U.S. patent application number 12/114670 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for oxygenating cosmetic instrument.
Invention is credited to Dean L. Rhoades.
Application Number | 20080243039 12/114670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36035065 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080243039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rhoades; Dean L. |
October 2, 2008 |
OXYGENATING COSMETIC INSTRUMENT
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus including a handle capable of
manipulation by a human hand, and one or more head portions to mate
to various types of treatment attachments, which may be moved over
an area of skin and/or body part by a motion generator moving the
head portions, and/or by a user manipulating the handle. Various
suitable attachments include applicator attachments having abrasive
surfaces, oxygenating attachments having pores through which oxygen
may travel, brush attachments for cleaning and polishing, thermal
attachments for heating and cooling, and light radiating
attachments. The motion generator may move the attachments by
vibrating, spinning, oscillating, or propagating sonic waves
through the head portions. Thus, attachments may be attached and
removed from the head portions to treating skin and/or body parts
by abrasion, cleaning, polishing, lighting, or oxygenation.
Moreover, during treatment abrasive composition, cleaning solution,
and/or polishing solution may be applied to the skin and/or body
part.
Inventors: |
Rhoades; Dean L.; (Beverly
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
1279 OAKMEAD PARKWAY
SUNNYVALE
CA
94085-4040
US
|
Family ID: |
36035065 |
Appl. No.: |
12/114670 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10938087 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
7384405 |
|
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12114670 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
601/73 ; 601/46;
601/70; 601/72; 601/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/0034 20130101;
A61N 2005/0644 20130101; A61B 2017/00734 20130101; A45D 24/007
20130101; A45D 2200/1018 20130101; A46B 2200/3093 20130101; A61N
2005/0659 20130101; A46B 13/023 20130101; A46B 5/0016 20130101;
A61H 2033/143 20130101; A61H 2201/1685 20130101; A61B 2017/00747
20130101; A45D 2200/155 20130101; A45D 34/04 20130101; A46B
2200/1006 20130101; A61H 7/005 20130101; A46B 2200/102 20130101;
A61H 23/0245 20130101; A45D 2200/1054 20130101; A61H 33/14
20130101; A61B 2017/320004 20130101; A61B 17/54 20130101; A45D
2200/207 20130101; A61N 5/0616 20130101; A61N 2005/0652 20130101;
A61H 23/0236 20130101; A61M 35/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
601/73 ; 601/72;
601/70; 601/80; 601/46 |
International
Class: |
A61H 1/00 20060101
A61H001/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a head portion; a handle portion
coupled to the head portion, the handle portion suitable for
gripping by a human hand; wherein the head portion comprises an
oxygenating attachment to apply a treatment gas to a localized area
of human skin; at least one opening extending through the head
portion to allow the treatment gas to travel from the head portion
to the oxygenating attachment.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a hose to push a
gas out of at least one opening in a surface of the head portion to
treat a localized area of human skin with the gas.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes an
end to removably attach to the oxygenating attachment, and at least
one opening extending through the oxygenating attachment to allow
the treatment gas to travel from the at least one opening in the
head portion through the oxygenating attachment.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, a plurality of openings extending
through the end to allow the treatment gas to travel from the head
portion to the oxygenating attachment.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an end of the head
having the surface, the end to removably attach to the oxygenating
attachment to treat the localized area of human skin with the gas;
a plurality of openings extending through the surface to allow the
gas to travel from the head portion to the oxygenating
attachment.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, the oxygenating attachment further
comprising a surface coupled to the end, the attachment having a
porous material between a top surface and the bottom surface to
allow gas to be pushed from the bottom surface, through the
material and out the top surface to treat the localized area of
human skin with the gas.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the oxygenating attachment
comprises: a first end having dimension suitable for attaching to
the end of the head portion with one of a threaded attachment, a
"snap-on" attachment, a hook and loop material attachment, an
adhesive, a magnetic attractive force, a heat bonding, and a double
sided tape; and a second end comprising a surface having dimensions
suitable for contacting localized areas of human skin with the gas
and a composition.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the oxygenating attachment
comprises: a porous material having a shape with a sidewall and a
center portion defined within the sidewall wherein the center
portion has a porosity that is greater than a porosity of the
sidewall.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygenating attachment
comprises one of a porous mass, a sponge material, a cotton
material, a silicone material, a plastic material, a metal
material, a cork material, and a silk material; and wherein the
porous material comprises one of a naturally occurring porosity,
and a man made porosity.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion comprises a
motion generator to vibrate the head portion to treat a localized
area of human skin with the vibration; and further comprising a
power cord to plug into a wall outlet to provide alternating
current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to the motion
generator.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: an end of the
head having the surface, the end to removably attach to the
oxygenating attachment to treat the localized area of human skin
with the gas and the vibration; at least one opening extending
through the surface to allow the gas to travel from the head
portion to the oxygenating attachment.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, the oxygenating attachment further
comprising a bottom surface coupled to the end, the attachment
having a porous material between a top surface and the bottom
surface to allow gas to be pushed from the bottom surface, through
the material and out the top surface to treat the localized area of
human skin with the gas and the vibration.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the oxygenating attachment
comprises: the porous material having a shape with a sidewall and a
center portion defined within the sidewall; wherein the center
portion has a porosity and a surface suitable to treat localized
areas of human skin with the gas, the vibration, and a composition
applied to the localized areas.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygenating attachment
comprises bristles and at least one opening extending through the
oxygenating attachment to allow the treatment gas to travel from
the at least one opening in the head portion through the
oxygenating attachment.
15. A method comprising: drawing gas into a head portion through a
hose attached to the a handle coupled to the head portion, pushing
gas out of a porous material of a treatment attachment coupled to
the head portion; manipulating the handle to treat an area of human
skin with the gas pushed out of the treatment attachment.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the surface is a first surface
and the gas is one of air and oxygen; and further comprising:
pushing gas out through at least one opening in a second surface of
the head and into the porous material, wherein the first surface is
oriented opposite the second surface.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: vibrating the head
portion with a motion generator located in the head portion and
powered from a power cord to plug into a wall outlet to provide
alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to the motion
generator.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein vibrating the head portion
includes at least one of propagating sonic waves through,
vibrating, and oscillating the head portion and the attachment.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein vibrating the head portion
comprises simultaneously vibrating the head portion with a motion
generator of the apparatus to treat the area of human skin with the
oxygenating treatment attachment while drawing, pushing and
manipulating; and wherein the head portion includes a first end to
removably attach to the oxygenating attachment to apply the
treatment gas to the area of human skin, and at least one opening
extending through the first end to allow the treatment gas to
travel from the head portion to the oxygenating attachment.
20. An apparatus comprising: a device having only one head portion
and a handle portion that is capable of manipulation within a human
hand and suitable for gripping by a human hand; and a porous
material including a first end attached to the one head portion, a
second end including a surface having dimensions suitable to apply
a treatment gas to localized areas of human skin, and a plurality
of pores to allow a treatment gas to travel from the first end to
the second end.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/938,087 filed Sep. 10, 2004.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to skin
and body treatment.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Facial skin rejuvenation has been accomplished by chemical
treatment referred to as "chemical peels" or laser treatment
referred to as "laser surgery" and exfoliation by machine driven
methods, such as with emery paper. Such methods generally require
medical supervision and involve some risk of deleterious side
effects as well as pain and discomfort during treatment. These
methods all require long recovery time between treatments.
[0006] Microdermabrasion (e.g., microexfoliation, particle skin
resurfacing) is a technique in skin care in which a controlled
exfoliation of the skin is performed to improve and remove skin
abnormalities. A typical spa microdermabrasion machine consists of
a vacuum pump compressor that draws crystals of corundum (aluminum
oxide or alumina) from a container through an output tube into a
hand piece. When the hand piece is applied to skin it creates a
path wherein crystals are drawn across the skin into a suction tube
that leads to a disposal container for the used crystals and
abraded skin (e.g., abraded skin such as to exfoliate skin). A
filter in the suction tube protects moving parts of the vacuum
pump. A technician manipulates the hand piece over the skin of the
subject to induce exfoliation.
[0007] In addition to the noted facial skin rejuvenation, many
individuals seek various treatments to rejuvenate or recondition or
otherwise modify their skin and body, including their face, limbs,
torso, hands, feet, scalp, hair, nails, cuticles, and other parts
of the human body. Representative treatments include moisturizing
treatments, hair removal and callus reduction or conditioning
(e.g., softening), particularly on hands and feet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Various embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It
should be noted that references to "an," "one," "the," "other,"
"alternative," or "various" embodiments in this disclosure are not
necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at
least one.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of an
apparatus having two head portions.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of the apparatus through line A-A of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic side perspective views of the
apparatus of FIG. 2 having an applicator attachment coupled to one
head portion and a brush attachment coupled to the other head
portion.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic back view of the applicator attachment
of FIGS. 4A and 4B prior to attachment to the head portion.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the applicator attachment
of FIGS. 4A and 4B prior to attachment to the head portion.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the applicator attachment
of FIGS. 4A and 4B after attachment to the head portion.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an
apparatus having two head portions, where one head portion has
openings there-through.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the
apparatus of FIG. 8.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows a porous attachment for treating an area of
skin or body part with a gas, such as oxygen.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows the porous attachment of FIG. 10 attached to a
tool or device for manipulation by a human hand.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a flow chart describing one embodiment of an
operation to treat skin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following paragraphs describe embodiments of
compositions, devices, and attachments that may be used, in one
aspect, in treating, cosmetically treating, heat treating, cold
treating, light treating, oxygen treating, rejuvenating, cleaning,
and/or polishing human skin and body parts of a human body. For
example, as used herein, a body part may including the face, neck,
limbs, torso, hands, feet, elbows, knees, ears, scalp, hair, nails,
cuticles, and other body parts of a human being.
[0022] In one embodiment, a composition is disclosed including a
base and a number of abrasive particles. In one embodiment, the
composition includes a base including a moisturizer suitable for
application to human skin and a number of abrasive particles.
Suitable abrasive particles include, but are not limited to,
inorganic particles such as aluminum oxide (e.g., corundum,
alumina, Al.sub.2O.sub.3), silicon carbide, silicon carbide coated
particles, magnesium oxide (e.g., MgO), alumina zirconia, ceramics,
plastic, and precious stones including, but not limited to,
diamond, garnet, sapphire, ruby, emerald, and topaz. It is also
considered that the abrasive particles may include naturally
occurring particles, pumice, pumicite, perlite, reticulite, tephra,
lima, zeolite, obsidian, sand, other volcanic rock, glass, metal,
and particles having a hardness of greater than three on the
hardness scale. Also, appropriate abrasive particles may include
one or more gemstones including agate, alexandrite, amethyst,
ametrine, andalusite, andradite, apatite, aquamarine, axinite, bi
color tourmaline, bixbite, chalcedony, chrome tourmaline,
chrysoberyl, chrysoberyl cats eye, chrysocolla quartz, chrysoprase,
clinohumite, color change garnet, color change sapphire, danburite,
demantoid, diamond, dinosaur bone, dioptase, emerald, enstatite,
epidote, fibrolite, fire agate, fluorite, fresh water pearls,
garnet, grossularite, hemimorphite, hessonite, idocrase, intarsia,
iolite, kornerupine, kunzite, kyanite, lapis, malachite, malaia
garnet, mali garnet, mawsitsit, moonstone, morganite, natrolite,
opal, peridot, pezzottaite, phenakite, prehnite, quartz, rhodolite,
rubelite, ruby, sapphire, sapphirine, scapolite, fused silica,
spessartite, sphalerite, sphene, spinel, star sapphire, taaffeite,
tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, tsavorite, turquoise, and zircon.
Moreover, an embodiment of the composition can have one or more
type of abrasive particles.
[0023] In one embodiment, the abrasive particles are in a
crystalline form. Representatively, the abrasive particles are
microcrystals having an average particle size on the order of 34
microns (.mu.m) to 556 .mu.m (320 to 30 grit). Also, the average
particle size of the microcrystals may be on the order of about 42
.mu.m to 198 .mu.m (280 to 60 grit). Representatively, the average
particle size of the microcrystals may be on the order of about 60
grit to 80 grit for callus softening. In one embodiment, the
average particle size is less than 125 .mu.m, such as by having an
average particle size of 40 .mu.m, 50 .mu.m, 60 .mu.m, 70 .mu.m, 80
.mu.m, 90 .mu.m, 100 .mu.m, 110 .mu.m, or 120 .mu.m. Also, the
average particles size may be a grit size of between 320 and 30
grit.
