U.S. patent application number 13/554381 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-24 for skin treatment device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Andreas Brueckner, Pedro Sanchez-Martinez, Thomas Walenzyk. Invention is credited to Andreas Brueckner, Pedro Sanchez-Martinez, Thomas Walenzyk.
Application Number | 20130023901 13/554381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45034226 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130023901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanchez-Martinez; Pedro ; et
al. |
January 24, 2013 |
SKIN TREATMENT DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention concerns a skin treatment device for
professional and private use. In particular the present invention
concerns a skin treatment device comprising a drive unit and a
first attachment and a second attachment, the first attachment
comprising a brush, the second attachment comprising an epilation
or a depilation unit, wherein the first attachment comprises a gear
box and the second attachment comprises a gear box and the gear box
comprises by the second attachment provides a gear reduction of at
least 1.25 to 4.
Inventors: |
Sanchez-Martinez; Pedro;
(Kronberg, DE) ; Brueckner; Andreas; (Wuerzburg,
DE) ; Walenzyk; Thomas; (Kriftel, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sanchez-Martinez; Pedro
Brueckner; Andreas
Walenzyk; Thomas |
Kronberg
Wuerzburg
Kriftel |
|
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
45034226 |
Appl. No.: |
13/554381 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 13/02 20130101;
A45D 26/00 20130101; A46B 2200/102 20130101; A46B 13/008 20130101;
A46B 15/0091 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/133 |
International
Class: |
A45D 26/00 20060101
A45D026/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 23, 2011 |
EP |
11006049.8 |
Claims
1. A skin treatment device comprising: a. a drive unit; b. a first
attachment comprising a brush, wherein the first attachment further
comprises a first gear box; and c. a second attachment comprising
an epilation or a depilation unit, wherein the second attachment
further comprises a second gear box and the second gear box
provides a gear reduction of at least about 1.25 to about 4.
2. A skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the brush
comprises a brush head having an average diameter, said average
diameter being from about 1 cm to about 5 cm.
3. A skin treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the ratio
of the gear reduction of the second gear box and the centimeter
value of the average diameter of the brush head is from about 2 to
about 3.
4. A skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the first
attachment is coupled to the drive unit via an eccentric wheel.
5. A skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the drive
unit comprises an output element and a rotary support element, the
rotary support element comprising protrusions, and further, wherein
the first attachment comprises a skin treatment element and a
chassis for the skin treatment element, the chassis comprising a
multitude of recesses to cooperate with the protrusions of the
rotary support element of the drive unit, wherein the chassis can
be supported by the rotary support element and, wherein the
protrusions can be brought into an engagement position with the
recesses and, while the chassis is supported by the rotary support
element, into a disengagement position with the recesses.
6. A skin treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the
recesses form a toothed ring.
7. A skin treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the
protrusions are provided in the form of latches.
8. A skin treatment device according to claim 1, comprising a first
attachment which comprises a drive shaft for the transmission of a
rotary movement from the drive unit to the drive axis, the drive
shaft being linked to a sprocket, the sprocket engaging with a
crown gear wheel and crown gear wheel being linked to the drive
axis.
9. A method for treating human skin, the method comprising the
following steps: a. treating the skin with an oscillating brush
using a skin treatment device comprising a drive unit and a first
attachment, the first attachment comprising the brush; and b.
removing body hair from the skin using a skin treatment device
comprising the drive unit and a second attachment, the second
attachment comprising an epilation or a depilation unit; wherein
the drive unit can operate at a first preset speed and the preset
speed is used in both steps.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the drive unit can additionally
operate at a second preset speed.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the skin treatment step is
carried out about 24 to about 72 hours before the body hair removal
step.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the skin treatment step is
carried out about 60 minutes to about 1 minute before the body hair
removal step.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the first attachment comprises a
first gear box and the second attachment comprises a second gear
box and the second gear box provides a gear reduction of at least
about 1 to about 2.5.
