Abstract:
A cylindrical rotor for an epilating device of a kind which includes a support body containing an electrical motor which in use provides a rotational drive to the cylindrical rotor. The cylindrical rotor includes a rotor body, a shaft extending through the rotor body about which the rotor body can rotate. At least one array of radially extending blade pairs is positioned to present mutually interacting pinching edges of each the blade pair at the circumference of the cylindrical rotor. Each blade pair includes a rotor body stationary blade and a movable blade. Each of the movable blades of the array is mounted on a shuttle carried by the rotor body which is in a cammed disposition with the shaft. The cammed disposition is of a kind with cooperative surfaces of the shaft and the shuttle which upon the relative rotation of the shaft with the rotor body and the shuttle carried with the rotor body, moves the shuttle in an oscillating manner. Such repeated motion brings each blade pair into and subsequently out of mutual engagement at least at the circumference of the cylindrical rotor to entrap and subsequently release hairs there between.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an epilating appliance useful for the use by a person to remove body hair.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Epilating devises are most commonly used by people to remove unwanted body hair such as underarm hair and leg hairs. Such devices and as for example described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,903 describes an epilating appliance where a plurality of blade pairs are provided. Actuation of the movement of the blade pairs whilst occurring as a result of a single power source being an electric motor, is achieved by separate actuation elements. Accordingly the construction of the cylindrical rotor of U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,903 is relatively complex. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,903 the blades of each pair which allows for the hairs of a person to become trapped between them, move in a pivoting manner relative to each other.  
         [0003]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,315 there is described an epilating appliance where blade pairs are positioned adjacent each other to move relative to each other and upon contacting each other will clamp hairs between the matting surfaces of the blades. However a blade of each pair is moved relative to each other by being engaged within its own independent slot of a relatively rotational shaft. Accordingly it becomes expensive to manufacture the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,315 since a plurality of blades are position on the single shaft and wherein the shaft is hence required to be cut with slots within which a blade of each pair is positioned.  
         [0004]     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an epilating appliance or components therefor which are of a less complex construction than of the mentioned prior art or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Accordingly in a first aspect the present inventions consists in a cylindrical rotor for an epilating device of a kind which includes a support body containing and electrical motor which in use provides a rotational drive to said cylindrical rotor, said cylindrical rotor including  
         [0006]     a rotor body  
         [0007]     a shaft extending through said rotor body and defining an axis of rotation about which said rotor body can rotate  
         [0008]     at least one array of radially extending blade pairs positioned to present mutually interacting pinching edges of each said blade pair at the circumference of the cylindrical rotor, each blade pair including a rotor body stationary blade and a blade movable relative to said stationary blade  
         [0009]     wherein each said movable blades of said at least one array is mounted on a shuttle carried by said rotor body and in a cammed disposition with said shaft, said cammed disposition being of a kind wherein cooperative surfaces of said shaft and said shuttle, upon the relative rotation of said shaft with said rotor body and said shuttle carried with said rotor body, moves said shuttle in an oscillating manner in the directions parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotor body, in a manner to repeatedly bring each blade pair into and subsequently out of mutual engagement at least at the circumference of said cylindrical rotor to entrap and subsequently release hairs there between.  
         [0010]     Preferably said blades of each blade pair are non parallel to each other in a manner to place the pinching edges of the blades of each blade pair at said circumference more proximate to each other.  
         [0011]     Preferably said blades of each blade pair include planar facing regions extending radially inwardly from said pinching edges.  
         [0012]     Preferably said pinching edges are annularly extending edges with a radius substantially similar to the cylindrical rotor.  
         [0013]     Preferably for each blade pair, said pinching edges are proximate more to each other than the planar facing regions in consequence of said blades at least at said planar facing regions being inclined to each other.  
         [0014]     Preferably one of said movable and stationary blades of each blade pair are inclined to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor, the other of each blade pair being parallel to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0015]     Preferably the planar facing region of one of said movable and stationary blades of each blade pair are inclined to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor, the planar facing region of the other of each blade pair being parallel to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0016]     Preferably said blades are made from a resiliently flexible sheet metal, wherein the blades of each pair, when in mutual engagement with each other are in pinching edge to pinching edge contact and in at least part planar facing region to planar facing region contact.  