[0024] When rubbed on the skin, the abrasive nature of the
particles in the composition render the composition suitable as a
rejuvenator (e.g., exfoliator) to improve the look and feel of an
area of human skin and remove skin abnormalities. The abrasive
particles dispersed in the composition tend to remove the outer
layer of skin (the epidermis) to expose an underlayer of skin. In
one embodiment, the particles polish the surface of the skin
smooth. It is also contemplated that the particles may be used to
treat a body part of a human body, as described above.
[0025] It is considered that the abrasive particles may be applied
and may abrade using an applicator or brush, such as an applicator
attachment, porous attachment, oxygenating attachment, or brush
attachment described below. For instance, the composition may be
applied to the skin and then moved across the skin using a
treatment attachment or applicator, such as by rubbing into the
skin, to work the composition into the skin. Alternatively, the
composition may be applied to a treatment attachment or an
applicator, and applied to, moved across, and rubbed into the skin
using the treatment attachment or applicator. Specifically, such a
treatment attachment may be attached to a treatment device or tool
as described herein. For instance, a handle of the treatment device
may be manipulated and the treatment attachment may be moved to
cause a surface or bristles of the treatment attachment attached to
the treat device to abrade an area of human skin and body parts
with the abrasive particles (e.g., such as to remove, exfoliate, or
abraded skin body part cells). Also, a composition containing the
abrasive particles may be part of a substance such as a powder; a
liquid (e.g., such as by being suspended in a base solution); a
cleaning solution; a polishing solution; on a surface of an
applicator, oxygenating attachment, or porous attachment (e.g.,
such as by being attached to that surface with an adhesive); in,
on, as part of, or at the tip of bristles of a brush attachment
(e.g., such as by being attached to those bristles with an
adhesive). For example, a treatment attachment may be dipped into a
powder, liquid, composition, or a solution having the abrasive
particles.
[0026] Furthermore, according to embodiments, a cleaning
composition or solution is disclosed including a cleaning agent for
cleaning human skin. Suitable cleaning agents include, but are not
limited to astringent, alcohol, witch-hazel, soap, grease or oil
cutting solution, shampoo, dishwashing liquid, liquid soap, makeup
remover, and/or other skin cleaning agents, such as for the face
and neck of a person. For example, cleaning agents in a cleaning
solution may or may not be dissolved in the cleaning solution.
Similarly, it can be appreciated that abrasive particles in a
cleaning solution may not be dissolved there-in. Moreover, an
embodiment of the cleaning solution can have one or more types of
cleaning agents. In some embodiments, in addition to a cleaning
agent, the cleaning solution may have abrasive particles suspended
therein. Suitable particles size may be driven in part by the
viscosity of the cleaning composition. It is also contemplated that
the cleaning composition or solution may be used to treat body
parts of a human body.
[0027] The cleansing nature of the cleaning agent(s) in the
cleaning composition renders the composition suitable to clean an
area or layer of skin or a body part. The cleaning composition may
be used to improve the look and feel of an area of human skin and
remove dirt, loose cells, and exfoliated cells, from a layer or
area of skin. Thus, the cleaning solution tends to clean the outer
layer of skin (the epidermis) to expose a dirt free underlayer of
skin. In cases where the skin has been exfoliated prior to applying
the cleaning solution, use of the cleaning solution may clean the
outer layer of exfoliated skin cells, abrasive particles, dirt, and
other substances to expose an underlayer of skin having reduced
amounts of those substances.
[0028] It is considered that the cleaning solution may be applied
and may clean using a brush, such as a brush having abrasive or
soft bristles. Specifically, a brush to apply and clean using the
cleaning solution may be a brush attachment, oxygenating
attachment, or porous attachment attached to a treatment device or
tool as described herein. For instance, a handle of the treatment
device may be manipulated and the brush attachment, oxygenating
attachment, or porous attachment may be moved to cause the brush or
other attachment surface to abrade, clean, or polish an area of
human skin with the cleaning solution (e.g., such as to remove
exfoliated or abraded skin particles after exfoliation, to cleans
and/or polish the area of the skin). Specifically, the cleaning
agent may be part of various substances and be applied to the skin
and body part, directly or via the treatment attachment, such as
described above for the abrasive particles.
[0029] Similarly, according to embodiments, a polishing solution or
compound is disclosed including a polishing agent for polishing
human skin. Suitable polishing agents include, but are not limited
to lotions, astringent, alcohol, witch-hazel, the abrasive
particles mentioned above, and/or other skin polishing agents, such
as for the face and neck of a person. Suitable polishing agents may
or may not include abrasive particles. Moreover, an embodiment of
the polishing solution can have one or more types of polishing
agents. It is also contemplated that the polishing solution may be
used to treat body parts of a human body.
[0030] The polishing nature of the polishing agent(s) in the
polishing solution render the composition suitable to polish an
area or layer of skin or other body part. The polishing solution
may be used to improve the look and feel of an area of human skin
and polish abraded or other skin cells of a layer or area of skin.
Thus, the polishing solution tends to polish the outer layer of
skin (the epidermis) to make the layer smooth and shiny.
[0031] It is considered that the polishing solution may be applied
and may polish using a brush, such as a brush having soft bristles.
Specifically, a brush to apply and polish using the polishing
solution may be a brush attachment, oxygenating attachment, or
porous attachment attached to a treatment device or tool as
described herein. For instance, a handle of the treatment device
may be manipulated and the brush attachment, oxygenating
attachment, or porous attachment may be moved to cause the brush or
attachment surface to polish an area of human skin with the
polishing solution (e.g., such as to smooth a cleaned area of skin
after cleaning as described above). Specifically, the cleaning
agent may be part of various substances and be applied to the skin
or a body part directly or via the treatment attachment, such as
described above for the abrasive particles.
[0032] In addition to the treatment specified above, according to
embodiments, skin and body parts, as described above, may be
treated by applying oxygen, illuminating with light, radiating cold
into, or radiating heat onto the skin and body part. Thus, one or
more (e.g., a series) of these rejuvenation, oxygenating, lighting,
cooling, heating, cleansing, and/or polishing treatments may be
used to improve the skin and body parts subject to the treatment.
Such improvements include improvement in the appearance of fine
lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, acne, large pores, sluggish skin,
non-inflammatory acne, acne scars, surgical scars, rough or coarse
textured skin, age spots, blotchy skin conditions, burns, wounds,
abrades, and sun damaged skin. In addition, such treatments include
rejuvenation, cleansing, and/or polishing of the skin to soften the
skin, smooth the skin, sooth the skin. For example, one or more
treatments may be used to treat the skin and body parts, such as to
improve the appearance and texture of the skin and reducing
roughness, rough patches, and callused skin.
[0033] In one embodiment, the tool or device may be a portable
apparatus suitable for contacting the skin and/or body parts, where
the apparatus has an applicator attachment removably attached to
one moveable head portion and a brush attachment removably attached
to another moveable head portion. The applicator attachment and
brush attachment have dimensions suitable for contacting body parts
and/or localized areas of human skin, such as areas of the face,
neck, hair, cuticles, nails, scalp, limbs, torso, hands and feet.
For example, the applicator attachment and brush attachment may be
used to treat acne, and/or acne scars, such as on the face, neck,
back, and chest of a person.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of an
apparatus having two head portions. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view
of the apparatus of FIG. 1. Referring to the example shown in FIG.
1 and FIG. 2, apparatus 100 includes device or tool 110 having
handle portion 130, head portion 120 and head portion 140. Head
portions 120 and 140 are opposite each other in embodiments.
Treatment attachments may be removably attached to head portion 120
and head portion 140, as will be described further below with
respect to FIGS. 4-12.
[0035] According to embodiments, there may be between one and four
head portions, such as for a device or tool having three or four
head portions similar to head portions 120 and 140. Thus, in a
device having three head portions, a view from above the device
looking down along a longitudinal axis of the handle would show a
triangular arrangement or orientation of the head portions.
Similarly, in a device having four head portions, a view from above
the device looking down along a longitudinal axis of the handle
would show a square arrangement or orientation of the head
portions. Moreover, each head portion of a device having between
one and four head portions may be a head portion and may have a
treatment attachment attached thereto, as described herein for head
portion 120 and treatment attachments to attach thereto.
[0036] For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, head portion 120
has exterior sidewall 125, exterior surface 126, and first end 122
onto which may be mounted a treatment attachment to treat an area
of human skin or a body part. In addition, exterior sidewall 125 is
shown with recesses 127 and 128, such as recesses to be engaged by
protuberances of a treatment attachment to be mounted on head
portion 120 (e.g., also described below or FIGS. 6-7).
[0037] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, head portion 140
has exterior sidewall 145, exterior surface 146, and first end 142
onto which may be mounted a treatment attachment to treat an area
of human skin or a body part. In addition, exterior sidewall 145 is
shown with recess 147, such as recesses to be engaged by
protuberances of a treatment attachment to be mounted on head
portion 140 (e.g., also described below or FIGS. 6-7). Thus, device
or tool 110 may then be positioned, oriented or reoriented to use a
treatment device attached to head portion 120, and then positioned,
oriented or reoriented to use a treatment device attached to head
portion 140, or vice versa.
[0038] Additionally, according to embodiments, head portion 140,
exterior sidewall 125, exterior surface 146, first end 142, recess
147, and features and functions thereof may correspond to similar
structures head portion 120, exterior sidewall 125, exterior
surface 126, first end 122, recess 127, and features and functions
thereof as described herein. Specifically, those features may be
the same size as their corresponding feature on the other head.
Thus, treatment devices may be attached to, removed from, and
switch between (e.g., such as by being interchangeably mountable on
head portion 120 as well as head portion 140) head portion 120 and
head portion 140.
[0039] In another embodiment, head portion 120 has a different
attachment mechanism than head portion 140 so that only a subset of
treatment attachments will attach thereto. For example, a brush
attachment or abrasive applicator pad attachment may mate properly
with head portion 120, but not head portion 140; while a sponge
applicator attachment may mate properly with head portion 140, but
not head portion 120.
[0040] Device or tool 110 may be a dynamic device or tool in the
sense that it includes moveable parts such as a device that
vibrates or otherwise moves a portion of device or tool 110, such
as head portion 120 and/or head portion 140. The dynamic device or
tool may be powered by fixed or moveable internal power supply such
as battery power, or an external source such as a cord connected to
a wall outlet. Moreover, device or tool 110 may be powered by a
direct current ("DC") battery or by an alternating current ("AC")
power source. In addition, the power source or batteries of device
or tool 110 may be charged by a charger as explained further below
with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Also, the dynamic device or tool
may be powered by an internal power supply such as mechanical power
involving a spring and a pull cord, rubber band, or winder to wind
the spring.
[0041] Handle portion 130 is capable of manipulation by a human
hand and is suitable for gripping by a human hand, for example,
with at least one finger of an adult human hand capable of
extending around handle portion 130 to contact a thumb of the same
hand. In this manner, device or tool 110 is of a size such that it
may be maneuvered within a human hand. In one embodiment, handle
portion 130 is adapted, at least for a dynamic device, to house in
an interior volume, a removable/replaceable power source, such as
batteries (e.g., one or more AA batteries, or nickel metal hydride
batteries), optional circuitry for coupling to an AC power source,
and circuitry to operate a motor (e.g., DC) driven apparatus.
Device or tool 110, including handle portion 130 and head portion
140, in one embodiment, is formed of a plastic casing. In another
embodiment, the casing may be metallic, wood, composite, plastic,
or rubber.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of device or tool 110 through line A-A of FIG. 2,
specifically illustrating a dynamic device including, in this
embodiment, a mechanism to vibrate head portions 120 and 140 of
device or tool 110. In this embodiment, device or tool 110 includes
handle portion 130 having interior chamber 251 to accommodate a
removable power source. In one example, the power source is two AA
batteries that fit within interior chamber 251 of handle portion
130. A location of conductors 253 and 254 define an end of the
interior chamber 251. Leads 256 and 258 are connected to conductors
253 and 254, respectively, and bring current to/from motor 260.
