FACIAL HAIR REMOVAL APPLIANCE

Abstract: A hair-removing tweezer device (1) is provided having resilient tweezer legs (2) for removing unwanted facial and other body hair by heat electrically generated at the tips (6) of the tweezer legs (2) as a result of the hair being squeezed between the tips (6) of the tweezer legs (2), said tweezer legs (2) being in the form of a pair of resiliently-closeable electrodes of stainless steel or other such electrically conductive material adapted to be connected by an electrical lead (3) to a suitable source of electrical power for heating the tips (6) of the tweezer legs (2) and insulated from each other an electrically insulated handle (5) for a user to hold when the tweezer device (1) is in use and tipped at the outer ends (4) with tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant material for generation of a suitable degree of heat at the tips (6) of the tweezer legs (2) when the tips (6) of the tweezer legs (2) meet by pressing the tweezer legs (2) together for the purpose indicated. Said tweezer device (1) preferably forms part of a portable electrical appliance adapted to be battery operated or electrical power point operated at home or elsewhere by a user, the tweezer device (1) being connected by an electrical lead (3) to an electric battery or to an electrical transformer housed in a casing (13), the electrical transformer having an electrical lead (14) for connection to an electrical power point mains supply. When the tweezer device (1) is connected to the electric battery or to the electrical mains supply via the electrical transformer and a hair is grasped between the tips (6) of the tweezer legs (2) by the user locating the hair therebetween and pressing the tweezer legs (2) to close the tips (6) together, the electrical circuit from the electric battery of from the electrical mains supply via the electrical transformer to said tweezer legs (2) is closed whereby the tips (6) of said tweezer legs (2) are heated and the grasped hair is so affected that after a few moments of such heating the hair can be relatively painlessly removed.

Description: FACIAL HAIR REMOVAL APPLIANCE * BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a hair-removing tweez deyi.ce and a portable electrical appliance comprising the hair-remoying tweezer device for the removal of unwanted facial and other body hairs from female persons, the appliance of the invention being especially suitable for the removal of unwanted hairs from the eyebrows, the upper lip, the chin, and other such sensitive areas of the face, without apparent pain or harm to such persons and with apparent permanence after several removals. The majority of women and in many cases girls in their early teens suffer from unwanted facial hair, which causes them considerable embarrassment. Although women have become more liberated and have wanted equality with men in so many ways, this certainly does not include ■ sharing the male characteristic of facial and excessive bod hair. The vast ranges of soft feminine facial make-up * and clothing fashions, with the trend of healthy all-over sun- tanned bodies, has made women very much aware of this unfeminine problem. As a result, women go to great lengths to remove unwanted facial hair as they emerge, generally by plucking with a pair of tweezers, using a strongly magnifying mirror as an aid in sighting the hairs. Unfortunately, so it. has been found by those women so affected, the hair becomes stronger and more stubborn over the years. Depilatory creams or waxing can be used in place of tweezers, however, this tends to give the face a very obvious bare appearance, also, rashes and pimples can appear in both cases. So-called "electrolysis" treatment, which involve the. use of a needle to destroy the hair follicle system, is available for the re oyal of unwanted facial and other body hair. However, such, treatment has to be carried out pro- fessionally; it is painful; it is very time consuming; it is costly; there is swelling and a. painful rash for several days; and the hair usually regrows, thus needing retreat- ent, as a result of which, not many women continue the treatment. An apparently new method involving the use of tweezers has fairly recently been introduced, however, this treatment is costly and, agai it has to be handled pro¬ fessionally, a qualified person being needed to operate the high frequency energy equipment, the cost of which, in any case, is well out of reach of the public. Because of all this, the tendency is for women to rely on the convenient but relatively ineffective use of a simple pair of tweezers, one pair in the bathroom and another pair in the handbag, for removing unwanted facial and other body hair. SUMMARY OF THE ITWENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hair-removing tweezer device having resilient tweezer legs for removing unwanted facial and other body ha by heat electrically generated at the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs as a result of the hair being squeezed between the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs, said tweezer legs being in the form of a pair of resiliently- closeable electrodes of stainless steel or other such electrically * conductive material adapted to be connected by an electrical lead to a suitable source of electrical power for heating the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs and insulated from each other in an electrically insulated