Method and Apparatus for Self-Threading
This invention provides both a method and an apparatus for hair removal using thread. Using the concept of rotational motion, this method improves upon the ancient art of threading by using a rotational mechanism that allows for threading with only one manipulation point instead of the conventional tour manipulation points as well as one or more threads to be used as a guide lo help identity and/or isolate hair to be removed. With these enhancements, a self-threading apparatus is invented that is more precise and less unwieldy than existing self-threading apparatuses. It minimizes the amount of manual labour and skills required in such a way that a person not skilled in the art can easily use this apparatus to thread with precision.
Latest ASANI THREADING, INC. Patents:
This invention is related to epilation devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHair removal can be done by a variety of techniques and methods. One such method, called threading, originates from the ancient practice of hair removal by the use of thread that is first manually twisted and then manipulated at lour points. Hereinafter “thread” includes thin wire, thin filament or any thread/wire like material. The twisted section of the thread is placed near the surface of the skin and is manipulated in such a way that as it moves along a row of hair that is to be removed, the hair is grasped and pulled from the follicle.
However this method requires a certain amount of skill. Furthermore, it is time consuming, manually intensive and difficult to do by ones-self with precision. Thus threading usually requires the need for a second person trained in the art.
Recent attempts at self-threading apparatuses have been made however they suffer from being unwieldy and compromise precision.
SUMMARY OF Tim INVENTIONThe present inventors have recognized that the limitations of existing self-threading apparatuses are due to two things. First, the conventional use of four manipulation points and their method of manipulating the twisted thread to remove hair. Second, the lack of a guide and the corresponding inability to precisely determine what hair is to he removed.
The present inventors realized that a new method tor threading by twisting thread using rotational motion at one point with the use of a guide would result in numerous benefits including a device that was less cumbersome and easier to use without coin promising precision.
Through our research. we have discovered a new method tor threading by use of a rotational mechanism (hereinafter “rotational mechanism” is defined as a mechanism that conveys rotational motion) to twist and untwist thread by alternating rotational motion in opposite directions. With this method, the tour conventional manipulation points are no longer required as the rotational mechanism allows threading to be achieved by using it as the only manipulation point. This method also allows for the utilization of one or more threads to be used as a guide by placing them along the twist axis where the hair removal occurs. Hereinafter, twist axis is defined as the axis created by the twisting of the threads by the rotational mechanism. This allows the self-threading apparatus to be smaller, more precise and less unwieldy than existing self-threading apparatuses. It minimizes the amount of manual labour and skills required in such a way that a person not skilled in the art can easily use this apparatus to thread with precision.
The rotational mechanism of this threading apparatus may comprise an electric motor to enhance ease and precision by eliminating the need to manipulate the rotational motion manually.
Certain embodiments, including the inventors preferred embodiment of this invention, may place the guide thread in a different plane than the other threads. Hereinafter, guide thread is defined as one or more threads that deviate least from the twist axis of the rotational mechanism and arc used as a guide to isolate hair to be removed. This will permit the guide thread to precisely determine what hair is to be removed by allowing the threader to be held at an angle so that only one plane is placed next to the skin. This will become clearer in the ensuing description and drawings.
Some embodiments of this invention may include a magnifying mechanism and/or a light to improve visibility and thus enhance precision. If desired, a cleaning brush to help remove dislodged hair left on the thread may also be included on particular embodiments of this invention.
Please note that each of these options provides particular advantages and can he implemented independently or in any combination of the others.
These and other features, as well as advantages of the invention over the prior art will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
Hair removal by the conventional practice of threading uses thread that is manually twisted and then placed next to the surface of the skin. The twisted thread is then manipulated at four points in such a way that hair is grasped and pulled from the follicle.
Existing self-threading devices have recently been developed that follow this conventional method of hair removal. However, by following this method, these self-threading apparatuses are limited by the conventional placement of the four manipulation points that manipulate the manually twisted thread to remove hair. Thus these devices suffer from being unwieldy and do not provide the same precision as manual threading by a second person.
Other self-threading devices have recently been developed that use a rotational mechanism. However due to the absence of a guide, these devices also suffer from imprecision and do not provide the same precision as manual threading by a second person.
The present inventors realized that a new method for threading by twisting thread using rotational motion at one point and the use of a guide would result in numerous benefits including, a device that was less cumbersome and easier to use without compromising precision.