Lead 256 is coupled to circuit board 270 that includes switch 275
to control the operation of motor 260. Switch 275 may be a
two-position switch (ON/OFF) or a multiple position switch for
operating motor 260 at multiple or veritable speeds.
[0043] Motor 260 is positioned, in this example, in interior
portion 281 of head portions 120 and 140 of device or tool 110 and
includes shaft 262 extending from one end of motor 260. Shaft 262
is rotated (as illustrated) with the operation of motor 260. It is
contemplated that motor 260 and/or a motion generator may be
located within device or tool 110 at various orientations, such as
sideways, lengthwise, upwards pointing, or downwards pointing with
respect to an arrow drawn along the longitudinal axis from handle
130 towards a median point between head portion 120 and 140.
[0044] Connected to an end of shaft 262 of motor 260 is eccentric
mass 264. In this embodiment, eccentric mass 264 is a
semi-cylindrical body coupled at its axis to shaft 262. In this
manner, as eccentric mass 264 rotates, its shape generates a
rhythmic motion in head portions 120 and 140 of device or tool 110
producing a vibration.
[0045] Motor 260 and eccentric mass 264 may be designed to move at
the first head portion or the second head portion. For example,
device or tool 110 may include motion selection switch 285 to
select movement of either head portion 120 or head portion 140 at
one time. It is also contemplated that switch 285 may include a
selection to move both head portion 120 and head portion 140 at one
time. Alternatively, device or tool 110 may not include a motion
selection switch 285, but may have both head portion 120 and head
portion 140 moving at the same time.
[0046] Moreover, it is contemplated that instead of motor 260 and
eccentric mass 264, device or tool 110 may include a motion
generator without a motor, such as a sonic wave generator to
propagate sonic and/or ultrasonic waves through head portion 120
and/or head portion 140. Such a sonic generator may be powered by
an internal, external, rechargeable, mechanical and/or electrical
power source as noted above.
[0047] It is also contemplated that device or tool 110 may include
a motion generator to spin head portion 120 and/or head portion
140. Similarly, the motion generator may spin one or both of the
head portions back and forth, such as by spinning the head portion
a partial, full, or multiple rotations in one direction, and then
by spinning the head portion back by a partial, full, or multiple
rotations in the opposite direction. The rotation in the first
direction can be more, less or equal to the amount of rotation back
in the opposite direction. Such a spinning motion generator may
include motor 260 and may include switch 285 to select movement of
head portion 120, head portion 140, or both. It is also
contemplated that the motor may generate oscillating motion such as
when the poling of the alternating current applied to the motor
change rapidly. Such motion is generally deemed to fall within the
broad category of vibratory motion. As described herein, moving of
head portions and/or treatment attachments may include spinning in
one direction, spinning back and forth. Furthermore, head portion
and/or treatment attachments may be moved by sonic wave, ultrasonic
wave, oscillating, or vibrating motion generators of device or tool
110 or may be moved by manipulating handle portion 130,
oscillating, vibrating, or manually causing motion of the head
portion or treatment attachment with respect to a point on skin or
a body part.
[0048] In addition to device or tool 110, the embodiment of
apparatus 100, illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, may include treatment
attachments attached to head portion 120 and/or head portion 140.
For instance, FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic side perspective views
of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 having an applicator attachment
coupled to one head portion and a brush attachment coupled to the
other head portion. FIGS. 4A and 4B show applicator attachment 200
attached to head portion 120. Applicator attachment 200 includes
pad 220. Pad 220 has dimensions suitable for contacting localized
areas of human skin or a body part. In one embodiment, pad 220
includes an abrasive surface, such as a surface of metal, plastic,
rubber, or adhesive, having abrasive particles as described above
attached thereto by adhesive, where the particles of a grit size of
between 320 and 30 grit. For instance, pad 220 may have an abrasive
surface including inorganic particles such as aluminum oxide (e.g.,
corundum, alumina, Al.sub.2O.sub.3), silicon carbide, silicon
carbide coated particles, magnesium oxide (e.g., MgO), alumina
zirconia, ceramics, plastic, and precious stones including, but not
limited to, diamond, garnet, sapphire, ruby, emerald, and topaz. In
addition, the abrasive surface may include naturally occurring
particles, pumice, pumicite, perlite, reticulite, tephra, lima,
zeolite, obsidian, sand, other volcanic rock, glass, metal, and
particles having a hardness of greater than three on the hardness
scale. Such an abrasive surface may include a plurality of abrasive
particles attached to a generally planar surface. For example,
appropriate abrasive particles may include one or more gemstones
including agate, alexandrite, amethyst, ametrine, andalusite,
andradite, apatite, aquamarine, axinite, bi color tourmaline,
bixbite, chalcedony, chrome tourmaline, chrysoberyl, chrysoberyl
cats eye, chrysocolla quartz, chrysoprase, clinohumite, color
change garnet, color change sapphire, danburite, demantoid,
diamond, dinosaur bone, dioptase, emerald, enstatite, epidote,
fibrolite, fire agate, fluorite, fresh water pearls, garnet,
grossularite, hemimorphite, hessonite, idocrase, intarsia, iolite,
kornerupine, kunzite, kyanite, lapis, malachite, malaia garnet,
mali garnet, mawsitsit, moonstone, morganite, natrolite, opal,
peridot, pezzottaite, phenakite, prehnite, quartz, rhodolite,
rubelite, ruby, sapphire, sapphirine, scapolite, fused silica,
spessartite, sphalerite, sphene, spinel, star sapphire, taaffeite,
tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, tsavorite, turquoise, and zircon.
[0049] Pad 220 may be formed to have a desired geometry. For
example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, pad 220
is suitable for cosmetic and rejuvenation treatments to the face
and neck of a human, such as to treat acne, large pores, sluggish
skin, and/or acne scars thereon. It is appreciated that pad 220 and
applicator attachment 200 are also suitable for use on areas of
skin or a body part besides the face and neck (e.g., such as for
use on hair, nails, cuticles, scalp, hands, feet, limbs, and torso
of a person). Accordingly, pad 220 has, in this embodiment,
geometry of a polygon shape such as the generally triangular shape
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The triangular shape allows pad 220 to be
maneuvered between surfaces or in recessed areas (e.g., such as
between the nose and cheeks) with a portion of the surface (e.g.,
an abrasive exterior surface) remaining in contact with the skin
(e.g., at the base of the nose). In one embodiment, each side 235
of triangular pad 220 has a length on the order of about 1.5 to
four inches (3.5 to 10 cm). In one embodiment, each corner 230 of
pad 220 is blunted reducing the distance to the corner by on the
order of, for example, 0.01 to 0.67 inches (0.025 to 17 mm).
[0050] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, pad 220
includes exterior surface portion 255 (superior surface as viewed)
that includes an abrasive surface. Pad 220 also includes body 265 a
portion of which includes border 250 surrounding the abrasive
surface. Border 250 may include a smooth, possibly deformable
surface having a rounded edge.
[0051] According to embodiments, pad 220 may have a plurality of
sides, such as side 235; a plurality of corners, such as corner
230; and a border, such as border 250. Also, pad 220 may have
various shapes, including a teardrop shape, or a polygon shape
having a plurality of elliptically shaped corners, each corner
having two points where the elliptically shaped corner deviates
from two sides of the polygon, and an apex. Moreover, each of those
points may be located in a range of between 0.062 inches (1.5 mm)
and 0.67 inches (17 mm) from where two sides of the polygon would
meet to from an apex. Also considered, are abrasive surface
geometries where a width of a rounded corner where the rounding of
a polygon corner begins is in a range between 0.062 inches (1.5 mm)
and 0.67 inches (17 mm) in width.
[0052] For instance, in the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B,
generally triangular shaped pad 220 has three side lengths and
three rounded corners, each corner comprising an elliptical shape
having a curvature initiated along two side lengths of the
triangle, where the curvature is initiated in the range between 0.1
inches (2.5 mm) and 0.67 (17 mm) inches from where the two side
lengths, if continued, would form an apex.
[0053] Applicator attachment 200 may also include pad 220 having
cushioning layer 261 between, for example, an exterior surface and
a cap component of applicator attachment 200 (described below). In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, pad 220 includes exterior surface
portion 255 (such as an abrasive surface and backing), cushioning
layer 261, and body 265 that acts as a frame and/or support for
exterior surface portion 255 and cushioning layer 261. As
illustrated, body 265 includes border 250 (described above).
[0054] FIGS. 4A and 4B also show brush attachment 300 attached to
head portion 140. Brush attachment 300 includes bristles 320
including, such as abrasive bristles made of or including one or
more natural and/or synthetic material, such as hair, plastic,
nylon, polymer, metal, composite, polyurethane, latex, rubber and
resin. Bristles 320 have dimensions suitable for contacting or
being applied to localized areas of human skin (e.g., such as to
treat acne, large pores, sluggish skin, and/or acne scars) or a
body part. In one embodiment, bristles 320 form a brush for
brushing an abraded area of human skin with abrasive bristles to
remove exfoliated or partially abraded skin particles. In another
embodiment, bristles 320 form a brush for brushing an abraded area
of human skin with soft bristles to polish or cleanse areas of
human skin. It is also contemplated that bristles 320 may include a
combination of abrasive, non-abrasive, soft, polishing, cleansing,
and/or other appropriate bristles for treating an area of human
skin. Specifically, bristles 320 can have abrasive particles in,
on, as part of, and/or at the tip of the bristles suitable to treat
skin and body parts. Also, bristles 320 may have abrasive
particles, such as aluminum oxide, imbedded in the fiber or
material of the bristles, or adhered to the outer shaft of the
bristles. Suitable abrasive particles include inorganic particles
such as aluminum oxide (e.g., corundum, alumina, Al.sub.2O.sub.3),
silicon carbide, silicon carbide coated particles, magnesium oxide
(e.g., MgO), alumina zirconia, ceramics, plastic, and precious
stones including, but not limited to, diamond, garnet, sapphire,
ruby, emerald, and topaz. In addition, the abrasive particles may
include naturally occurring particles, pumice, pumicite, perlite,
reticulite, tephra, lima, zeolite, obsidian, sand, other volcanic
rock, glass, metal, and particles having a hardness of greater than
three on the hardness scale. Moreover, appropriate abrasive
particles may include one or more gemstones including agate,
alexandrite, amethyst, ametrine, andalusite, andradite, apatite,
aquamarine, axinite, bi color tourmaline, bixbite, chalcedony,
chrome tourmaline, chrysoberyl, chrysoberyl cats eye, chrysocolla
quartz, chrysoprase, clinohumite, color change garnet, color change
sapphire, danburite, demantoid, diamond, dinosaur bone, dioptase,
emerald, enstatite, epidote, fibrolite, fire agate, fluorite, fresh
water pearls, garnet, grossularite, hemimorphite, hessonite,
idocrase, intarsia, iolite, kornerupine, kunzite, kyanite, lapis,
malachite, malaia garnet, mali garnet, mawsitsit, moonstone,
morganite, natrolite, opal, peridot, pezzottaite, phenakite,
prehnite, quartz, rhodolite, rubelite, ruby, sapphire, sapphirine,
scapolite, fused silica, spessartite, sphalerite, sphene, spinel,
star sapphire, taaffeite, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, tsavorite,
turquoise, and zircon. Bristles 320 can be a number of bristles
each having a bristle thickness between 0.0001 to 0.0150 inch.
[0055] According to embodiments, bristles 320 may be used to apply
a cleaning solution or a polishing solution as described above.
Specifically, bristles 320 may apply a cleaning solution to and/or
clean a body part, an area of skin, or a layer of skin with a
cleaning solution. Moreover, bristles 320 may apply a polishing
solution to and/or polish a body part, an area of skin, or a layer
of skin with a cleaning solution. It can be appreciated that
bristles 320 may be used to apply both a cleaning solution and a
polishing solution at the same time, or during separate times
(e.g., such as to the same or different body parts, areas or layers
of skin).