hand for a user to hold when the tweezer device is in use -and tipped at the outer ends with tungsten carbide or other suc highly electrically resistant material for generation of a suitable degree of hea.t at the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs wh.en the outer ends or tips of the tweezer leg meet by pressing the tweezer legs together for the purpose indicated, the construction and arrangement being such that when the tweezer device is connected to a source of electrical power and a hair is grasped between the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs by the user locating the hair therebetween and pressing the tweezer legs to close the outer ends or tips togeth.er, the electrical circuit from the electrical power to said tweezer legs is closed whereby- the. outer ends or tips of said tweezer legs are heated and the grasped hair is so affected that after a few moments of such heating the hair can be relatively painlessly removed, possibly with the " hair follicle system being damaged to the extent of slower and weaker and even ultimate destruction of hair regrowth. In addition, the present invention provides a portable electrical appliance adapted to be battery operated or electrical power point operated at home or else where by a user for the removal of unwanted facial and othe body hair, said appliance comprising a hair-removing tweezer device having resilient tweezer legs for removing unwanted facial and other body hair by heat electrically generated at the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs as a result of the hair being squeezed between the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs, connected by an electrical lea to an electric battery or to an electrical transformer hous in a casing, the electrical transformer having an electrica lead for connection to an electrical power point mains supp said tweezer legs being in the form of a pair of resilientl closeable electrodes of stainless steel or other such ** electrically conductive material insulated from each other in an electrically insulated handle for the user to hold when the tweezer device is in use and the outer ends of the tweezer legs tipped with tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant material for generation of a suitable degree of heat at the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs when the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs meet by pressing the tweezer legs together for the purpose indicated, the construction and arrangement being such that when the tweezer device is connected to said electric batter or to the electrical mains supply via said electrical trans¬ former and a hair is grasped between the outer legs or tips of the tweezer legs by the user locating the hair there¬ between and pressing the tweezer legs to close the outer ends or tips together, the electrical circuit from the electric battery or from the electrical mains supply via the electrical transformer to said tweezer legs is closed whereby the outer ends or tips of said tweezer legs are heated and the grasped hair is so affected that after a few moments of such heating the hair can be relatively painlessly removed, possibly with the hair follicle system being damaged to the extent of " slower and weaker and even ultimate destruction of hair regrowth. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs have pads or inserts of tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant material, forming the inner opposite surfaces for contacting engagement when the tweezer legs are pressed together for the purpose. Said pads or inserts may be flat or plane-faced however in a further preferred embodiment, the contacting surfaces of the pads or inserts at outer end or tips of the tweezer legs are serrated for sawtooth-point engagement, so that a hair is more effectively gripped by the contacting serrations. Also, according to * depreferred embodiment of the invention, a safety device is incorporated in the electrica circuit whereby the electrical supply to the tweezer legs i automatically cut-off should said legs inadvertently stay closed together or should said legs be accidently placed on an electrically conductive material which closes the electrical circuit; and/or an electrical overload protectio device is incorporated in the electrical circuit whereby th electrical supply is automatically cut-off should an electrical overload occur in the operation of the tweezer device. - - 1 The. electrical energy supply to the tweezer device preferably is such that an electrical current of about 1-5 amperes can pass between the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs wh.en they meet ' by pressing the tweeze legs so as to close the outer ends or tips together, and the electrical circuit preferably incorporates a resistor say of 2.5 ohm ' s to provide for the electrical energy suppl to the tweezer legs to have a minimum and a maximum settin within the range of 1-5 amperes, more suitably within the range of 2-4 or 2-3 amperes. Also, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing which houses the electrical battery electrical transformer is in miniaturised console form, th back of the console being adapted to receive a plug-in electrical lead when electrical mains supply is used via t electrical transformer, and the front of the console being provided with a contact-button for switching-on or switchi off the electrical connection between the electrical