Abstract:
An epilation appliance for the removal of hairs from the skin of a human body includes a rotary cylinder equipped with clamping elements operable to execute a closing movement within a zone of the rotary movement of the rotary cylinder. A mechanism of the epilation device is pivotable for adjusting the zone of the closing movement in dependence upon the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin, with the pivot axis being disposed in offset relation to the axis of rotation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an epilation appliance for the removal of hairs from the skin of a human body, comprising a rotary cylinder equipped with clamping elements operable to execute a closing movement within a zone of the rotary movement of the rotary cylinder, with means being provided which are pivotal about a pivot axis for adjusting the zone of the closing movement in dependence upon the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin. 
     An epilation appliance of this type is known from patent application FR 2 668 902 A1. 
     This printed specification discloses an epilation appliance in which means are provided for adjusting the zone of the closing movement in dependence upon the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin. The purpose of this is to enhance the effectiveness of the appliance by correcting the closing instant of the clamping elements to a preferred value automatically in dependence upon the angle defined between the epilation appliance and the skin. Said means include a frame which is pivotally mounted about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. Provided approximately in the middle of the rotary cylinder between the frame&#39;s two longitudinal sides is a U-shaped yoke extending across the rotary cylinder. By this means it is possible to adjust the zone of the closing movement in dependence upon the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed in contact with the skin. In practice, however, it has shown to be a disadvantage that this frame, including the U-shaped yoke arranged thereon, does not readily follow the tilting movements of the appliance nor the curved contours of the skin. In particular rapid tilting movements or irregularities of the skin surface cause the frame, together with the U-shaped yoke, to stick or tilt out of position in which case the longitudinal side of the U-shaped yoke is no longer in contact with the skin, hence making it impossible for the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin to be detected. Incidentally, the U-shaped yoke which extends over the outer circumference of the rotary cylinder prevents the rotary cylinder, that is, the clamping elements disposed in the rotary cylinder, from engaging the user&#39;s skin. In the mid-area of the prior art rotary cylinder a spaced relation is thus always maintained between the skin surface and the outer circumference of the rotary cylinder, that is, the clamping elements, rendering it difficult to catch the hairs and making it impossible where short hairs are involved. 
     By contrast, it is an object of the present invention to improve upon an epilation appliance of the type referred to in the foregoing to the effect that a reliable detection of the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin is accomplished, a secondary aspect of the invention being that the efficiency and effectiveness of epilation is not adversely affected by the means for detecting the angle and adjusting the zone of the closing movement compared with conventional appliances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, this object is accomplished in an epilation appliance of the type initially referred to in that the pivot axis of the pivotal means is disposed in offset relation to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder and, preferably, above the axis of rotation. 
     This approach has the advantage that the means for adjusting the zone of the closing movement and for detecting the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin readily engage the skin surface and follow the contours of the skin with ease. This constructional arrangement largely avoids, for example, a one-sided disengagement of said means from the skin and the attendant incorrect angle detection. Said means are also in a position to respond readily to any rapid angular variations of the epilation appliance resulting from the user&#39;s individual manipulations. Also under adverse conditions this arrangement makes sure that the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin is detected with accuracy at all times and that, accordingly, the zone of the closing movement is also adjusted correspondingly and correctly in dependence upon this angle, thereby providing an extremely effective epilation appliance. 
     In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, a sensing means is provided by means of which the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin is detectable, said sensing means being pivotal about a pivot axis disposed approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. 
     The sensing means is thus operable to detect automatically the angle at which the user places the epilation appliance in contact with the skin. Being pivotal about a pivot axis, the sensing means is capable of following any possible variations of said angle readily. Thus the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin is detected automatically at any instant of time and may be utilized for influencing, that is, modifying, the closing movement of the clamping elements. 
     In an advantageous further aspect of the present invention, the sensing means spans an engaging surface by means of which the epilation appliance may be placed in contact with the skin. 
     The engaging surface facilitates operation of the epilation appliance, requiring the user only to place the epilation appliance in contact with the skin with this engaging surface in order for the angle between the epilation appliance and the skin to be detectable. 
     Particularly advantageously, provision is made either for the pivot axis to be arranged on the side of the engaging surface close to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder at a small relative distance to the engaging surface, or for the pivot axis to be arranged on the side of the engaging surface facing away from the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, with the possibility for the pivot axis to lie also in the engaging surface. The position of the pivot axis is determined by the engaging surface making contact with the skin readily, also in cases where the epilation appliance is not placed vertically on the skin. In addition, the position of the pivot axis is also determined by the design effort considered to be still acceptable. 
     In either event, it is accomplished that the sensing means always makes full contact with the skin as the epilation appliance is moved across the skin. In particular skin irregularities will not cause the sensing means to stick or even tilt out of place. It is thereby ensured that the sensing means automatically and correctly detects the angle at which the user places the epilation appliance against the skin at any instant of time, including under conditions when the epilation appliance is moved across the skin. 