[0056] Bristles 320 (e.g., as either a collection of different
types of bristles as described above, or as a group of an
individual type of bristle as described above) may be formed to
have a desired geometry, such as by having various shapes,
including a polygon shaped, curved shaped, or circular shaped cross
section with respect to an axis extending through the center of the
head portion brush attachment 300 is mounted on and brush
attachment 300. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
4A and 4B, bristles 320 are suitable for cosmetically treating,
rejuvenation, cleansing, and/or polishing treatments (e.g., such as
treatment including removing or cleaning exfoliated or abraded
skin, and or treating acne, large pores, sluggish skin, and acne
scars of the face and neck of a human). Moreover, bristles 320 may
be used to polish cleaned or abraded skin or a body part. It is
appreciated that bristles 320 and brush attachment 300 are also
suitable for use on areas of skin or a body part besides face and
neck (e.g., such as for use on hair, nails, cuticles, scalp, hands,
feet, limbs, and torso of a person). Accordingly, bristles 320, as
a group of all the bristles of brush attachment 300, have, in this
embodiment, geometry of a polygon shape such as the generally
hexagonal or triangular shape shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The
hexagonal shape allows bristles 320 to be maneuvered between
fingers and/or toes with a portion of brushing ends of the bristles
(e.g., abrasive bristle ends of multiple bristles) remaining in
contact with the skin (e.g., at the base of the nose and cheeks).
In one embodiment, each side 335 of hexagonal bristles 320 has a
length on the order of about 0.25 to three inches. In one
embodiment, each corner 330 of bristles 320 is blunted reducing the
distance to the corner by on the order of, for example, 0.01 to
0.67 inches.
[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, bristles
320 includes brushing ends 355 (superior surface as viewed) that
includes a number of abrasive bristle ends of multiple bristles.
Bristles 320 also include body 365 a portion of which includes
border 350 surrounding bristles 320. Border 350 may include a
smooth, possibly deformable surface having a rounded edge.
[0058] Similar to the applicator attachment, bristles 320 may have
a plurality of sides, such as side 335; a plurality of corners,
such as corner 330; and a border, such as border 350. Bristles 320
may have a polygon shape including a plurality of elliptically
shaped corners, each corner having two points where the
elliptically shaped corner deviates from two sides of the polygon,
and an apex.
[0059] It is contemplated that treatment attachments in addition to
applicator attachment 200 and brush attachment 300 may be removably
or permanently attached to head portion 120 and head portion 140.
For example, such other treatment attachments include an applicator
for applying cream, liquid, and/or abrasive particles; a sponge
applicator; a porous mass attachment; a brush attachment without
abrasive bristles; a brush attachment with abrasive bristles
imbedded in the fiber of the bristles, in the tip of the bristles,
or adhered to the outer shaft of the bristles; a soft pad buffer;
porous attachment, oxygenating attachment 700 and porous attachment
1000 (e.g., such as an attachment to receive gas from a source of
oxygen that can be an oxygen cylinder, oxygen canister, oxygen tank
including oxygen gas of up to 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI)
pressure, oxygen generator, oxygen manufacturing unit, or cartridge
such as a source of oxygen external or internal and within the
device or tool to which the oxygenating attachment is attached,
also see FIGS. 8-11); a heating unit attachment; a cooling unit
attachment; a light source attachment; and a sponge pad attachment
as described below. In accordance with an embodiment, either or
both of the head portions may include openings to allowing oxygen
and/or other gas or liquid to travel from below the head portion to
a treatment attachment attached to the head portion, such as during
treatment of skin and body parts with the treatment attachment
(e.g., such as oxygenating attachment 700 and porous attachment
1000), as will be described further below with respect to FIGS.
8-11.
[0060] Also, according to embodiments, handle portion 130 may be
designed or adapted, to be received by and stand upright in charger
410. For example charger 410 and handle portion 130 may have
contacts sufficient to form an electrical connection so that a
power source within handle portion 130, such as batteries, may be
charged or recharged. Thus, charger 410 may include circuitry for
connecting to an AC power source, and converting the AC power to
appropriate power (e.g., such as DC power of a lesser voltage) to
charge the power source within handle portion 130. For instance,
charger 410 may be adaptable to connect to a 110 or 220 volt source
of AC, such as from a wall socket. Charger 410 may be formed of a
plastic casing, metal, or other material mentioned herein for
forming device or tool 110, or portions thereof.
[0061] In addition, applicator attachment 200, brush attachment
300, or another treatment attachment may include a cap for
removably attaching to head portion 120 or 140. According to
embodiments, treatment attachments may also attach to head portions
via threaded mating, magnetic attractive force, adhesive, heat
bonding, tape, glue, or other sufficient attachment systems. In
some cases, an oxygenating treatment attachment, porous mass
attachment, or a brush attachment having openings or pores in its
base, can be attached to head portions via adhesive or magnetic
forces and to allow oxygen gas to flow through the attachment to
treat skin or body parts with the attachment. For example, FIG. 5
is a schematic back view of the applicator attachment of FIGS. 4A
and 4B prior to attachment to the head portion. FIG. 5 shows
applicator attachment 200 including cap 280 (see also FIGS. 6-7).
Cap 280 may be an integral part of a portion of applicator
attachment 200 (e.g., such as integral with body 265 (e.g.,
integral plastic)) or affixed to pad 220. In the embodiment shown,
cap 280 is integral with applicator attachment 200 so that a point
of union of pad 220 and cap 280 constitutes interior intermediate
surface 290. Cap 280 also includes interior sidewall 295 extending
longitudinally from interior intermediate surface 290 to define an
interior volume 298 to accept a head portion, such as head portion
120 or 140.
[0062] Sidewall 295 is shown non-continuous in that it contains
spaces or gaps to allow individual portions of sidewall 295 to flex
independently. It can be appreciated that sidewall 295 may be
continuous by not containing spaces, and may be made of a slightly
elastic material to form over a shape of head portion 120 or 140,
to attach there to sufficiently for use. Suitable interior volumes
(e.g., volume 298) for embodiments, include a volume having
dimensions corresponding to dimensions of head portions 120 and 140
of device or tool 110, so that applicator attachment 200 can be
detachably connected to device or tool 110 such as by a threaded
attachment, a pressure lift attachment, a "snap-on" attachment, and
a hook and loop material coupling. Moreover, also contemplated are
permanent couplings of applicator attachments to devices.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 5 and sidewall 295 of cap 280, one
embodiment further includes at least one protuberance 310 extending
laterally from a portion of sidewall 295 into the interior volume.
Thus, applicator attachment 200 may be detachably coupled to a head
portion such as by snapping onto head portion 120 or 140, screwing
onto head portion 120 or 140, or adhering to head portion 120 or
140 with adhesive applied to head portion 120 or 140 or to
applicator attachment 200. The snapping, screwing or a force to
bond the adhesive to attach applicator attachment to head portion
120 or 140 of device or tool 110 to mount it thereon may be applied
by a human hand. Similarly, applicator attachment 200 may be
removed from head portion 120 or 140 by unsnapping, unscrewing, or
peeling of adhesives between applicator attachment 200 and head
portion 120 or 140 (e.g., such as using forces applied by a human
hand).
[0064] According to embodiments, the attachment between the
treatment attachments and head portions may be air tight, such as
by to resist leaking of a gas being pushed or pressured from holes
in the surface of the head portion and into the treatment
attachment. For example, the attachment between applicator
attachment 200, brush attachment 300, an oxygenating treatment
attachment (e.g., see oxygenating attachment 700 and porous
attachment of FIGS. 8-11), a porous mass attachment, or a brush
attachment having openings or pores in its base, can be attached to
a head portion via threaded mating, magnetic attractive force,
adhesive, heat bonding, tape, glue, or other sufficient attachment
systems to allow oxygen gas to flow through the attachment to treat
skin or body parts with the attachment, while resisting leaking air
communicated therebetween at pressure up to 100, 200, or 300 pounds
per square inch (PSI). For instance, the gas may be supplied from a
source of oxygen that can be an oxygen cylinder, oxygen canister,
oxygen tank including oxygen gas of up to 4,000 pounds per square
inch (PSI) pressure, oxygen generator, oxygen manufacturing unit,
or cartridge such as a source of oxygen external or internal and
within the device or tool to which the treatment attachment is
attached.
[0065] Interior intermediate surface 290 and sidewall 295 may be
made of various materials and have a range of sizes. Suitable
interior intermediate surface and sidewall materials include
plastic, metal, composite, polyurethane, latex, rubber and resin.
One suitable range for a longitudinally extending length from the
interior intermediate surface a distance in the range of from 0.06
inches (1.5 mm) to 0.67 inches (17 mm). Once determinate for a
length of sidewall 295 is a length sufficient to engage or be
engaged by head portion 120 or 140. Likewise, suitable sizes or
protuberances include protuberances extending longitudinally from a
portion of the sidewall into the interior volume a distance in the
range of between 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) and 0.25 inches (6.2
mm).
[0066] Cap 280 of applicator attachment 200 may also include
structure within the interior volume 298 such as ridges, tapered
portions, protuberances, indexing structure, posts and recesses for
receiving extensions of the device, in order to more firmly attach
the applicator attachment to the device. For example, as shown in
FIG. 5, inner ridges 321 on interior intermediate surface 290 can
be used to engage correspondingly shaped recesses in head portion
120 or 140 so that applicator attachment 200 is attached to device
or tool 110 more firmly and does not rotate or slide with respect
to the head portion of the device.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the applicator attachment
of FIGS. 4A and 4B prior to attachment to the head portion. FIG. 6
shows, head portion 120 is shown having an exterior shape to mate
with an interior volume of a treatment attachment. For example,
head portion 120 is shown having exterior sidewall 125 and exterior
surface 126 to be accepted by interior volume 298 defined by
interior intermediate surface 290 and interior sidewall 295 of a
treatment attachment, such as applicator attachment 200, brush
attachment 300, or another treatment attachment, such as those
described herein.
[0068] In one embodiment, head portion 120 has a diameter on the
order of about one to two inches (about 2.5 to 5 centimeters). In
one embodiment, a diameter of exterior sidewall 125 is slightly
larger on the order of, for example, 0.01 to 0.03 inches (one to
two millimeters) than interior sidewall 295 of a treatment
attachment.
[0069] It is contemplated that exterior sidewall 125 includes at
least one recess to be engaged by at least one protuberance
extending longitudinally from a portion of the interior sidewall
into the interior volume of a treatment attachment. Specifically,
exterior sidewall 125 may have recess 127 (e.g., also described
above for FIGS. 1 and 2) to be engaged by protuberance 310
extending longitudinally from a portion of the interior sidewall
295 into the interior volume of a treatment attachment, such as
applicator attachment 200, brush attachment 300, or another
treatment attachment, as described herein.
[0070] Thus, a treatment attachment, such as applicator attachment
200 may be detachably coupled to head portion 120 such as by
snapping, screwing, sliding or adhering applicator attachment 200
onto head portion 120 to engage recesses of head portion 120 (e.g.,
such as recess 127) with protuberances of applicator attachment 200
(e.g., such as protuberances 310) to mount it thereon, such as by a
human hand. Similarly, a treatment attachment, such as applicator
attachment 200 may be detached from head portion 120 such as by
un-snapping, un-screwing, sliding or peeling applicator attachment
200 from head portion 120 to disengage recesses of head portion 120
(e.g., such as recess 127) with protuberances of applicator
attachment 200 (e.g., such as protuberances 310) to dismount it
therefrom, such as by a human hand.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the applicator attachment
of FIGS. 4A and 4B after attachment to the head portion.
Illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is a portion of device or tool 110
and applicator attachment 200 attached to head portion 120. FIG. 7,
shows the configuration of applicator attachment 200 attached to
head portion 120 of device or tool 110. In one embodiment,
applicator attachment 200 is connected to head portion 110 through
cap 280. As noted above, with respect to FIGS. 4-6 and the
accompanying text, cap 280 includes interior intermediate surface
290 and sidewall 295 extending longitudinally from interior
intermediate surface 290 and defining interior volume 298 of cap
280. As shown in FIG. 6 sidewall 295, may be a circular body having
a constant diameter along the height of sidewall 295. It is also
contemplated that sidewall 295, may have a shape other than
circular, such as an oval, square, triangular, rectangular,
polygon, curved, hexagonal, or other shape. Moreover, sidewall 295,
may have a changing diameter along the height of sidewall 295, such
as to form a tapered upwards or downwards surface around the height
of sidewall 295.
