(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COQPE‘RATIQN TREATY (PCT)
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`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`lntemational Bureau
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`(10) International Publication Number
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`(43) International Publication Date
`3 October 2002 (03.10.2002)
`PCT
`W0 02/076260 A1 _,
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`(51) International Patent Classification":
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`A45D 26/00
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`(2]) International Application Number:
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`PCT/[Boy00702
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`(22) International Filing Date:
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`5 March 2002 (05.03.2002)
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`(25) Filing Language:
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`(26) Publication Language:
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`English
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`English
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`(72) Inventor: FLOESSHOLZER, Hannes; Prof. Holstlaan
`6, NL—5656 AA Eindhoven (NL).
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`(74) Agent: WEBER, Helmut; Intemationaai Octrooibureau
`B.V., Prof. Holstlaan 6, NL-5656 AA Eindhoven (NL).-
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`(81) Designated States (national): CN, JP.
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`"
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`(84) Designated States (regional): European patent (AT, BE,
`CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, F1, FR, GB, GR. IE, IT, LU, MC,
`NL, PT, SE, TR).
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`(30) Priority Data:
`018900969
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`27 March 2001 (27.03.2001)
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`EP
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`with international search report
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`Published:
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`(7]) Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRON-
`ICS N.V. [NUNL]; Groenewoudseweg 1, NL-5621‘BA
`Eindhoven (NL).
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`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid—
`ance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations " appearing at the begin-
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
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`
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`(54) Title: PERSONAL CARE APPARATUS WITH A NOISE PROTECTION CAP
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`llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll|||||lllllllllIllllllllllllllllll
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`02/076260A1
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`(57) Abstract: A personal care apparatus (1) with a housing (2) and with apparatus parts (6) for treating body parts of a person.
`0 which apparatus parts (6‘) are provided in a head region (5) of the personal care apparatus (1), is fitted in its head region (5) with a
`noise protection cap (9) which is designed with a closed circumference and which has a cap edge (12) which can be placed on the
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`skin of a person during operation of the personal care apparatus (1) in order to fulfill a noise protection function.
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`BNSDOCID: <WO
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`W0 02/076260
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`PCT/I302/00702
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`‘.
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`Personal care apparatus with a noise protection cap
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`1
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`The invention relates to a personal care apparatus with a housing and with
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`apparatus parts for treating body parts, which apparatus parts are provided in a head region of
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`the personal care apparatus.
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`5
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`A personal care apparatus as set forth above is disclosed, for example, in
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`patent document EP 0 585 621 Al . This known personal care apparatus is what is termed a
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`depilation apparatus which is fitted with what is termed a depilation cylinder that is fitted .
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`with adjustably supported depilation disks as apparatus parts for treating body parts,
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`specifically for removing hair from body parts, which depilation disks can be adjusted
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`10
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`relative to one another and, in the process, can additionally be driven into rotation and can be
`brought into a clamped position in a periodically recurring sequence in which they ensure
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`that hairs are plucked out. The known depilation means for reducing the operating noise of
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`the depilation apparatus apparatus has in the region of the depilation disks.» The operating
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`noise can certainly be somewhat reduced by these means, but the noise occm'ring when the
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`15
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`depilation disks collide, which is generated when the depilation disks are brought into their
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`clamped position, can in practice be influenced inadequately or not at all by these means, and
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`so a noise level perceived as unpleasant by a person will arise during operation of the known
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`depilation apparatus.
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`I 20
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`.
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`The invention has for its object inthe case of a personal care apparatus the
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`type described in the opening paragraph, to avoid the state of affairs indicated above and to
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`improve an improved personal care apparatus.
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`In order to achieve the object set forth above, a personal care apparatus in
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`accordance with the invention comprises inventive features such that a personal care
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`25
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`apparatus in accordance with the invention can be defined as follows.
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`A personal care apparatus with a housing and with apparatus parts for treating
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`body parts, which apparatus parts are provided in a head region of the personal care
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`apparatus, wherein a noise protection cap is connected to the personal care apparatus in its
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`02076260A1_l_>
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`head region, which cap is designed with a closed circumference and terminates in a cap edge
`which can be placed on the skin of a person during operation of the personal care apparatus. '
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`It is achieved in a structurally simple way as a result of the presence of the
`features in accordance with the invention that during Operation of a personal care apparatus in
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`accordance with the invention the noise caused by the apparatus parts for treating body parts
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`cannot be issued at all to the surroundings of the personal care apparatus, or can be issued
`only in a greatly attenuated way, as a result of which during operation of a personal care
`apparatus in accordance with the invention the person using the personal care apparatus is -0
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`unable to perceive a noise level which disturbs him/her, because the noise protection cap
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`suppresses the emergence of the sound generated by the apparatus parts for treating body
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`parts.