     In an advantageous further feature the sensing means includes two bars, rollers, hair lifting combs, housing edges or a combination of such means or the like, which span between them the engaging surface, said means being arranged approximately parallel to each other and approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. 
     This represents a particularly simple design implementation of the sensing means. In this arrangement the engaging surface is advantageously spanned by the two bars. Interpositioned between the bars is the rotary cylinder with the clamping elements. The user positions the epilation appliance against the skin with the two bars. This ensures that the complete engaging surface makes contact with the skin. The zone within which closing of the clamping elements is effected is adjusted via the engaging surface. In operation the clamping elements revolving in the space between the bars may then catch and extract the hairs on the skin without further difficulty. 
     Particularly advantageously, the sensing means includes at least one side member which is pivotally connected to a pin forming the pivot axis or similar bearing structure and which supports the two bars or the like. 
     For one purpose, the side member(s) represent(s) simple design possibilities regarding the pivotal mounting of the sensing means&#39; two bars spanning between them the engaging surface. For another purpose, the side member also serves for automatic detection and transmission, via the pivoted position of the bars, of the angle at which the engaging surface and hence the epilation appliance is placed against the skin. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, an actuating means is provided by means of which the closing movement of the clamping elements can be produced within the predetermined zone, said actuating means being pivotal about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder in dependence upon the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin. 
     The actuating means serves the function of producing the closing movement of the clamping elements. This closing movement takes place in a predetermined zone as the rotary cylinder rotates. Hence the clamping elements execute the closing movement within a predetermined angular range of the rotary cylinder. This angular range is variable by a pivoting movement of the actuating means. Hence when the actuating means is turned about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder through an angle, this subsequently causes the closing movement of the clamping elements to take place in a zone which, by comparison with the preceding zone, is precisely turned through this particular angle. Thus the effect accomplished with the actuating means is that the zone of the closing movement of the clamping elements is adapted to be varied by a pivoting movement about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder precisely as is necessary for the particular angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin. For example, when the user places the epilation appliance on the skin at a particular angle of inclination, a turning movement of the actuating means about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder has the effect that also the angular range within which the closing movement of the clamping elements takes place is varied by this particular angle of inclination, so that the clamping elements will continue to execute the closing movement precisely the moment when the rotary cylinder is opposite the skin. This ensures that the clamping elements catch and extract the hairs reliably at all times. Futile plucking operations or the like accompanied by pain are avoided positively. 
     It is of particular advantage for the actuating means to include at least one pressure element and one actuating element providing for adjustment of the clamping element(s). 
     Using a turning movement of the pressure element about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder it is possible to obtain a particularly simple design implementation regarding the adjustment of the zone of the closing movement of the clamping elements. For this purpose, the pressure element may be mounted on a disk, for example, which in turn is rotatable about the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. 
     In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, provision is made for a transmission means for coupling the sensing means with the actuating means. 
     The transmission means serves the purpose of transmitting the angle detected by the sensing means to the actuating means. The angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin and which is detected by means of the engaging surface is transmitted to the actuating means by the transmission means. The actuating means adjusts the zone of the closing movement of the clamping elements in dependence upon the received angle in such manner that the closing movement takes place precisely the moment when the clamping elements are positioned in the predetermined zone, in particular facing the skin. The transmission means thus ensures an automatic coupling between the sensing means and the actuating means and, hence, at all times a correct adjustment of the zone of the closing movement in dependence upon the angle at which the user places the epilation appliance against the skin. 
     In an advantageous further aspect of the present invention, the transmission means includes a pivotal swinging member or the like which is coupled with the sensing means and the actuating means via driving elements. 
     This represents a particularly simple and low-cost design implementation of the transmission means. More particularly, the swinging member makes sure that the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin is transmitted to the actuating means directly and accurately. It will be understood, of course, that the transmission means may also be configured as a gear drive or some other coupling mechanism. 
     Particularly advantageously, the swinging member is made of a flexible material, in particular a plastics material. 
     In this manner bending movements in the swinging member which occur during the pivoting of the swinging member for design reasons or due to manufacturing tolerances may be compensated for in a simple way. 
     It is particularly advantageous for the transmission means to include a pin engaging in an oblong hole of the sensing means, and a further pin engaging in an oblong hole of the actuating means. 
     The two pins present driving elements providing, through the oblong holes, for coupling between the sensing means and the actuating means. This presents a simple and yet reliable design possibility to implement the transmission means. 
     In an advantageous further aspect of the present invention, the relative distance of the pivot axis of the sensing means to the pin engaging in the oblong hole of the sensing means is approximately equal to the relative distance of the pin engaging in the oblong hole of the actuating means to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. 
     The effect achieved thereby is that the detected angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin is transmitted to the actuating means unchanged. Hence the zone of the closing movement of the clamping elements is adjusted precisely by the same angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin. There is thus a 1:1 transmission ratio of the detected angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin to the angle by which the zone of the closing movement is adjusted. 