14. A kit comprising a drive unit, a first attachment and an second
attachment, the first attachment comprising a brush, the second
attachment comprising an epilation or a depilation unit, wherein
the first attachment comprises a first gear box and the second
attachment comprises a second gear box and the second gear box
provides a gear reduction of at least about 1 to about 2.5.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a skin treatment device for
professional and private use. The device is used for achieving
cosmetic or well-being benefits, for example it can be used to have
a massage effect or for cleansing and refreshing the skin or for
applying a cosmetic composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A wide variety of cosmetic moisturizing and other agents is
available to meet the interest in having a clean healthy and
good-looking skin and face. Relative to these offers of the
cosmetic industry, the use of skin care appliances and devices is
slightly more limited, but many efforts have also been made in this
field.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 2,714,788 discloses a device for removing hair
which comprises an electric motor, a holder for an abrasive pad and
an abrasive pad. This device is meant to remove hairs from the skin
of, for example, the legs by means of abrasion.
[0004] EP 1 429 670 A2 discloses an ultrasonic cleaner comprising a
handle and a brush positioned at the proximal end off the handle.
The cleaner further comprises an ultrasonic vibrator operably
attached to the brush. A battery positioned within the hollow
interior of the handle provides power to the ultrasonic vibrator.
Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted from the vibrator through the
brush and to its bristles. The cleaner can hence be used for skin
cleaning.
[0005] WO 2010/100527 A1 discloses an appliance for facial care.
The facial appliance comprises a tubular body and axially extending
from the tubular body a so-called facial puck. This facial puck
comprises a facial implement rotatable about a shaft and a sub
assembly linked to the shaft. This sub assembly includes a spinner
journaled for rotation about an axis extending from the tubular
body. The spinner comprises opposing, radially extending,
resiliently biased release fingers. These release fingers removably
mount the applicator implement (e.g. the facial implement) for
rotation with the spinner. The spinner is mounted to the main gear
by slip bearings.
[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
versatile skin treatment device. The skin treatment device should
be suitable for use with one or several implements, the use should
be intuitive and it should be safe. Further the skin treatment
device should provide gentle, but effective hair removal adapted to
personal preference and skin type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention concerns a skin treatment device for
professional and private use. In particular the present invention
concerns a skin treatment device comprising a drive unit (20) and a
first attachment and a second attachment, the first attachment
comprising a brush, the second attachment comprising an epilation
or a depilation unit, wherein the first attachment comprises a gear
box and the second attachment comprises a gear box and the gear box
comprises by the second attachment provides a gear reduction of at
least 1.25 to 4. In a further aspect the invention concern a method
of using such a device for treating the human skin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a plain view onto a skin treatment device
according to the present invention comprising a first
attachment.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the skin treatment device of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a plain view onto a skin treatment device
according to the present invention comprising a second
attachment.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a partially cutaway side view of the skin
treatment device comprising the first attachment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The skin treatment device comprises a drive unit and a first
and a second attachment. The skin treatment device may also be
provided as a kit with two, three or more attachments. At a given
time one attachment can be used with the drive unit. Additionally
or alternatively, the drive unit may also be adapted to operate two
or more attachments at the same time. However, a drive unit which
can operate one attachment at the time has been found useful. The
attachment therefore can be removably mounted to the drive unit.
The drive unit can be hand operated or motor operated. Often the
drive unit is operated by an electric motor. This electric motor
can be operated by a battery, for example a rechargable battery.
Drive units needing a cable for contact with the power supply while
being operated can also be useful.
[0013] The first attachment can comprise a skin treatment implement
or element, for example in the form of a brush and can comprise an
output element. Alternatively the output element, for example in
the form of a gear box, can also be part of the drive unit.
Alternatively or additionally a further gear box or a force
transmission element can be comprised by the drive unit.
[0014] The second attachment can be a depilation or epilation
attachment. A depilation attachment is used to remove hair from the
skin surface by cutting the hair slightly above and typically
closely to the skin surface. This can also be referred to as
shaving. The depilation can hence be undertaking in a wet shaving
process, preferably using a blade cartridge comprising two, three,
four or more blades. Alternatively, the depilation process can be
an electric shaving process where typically a moving block of
blades is moved relative to a foil, which comprises openings for
hairs. Another useful embodiment of the present invention comprises
a first attachment in the form of an epilation attachment. In an
epilation process hair is pulled and then plucked from the skin.