batte or the electrical transformer and the tweezer device; and/ a signal-light to indicate when the tweezer device is acti switched-on to the electrical battery or the electrical transformer; and/or a plug-in terminal connecting the twee device to the electrical battery or the electrical transfo Much the same electrical power setting can be utilized with alternating current (AC) and direct current power sources in providing for an electrical current of about 1-5 amperes to pass between the outer ends or tips o the tweezer legs in order to heat the outer ends or tips o the tweezer legs to the requisite degree for the purpose indicated. Use of AC electrical power source with an electrical transformer is preferred since it can be accomm dated in a smaller housing and thus provide a smaller size * portable, appliance, without over--heating problems, and is relatiyely cheaper to produce. The size and material of construction of the tweezer legs, as well as the size and material of construc of the pads or inserts at the outer ends of the tweezer legs, determines the electrical power setting. In general, tweezer legs and/or pads or inserts which are too small, can have insufficient electrical resistance, with the result that insufficient heat is created for the purpose of the invention, whilst, on the other hand, tweezer legs and/ or pads or inserts which are too large, can have excessive electrical resistance, with the result that excessive heat is created. Hence, the electrical power supply needs to be adjusted to suit the size and nature of the tweezer legs and/or the size and nature of the pads or inserts. Althoug a setting of 1-5 amperes can be used, the preferred setting is 2-3 amperes- At a setting of 1 ampere, the hair has to be held for a much longer period in order for the hair to b freed from the follicle, whereas at a setting of 5 amperes the hair can be freed very quickly. However, at a setting of 5 amperes the tweezer tips or pads tend to radiate too much heat to be held close to the face, which may burn or blister the skin, whereas this setting is ideal for removal of body hair, as the skin is not so sensitive on the body and longer hairs are treated so that the tweezer device can be held farther away from the skin. Tweezer legs having pads or inserts at the outer ends with serrated opposite surfaces for sawtooth engagemen is desirable since coarse or thick hair may prevent the electrical circuit from closing, hair being a non-conductiv fibre and a coarse body hair could prevent the tips or pads from meeting. The points of the serration can meet more or less regardless of the thickness of the hair, making it possible for the electrical circuit to close effectively. PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Practical embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective of a portable electrica appliance according to the invention, showing the console-form casing enclosin an electrical transformer with a lead fr 5 the electrical mains power supply to the electrical transformer, and an electrica lead from said transformer to the tweeze device, and also showing the outer ends of the tweezer legs tipped with flat pad ' 10 or inserts or tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant mater Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of tweezer device shown in Fig. 1 but in wh a protective cover on the electrically 15 insulated handle has been removed to expo the interior; Fig. 3 is a side elevational detail view of the outer portions of the tweezer legs showin the outer ends or tips of the tweezer leg 20 closed together by pressing the resilient legs of the tweezer device; Fig. 4 is a part cross sectional/part elevationa view of the inner portion of the tweezer device shown in Fig. 1 but showing the 25 electrically insulated handle in cross section; Fig. 5 is a side elevational detail view of the outer portions of the tweezer legs showin the outer ends of the tweezer legs closed 30 and tipped with serrated pads or inserts of tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant material; and Fig. 6 is a plan view of a serrated pad or inser shown in Fig. 5. Referring to the drawings, the hair-removing tweezer device 1 has resilient tweezer legs 2 in the form a pair of resiliently-closeable electrodes of stainless st or other such electrically conductive material, connected an electrical lead 3 to a suitable source of electrical power for heating the outer ends or tips 4 of the tweezer legs 2 and insulated from each other in an electrically insulated handle 5 for a user to hold when the tweezer device 1 is in use. The outer ends or tips 4 of the tweez legs 2 have pads or inserts 6 of tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant material for generation of a suitable degree of heat when the outer ends or tips 4 of the tweezer legs 2 meet by pressing the tweezer legs 2 together for hμ purpose indicated. Electrically insulated handle 5 conveniently consists of a rubber protective cover 7, enclosing the inn end portions of the stainless steel tweezer legs 2, said inner end portions being set in an epoxy resin body 8 whic is held in a polytetrafluoroethylene cap 9. Nickel/silver wires 10 join the inner ends of the stainless steel tweeze legs 2 to the connecting ends of the electrical lead 3 by silver soldering or brazing, the opposite ends of the electrical lead 3 being fitted to a plug 11 -for plugging i a terminal 12 in the casing 13 which houses an