The present invention relates to a device for removing hair, particularly to an epilator, and a method for removing hair.

Hair removing devices use one of two methods for removing hair. In one method, the hair is cut, leaving the roots intact beneath the skin surface. This is commonly named "depilation". In the other method, hair is removed by pulling it out from its roots. This is commonly called epilation. There are several mechanisms for removing hair according to the latter method. Disc mechanisms are often used. In general, these mechanisms include discs and associated pincer-like elements. When two pincer-like elements are brought close together, hair is trapped between them. The discs, which rotate and produce a torque, then uproot the hair trapped between their associated pincers. The pincer-like elements and their associated discs move in unison and all pincer-like elements within a fixed distance move close to their adjacent pincer-like elements synchronously.

Document WO 2009/056923 A2 discloses an epilator head with a rotating body having an axis of rotation to which at least two pincers are essentially radially arranged. The pincers are able to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body. The distal ends of the pincers are adapted to move towards each other and away from each other depending on the rotary location of the rotating body. A means for elastically biasing the pincers is also provided so that the distal ends of the pincers are biased away from each other. The biasing means have a generally annular shape. Further, a means is provided for pushing at least one of the pincers so that the distal ends of the pincers move towards each other. The biasing means is for instance a washer or an O-ring. Given the construction and interaction of the different parts of the epilator head, the pincers are limited to bending positions dictated by the pivot on which the pincers are mounted.

Document EP 613632 Bl discloses a device for removing hair with a housing and a hair- plugging assembly. The hair plugging-assembly includes at least two disc-assemblies which include a pair of complementary disc-like pincers each having three arms, and a hub-like disc for mounting one pincer on each of the two axial faces of the disc. Moreover, the disc has at least one shoulder-like protrusion extending from both axial faces of the disc which engages with the pincers so as to impart rotational motion to the pincers upon rotation of said disc. Moreover, the disc has three pairs of second protrusions which extend axially in opposite sense beyond the plane of said arm of said pincers for causing an adjoining disc assembly to form a trap. Moreover, the disc has three edges which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of said disc. The three edges are formed in such that pincers are pivotable about said edges so as to alternately bring said corresponding pincers together to form a trap and apart to eject the removed hair. The disc and the edges are made of rigid plastic while the pincers are made of metal. A disc engages with an adjacent disc by the use of an engagement means located in the vicinity of the axis which receives the discs of the device for removing hair.

An epilating device is subject to several constraints. The pincer-like elements associated with each disc must close quickly. The pressure exerted by each contacting pair of pincers must be neither too great nor too little. In the former case, the hair would be cut, while in the latter case, the hair would slide through without being pulled out at its roots. Typically, all the pincers associated with a row of discs must contact their adjacent pincers simultaneously. Lastly, the contacting mechanism must be simple, operate reliably over time, and be easy to maintain.

The state of the art devices tend to have a complex design with a labour intensive manufacturing. The number of pincers per epilating surface is restricted by the epilator design and the complexity of the required relative movements of the pincers. Moreover, the epilating process conducted with known prior art devices is sometimes perceived by its user as being uncomfortable, partly due to the noise and vibrations. Moreover, there is a need for a small and light device with a high efficiency, thus a high number of pincers on a small surface area.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for removing hair which preferably overcomes the drawbacks of the state of the art and provides an improved or alternative epilating device and/or method for epilating.

A further preferred object of the present invention is to provide a device, which has a simple design, preferably using a high number of standardized, robust, cheap, reliable, easy to assemble and/or scalable parts, preferably leading to a reliable, cheap to manufacture and easily scalable product with a reduced number of parts. The parts of the device are preferably usable for different, particularly differently sized, products.

A further preferred object of the present invention is to provide a device with a preferably improved operational comfort, for instance by a reduced vibration, noise, size and/or weight, and preferably with a high efficiency, for instance a device which preferably operates with a high umber of pincers on a small surface area, preferably at a high rotational speed.