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`In a personal care apparatus in accordance with the invention, it has proved to
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`be very advantageous when the noise protection cap consists at least for the major part of a
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`transparent material. This ensures that during operation of a personal care apparatus in
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`accordance with the invention there is substantially no impairment of the view of the
`apparatus parts for treating body parts through the noise protection cap.
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`In a personal care apparatus in accordance with the invention, it has
`furthermore proved to be advantageous when the noise protection cap is' detachably
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`connected to the personal care apparatus and can be removed from the personal care
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`15
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`apparatus. This is advantageous for cleaning the head region of the personal care apparatus in
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`25
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`30
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`a simple way unhindered by the noise protection cap. Moreover, the advantage is thereby
`provided that a personal care apparatus in accordance with the invention can also be put into
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`operation without a noise protection cap whenever this is desired.
`In a personal care apparatus in accordance with the invention, it has proved to
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`be very advantageous when the noise protection cap is resiliently mounted on the personal
`care apparatus, spring means being provided for this purpose as defined in claim 4. It is V
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`ensured hereby that the noise protection cap always bears effectively with its cap edge on the
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`body parts to be treated.
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`With regard to holding the cap edge of the noise protection cap effectively
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`against the body parts to be treated, it has also proved to be very advantageous when the
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`noise protection cap is pivotably connected to the personal care apparatus. It is particularly
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`advantageous in this context when the noise protection cap is connected to the personal care
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`apparatus in a wobbling fashion, that is to say can be pivoted not just about one pivot axis, .-
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`but about at least two pivot axes.
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`BNSDOCID: <WO
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`02076260A1_l_>
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`In a personal care apparatus in accordance with the invention whereinduring __
`operation ofthe personal care apparatus the noise protection cap can be movedin a specific
`operating direction over the body parts to be treated, i.e. over the skin of a person, it has
`proved to be particularly-advantageous when the noise protection cap is connected to the D
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`personal care apparatus such that it can pivot about a pivot axis which is substantially at right
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`angles to the operating direction. This ensures that the noise protection cap bears with its cap
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`edge in a particularly effective way on the body parts to be treated. However, it has also
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`proved to be very advantageous when the noise protection cap is connected to the personal "
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`care apparatus such that it can pivot about a pivot axis which is essentially parallel to the
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`10
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`operating direction, also for achieving that the noise protection cap will bear with its cap edge
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`effectively on body parts.
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`A personal care apparatus according to the invention may be formed by a -
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`shaver or by a massage device. It has proved to be particularly advantageous when the
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`personal care apparatus is formed by a depilation apparatus which has adjustable apparatus
`parts for depilation as is disclosed per se in the cited patent document EP 0 585 621 Al . It
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`15
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`has proved to be particularly advantageous in such a depilation apparatus to provide a noise
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`protection cap which always remains with its cap edge held in operational contact with the
`body parts to be treated, i.e. with the body parts to be depilated, in particular because the
`adjustable apparatus parts for depilation in a depilation apparatus themselves generate a noise
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`perceived as unpleasant, which noise causes a negative psychological effect for most people
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`using such a depilation apparatus a negative psychological effect, specifically the effect that
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`this noise engenders an increased sensation of pain.
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`In a personal care apparatus formed by a depilation apparatus, it has proved to
`be very advantageous when the noise protection cap is additionally fitted with means for
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`raising hairs and/or with means for aligning hairs. This ensures that the noise protection cap
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`fulfills at least one additional function.
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`The above and further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the
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`subsequent description of embodiments and will be explained below with reference to these
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`embodiments.
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`The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to .four
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`embodiments shown in the drawings, to which, however, theinvention is not limited.
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`Fig. 1 shows, in front elevation and partly in cross-section, a personal-care .
`‘ apparatus, specifically a depilation apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe '-
`invention.
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`Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in cross-section, of the depilation apparatus" of
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`5
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`Fig. 1.
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`Fig. 3 shows, in a way similar to Fig. l, a depilation apparatus in accordance
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`with a second embodiment of the invention.
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`Fig. 4 shows, in a way similar to Fig. 2, the depilation apparatus of Fig. 3.