[0072] As noted, one or more laterally extending protuberances 310
(See FIG. 5) may extend from sidewall 295 into interior volume 298
to reduce a diameter of the interior volume (when measured across
one or more protuberances 310). In this manner, cap 280 does not
fit easily over exterior sidewall 125 of head portion 120. In one
embodiment, sidewall 295 is made of a thin plastic material that
allows sidewall 295 to be deformed and depressed on (snapped) over
exterior sidewall 125 onto head portion 120 of device or tool 110.
In one embodiment, cap 280 is depressed on head portion 120 of
device or tool 110 so that one or more protuberances 310 are
positioned inferior to exterior sidewall 125. For example, exterior
sidewall 125 may have recess 127 (e.g., described above for FIGS.
1, 2 and 6) may be engaged by protuberance 310 extending
longitudinally into volume 298 of a treatment attachment, as
described with respect to FIGS. 5-6.
[0073] FIG. 7 shows applicator attachment 200 mounted over a
portion of head portion 120 through volume 298. Thus applicator
attachment 200 is detachably coupled to device or tool 110 and
sidewalls 295 are shown slightly flexed outward and slots 331 are
wider toward device or tool 110 so that sidewalls 295 can expand to
tightly fit over a portion of head portion 120 at location 340. In
this embodiment, portion of sidewall 295 of applicator attachment
200 having protuberance 310 may be snapped onto head portion 120
snapping over a lip 190 to form a "snap-on" detachable coupling of
applicator attachment 200 to head portion 120 of device or tool
110. Other treatment attachments described herein may be attached
to head portion 120, as shown and described with respect to FIGS.
6-11, such as brush attachment 300, oxygenating attachment 700, and
porous attachment 1000 (see FIGS. 8-11), and other treatment
attachments described.
[0074] Furthermore, according to embodiments, a portion of sidewall
295 may be a circular body having a diameter that is slightly
larger on the order of, for example, 0.01 to 0.03 inches (one to
two millimeters) than the rest of sidewall 295 of head portion 120
to form a lip 190 (e.g., such as at the top of sidewall 295). In
this manner, cap 280 does not fit easily over the lip of head
portion 120. Thus, sidewall 295 may be made of a thin plastic
material that allows sidewall 295 to be deformed and depressed on
(snapped) over the lip onto head portion 120. In one embodiment,
cap 280 is depressed on head portion 120 so that one or more
protuberances 310 are positioned inferior to the lip (e.g., such as
by being below or past the lip and closer to sidewall 295 than the
extension of the outer diameter of the lip). In this embodiment,
FIG. 7 may show applicator attachment 200 mounted over a portion of
head portion 120 through volume 298 with a portion of sidewall 295
of applicator attachment 200 having protuberance 310 snapped onto
head portion 120 by being snapped over the lip 190 to form a
"snap-on" detachable coupling of applicator attachment 200 over
head portion 120.
[0075] According to embodiments, treatment attachments may also
attach to head portions via threaded mating, magnetic, adhesive,
heat bonding, tape, glue, or other sufficient attachments. For
example, head portion 120 may be threaded, have adhesive, be heat
bonded, or have tape about exterior sidewall 125 and/or first end
122. In addition, head portion 120 may have a threaded opening
through or a threaded mounting device on first end 122. Similarly,
head portion 140 may be threaded, have adhesive, be heat bonded, or
have tape about exterior sidewall 145 and/or first end 142. In
addition, head portion 140 may have a threaded opening through or
mounting device on first end 142.
[0076] Thus, applicator attachment 200 may attach to head portion
120 by sidewall 295 and/or another portion of applicator attachment
200 having threads to mate with those described above for head
portion 120 (e.g., such as so that applicator attachment 200 screws
onto head portion 120). Moreover, applicator attachment 200 may
attach to head portion 120 by sidewall 295 and/or interior
intermediate surface 290 to attach via adhesive, heat bonding, or
tape with exterior sidewall 125 and/or first end 122. Again, it is
noted that other treatment attachments may be attached to head
portion 120, as shown and described above (e.g., by threads,
adhesive, heat, tape, etc.), such as brush attachment 300,
oxygenating attachment 700 and porous attachment 1000 (see FIGS.
8-11), and another treatment attachments described herein.
[0077] According to embodiments, various treatment attachments or
types of treatment attachments may be removably attached or
temporarily secured to and removed from head portion 120 of device
or tool 110. For example, a treatment attachment may be replaced by
switching the treatment attachment with a similar or different type
of treatment attachment after none, one, or many uses. In one
embodiment, applicator attachment 200 or brush attachment 300 may
be removed from the device or tool 110 after use and cleaned. For
example, treatment attachments may be cleaned in water, cleaning
solution, cleaning powder, cleaning cloth, etc. In fact it is
contemplated that tool or device 110 with treatment attachments
attached, may be doused or completely immersed in water to clean
the treatment attachments, and/or tool or device 110. When it is
considered to be no longer useful after, for example, one or more
cleanings, applicator attachment 200 or brush attachment 300 may be
discarded and replaced. In addition, when treatment with a
different attachment is desired, applicator attachment 200 or brush
attachment 300 may be removed from the device or tool 110 and
replaced with another type of treatment attachment. Device or tool
110 may then be positioned, oriented or reoriented to use the other
type of attachment.
[0078] It is believed that an area of human skin or a body part may
be treated with a treatment attachment attached to device or tool
110 as described above (e.g., such as to cosmetically treat, cold
treat, heat treat, light treat, oxygen treat, rejuvenate, dean,
polish (e.g., such as to buff), abrade, and exfoliate the skin or a
body part), as a moving action of the motion generator and
treatment attachment (e.g., such as of applicator attachment 200,
brush attachment 300, or oxygenating attachment 700 and porous
attachment 1000 of FIGS. 8-11 below) helps stimulate skin, muscle,
body part, and tissue to revitalize the treated area. It is
appreciated that, in use, a motion generator may or may not be
used, such as in cases where the treatment attachments are moved
over the skin and/or body part by the user manually moving handle
130.
[0079] It is also contemplated to abrade, exfoliate, or polish the
skin or a body part with a motion generator capable of rotating or
spinning the treatment attachment either in place of or in
conjunction with the vibrating motion described above. For example,
a motion generator having a motor with rotatable shaft connected to
gears, by direct shaft, or other rotational motion transferring
transmission to rotate or spin head portion 120 and/or head portion
140 may be sized to fit within interior portion 281 of device or
tool 110. In an embodiment, the spinning motion generator is
configured to spin the treatment attachment about a central axis of
the attachment. In another embodiment, the spinning mechanism is
configured to spin the treatment attachment about an off-center
axis of the attachment (e.g., to produce a random orbit). A
representative random or standard orbit oscillation is on the order
of 6,000 or fewer revolutions per minute. One such configuration
would allow an attachment such as applicator attachment 200 to be
coupled to a shaft of a motor (e.g., such as motor 160 in FIG.
3).
[0080] In addition, various embodiments include a sonic wave
generator disposed either within the applicator attachment,
adjacent thereto, or both. In operation, sonic waves created by the
sonic wave generator travel through the treatment attachment and
abrade, exfoliate, cosmetically treat, rejuvenate, clean, polish,
and/or massage the skin or a body part of the user. One suitable
sonic wave generator is an ultrasound generator that generates
sound waves from, for example, a vibrating crystal in a generator.
For example, a motion generator including electronics to activate a
vibrating crystal, and structure for transmitting vibration of the
crystal to head portion 120 and/or head portion 140 (e.g., such as
a vibration transferring material attached to the vibrating crystal
and to head portion 120 and/or head portion 140) may be sized to
fit within interior portion 281 of device or tool 110. The sound
waves may be used to increase circulation to an area being
treated.
[0081] Moreover, it is possible to light treat the skin or a body
part with a laser, ultraviolet, liquid crystal display (LCD), light
emitting diode (LED), or an illumination or light providing
treatment attachment. For instance, treatment may be provided by a
light energy providing attachment, which may or may not be in
motion from a motion generator, and may or may not be used to
simultaneously perform another treatment. In an embodiment, the
light energy providing attachment radiates illumination onto the
skin and/or body part. For instance, the light (such as laser or
ultraviolet light) may be generated by a source on the light energy
providing attachment or received from the head portion, or another
source, and emitted or piped through the attachment. Thus the light
may enter the attachment from at least one opening in the head
portion and exit the attachment from at least one opening in a
surface opposite the head portion. A representative illumination
may be between 0.1 watt and 200 watts of light. In addition, the
light energy may be provided to tool or device 110 via an external
source. In some cases the light energy is provided to tool or
device 110, or a tool or device having between 1 and 4 head
portions, via fiber optics fibers to the attachment from a source
producing between 0.1 and 10,000 Watts of light.
[0082] Specifically, a treatment attachment may be attached to head
portion 120 or 140, having a light source or conduit for radiating
light energy onto skin or a body part. For example, the light
source or conduit may be able to illuminate skin and body parts via
light, laser, ultraviolet, liquid crystal display (LCD), light
emitting diode (LED), or light energy as part of a treatment. Thus,
an illumination apparatus (e.g., such as laser, LED, or ultraviolet
light source) and a light conduit (e.g., such as a fiber optic
cable, tube, opening, and/or mirror for transferring and reflecting
the laser, LED, or ultraviolet radiation to head portion 120 and/or
head portion 140 and out an opening through exterior surface 126
and/or exterior surface 146) may be sized to fit within interior
portion 281 of device or tool 110. Specifically, LED may exist in
handle portion 130 and radiate or shoot laser light having a
wavelength in the ultraviolet range towards head portion 120. A
mirror proximate to head portion 120 can be used to reflect the
laser light through an opening in exterior surface 126 and into an
opening of an illumination or light providing treatment attachment
attached to head portion 120. Such an illumination or light
providing treatment attachment may include materials and surfaces
described herein for other treatment attachments (e.g., such as
attachments 200, 300, 700, and 1000), fiber optic cable, tubes,
openings, light conduits, and/or mirrors for providing or radiating
light energy or illumination (e.g., such as ultraviolet and laser
light) onto the skin or a body part of a person. It is also
considered that the light energy may be supplied to the skin or
body part via fiber optics fibers.
[0083] Furthermore, it is possible to treat the skin or a body part
with a laser, ultraviolet, liquid crystal display (LCD), light
emitting diode (LED), or an illumination provided to the skin or
body part from a radiating device other than a treatment
attachment. For instance, treatment may be provided by a light
energy providing conduit as described above, that is part of tool
or device 110, a tool or device such as device 110 but having 1
head portion, 3 head portions, or 4 head portions. Specifically, a
tool or device as described above may have fiber optics fibers or
other light conduit exiting a handle portion or location near,
above, at its top, or between one or more head portions, for
providing the light energy to the skin. The source of light energy
may be any source as described above.
[0084] Also, it is possible to heat treat the skin or a body part
with a thermal a energy providing attachment, which may or may not
be in motion from a motion generator, and may or may not be used to
simultaneously perform another treatment. In an embodiment, the
thermal energy providing attachment radiates heat onto the skin
and/or body part. For instance the heat may be generated by a
source on the thermal energy providing attachment or received from
the head portion, or another source, and piped through the
attachment. Thus the heat may enter the attachment from at least
one opening in the head portion and exit the attachment from at
least one opening in a surface opposite the head portion. A
representative heating flow may be sufficient to heat a layer of
skin having an area equal to that of the attachment to between 75
degrees and 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
[0085] In embodiments, a heating unit may also be disposed either
within a treatment attachment, adjacent thereto, or both. In an
embodiment, the heating unit is capable of heating the treatment
attachment to a temperature between 75 degrees and 500 degrees
Fahrenheit. The heating unit may be, for example, an infrared
light, an ultraviolet light, and/or a resistive heating element
connected to the power source. For example, an electrical power
source, connected to insulated wires, which are in turn connected
to thermally conductive coils to produce resistive heat, may be
sized to fit within interior portion 281 of device or tool 110.
