Abstract:
An ear hair removal instrument including a head, at least a portion of which its outer surface is covered with cold wax. The head is shaped and sized to be receivable in the outer ear while preventing insertion into the middle ear. A handle is mounted at its distal end to the head. In use, the head of the instrument is inserted in the outer ear so that the cold wax disposed on the head comes into contact with the ear hair. While disposed in the outer ear, the ear hair in contact with the cold wax is extracted from its follicles by simultaneously rotating and pulling the instrument.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is directed to a hair removal instrument and, in particular, to an instrument for the removal of hair from the outer ear and entrance to the middle ear using cold wax. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    As they grow older, men typically grow unwanted or undesirable hair in their ears. One conventional method for removal of unwanted ear hair includes the use of electric razors specially designed and configured for the shape of the ear. Shaving simply cuts the hair shaft proximate the skin rather than removing it from the follicle. The shaving of ear hair using an electric razor therefore has the disadvantage of growing back, often times thicker than before. This technique is free from any discomfort, however, it requires the user to maintain such grooming habits on a continuing basis at relatively short intervals, e.g., once a month, if not more often. 
         [0005]    An alternative to conventional electric shaving implements include tweezing in which the hair is removed from the follicle. Tweezing is time consuming and causes some degree of discomfort that varies depending on each individual&#39;s tolerance for pain. Furthermore, the part of the body to which the hair is being removed is also a factor. It is difficult without contorting one&#39;s self in an awkward position for the individual to clearly see their own ear in order to tweeze unwanted hair themselves without the assistance of another. Some individuals live alone and thus cannot readily solicit another for assistance or perhaps are embarrassed to do so. 
         [0006]    Electrolysis is similar to tweezing in that hair is removed from the follicle. However, unlike tweezing, electrolysis requires treatment by a professional who is certified or skilled in the technique and therefore requires the individual to go somewhere to have this performed. Not only is this embarrassing and time consuming, it is also relatively expensive. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved instrument and method of use thereof for removal of ear hair at the follicle that is relatively inexpensive, disposable, relatively painless and easily performed in the privacy of one&#39;s own home without the need of assistance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One aspect of the present invention relates to an ear hair removal instrument including a head, at least a portion of which its outer surface is covered with cold wax. The head is shaped and sized to be receivable in the outer ear while preventing insertion into the middle ear. In addition, the instrument also includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end with the head being mounted to the distal end of the handle. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an ear hair removal instrument including a spherical shaped head, at least a portion of which its outer surface is covered with cold wax. The head has a diameter in the range between approximately ⅜ inch and approximately ⅝ inch, preferably approximately ½ inch. A handle having a distal end and a proximal end is mounted at its distal end to the head. The instrument further including a base disposed coaxially with the handle between the distal and proximal ends and a cover securable to the base for enclosing the head to prevent contamination. 
         [0010]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for using the ear hair removal instrument as described in either of the preceding paragraphs. First, the instrument is inserted in the outer ear so that the cold wax disposed on the head comes into contact with the ear hair. While disposed in the outer ear, the ear hair in contact with the cold wax is extracted from its follicles by simultaneously rotating and pulling the instrument. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of illustrative embodiments of the invention wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the several views and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary cold wax ear hair removal instrument in accordance with the present invention with its assembled cover; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the ear hair removal instrument in  FIG. 1  with the cover removed from its base; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a representative view showing use of the ear hair removal instrument by inserting the cold wax head into the outer ear so that it contacts the ear hair to be removed; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a representative view showing the simultaneous rotating and pulling of the ear hair removal instrument while disposed in the outer ear and in contact with the ear hair to be removed; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a representative view showing the ear hair removal instrument being withdrawn from the ear with the removed ear hair remaining on the cold wax head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the ear hair removal instrument  100  in accordance with the present invention includes a head  120  mounted, secured or attached to a shaft, stem, wand or handle  110 . A ring, platform or base  115  is coaxially disposed between the head  120  and proximal end  130  of the instrument. Base  115  is designed to have an enlarged diameter relative to the handle  110  for receiving a cover, cap, enclosure or lid  125  thereby enclosing the head  120  to prevent contamination. A portion or the entire surface of the handle  110  may have a reduced slippage surface such as projections and/or recesses defined in the handle or a coating such as rubber or other non-slip surface. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , a reduced slippage surface is provided on a portion of the handle  110  proximate its proximal end  130 . Handle  110  is shown to have a tapered outer contour that has its largest diameter at its proximal end  130  and tapers towards its distal end  105 . However, the handle may be cylindrically shaped or ergonomically designed to be contoured to the user&#39;s hand. Any shape handle  110  is contemplated and within the intended scope of the invention. 
