This invention relates to a novel method of removing superfluous hair and to a means for practicing said method.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide a novel method for removing superfluous hair without the use of chemicals or sharp instruments whereby the skin is not irritated and the growth of hair is not stimulated.

Further objects of the invention are to provide simple and efficient means for removing superfluous hair by mechanical action which does not irritate or otherwise affect the skin and which is highly successful in removing hair and retarding growth of new hair.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a pad having its rubbing face provided with an abrasive substance of predetermined fineness, which substance is highly effective in breaking up the hair structure without, however, affecting the skin.

Additional objects of the invention are to provide a sheet of flexible material of suitable size and shape so that it can be readily manipulated and having one side provided with abrasive material of predetermined fineness whereby said sheet can be rubbed over the skin surface so that said abrasive substance breaks up the cells of the hair, the degree of fineness of such abrasive substance being so determined that only the cells of the hair are acted upon and the cells of the skin are not affected thereby.

In the drawing—

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved hair remover.

Figure 2 is a bottom view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross section.

The invention consists in providing a section of sheet material of suitable size and shape and having one side provided with a coating of abrasive substance and having the opposite side provided with means whereby said section can be manipulated and rubbed over the skin from which it is desired to remove the hair.

To insure efficient operation of the device, the abrasive substance must be of predetermined fineness so that it will act upon the hair structure without affecting the skin.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing, 10 indicates a thin oval shaped member or pad consisting of a flexible sheet 11 of suitable flexible material having, however, sufficient rigidity to form proper backing for a thin sheet 12 of sandpaper or emery cloth, preferably secured thereto by a suitable adhesive and having its exposed face provided with abrasive substance 13. This abrasive substance or medium is preferably made from volcanic rock, ground to a predetermined degree of fineness so that the abrasive surface formed thereby is very effective in tearing down the hair structure without affecting the skin.

By actual experiments, it has been found that an abrasive substance formed of volcanic rock ground to 400 A grade is the most suitable for this purpose as it is most efficient in removing the superfluous hair and is not injurious to the skin. The volcanic rock used for this purpose is preferably trimerite. This is a rare mineral consisting of the silicates of beryllium, manganese and calcium. It generally occurs in prismatic crystals of hexagonal form. It is intermediate in form between the manganese silicate (tephorite) and the beryllium silicate (phenacite) and is also related to this in form. The angularity of the ends of each crystal is substantially the same as the angularity of the scales of the hair. This peculiar structure of the crystals permits the latter to engage the hair and break it down without effecting the cells of the skin.

Sheet 12 can be formed of paper, thin fiber, or cloth. In the instant case, this sheet is formed of thin paper, in which form it can be obtained in the market. Sheet 11 can be made from paper, cloth, leather, or other flexible material suitable for this purpose. In order to facilitate the manipulation of the article, a strap 14 is arranged above sheet 11 transversely thereof and has its ends turned inwardly and secured by suitable adhesive between members 11 and 12.

To remove the hair, the pad is placed on the skin with the abrasive surface thereagainst and is then rubbed over a small area, only gentle pressure being required. This rubbing action causes the abrasive surface to act upon the cells of the hair so that the hair structure is broken up. As the abrasive substance is of considerable fineness it does not affect the skin or cause irritation thereof. After the hair has been removed from the skin, the hair remover can be applied at short intervals to keep the skin free from new hair.

My improved hair remover can be used without danger of injury to the skin, and no particular preparation or treatment of the skin is required, either before or after the use of my hair remover. The use of my hair remover not only does not injure the skin but on the contrary, due to the massaging action, stimulates it and maintains it in a smooth and healthy condition.

The article is inexpensive to manufacture and use and is of attractive appearance.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture, comprising a hair remover for personal use, including a flexible carrier adapted to be rubbed over the hairy surface and having on its face an abrasive substance adapted to engage and break down the hair structure, said material being of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and said flexible carrier being adapted to be held by the hand and conform under pressure of the latter to the hairy surface over which it is moved.

2. An article of manufacture, comprising a hair remover for personal use, including a flexible carrier adapted to be rubbed over the hairy surface and having on its face an abrasive substance comprising ground volcanic rock adapted to engage and break down the hair structure, said material being of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and said flexible carrier being adapted to be held by the hand and conform under pressure of the latter to the hairy surface over which it is moved.

3. An article of manufacture, comprising a hair remover for personal use, including a flexible carrier adapted to be rubbed over the hairy surface and having on its face an abrasive substance comprising ground volcanic rock of approximately 400 A grade adapted to engage and break down the hair structure, said material being of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and said flexible carrier being adapted to be held by the hand and conform under pressure of the latter to the hairy surface over which it is moved.

4. An article of manufacture, comprising a hair remover for personal use, including a flexible carrier provided with means for securement to the hand to facilitate the rubbing of the same over the hairy surface, said carrier having on its face an abrasive substance adapted to engage and break down the hair structure, said material being of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and said flexible carrier formed to underlie the hand and adapted under pressure of the fingers to conform to the contour of elevated and depressed portions of the hairy surface operated on.

5. The method of removing superfluous hair from the body, consisting in applying over the hairy surface an element having a layer of abrasive material of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and gently rubbing the same over the hairy surface under a pressure to effect the breaking dowof the hair structure without marring the skin.

6. The method of removing superfluous hair from the body, consisting in applying over and conforming to the hairy surface an element having a flexible layer of abrasive material of a fineness and character to engage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and gently rubbing the same over said hairy surface under a pressure to effect the breaking up of the hair structure without marring the skin.

7. The method of removing superfluous hair from the body consisting in applying over the hairy surface an element having a layer of ground volcanic rock of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and gently rubbing the same over the hairy surface under a pressure to effect the breaking up of the hairy structure without marring the skin.

8. The method of removing superfluous hair from the body, consisting in applying over and conforming to the hairy surface an element having a flexible layer of ground volcanic rock of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and gently rubbing the same over said hairy surface under a pressure to effect the breaking up of the hair structure without marring the skin.

9. The method of removing superfluous hair from the body, consisting in applying over and conforming to the hairy surface an element having a flexible layer of ground volcanic rock of approximately 400 A grade of a fineness and character to interengage with the hair structure but in normal use incapable of scratching or impairing the skin, and gently rubbing the same over said hairy surface under a pressure to effect the breaking up of the hair structure without marring the skin.

James O. Davies.