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`-.
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`Fig. 5 shows, in a way similar to Figs. 1 and 3, a depilation apparatus in
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`accordancewith a third embodiment of the invention.
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`Fig. 6 shows, in a way similar to Figs. 2 and 4, the depilation apparatus in
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`accordance with figure 5.
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`Fig. 7 shows, in a way similar to Figs. 1, 3 and 5, a depilation apparatus in
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`accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.
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`15
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`Fig. 8 shows, in a way similarto Figs. 2, 4 and 6, the depilation apparatus of
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`Fig. 7.
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`Fig. 1 shows a personal care apparatus 1, which is constructed as a depilation
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`apparatus 1 and is denoted below in brief as apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 has a housing 2,
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`20
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`which is shown in part only in Fig. I. A switch 4 for switching the apparatus 1 on and off is
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`provided on a main wall 3 of the housing 2.
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`The apparatus 1 has a head region 5. The head region 5 is to be understood to
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`be the operating region of the apparatus 1, by means of which head region 5 the apparatus 1.
`can be brought into operational contract with the body parts to be treated. The head region 5
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`25
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`is formed by what is termed a depilation head 5, which 'is idetachably connected to the
`remaining part ofthe apparatus 1. Adjustable apparatus parts 6 for depilation are provided in
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`the head region 5. The adjustable apparatus parts 6 are formed in this case by what are termed
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`depilation disks 6, which are mounted rotatably with respect to an axis of rotation 7, and
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`which can be pivoted with respect to pivot axes which run essentially perpendicular to the
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`30
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`axis of rotation 7, specifically in such a way that in each case two juxtaposed depilation disks
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`6 can be swiveled toward one another and away from one another, the depilation disks 6
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`being brought into a clamping position in which they can grip a hair to be bulled from the
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`skin when pivoting toward one another, which hair is then withdrawn from the skin by the
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`rotating drive of the depilation disks 6. This has long been known to those skilled in the art.
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`During the operation as described above, in moving the depilation disks 6, and in particular: _:
`in pivoting the depilation disks 6 toward one another, there is a sudden mutual contact
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`between two respective depilation disks 6 Which is accompanied by a relatively loud
`operating noise. It remainsto mention that the juxtaposed depilation disks 6 form what is A.
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`termed a depilation cylinder 8, as is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. l.
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`A noise protection cap 9 advantageously provided in the apparatus 1, which
`cap is connected to the apparatus 1 in the head region 5 of the apparatus I, specifically in that
`the noise protection cap 9 is snapped home or plugged onto the head region 5 and is retained
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`there by holding parts 10 and 11, which holding parts 10 and 11 retain the noise protection
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`cap 9 by utilizing friction and locking. The noise protection cap 9 is designed with a closed
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`circumference. The noise protecn'on cap 9 terminates in a cap edge 12 which is likewise
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`annularly closed and which can be placed on the skin or on the body part to be treated of a'
`person during operation of the apparatus 1. The noise protection cap 9 here consists, of a
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`transparent material, and so the view of the depilation disks 6 is not impaired. Retention the
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`noise protection cap 9 by the holding parts 10 and 11 means that the noise protection cap 9 is
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`detachably connected to the apparatus 1 and can be removed from the apparatus 1.
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`Consequently, during operation of the apparatus 1, the apparatus 1, and therefore the noise
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`protection cap 9 as well, can be moved over the skin of a person in an operating direction 13,
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`indicated with an arrow Fig. 2.
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`The noise protection cap 9 is provided with means 14 for aligning hairs and
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`with means 15 for raising hairs in its region situated ahead of the depilation disks 6 in the
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`operating direction 13. The means 14 for aligning hairs are formed here by teeth 16 of comb-
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`like design which project from the noise protection cap 9 in the region of the cap edge 12.
`The teeth 16 of comb-like design ensure alignment ofhairs when the apparatus 1 is moved
`over the skin of a person. The means 15 for raising hairs are formed by bristles 17 which are
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`connected to the noise protection cap 9 and project from the noise protection cap 9 in the
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`interior thereof, specifically in such a way that, when the noise protection cap 9 is placed on
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`the skin of a person and moved in the operating direction 13, they can come into operational
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`contact with the hairs in such a way that they ensure raising of the hairs.