electric battery or an electrical transformer adapted to be connect to an electrical power ' point mains supply. Casing 13, which houses the electrical battery electrical transformer, is in miniaturised console form, t back of the console having a terminal to receive a plug-in electrical lead 14 when electrical mains supply is used vi the electrical transformer. The front of the console casi 13 is provided with a contact-button 15 for switching-on o switching-off the electrical connection between the electr battery or the electrical transformer and the tweezer devi and a signal-light 16 to indicate when the tweezer device actively switched-on to the electrical battery or the electrical transformer, as well as the plug-in terminal 1 for connecting the tweezer device to the electrical batte or the electrical transformer. Figs. 1-3 of the drawings illustrate a tweezer device 1 in which the tweezer legs 2 have flat or plane- faced pads or inserts 6 of tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant material, while Fig. 5-6 of the drawings illustrate a tweezer device 1 in which the tweezer legs 2 have serrated-faced pads or inserts 6A of tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resista material. Pads or inserts 6/6A may be silver soldered or brazed to the outer ends of the tweezer legs 2 in either instance. In use, the appliance is adjusted to apply appr priate electrical power to the tweezer device 1 and a hair is firmly held between the pass or inserts at the outer en of the tweezer legs 2. After about 1-2 seconds, the hair comes away by the root without any sensation of pain. Removal of a number of hairs on the upper lip, which is a very sensitive area was effected in this way, and it was possible to remove the hair and root without apparent pain or discomfort. In this way, facial or other body hair can be painlessly removed and possibly damaged to the extent of slower and weaker growth, even ultimate destruction of regrowth. Also, there is no apparent scaring, and no apparent after-effects. The appliance of the invention is simple to use by a person; provides for home treatment; an is simple to produce. Stainless steel is the preferred electrically conductive material for construction of the tweezer legs 2, since the denseness of that material localizes the heat generated at the outer end or tips 4 of the tweezer legs 2, -fUl when the outer ends or tips 4 of the tweezer legs 2 meet b • the tweezer legs 2 being pressed together as indicated. Those copper alloys or aluminum alloys or zinc alloys or nickel alloys or other such materials that are sufficientl dense and electrically conductive might be used in place o stainless steel, however, such materials are much less preferred since they need to be chosen so as not to be highly heat conductive and result in the tweezer legs 2 becoming inconveniently hot for a user's fingers to bear when pressing the tweezer legs 2 together as indicated. F this purpose, however, and also for the purpose of avoidin a user sensing electrical flow in the tweezer legs 2, a suitable portion of the length of each said tweezer legs 2 may be provided with a coating or sleeve of any appropriat heat/electrical insulating material. Tungsten carbide is the preferred electrically resistant material for the construction of the pads or inserts 6 at the outer ends or tips 4 of the tweezer legs 2 since that material is highly electrically resistant, and relatively easily attached to the outer ends or tips 4 of tweezer legs 2, and is readily serrated for the formation serrated pads or inserts 6, and is relatively economical t employ for the purpose. Nichrome alloy and titanium metal are other electrically resistant materials that might be used in place of tungsten carbide, however, nichrome alloy" is much less preferred since it does not readily lend itself to serrating for the formation of serrated pads or inserts 6, and flat or plane-faced pads 6 are inclined to stick to each other when heated and pressed together, whil titanium metal is much less preferred since it is highly costly.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A hair-removing tweezer device having resilient tweezer legs for removing unwanted facial and other body hair by heat electrically generated at the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs as a result of the hair being squeezed between the outer ends or tips of the tweezer leg said tweezer legs being in the form of a pair of resilient closeable electrodes of stainless steel or other such electrically conductive material adapted to be connected b an electrical lead to a suitable source of electrical powe for heating the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs and insulated from each other in an electrically insulated han for a user to hold when the tweezer device is in use and tipped at the outer ends with tungsten carbide or other suc highly electrically resistant material for generation of a suitable degree of heat at the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs when the outer ends or tips of the tweezer leg meet by pressing the tweezer legs together for the purpose indicated, the construction and arrangement being such that when the tweezer device is connected to a source of electri power and a hair is grasped between the outer ends or tips the tweezer legs by the user locating the hair therebetween and pressing the tweezer legs to close the outer ends or ti together, the electrical circuit from the electrical power " said tweezer legs is closed whereby the outer ends or tips said tweezer legs are heated and the grasped hair is so- affected that after a few moments of such heating the hair can be relatively painlessly removed. 