US20070239152A1

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Publication number: US20070239152A1
Application number: US11/715,324
Authority: US
Inventors: Michel Trezon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-31
Filing date: 2007-03-08
Publication date: 2007-10-11
Also published as: JP2004007446A; US7230997B2; GB2416254B; GB2389256A; GB0516728D0; US20030223510A1; US7480345B2; GB2416254A; JP4294978B2; GB2389256B; GB0212723D0; US20070201580A1

Abstract

The electrolytic depilation device works by electrical contact with the skin of an individual whose hair is to be treated by electrolysis. It comprises a case containing an electrical power supply source, an electronic control circuit connected to the electrical power supply source for supplying a first electrode and a second electrode of different polarity. The electrodes are located at a distance from one another to apply a current that initiates electrolysis at the level of the hairs to be treated. At least the first electrode is elongated and located on one of the ends of the case so as to be applied against the skin over its entire length. The electrode has a shape that is convex in cross section.

Description

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

This invention relates to an electrolytic device for depilation by electrical contact with the skin of an individual whose hair is to be treated by electrolysis.

In depilation devices of this type, a continuous current supplied to the entry of a hair follicle is used to reach the papilla joined to the root of the hair and to consequently chemically destroy the papilla by galvanic electrolysis. The liquid contained in the tissue then constitutes an electrolyte during this procedure. Thanks to this electrolysis the root of the hair is destroyed and its regrowth is greatly delayed.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrolytic depilation devices are known in which several needles are used to implement depilation by electrolysis. These needles must be applied to the vicinity of the papillae of the hairs to be treated. The needles comprise first electrodes inserted into the skin of the individual in the vicinity of the respective papilla, whereas a second electrode is placed on the skin for circulation of current.

One disadvantage of these depilation devices it that it is difficult to distribute the current equally among all the needles. One solution to this problem is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,363, but the device described there is relatively complicated and difficult to use.

Likewise tweezer electrolysis depilation devices are known that comprise a needle that forms the electrode which must be inserted into the hair follicle. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,136, but the double treatment it offers is complex and it is difficult to handle this device effectively and quickly.

Another tweezer electrolysis depilation device comprising a needle that forms the electrode is known from GB 2296867 which proposes facilitating current return by making part of the handle of the device electrically conductive.

Again, another electrolytic depilation device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,300. This device comprises several needles that form the electrodes and an electrically conductive grating which is located in front of the needles to comprise a ground surface as it is being applied against the skin of the individual to be treated. This device operates by electrical discharges intended to destroy the hair follicles.

Moreover a device for depilation by electrolysis is known that comprises a case containing an electrical power supply source and an electronic control circuit. This case can be electrically connected to a stylus that forms the electrode for treatment of facial hair, and to patches that comprise electrodes of varied shapes adapted to different parts of the human body. However, the use of a stylus is tedious and the patches must be applied carefully relative to one another in order to be effective.

In light of this prior art and disadvantages linked to the aforementioned known devices, the object of the invention is to propose a simple electrolytic depilation device that is effective and extremely easy to handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is an electrolytic device for depilation by electrical contact with the skin of an individual whose hair is to be treated by electrolysis, comprising a case containing an electrical power supply source, an electronic control circuit connected to said electrical supply source for supplying a first electrode and a second electrode of different polarity, located at a distance from one another to apply a current that initiates electrolysis at the level of the hairs to be treated.

The electrolytic depilation device according to the invention is characterized in that at least said first electrode is elongated and located on one of the ends of said case to be applied against the skin over its entire length.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

- said first electrode has a shape which is convex in cross section;
- said convex shape is essentially cylindrical;
- said second electrode comprises a metal plate that is fastened on the outer surface of said case and that is able to come into contact with a hand of a user;
- said second electrode has a shape similar to that of the first electrode and extends parallel to it on said end of said case;
- said second electrode has essentially the same length as that of said first electrode and said second electrode has a width less than that of said first electrode;
- at least said first electrode comprises a metal sheet connected to a support fastened to said end of said case, said first electrode exactly following the shape of a convex part in a cross section of said support;
- said first and second electrodes are connected to said support and said support comprises a spacer element extending between said electrodes so as to define an insulating gap between the electrodes;
- said first electrode is an electrically positive electrode placed in front of said second electrode in the direction of movement of the device on the skin;
- said electronic control circuit comprises a processor containing several stored programs allowing differentiated treatments;
- said electrical supply source comprises at least one battery integrated into the device.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of two nonlimiting embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described with reference to the attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a support bearing two electrodes according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the components shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the components shown inFIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a support bearing one electrode according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of one of the ends of the device according to the invention provided with means for fastening an electrode support;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view showing two electrodes in the form of sheets, before their fastening and forming on the support shown inFIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view illustrating an electrode support connected to a printed circuit card; and

FIG. 10 is a synoptic diagram illustrating the operation of the device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the figures, the same or equivalent components will have the same reference numbers.