         [0017]     Preferably each said blade movable is positioned relative its respective stationary blade to upon the rotation of said rotor body relative to said shaft, move into and subsequently out of relative engagement with each other, at least at the circumference of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0018]     Preferably said array includes at least two blade pairs.  
         [0019]     Preferably said array includes at least three blade pairs.  
         [0020]     Preferably said array includes at five blade pairs.  
         [0021]     Preferably at least two arrays of blade pairs are provided each array separated from the adjacent array and equi-spaced from each other at least on the circumference of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0022]     Preferably three arrays of blade pairs are provided said arrays equi-spaced from each other on the circumference of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0023]     Preferably said rotor body defines a cavity within which said shuttle is engaged and captured and in a manner to allow it so oscillate in the axial direction relative to the rotor body yet remain stationary in said rotational direction relative to said rotor body.  
         [0024]     Preferably said cavity includes at least one opening to the perimeter of said rotor body at which said pinching edges of said blade pairs of an array of blades is disposed.  
         [0025]     Preferably said rotor body includes a perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) said perimeter surface in part defining the cylindrical perimeter of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0026]     Preferably said perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) includes annularly extending grooves.  
         [0027]     Preferably said perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) includes annularly extending grooves, axially spaced from each other and annularly aligned with each of said pair of blades of said array.  
         [0028]     Preferably said perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) includes annularly extending grooves, axially spaced from each other and annularly aligned with the space between each of said pair of blades when in said non engaged condition, in order to encourage the alignment of hair with which said perimeter surface is in contact with to align for capturing between a blade pair.  
         [0029]     Preferably the plurality of said stationary blades of a first array are in annular alignment with the corresponding blades of the other array(s) of blades.  
         [0030]     Preferably a said shuttle for each array is provided to move independent of said other shuttles.  
         [0031]     Preferably said shuttle includes a cam follower upstand projecting for engagement with a cam surface of said shaft to positively control the positioning of said shuttle for its reciprocating movement relative to said rotor body.  
         [0032]     Preferably said cam surface is an annular slot of said shaft and within which said upstand is snugly located.  
         [0033]     Preferably said shuttle includes at least two axially spaced upstands, each located within a respective annular slot of said shaft.  
         [0034]     Preferably a said camming relationship between said shuttle and said shaft moves said shuttle from a predominant axial position to an intermittent axial position, said predominant axial position corresponding to placing of each blade pair in a non engaged condition and the intermittent axial position corresponding to an engaged condition.  
         [0035]     Preferably said shaft extends longitudinally from at least one end of said rotor and includes a means to capture it with a said support body to lock it from rotating with said support body.  
         [0036]     In a second aspect the present invention consists in an epilating device comprising a housing containing a motor which rotationally drives a cylindrical rotor mounted to said housing, said cylindrical rotor partly exposing part of its perimeter through an opening of said housing, said cylindrical rotor further including 
        i. a rotor body, and     ii. a shaft extending through said rotor body and defining an axis of rotation about which said rotor body can rotate, said shaft remaining stationary to said housing, and     iii. at least one array of radially extending blade pairs positioned to present mutually interacting pinching edges of each said blade pair at the circumference of the cylindrical rotor, each blade pair including a rotor body stationary blade and a blade movable relative to said stationary blade        
 
         [0040]     wherein each said movable blades of said at least one array is mounted on a shuttle carried by said rotor body and in a cammed disposition with said shaft, said cammed disposition being of a kind wherein cooperative surfaces of said shaft and said shuttle, upon the relative rotation of said rotor body and said shuttle carried with said rotor body about said shaft, moves said shuttle in an oscillating manner in the directions parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotor body, in a manner to repeatedly bring each blade pair into and subsequently out of mutual engagement at least at the circumference of said cylindrical rotor to entrap and subsequently release hairs there between said movement between said blade pairs coincident with the passing of said blade pairs through said opening of said housing.  
         [0041]     Preferably said rotor body is mounted to said housing by said shaft.  
         [0042]     Preferably said blades of each blade pair are non parallel to each other in a manner to place the pinching edges of the blades of each blade pair at said circumference more proximate to each other.  