The object(s) underlying the present invention is (are) particularly solved by the features defined in the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Further additional and/or alternative aspects are discussed below. The invention is directed to an epilator head for trapping hair for removal. The term "epilating" in this context does not mean that all hairs are plugged out with their roots. It just means that the hairs are gripped and pulled from the skin. Some roots may remain in the skin.

The object of the present invention is attained by a device for removing hair which comprises a motor located in a housing, at least two pincers, an engager, an actuator, at least one spacer, an axis and at least two adjacent discs. The at least two pincers comprise at least one substantially radially extending arm which is provided with a clamping end. The engager engages the pincers and transmits thereby the torque generated by the motor. The at least one spacer is located between two pincers or a pair of pincers. The actuator is also driven by the motor and causes a relative movement of at least a portion of the pincers so that the pincers form a trap for hair. The axis receives the at least two pincers, the at least one spacer and/or at least two adjacent discs. The disc further comprises a hub which axially protrudes from the center of a first side of the disc wherein the hub receives the pincers and the spacer, and at least one first protrusion which substantially axially extends from the first side of the disc. The first protrusion is adapted to cause pincers which are received by the adjacent disc to form a trap for hair.

The object of the present invention is also attained by a device for removing hair which comprises at least two rotating pincers, an actuator which causes a relative movement of at least a portion of the pincers so that the pincers form a trap for hair, at least one flexible annular spacer located between two adjacent pincers, and an axis which receives at least the pincers and the spacer. The at least two rotating pincers comprise each at least two arms substantially radially extending from an annular central portion, wherein the arms are provided with a clamping end. Moreover, the spacer biases the pincers, allows a relative movement of at least a portion of the pincers towards each other, and/or causes a relative movement of at least a portion of the pincers away from each other.

A large number of pincers may be located in the epilating area. The number of pincers may for instance be quadrupled compared to a standard epilator considering the same epilating head dimensions with a similar epilating area. Moreover, a device for removing hair according to the present invention is preferably quieter than conventional state of the art devices. Moreover, the vibrations are preferably reduced. In addition, the number of parts, the material used, the number of manufacturing steps and/or the weight of the device is/are preferably reduced as compared to a prior art device. Thanks to the simplicity and robust design, a preferably reliable and cheap device for removing hair is proposed having no or almost no possible malfunctions. Not at least because of this simplification, the device for removing hair preferably permits a quicker assembling and thus a cheaper manufacturing. Preferably at least one disc, several discs or all discs, respectively, comprise a hub and at least one first protrusion. Moreover, the disc, the at least two pincers, and the at least one spacer may form a unit or assembly, which is preferably mounted in a pre- assembling step. A device may comprise at least two, preferably more than two assemblies, which are mounted adjacent to each other on the axis and are adapted to be rotated and actuated. Adjacent assemblies and/or adjacent discs are located on the axis in a rotated position relative to each other. A disc with four first protrusions is for instance preferably rotated by an angle of 45 degree to a neighbouring adjacent disc. Advantageously, the device therefore preferably comprises a large number of identical parts and the total number of different parts is preferably reduced.

Thanks to the modularity and the robust design, devices for removing hair with different epilating heads may be produced with the same unified parts just by adapting the number of discs, pincers and spacers without changing their basic design. Such a scalable device for removing hair consequently preferably may reduce the variance of the different parts used for manufacturing the whole product range of devices for removing hair. This may positively impacts the manufacturing costs and spare part availability.

At least two adjacent discs are for instance a first disc adjacent to a second disc in the mounted position, i.e. when mounted on the axis of the epilating head of the device. The first and second discs are preferably identical discs. It is to be understood, that although it is referred to a disc, adjacent discs, the first disc, the second disc, one disc, several discs or all discs of a device could be configured and interact in the same or corresponding way.

The at least one spacer of the device is preferably an elastic spacer. More preferably, the spacer is rubber ring or an elastic washer. The spacer may also be configured as an elastic disc and more preferably a rubber disc. Most preferably the spacer is a standard rubber ring, preferably commonly used also for other applications and/or commonly available on the market.