Thus, the power source may provide sufficient current, and the
thermally conductive coils may draw sufficient current, to cause
the thermally conductive coils to heat up head portion 120 and/or
head portion 140 and heat a treatment attachment attached thereto.
The heat from the heating unit advantageously soothes the skin or a
body part during treatment.
[0086] Correspondingly, it is possible to cold treat the skin or a
body part with a cooling energy providing attachment, which may or
may not be in motion from a motion generator, and may or may not be
used to simultaneously perform another treatment. In an embodiment,
the cooling energy providing attachment radiates cold onto the skin
and/or body part. For instance the cold may be generated by a
source on the cooling energy providing attachment or received from
the head portion, or another source, and piped through the
attachment. Thus the cold may enter the attachment from at least
one opening in the head portion and exit the attachment from at
least one opening in a surface opposite the head portion. A
representative cold flow may be sufficient to cool a layer of skin
having an area equal to that of the attachment to between 75
degrees and -250 degrees Fahrenheit.
[0087] In embodiments, a cooling unit may also be disposed either
within a treatment attachment, adjacent thereto, or both. In an
embodiment, the cooling unit is capable of cooling the treatment
attachment to a temperature between 75 degrees and -250 degrees
Fahrenheit. The cooling unit may be, for example, an a hose
supplying a cold gas or liquid, a cold substance (e.g., such as ice
or dry ice) in a compartment of the attachment or head portion, a
source of liquid nitrogen, etc. For example, an insulated hose to
supply liquid nitrogen to cold conductive coils in the head portion
to radiate cold into the treatment attachment, may be sized to fit
within interior portion 281 of device or tool 110. Thus, the hose
and liquid nitrogen source may provide sufficient flow, and the
cold conductive coils may radiate sufficient cold, to cause the
coils to cool head portion 120 and/or head portion 140 and cool a
treatment attachment attached thereto. The cold from the heating
unit may advantageously sooth the skin or a body part during
treatment (e.g., such as by reducing swelling).
[0088] In some cases, the heat energy providing attachment and the
cooling energy providing attachment may be the same attachment. For
instance, a "radiator" style attachment may having tubes, conduits,
vanes, coils, a core, and/or other thermally conducting structure
to communicate heat or cold to skin or a body part from a liquid or
gas flowing therein. The liquid or gas my be supplied from within
the tool or device, or from an external supply, as described
herein. Specifically, a heated or cooled liquid may be supplied to
the radiator attachment and the radiator attachment may radiate the
cold or heat into the skin or body part, such as during or not
during other treatments as described herein. It is contemplated
that the heated or cooled liquid may have a temperature sufficient
to radiate heat or cold to the skin or body part between 500
degrees and -250 degrees Fahrenheit.
[0089] Next, it is possible to oxygen treat the skin or a body part
with a oxygen gas provided from an oxygenating attachment, which
may or may not be in motion from a motion generator, and may or may
not be used to simultaneously perform another treatment. In an
embodiment, the oxygenating attachment allows a gas (e.g., such as
oxygen gas) to seep or be pushed through it by pressure, and
chemically interact with the skin and/or body part. For instance
the oxygen may enter the oxygenating attachment from openings in
the head portion (e.g., such as holes through the top surface of
the head portion) and exit the attachment from a surface opposite
the head portion. More specifically, a source of oxygen, such as a
cartridge within interior portion 281 or a tank exterior to tool or
device 100 may provide oxygen to tubing, gas conduits, openings,
and/or chambers within interior portion 281 to provide the oxygen
to a treatment attachment attached to head portion 120 and/or head
portion 140. It is contemplated that there may be a nozzle or
attachment at handle 130 for transferring the oxygen to tool or
device 110 and a nozzle or attachment exterior surfaces 126 and/or
146 for transferring the oxygen in tool or device 110 to a
treatment attachment attached to head portion 120 and/or head
portion 140. The oxygen may be supplied from a source of oxygen
that can be an oxygen cylinder, oxygen canister, oxygen tank
including oxygen gas of up to 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI)
pressure, oxygen generator, oxygen manufacturing unit, or cartridge
such as a source of oxygen external or internal and within the
device or tool to which the treatment attachment is attached.
[0090] The oxygenating attachment may be attached to a tool or
device having between one and four head portions, as noted above,
such as a device or tool having one, three or four head portions
similar to head portions 120 and 140. Thus, in a device having
three head portions, a view from above the device looking down
along a longitudinal axis of the handle would show a triangular
arrangement or orientation of the head portions. Similarly, in a
device having four head portions, a view from above the device
looking down along a longitudinal axis of the handle would show a
square arrangement or orientation of the head portions.
[0091] For instance, according to embodiments, one or both head
portions of device or tool 110 may include openings for venting or
allowing a stream of liquid, or gas (e.g., such as oxygen or air)
to exit the head portions of device or tool 110, such as to treat
skin or a body part with the liquid or gas. The liquid or gas may
exit device or tool 110 and enter an oxygenating attachment
attached to the head portion. Thus, oxygen provided to the openings
from the device or tool can enter pores of the oxygenating
attachment, travel through pores of the oxygenating attachment, and
exit pores on the other, far, surface of the treatment attachment,
to arrive at and treat a skin surface or body part.
[0092] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an
apparatus having two head portions, where one head portion has
openings there-through. FIG. 9 is a schematic side cross-sectional
view of the apparatus of FIG. 8. FIGS. 8-9 show apparatus 600
having device or tool 110 that includes handle 130, head portion
140, and head portion 720. Head portion 720 includes exterior
sidewall 725, exterior surface 726, and first end 722 onto which
may be mounted a treatment attachment to treat an area of human
skin or a body part. Exterior sidewall 725, exterior surface 726,
and first end 722 may correspond to exterior sidewall 125, exterior
surface 126, and first end 122 in form and function, as described
above. For example, exterior sidewall 725 may include recesses,
such as recesses 127 and 128.
[0093] In addition, exterior surface 726 is shown having one or
more openings 710 therethrough. For example, openings 710 may be
openings extending from the top of surface 726, as shown in FIG. 8,
and extending therethrough to a chamber, adapter, or hose below
openings 710. Thus, it is possible for a gas, such as oxygen gas or
air to seep, be pressured, or be forced from below head portion 720
(e.g., such as from a chamber, adapter, or hose below head portion
720) through openings 710 and to surface 726. A representative
diameter or diameter of a circle including one opening of openings
710 may be between 0.001 millimeters (mm) and 20 mm.
[0094] FIG. 8 also shows hose 732 and adapter 730 attached to tool
or device 110. For example, hose 732 may be a tube for supplying a
gas, such as oxygen or air, to tool or device 110, so that the gas
supplied may exit openings 710. Similarly, adapter 730 may be an
adapter such as for attaching to a source of gas to provide the gas
to hose 732.
[0095] Adapter 730 may be attached to a source of gas, such as a
source of oxygen. For example, adapter 730 may an adapter for
attaching to a tank of oxygen, liquid oxygen, an oxygen generator,
or an oxygen generating apparatus. In some cases, the oxygen may be
supplied from a source of oxygen that can be an oxygen cylinder,
oxygen canister, oxygen tank including oxygen gas of up to 4,000
pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure, oxygen generator, oxygen
manufacturing unit, or cartridge such as a source of oxygen
external or internal and within the device or tool to which a
treatment attachment is to be attached. In addition, embodiments
may include a control for controlling the volume or flow of gas,
such as oxygen gas, provided to head portion 720 and/or 740.
Specifically, a gas flow valve may be attached to the output of an
external tank of oxygen, adapter 730, hose 732, handle portion 130,
and/or hose 734 (e.g., such as to control the flow through hose 734
but having a knob or dial for controlling the flow accessible
externally to handle portion 130, with or without indicia
indicating various flow rates selected by manipulating or twisting
the knob or handle) to control the flow of gas or oxygen flowing
out of openings 710. Such a source and control of gas may supply
oxygen at a pressure of between one pound per square inch (PSI) and
1000 PSI, and at a flow rate of between one and 500 milliliters per
second (ml/sec).
[0096] Alternatively, according to embodiments, a source of gas,
such as oxygen, may be provided within device or tool 110. For
example, a cartridge or canister of gas, such as oxygen, may be
disposed within handle 130 and supply the gas to hose 734. It can
be appreciated that such an embodiment may include or exclude hose
732 and adapter 730. Thus, in such an embodiment, the canister or
cartridge would supply gas, such as oxygen, at an appropriate
pressure and flow rate as described above, such that that gas would
seep, be pressured, or be forced through openings 710 (e.g., with
or without oxygenating attachment 700) to treat skin and body parts
treated at surface 708.
[0097] According to embodiments, a treatment attachment may be
attached to head portion 120, 140, or 720 having a porous material
such as a cloth, sponge, a polyurethane sponge pad, a latex sponge
pad, or other closed-cell sponge material having dimensions
suitable for contacting an area of human skin or a body part. One
suitable sponge material is commonly referred to as "make-up"
sponge material, which is used representatively in the makeup arts.
In one embodiment, the pore size of the sponge material ranges from
15 microns to about 410 microns. Open-cell sponge material may be
used either in place of, or in conjunction with, closed-cell
material. Likewise, a treatment attachment may be attached to head
portion 120 or 140, having a non-porous material, such as cotton,
natural or synthetic fabrics, metal, wood, cork, seaweed, synthetic
rubber, paper, plastic or latex, which can be used in place of, or
in conjunction with, porous material.
[0098] In one embodiment, a treatment attachment may have an
applicator with a pore size that is at least as large as the
average particle size of abrasive particles, as describe herein. In
another embodiment, the applicator has a pore size that enables the
abrasive particles to move within the applicator during
manipulation of the composition over the skin or a body part. Pore
sizes such as these advantageously allow the abrasive particles to
recede into the applicator to prevent the skin from becoming unduly
abraded or exfoliated during use. In one embodiment, the pore sizes
are sufficiently small that the abrasive particles do not become so
deeply-seated in the applicator that the abrasive effects of the
particles is lost. Stated differently, the pore size is established
such that the level of absorption of the particles allow them to
remain effective as an abrasive.
[0099] In other embodiments, the pore size may be less than the
average particle size. Thus, the particles are not able to
penetrate the pores and must stay on the surface or outside of the
material of the treatment attachment.
[0100] Specifically, various treatment attachments may be attached
to head portion 720 of FIG. 8. For example, an oxygenating
attachment may be attached to head portion 720. Thus, gas, such as
oxygen or air, that seeps, is pressured, or is forced through
openings 710 may also seep, be pressured, or forced through an
oxygenating attachment attached to head portion 720, such as to
exit the side of the oxygenating attachment opposite to surface
726, in order to treat skin or a body part. A representative flow
of oxygen may be between 0.1 and 20 pounds per minute.
[0101] According to embodiments, it is also possible to gas or
oxygen treat the skin or a body part with a gas provided from a gas
source using a head portion without a treatment attachment. The
head portion may or may not be in motion from a motion generator,
and may or may not be used to simultaneously perform another
treatment. For instance, head portion 720 of device or tool 110
(e.g., without an oxygenating attachment or any other attachment)
may allow a gas (e.g., such as oxygen gas) to seep or be pushed
through it by pressure, and chemically interact with the skin
and/or body part. Specifically, referring to FIG. 7, head portion
720 may be used to treat skin or a body part, such as an area or
layer of human skin or a body part without a treating attachment,
such as by oxygenating treatment using holes 710 without an
attachment attached to head portion 720.
[0102] Alternatively, for example, FIG. 9 is a schematic side
cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 with an oxygenating
attachment mounted on head portion 720. FIG. 9 shows apparatus 600
having device or tool 110 with handle 130, head portion 140, and
head portion 720. FIG. 9 also shows adapter 730 attached to hose
732 which is in turn attached to hose 734. Hose 734 is attached to
chamber 736, such as a chamber disposed under openings 710 and
having openings 710 extending thereto (e.g., such as where openings
710 extend from surface 726 to chamber 736). It is considered that
adapter 730, hose 732, hose 734, and chamber 736 are of sufficient
size and material to retain a gas, such as oxygen or air,
therewithin so that the gas may be supplied to openings 710. For
example, adapter 730, hoses 732 and 734, chamber 736, and openings
710 may provide a structure that when filled with a gas and
pressurized is leak free of "air tight" so that the gas therewithin
may be pressured or forced out of openings 710, such as into an
oxygenating attachment attached to surface 726, and through the
oxygenating attachment to treat skin or a body part at the surface
of oxygenating attachment 700 opposite from surface 726.
