Cutlery – Razors – Combined
Patent
1991-09-03
1993-02-02
Watts, Douglas D.
Cutlery
Razors
Combined
30140, 132118, 606 9, A61B 1700
Patent
active
051828570
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shaving apparatus. The prior-art shaving apparatus are either mechanical wet-shavers, which sever the hair by means of a razor blade, or electrical shaving apparatus with vibrating or rotating shaving devices. All known shaving apparatus have the disadvantage that during shaving the blades or shaving devices not only sever the hair but also come into contact with the skin and thereby irritate the skin. In addition, small skin particles are often removed locally in the process of shaving, which increases the likelihood of infection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is provide a shaving apparatus in which the cutting means acts upon the hair but does not come into contact with the skin, so that this disadvantage is eliminated.
This object is achieved by means of a shaving apparatus in which a laser beam acts as a cutting means. By means of laser technology it is possible to generate an accurately directed laser beam which severs the hair by burning, without any contact with the skin. In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention a laser beam is generated whose frequency corresponds to the absorption frequency of the hair substance. The hair contains pigment so that the laser beam is absorbed effectively in the corresponding frequency range. This absorption frequency differs from those of the basic constituents of the human skin. The skin is not burned upon incidence of a laser beam of this frequency. However, the shaving apparatus in accordance with the invention is constructed in such a manner that contact of the laser beam with the skin is substantially impossible. In accordance with the invention the shaving apparatus comprises a housing with a shear plate. This shear plate, which may be flat or curved, has a comparatively narrow slot through which the hair to be severed enters the interior of the housing when the shear plate of the shaving apparatus is moved over the skin. The laser beam is then generated inside the housing and impinges on the inner side of the shear plate, preferably in the proximity of the entry slot, where it acts upon the hair. Preferably, the zone where the laser beam is incident is reflecting, so that the beam is locally reflected. The reflected laser beam can be detected by a photo-cell arranged in the housing. If an obstacle inadvertently enters the entry slot and the path of the laser beam this beam is interrupted. This interruption is detected by the photo-cell and transferred to a switching device to turn off the laser beam. This provides a safety device which is activated in particular when the shaving apparatus is not handled properly. As the laser energy is preferably focused by an optical system, a distinct thermolytic effect, i.e. the cutting action, is obtained at a comparatively low power. Preferably, the generated laser beam is planar and is suitably generated as a flat layer with a minimal dimension in a direction perpendicular to its plane, which is preferably aligned with the edge of the entry slot parallel to the slot. Generating such a curtain-like laser beam by means of laser technology is possible without any problem. Thermal conduction allows the hairs to be shortened beyond the point of incidence of the laser beam.
Since the removal of hairs by burning with the aid of the laser beam may not be odorless an odor filter may be provided in the housing of the shaving apparatus. In addition, a fan may be arranged in the housing which draws in the air to be passed through the odor filter. Preferably, the width of the entry slot is between approximately 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm and is, for example, in the range of approximately 0.5 mm. The shaving apparatus in accordance with the invention may serve for the daily removal of facial hairs or for the removal of other body hairs, for example for applications particularly in the medical field.
The present invention also relates to a method of removing body hairs, in which the body hairs are severed by means of a laser beam, in parti
REFERENCES:
patent: 3693623 (1972-09-01), Harte et al.
patent: 4617926 (1986-10-01), Sutton
patent: 4819669 (1989-04-01), Politzer
patent: 5057104 (1991-10-01), Chess
patent: 5059192 (1991-10-01), Zaias
patent: 5065515 (1991-11-01), Iderosa
"The Laser Razor" at p. 38 of The Space Age Razor Race, Jaffe et al., MAD, Band. 208, Jul. 1979.
Bartlett Ernestine C.
Payer Hwei-Siu
U.S. Philips Corp.
Watts Douglas D.
LandOfFree
Shaving apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Shaving apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shaving apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1298