         [0043]     Preferably said blades of each blade pair include planar facing regions extending radially inwardly from said pinching edges.  
         [0044]     Preferably said pinching edges are annularly extending edges with a radius substantially similar to the cylindrical rotor.  
         [0045]     Preferably for each blade pair, said pinching edges are proximate more to each other than the planar facing regions in consequence of said blades at least at said planar facing regions being inclined to each other.  
         [0046]     Preferably one of said movable and stationary blades of each blade pair are inclined to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor, the other of each blade pair being parallel to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0047]     Preferably the planar facing region of one of said movable and stationary blades of each blade pair are inclined to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor, the planar facing region of the other of each blade pair being parallel to the radial plane of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0048]     Preferably said blades are made from a resiliently flexible sheet metal, wherein the blades of each pair, when in mutual engagement with each other are in pinching edge to pinching edge contact and in at least part planar facing region to planar facing region contact.  
         [0049]     Preferably each said blade movable is positioned relative its respective stationary blade to upon the rotation of said rotor body relative to said shaft, move into and subsequently out of relative engagement with each other, at least at the circumference of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0050]     Preferably said array includes at least two blade pairs.  
         [0051]     Preferably said array includes at least three blade pairs.  
         [0052]     Preferably said array includes at five blade pairs.  
         [0053]     Preferably at least two arrays of blade pairs are provided each array separated from the adjacent array and equi-spaced from each other at least on the circumference of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0054]     Preferably three arrays of blade pairs are provided said arrays equi-spaced from each other on the circumference of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0055]     Preferably said rotor body defines a cavity within which said shuttle is engaged and captured and in a manner to allow it so oscillate in the axial direction relative to the rotor body yet remain stationary in said rotational direction relative to said rotor body.  
         [0056]     Preferably said cavity includes at least one opening to the perimeter of said rotor body at which said pinching edges of said blade pairs of an array of blades is disposed.  
         [0057]     Preferably said rotor body includes a perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) said perimeter surface in part defining the cylindrical perimeter of said cylindrical rotor.  
         [0058]     Preferably said perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) includes annularly extending grooves.  
         [0059]     Preferably said perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) includes annularly extending grooves, axially spaced from each other and annularly aligned with each of said pair of blades of said array.  
         [0060]     Preferably said perimeter surface intermediate of said opening(s) includes annularly extending grooves, axially spaced from each other and annularly aligned with the space between each of said pair of blades when in said non engaged condition, in order to encourage the alignment of hair with which said perimeter surface is in contact with to align for capturing between a blade pair.  
         [0061]     Preferably the plurality of said stationary blades of a first array are in annular alignment with the corresponding blades of the other array(s) of blades.  
         [0062]     Preferably a said shuttle for each array is provided to move independent of said other shuttles.  
         [0063]     Preferably said shuttle includes a cam follower upstand projecting for engagement with a cam surface of said shaft to positively control the positioning of said shuttle for its reciprocating movement relative to said rotor body.  
         [0064]     Preferably said cam surface is an annular slot of said shaft and within which said upstand is snugly located.  
         [0065]     Preferably said shuttle includes at least two axially spaced upstands, each located within a respective annular slot of said shaft.  
         [0066]     Preferably a said camming relationship between said shuttle and said shaft moves said shuttle from a predominant axial position to an intermittent axial position, said predominant axial position corresponding to placing of each blade pair in a non engaged condition and the intermittent axial position corresponding to an engaged condition.  
         [0067]     Preferably said shaft extends longitudinally from at least one end of said rotor and includes a means to capture it with a said support body to lock it from rotating with said housing.  
         [0068]     This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0069]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an epilating appliance showing the functional components,  
         [0070]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the rotary mechanism showing it in the full assembled condition,  
         [0071]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the rotary mechanism showing all the internal components,  
         [0072]      FIG. 3B  is an end view in direction BB of  FIG. 3A ,  
         [0073]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view showing details of the shuttle member and in relation with the shaft,  
         [0074]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective and exploded view of an alternative construction of the arrangement of  FIG. 3A ,  
         [0075]      FIG. 4C  is an assembled view of the components of  FIG. 4B ,  
         [0076]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view showing an alternative construction of the shuttle member in relation with the shaft,  
         [0077]      FIG. 5B  is yet a further alternative assembly to that as shown in  FIGS. 4B  and C and that the manner in which the movable blades are engaged with the shuttle member is different,  
         [0078]      FIG. 5C  is an assembled view of  FIG. 5B ,  
         [0079]      FIG. 6A  is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary mechanism of  FIG. 2 ,  
         [0080]      FIG. 6B  is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary mechanism as shown in  FIG. 6A  but wherein the blade pairs are in a closed condition,  
         [0081]      FIG. 6C  is a close up view of region B as shown in  FIG. 6A , and  
         [0082]      FIG. 7  is a developed view of a shell surface of the rotary mechanism showing the relative position of the clamping blades at different angles of the rotary mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0083]     With reference to  FIG. 1  there is shown an epilating appliance which in general consists of a housing  1  which contains a motor  5  such as an electric motor, normally a battery to power the motor or a connection to a mains power supply and which also includes a cylindrical rotor assembly which upon being driven by the motor  5 , operates to provide an epilating or plucking like action. The housing is of a shape to allow it to be ergonomically grasped by the hand of a user. The cylindrical rotor assembly  3  is supported by the housing  1  in a manner to allow it to rotate about its rotational axis. The cylindrical rotor assembly  3  is presented in part through an opening  2  of the housing  1  to present a plucking zone at the cylindrical perimeter of the rotor in a manner to allow such to make contact with the skin of a user. The opening  2  is preferably at an end of the housing  1 . Further, in general and with reference to  FIG. 1 , appropriate gearing for the transmission of the rotary movement from the motor  5  to the cylindrical rotor assembly  3  are also incorporated in the housing  1 . In addition a switch and appropriate electronics (not shown) will also be incorporated with the housing  1 .  
         [0084]     The opening  2  may be of a size sufficient to allow for only a small part of the perimeter (at the plucking zone), of the cylindrical rotor assembly  3  is to be exposed. Such a plucking zone is provided on the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical rotor assembly  3  and to which reference will hereinafter be made in more detail.  
         [0085]     The motor  5  may be positioned to provide direct drive to the cylindrical rotor assembly or via gearing  4  as for example shown in the preferred form in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0086]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the cylindrical rotor assembly  3  is shown in a perspective view. The cylindrical rotor assembly  3  has, in use, an axis of rotation AA. The cylindrical rotor assembly  3  includes a cylindrical perimeter  8  the centroid of which is coaxial with the axis AA of the cylindrical rotor assembly  3 . The cylindrical rotor assembly  3  includes a rotor body  9 . The rotor body  9  may itself be an assembly of various components. However the rotor body  9  may generally be defined as a unitary assembly since all of the components of the rotor body  9  are coupled together to rotate about the rotational axis AA and about a shaft  26  which extends through or into the rotor body  9 , which extends coaxial with the axis AA. The rotor body  9  is supported dependent from the shaft  26  in a manner to be relatively rotatable thereto. Indeed in use, the shaft  26  remains stationary relative to the housing  1  and it is the rotor body  9 , driven by the motor  5 , which moves relative to the housing and hence relative to the body of a person against which the device is placed. The shaft  26  is mounted relative to the housing  1  in a manner to ensure that it remains stationary relative to the housing. Such may for example occur by the location of the stub ends  6 ,  7  of the shaft  26  which may be of a square or rectangular or other non-circular configuration. The stub ends  6 ,  7  of the shaft  26  may locate in suitably shaped rebates of the housing and tightly fit therewith, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft  26  relative to the housing  1 . The shaft itself may present suitable bearing surfaces such as the surface  21  which for example with reference to  FIG. 6A  are provided at or towards each distal end of the rotor body  9  for the purposes of allowing a complimentary shaped surface of the rotor body to engage therewith in a manner to be supported on said shaft in a rotational manner. In the most preferred form the bearing of the rotor body  9  with the shaft  26  is preferably a direct journal bearing. With the appropriate selection of materials, sufficient freedom of rotation can be established yet still ensure that a tight fit occurs. For example the shaft  26  may be made from a metallic material and the complimentary shaped bearing surfaces of the rotor body which engage with the surfaces  21  of the shaft may be made from a plastics material. Such may have the characteristics of a Teflon or similar low friction index material. As can be seen with reference to  FIG. 6B  the first and second ends  30 ,  31  of the rotor body  9  are provided with such bearing surfaces to be supported by the bearing surfaces  21  of the shaft  26 . The bearing surfaces are preferably cylindrical surfaces.  