[0103] Specifically, FIG. 9 shows oxygenating attachment 700 having
porous material 702, center portion 706, and side portion 704. For
example, center portion 706 may be an area defined within a
perimeter of the center of oxygenating attachment 700, such as an
area including and extending around openings 710, but not extending
to the side edge of oxygenating attachment 700 (e.g., such as a
side edge corresponding to exterior sidewall 125). On the other
hand, side portion 704 may be defined as a portion of oxygenating
attachment 700 extending around openings 710 and around the
perimeter of oxygenating attachment 700 (e.g., such as extending
around an area of head portion 720 corresponding to exterior
sidewall 125, but not extending over openings 710). Thus, a gas,
such as oxygen or air, seeping, pressured, or forced through
openings 710 to surface 726 may likewise seep, be pressured, or be
forced through center portion 706, but not exit side part 704 of
oxygenating attachment 700. For example, such a gas may have a
volume, 90% of which will exit center portion 706, while the other
10% may exit side part 704. According to embodiments, side part 704
has a porosity much less/or with much smaller pores than that of
center portion 706.
[0104] In some cases oxygenating attachment 700 may not have porous
material, such as when it has openings through its base surface
(e.g., such as the opposite side of material attached to surface
726). For example, oxygenating attachment 700 may or may not have
bristles (e.g., such as bristles 320) attached to a base surface
which is attached to a head portion, and may have holes or openings
through the base material at center portion 706 sufficient to
communicate or let pass a gas, such as oxygen or air, seeping,
pressured, or forced through openings 710 to surface 726 and
through the opening in the base material of the oxygenating
attachment. Suitable base materials may be layers of metal,
plastic, adhesive material, and other materials described above for
forming applicator attachment 200.
[0105] FIG. 9 also shows oxygenating attachment 700 having surface
708, such as a surface of oxygenating attachment 700 opposite that
of pad 220 of head portion 720 when oxygenating attachment 700 is
attached to head portion 720. Thus, such gas may be used to treat
skin or a body part, such as skin or a body part being treated by
surface 708 of oxygenating attachment 700.
[0106] Oxygenating attachment 700 includes porous material 702,
such as including abrasive, non-abrasive, sponge, porous, or other
material having one or more natural and/or synthetic material, such
as a plastic, a nylon, a polyurethane, a latex, a polymer, a
composite, a rubber, a cloth, a polyurethane sponge pad, a latex
sponge pad, or other closed-cell sponge material having dimensions
suitable for contacting an area of human skin or a body part. In
embodiments, porous material 702 may be a material having openings
or conduits extending from surface 726 to surface 708, such as
openings or conduits sufficient to allow a gas, such as oxygen,
steam, water, or fluid, to be received by porous material 702 from
surface 726 and be expelled from surface 708. Also, porous material
702 can have abrasive particles in, on, as part of, and/or at the
tip of the bristles suitable to treat skin and body parts.
[0107] It is contemplated that surface 708 may be an abrasive
surface such as described above with respect to surface 126.
Moreover, porous material 702 may include abrasive particles, such
as described above with respect to pad 220. Moreover, according to
embodiments, oxygenating attachment 700 may be used to apply a
solution, compound, abrasive particles, cream, or other treatment
substance, cold, heat, light, or other treatment substance, or
treatment, as described herein.
[0108] Oxygenating attachment 700 may be attached to head portion
720, such as by adhesive, tape, or "snap-on", or screwed on, or
attached otherwise as described above with respect to attaching
applicator attachment 200 to head portion 120. For example,
oxygenating attachment 700 may include a structure similar to cap
280 in order to be snapped on to head portion 720.
[0109] According to embodiments, a sponge, porous, or oxygenating
attachment, as described above may be used to treat skin, human
hair, scalp, cuticles, and other body parts. For example, an
oxygenating attachment can be used to treat skin and other body
parts by manipulating device or tool 110 (e.g., with or without
moving with a motion generator a head portion on which the
oxygenating attachment is attached), while a supply of gas, such as
oxygen, is provided to the skin and/or body part from surface 708
via head portion 720.
[0110] Treatment attachments, such as a brush attachment 300,
oxygenating attachment 700, a heating unit attachment, a cooling
unit attachment; a light source attachment, a porous mass
attachment, and a sponge pad attachment, as described above, may be
made of plastic, metal, electronic circuitry, printed circuit
board, polyurethane, sponge pad, latex, and/or nylon, polymer.
Also, such a treatment attachment may attach to a head portion as
described above for applicator attachment 200 (e.g., such as by
being attachable to a head portion by adhesive, screw on, or
"snap-on" as described above with respect to FIGS. 6-7).
[0111] Embodiments include a method of manipulating treatment
attachments over an area of human skin or a body part with device
or tool 110 having a handle portion coupled to moving head portions
and suitable for gripping by a human hand to treat skin or a body
part as described above. Movement of the head portions can include
vibrating, spinning and propagating sonic waves therethrough, as
described above.
[0112] Hence, according to embodiments, a tool or device having a
treatment attachment as described herein may apply or be used to
treat skin and body parts by applying pressure and moving the
treatment attachment across the skin and/or body part with upward
circular, back and forth, random, or other movement. Also, a device
or tool for use in treating skin and body parts may include a
handle for grasping by a human hand, a power source to drive or
activate a motion generator to move two head portions on which to
attach two treatment attachments used to treat skin and/or body
parts. It is likewise considered that a device or tool for treating
skin and body parts may include a handle for grasping by a human
hand, but not have a power source or motion generator, such that
one or more treatment attachments attached to two head portions may
be used to treat skin and body parts by manipulating the handle to
move the treatment attachment(s) over the skin and/or body part.
Such treatment attachments may include an abrasive applicator
attachment; a porous attachment; an oxygenating attachment; a
porous applicator attachment; an applicator attachment for applying
a paste, a bar, a cream, a liquid, and/or an abrasive particles; a
sponge applicator attachment; a porous mass attachment; a brush
attachment having abrasive bristles; a brush attachment having soft
without abrasive bristles; a soft pad buffer attachment; and other
treatment attachments appropriate for treating areas of skin, hair,
scalp, cuticles, face, limbs, torso, hands and feet of a
person.
[0113] According to embodiments, skin or a body part can be treated
by an oxygenating treatment device that does not include device or
tool 110. Such an oxygenating treatment device may correspond to
the description above of an oxygenating treatment attachment.
Specifically, such a oxygenating treatment device may be
oxygenating treatment attachment 700, an oxygenating brush
attachment to supply oxygen to skin or a body part, an oxygenating
treatment attachment having bristles, oxygenating treatment
attachment not having bristles, a porous attachment, or a porous
mass attachment as described herein, attached to a source of gas,
such as oxygen as described herein, where the oxygenating treatment
device can be sufficiently manipulated by a human hand without
device or tool 110 to treat skin or a body part (e.g., such as
hair).
[0114] Thus, such an oxygenating treatment device can gas or oxygen
treat the skin or a body part with a gas provided from a gas source
using to the device via a tube, hose, chamber, or adapter below the
surface of the oxygenating treatment device. The gas source may be
a tank, tube, cartridge, canister, or other source as described
above for supplying gas or oxygen to device or tool 110 or to
oxygenating treatment attachment 700. The supplied gas may then
exit openings in the surface of the oxygenating treatment device to
treat the skin or body part. Specifically, the oxygenating
treatment device allows a gas (e.g., such as oxygen gas) to seep or
be pushed through it by pressure, and chemically interact with the
skin and/or body part. According to embodiments, the attachment may
be moved over the skin or body part only by manipulating the
oxygenating treatment device sides, back, or a handle of the
oxygenating treatment device. The oxygenating treatment device may
or may not be used to simultaneously perform another treatment. In
an embodiment, the oxygenating treatment device FIG. 10 shows a
porous attachment for treating an area of skin or body part with a
gas, such as oxygen. FIG. 10 shows porous attachment 1000 having
center portion 1010 and donut-shaped outer portion 1020. Porous
attachment 1000 includes side portions 1050 surrounding outer
portion 1020. Porous attachment 1000 also has a surface for
attaching to a tool or device to be held by a human hand, surface
1030. Opposite to surface 1030 is a surface to provide a gas to
treat an area of skin or body part, surface 1040.
[0115] Outer portion 1020 and/or center portion 1010 may have outer
perimeters defining various shapes, including a circular shape, an
oval shape, a teardrop shape, or a polygon shape. In addition,
outer portion 1020 and/or side portion 1050 may define, have or
encircle a diameter of between 0.5 and 8 inches, such as a diameter
of 0.5 inch, 1 inch, 1.25 inch, 1.5 inch, 1.75 inch, 2 inches, 2.5
inches, 2.75 inches, 3 inches, 3.25 inches, 3.5 inches, 4 inches, 5
inches, 6 inches, or 7 inches. Outer portion 1020 and/or center
portion 1010 may define or have a thickness of between 0.2 inches
and 8 inches, such as by having a thickness of 5 millimeters, 10
millimeters, 15 millimeters, 18 millimeters, 19 millimeters, 20
millimeters, 21 millimeters, 22 millimeters, 25 millimeters, 35
millimeters, 50 millimeters, 75 millimeters, 80 millimeters, or 100
millimeters.
[0116] Center portion 1010 includes a porous material, such as a
material through which gas, such as oxygen, may seep or be
pressured. Similarly, outer portion 1020 may include a porous
material as described above with respect to center portion 1010.
Specifically, outer portion 1020 and/or center portion 1010 may
include a porous material as described above for oxygenating
attachment 700, a sponge attachment, or a porous attachment. Side
portions 1050 may include or may not include porous material, such
as porous material described with respect to center portion
1010.
[0117] It is considered that the arrangement of pores, lack of
pores, and/or direction of pores in outer portion 1020 and/or
sidewalls 1050 may prohibit gas supplied to center portion 110 from
escaping or seeping out of outer portion 1020 or sidewalls 1050.
For instance, FIG. 10 shows center portion 1010 having pores such
as pore 1012 extending from surface 1030 to surface 1040, and outer
portion 1020 having pores such as pore 1022 extending from surface
1030 to surface 1040. Thus, a gas introduced to pores in center
portion 1010 at surface 1030 may seep out or be pressured out of
pores in outer portion 1020 and/or center portion 110 at surface
1040 to treat skin or a body part disposed adjacent to or in
contact with surface 1040. It is considered that outer portion 1020
of porous attachment 1000 may be attached to a tool or device for
manipulation by a human hand, such that a gas may be supplied to
center portion 1010 at surface 1030 and flow through, seep through
or be pressured through pores in center portion 1010 and to outer
portion 1020 and/or center portion 110 at surface 1040.
[0118] According to embodiments, at surface 1030, outer portion
1020 may have a base, and/or an adhesive to attach porous
attachment surface 1030 to a head portion of a tool or device, or
to a device having a surface for grasping and manipulation by a
human hand. It is considered that at surface 1030, outer portion
1020 may have a non-porous base material, such as cotton, natural
or synthetic fabrics, metal, wood, cork, seaweed, synthetic rubber,
paper, plastic or latex. Surface 1030 of the base material may have
an adhesive thereon, such as a "tape" with a covering that can be
removed prior to attaching surface 1030 to a device for
manipulation by a human hand.
[0119] For instance, porous attachment 1000 may be attached to a
tool or device having between one and four head portions, as noted
above, such as a device or tool having one, three or four head
portions similar to head portions 120 and 140. Thus, porous
attachment 1000 may be attached to a tool or device for
manipulation by a human hand, similar to tool or device 110 but
having only one head portion, such as having only head 120, but not
having head 140. It is also contemplated that porous attachment
1000 may be attached to a tool or device having a motion generator
or not having a motion generator as described herein.
