Electric Shaving Appliance

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for the elimination of superfluous hair. Such appliance comprises a body having a working head including a hood which has an open work protecting member for engaging the hair inside the head. A revolving member is mounted for rotation in the hood in confronting relation to the open work member. A counter electrode is provided which is coextensive in length with the revolving member and is positioned within the hood immediately adjacent the open work member. A row of spike electrodes extends along the length of the revolving member and an electrode circuit, connected to a source of power, has a first conductor connected to the counter electrode and a second conductor connected to the spike electrodes. The spike electrodes and counter electrode are so spaced that sparks are generated therebetween when the circuit is energized.

Description

Up to now, for shaving the beard, and other superfluous hair, various types of cutting appliances have been used e.g. single blade razors, "safety" razors incorporating a thin interchangeable blade, razors comprising one or more blades actuated with a rotation or to-and-fro movement by means of a mechanically or electrically driven motor.

All these appliances have certain disadvantages, for example they most frequently necessitate the using of soap, shaving paste or other hair softening products. Also it is often necessary to sharpen or change the cutting blades. In certain forms of razors, the blades also have the additional inconvenience of frequently causing cuts or more or less serious accidents, either for the user or ill-advised persons.

Furthermore, in all cases, the blades cannot cut the hairs below the plane of the epidermis, and, accordingly, they leave part of the hair remaining in the natural cavity. This part of the hair grows quickly and becomes more and more visible, which frequently entails the necessity of a second shave at the end of the day.

To eliminate these drawbacks, it has been proposed to use chemical pastes and tweezers enabling the beard and superfluous hairs to be destroyed or pulled out, but these various techniques have given rise to more or less well-justified objections.

The present invention obviates these disadvantages by creating a new appliance enabling beard, and other hair to be eliminated.

According to the invention these superfluous hairs are engaged in an openwork member beyond which they are subjected to the action of sparks set up in displacement and intended to cause, by grilling, the destruction of the hairs at their base.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the appliance for operating the process comprises a body provided with a working head comprising a hood having at least one openwork protecting member for straightening and engaging bristles inside the head where said bristles are subjected to grilling by the action of thermic blades made by at least one row of sparks produced by at least the spikes of at least one revolving member incorporated in the working head.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown in the attached drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the appliance according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross section, on a larger scale, taken substantially along the line II--II of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial cross sections showing, on a smaller scale, two alternative embodiments of certain constitutive members of the appliance.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of another form of carrying out the appliance.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section taken substantially along the line VI--VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partly cutaway perspective, showing one of the constitutive members of the appliance.

FIG. 8 is a partial section of another form of embodiment of the appliance.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view, partly cut away, of the appliance according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross section, partly cut away, taken substantially along the line X--X of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective, partly cut away, showing a characteristic detail of the construction of the appliance.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross section, on a larger scale, taken along the line XII--XII of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective similar to FIG. 11, showing an alternative embodiment of certain constitutive members of the appliance.

FIG. 14 is a partial section of another embodiment of the appliance.

According to the invention, the appliance comprises a body 1 formed by two shells 2 associated with a shaving head 3. The shells 2 are made to confine a closed cavity 4 containing a driving device, for example, an electric motor 5. The shells 2 also hold a small plate 6 provided with pins 7 for connecting an electric supply cable branched on the mains. Inside the shells, the small plate 6 is connected to two electric conductors 8 and 9. The conductor 8 is branched on to one of the supply terminals of the motor 5, whereas the conductor 9 is connected up to the baseplate 10 of a voltage selector 11 comprising an operating member 12 accessible from outside the body 1. The baseplate 10 of the voltage selector 11 comprises a conductor 13 branched on to the second supply terminal of the electric motor 5.

The cavity 4 is closed at the top by a partition 14 which forms the bottom of a housing 15 supplementarily confined by the shells 2 and by a hood 16 forming part of the shaving head 3. The shells and hood 16 confine two bearings 17 for mounting the journals 18 of a cylinder 19. One of the journals 18 is connected, by a transmission member 20 traversing a slot 21 of the partition 14, to the output shaft 22 of the electric motor 5. Opposite to the transmission member 20, the cylinder 19 is in permanent contact with a sliding brush 23 carried by the partition 14 and connected to the conductor 8. The cylinder 19 has spikes 24, preferably radial, on the whole of its external periphery, irregularly arranged, both axially and transversally. The spikes 24, of low height, are intended to rotate opposite the spikes 25 on a small rigid metal bar 26 mounted level with the inner face of the hood 16. The small bar 26 is preferably associated with adjusting members, (not shown), enabling the distance between the spikes 24 and 25 to be altered. Nevertheless, such adjustment can, in certain cases, be also effected by the hood 16 mounted on the shells 2 which can be vertically displaced when the appliance is in use. The small bar 26 is also connected to an electric conductor 27 branched on to a contact plate 28 carried by the hood. At least one of the shells has a contact plate 29 connected to the conductor 13.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the small bar 26 extends at the level, or slightly recessed, of one of the edges of a slot or window 30 confined by the hood 16, preferably in a plane offset in relation to the vertical longitudinal symmetry plane of the appliance. The edge of the slot 30 corresponds to the small bar 26 and makes or supports a comb or grid 31 extending substantially over the whole width of said slot.