The spacer in the present application may have several functions. The spacer may support at least a portion of at least one of the adjacent pincers. Moreover, the spacer preferably locates, clamps and/or biases at least a portion of at least one of the adjacent pincers preferably between the adjacent discs. In other words, the axial dimension of the spacer is sized so that the adjacent pincers between which the spacer is located are preferably at least partially in at least one portion in direct contact with adjacent discs inbetween which the pincers and the spacer are located.

Preferably, the spacer allows a movement of at least a portion of at least one of said adjacent pincers relative to the other pincer, preferably a relative movement towards or away from each other. The relative movement towards or away from each other preferably is or is predominantly a pivoting or tilting movement around an axis which is located in or close to the center of the respective pincer. The axis may be offset from the center due to clamping effects. Preferably, the relative movement is at least partly realized by an elastic deformation, preferably bending, of at least a portion of at least one of said adjacent pincers. Most preferably, the spacer and at least a portion of at least one of said adjacent pincers may be elastically deformed thereby allowing the relative movement. Preferably the relative movement may be an up to 360 degree free circumferential deformation, most preferably a bending, and preferably not restricted to a fixed number of predetermined deformation positions. Thus, in contrast to the prior art the number of arms of the pincers may not be limited by the number of bending options. The 360 degree bending preferably may allow the pincers to bear as many arms as desired, thereby further increasing the efficiency of the device. Each pincer of the device may, for instance, have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or even more arms. The spacer and/or the adjacent pincers preferably allow the relative movement of at least a portion of at least one of the adjacent pincers towards each others, thereby forming a trap for removing hair. Moreover, the spacer and/or adjacent pincers preferably functions as a means which at least partly causes at least a portion of at least one of the adjacent pincers to conduct the relative movement away from each other, thereby preferably releasing a hair.

The configuration of the device for removing hair preferably reduces relative movements between pincers and the first or second side of the adjacent discs in between which the adjacent pincers are located. The device for removing hair advantageously reduces thereby the noise and/or vibration during operation. Moreover, a more robust design may be achieved.

The first protrusion of the first disc preferably comprises a first protrusion portion which engages with the pincers being received by the hub of the first disc thereby serving as the engaging element for transmitting rotation as the rotation engager. Preferably, the first protrusion moreover comprises a second protrusion portion which engages with the second disc, which is adjacent to the first disc. Alternatively or additionally, the first disc comprises at least one substantially axially extending second protrusion which engages with the pincers being received by the hub of the first disc thereby serving as the rotation engager and/or which engages with the adjacent second disc.

In other words, the first and second protrusion portions and/or the second protrusion of the first disc are at least partly configured to transmit the motor torque to the pincers being located on the hub of the first disc and/or to a disc adjacent to the first disc.

The motor torque is preferably transmitted from one adjacent disc to its pincers and/or to another adjacent disc. Alternatively, the motor torque might be transmitted to the axis of the epilating head serving then as a shaft and from the shaft to each disc of the epilating head which then transmits the torque to the respective pincers.

The device for removing hair preferably comprises at least one disc, for instance the second disc, comprising a recess. The recess is adapted to be engaged by the second protrusion portion and/or the second protrusion of the first disc. Alternatively or additionally the at least one recess is adapted to permit at least a portion of the first protrusion of the first disc to pass through the second disc. The recess thus preferably is used to transmit the torque from one disc to an adjacent disc of the discs mounted on the axis of the epilating head. Moreover, the recess allows the first protrusion 19 of the first disc to contact the pincers located on the hub of the second disc. The first protrusion of the first disc passes through the second disc and causes the pincers which are received by the second disc to form a trap for hair. With this constitution it is preferably possible to realize a very compact design with a relatively high number of pincers and/or a very reliable torque transmission.

Preferably, the first protrusion of the first disc protrudes from the first side of the assembled second disc in a trapping position in which the pincers form a trap. The first side of the second disc is the side, on which the hub of the disc is located. A trapping position is the position in the proximity of the user's skin, from which the hair is to be removed and in which the pincers or at least one portion of one pincer moves towards the adjacent pincer. The first disc thus comprises first protrusions which are adapted to push at least portions of one pincer located on a hub of an adjacent second disc towards at least a portion of the second pincer located on the hub of the same adjacent second disc.