         [0018]    The material used to manufacture the head  120 , handle  110  and base  115  may be the same or different. In a preferred embodiment the material used to manufacture these components is relatively inexpensive and thus the instrument may be disposed after a single application or use. Inexpensive materials that may be utilized are a polymer or cardboard. The instrument, if it is to be reused for multiple applications, can be manufactured from a more expensive material such as wood or metal. Whatever the material chosen for the handle  110  it is preferably rigid. On the other hand, the head  120  may be made from either a rigid, semi-rigid or a deformable material such as an elastically deformable material having an elastic shape memory (e.g., foam). The advantage of using an elastically deformable material having an elastic shape memory is that the head  120  when in use will conform to the shape of the ear and thus reach into more surfaces of the outer ear. Despite being deformable when in use, thereafter the head will automatically return to its original shape. Another advantage of using the deformable material is a greater degree of comfort when in use. 
         [0019]    Head  120  is non-planar in shape, preferably spherical in shape, as shown in the Figures. However, alternative non-planar shapes may be used as desired such as ovoid, conical or other geometric shapes. Furthermore, the shape need not be symmetrical but instead may be asymmetrical. An outer coating or covering of cold wax  135  is applied to at least a portion of its outer surface, preferably to the entire surface of the head  120 . The hair removal instrument is preferably manufactured and sold with the cold wax already applied to the outer surface of the head  120 . The head is sized to be received within the outer ear but preferably not insertable due to its size and shape into the middle or inner ear where the user may cause damage. In the case of a spherical shaped head  120 , its diameter is preferably between approximately ⅜ inch and approximately ⅝ inch, most preferably approximately ½ inch. 
         [0020]    A cover, cap, enclosure or lid  125  encloses at least the head  120  to protect the cold wax from being contaminated or damaged by unintentionally coming into contact with a surface or debris in the air. Cover  125  is preferably made of a transparent material such as a polymer thereby allowing the user to readily view the head  120  therein. However, it is contemplated and within the intended scope of the present invention to use any material for the cover regardless of whether it is transparent or opaque so long as it prevents or substantially reduces the risk of contamination of the head  120 . Cover  125 , in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is sized to be secured about the perimeter of base  115 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict cover  125  as terminating at the base  115 , however, cover  125  may extend beyond the proximal tip  130  of the handle  110  thereby encasing the entire instrument. In an alternative embodiment, base  115  may be eliminated altogether and the hair removal instrument  100  encased in a blister pack or some other packaging design. 
         [0021]    As previously mentioned, during manufacture, the head  120 , base  114  and handle  110  are either manufactured as a single integral unit or assembled together if manufactured as separate components. Cold wax is applied to at least a portion, preferably the entire outer surface, of the head  120 . The instrument with the cold wax applied to its head is then sold for use either individually or as multiple units. 
         [0022]    In the case in which the instrument comprises multiple components (e.g., head  120 , base  115 , handle  110 ), they may be secured together using any conventional means. For example, the head  120  may be releasably secured to the handle  110  so that after use only the head, and not the handle  110 , need be replaced. One mechanism for releasably securing the components is to have complementary threads on the distal end of the handle  110  and in the interior of an opening defined in the head  120  so that they may be screwed together. A releasable snap closure is another example. In still another example, the two components may be joined by tapering the distal end of the handle  110  so as to be received in an opening defined in the head and retained therein by a friction fit. Any securing mechanism, preferably a releasable securing mechanism can be employed. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3-5  illustrate use of the ear hair removal instrument  100  in accordance with the present invention. The individual purchases the preassembled instrument with the cold wax coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the head  120 . The cover  125  is removed so as to gain access to the head  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , while holding the instrument proximal the distal end of the handle  110 , the user positions the head  120  so that it contacts the ear hair disposed in the outer ear. Upon contact, the ear hair sticks to the cold wax. While positioned in the outer ear, the user simultaneously rotates and pulls the instrument  100  causing the ear hair stuck to the cold wax to be extracted from its follicles. The instrument  100  with the ear hair stuck to the cold wax is removed from the outer ear. As previously mentioned, the instrument in its entirety or at least the head may be disposed of after use. In the alternative, the head  120  alone may be cleaned and cold wax reapplied to its outer surface in preparation for another treatment. 
         [0024]    The Figures depict an embodiment in which the instrument  100  includes a single head  120  disposed at the distal end  115  of the handle  110 . An alternative designed may comprise two heads, one disposed at each end of the handle  110 , thus a single instrument can be utilized for removing the hair from both ears. 
         [0025]    Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or steps that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results be within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is also to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they are merely conceptual in nature. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0026]    Every issued patent, pending patent application, publication, journal article, book or any other reference cited herein is each incorporated by reference in their entirety.