When the appliance is being used, the branching of the cable on to the mains enables the motor 5 to be fed and create a potential difference between the spikes 24 of the cylinder 19 and the spikes 25 of the small bar 26. The alternations of the alternating current delivered by the mains thus has the effect of causing sparking between the spikes 24 and 25 temporarily facing each other, sparks whose frequency and concentration are a function of the rotation speed of the cylinder 19, and of the number and arrangement of the spikes 24. By moving the comb 31 against the skin in a direction opposite to the way the bristles grow, the teeth or roughness in the case of the grid, straighten these bristles by ensuring their engaging in the slot 30. The straightened bristles are thus automatically brought to the level of the spikes 24 and 25 facing each other, where they are consumed by sparking. The rotation direction of the cylinder 19 is, moreover, chosen in the direction of the arrow f.sub.1 (FIG. 2) so that the sparks produced are thrown against the engaging direction of the bristles in the grid or comb to behave like thermic blades ensuring the destruction of the bristles at their base by grilling while simultaneously making use of the thermic and kenetic power. To avoid any risk of irritating or chafing the skin, the comb 31 is advantageously made of an insulating material which nevertheless may be of slight thickness, seeing that the sparks produced are initially provided to prevent any burning of the skin.

It will be understood that the electric supply circuit of the motor 5, cylinder 19 and small bar 26 can be effected for operating from a direct supply current. The circuit intended to set up a potential difference between the spikes 24 and 25 can then incorporate a make-and-break or other device.

FIG. 3 shows that the slot 30 of the hood 16 can also be provided on either side of the vertical longitudinal symmetry plane of the appliance. Such embodiment allows the appliance to be used in both directions by alternating displacement which is naturally imparted to it during the shaving operation. To impart the same efficacity in such example of utilization, the two longitudinal edges of the slot 30 form or support combs or grids 32 and 33 with overlapping and mutually opposed teeth, so as automatically to cause, and in both shaving directions, the straightening of the bristles to be eliminated as well as their engaging in the slot 30.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the razor according to which the head 3 comprises a hood 34 confining two parallel housing 35 and 36 for positioning two cylinders 37 and 38 similar to cylinder 19. The hood 34 is then made with two parallel slots 39 and 40, provided with two combs or grids 41 and 42 whose teeth are oriented opposite each other. It will be understood that to increase shaving efficiency, the two slots 39 and 40 can also be provided each with two combs or grids made as shown with reference to FIG. 3.

Although not shown, the motor 5 can be reversible or the transmission means 20 can be provided with a reversing device for controlling by means of a single member outside the body 1, the rotation direction of the cylinder or cylinders with a view to helping to eliminate bristles started by the corresponding grid in one of the two passage directions of the appliance on the skin.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show another form of carrying out the invention in which the appliance comprises a cylinder or drum 43 incorporated in the shaving head 3 which includes a protecting hood 44, provided, for instance, with a grid 45. The hood 44 is mounted to be adjusted on the two shells 2 so that during use it is possible to alter the distance between the periphery of the cylinder 43 and the grid 45 as well as the distance between skin and cylinder 43. Said cylinder comprises two axial rows of spikes 46 and 47 projecting and close together on its periphery, formed by two parallel conducting small bars 48 and 49 embedded in the peripheric layer of said cylinder which is actually coated or made of an insulating material. The bar 48 independent to the bar 49 is connected to a ring 50 shown on one of the transversal faces of the cylinder 43. This ring 50 forms a track or peripheric runway on which a brush 51 is constantly applied. The brush 51, for instance, mounted on the partition 14 is connected to the electric conductor 8. The small bar 49 is integral also with a ring 52 partly embedded in the cross face of the cylinder 43 opposite the ring 50. A brush 53 is permanently applied to the ring 52 which also forms a peripheric constant track or runway. The brush 53 is mounted on the partition 14 for connecting to the second conductor 13.