Preferably, the first protrusion of the assembled first disc is retracted, preferably from the first side of the assembled second disc, in a distant position from the trapping position. The distant position from the trapping position is the position in which the portion of the disc-like shaped pincer that formed a trap is located most remotely from the user's skin.

Preferably, the first protrusion of the assembled first disc protrudes more from the first side of the second disc in a trapping position than in a distant position from the trapping position. Moreover, the second side of the disc, for instance the second disc, which is opposing the first side is substantially plane.

The device for removing hair preferably comprises at least three adjacent discs, for instance a second disc and a third disc in between which at least one spacer and at least two adjacent pincers are located on a hub of the second disc. One spacer located between the two adjacent pincers preferably locates, supports, clamps, and/or biases the adjacent pincers so that at least one of the adjacent pincers is at least partially in contact with the second or third disc and at least one portion of one of the pincers is at least partly, preferably continuously, in contact with at least one first protrusion of a first disc being adjacent to the second disc. The first protrusion of the first disc protrudes more from the first side of the second disc in a trapping position than in a distant position from the tracking position.

Preferably, the second side of the second disc is adapted to abut at least partially against at least a portion of the first protrusion of the first disc and/or at least a portion of the second protrusion of the first side of the first disc.

Preferably the disc comprises an outer circumference with an outer diameter which is smaller than twice the distance which is measured from the center of a pincer to the outer edge of a clamping end of the pincer. The outer circumference preferably defines the outer dimension of a continuous ring portion of the disc. The disc preferably comprises at least two first protrusions and/or at least two second protrusions. Said first and second protrusions are preferably concentrically arranged around the center of the disc with a minimum distance from the outer circumference of the disc in the range of 0,3 to 3 mm, most preferably approximately 1,5 mm.

A disc with first or second protrusions located in the proximity of the outer circumference preferably ensures an improved lever and thus higher permissible torque values to be transmitted from one disc to an adjacent disc. Moreover the relative movement of the pincers to each other which is at least partly at least indirectly induced by at least one first protrusion is better controllable with a first protrusion located close to the outer circumference of the disc and thus close to a clamping end. Moreover a continuous ring portion at the outer circumference covers the at least one recess thereby preferably providing an additional protection and/or contributing to the stiffness of the disc.

Preferably, the discs are at least partially made of a resin material, the pincers are preferably at least partially made of a metal and preferably at least one spacer is at least partially made of an elastic material, most preferably a rubber material. The device for removing hair preferably comprises discs which are adapted to pivot around the hub of an adjacent disc.

The pincers preferably comprise a central part or portion with a central opening and three, preferably four arms which extend from the central portion substantially radially outwards. Moreover, the discs preferably comprise three, preferably four first protrusions and/or second protrusions and at least one arm abuts against at least a part of one first protrusion and/or second protrusion. The actuator of the device for removing hair is preferably a curved axis. Alternatively, the actuator may be configured with a cam profile located on a shaft and/or disc. Alternatively, the actuator may be any other actuating means suitable for imposing aforementioned relative movement of at least a portion of a preferably disc-like pincer depending on the rotational position of the pincer or, with other words, depending on the relative position of the portion of the pincer to which a relative movement is imposed and that forms part of the trap for removing hair relative to the skin of the user.