2. A hair-removing tweezer device according to clai wherein the contacting surfaces of the outer ends or tips o the tweezer legs are serrated for sawtooth-point engagement that a hair is more effectively gripped by the contacting serrations for heating. 3. A hair-removing tweezer device according to clai wherein a safety device is incorporated in the electrical circuit whereby the electrical supply to the tweezer legs i automatically cut-off should said legs inadvertently stay closed together or should said legs be accidently placed o an electrically conductive material which closes the electrical circuit. 4. A hair-removing tweezer device according to claim 1 wherein an electrical overload protection device i incorporated in the electrical circuit whereby the electri supply is automatically cut-off should an electrical over- load occur in the operation of the tweezer device. 5. A portable electrical appliance adapted to be battery operated or electrical power point operated at hom or elsewhere by a user for the removal of unwanted facial and other body hair, said appliance comprising a hair- removing tweezer device having resilient tweezer legs for removing unwanted facial and other body hair by heat electrically generated at the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs as a result of the hair being squeezed betwee the outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs, connected by a electrical lead to an electric battery or to an electrical transformer housed in a casing, the electrical transformer having an electrical lead for connection to an electrical power point mains supply, said tweezer legs being in the f of a pair of resiliently-closeable electrodes of stainless steel or other such electrically conductive material insul from each other in an electrically insulated handle for th user to hold when the tweezer device is in use and the * out ends of the tweezer legs tipped with tungsten carbide or other such highly electrically resistant material for generation of a suitable degree of heat at the outer ends tips of the tweezer legs when the outer ends or tips of th tweezer legs meet by pressing the tweezer legs together fo the purpose indicated, the construction and arrangement be such that when the tweezer device is connected to said electric battery or to the electrical mains supply via sai electrical transformer and a hair is grasped between the outer legs or tips of the tweezer legs by the user locatin the hair therebetween and pressing the tweezer legs to clo the outer ends or tips together, the electrical circuit ' from the electric battery or from the electrical mains supply via the electrical transformer to said tweezer legs is closed whereby the outer ends or tips of said tweezer, legs are heated and the grasped hair is so affected that after a few moments of such heating the hair can be relatively painlessly removed. 6. A portable electrical appliance according to cl 5 wherein the contacting surfaces of the outer ends or tip of the tweezer legs are serrated for sawtooth-point engage ment so that a hair is more effectively gripped by the contacting serrations for heating. 7. A portable electrical appliance according to cl 5 wherein a safety device is incorporated in the electrica circuit whereby the electrical supply to the tweezer legs automatically cut-off should said legs inadvertently stay closed together or should said legs be accidently placed o an electrically conductive material which closes the electrical circuit. 8. A portable electrical appliance according to cl 5 wherein an electrical overload protection device is incorporated in the electrical circuit whereby the electri supply is automatically cut-off should an electrical over- load occur in the operation of the tweezer device. 9. A portable electrical appliance according to cl 5 wherein the electrical energy supply is such that an electrical current of about 1-5 amperes can pass between th outer ends or tips of the tweezer legs when they meet by pressing the tweezer legs so as to close the outer ends or tips together, and the electrical circuit incorporates a resistor to provide for the electrical energy supply to the tweezer legs to have a minimum and a maximum setting within the range of 1-5 amperes and suitably within the range of 2-4 or 2-3 amperes. 10. A portable electrical appliance according to claim 5 wherein the casing which houses the electrical battery or electrical transformer is in miniaturised console form, the back of the console being adapted to receive a plug-in electrical lead when electrical mains supply is used via the electrical transformer, and the front of the console being provided with a contact-button for switching-on or switching-off the electrical connectio between the electrical battery or the electrical transform and the tweezer device; and/or a signal-light to indicate when the tweezer device is actively switched-on to the electrical battery or the electrical transformer; and/or a plug-in terminal connecting the tweezer device to the electrical battery or the electrical transformer.

Inventors: BOLTON GERRIDA, BOLTON, GERRIDA
Applicants: BOLTON GERRIDA, BOLTON, GERRIDA
Application year: 1983
Main classification: A45D26
IPC codes: A61B18