     In another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the zone of the closing movement is adjustable by an angle of up to 60 degrees, approximately, in particular by an angle of 35 degrees, approximately. 
     This covers the angular range within which a user typically places the epilation appliance on the skin. Within this typical angular range it is hence ensured that the zone of the closing movement of the clamping elements is automatically adjusted in conformity with the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin, enabling the epilation appliance to be used and function perfectly at all times. 
     It is of particular advantage to arrange the zone of the closing movement in a home position approximately in the main plane of extension of the epilation appliance and to enable the zone of the closing movement to be deflectable from the main plane of extension by an angle of about 17.5 degrees. With symmetrically built appliances the main plane of extension is understood to mean, for example, a central transversal plane, while with asymmetrically built appliances it means a plane suited to indicate the orientation of the appliance relative to the skin or some other direction. 
     This range of +/−17.5 degrees has proven to be particularly suitable in practice and can be implemented with relatively little technical effort and hence at low cost. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the transmission means is capable of transmitting the angle detected by the sensing means to the actuating means at a transmission ratio of essentially 1:1. This means that the actuating means is adjusted essentially by the angle detected by the sensing means. 
     It is particularly advantageous for the rotary cylinder and the means for adjusting the zone of the closing movement to form an independently handleable unit. While in the prior art the means for adjustment or the actuating means is formed fast with the housing, the invention makes provision for the actuating means to be associated with the rotary cylinder, which enables an adjustment of the actuating means relative to the housing. 
     An advantageous further extension of this aspect resides in that the means comprise at least one actuating means which is pivotal or rotary about an axis of the rotary cylinder. 
     Still further, it is advantageous for the actuating means to be adjustable or actuatable in dependence upon the detected angle. 
     In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, which may find application also independently of the particular positioning of the pivot axis relative to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, the means for adjusting the zone of the closing movement or the means for detecting the angle at which the epilation appliance is placed against the skin, are arranged adjacent to the rotary cylinder, and the rotary cylinder, meaning the clamping elements, is/are engageable with the user&#39;s skin particularly directly. By moving said means from the clamping area proper of the rotary cylinder, that is, the area of the clamping elements of the rotary cylinder, and arrange them adjacent to the rotary cylinder, the rotary cylinder, that is, the clamping elements disposed in the rotary cylinder, is/are capable of engaging the user&#39;s skin directly. An impediment of the type of the U-shaped yoke of the prior art is not present in this particularly advantageous independent embodiment of the epilation appliance, so that this approach contributes also to further improving the effectiveness/efficiency of epilation. 
     In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the means be configured as a correcting means and mounted adjustably relative to the rotary cylinder. In this arrangement a variation of the position of the correcting means—relative to the rotary cylinder or appliance housing—results in a variation of the closing instant or closing location of the clamping elements. Such a correcting means advantageously produces an automatic adaptation of the closing location of the clamping elements without making it necessary for the user to make allowance for the angle at which the appliance is placed against the skin surface subject to epilation. Such a correcting means may be constructed, for example, as a section of the housing receiving the epilation head, with the correcting means performing an essentially rectilinear movement when pressure is exerted on the skin. It is, however, also possible for a correcting means of the invention to be constructed as a component separate from the housing of the epilation head, for example, as a rod, a plate, a ball, a pin or the like. On contact with the skin, such correcting means may perform both a straight-line and an arcuate movement to thereby produce an adjustment of the closing location or closing instant of the clamping elements. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, the correcting means is arranged laterally adjacent to the rotary cylinder and is movable across the user&#39;s skin essentially in unison with the rotary cylinder. Said correcting means may be constructed such as to substantially encompass the rotary cylinder, being arranged adjacent to the ends of the rotary cylinder or alternatively, as seen looking in the direction of travel of the epilation appliance, in advance of or behind the rotary cylinder. A simple configuration of the correcting means affording ease of manufacture is thus proposed, which, by virtue of its essentially joint movement with the rotary cylinder across the user&#39;s skin, advantageously produces a direct and reliable adjustment of the closing instant of the clamping elements. 
     The correcting means is further spring mounted on a supporting structure provided to receive the rotary cylinder. In lieu of the supporting structure it is also possible for the rotary cylinder to be received in a head housing and for the correcting means to be spring mounted thereon. The advantageous effect accomplished by spring mounting the correcting means is that upon placement of the rotary cylinder on the skin to be epilated also the correcting means is guided across the skin essentially at a constant contact pressure, whereby a precise adaptation of the closing instant is ensured at all times. 
     In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the correcting means is constructed essentially as a yoke, as a frame or similar component having at least one substantially longitudinal straight-line contact surface for seating engagement with the user&#39;s skin. Hence an easy-to-manufacture correcting means is proposed which, owing to the elongated contact surface, permits good guidance on the skin and, being constructed of few slim components, enables the user to have an unobstructed view of the skin surface needing to be epilated. The use of a frame as, for example, a quadrangular frame, which surrounds the contact surface of the rotary cylinder with the skin essentially outside, provides a further correcting means which follows the contour of the skin surface to be epilated reliably. 