[0120] According to embodiments, porous attachment 1000 may be a
porous attachment, sponge attachment, or oxygenating attachment
700, as described above. In addition, embodiments include porous
attachment 1000 for attaching to a device having a physical
dimension for grasping and manipulating by a human hand, but not
having handle 130 or a motorized motion generator therein. For
example, FIG. 11 shows the porous attachment of FIG. 10 attached to
a tool or device for manipulation by a human hand. FIG. 11 shows
system 1100 including porous attachment 1000 attached to surface
1130 of oxygen diffuser 1110, about opening 1160. System 1100 also
includes valve 1120 for adjusting a flow of oxygen received by
diffuser 1110 from hose 1130. Hose 1130 is attached to valve 1120
and oxygen source 1140. Oxygen source 1140 may be a source of
oxygen similar to those described above with respect to oxygenating
attachment 700. Diffuser 1110 has chamber 1170 coupled to hose 1130
via valve 1120.
[0121] Opening 1160, may be an opening having a sufficient size or
diameter to allow a gas supplied to chamber 1170 to seep or be
pressured from chamber 1170 into center portion 1010, such as to be
pressured or to seep through pores, such as pore 1012, and to exit
surface 1040 to treat an area of skin or a body part therebelow or
in contact with surface 1040. Specifically, opening 1160 may be an
opening having or defining a diameter between 1 millimeter and 3
centimeters, such as by having a diameter of 2 millimeters, 3
millimeters, 4 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 7 millimeters, 9
millimeters, 10 millimeters, or 12 millimeters.
[0122] Gas supplied to valve 1120 may flow into chamber 1170 and
out of opening 1160. From opening 1160 gas may seep or be pressured
into center portion 1010 of porous attachment 1000. Hence, valve
1120 may have a knob or dial for controlling the flow of gas or
oxygen received from hose 1130 to diffuser 1110 to flow out of
pores in center portion 1010 at surface 1040 to a pressure of
between one pound per square inch (PSI) and 1000 PSI, a flow rate
of between one and 500 milliliters per second (ml/sec).
[0123] FIG. 11 also shows system porous attachment 1000 having
surface 1180 having a physical dimension for grasping and
manipulating by a human hand. For example, surface 1180 may be
grasped and manipulated similarly to the descriptions above for
handle portion 130. In some cases, surface 1180 may be grasped and
manipulated by fingers and thumbs of a person to maneuver surface
1040 over and/or on skin or body parts of a person to treat the
skin and/or body parts with a gas, such as oxygen, during or not
during other treatments as described herein.
[0124] Therefore, porous attachment 1000 and system 1100 can be
used to treat an area of skin or body part, such as by holding
surface 1080 with hand while oxygen is being supplied via surface
1040 to the skin or body part. Moreover, attachment 1000 may be
attached to a tool or device to treat an area of skin with a cream,
a cleaning solution, a buffing solution, an abrasive substance, or
other treatment lotion, cream, or substance as described herein.
Specifically, porous attachment 1000 and/or system 1100 may be used
to treat an area of skin or body part by supplying a gas, such as
oxygen, to the skin or body part, where such gas or oxygen pushes,
forces, or presses a cream, solution, or substance into the skin or
body part during treatment. For example, the cream, solution, or
substance may be applied to surface 1040 of porous attachment 1000,
or may be applied to the skin or body part, prior to applying
surface 1040 of porous attachment 1000 to the skin or body part for
treatment.
[0125] FIG. 12 is a flow chart describing one embodiment of an
operation to treat skin or a body part. The flow chart of FIG. 12
may illustrate a method utilizing device or tool 110 and treatment
attachments described with respect to FIGS. 1-11 (e.g, such as
applicator attachment 200, brush attachment 300, oxygenating
attachment 700, a heating unit attachment, a cooling unit
attachment; a light source attachment, a porous mass attachment,
and a sponge pad attachment).
[0126] At block 810, a treating attachment is attached to the first
head portion of a treatment device. For example, block 810 may
correspond to a human user attaching applicator attachment 200 to
head portion 120 of treatment device or tool 110. At block 820, an
alternate attachment is attached to a second head portion. Block
820 may correspond to a human user attaching brush attachment 300
to head portion 140 of treatment device or tool 110.
[0127] At block 830, skin or a body part, such as an area or layer
of human skin or a body part, is treated with the treating
attachment. For example, block 830 may correspond to a human user
using device or tool 110 to treating an area of skin or a body part
with applicator attachment 200, with or without a treatment
composition.
[0128] In some embodiments, block 830 may correspond to treating
skin or a body part, such as an area or layer of human skin or a
body part, is treated with device or tool 110 without a treating
attachment (e.g., such as oxygenating treatment using holes 710
without an attachment thereto).
[0129] At block 840, it is determined whether a different
attachment is desired as the treating attachment to treat the skin
or a body part. For example, block 840 may correspond to a human
user deciding whether a current period for treating an area or
layer of skin or a body part with the treatment attachment is
complete. If at block 840 it is determined that a different
attachment is not desired, then the process continues to block
845.
[0130] At decision block 845, it is determined whether the
treatment of the skin or a body part is complete. For example block
845 may correspond to a human user deciding if treatment of an area
or layer of skin or a body part using all available or desired
treatment attachments is complete. In one instance, treatment may
be complete if the area or layer of skin or a body part has been
exfoliated with applicator attachment 200, cleaned and/or polished
with brush attachment 300, to a human user's satisfaction. If at
block 845 it is determined that treatment is not complete, the
process returns to block 830. Alternatively, if at block 845 it is
determined that treatment is complete, the process continues to
block 850 where treatment ends.
[0131] If at block 840 it is determined that a different attachment
is desired as the treating attachment, then the process continues
to block 855. At decision block 855, it is determined whether the
different attachment is the alternate attachment. Block 845 may
correspond to a human user deciding whether the different
attachment desired is brush attachment 300. If at block 855 it is
determined that the different attachment desired is the alternate
attachment, the process continues to block 870.
[0132] At block 870, the device is reoriented so that the treating
attachment and the alternate attachment switch positions. For
example, block 870 may correspond to a human user rotating
treatment device or tool 110 about its axis so that the alternate
attachment is oriented, reoriented, or positioned to treat an area
or layer of skin or a body part desired to be treated (e.g., so
that the alternate attachment is in the position that the treating
attachment previously was in so that the alternate attachment is
now the treating attachment). For example, block 870 may correspond
to rotating device or tool 110 about its longitudinal axis so that
the position of head portion 140 and head portion 120 are switched
(e.g., thus, brush attachment 300 will be switched into the
position that applicator attachment 200 was in, causing brush
attachment 300 to now be the treating attachment). After block 870,
the process returns to block 830.
[0133] If at block 855 it is determined that the different
attachment is not the alternate attachment, the process continues
to block 860. For example, block 855 may correspond to a human user
deciding that brush attachment 300 is not the different attachment
desired to be used to treat the skin and/or body part.
[0134] At block 860, the treatment attachment is removed from the
first head portion. For example, block 860 may correspond to a
human user removing applicator attachment 200 from head portion
120. After block 860, the process continues to block 865.
[0135] At block 865, the different attachment desired is attached
to the first head position and becomes the treatment attachment.
Block 865 may correspond to a human user attaching a treatment
attachment other than applicator attachment 200 or brush attachment
300 to head portion 120. Specifically, a sponge applicator
attachment, a porous mass attachment, soft pad buffer attachment,
or other treatment attachment appropriate for treating areas of
human skin or a body part may be applied in place of applicator
attachment 200 on head portion 120. Thus, the different attachment
now becomes the treatment attachment to treat the skin or a body
part. After block 865, the process returns to block 830.
[0136] According to embodiments, treating an area or layer of skin
or a body part at block 830 may or may not include applying and/or
using heat, cold, light, composition or solution as described
above. For example, a composition or solution used may include
moisturizer, abrasive particles, cleaning solution, and/or
polishing solution disposed on the applicator or bush attachment.
This can be accomplished either by dipping the applicator or brush
attachment into a container with the composition or solution
disposed inside or by disposing the composition or solution
directly onto the applicator or brush attachment (e.g., with a
dispenser, a squirt bottle tube, spatula or other suitable means).
It is also considered that a composition or solution may be applied
to a surface of a treatment attachment (e.g., such as onto
bristles, abrasive surface, or porous surface of an attachment),
skin, or body part by hand (e.g., such as by applying composition
or solution onto a treatment attachment, face, neck, hands, feet,
skin or a body part the user of the device). The treatment
attachment may then be used to perform treatment, with the
composition or solution.
[0137] The user may then apply the composition or solution disposed
on the applicator or brush attachment to the area of skin or a body
part to be treated. One example is applying approximately
one-quarter inch of the composition or solution across the entire
surface of a porous applicator, or abrasive or soft bristle brush
attachment. Another example is applying approximately one-quarter
inch of the composition or solution across the entire surface of
surface 726 of head portion 720. The user then dots the area to be
treated at locations on the order of, for example, one to three
inches apart.
[0138] Subsequently, the user may manipulate the heat, cold, light,
composition or solution over the area of skin or a body part to be
treated by manipulating the handle of tool or device or tool 110
while the treatment attachment is moved by the user and/or motion
generator (e.g., such as by being vibrated). In an embodiment,
manipulation of the heat, cold, light, composition or solution is
characterized by moving the handle so that the applicator or brush
attachment travels over an area of skin or a body part using upward
circular or randomly directed strokes. In one example, the
manipulation of the heat, cold, light, composition or solution is
continued for one to ten minutes or until the composition or
solution has been worked into, cleaned, and/or polished the skin or
a body part and the skin or a body part appears soft and
smooth.
[0139] In an embodiment, a user manipulates the handle to treat
acne, large pores, sluggish skin, and/or acne scars by moving the
applicator or brush attachment while the attachment is also moved
by the motion generator, as described above, on the area of skin
having the acne or acne scars to abrade, exfoliate, clean, and/or
polish the skin (e.g., such as to minimize any rough skin areas
including acne scars). This may include applying a pressure to the
skin or a body part with a treatment attachment and moving the
treatment attachment across the face and neck using slight upward
circular or randomly directed motions.
[0140] In another example, a user manipulates the treatment
attachment on the skin while the attachment is also moved by the
motion generator to softening calluses by manipulating the
attachment, as described above, on damp or dry skin to minimize any
rough skin areas (including extremely rough and thick calluses)
such as heals, feet or cuticles. More particularly, a composition
or solution, such as an embodiment described above, can be applied
to clean dry skin and body parts using the applicator or brush
attachment. With respect to rejuvenating, cleansing, and/or
polishing hands and/or feet, such uses may include applying a
pressure to the skin with the attachment and moving the attachment
across the hands and feet using slight upward circular or randomly
directed motions. It is contemplated that in the examples herein, a
user may manipulate the treatment attachment on the skin and/or
body part while the attachment is not moved by a motion
generator.
[0141] It should also be noted that in applying a composition or
solution to the skin, the user may dab the composition or solution
on certain areas of the skin and/or body parts before manipulating
the composition or over the skin and/or body parts with a treatment
attachment. Alternatively, the user may simultaneously apply the
composition or solution to the skin and/or body part and manipulate
the composition over the area of skin and/or body part to be
treated. Moreover, the user may shake abrasive particles,
composition or solution onto the skin and/or body parts, such as
from a "shaker" like a salt shaker, before or during manipulating
the treatment attachment over the skin and/or body part. Also, the
user may simultaneously apply the composition or solution to the
treatment attachment, dot the area to be treated and manipulate in
rotary strokes. Using the treatment attachment, the user may
manipulate the attachment with the motion generator in the on
(generating motion) position, or in the off position for a lighter
treatment (e.g., such as a treatment where the user is manually
treating the area by moving the treatment attachment over the area
by manipulation of the handle of device or tool 110). Finally, if a
composition or solution is used, the user may wipes off any
unabsorbed portion of the composition or solution and may
optionally rinse the area (e.g., such as with water).
[0142] It is to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of various embodiments have been set
forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
structure, function, and formulations of the various embodiments,
this disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in
detail, especially matters of structure, management of parts, and
compositional or solution formulation, without departing from the
scope of the various embodiments as expressed by the broad general
meaning of the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *