Patent Publication Number: US-2012035621-A1

Title: Hair removal device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/449,570, filed Mar. 4, 2011, and 61/368,126, filed Jul. 27, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of hair removal devices. The present invention relates specifically to hair removal devices configured to remove hair by pulling and uprooting the hair from the skin. 
     Unwanted hair may be removed in a variety of ways. For example, hair may be cut at or near the surface of the skin with a razor or other cutting device. Typically, hair removed in this manner will re-grow quickly requiring frequent removal. In addition, hair may be removed via the application of a chemical, for example a depilatory cream, which acts to dissolve the hair. Alternatively, various devices and techniques exist to remove the entire hair including the root. Examples of such devices and techniques include tweezers, epilators, waxing, etc. These devices and techniques typically involve grasping the hair and the application of force to pull or pluck the hair and the root from the skin. Removal of hair by the root is usually longer-lasting than methods of hair removal that only remove hair at the surface of the skin. However, there may be discomfort associated with removal of hair by the root. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment relates to a hair removal device including a housing, an inner disc rotatably mounted to the housing and an outer disc rotatably mounted to the housing. The outer disc includes a body and a peripheral surface. The axial dimension of the peripheral surface is greater than an axial dimension of the body. 
     In one embodiment, the body of the outer disc includes a central hub and at least one arm extending radially from the central hub, and the peripheral surface is the radially, outermost surface of the at least one arm. In one embodiment, the at least one arm includes an inner section, and the axial dimension of the peripheral surface is greater than an axial dimension of the inner section of the at least one arm. In one embodiment, the axial dimension of the peripheral surface is at least two times greater than the axial dimension of the inner section of at least one arm. In one embodiment, the material forming the peripheral surface of the at least one arm is different than the material of the inner section of the at least one arm. In one embodiment, the material forming the peripheral surface of at least one arm is a polymer material and the material of the inner section of the at least one arm is a metal. In one embodiment, the axial dimension of the at least one arm increases as the radial distance from the center of the outer disc increases. In one embodiment, the axial dimension of the at least one arm reaches a maximum at the peripheral surface. 
     In one embodiment, the peripheral surface of the outer disc is a skin contacting surface and is configured to reduce discomfort associated with hair removal. In one embodiment, the inner disc and the outer disc have opposing surfaces configured to engage a hair. In one embodiment, the opposing surfaces of the inner disc and outer disc are substantially parallel to the radial axes of the discs, and the peripheral surface is substantially perpendicular to the radial axes of the discs. In one embodiment, the outer disc moves toward the inner disc to engage the hair. 
     In one embodiment, the hair removal device includes an insert coupled to the outer disc and positioned between the inner disc and the outer disc. In this embodiment, the inner disc includes a first surface, and the insert includes a second surface opposing the first surface, and the insert and the inner disc are configured to engage a hair between the first and second surfaces. In one embodiment, the peripheral surface of the outer disc is made from a first material and the second surface is made from a second material. In one embodiment, the first material is a polymer material and the second material is a metal. In one embodiment, the first surface is made from the second material. In one embodiment, the outer disc includes an inner axial surface and an outer axial surface, and the insert is directly coupled to the inner axial surface of the outer disc. 
     Another embodiment relates to a hair removal device including a housing, an inner disc rotatably mounted to the housing and an outer disc rotatably mounted to the housing adjacent to the inner disc. The inner disc includes a first hair engagement surface. The outer disc includes an inner axial surface, a peripheral surface positioned to contact skin of a user and an outer axial surface. The hair removal device includes an insert coupled to the inner axial surface of the outer disc, and the insert includes a second hair engagement surface facing the first hair engagement surface. The peripheral surface of the outer disc is made from a first material, and the second hair engagement surface is made from a second material. In one embodiment, the first material is a polymer material, and the second material is a metal. In one embodiment, the first hair engagement surface is made from the second material. In one such embodiment, the second material is metal. 
     Another embodiment relates to a method of removing hair. The method includes rotating an inner disc and a pair of outer discs of a hair removal device to cause the distance between opposing surfaces of the inner disc and outer discs to decrease and grasping a hair between opposing surfaces of an inner disc and outer discs. The method further includes contacting the surface of the skin on either side of the hair with peripheral surfaces of the outer discs, and resisting upward deformation of the skin during hair removal via the contact between the peripheral surfaces of the outer discs and the skin. In one embodiment, discomfort associated with hair removal is reduced by resisting upward deformation of the skin during hair removal. 
     Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a hair removal device, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the head portion of the hair removal device of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a disc assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembled disc assembly of  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the assembled disc assembly of  FIG. 4 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an outer disc of the disc assembly of  FIG. 4 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing a portion of the hair removal device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of a portion of a disc assembly during hair removal, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a disc assembly, according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an assembled outer disc and insert, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the assembled disc assembly of  FIG. 9 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the disc assembly of  FIG. 9  in the closed position, according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the head portion of the hair removal device, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a hair removal device, shown as epilator  10 , is depicted according to an exemplary embodiment. Epilator  10  includes a housing  12 . Housing  12  generally supports and provides mounting for the various components of epilator  10 . In the embodiment shown, housing  12  also defines a handle portion  14  and a head portion  16  of epilator  10 . Handle portion  14  is shaped to provide a convenient and comfortable gripping surface to allow a user to hold and manipulate epilator  10  during use. Epilator  10  includes an activation switch  18  located along handle portion  14 . Activation switch  18  may be toggled between on and off positions, allowing the user to activate and deactivate epilator  10 . Epilator  10  also includes a hair plucking assembly  20  mounted to and supported by housing  12 . In the embodiment shown, hair plucking assembly  20  is mounted to head portion  16  of housing  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an enlarged view of head portion  16  of epilator  10  is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, hair plucking assembly  20  includes a plurality of disc assemblies  22 . Disc assemblies  22  are rotatably mounted within head portion  16  of housing  12 . In the embodiment shown, disc assemblies  22  are mounted to a curved shaft (shown in  FIG. 7 ), resulting in the concave curvature of hair plucking assembly  20  shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, each disc assembly  22  is identical to the other disc assemblies  22  of epilator  10  except for the rotational orientation of disc assembly  22  relative to the curved shaft. 
     As explained in more detail below, each disc assembly  22  is configured to move between a “closed” configuration in which disc assembly  22  is configured to engage, grasp or trap a hair to be removed and an “opened” configuration in which any removed hair is released from the disc assembly. As each disc assembly  22  rotates within head portion  16  about the axis of the curved shaft, each disc assembly  22  alternates between the “opened” and “closed” configurations. Further, if disc assembly  22  has engaged a hair in the closed position, subsequent rotation of the disc assembly  22  acts to pull the hair from the skin prior to the disc assembly entering the “opened” configuration. 
     In the embodiment shown, each disc assembly  22  is rotationally offset about 60 degrees from the adjacent disc assemblies. This arrangement results in a first set of alternating disc assemblies  22  assuming the “closed” configuration and a second set of alternating disc assemblies  22  assuming the “opened” configuration. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first, third, and fifth disc assemblies  22  are in the “closed” configuration, and the second and fourth disc assemblies  22  are in the “opened” configuration. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , if hair plucking assembly were to rotate 60 degrees about the shaft axis, the first, third, and fifth disc assemblies  22  would assume the “opened” configuration, and the second and fourth disc assemblies  22  would assume the “closed” configuration. 
     In one embodiment, hair plucking assembly  20  of epilator  10  may include a first row and a second row of substantially parallel disc assemblies  22 . In another embodiment, hair plucking assembly  20  of epilator  10  may include a single row of disc assemblies  22 . In other embodiments, hair plucking assembly  20  may include more than two rows of disc assemblies  22  (e.g., three, four, five, six, etc.). Further, while  FIG. 2  shows hair plucking assembly  20  including five disc assemblies  22 , in other embodiments, each row may include more than five or less than five disc assemblies. In one embodiment, each row of hair plucking assembly  20  may include an odd number (e.g., one, three, seven, nine, etc.) of disc assemblies  22 , and, in another embodiment, each row of hair plucking assembly  20  may include an even number (e.g., two, four, six, eight, etc.) of disc assemblies  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of disc assembly  22  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Each disc assembly  22  includes an inner disc, shown as internal disc assembly  24 , and two outer discs  26 . Each outer disc  26  includes a body  27  having a central hub  28  and three radially extending arms  30 . As shown, arms  30  are evenly spaced around central hub  28 , such that the radial center axes of arms  30  are spaced about 120 degrees from each other. As explained in more detail below, each arm  30  includes an inner section  32  and a wider outer section  34 . Each outer section  34  of arms  30  includes an outer or peripheral surface, shown as skin contacting surface  36 , and a pair of lateral surfaces, shown as hair engagement surfaces  37 . Skin contacting surface  36  is the radial, outermost surface of arms  30  that contacts the user&#39;s skin during use of epilator  10  and is positioned substantially perpendicular to the radial center axis of each arm  30 . The pair of hair engagement surfaces  37  are positioned on either side of skin contacting surface  36  and are positioned substantially parallel to the radial center axis of each arm  30 . Each outer disc  26  includes a central aperture  38 . 
     Internal disc assembly  24  includes an internal disc  40  and a disc carrier  42 . Internal disc assembly  24  includes a mounting hub  44 , a central aperture  46  defined through mounting hub  44 , and three engagement protrusions  48  surrounding central aperture  46 . When assembled to create hair plucking assembly  20 , central aperture  46  receives the curved shaft, and engagement protrusions  48  act to couple internal disc assembly  24  to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft is transferred to internal disc assembly  24 . Further, engagement protrusions  48  act to couple together adjacent disc assemblies  22  within hair plucking assembly  20 . 
     Internal disc  40  includes three radially extending arms  50  evenly spaced around mounting hub  44  such that the radial center axes of arms  50  are spaced about 120 degrees from each other. Each arm  50  includes a radially outer or peripheral section  52 . Each peripheral section  52  includes a pair of lateral surfaces, shown as hair engagement surfaces  54 . Hair engagement surfaces  54  are positioned substantially parallel to the radial center axis of each arm  50  and, in the orientation of  FIG. 3 , form the upper and lower surfaces of arms  50 . As explained in more detail below, during hair removal, when a disc assembly  22  is rotated to the closed position, a hair may be grasped or engaged between hair engagement surface  37  of outer disc  26  and hair engagement surface  54  of internal disc  40  prior to removal. 
     Disc carrier  42  includes three U-shaped sections  56  spaced in between arms  50 . Each U-shaped section  56  includes a pair of circumferentially facing surfaces  58 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , when assembled, circumferentially facing surfaces  58  of U-shaped section  56  engage outer discs  26 , such that rotation of internal disc assembly  24  is imparted to outer discs  26  causing the components of disc assembly  22  to rotate together. Disc carrier  42  also includes protrusions  60  extending from the upper and lower surfaces of each of the U-shaped sections  56 . In operation, protrusions  60  exert a force on the arms  30  of the outer discs of the adjacent disc assemblies  22 . As can be best seen in  FIG. 7 , the interaction between protrusions  60  and arms  30  of adjacent disc assemblies result in the movement of disc assemblies between the opened and closed configurations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , disc assembly  22  is shown following assembly. As shown, outer discs  26  are coupled to inner disc assembly  24  by central aperture  38  of outer discs  26  receiving mounting hub  44 . Further, each arm  50  of internal disc assembly  24  is positioned between a pair of arms  30  of outer discs  26 . Further, as shown best in  FIG. 5 , circumferential facing surfaces  58  of U-shaped section  56  engage circumferential surfaces of arms  30  of outer discs  26  such that rotation of inner disc assembly  24  is imparted to outer discs  26 . 
     In various embodiments, outer discs  26  are configured to reduce discomfort associated with the hair plucking process and are configured such that the contact between the outer discs and the skin of the user is more comfortable. Referring to  FIG. 6 , a side sectional view of an outer disc  26  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As noted above, in various embodiments, outer discs  26  include arms  30  having an inner section  32  and a wider outer section  34 . Outer section  34  has a skin contacting surface  36 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the axial dimension of skin contacting surface  36 , shown as W 1 , is greater than the axial dimension, shown as W 2 , of inner section  32 . Thus, by providing a wider or thicker end section  34 , skin contacting surface  36  of each arm  30  has a greater surface area than if arms  30  had a constant narrower width of W 2  in the radial direction. Further, by providing only the end section  34  of arm  30  with the increased width or thickness, the overall weight of outer disc  26  is less than if arms  30  had a constant greater width of W 1  along the radial length. 
     The contact between the user&#39;s skin and arms  30  may be made more comfortable by increasing the contact surface area between the skin and outer discs  26 . Further, the increased surface area of skin contacting surface  36  may tend to compress and/or to increase the local skin tension around the hair. This increase in skin tension around the hair tends to resist upward deformation of the skin during hair removal. Thus, by increasing the surface area of skin contacting surface  36 , the tendency of the skin on either side of the hair to be pulled or stretched upward during hair removal is reduced resulting in increased comfort during hair plucking. Further, the efficiency of hair removal may also be increased by the resistance of upward deformation of the skin provided by skin contacting surface  36 . When the skin deformation is minimized, less force may be needed to be applied to the hair to cause removal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , end section  34  has a substantially rectangular cross-section in the radial direction with an abrupt, stepped transition  62  between inner section  32  and end section  34 . In other embodiments, arms  30  of outer disc  26  may be of other shapes that provided for a larger skin contacting surface  36 . For example, the radial cross-section of end section  34  may have a substantially triangular or trapezoidal shape such that the axial dimension W 1  of the end section increases gradually as the radial distance from the center of outer disc  26  increases. In other embodiments, end section  34  may have a rounded radial cross-sectional shape. In various embodiments, the axial dimension of arm  30  reaches a maximum at skin contacting surface  36 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , W 1  is greater than W 2  such that the area of skin contacting surface  36  is larger than the circumferential cross-sectional area of inner section  32  of arm  30 . In one embodiment, W 1  is at least two times greater than W 2 , and, in another embodiment, W 1  is at least three times greater than W 2 . In one embodiment, W 1  is between about three and four times greater than W 2 , and specifically is about three and a half times greater than W 2 . In various embodiments, W 1  is between about 0.5 mm and about 2.5 mm, specifically between about 1 mm and 2 mm and more specifically is between about 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm. In one embodiment, W 1  is about 1.4 mm. In various embodiments, W 2  is between about 0.1 mm and 1 mm, specifically between about 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, and more specifically between about 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, W 2  is about 0.4 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, W 1  is about 1.4 mm and W 2  is about 0.4 mm. In another embodiment, W 1  is about 1.7 mm. 
     In one embodiment, end section  34  may be made from a material selected to provide increased comfort associated with the contact between outer disc  26  and the user&#39;s skin. In one embodiment, end section  34  may be made from a polymer or plastic material. In one such embodiment, the material of end section  34  may be different from the material of inner section  32 . For example, end section  34  may be made from a polymer or plastic material and other portions of outer disc  26 , including inner section  32 , may be made from metal (e.g., stainless steel). In other embodiments, end section  34  and inner section  32  of arm  30  may be made from the same material. In one such embodiment, end section  34  may include a layer or coating of material comprising skin contacting surface  36 . In one such embodiment, end section  34  and inner section  32  may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel) and the coating may be a polymer or plastic material. In another embodiment, outer disc  26  may be made from a single material. In one such embodiment, outer disc  26  may be made from a plastic material, and specifically may be integrally molded from a polymer or plastic material. 