     A still further proposal includes providing the correcting means with a roller and/or a comb arranged essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder. In this arrangement the comb is disposed advantageously at the leading edge of a frame-shaped correcting means, for example, hence enabling the hairs to be raised with a combing action to enhance the efficiency of the plucking operation. The construction of the correcting means as a roller enables a component to be obtained which moves easily and with little resistance across the skin and which, by reason of the essentially parallel arrangement relative to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder, also ensures good engagement with the user&#39;s skin. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the comb and/or the roller has at one or both ends thereof a swivel arm which extends in particular along one or both ends of the rotary cylinder and is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the supporting structure or the appliance housing. Such a construction proposes a simple and in particular torsion resistant correcting means which, in addition, provides a maximum possible skin engaging surface, enabling advantageously the epilation head to be moved across the skin securely without introducing angle displacements of the head vis-à-vis the skin. 
     In a still further aspect, the correcting means is mounted for pivotal movement essentially about the axis of the rotary cylinder itself or about another axis disposed essentially parallel to the axis of the rotary cylinder. By arranging the correcting means on the axis of the rotary cylinder, a particularly favorable mounting is proposed because the axis of the rotary cylinder exists anyway. However, it can also be considered that provision is advantageously made for pivotally mounting the correcting means about an axis other than the axis of the rotary cylinder. 
     In yet another aspect, an upper and a lower stop are provided for the correcting means, in particular on the housing of the epilation head, enabling a predesigned pivoting range to be predetermined particularly in cases where the correcting means is pivotally mounted. 
     Furthermore, the correcting means is biased by means of a spring element in such manner that the correcting means, during use, is advantageously maintained in biased engagement with the user&#39;s skin, springing back into the upper stop position automatically after use. This ensures likewise an accurate guidance of the correcting means on the skin subject to epilation. 
     In a particular aspect of the present invention, the correcting means, in particular the at least one swivel arm of the correcting means, is connected to at least one control element in a manner preventing relative rotation. In this arrangement, the control element is constructed, for example, as a thrust plate with a pressure roller, said pressure roller controlling at least one actuating element for actuating the clamping elements of the rotary cylinder. This is a simple way of ensuring that any movement of the correcting means effects directly an automatic adaptation of the closing instant to the respective contour of the skin surface. 
     A still further aspect of the present invention proposes arranging in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder the axis of rotation of the control element, particularly the pressure roller, relative to the longitudinal axis of the swivel arm in such manner that the included angle defined between the closing instant of the clamping elements during use and the contact location, in particular the contact line between the rotary cylinder and the user&#39;s skin, is essentially constant. Such a relative arrangement of the individual components advantageously enables an epilation head to maintain at all times automatically a defined angle of application to the skin surface without requiring the user to concentrate thereon particularly. Hence the functions of threading and clamping the hairs as well as extracting them are performed in best possible manner. 
     Another proposal includes providing an epilation appliance with an epilation head which is either integrally formed or detachably connected with the epilation appliance, particularly the housing of the appliance. 
     The aforementioned embodiments concern essentially an epilation appliance with a correcting means adjustable relative to the rotary cylinder for producing an adjustment of the closing location, that is, the closing instant of the clamping elements in the rotary cylinder. In use it is thereby ensured, independently of the angle of application of the epilation appliance to the skin, that the closing location of the clamping elements relative to the point of contact between the rotary cylinder and the skin is maintained essentially constant. 
     In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention which may also represent an independent invention, it is proposed connecting the correcting means fast with the rotary cylinder and combining the two components to form a unit adjustably arranged relative to the housing of the epilation appliance. In this embodiment it is also possible for the unit to be comprised, for example, of the correcting means, the rotary cylinder, a motor and a transmission mechanism and for this unit to be pivotally mounted on the appliance housing. This affords the advantage that in use the unit configured as pivoted head is always guided at a constant angle to the skin, regardless of the angle at which the appliance housing is held against the skin. This second significant embodiment of the present invention differs from the aforementioned embodiment substantially in that the closing location of the clamping elements is fixed in the rotary cylinder and that the complete unit formed of at least the rotary cylinder and the correcting means is adjustable relative to the appliance housing, being in particular pivotally mounted thereon. 
     Further features, application possibilities and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description of embodiments of the invention illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawing. It will be understood that any single feature and any combination of single features described or represented by illustration form the subject-matter of the present invention, irrespective of their summary in the patent claims or their back reference, as well as irrespective of their wording and representation in the description and the drawing, respectively. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawing, 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic and partially broken away plan view of an epilation appliance; 
     FIG. 2 is a view of the epilation appliance taken along the section line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of an epilation head; 
     FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the epilation head of FIG. 3, absent the housing cover; 
     FIG. 5 is a view of an epilation head as seen looking from the direction  21  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a view of an epilation head of FIG. 5, but showing a correcting means in its upper stop position; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of an epilation head in use; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of an epilation appliance of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the epilation appliance of FIG. 8, with the side member removed; 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 are, respectively, schematic perspective and side views of the epilation appliance of FIG. 8 in a home position; and 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 are, respectively, schematic perspective and side views of the epilation appliance of FIG. 8 in a deflected position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An epilation appliance (FIG. 1) is substantially comprised of a housing  3  constructed as a gripping portion which accommodates a motor, and an epilation head  4  in which a rotary cylinder  5  is arranged. The cylinder  5  is embraced by a correcting means  11  formed essentially of a frame  7 . This frame has its upper side essentially flush with the contact surface  6  of the rotary cylinder  5 . The frame  7  is provided with two swivel arms  8  each including a thrust plate  9  with a pressure roller  10 , said pressure rollers  10  controlling the actuating elements for actuation of the cylinder&#39;s clamping elements which are not shown for the sake of simplicity. 
     A section taken along the line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 shows the rotary cylinder  5  (FIG. 2) at the upper end of the housing  3 . The frame  7  has its swivel arm  8  mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of rotation of the cylinder  5 . The thrust plate  9  connected with the frame  7  carries the pressure roller  10  which forms with its axis of rotation  25  an angle  30  with the longitudinal axis  17  of the housing  3  and hence determines the closing instant of the clamping elements. Viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotary cylinder, this instant trails, for example, by about 35° behind the longitudinal axis  17  of the appliance. On its upper side the frame  7  carries a comb  12  and a roller  13  extending essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder  5 . In this arrangement, for example, the comb  12  is disposed in advance of the rotary cylinder  5 , provided that the epilation appliance  1  is moved in the direction of travel  15  relative to the skin  14  and the rotary cylinder  5  rotates in a direction  16 . In the representation shown in which the appliance  1  is held so its longitudinal axis  17  forms an angle of about 90° with the skin  14 , the contact surface  6 , which may also be a contact line, coincides essentially with the longitudinal axis  17  of the appliance  1 . However, as soon as the appliance  1  is guided at an angle other than 90° to the skin  14  to be epilated, the contact surface  6  will experience a displacement relative to the longitudinal axis  17  of the appliance. 
     An epilation head  4  of the present invention (FIG. 3) is comprised of a supporting structure  18  mounting the rotary cylinder  5 , the correcting means  11  as well as the housing end covers  19  and a housing section  20 . The correcting means  11  includes the two lever type swivel arms  8  mounted in the housing sections  20  at either end of the cylinder  5 . The swivel arms  8  are interconnected by a rod carrying a rotary roller  13 . This roller extends essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder  5  and is arranged in advance of the rotary cylinder  5  as seen looking in the direction of rotation  16  of the cylinder  5 . Substituting the correcting means  11 , the provision of a housing section  20  may be contemplated which, for example, is adjustable relative to the supporting structure  18  and protrudes beyond the housing cover  19  in a direction vertical to the axis of rotation of the cylinder  5 . On contact of the rotary cylinder  5  and the housing section  20  with a skin surface needing to be epilated, the housing section  20  would be in a position to perform a movement relative to the supporting structure  18  and thus produce an adjustment of the closing instant of the clamping elements. 
     When detaching the housing sections  19  and  20  from an epilation head  4  (FIG.  4 ), it will become apparent that the cylinder  5  is fastened to the supporting structure  18  by means of an axle  23 . Furthermore, the correcting means  11  is pivotally mounted on the axle  23 , the swivel arm  8  having its lower leg  22  extend approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis  17  of the epilation appliance. Attached to the outside of the swivel arm  8  is a spring  24  taking support upon the supporting structure  18  and biasing the correcting means  11 . Between the swivel arm  8  and the end of the rotary cylinder  5  is a thrust plate  9  with a pressure roller  10 , a pin being provided for connection of the thrust plate  9  with the leg  22  of the swivel arm  8  in a manner preventing relative rotation, and the pressure roller  10  determining the closing instant, that is, the closing location  34  of the clamping elements. The pin allows a small angle of movement of the thrust plate  9  relative to the rotary cylinder  5 . The two endwise thrust plates  9  are braced by a bow spring. 
     Looking at the end of the epilation head  4  from an angle  21  (FIG.  5 ), it will be seen that the lower leg  22  of the swivel arm  8  extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis  17  of the appliance. By contrast, the longitudinal axis  26  of the swivel arm  8  is arranged to form an angle  33  with the longitudinal axis  17  of the appliance. Another angle  30  is defined between the axis of rotation  25  of the pressure roller  10  and the housing&#39;s longitudinal axis  17 , which angle trails behind the contact location  6  between the cylinder  5  and the skin surface to be epilated by about 35°. The position of the correcting means  11  shown in this Figure corresponds approximately to the in-use state of the epilation head  4  in which the swivel arm  8  is about biased into abutment with the lower stop. The imaginary point of intersection between the axis of rotation  25  of the pressure roller  10  and the skin to be epilated corresponds to the closing location or closing instant  34 . 
     In an unbiased, unloaded condition (FIG.  6 ), the correcting means  11  is swiveled with respect to the representation of FIG. 5; as a result, the leg  22  is no longer parallel to the longitudinal axis  17 , and the longitudinal axis  26  of the swivel arm  8  defines an angle  27  with the longitudinal axis  17  of the appliance. An angle  28  is defined between the axis of rotation  25  of the pressure roller  10  and the longitudinal axis, with the total angle  29  of the two single angles  27  and  28  equaling the angle  29  of FIG.  5 . If a user were to place an epilation head  4  on the skin according to the representation of FIG. 6, the contact surface between the rotary cylinder  5  and the skin to be epilated would lie approximately at the contact location  6  identified by an arrow. The included angle  30  defined between the contact location  6  and the axis of rotation  25  of the pressure roller  10  would thus correspond again to the angle  30  of the representation of FIG. 5, so that the closing location  34  of the clamping elements of the rotary cylinder  5  ensures an optimum clamping and plucking function in any position of the correcting means  11 . 
     In use of the epilation head  4  of the present invention (FIG.  7 ), the rotary cylinder has its contact surface  6  in engagement with the skin surface  14  subject to epilation. The closing location  34  of the clamping elements trails behind the contact location  6  in the direction of rotation  16  of the cylinder. Furthermore, the correcting means  11  is shown in biased abutment in which condition the roller  13  is also in engagement with the skin  14  while the swivel arm  8  abuts the lower stop  32 . As soon as the epilation appliance or the head  4  is disengaged from the skin  14 , the swivel arm  8  returns to its home position in which it abuts the upper stop  31  of the housing cover  19 . 
     FIGS. 8 to  13  illustrate an epilation appliance  101  intended for the removal of hairs on the human body. The epilation appliance  101  includes a gripping portion accommodating, among other components, a drive motor. Mounted on the gripping portion, particularly detachably, is an epilation head  102  in which a rotary cylinder  103  is received. 
     The gripping portion and the epilation head  102  form approximately a right parallelepipedal body with rounded corners, at the one end of which the rotary cylinder  103  is arranged. Width and height of the right parallelepipedal body correspond approximately to width and diameter of the rotary cylinder  103 . The length of the right parallelepipedal body depends on the dimension of the gripping portion in a direction transverse to the rotary cylinder  103 . The length and width dimensions of the right parallelepipedal body span between them a main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101  which, in the direction of the height of the right parallelepiped, is determined by the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     A user may grasp the epilation appliance  101  by its gripping portion, placing the rotary cylinder  103  on the skin. When in engagement with the skin, the rotary cylinder  103  makes line contact with the skin in a direction oriented approximately parallel to the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 . In dependence upon the angle of inclination at which the user places the epilation appliance  101  against the skin, this contact line is situated on the circumference of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     On its side close to the gripping portion the epilation head  102  is provided with a housing portion  104  having two bracket arms  105 ,  106  projecting at about right angles in a direction facing away from the gripping portion. Disposed within the U-shape formed by the housing portion  104  and the two bracket arms  105 ,  106  is a shaft  107  extending approximately parallel to the housing portion  104  and carrying the rotary cylinder  103 . The shaft  107  is journaled for rotation in the two bracket arms  105 ,  106 , hence forming the axis of rotation  108  for the rotary cylinder  103 . The axis of rotation  108  lies in the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 . 
     Mounted on the shaft  107  are a plurality of clamping element pairs  109  between which holding and spacing disks  110  are provided. Each of the pairs  109  of clamping elements includes one stationary clamping element  111  and one movable clamping element  112 , the movable clamping element being actuatable by an actuating element  113 . In a non-actuated position, the clamping elements  111 ,  112  of the clamping element pairs  109  are maintained in spaced relation to each other, whilst in an actuated closing position pressure acts on the free ends of the clamping elements  111 ,  112 , urging them into abutting engagement with each other. The pressure is produced by the actuating elements  113  and is adjustable by means of a spring  114  or the like. A rotary cylinder of this type is described in the not prior published German patent application DE 196 31 419 which is hereby incorporated in the disclosure content of the present application by express reference. 
     The actuating elements  113  are arranged approximately parallel to the shaft  107 , extending from the associated movable clamping element  112  to one of the two ends  115  of the rotary cylinder  103 . The actuating elements  113  are of an elongated configuration and longitudinally slidably mounted in the rotary cylinder  103 , being thus movable from the non-actuated into the actuated position and vice versa. 
     Arranged at either end  115  of the rotary cylinder  103  is a respective disk  116  which is pivotal about the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103 . The home position of FIGS. 10 and 11 and the deflected position of FIGS. 12 and 13 differ, among other things, by different pivot positions of the two disks  116 . Each of the two disks  116  is provided with a pressure element  117  whose axis is disposed approximately radially to the axis of rotation  108 . The disk  116  with the pressure element  117  which is, for example, a pressure roller, are not coupled with a drive mechanism of the rotary cylinder  103  and therefore do not partake in a rotary movement of the rotary cylinder  103 . With their one free end the actuating elements  113  face the disk  116  and hence the pressure element  117 . With their other free end the actuating elements abut the movable clamping element  112 . The pressure element  117  and the rotary cylinder  103  thus form an assembly in which the pressure element  117 , rather than being formed fast with the housing, is displaceable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     To drive the rotary cylinder  103  a gear  118  coupled with the drive motor is mounted for rotation in the housing portion  104 , said gear meshing with a toothed ring  119  arranged on the outer circumference of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     The pressure element  117  and the actuating elements  113  are in such relative arrangement and orientation that on a rotation of the rotary cylinder  103  about the axis of rotation  108  the actuating elements  113  are acted upon in succession by the pressure element  117  by reason of the non-rotating disk  116 . In consequence, the clamping elements  111 ,  112  execute a closing movement from the non-actuated position into the actuated closed position. 
     The pressure element  117  is disposed on the circumference of the disk  116  in such manner that the closing movement of the clamping elements  111 ,  112  with the rotary cylinder  103  rotating takes place approximately in the area of a line L on the circumference of the rotary cylinder  103 . In the home position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the line L represents the highest or outermost line or the zenith of the rotary cylinder  103  with respect to the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 . In the deflected position shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, however, the line L has been subject to an angular displacement, as will be explained in the following. 
     When a user holds the epilation appliance  101  with its rotary cylinder  103  so that an angle of about 90° is formed between the main plane of extension H and the skin, the line L will form a contact line between the skin and the rotary cylinder  103 , which line is disposed in the main plane of extension H. When the rotary cylinder  103  then performs a rotary movement, the closing movement of the clamping elements  111 ,  112  will take place approximately in the area of this contact line. Hairs present in the area of this contact line will be clamped between the closing clamping elements  111 ,  112  and extracted from the skin as the rotary cylinder  103  continues rotating. 
     At the free ends of the two bracket arms  105 ,  106  is a respective pin  120 ,  121  which, facing away from each other, project outwardly. The two pins  120 ,  121  define a pivot axis  122  disposed approximately parallel to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  and lying in the main plane of extension H. Furthermore, the pivot axis  122  is disposed approximately in the area of the circumference of the rotary cylinder  103 , with the relative distance of the pivot axis  122  to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  being slightly smaller than the radius of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the pivot axis  122  at a distance to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  which is greater than or equal to the radius of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     Each of the two pins  120 ,  121  mounts a side member  123 ,  124  for pivotal movement thereon. Each side member  123 ,  124  has an approximately plane, rectangular upper surface  125 ,  126  and a partially radiused end surface  127 ,  128 . The upper surfaces  125 ,  126  are arranged in a direction approximately transverse to the main plane of extension H and have each a dimension corresponding approximately to the diameter of the rotary cylinder  103  in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103 . In the direction of the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103 , the upper surfaces  125 ,  126  have a dimension as is necessary for the accommodation of components arranged underneath. The dimension of the end surfaces  127 ,  128  is likewise selected to cover adequately the underlying components. 
     In a direction transverse to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103 , a respective bar  129 ,  130  is mounted on the two ends of the surfaces  125 ,  126 . The side members  123 ,  124  are thus connected with each other by means of the bars  129 ,  130 . The alignment of the bars  129 ,  130  is about parallel to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  and the pivot axis  122  of the side members  123 ,  124 , in addition to being in approximately parallel arrangement to each other. Rotary rollers  131 ,  132  or the like are push-fitted to the bars  129 ,  130 . 
     The two side members  123 ,  124  and the two bars  129 ,  130  form a unit which is pivotal about the pivot axis  122  formed by the pins  120 ,  121 . The two bars  129 ,  130  and the two upper surfaces  125 ,  126  of the side members  123 ,  124  span between them an engaging surface A which is equally pivotal about the pivot axis  122 . The engaging surface A is arranged at a small relative distance to the pivot axis  122  in the direction of the main plane of extension H. At least in the home position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the engaging surface A thus forms a surface which is approximately tangent to the circumference of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     When the user places the epilation appliance  101  in contact with the skin, the engaging surface A is largely automatically aligned approximately parallel to the skin by the two bars  129 ,  130 . At the same time, the engaging surface A always forms with the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101  precisely the same angle of inclination at which the user places the epilation appliance  101  against the skin. 
     When the user positions the epilation appliance  101  so that its main plane of extension H is at approximately right angles to the skin, the engaging surface A is approximately transverse to the main plane of extension H. When the user positions the epilation appliance  101  so that its main plane of extension H forms an angle of inclination with the skin, the engaging surface A forms an angle with the main plane of extension H which amounts to 90° plus or minus that angle of inclination (depending on the direction of inclination). 
     In the area of attachment of the two bracket arms  105 ,  106  to the housing portion  104 , provision is made for a respective swinging member  133  which is arranged on the sides of the bracket arms  105 ,  106  facing away from each other. Each swinging member  133  is of an approximately U-shaped configuration, having the free ends of its two legs  134  pivotally connected to the associated bracket arm  105 ,  106 . The pivot axes  135  of the two legs  134  of the two swinging members  133  coincide, extending about parallel to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  and about symmetrically on both sides of the main plane of extension H. 
     Approximately in the area of the junction of the two legs  134 , each swinging member  133  has a pin  136  projecting outwardly from the sides facing away from each other. The pins  136  are aligned approximately parallel to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  and lie in the main plane of extension H in the home position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Each pin  136  is associated with an oblong hole  137  provided in the respective end surfaces  127 ,  128  of the two side members  123 ,  124 , through which the respective pin  136  passes. In the home position of FIGS. 10 and 11, the oblong holes  137  lie in the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 . 
     Provided likewise approximately in the area of the junction of the two legs  134  is a further pin  138  projecting inwardly from the facing sides of the two swinging members  133 . The pins  138  are aligned approximately parallel to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  and lie in the main plane of extension H in the home position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Each pin  138  is associated with an opening  139  provided in each of the two side members  123 ,  124 , through which the respective pin  138  is passed. In the home position of FIGS. 10 and 11, the openings  139  lie approximately transverse to the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 . Furthermore, each of the pins  138  is associated with an oblong hole  140  provided in each of the two disks  116  of the rotary cylinder  103 , through which the respective pin  138  passes. In the home position of FIGS. 10 and 11, the oblong holes  140  lie in the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 . 
     A pivotal movement of the engaging surface A and hence of the side members  123 ,  124  about the pivot axis  122  formed by the pins  120 ,  121  is transmitted through the oblong holes  137  and the pins  136  acting as driving elements to the swinging members  133 . The swinging members  133  are thus caused to perform a corresponding pivoting movement about the axes  135 . This pivoting movement of the swinging members  133  is transmitted, through the pins  138  acting a further driving elements, and the oblong holes  140 , to the disks  116  of the rotary cylinder  103 . During the pivoting movement the pins  138  pass through the openings  139  without acting on them or being acted upon by them. The disks  116  of the rotary cylinder  103  and hence the actuating wheels  117  perform equally the pivoting movement of the side members  123 ,  124  and hence of the engaging surface A. As this occurs, the disks  116  pivot about the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103 . 
     As becomes apparent particularly from FIG. 9, the relative distance of the pivot axis  122  formed by the pins  120 ,  121  to the pins  136  and the relative distance of the pins  138  to the axis of rotation  108  of the rotary cylinder  103  are approximately equal. In consequence, a pivoting movement of the side members  123 ,  124  through a particular angle produces a pivoting movement of the disks  116  through said same angle. 
     In the home position of FIGS. 10 and 11, the engaging surface A is approximately transverse to the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 , and the pins  136  and the pins  138  as well lie in the main plane of extension H. As a result, the disks  116  are not deflected, in this home position the line L thus representing the highest or outermost line or the zenith of the rotary cylinder  103  with respect to the main plane of extension H of the epilation appliance  101 . When the user places the epilation appliance  101  in contact with the skin at an angle of about 90° to the main plane of extension H, which corresponds to the home position of FIGS. 10 and 11, the closing movement of the clamping element pairs  109  will take place in the area of the line L and hence about precisely along the line of contact between the rotary cylinder  103  and the user&#39;s skin. Hairs present in this area will be caught by the pairs  109  of clamping elements and extracted as the rotary cylinder  103  continues rotating. 
     In the deflected position shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the engaging surface A is at an angle of inclination W transverse to the main plane of extension H. In this condition the side members  123 ,  124  are also deflected about the pivot axis  122 . As a result, also the disks  116  of the rotary cylinder  103  are deflected about the axis of rotation  108  through the pins  136  and  138  and the associated oblong holes  137 ,  140 . Deflection of the disks  116  also entails a corresponding deflection of the pressure elements  117  about the axis of rotation  108 . Due to the coinciding relative distances of the pivot axis  122  to the pins  136  and of the pins  138  to the axis of rotation  108 , the actuating wheels  117  are deflected through the same angle of inclination W relative to the main plane of extension H as the engaging surface A. 
     When the user places the epilation appliance  101  in contact with the skin at the said angle of inclination W and hence in accordance with the deflected position of FIGS. 12 and 13, the deflected pressure elements  117  cause the closing movement of the pairs  109  of clamping elements to take place in the area of the line L&#39; with an angular displacement amounting approximately to said angle of inclination W, closing being hence again effected precisely along the line of contact between the rotary cylinder  103  and the user&#39;s skin. Hairs present in this area are caught by the pairs  109  of clamping elements and extracted by the rotation of the rotary cylinder  103 .