The present invention is also directed to a method for removing hair, preferably with aforementioned device for removing hair. The method for removing hair comprises the steps of protruding of at least a portion of the first protrusion of a first disc of the first side of the adjacent disc thereby causing the pincers which are received by the adjacent discs to form a trap for hair. Moreover, the method preferably comprises the step of retracting of at least portion of the first protrusion which forms a trap for hair. Thereby a trapped hair is released in a distant position from the trapping position. Preferably, the at least one portion of the first protrusion retracts of the first side of the adjacent disc. Moreover, the method for removing hair preferably comprises the step of bending at least a portion of the adjacent pincers thereby forming a trap for hair.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a device for removing hair according to the present invention in a schematic view;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the torque transmission from the motor to the pincers;

Fig. 3 is another schematic view of an epilating head of the device for removing hairs;

Fig. 4 shows a sub-assembly in a mounted (Fig. 4a) and an exploded view (4b);

Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a disc;

Fig. 6 shows a pincer;

Fig. 7 shows an axis with several mounted assemblies;

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the parts depicted in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of an sub-assembly for removing hair.

Fig. 1 shows a device removing hair in a three-dimensional view. The device comprises a housing with a switch located on one side of the housing. Epilating head 2 with hair removal area 3 is located at one end of housing 1. Housing 1 of the device here comprises two generally flat shell parts which are brought together in longitudinal side portions and/or a lower portion. Epilating head 2 with hair removal area 3 protrudes from the housing 1 in an upper area.

Fig. 2 displays the components involved in the torque transmission. Motor 5 drives a gear or transmission 7 comprising several gear wheels 6. Gear wheel 6c of transmission 7 is located on axis 23 and transmits the rotation to the adjacent components of the hair removal area 3 where the epilating mechanism is located. Motor 5 and gear wheel 6 are conventional products, preferably standardized products commonly available on the market. Gear wheel 6c, however, is an integrated part having a portion comprising gear teeth and a portion which is preferably formed so as to transmit torque to the neighbouring components of the epilating mechanism, preferably by protrusions which engage adjacent components such as for instance a disc 13, located on axis 23 adjacent to gear wheel 6c.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of an epilating head 2. The epilating mechanism of hair removal area 3 is located adjacent to the gear wheel 6c in between two bearings 10, 11. One of the bearings 10, 11 is configured as a fixed or locating bearing 1 1 fixed to base 8 of epilating head 2 whereas the other bearing 10 is configured as a movable bearing. Bearings 10, 11 are tightened by a spring 9, which applies a force to the bearings 10, 11 , and/or axis 23 which biases the components of the epilating mechanism in the hair removal area 3. The epilating mechanism located in hair removal area 3 comprises in this embodiment several assemblies 12.

Fig. 4 shows an assembly 12 in an assembled and an exploded view. Assembly 12 comprises a disc 13, a first pincer 14, a spacer 15 and a second disc 16. Pincers 14 and 16 have an essentially identical shape. Disc 13 comprises in its center a hub 17 on which the first and second pincers 14, 16 and spacer 15 are mounted. In a mounted position, spacer 15 is located between first pincer 14 and second pincer 16. First and second pincers 14, 16 are mounted on hub 17 so that one of them is turned by 180° along an virtual axis perpendicular to axis 23, thereby opposing each other.

Fig. 5 shows a detailed perspective view of disc 13. Disc 13 is a generally circular disc with a hub 17 located in the center of a disc 13. Hub 17 is provided with a through-bore through which axis 23 extends in the mounted position. Moreover disc 13 of the depicted embodiment comprises four first protrusions 19 being located in preferably similar distances from the center of disc 13. The first protrusions 19 are moreover equally distributed in a circumferential direction and concentric to hub 17. Each first protrusion 19 comprises a first protrusion portion 19a and a second protrusion portion 19b. In the depicted embodiment, four recesses 18 are located on disc 13, each of them at least partly between two adjacent first protrusions 19. The recesses 18 have a generally rectangular shape with three generally straight wall portions and one curved wall portion facing to the outer circumference of disc 13. Recess 18 is sized so that a second protrusion portion 19b of a first protrusion 19 of an adjacent disc 13 could penetrate recess 18 without getting into contact with the wall portions of recess 18.

Protrusion portion 19a is a portion in the vicinity of a substantial flat portion of the first side of disc 13. The first protrusion portion 19a comprises an inner wall portion which has, in a top view, a generally curved outline concentrically to generally annular-shaped hub 17, two side wall portions which are generally parallel to wall portions of recess 18 and extend generally radially outwards, two chamfered wall portions and one outer wall portion in between the chamfered wall portions. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the first protrusion portions 19a are sized so that the arms of the first and second pincers 14, 16 made or engage with the radially outward extending wall portions of first protrusion portion 19a, preferably with a play which allows the relative movement of at least a portion of at least one of the first and second pincers 14, 16. The first protrusion 19 of disc 13 is sized to locate the first and second pincers 14, 16. The outer wall portion of protrusion 19a is located at a distance dp from the outer circumference of disc 13.

The second protrusion portions 19b are located above first protrusion portions 19a and have reduced dimensions compared to the first protrusion portions 19a preferably with a step between the first and second protrusion portions 19a, 19b. In a top view, the second protrusion portions 19b have a generally rectangular shape with two radially outwardly extending generally straight side wall portions and preferably curved inner and outer wall portions. The side wall portions of second protrusion portions 19b substantially correspond to side wall portions of recesses 18 which therefore are preferably able to mate or to engage with the recesses 18 thereby ensuring an improved torque transmission. Second protrusion portions 19b moreover comprise an axially protruding outer edge located in the proximity of the outer wall portion. Moreover, the second protrusion portion 19b is tapered in the axial direction.

Hub 17 and first protrusion 19 with its first protrusion portion 19a and second protrusion portion 19b are preferably integrally formed with disc 13 and extend generally axially from the first side of disc 13. The other side of disc 13, the second side of disc 13, is generally flat. A spacing dot or spot is located between curved wall portion of recess 18 and the outer circumference of disc 13. Fig. 6 shows a pincer in a three-dimensional view. The pincer comprises a central part or portion 22 with a central opening having a diameter which substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of hub 17. Central part 22 has a generally annular shape. In this embodiment, four arms extend from central portion 22 in a generally radial direction. A clamping end 20 is located at each outer edge of each arm of the pincers 14, 16. Each clamping end 20 forms part of a generally rectangular-shaped end portion, which generally extends perpendicular to the radially extending arm portion. Clamping end 20 is generally straight. A front portion 21 located at the end of the end portion, which in the rotation direction of pincer 14, 16 forms the front portion first approaching a user's skin is bended in an axial direction in the mounted position. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the first and second pincers 14, 16 are mounted so that front portions 21 of adjacent pincers 14, 16 are bent in opposite directions. The axially outwardly bent front portion 21 preferably facilitates the trapping of a hair by guiding hair between the two opposing clamping ends 20 of adjacent pincers 14, 16.

Fig. 7 shows a curved shaft 23 with four mounted assemblies 12. The assemblies 12 are mounted adjacent to each other each tilted or rotated in 45° to each other. The first protrusion 19 of disc 13 is able to penetrate recess 18 of the adjacent disc 13 thereby preferably transmitting the motor torque to adjacent disc 13. Due to the curved shape of axis 23 being tightened between two bearings and due to biasing spring 9, which applies a pressure between the assemblies 12, the different portions of assemblies 12 and its parts changes their relative position as they rotate around axis 23. At least in areas where the relative axial distance between adjacent discs 13 is comparably small compared to other areas, in other words the area close to a user's skin, the first protrusions 19 pass through recesses 18 of an adjacent disc 13 and contact one of the pincers 14, 16 located on a hub 17 of the adjacent disc 13 and pushes at least a portion of one of the pincers 14, 16 towards at least a portion of the other pincer of the pincers 14, 16 thereby forming a trap for hair in the area, where the distance between two discs is small. This motion operates on a virtual axis within spacers 15 embodied here as a rubber rings 15, which, due to their elasticity serve both as a support of the pincers 14, 16 and an axis. Moreover, rubber rings 15 bring pincers 14, 16 back to their original location after the pressure is over, namely when the distance between two adjacent discs is not small thus remote.