         [0087]     As has been mentioned, the rotor body  9  itself is an assembly of relative moving components. A first component of the rotor body  9  is the rotational carrier  24 . It is the rotational carrier which when the epilating device is in use, moves relative to the shaft  26  in a purely rotational manner. It is the rotational carrier  24  which provides the main bearing surfaces which engage with the surfaces  21  of the shaft  26 . The rotational carrier  24  includes two end plates each positioned respectively at the first and second ends  30 ,  31  of the rotor body  9 . The end plates are connected together via longitudinally extending interconnect members  33 . The interconnect members  33  may be integrally formed with one or both of the end plates  32  or may be assembled therewith. With reference to  FIG. 3A , it can be seen that the interconnect members may be formed integral with one end member  32  and include securing lugs  14 A to extend into complimentary shaped apertures  14 B of the other of the end plates  32  in order to become engaged together. At least two and preferably three interconnect members  33  are provided each spaced from each other to provide an opening  34  therebetween. Each opening will allow therethrough, the presentation of an epilating zone to which further reference will hereinafter be made.  
         [0088]     In the most preferred form the interconnect members  33  are equispaced to provide substantially similar sized openings at the cylindrical perimeter of the rotor body  9 . The interconnect members  33  include an external perimeter surface  13  which in part will define the perimeter of the cylindrical rotor assembly  3 . The external perimeter surface  13  includes grooves extending in an annular direction with the cylindrical perimeter of the rotor body. A plurality of grooves are spaced longitudinally (in the axial direction AA) along each of the interconnect member  33 . The purpose of such grooves is to encourage the hairs to be guided to become positioned between the pairs of clamping blades. The grooves in the circumference will encourage such movement of hair into the clamping zones between the pairs of blades whereupon the closing of the blades, the hairs become captured between the blades. Each interconnect member has the same number of grooves and each are aligned with each other. The grooves are also aligned with the gaps between each plucking blade pair.  
         [0089]     The interconnect members  33  are formed with one of the end plates  32  preferably each engage with secondary interconnect members  35  which are preferably formed with the other of the end plates  32 . The secondary interconnect members  35  and the interconnect members  33  have snugly fitting complimentary and axially slideable engagement surfaces  36  to allow for an in the axial direction sliding engagement of the two components defining the rotational carrier  24 . The secondary interconnect members  35  include fastening regions which are preferably threaded or threadable apertures extending parallel to the axial direction and with which fastening screws  14  passing through the end plate carrying the interconnect members  33  can extend. The end plate  32  carrying the interconnect members  33  are preferably provided with apertures  37  through which the fastening screws  14  can pass to engage with the apertures (not shown) of the secondary interconnect members  35 .  
         [0090]     The interconnect members  33  and  35  will hold the end plates  32  apart and with the openings  34  between the interconnect members and the spacing of the end plates apart, openings between which the hair clamping mechanism is to be positioned, are provided.  
         [0091]     One or both end plates  32  include a means to allow for the transmission of rotational power from the motor to the rotor body  9 . With reference to for example  FIGS. 2 and 3 A, one of the end plates includes a gear  10  provided for such purposes. Preferably the gear  10  is provided at the extreme distal end  31  of the end plate  32 . In the most preferred form the end plate  32  with its secondary interconnect members  35  are injection moulded and hence are formed integrally. Alternatively the gear  10  may be assembled with the end plate  32 . The gear is coaxial with the axis of rotation AA about which the rotor body  9  is able to rotate. The gear is of a size which with the selection of any intermediate gearing between the motor shaft and the rotor body  9  will allow for the rotor body  9  to rotate at a speed or speeds which are appropriate for the hairs of a body be subjected to a plucking action of the device of the present invention. In such a configuration the end plates  32  extend substantially parallel to each other and extend substantially radially to the axis AA. The secondary interconnect members also include fingers  38  which extend to the cylindrical perimeter  8  of the rotor body  9 . Each of the fingers  38  comprises of a plurality of ridges  39  extending annularly and are separated by annular slots which in the most preferred form align with the slots of the external perimeter surface of the interconnect members  33 . The purpose for such alignment is to allow for a continuation of the slots in the interconnect members  33  and to thereby allow for the hairs to be guided in between the pair of clamping blades. Should the hairs not be clamped and removed by one array of pair of blades then the grooves may guide such hair in alignment with a subsequent blade as it comes around during the rotation of the rotary cylinder. The fingers  38  of each of the secondary interconnect members  35  flank (in a longitudinal direction), each of the interconnect members  33 . It is accordingly intermediate of adjacent fingers  38  of adjacent secondary interconnect members between which the majority of the openings  34  are provided.  