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`Figs. 3 and 4 show a further apparatus 1, which is likewise a depilation
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`apparatus. In the apparatus 1 of Figs. 3 and 4, a noise protection cap 9 is provided which is _
`manufactured by what is termed a two-component injection molding method, a main part 9M
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`of the noise protection cap 9 consisting of a transparent material, just as in the apparatusl
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`» Figs. 1 and 2, whereas an edge part 9A of the noise protection cap 9, situated behind the
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`depilation disks 6, seen in the operating direction 13, consists of an opaque rubbery mate-nah; :_ -
`The edge part 9A is therefore of substantially softer consistence than the remaining main part
`9M ofthe noise protection cap 9. Because of the soft nature of the edge part 9A, the noise
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`protection cap 9 bears with its cap edge 12 effectively on the skin of a person, such that an
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`efiecfive sealing, and therefore an effective noise protection, are ensured.
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`Figs. 5 and 6 show a further apparatus 1 which is likewise constructed as a
`depilation apparatus. In the apparatus 1 of Figs. 5 and 6, spring means 18 are provided which
`cooperate with the noise protection cap 9 and which spring-load the noise protection cap 9 in
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`a direction away from the apparatus 1. In this case, the spring means 18 are formed by two
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`compression springs 19 and 20. Each of the two compression springs 19 and 20 is firmly
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`connected by one end to the head region 6 of the apparatus 1, and by the other end to the
`noise protection cap 9, such that the compression springs 19 and 20 are also provided and
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`utilized, for retaining the noise protection cap 9 on the apparatus 1. The provision of the
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`spring means 18 advantageously results in the fact that the noise protection cap 9 can be
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`adjusted against the force of the spring means 18 when placed on the skin of a person. This is
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`very advantageous for keeping the cap edge 12 effectively and permanently pressed against
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`the skin or a body part of a person.
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`Figs. 7 and 8 show a further apparatus 1, which is likewise formed by a
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`depilation apparatus. In the apparatus 1 of Figs. 7 and 8, the noise protection cap 9 is
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`pivotably connected to the apparatus 1, the design being such that the noise protection cap 9
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`can be pivoted about a pivot axis 21 which is substantially perpendicular to the operating
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`direction 13. The pivot axis 21 is obtained in this case by providing in the interior of the
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`noise protection cap 9 two bearing pins 22 and 23 opposite to one another, of which each
`bearing pin 22 or 23 projects into a bearing cutout 24 in the head region 5 ofthe apparatus 1.
`The bearing pins 22 and 23 and the bearing cutouts 24 at the same time form snap
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`connections here, by means with the aid of which the noise protection cap 9 is detachably
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`connected to the apparatus 1. The pivotable bearing of the noise protection cap 9 on the
`apparatus 1 likewise permits the noise protection cap 9 to bear effectively with its cap edge
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`12 on the skin of a person.
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`It may be mentioned that a noise protection cap 9 may alternatively be
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`mounted such that it can wobble with respect to a personal care apparatus 1, it then being
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`possible to insert an adapter between the noise protection cap 9 and the head region 5 of the
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`apparatus 1, the noise protection cap 9 being connected to the adapter such that it can pivot
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`about a first pivot axis, and the adapter being connected to the head region 5 such that'1tcan_
`pivot about a second pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis.
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`It may further be mentionedthat an apparatus 1 may alternatively have all the
`measures explained with reference to the apparatuses 1 described above combined with one
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`another and with reference to the noise protection cap 9,’1n which case a noise protection cap
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`9 mounted such that it can pivot or wobble is held adjustably against the force of spring
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`means 18, and the noise protection cap 9 is fitted with comb teeth 16 and bristles 17 as well "
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`as a rubbery edge part 9A.
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`CLAIMS:
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`PCT/IBOZ/00702
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`1.
`
`A personal care apparatus (1) with a housing (2) and with apparatus parts (6)
`
`for treating body parts, which apparatus parts (6) are provided in a head region (5) of the
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`personal care apparatus (1), wherein a noise protection cap (9) is connected to the personal -.
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`care apparatus (1) in its head region (5) which cap is designed with a closed circumference
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`5
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`and terminates in a cap edge (12) which can be placed on the skin of a person during
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`operation of the personal care apparatus (1).
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`2.
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`The personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noise
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`protection cap (9) consists at least for the major part of a transparent material.
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`10
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`3.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noise
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`protection cap (9) is detachably connected to the personal care apparatus (1) and can be
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`removed from the personal care apparatus (1).
