Apparatus and Method for Hair Removal

Abstract

An apparatus and method for removing hair from the surface of skin may include two elongate elements entwined with one another whereby a local mutual twist is formed along the length of the elements. Each of the elements may be held in place and put into tension by a respective one of two structural members. A method for removing hair may include moving the two structural members with the elements in tension, bringing the bottom end of one member closer to the bottom end of the second member such that the coil travels toward the bottom ends of the elements, and then bringing the top end of one member closer to the top end of the second member, such that the coil travels toward the top ends of the elements. As the coil travels between the top and bottom ends of the elements, it extracts hairs from the skin.

1 . A refill assembly of elongate elements for use with a manipulating apparatus, wherein said manipulating apparatus comprises elongate element attachments disposed at a predetermined distance from each other, said refill assembly comprising:
 a first elongate element and a second elongate element separate from said first elongate element, each having an intermediate portion thereof arranged in mutually twisted relation about each other; said first and second elongate elements having a first pair of distal portions extending laterally from one side of said intermediate portion and terminating in end segments, and a second pair of distal portions extending laterally from the opposite side of said intermediate portion and terminating in end segments;   said first and second elongate elements are removably mounted onto a single substrate with said first and second elongate elements lying in a plane and having said distal portions extending laterally from said intermediate portions; and   wherein said end segments of said first pair are configured to be secured to said manipulating apparatus;   thereby providing refill elongate elements for said manipulating apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The refill assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said end segments of said first and second elongate elements extend away from one another and are located with respect to said substrate at positions approximately equal to said predetermined distance. 
     
     
         3 . The refill assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second elongate hair removing elements lying in a plane are removably secured on one side thereof to said single substrate by an adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The refill assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising another single substrate and wherein the first and second elongate elements lying in a plane are removably secured on an opposite side thereof to said another single substrate by an adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The refill assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said substrates are flexible or rigid. 
     
     
         6 . The refill assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said substrates include tab extensions for gripping and removing said substrates from said first and second elongate elements after being mounted onto said manipulating apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The refill assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said end segments are comprised of loops, straight ends or anchors. 
     
     
         8 . The refill assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said anchors extend parallel or perpendicular to said substrates. 
     
     
         9 . The refill assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said single substrate is rigid and includes members protruding perpendicular thereto and wherein said first and second elongate elements lying in a plane having said end segments secured respectively to said members, whereby said first and second elongate elements are stretched out in said plane. 
     
     
         10 . The refill assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said members are located on said single substrate at positions approximately equal to said predetermined distance. 
     
     
         11 . The refill assembly of  claim 10 , further including a plurality of first and second elongate elements each lying in a plane and spaced from each other, each of said plurality of first and second elongate elements having said end segments secured respectively to said members, whereby each of said plurality of said first and second elongate elements are stretched out in a plane. 
     
     
         12 . The refill assembly of  claim 10 , wherein each of said members comprise walls defining a slot therethrough, said end segments comprising anchors secured by said slots, whereby said first and second elongate elements are stretched out in said plane. 
     
     
         13 . The refill assembly of  claim 12 , further including a plurality of first and second elongate elements each lying in a plane and spaced from each other, said end segments of said plurality of first and second elongate elements comprising anchors received within said slots, whereby each of said plurality of said first and second elongate elements are stretched out in a plane. 
     
     
         14 . The refill assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each of said members comprise studs defining longitudinally extending cut outs there along, said end segments comprising loops surrounding said studs, whereby said first and second elongate elements are stretched out in said plane. 
     
     
         15 . The refill assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each of said studs include circumferentially extending grooves receiving said loops, wherein said cut outs facilitates mounting of said loops onto said attachments of said manipulating apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The refill assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second elongate elements include a coating along substantially their entire respective lengths, wherein said coating includes one or more of an adhesive agent for gripping hairs to be entrained in and removed by the mutually twisted intermediate portions during use. 
     
     
         17 . The refill assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of said first and second elongate elements includes a coating along substantially their entire respective lengths, wherein said coating includes one or more of an anti-inflammatory or antibacterial agent to ensure hygienic and disinfected conditions when used on the skin surface of a user, a silicone or rubber coating to provide a cushioning effect when used on the skin surface of a user, and a fragrant agent. 
     
     
         18 . The refill assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first and second elongate elements include a coating along substantially their entire respective lengths, wherein said coating includes one or more of an adhesive agent for gripping hairs to be entrained in and removed by the mutually twisted intermediate portions during use. 
     
     
         19 . The refill assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each of said plurality of said first and second elongate elements includes a coating along substantially their entire respective lengths, wherein said coating includes one or more of an anti-inflammatory or antibacterial agent to ensure hygienic and disinfected conditions when used on the skin surface of a user, a silicone or rubber coating to provide a cushioning effect when used on the skin surface of a user, and a fragrant agent.