wherein a top half405of the elongated body105is connected to a bottom half410of the elongated body105.

Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown underside views of the elongated body105. As illustrated, exemplary embodiments may comprise a finger rest505. The finger rest505enables a user to rest a finger (e.g. a forefinger) against the finger rest505to facilitate the safe and accurate guiding of the hair removal apparatus100along the hair removal region. Also illustrated, is a power supply cover510configured to house the power supply125illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown alternative views of the elongated body105.

It shall be understood that the elongated body105can be made of, for example but not limited to, plastic, rubber, silicon, glass, or an admixture thereof.

Further, the hair removal apparatus100may further comprise a light source that illuminates through the elongated body105. The light source may be adapted to illuminate when the hair removal apparatus100is turned on and dull when the hair removal apparatus100is turned off. The light source will enable a user to better highlight the hair removal region.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a hair removal apparatus, wherein the motion of the threading member effectively and relatively painlessly engages and removes desired hair.

Embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Additionally, the specific configurations, choice of materials, and the size and shape of the various elements can be varied according to particular locations of hair removal on the body. Such changes are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.