HAIR REMOVAL SHEET

Abstract

An apparatus for facilitating removal of wax from a subject in conjunction with a waxing process includes a contact member for positioning against soft wax applied to the skin of a subject. The contact member includes a main body segment defining a general longitudinal axis, and a tab segment coterminous with the main body segment. The main body segment has an outer periphery. At least the main body segment may comprise an absorbable material, e.g., a non-woven fabric or woven fabric such as muslin cloth, which is dimensioned and adapted to at least partially absorb the soft wax during hardening of the wax. The tab segment may define an outer periphery having a path deviating from a path defined by the outer periphery of the main body segment to present the tab segment for engagement by the user, to thereby facilitate removal of the contact member subsequent to hardening of the wax.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to personal grooming, and, in particular, relates to an apparatus, system and associated method for removal of hair from a subject in connection with a waxing procedure.

2. Description of Related Art

Removal of hair from various locations of the body may encompass a variety of methodologies. One current process universally utilized in salons and in domestic settings involves a “waxing” process or procedure. In accordance with a typical waxing process, hot wax is applied to an area of the body where the removal of hair or hair follicles is desired. The wax is allowed to cool and eventually harden. The hardened wax is removed along with the hair or hair follicles which become embedded in the hardened wax.

Unfortunately, removal of the wax from the body may prove difficult due to inaccessibility of the hardened wax and/or difficulties in peeling the wax away from the skin area. In addition, a substantial level of pain and discomfort is associated with wax removal. While waxing can be an effective method for removing hair, it is generally painful and uncomfortable.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, an apparatus for facilitating removal of wax from a subject in conjunction with a waxing process is provided. The apparatus includes a contact member for positioning against soft wax applied to the skin of a subject. The contact member includes a main body segment defining a general longitudinal axis, and a tab segment coterminous with the main body segment. The main body segment has an outer periphery. At least the main body segment may comprise an absorbable material, e.g., a non-woven fabric or woven fabric such as muslin cloth. The absorbable material is dimensioned and adapted to at least partially absorb the soft wax during curing of the wax to a hardened state. The tab segment may define an outer periphery having a path deviating from a path defined by the outer periphery of the main body segment to present the tab segment for engagement by the user, to thereby facilitate removal of the contact member subsequent to curing of the wax.

In embodiments, the main body segment may define a generally rectangular shape in plan. The tab segment may include at least one contoured surface along the periphery thereof. The tab segment further may include opposed generally arcuate surfaces. The tab segment further may be dimensioned and adapted to depend in oblique relation to the main body segment when in the absence of wax.

In other embodiments, the main body segment defines an arcuate profile in plan having an outer periphery with first and second opposed curved surfaces extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the main body segment. The first curved surface includes a generally concave segment and the second curved surface includes a generally convex segment. The main body segment may define a substantially crescent shape. The first and second curved surfaces may be in general parallel relation or askew (e.g., non-parallel). In accordance with this embodiment, the tab segment defines a width greater than a corresponding width of a portion of the main body segment adjacent the tab segment. The tab segment may also be dimensioned and adapted to depend in oblique relation to the main body segment when in the absence of wax.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for removal of hair or hair follicles from a subject is disclosed, including the steps of:

applying wax to a skin segment of a subject;

positioning a contact member adjacent the skin segment with a main body segment of the contact member in engagement with the wax;

maintaining a tab segment of the contact member free from engagement with the wax;

permitting the wax segment to at least partially solidify; and

removing the contact member by grasping the tab segment whereby hair or hair follicles adjacent the wax are removed from the skin segment with the main body segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be better appreciated by reference to the drawings herein where:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus for hair removal in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2-4 are views of use of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in connection with a hair removal waxing procedure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 8-10 are views of use of the apparatus of FIG. 6 or 7 in connection with a hair removal waxing procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the apparatus for hair removal in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Apparatus 10 is intended for use in conjunction with a hair removal waxing procedure. Apparatus 10 includes contact member 12 defining main body segment 14 and, optionally, tab segment 16, extending from and coterminous with, the main body segment 14. Contact member 12, including main body segment 14 and tab segment 16, may be monolithically formed of a single piece of fabric material. In one embodiment, contact member 12 is fabricated from muslin cloth. Muslin cloth is a finely woven cotton fabric. In other embodiments, contact member 12 may be formed of a non-woven cloth material including cotton, polyester or blends thereof.

Main body segment 14 defines general longitudinal axis “k” and may be generally rectangular in configuration enclosed by outer periphery 18. Tab segment 16 may be various shapes or configurations. In one embodiment, tab segment 16 includes an outer periphery 20 having at least one contoured surface segment extending in a general longitudinal direction. In embodiments, tab segment 16 includes opposed generally contoured or arcuate surface segments 22, which each define, e.g., a generally concave characteristic. Contoured surface segments 22 each defines path(s) which deviate from the path of corresponding outer periphery 18 of main body segment 14 to thereby present surface(s) segments which the operator may readily grasp for removal of contact member 12. In embodiments, contoured surface segments 22 each define a radius of curvature “r1” ranging from about 2 inches to about 4 inches, and, more specifically, about 3 inches. Tab segment 16 may define other arrangements as well. It is intended that the tab segment 16 is distinguishable in configuration relative to main body segment 14 to facilitate engagement thereof and removal of contact member 12 from the skin of a subject.

The use of apparatus 10 in conjunction with a waxing procedure for the removal of hair will now be discussed. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, softened and/or hot depilatory wax “w” is applied to the skin of a subject with an applicator such as a wooden paddle “p” or the like as depicted In FIG. 2. One suitable wax and wax applicator is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,482 to Smal, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In one method, the wax “w” is applied to an area of the skin “s” to be covered by main body segment 14 leaving tab segment 16 free from contact with the applied wax “w”. Contact member 12 is then applied to the skin with main body segment 14 applied directly against the wax “w” and with tab segment 16 extending beyond and free from the waxed area (FIG. 3). The wax “w” is at least partially absorbed by the material of main body segment 14, and subsequently hardens. Thereafter, the operator grasps tab segment 16, which, as discussed hereinabove, defines a contoured surface for ready engagement by the user, and removes contact member 12 in the direction against hair growth as indicated by the indicator arrows “m” (FIG. 4), thereby removing hair and/or hair follicles from the skin “s”. Contact member 12 is then discarded.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, tab segment 16 may include a fold line 24 about which the tab segment 16 pivots or rotates to present itself in oblique relation to main body segment 14 and outwardly from the skin “s”. In embodiments, tab segment 16 may be normally biased in an outward direction through manufacture or packaging. This orientation, in conjunction with the contoured/altered surface of the tab segment 16, will further facilitate engagement and removal of contact member 12 from the skin “s” of the subject.

Contact member 12 of FIGS. 1-5 is generally intended for use in areas of the skin requiring large or relatively mass hair removal including, e.g., the legs, chest, back of the subject. Contact member 12 is identical on each side with respect to surface composition, material, etc; thus, either side may be applied to the wax “w” and skin “s” of the subject.

With reference now to FIGS. 6-7, there are illustrated two additional embodiments of the present disclosure. These embodiments are substantially similar in shape and design but differ generally in length and/or dimensioning. Each apparatus 50a, 50b includes contact member 52 having main body segment 54 and tab segment 56 extending from, and coterminous with, the main body segment. Main body segment 54 defines a general longitudinal axis “b” and has an arcuate, curved or contoured surface, and, further may be in the general shape of a crescent when viewed in plan. Outer periphery 58 of main body segment 54 may include first and second opposed curved surfaces 60, 62 extending generally along the longitudinal axis “b” of the main body segment 54. First curved surface 60 includes generally concave segment 64 and second curved surface 60 includes a generally convex segment 66. In embodiments, first and second curved surfaces 60, 62 may be in general parallel relation, or may be slightly askew (non-parallel) such that the relative width “w1” of the end of main body segment 54 remote from tab segment 56 is greater than the width “w2” of the end adjacent the tab segment 56.