Through our research, we have discovered, as depicted in
In accordance with the invention,
The bidirectional rotation of rotational mechanism 300 is controlled electronically by which it will continue to rotate in one direction until the twisting of the threads as depicted in
When placed next to the skin. the twisting of threads 702, 703 and 704 will cause hair to be grasped and removed from its follicles while the untwisting of threads 702, 703 and 704 will cause the removed hair to be dislodged from threads 702, 703, and 704. Since the plane formed by threads 704 and 702 is different than the plane formed by threads 704 and 703; thread 704 can also be used as a guide in situations requiring greater precision such as eyebrows. As depicted in
For added precision and visibility, a light 701 is connected to body 100.
Other EmbodimentsThe inventors are aware that this method for hair removal may be achieved using other embodiments of the present invention.
Some embodiments may include a tension adjustment mechanism. This would allow the ability to tine tune the tension in the thread. A particular embodiment containing a tension adjustment mechanism is depicted in
The inventors are aware that there are various methods to achieve tension control. For example instead of only one adjustment mechanism, there could be three, allowing the ability to control tension in each thread separately. Alternatively, the inventors also appreciate that in some embodiments connection point 301 may be connected to an adjustment mechanism that allows for the ability to adjust the tension in threads 702, 703 and 704 when desired.
The inventors are also aware that in addition to the ability to adjust tension, there are many alternative methods for removing tension in the threads. Two examples depicted in
The embodiment depicted in
The embodiment depicted in
The inventors realize that a predetermined tension threshold is not the only way to determine when the change in direction of rotation of rotational mechanism 300 occurs and other embodiments may use different criteria, For instance, other embodiments could achieve change in direction of rotation of rotational mechanism 300 by use a predetermined duration of time, a predetermined number of rotations, or any combination of the above. For example, by use of a predetermined number of rotations, rotational mechanism 300 will rotate a number of rotations in one direction until the twisted state depicted in
Let D be the default untwisted state of the apparatus;
Let T be the twisted state of the apparatus;
Let Ra be the number of rotations of the rotational mechanism 300 in direction a;
Let Rb he the number of rotations of the rotational mechanism 300 in the opposite direction b.
Let x by the number of rotations required to reach T
Then at default untwisted state D (threads 702, 703 and 704 untwisted),
Ra=Rb=0.
And at the twisted state T (threads 702, 703, and 704 twisted),
Ra=x and Rb=0.
When T is reached rotational mechanism 300 will begin to rotate in the opposite direction thus untwisting the twisted threads 702, 703 and 704. The inventors have discovered the ideal rotational scheme to be one in which rotational mechanism 300 rotates an equal number of times x in direction b from the twisted state T.
Thus Rb=x until default state D (threads 702, 703, 704 untwisted) is again reached.
Thus there may be a number of different methods to determine when the change of direction of rotation of rotational mechanism 300 occurs.
The inventors appreciate that in some embodiments arm 201 may slide into position or it and its protrusions may fold together in different ways. There are many different ways that it may be put into a storage position. Alternatively arm 201 may be in a fixed position to the body.
Other embodiments of the present invention may have no arms as depicted in
It must also be noted that in some embodiments, a guide thread may minimally be achieved by the use of only two threads. This is done by holding one thread more firmly than the other thread. As the rotational mechanism begins twisting the threads, the firmly held thread will direct the twist axis closer to it than the less firmly held thread and enabling the more firmly held thread to be used as a guide thread.
The inventors also appreciate that in other embodiments of the invention, rotational mechanism 300 need not be fully enclosed within body 100. It may he partially enclosed within body 100 or totally outside. Similarly, trigger mechanism 103 need not be attached to the outside of body 100. Other embodiments may have trigger mechanism 103 attached to other parts of the apparatus such as arm 201 while some embodiments may have it totally separate from the apparatus altogether.
Though the preferred embodiment for the present invention makes use of a microchip to control the bidirectional rotation in rotational mechanism 300, the inventors appreciate that other embodiments may make use of manual, mechanical, electrical or any other means to control the bidirectional rotation. There may he also other electronic ways other than a microchip to control the bidirectional rotation. More over, in other embodiments of the present invention, rotational mechanism 300 may be manually, and/or mechanically powered or powered by other sources.