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`15
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`4.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein spring means
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`(1 8) are provided which cooperate with the noise protection cap (9) and which load the noise
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`protection cap (9) in a direction away from the personal care apparatus (1), and wherein the
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`noise protection cap (9) can be displayed against the force of the spring means (18) upon
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`being placed on the skin of a person.
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`20
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`5.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noise
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`protection cap (9) is pivotably connected to the personal care apparatus (1).
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`6.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the noise
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`25
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`protection cap (9) is connected to the personal care apparatus (1) in a wobbling manner.
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`7.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the noise
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`protection cap (9) can be moved over the skin of a person in an operating direction (13)
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`during operation of the personal care apparatus (1), and wherein the noise protection cap (9)
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`is connected to the personal care apparatus (1) such that it can pivot about a pivot axis (21) .
`which is substantially at right angles to the operating direction (13).
`I
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`9
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`8.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the personal care
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`apparatus (1) is formed by a depilation apparatus (1) which has adjustable apparatus parts (6)
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`for depilation.
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`‘
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`10
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`15
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`9.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the noise
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`protection cap (9) can be moved over the skin of a person in an operating direction (13) of the
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`depilation apparatus (1) during operation of the depilation apparatus (1), and the noise
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`protection cap (9) is provided with means (15) for raising hairs in its wherein region situated
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`ahead of the apparatus parts (6) for depilation, seen in the operating direction (13).
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`10.
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`A personal care apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the noise
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`protection cap (9) can be moved over the skin of a person in an operating direction (13) of the
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`depilation apparatus (1) during operation of the depilation apparatus (1), and wherein, ahead
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`of the apparatus parts (6) for depilation, the noise protection cap (9) is provided with means
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`(14) for aligning hairs in its region situated, seen in the operating direction (13).
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`'NTEF‘IONAL SEARCH REPORT
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`,
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`,1 ationatApplication No
`
`P T/IB 02/09702
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`A. CLASSIFICATION or: s eaecr MATTER
`IPC 7
`A45D26 00
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`According to International Patent Classilicaiion (lPC) or to both national classification and PC
`3. FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`Minimum documentation searched (classification system iottowed by classification symbols)
`IPC 7
`A45D
`8268
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation lO the extent that such documents are included in ["9 fields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name oi data base and. Where practical. search terms used)
`
`EPO-Internai, PAJ, HPI Data
`
`C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`Citation oi document, with indication, where appropriate. oi the relevant passages
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`
`DE 200 21 185 U (SEB SA)
`15 March 2001 (2001-03—15)
`page 9, paragraph 3; figures 1,2
`page 7, paragraph 7 - paragraph 8
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`D Furtherdocurnents are listed in the continuation ol box 0.
`° Special'miegories oi cited documents :
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`.
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`A' document defining the general state oi the art which Is not
`considered'to be oi particular relevance
`'E' earlier document but published on or alter the international
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`citation or other special reason (as specitted)
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`'0' document reterring to an oral disclosure. use. ethbItIon or
`other means
`'P' document published prior to the International tiling date but
`later than the priority date claimed
`Dale oi the actual completion oi the inlemationai search
`
`4 June 2002
`
`Name and rnaiiing address oi the BA
`European Patent Ottice, PB. 5818 Patenttaan 2
`eL (+31-70) 340-2040.
`x. 31
`1 epo n .
`TNL - 2260 HV Flitswiik
`T
`65
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`Fax: (+31-70) 340-3016
`.
`Form PCT/t5A/210 (second shoal) (July 1992)
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`ansoocto: <wo
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`02076260A1_l_>
`
`E Patent iamily members are listed in annex
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`'T'
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`later document published alter the Intemationat tiling date
`or priority date and not In conflict with the application but
`,
`.
`gtleedntgxltderstand the princrpte °' theory under tying the
`-
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`cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to
`X document oi particular relevance. the claimed invention
`.
`_
`.
`.
`involve an inventive step when the document is taken alone
`Y document oi particular relevance, the claimed Invention
`cannot be considered to involve an Inventive step when the
`document is combined with one or more other such docu—
`ments. such combination being obvious to a person skilled
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`‘&' document member at the same patent iamlly
`Date 01 mailing oi the international search report
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`14/06/2002
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`Publication
`data
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`member(s)
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`-~ —-
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`- Publication -
`date
`
`DE 20021185
`
`U
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`15-03-2001
`
`FR
`2802393 A1
`22-06-2001
`DE
`20021185 U1
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