In embodiments, tab segment 56 defines a width “w3” greater than the corresponding width “w2” of the end of main body segment 54 adjacent the tab segment 56. The enlarged width “w3” of tab segment 56 creates an outer periphery having a path(s), which deviates from the path of the corresponding periphery of main body segment 54 to thereby present surface(s) segments, which the operator may readily grasp for removal of contact member 52. Moreover, the enlarged width “w3” presents a profile in plan greater than the profile of main body segment 54 to facilitate engagement by the user.

Apparatuses 50a, 50b each are used in a similar manner to the apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-5. For example, the heated wax is applied to the skin to an area to be encompassed by main body segment 54 leaving tab segment 56 free from the wax. The contact member 52 is applied to the skin with tab segment 56 disengaged or remote from the waxed area, the wax hardens and the contact member 52 is removed by grasping the free tab segment 56 and pulling the contact member 52 with embedded wax from the skin to remove the hair and/or hair follicles. FIGS. 8-9 illustrate use of the apparatuses 50a, 50b in conjunction with a hot wax hair removal process to trim or thin areas below and above eyebrows “e”. FIG. 10 illustrates use of the apparatuses 50a, 50b to trim hair around the upper lip area “1”.

Apparatus 50a of FIG. 6 may define a length of about inches 3 inches. The respective radii of curvature “r1”, “r2” of concave segment 64 and convex segment 66 may be about 0.5 inches and 1.0 inches. Apparatus 50b may define a length of about 4 inches. The respective radii of curvature of concave segment 64 and convex segment 66 may be about 1.0 inches and 1.5 inches. The arcuate profile of main body segments 54 of the apparatuses 50a, 50b will follow the natural contours of eyebrows and upper lip areas to assist in achieving the desired hair removal or grooming parameters of the skin areas. The non-parallel arrangement of first and second curved surfaces 60, 62 of main body segment 54 provides substantial flexibility to the user in targeting the precise areas for skin removal. For example, contact member 52 with the first and second non-parallel curved surfaces 60, 62 may be adjusted to adapt to the various face, eye and lip dimensions. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, apparatuses 50a, 50b are generally identical on either side and can be applied against the skin with either side contacting the wax.

It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for facilitating removal of wax from a subject in conjunction with a waxing process, which comprises:

a contact member for positioning against soft wax applied to the skin of a subject, the contact member including a main body segment defining a general longitudinal axis, and a tab segment coterminous with the main body segment, the main body segment having an outer periphery, at least the main body segment comprising an absorbable material dimensioned and adapted to at least partially absorb the soft wax during curing of the wax to a hardened state, the tab segment defining an outer periphery deviating from a path defined by the outer periphery of the main body segment to present the tab segment for engagement by the user, to thereby facilitate removal of the contact member subsequent to curing of the wax.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the main body segment defines a generally rectangular shape in plan and wherein the tab segment includes at least one contoured surface along the periphery thereof

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the tab segment includes opposed generally arcuate surfaces.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tab segment is dimensioned and adapted to depend in oblique relation to the main body segment when in the absence of wax.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the absorbable material includes muslin cloth.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the main body segment defines an arcuate profile in plan.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the outer periphery includes first and second opposed curved surfaces extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the main body segment.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the first curved surface includes a generally concave segment and wherein the second curved surface includes a generally convex segment.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the main body segment defines a substantially crescent shape.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first and second curved surfaces are in general parallel relation.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first and second curved surfaces are in general non-parallel relation.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the tab segment defines a width greater than a corresponding width of a portion of the main body segment adjacent the tab segment.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the tab segment is dimensioned and adapted to depend in oblique relation to the main body segment when in the absence of wax.

14. A method for removal of hair or hair follicles from a subject, comprising the steps of:

applying wax to a skin segment of a subject;

positioning a contact member adjacent the skin segment with a main body segment of the contact member in engagement with the wax;

maintaining a tab segment of the contact member free from engagement with the wax;

permitting the wax segment to at least partially solidify; and

removing the contact member by grasping the tab segment whereby hair or hair follicles adjacent the wax are removed from the skin segment.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of maintaining includes the step of arranging the tab segment to depend outwardly relative to the main body segment and the skin segment.

16. The method according to claim 14 including the step of dimensioning the tab segment such that an outer periphery thereof deviates from a path defined by the outer periphery of the main body segment to present the tab segment for engagement by the user.