         [0092]     The epilating action or plucking action generated by the cylindrical rotor assembly of the present invention occurs between a plurality of blade pairs. In the most preferred form the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings there are three arrays of a plurality of such blade pairs. Each array extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal or axial direction of axis AA. Each array is provided in conjunction with each of the openings  34  provided through the rotational carrier  24 . In general, and with reference  FIG. 3A , each array may include a plurality of axially spaced apart blade pairs. In the example shown in  FIG. 3A  five blade pairs per array are shown. Each blade pair includes a moveable blade  11  and a stationary blade  12 . The stationary blades are stationary relative to the rotational carrier  24 . The moveable blades of each pair move in a direction parallel to the axial direction defined by axis AA. Each blade of each pair are substantially of a planar configuration as for example shown in  FIG. 3A . They are preferably made from a metallic material which is of a sufficient thickness to remain stiff or at least resilient to the forces to which they may be subjected. The blades are positioned relative to the rotational carrier to extend in general in a radial direction. They each include perimeter edges  40  which are arcuate and of a radius substantially the same as the external perimeter surface of the rotational carrier and hence in part define the cylindrical perimeter  8  of the rotor body  9 . The movable and fixed blades  11 ,  12  of each pair are positioned with their planar surfaces parallel or close to being parallel. The blades of each pair are movable towards and away from each other (the mechanism of which will hereinafter be explained in more detail) such that at least some of the respective perimeter edges  40  of the blades of each pair move to engage with each other and disengage with each other. This movement is predominantly linear. Such movement may further result in an engagement of the facing planar surfaces of the blades of each pair but in the most preferred form initial contact in the movement of the blades of each pair together, occurs at least in part and preferably across the entire perimeter edges  40  or pinching edges of the blades of each pair. With hairs positioned intermediate of the blades of each pair when such are in engagement with each other, will subject the hairs to a pinching action sufficient such that movement of the blades relative to the skin of the user will in general pull the hairs sufficiently to remove such from the person.  
         [0093]     In order to ensure that a pinching of hairs by and between the blade pairs of the present invention occurs in a manner which is going to effectively hold the hairs so that they can be pulled from the skin of a person, the blades of each pair are preferably at a slight angle relative to each other. Such will also ensure that the strongest point of gripping between the blades of each pair, of hairs occurs as close as possible to the skin of the person. This is as a result of the angling of the blades of each pair relative to each other so as to place the perimeter edges  40  most proximate with each other. Accordingly upon movement of the blades of each pair to a condition where such will pinch hairs therebetween, the perimeter edges  40  of the blades of each pair will make first contact with each. With reference to  FIG. 6C , it is preferably the movable blades  11  which are disposed at an angle  25  relative to the radial direction extending from the axis AA. However it may alternatively or in addition be the fixed blades  12  which are disposed at an angle to such a radial direction. In the movement of a blade pair from an opened condition as for example shown in  FIG. 6A  to a closed condition as for example shown in  FIG. 6B  the blades of each pair move substantially in a direction parallel with the axis AA. When in a closed condition as shown in  FIG. 6B  the blades of each pair are in engagement with each other thereby pinching any hairs which may be positioned and captured between the blades of each pair. When in an opened condition hairs can move freely between the space defined between the blades of each pair of blade pairs  41 . Since the blades of each blade pair have a perimeter edge  40  which is substantially of the same diameter, and because of the angular positioning of the planes of the blades relative to each other for the purpose as above described, contact of the blades of each pair occurs initially at a single point of contact. Since the blade of each pair are in substantial axial alignment with each other such point of contact is midway between the distal edges  42  of the blades. However since the blades are made preferably a resiliently flexible metallic material, further movement of the blades of each pair towards each other will flex the blades such that at least the entire perimeter edge  40  commensurate with the cylindrical perimeter  8  of the rotor body, come into engagement with each other. With reference to  FIG. 6B , even further advancement of the blades in the axial directions towards each other may cause for the blades to flex sufficiently for the facing surfaces of the blades of each pair to become engaged against each other. Because of the initial angular disposition between the blades of each pair, the most significant clamping force will remain at the perimeter edges  40  of the blades of each pair despite the facing surfaces of the blades of each pair being in full engagement with each other as for example shown in  FIG. 6B .  