Fig. 8 depicts the parts displayed in Fig. 7 in a side view. The depicted second side of a disc 13 is substantially flat. Four concentrically arranged recesses 18 and four grooves 24 are shown. Grooves 24 are located in the proximity of the outer circumference with substantially equal distance in a circumferential direction. Grooves 24 are configured to receive the axially bent front portions 21 of pincers 14, 16. Moreover ring-shaped recess 25 being adapted to receive hub 17 is located around the central through-bore of disc 13. Fig. 9 shows a sectional view with three assemblies in a mounted position. Three adjacent discs 13 are depicted in a sectional view. Hub 17 of each disc 13 abuts at least partially against ring-shaped recess 25 of an adjacent disc 13. Hereafter, the discussion of Fig. 9 focuses on the disc 13a, 13b and 13c. The device for removing hair, however, is not limited to an embodiment with three discs 13 and can also have a large number of discs 13. Hubs 17 of each disc 13a, 13b, 13c locates each two pincers 14, 16 and one rubber ring 15. Said pincers 14, 16 are located between a first side of one disc, for instance disc 13b and the second side of an adjacent disc, for instance disc 13c. The first pincer 14 and the second pincer 16 comprises portions which are in contact with each other thereby forming a trap for hair. In the shown embodiment, the portions are in contact with each other. However, it could also be possible that a small gap between the portions exists as long as a hair would be grabbed and removed. The portions of the first and second pincer 14, 16 are in contact with each other in the area, in which the distance of the adjacent discs 13a, 13b, 13c is small and/or the smallest. In Fig. 9, this area is indicated by a circle B. At least in this area B, protrusion 19 of disc 13a passes through a recess 18 of disc 13b and contacts the first pincer 14 via the axially protruding outer edge of protrusion portion 19b. Protrusion 19 of disc 13a pushes the portion of the first pincer 14 in the trapping position towards second pincer 16.

This movement is preferably substantially facilitated by elastic rubber ring 15, which is elastically deformed at least in the area B where a portion of the first pincer 14 bends towards second pincer 16. Here, rubber ring 15 locates, supports, biases and/or clamps at least a portion of the first and/or second pincer 14, 16. Second pincer 16 is thereby pushed against the second side of disc 13c and first pincer 14 is thereby at least partly pushed against protrusion 19 of disc 13a. The rubber ring 15 could, however, also locate, support, biase and/or clamp at least a portion of the first and/or second pincer 14, 16 in other areas, for instance in the position opposite from the trapping position, namely the position in which portions of adjacent discs 13 are most remotely positioned, also referred to as the distant position from the trapping position. In the distant position protrusion portion 19b of disc 13a may be in contact with first pincer 14. Moreover at least a portion of first pincer 14 may abut against a portion of the first side of disc 13b in the distant position (non-trapping position).

In the distant position, protrusion 19 of disc 13a is retracted compared to its position in the trapping position described before, and preferably retracted from the first side of the assembled second disc 13b.

During the rotation of the discs 13a, 13b, 13c, the first protrusion 19 of disc 13a thus protrudes or pushes forward so as to move or bend at least a portion of first pincer 14 towards a portion of second pincer 16 until the portions reach a trapping position. Having passed the trapping position, first protrusion 19 of disc 13a retracts or moves back thanks to the curviness of the axis and/or the biasing force of rubber ring 15 until said portion of said protrusion 19 reaches the most distant position in which adjacent discs 13 and thus adjacent protrusions 19 have the biggest axial distance between each other, namely the position opposite the trapping position. Having passed this distant position, protrusion 19 of disc 13a again protrudes or pushes forward at least a portion of first pincer 14 against a portion of second pincer 16.

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment having three first protrusions 19 extending from a first side of a disc 13 engaging with pincer 14, 16 with three arms. As can be readily understood, the numbers of protrusions 19 and number of pincer arms and therewith a number of clamping ends 20 may be varied according to the needs.

In the claims, the term "comprises/comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps . Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "an", "first", "second" etc do not preclude a plurality. The invention also covers all further features shown in the figures individually although they may not have been described in the afore description. The present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way. The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., "about 3" shall also cover exactly 3 or "essentially radial" shall also cover exactly radial).