Though the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses three threads the inventors are aware that particular embodiments of the present may use a single thread. Thus, hereinafter. “Plurality of threads” is defined as multiple threads or two loose ends of a single length of thread.”
Other embodiments of this invention may include a magnifying mechanism to improve visibility and thus enhance precision. If desired, a cleaning brush to help remove dislodged hair left on the thread may also be included on particular embodiments of this invention.
Please note that each of these options and embodiments provides particular advantages and may be implemented independently or in combination of the others.
The fore going merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It is thus appreciated that others skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous other arrangements that while not shown and/or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and thus are within its spirit and scope.
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. A method for precise hair removal using thread comprising:
- a. providing three or more lengths of thread, each length of thread having a first and second end, the three or more lengths of thread forming a twist axis when twisted;
- b. holding the first ends of three or more lengths of thread at a single point;
- c. holding the second end of at least one of the three or more lengths of thread along the twist axis and thereby forming a guide thread for greater hair removal precision;
- d. holding the second ends of at least two of the remaining lengths of thread apart from each other further away from the twist axis than the guide thread and in different planes thereby each of the two or more remaining lengths of thread forming separate planes with the guide thread;
- e. positioning the guide thread on the skin where hair is to be removed at an angle so that only one plane is next to the skin while other planes are away from the skin;
- f. conveying rotational motion at the single point to twist all the lengths of thread;
- g. grasping hair in the twisting lengths of thread; and
- h. removing hair.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising conveying rotational motion in the opposite direction thereby untwisting the three or more lengths of thread and dislodging hair from the three or more lengths of thread.
26. An apparatus for precision hair removal using thread, comprising:
- a. a body;
- b. one or more arms coupled to said body;
- c. three or more connection points positioned on the arms;
- d. a rotational mechanism substantially housed within said body;
- e. a plurality of threads fastened to said rotational mechanism each extending out to a separate connection point and forming a twist axis when twisted;
- f. at least one length of thread extending out to a connection point located along the twist axis to be used as a guide thread;
- g. two or more lengths of thread located further away from the twist axis than the guide thread and in different planes than the guide thread;
- h. a trigger that when manipulated causes said rotational mechanism to rotate in alternating directions thereby twisting and untwisting threads.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the rotational mechanism comprises an electric motor.
28. The apparatus of claim 26 which further comprises a power source.
29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or more arms are flexible.
30. The apparatus of claim 26, comprising three connection points.
31. (Currently Presented) A method for precise hair removal using thread in one plane comprising:
- a. providing two lengths of thread, each length of thread having a first and second end, the two lengths of thread forming a twist axis when twisted;
- b. holding the first ends of the two lengths of thread at a single point;
- c. holding the second end of one length of thread along the twist axis and with greater tension than the other length of thread thereby forming a guide thread for greater hair removal precision;
- d. holding the second end of the other length of thread further away from the twist axis than the guide thread.
- e. positioning the guide thread on the skin in such a way that the hair to be removed is within the area bordered by the guide thread and other length of thread;
- f. conveying rotational motion at the single point to twist both the lengths of thread;
- g. grasping hair in the twisting lengths of thread; and
- h. removing hair.
32. The method of claim 31, further comprising conveying rotational motion in the opposite direction thereby untwisting the two lengths of thread and dislodging hair from the two lengths of thread.
33. An apparatus for precision hair removal using thread in one plane, comprising:
- a. a body;
- b. one arm coupled to said body;
- c. two connection points positioned on the arm;
- d. a rotational mechanism substantially housed within said body;
- e. two lengths of thread fastened to said rotational mechanism each extending out to a separate connection point and forming a twist axis when twisted, wherein one length of thread to be used as a guide thread is fastened with greater tension than the other length of thread;
- f. a trigger that when manipulated causes said rotational mechanism to rotate in alternating directions thereby twisting and untwisting threads;
- wherein when said rotational mechanism twists the two lengths of thread, said guide thread directs said twist axis towards said guide thread.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the rotational mechanism comprises an electric motor.
35. The apparatus of claim 33, which further comprises a power source.
36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the one arm is flexible.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 21, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 18, 2013
Applicant: ASANI THREADING, INC. (Toronto, ON)
Inventors: Sivashanthan Sivapalan (Toronto), Subodh Bharati (Toronto)
Application Number: 13/806,005
International Classification: A45D 26/00 (20060101);