         [0094]     The fixed blades  12  of an array are positioned each to one side (in the longitudinal direction) to the movable blades. The movable blades of each array are movable in unison relative to the respective fixed blades. The fixed blades remain stationary relative to the rotational carrier  24  whilst the movable blades  11  oscillate in the longitudinal direction relative to the fixed blades. All blade pairs of an array are accordingly in the same condition at any given moment. The fixed blades  12  are fixed relative to the rotational carrier  24 . In the most preferred form the fixed blades are engaged within slots of a complimentary width to the thickness of the fixed blades  12  provided by the secondary interconnect members  35 . Such slots  18  place each of the fixed blades in a spaced part condition in the axial direction sufficient to allow for the fixed blades of each blade pair to extend through such a gap between the fixed blades  12 . The fixed blades  12  and the slots  18  are of a configuration such that the fixed blades  12  are securely affixed with the rotational carrier  24  when the rotor body is fully assembled. The fixed blades  12  may include securing tabs  43  which may locate within an undercut of the secondary interconnect members to prevent the fixed blades from moving radially outwardly relative to the rotational carrier  24 . The slots  18  are preferably of a depth (in the radial direction) sufficient to allow for the fixed blades to be held in a radially extending direction and sufficiently rigidly relative to the rotational carrier such that when a clamping of hairs intermediate of the fixed blade and movable blade pairs occurs the fixed blades  12  are sufficiently resilient to displacement to allow for a sufficient force of clamping to be subjected to the hairs. The portions of the fixed blades extending into the slot are correspondingly also of a sufficient radial extension to ensure such clamping forces can be generated as a result of a sufficiently rigid mounting of the fixed blades with the rotational carrier  24 . The mounting of the fixed blades with the rotational carrier is such that for each array of blades the blades in the axial direction are substantially aligned with each other.  
         [0095]     The movable blades of each array are disposed toward the same side of each of their respective fixed blades. The movable blades of each array are carried by a single shuttle  15 . The shuttle  15  moves all of the movable blades  11  of one array simultaneously. The shuttle  15  moves such movable blades in an oscillating matter and in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation AA between the open and closed conditions as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  respectively. The shuttle carries a plurality of movable blades  11  in an array which is substantially aligned in the axial direction. Each of the movable blades of each array are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of that of the fixed blades with which the movable blades are to engage with. The shuttle itself may be an assembly of a holder which includes slots  15 A through which the movable blades can extend. The slots are of a size to allow for the movable blades to extend therethrough and are of a radial depth sufficient to allow for sufficient rigidity to be provided to the movable blades. The movable blades may include a base flange  43  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 6C  for the purposes of ensuring that the movable blades remain affixed with the respective shuttle  15  and are thereby prevented from moving radially outwardly to become dislodged from the respective shuttle. The shuttle further includes a base member  16  which can engage with the holder of the shuttle and thereby capture the base flange  43  with the shuttle to prevent the movable blades from moving radially inwardly relative to the shuttle. Each shuttle of each array remains engaged with the rotational carrier  24  as a result of mating surfaces  44  presented substantially tangentially to the rotational axis and which captures the shuttle  15  in a radial direction relative to the rotational carrier  24 . The mating surfaces  44  prevent the shuttle from moving in a radial direction relative to the rotational carrier and ensures that the movable blades are only movable relative to the rotational carrier and to the fixed blade in a direction parallel to the axial direction. The mating surfaces  44  are hence parallel to the axial direction AA. The mating surfaces  44  capture the shuttle within the rotational carrier  24 . With reference to  FIG. 5B  an alternative assembly of a shuttle carrying movable blades is shown. In this configuration each of the movable blades is locatable within slots of the shuttle  29 . Each of the blades  27  includes an aperture therethrough which when the blades are positioned in the slots are in full alignment to thereby allow for a pin  28  to extend therethrough and through apertures at the ends of the shuttle  29  to secure the blades with the shuttle.  
         [0096]     The shuttle is of a length in the axial direction smaller than the distance between the facing surfaces of the end plates  32 . As can be seen with reference to  FIG. 6A  a space  20  between the shuttle  15  and the rotational carrier is provided in the axial direction which is sufficient to provide clearance to allow for the shuttle  15  to move in the axial direction to displace the movable blades  11  relative to the fixed blades  12  in such an axial direction. Each of the shuttles  15  is prevented from moving radially inwardly by capturing surfaces between the shuttle and either the rotational carrier  24  and/or the shaft  26 . In the most preferred form a radially inwardly directed surface  45  of the shuttle is provided for engagement against the bearing surface  21  of the shaft  26 . Such is for example shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B  and  5 A. Accordingly the shuttle is captured between the bearing surface  21  of the shaft  26  (preventing its movement radially inwardly) and by the mating surfaces  44  between the rotational carrier  24  and the shuttle  15 . The relationship between the radially inwardly directed surface  45  and the bearing surface  21  is such as to allow for freedom of movement of the shuttle in the axial direction.  
         [0097]     Positioning of the shuttle and hence the movable blades in the axial direction is controlled by a camming relationship of the shuttle  15  and the shaft  26 . The shuttle  15  with the rotational carrier  24  are rotatable about the fixed shaft  26 . Mutually engageable camming surfaces  22  and  23  as shown in  FIG. 4A  or  17  and  19  and shown in  FIG. 4B  allow for the displacement of the shuttle in the axial direction to be positively controlled as a result of relative rotation of the shuttle about the shaft  26 . In the most preferred form as shown in  FIG. 4B  two cooperative camming provisions are provided. Each camming provision preferably includes slot  17  within which a pin  19  projecting from the radially inwardly directed surface  45  of the shuttle can locate. The slot includes axially separated surfaces  46  which are of a profile varying in displacement in the axial direction. With reference to  FIG. 4B , the left more surface  46  controls the movement of the shuttle in a direction travelling towards the right hand side whereas the right surface  46  controls the return movement of the shuttle towards the left hand side. The slot  17  is preferably of a width slightly larger than the width (in the axial direction) of the pin  19 . The slot or track  17  controls the movement of the shuttle in both directions as a result of relative rotation of the shuttle and the shaft. With reference to  FIG. 7 a  developed plot of the relative positioning of the fixed and movable blades of each of the three arrays is shown over a complete 360 degree rotation of the rotor body about the shaft  26 .  
         [0098]     The profile of the surfaces  46  is such as to allow for such displacement during the relative rotation of the rotor body about the shaft  26  to occur. In particular it can be seen that at 180 degrees the movable blades are in an engaged condition with the fixed blades thereby being able to clamp hairs between the pairs of blades. Upon the clamping of hairs between the blades, and further subsequent rotation of the blades about the axis during which the blades remain in a clamping or pinching condition, the hairs are subjected to movement relative to the skin of the person and as a result are plucked from the skin of the person. The blades remain in a clamping condition over a sufficiently long arc of rotation for such a plucking action to occur. It can be seen that during one entire revolution, the blades of each pair come into a clamping arrangement preferably only once. Prior to and subsequent to being presented to the opening the blades of each pair are in an opened condition. Whilst the shaft may be made of a metallic material or of a plastic and metallic combination. Likewise the rotor may be made from a metallic material and a plastic combination. Indeed and with reference to  FIG. 5A , the bearing surface defining portions  21  may be made from a plastics material and the section  22  including the stub ends  6  and  7  may be made from a metallic material. Such would reduce the complication of machining of the shaft to define the camming surface.