Although not shown, it is understood that the rings 50 and 52 can be carried by the same cross face of the cylinder 43, and in such case, said rings have different diameters for electric insulation of one from the other.

The potential difference between the small bars as well as the height and spacing of the spikes 46 and 47 are chosen for producing an axial line or row of sparks on the periphery of the cylinder 43 which is rotatively driven as soon as the motor 5 is under voltage. This row of sparks, produced constantly by the permanent contact of the brushes 51 and 53 on the rings 50 and 52 is thus made, for each rotation revolution, to pass intermittently in front of the shaving zone of the grid 45, so as to ensure burning by grilling of sparking of bristles preferably engaged against the grain. The rotation direction of the cylinder 43 is chosen so that the sparks strike the bristles engaged in the grid 43 so as to combine kinetic and thermic energy with a view to increasing shaving efficiency.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the row of sparks only comes level with the grid 45 for a short moment at each passage, thus preventing overheating of the grid likely to irritate the skin.

According to the diameter and rotation speed of the cylinder 43, it may be advantageous to provide several rows of spikes 46 and 47 angularly equidistant, with a view appreciably to increasing passage frequency level with the grid 45. Likewise, the razor can have more than one cylinder or drum 43 respectively provided with one or more rows of spikes.

FIG. 8 shows a modification according to which the cylinder 43 is replaced by at least one revolving plate disc 54 placed under a grid 55 integral with a ring 56 adjustably mounted on the body 57 of the razor. The disc 54 makes a rim 58, opposite to the grid, supporting two contact rings 59 and 60 for two brushes 61 and 62 connected to conductors 8 and 13. The rings 59 and 60 are linked with at least two parallel small bars radially or diametrically placed, embedded in the disc and forming two rows of spikes 63 and 64 projecting towards the grid 55.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment in which the cross faces of the cylinder or drum 43 also comprises two other rings 70 and 71 having a smaller diameter than that of the rings 50 and 52 for being partly embedded coaxially inside said rings. The ring 70 forms a track for a brush 72 superimposed on the brush 51 in electric connection with the conductor 8. In like manner, the ring 71 forms a track for a brush 73 carried by the partition 14, superimposed on the brush 53, to be in electric contact with the conductor 13. The rings 70 and 71 are joined together by an electric resistance 74 such as a semirigid wire of small section whose terminal parts are joined to the rings 70 and 71 without contact with the rings 50 and 52 (FIG. 11). The wire 74 extends along one of the rows of spikes and can be placed parallel to the peripheric surface of the cylinder or drum 43, or partly embedded in a groove or cut 75 made in said peripheric surface (FIG. 12).

Putting under voltage of the conductors 8 and 13 simultaneously ensures the producing of sparks between the spikes 46 and 47, the passage of supply current in the resistance 74 through the rings 70 and 71 and corresponding brushes 72 and 73. The section of the resistance 74 is chosen so that the passage of electric current heats and reddens the wire 74 and sets up a thermic field enabling the reinforcing and improving of the action of the sparks which can thus be produced by a potential difference less than that normally necessary for causing the destruction of bristles solely by thermic and kinetic energy. The thermic actuation produced by the constant heating of the wire 74 entailed in passing at the same time as the spark field enables maintaining, in the vicinity of the sparks, a constant thermic field without, for this, causing a burning feeling when the grid 45 is moved against the skin, seeing that the intermittent passage of the resistance 74 enables overheating of the grid 45 to be avoided, in particular when said grid is made of a metal member. It should be noticed that the resistance 74 also helps to burn the bristles engaged in the grid 45.

According to the diameter and/or rotation speed of the cylinder or drum 43, it may be advantageous to provide several rows of spikes 46 and 47 respectively associated with a resistance 74 with a view appreciably to increase the passage frequency level with the grid 45. Likewise, each row of spikes 46 and 47 can be associated with two resistances 74 arranged laterally and placed on either side of the spikes as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the resistances 74 being embedded or not in the peripheric surface of the cylinder or drum 43.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment in which the rings 70 and 71 are each associated with a small bar 76 and 77 extending parallel to each other without contact. The small bars 76 and 77 embedded in insulating material of which the cylinder or drum is made are obviously shaped to avoid all contact with the rings 50 and 52. The small bars 76 and 77 form connecting elements of different polarities on which are fixed sections 78 independent from each other and fed in parallel from connections 79 and 80 embedded in the cylinder or drum 43 only leaving on the peripheral surface of said cylinder or drum, the wire sections 78 forming independent resistances. In the example shown, the resistance sections 78 are arranged in the extension of each other along a line parallel to the rows of spikes 46 and 47 but it is quite obvious that in certain cases the resistance sections 78 situated towards the terminal parts of cylinder or drum 43, could be placed with a different spacing.