A first embodiment of theelectrolytic depilation device1 according to the invention is shown inFIGS. 1 to 4. This depilation device comprises acase2 composed of two half-

shells

3,4 connected to one another by connecting means (not shown). In a manner known in the art, the case conventionally contains an electricalpower supply source5 connected to an electronic control circuit6 (FIGS. 9 and 10).

Theelectronic control circuit6 is thus connected to this electrical power supply source to feed afirst electrode7 and asecond electrode8 of different polarity, located at a distance from one another to apply a current that initiates electrolysis at the level of the hairs to be treated (not shown).

Preferably the electricalpower supply source5 comprises one or more batteries (not shown) that are integrated into thedepilation device1. The voltage of each battery is preferably 1.2 V and with three batteries in series, 3.6 V are thus obtained. These batteries deliver a continuous current varying from about 100 to about 160 mA. The batteries can be connected to the main electric grid using a charger (not shown) to charge them.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, at least thefirst electrode7 is elongated and located on one of the ends of thecase2. It is intended to be applied against the skin over its entire length.

According to another important characteristic of the invention, at least thisfirst electrode7 has a convex shape. This convex shape is preferably essentially cylindrical.

In this way, only one part of theelectrode7 is in contact with the skin in a more or less large contact area parallel to the generating line of the electrode and it is possible to simultaneously treat all the hairs located in this limited area.

The surface of this contact area varies according to the morphology of the skin at the application site and to the force of application of the device which should be relatively slight.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, thesecond electrode8 has a shape similar to that of thefirst electrode7 and is located on the same end of the case, extending parallel to thefirst electrode7.

Thefirst electrode7 is an electrically positive electrode placed in front of thesecond electrode8 in the direction of movement of thedevice2 on the skin, this direction of movement being indicated by an arrow inFIGS. 2,3 and6.

Thesecond electrode8 preferably has essentially the same length as that of thefirst electrode7, whereas its width is less than that of thefirst electrode7.

In the second embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, thefirst electrode7′ covers the entire surface of one of the ends of thedevice1, whereas thesecond electrode8′ is composed of ametal plate9 fitted into and attached to the outer surface of thecase2. In this embodiment themetal plate9 must be in contact with the hand of the user to ensure negative current return contact.

The first and

second electrodes

7,8 shown inFIGS. 1 to 4 are connected to an essentiallyrectangular support10 fastened to the end of thecase2 using two opposingstraight grooves10aprovided on the sides of thesupport10 which accommodate ribs forming aslide3aof complementary shape, which ribs are provided on the inside surface of the half-shell3 of thecase2.

The first and

second electrodes

7,8 are advantageously comprised of a relatively thin, essentially rectangular metal sheet which exactly follows the shape of the convex part of thesupport10, preferably essentially cylindrical. These metal sheets are shown inFIG. 8, before their forming on the support.

Each metal sheet that forms an electrode is provided on one of its corners with aprojection11 that forms a contact blade linked to an electrical connection (not shown) within thecase2.

Thesupport10 comprises aseparate spacer element12 extending between the first and

second electrodes

7,8 so as to define an insulating gap between the electrodes.

Thespacer element12 is dimensioned to be used also as a means of tightening the sheets forming the

electrodes

7,8 against an inner bearing surface of thesupport10.

Thefirst electrode7′ in the second embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 is also comprised of such a thin metal sheet.

The thin metal sheets comprising the

electrodes

7,7′ and8 are fastened to thesupport10 usingpins13 provided on the periphery of the support. Thesepins13 are aligned withholes14 provided in the metal sheets (seeFIG. 8).

Another means of fastening the metal sheets consists in inserting them into the gap that has not yet been filled by theseparate spacer element12, joining the two ends of each sheet by making them overlap one another, and fastening the ends together with screws against the back surface of thesupport10.

The supply of electric current from thepower supply source5 is controlled by a start-stop push button15 located on the front surface of thedepilation device1.

Theelectronic control circuit6 of thedepilation device1 comprises preferably aprocessor16 containing several stored programs allowing differentiated treatments for the hair on the face, the armpits and the legs.

Advantageously the start-stop push button15 can moreover be used for selection of the desired program.

Acontrol wheel17 projects through an opening on the side of thecase2 in order to allow adjustment of the electrolysis current intensity. Advantageously an indicator light18 such as a LED, is placed on the front surface of the case to indicate the current state of the depilation device.

The electrolytic depilation device according to the invention must be used with a conductive gel (not shown) previously applied to the area of the skin to be treated. This gel is advantageously hydrating, soothing and imparts an anti-regrowth effect.

Thus, thanks to the invention, an electrolytic depilation device is obtained that eliminates the drawbacks of known electrolytic depilation devices and that is moreover very compact by forming a single unit, very light, that can be held in the hand and that is extremely easy to manipulate.

Of course the invention is not limited to the illustrated and described examples which can be modified by one skilled in the art without thereby going outside the framework of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the following claims.