     As noted above, removal of hair by plucking may be uncomfortable or painful. In the past, hair removal devices have addressed the discomfort associated with hair removal in various ways. Some devices have utilized additional components or systems to decrease discomfort. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,106, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a hair removal device with a vibration system that applies vibration to the skin to reduce discomfort associated with the hair removal process. Other devices are designed such that hairs are removed quickly from the skin thereby reducing discomfort. However, these devices do not provide for an increased skin contacting area to reduce discomfort. Further, these devices typically do not include an end section composed of a different material selected to increase the comfort of skin contact. In one exemplary embodiment, epilator  10  does not include a vibration system or other separate system to decrease discomfort. In another embodiment, epilator  10  may include both outer discs  26  with larger skin contacting surface  36  and a vibration system or other system to reduce discomfort. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the relative size of skin contacting surface  36  to components of inner disc assembly  24  can be seen. In the embodiment shown, the axial dimension, W 1 , of skin contacting surface  36  is greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  (W 3  shown in  FIG. 8 ). In one embodiment, W 1  is at least two times greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 , and, in another embodiment, W 1  is at least three times greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 . In one embodiment, W 1  is between about three and four times greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 , and specifically is about three and a half times greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 . In another embodiment, W 1  is between about four and five times greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 , specifically between about 4 and 4.5 times greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  and more specifically is about 4.25 times greater than the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 . In various embodiments, the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  is between about 0.1 mm and 1 mm, specifically between about 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, and more specifically between about 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  is about 0.4 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, W 1  is about 1.4 mm and the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  is about 0.4 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, W 1  is about 1.7 mm and the axial dimension of radial arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  is about 0.4 mm. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional view of epilator  10  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Epilator  10  includes a motor  70  configured to cause rotation of hair plucking assembly  20 . In one embodiment, motor  70  may be a D.C. motor. Epilator  10  may include a battery and/or other power source (e.g., photovoltaic cell). In other embodiments, epilator  10  may include an AC power converter such that epilator  10  may be plugged to a conventional wall outlet. Epilator  10  includes a transmission system  72  configured to transmit energy generated by motor  70  to hair plucking assembly  20 . Transmission system  72  includes a motor gear  74 , a first step down gear  76 , a second step down gear  78 , a transmission gear  80  and an action gear  82 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , hair plucking assembly  20  includes a bearing plate  84 , a curved shaft  86  and a bearing support  88 . Rotation generated by motor  70  is transmitted via the gears of transmission system  72  to shaft  86 , and rotation of shaft  86  in turn causes rotation of disc assemblies  22  of hair plucking assembly  20 . The gears of transmission system  72  are configured such that the rotation generated by motor  70  is converted to the proper rotational speed for hair plucking assembly  20 . Bearing plate  84  and bearing support  88  are configured to provide smooth rotation of shaft  86 . 
     The alternating operation of disc assemblies  22  of hair plucking assembly  20  can be seen in  FIG. 7 . Disc assemblies  22  are coupled to curved shaft  86  and to the adjacent disc assemblies  22  so that all disc assemblies  22  rotate together at the same rate (i.e., in synch). As shown, shaft  86  includes a concave curvature causing compression of the portions of disc assemblies  22  in front of shaft  86  (i.e., above shaft  86  in the orientation of  FIG. 7 ) and also causing separation of the portions of disc assemblies  22  behind shaft  86  (i.e., below shaft  86  in the orientation of  FIG. 7 ). 
     Operation of hair plucking assembly will be explained with reference to central disc assembly  90  shown in  FIG. 7  with the understanding that the one or more disc assemblies of the hair plucking assembly operates in a similar fashion. As noted above, during rotation of hair plucking assembly  20 , each disc assembly alternates between opened and closed configurations, and, as shown in  FIG. 7 , central disc assembly  90  is shown in the closed, hair grasping position. As disc assembly  90  rotates, the compression caused by shaft  86  forces the protrusions  60  of the inner disc assemblies  24  on either side of disc assembly  90  to engage the lateral surfaces of inner sections  32  of arms  30  of outer discs  26 . The engagement between protrusions  60  and outer discs  26  causes hair engagement surfaces  37  to move toward and to engage the lateral surfaces of arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , if a hair is present between arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  and one of the hair engagement surface  37  of outer discs  26  at this time, the hair  100  will be engaged or grasped between arm  50  and hair engagement surface  37 . As rotation of central disc assembly  90  continues, hair  100  will be plucked from skin  102 . 
     Each bearing support  88  includes an inwardly facing protrusion  104 . Protrusion  104  operates in a manner similar to protrusions  60  of inner disc assembly  24 , in that protrusions  104  apply a force to the left most and the right most outer discs  26  within hair plucking assembly  20 . This causes the hair engagement surfaces  37  of the left most and the right most outer discs  26  to move toward and to engage the outermost lateral surfaces of the left most and right most arms  50 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the operations of skin contacting surfaces  36  during hair removal according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 8 , skin contacting surfaces  36  contact the outer surface of skin  102  on either side of hair  100 . Because of the increased surface area of the contact, particularly in relation to the diameter of hair  100 , skin contacting surfaces  36  resist the upward pull or deformation of a substantial section of skin  102  surrounding hair  100  as hair  100  is plucked. This resistance of upward pull of the skin on either side of the hair is believed to decrease the discomfort associated with hair removal and increase efficiency of hair removal as discussed above. 
     In various embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , the outer disc assembly may be constructed such that the hair engagement surface provides for efficient or improved hair engagement properties. In some embodiments, the outer disc assembly may be constructed such that the hair engagement surface is made from a different material than the skin contacting surface. Further, in some embodiments, the outer disc assembly may be configured to increase the radial dimension of the hair engagement surface to increase the surface area of the outer disc assembly that participates in the grasping of the hair. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an exploded view of an another exemplary disc assembly is shown. Disc assembly  110  includes an internal disc assembly  24 , two outer discs  112 , and two outer disc inserts  114 . Outer discs  112  are similar to outer discs  26  in most respects, except as discussed below. Like outer discs  26 , outer discs  112  have a body  27 , a central hub  28 , and three radially extending arms  30 . Outer discs  112  have an expanded or wider end section  116  at the end of each arm  30 . Each end section  116  has a peripheral surface, shown as skin contacting surface  118 , and a recess  120 . Recess  120  is an axial depression formed on the side of end section  116  generally facing internal disc assembly  24 . Recesses  120  receive inserts  114  and act to facilitate the attachment insert  114  to outer discs  112 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , disc assembly  110  includes two inserts  114 , each positioned between one of the outer discs  112  and internal disc assembly  24 . Outer disc  112  includes an inner axial surface  122  generally facing the outer axial surface  124  of insert  114 . Insert  114  is a substantially planar element and includes three arms  126  generally shaped to match the shape of the inner axial surface  122  of body  27  of outer disc  112 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , insert  114  is received within recess  120  of outer disc  112  to couple insert  114  to outer disc  112 . Insert  114  is coupled to outer disc  112  to form an outer disc assembly  130 . With insert  114  coupled to outer disc  112  as shown in  FIG. 10 , outer axial surface  124  of insert  114  is in contact with and is substantially flush with the inner axial surface of outer disc  112  (both axial surfaces are shown in  FIG. 9 ). Insert  114  is coupled to outer disc  112  such that insert  114  rotates as outer disc  112  rotates within the housing of the epilator, as discussed above. 
     As noted above, end section  116  of outer disc  112  includes a peripheral, skin contacting surface  118 . Insert  114  also includes a peripheral surface, shown as skin contacting surface  128 , located on the peripheral face of each arm  126 . When insert  114  is coupled to outer disc  112 , skin contacting surface  118  of outer disc  112  and skin contacting surface  128  together define a peripheral surface, shown as skin contacting surface  132 , of the outer disc and insert assembly  130 . Further, with insert  114  coupled to outer disc  112 , the inner axial facing surface  134  of insert  114  faces inner disc assembly  24 . As explained in more detail below, a portion of inner axial facing surface  134  defines the hair engagement surface of outer disc assembly  130 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , insert  114  and outer disc  112  are separate components that are coupled or mounted together. In one embodiment, insert  114  may be directly coupled to outer disc  112  by mechanical engagement or mechanical coupling between the components, such as by snap-fit or press-fit arrangements. In other embodiments, insert  114  may be coupled to outer disc  112  using other mechanisms. For example, in one embodiment insert  114  is coupled to outer disc  112  using an adhesive material placed between insert  114  and outer disc  112 . In another embodiment, insert  114  may be welded (e.g., via ultrasonic welding) to outer disc  112 . In another embodiment, insert  114  may not be independently coupled directly to outer disc  112  and may be held in place between outer disc  112  and inner disc assembly  24  once assembled to the curved shaft (e.g., shaft  86 ). In one embodiment, outer disc  112  may be made of plastic and may be molded on to insert  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , disc assembly  110  is shown following assembly. As shown, outer discs  112  are coupled to inner disc assembly  24  as discussed above. As shown in  FIG. 11 , disc assembly  110  includes two inserts  114 , each positioned between inner disc assembly  24  and one of the outer discs  112 . Further, each arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  is positioned between each of the inserts  114 . When assembled, end sections  116  of upper and lower outer discs  112 , the upper and lower inserts  114  and arm  50  of the inner disc assembly  24  form a tweezer assembly  136 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a partial cross-sectional view of the assembled disc assembly  110 , showing tweezer assembly  136  in the closed position. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the hair engagement surfaces  134  of inserts  114  face hair engagement surface  52  of arm  50 . When disc assembly  110  assumes the closed configuration shown in  FIG. 12 , at least a portion of hair engagement surface  134  comes into contact with hair engagement surface  52  of arm  50 , and if a hair is present between the two surfaces, the hair may be grasped between the surfaces. As discussed above, with a hair grasped or clasped between the two hair engagement surfaces, disc assembly  110  rotates pulling the hair from the user&#39;s skin. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, outer disc  112  is made from one material and insert  114  is made from a second, different material. The material of outer disc  112  may be selected to provide good skin-contacting performance (e.g., increased comfort, decreased irritation, etc.), and the material of insert  114  may be selected to improve the ability of insert  114  to grasp the user&#39;s hair. In one specific embodiment, outer disc  112  is made from a plastic or polymer material, and both insert  114  and arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24  are made from metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). In this embodiment, the polymer material of skin contacting surface  118  of outer disc  112  may provide for a comfortable skin contacting surface. Further in this embodiment, the metal to metal contact of hair engagement surfaces  134  and  52  provides for effective hair engagement. Thus, this embodiment provides for the combination of the increased comfort associated with a substantially plastic skin contacting surface and the efficient hair grip provided by the metal to metal hair engagement surfaces. In addition, utilizing inserts  114  may decrease the noise generated during operation compared to a disc assembly including only plastic outer discs  112 . However, in other embodiments, outer disc  112  may be made from one type of polymer material, and insert  114  may be made from another type of material, such as a second type of polymer material, a ceramic material, etc. 
     In various embodiments, the sizes or dimensions of the components of disc assembly  110  may be selected to provide improved comfort during hair removal and for providing effective hair removal. As shown in  FIG. 12 , W 3  is the axial dimension of arm  50  of inner disc assembly  24 , W 4  is the axial dimension of insert  114 , W 5  is the axial dimension of skin contacting surface  118  of outer disc  112 , and W 6  is the axial dimension of the entire skin contacting surface of tweezer assembly  136 . In one embodiment, W 3  and W 4  are substantially the same. In another embodiment, W 5  is at least two times greater than W 3  and/or W 4 , and, in another embodiment, W 5  is between two and five times greater than W 3  and/or W 4 . In one embodiment, W 5  is between about three and four times greater than W 3  and/or W 4 . In various embodiments, W 3  and/or W 4  is between about 0.1 mm and 1 mm, specifically between about 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, and more specifically between about 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, W 3  and/or W 4  is about 0.4 mm. In various embodiments, W 5  is between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm, specifically between about 1 mm and 2 mm, and more specifically between about 1.4 mm and 2 mm. In one embodiment, W 5  is about 1.7 mm. In one embodiment, W 3  and W 4  are about 0.4 mm and W 5  is about 1.7 mm, and W 6  is about 3.8 mm. 
     The circumferential length of tweezer assembly  136  may also be selected to provide for efficient and comfortable hair removal. Referring back to  FIG. 10 , L 1  represents the circumferential length of the skin contacting portion of insert  114  which is also the same as the circumferential length of tweezer assembly  136 . In various embodiments, L 1  is between about one time and three times greater than W 6 , specifically is between about 1.3 and 2 times greater than W 6 , and more specifically between about 1.5 and 1.6 times greater than W 6 . In various embodiments, L 1  is between about 3 mm and 9 mm, specifically between about 5 mm and 7 mm, and more specifically, between about 5.5 mm and 6.5 mm. In one embodiment, L 1  is about 6 mm. 
       FIG. 13  shows an enlarged view of the head portion of an epilator  10  including disc assemblies  110 . Similar to hair plucking assembly  20  shown in  FIG. 2 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , epilator  10  includes a hair plucking assembly  138  including a plurality of disc assemblies  110 . Hair plucking assembly  138  operates in the same manner as hair plucking assembly  20  discussed above, except that inserts  114  contact arms  50  of inner discs  24  during hair removal. 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, steps or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.