The arrangement according to FIG. 13, allows a discontinuous activation thermic field to be set up which could eventually be completed by a continuous activation thermic field provided on the other side of the rows of spikes 46 and 47, as shown by wire 74 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the appliance according to which the cylinder or drum 43 is replaced by a disc or revolving plate 81 placed under a grid 82 integral with a ring 83 adjustably mounted on a tubular body 84. The disc or plate 81 comprises, opposite the grid 82, an annular rim 85 carrying level with its lower periphery two contact rings 86 and 87 for two brushes 88 and 89 connected to the conductors 8 and 13. The rings 86 and 87 are in connection with two radially placed parallel small bars or diametral, forming two rows of spikes 80 and 91 projecting towards the grid 82. The rim 85 of the disc or plate 81 also comprises level with its external periphery, two rings 92 and 93 respectively in contact with two brushes 94 and 95 also branched on the conductors 8 and 13. The rings 92 and 93 are connected with at least one electric resistance 96 extending parallel to the row of spikes 90 and 91 for producing, parallel to said spikes, an activation thermic field which can be continuous or discontinuous.

Claims

I claim:

1. An appliance for eliminating superfluous hair comprising

a body provided with a working head including a hood having at least one openwork protecting member for straightening and engaging hair bristles inside the head;

a revolving member mounted for rotation in the hood in confronting relation to the openwork member;

means for causing the revolving member to be revolved;

a counter electrode coextensive in length with the length of the revolving member and positioned within the hood immediately adjacent to the openwork member;

at least one row of spike electrodes extending along the length of the revolving member;

an electrode circuit including a first conductor electrically connected to the counter electrode and a second conductor electrically connected to the spike electrodes;

means for connecting the electrode circuit to a source of power; and

the spike electrodes and counter electrode being spaced such a distance that sparks are generated therebetween when the circuit is energized.

2. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the row of sparks is produced between spikes fixed on a conducting small bar forming said counter electrode for the revolving member, said bar being integral with the inner face of the hood and said spike electrodes are provided on the periphery of the revolving member and are made of conducting material.

3. Appliance according to claim 2 wherein the small bar is connected to an electric conductor carried by the hood of the appliance, the electric conductor being connected to a contact plate cooperating with a complimentary plate carried by said body and to which the second conductor of said electrode circuit is connected.

4. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein said revolving member is conductive and said electrode circuit includes two conductors, of which one terminates at a brush permanently held against the conductive revolving member and of which the other is connected to said counter electrode, said counter electrode comprising a small conductive bar integral with the hood.

5. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the revolving member is a cylinder having said spike electrodes formed as projecting spikes on its external peripheral face, said spikes extending radially and being placed in irregular arrangement.

6. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the revolving member is a disc, one of the faces of which has spikes projecting towards the openwork member to form said spike electrodes.

7. Appliance according to claim 1 wherein the counter electrode and spike electrodes are formed by two small conducting bars parallel and insulated from each other, positioned along the length of the revolving member and connected to two circular contact runways carried by said revolving member, said runways cooperating with two brushes connected respectively to the first and second conductors of said electrode circuit.

8. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the revolving member also supports, in a plane parallel appreciably to the spikes, at least one electrical resistance for producing an activation thermic field producing the action of thermic blades, and means are provided for energizing the resistance.

9. Appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the resistance producing the thermic field of activation is a thin section wire extending outside the surface of the revolving member and parallel to the row of spike electrodes producing sparks, said energizing means comprising two independent mutually insulated rings on said revolving member on which brushes connected to the electrode circuit are applied.

10. Appliance according to claim 1 characterized in that the revolving member includes electrical thermic activation resistances placed on either side of said row of spike electrodes and means for energizing the resistances are provided.

11. Appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that one of the thermic activation resistances comprises independent wire sections connected in parallel for producing a discontinuous activation thermic field.

12. Appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the wire sections are connected to two small independent bars embedded in the revolving member.

13. Appliance according to claim 1 characterized in that each row of spike electrodes is associated with two lateral electrical resistances of which one is a continuous wire, while the other comprises sections of independent wire and means are provided for energizing the resistances to produce a thermic field.

14. The appliance as set forth in claim 1 further including means for producing a thermic activation field in the vicinity of the sparks for improving the action of the sparks.