Hence, the whole hair is removed from the skin. Both processes and
particularly the epilation process induce a certain stress to the
treated skin area. The process can be rendered more efficient, for
example in the case of an epilation process by increasing epilation
speed or the number of plucking tweezers or the like. However, such
approaches to increase efficiency are often associated with
exposing the skin to more stress and sometimes inducing an
increased sensation of pain. Hence, there is a continued need for
providing a gentle but efficient process.
[0015] It has been found, that the skin treatment device when used
with the first attachment is of considerable benefit. The treatment
of the skin with the brush, can give a certain massaging and
cleansing effect. The appearance of the skin can be overall
improved. Beyond this, the first attachment can enhance the
benefits of the skin treatment device when used with (widely used)
second attachment. Surprisingly, it has been found that the hair
removal in particular by epilation process is more efficient, when
the skin is treated using the second attachment before the first
attachment is used. While these effects are not fully understood
yet, it could be, that surface skin particles are removed by the
second attachment, and that thereby the access to hair is
increased. Hence, the hair removal by the first attachment is made
more efficient.
[0016] It has been found that this effect is particularly
pronounced if the rotational speed of the first attachment is
adapted accordingly. For a given drive unit useful for use with a
second attachment, in particular an epilation attachment, it is
useful that the second attachment comprises a gear box and that the
gear box comprised by the first attachment provides a gear
reduction of at least 1.25 to 10. Values of 1.25 to 5 or 1.25 to 4
or 1.5 to 3 have also been found useful. A gear reduction leads to
a reduction of the rotational speed of the brush relative to the
rotational speed from an output shaft. Hence, the brush turn slower
than the output shaft.
[0017] Where the first attachment comprises a gear box providing a
first gear reduction and the second attachment comprises a gear box
providing a second gear reduction, the first gear reduction should
be greater than the second gear reduction by a factor of 1 to 5 or
2 to 3.
[0018] In a further aspect it has been found useful that the brush
head comprised by the first attachment has an average diameter of a
certain range. If the brush is of circular form, the average
diameter is a standard diameter. If the brush is of non-circular
form, the average diameter is the diameter of a circular brush of
the same area than the actually used non-circular brush. An average
diameter in the range of 1 cm to 7 cm or 3 cm to 5 cm have been
found useful. Such a diameter allows to easily use the skin
treatment device and applying the right amount of force onto the
skin when the device is hold in the user's hands. It has also been
found that the device is efficient and yet gentle enough if the
ratio of the gear reduction and the centimeter value of the average
diameter is from 1 to 2. For example, a gear reduction of 2 is
useful for a brush with an average diameter of 4 centimeters,
hence, having a centimeter value of 4. This also allows to provide
a drive unit which can be battery operated and still provides
sufficient force for an efficient skin treatment process. Choosing
an appropriate gear reduction will also assist in preventing damage
from the drive unit. By manipulating the first attachment manually,
a not too high amount of force should be transmitted to the drive
unit. A gear reduction as described is of assistance in this
context.
[0019] Further, to protect the drive unit and the gear box, a
disengagement mechanism can be provided. Such a disengagement
mechanism for the first attachment can lead to the disengagement of
the chassis carrying the skin treatment element, for example the
brush and a rotary support element supporting the chassis and being
coupled to the gear box and thereby the drive unit. It is useful to
provide such a disengagement mechanism by providing the following:
a drive unit comprising an output element, for example a gear box,
and a rotary support element, the rotary support element comprising
protrusions, the attachment comprising a skin treatment element and
a chassis for the skin treatment element, the chassis comprising a
multitude of recesses to cooperate with the protrusions of the
rotary support element of the drive unit, wherein the chassis can
be supported by the rotary support element and, wherein the
protrusions can be brought into an engagement position with the
recesses and, while the chassis is supported by the rotary support
element, into a disengagement position with the recesses. It is
useful that the recesses form a toothed ring. Many recesses in
close neighborhood can be thereby offered. It is useful to provide
the protrusions in the form of latches, for example spring loaded
latches.
[0020] It is equally useful to couple the first attachment to the
drive unit via an eccentric. This provides an efficient way of
driving the first attachment.
[0021] A useful gear reduction for the first attachment can be
achieved by providing the following: a first attachment which
comprises a drive shaft for the transmission of a rotary movement
from the drive unit to the drive axis, the drive shaft being linked
to a sprocket, the sprocket engaging with a crown gear wheel and
crown gear wheel being linked to the drive axis.
[0022] In the context of the present invention, it has been found
that a method for treating human skin, the method comprising the
following steps is useful: [0023] Treating the skin with an
oscillating brush using a skin treatment device comprising a drive
unit and a first attachment, the first attachment comprising the
brush [0024] Removing body hair from the skin using a skin
treatment device comprising the drive unit and a second attachment,
the second attachment comprising an epilation or a depilation unit
[0025] wherein the drive unit can operate at a first preset speed
and the preset speed is used in both steps.
[0026] The method can be used in different sequences. For example,
body hair can be first removed from the skin, and then in a
subsequent step the skin can be treated with an oscillating brush.
This method does not increase the efficiency of the hair removal
process, however, it can have a massaging and soothing benefit. The
soothing effect can be enhanced, if the method comprises a further
step of applying a lotion to the skin or to the brush.
[0027] Alternatively, the treating of the skin with the oscillating
brush can be carried out before removing body hair from the skin.
This sequence of step has been found to increase the efficiency of
the body hair removal. In one effective process, the treating the
skin with the brush is carried out 24 to 72 hours before removing
the body hair from the skin. The brushing process is assumed to
prepare the skin for the hair removal process. As explained, the
removal of surface skin particles can play a role for achieving
this benefit. In this brushing step a certain amount of stress is
induced on the skin. Waiting 24 to 72 hours before applying another
skin treatment step, allows the skin to recover. Alternatively, the
treating of the skin with the oscillating brush is carried out 60
to 1 minutes before removing body hair from the skin. While
potentially accepting, that the skin is thereby exposed to a
slightly increased stress, this timing of the two processes allows
to carry out both steps in essentially one session, typically in
one place, for example the bathroom, and hence to have a time
efficient hair removal routine. In both cases, the pretreatment of
the skin by brushing will noticeably increase the efficiency of the
hair removal process, particularly, but not only, if an epilation
process is used. There is a particular benefit in using a first and
a second attachment with the gear reduction ratios as given
above.
[0028] It is particularly beneficial, to use one and the same drive
unit with the first and the second attachment. In particular if the
drive unit allows four different speed settings, for example a
first (slower) and a second (faster) speed. Different users will
typically select a speed level according to their personal
preferences. These preferences can be influenced by skin type. For
example, a user with a more sensitive skin will often use the
slower speed setting. The user can than use the first and the
second attachment with the same drive unit and with the same
personal speed setting. If, for example, a slow speed is used, the
both process steps will be relatively gentle as preferred by this
particular user. The gear reduction level of the second attachment
relative to the first attachment can be chosen to accommodate
typical user habits, such that most users can reapply their
personal speed setting in both process steps.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a skin treatment device 10 comprising a first
attachment with its essential elements according to the present
invention. The device 10 comprises a drive unit 20. The drive unit
will comprise a motor which will typically provide a rotational or
vibrational movement to some output device. The motor will
typically be an electrical motor which can be battery operated,
preferably by a rechargable battery. The drive unit 20 will
comprise a switch 22, for turning the unit on or off and/or making
other selections of an operation mode. The switch 22 allows to
select a first operation speed by turning it to position 24 and
allows to select a second operation speed by turning it to position
26.
[0030] An attachment 30 can be connected to the drive unit 20. A
variety of suitable connectors are well-known, often a positive
fitting is useful. Other attachments can be connected to the drive
unit, for example attachment 30 can serve as a first attachment,
and a further attachment can serve as a second or third attachment,
which can also be connected to the same drive unit 20. The
attachment 30 as shown comprises a brush 32. The term brush is used
herein broadly, to denote an implement, which can comprise
conventional bristles of a variety of materials, as known from
other areas. The brush can also comprise rubber implements, which
could have bristle form or which could also have the form of bars
or ligaments. The brush 32 will typically have a circular outer
shape, but could also have other shapes.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the same device 20 in a side view. From the
side view it is clear that the main axis of the drive unit and the
rotational axis of the brush 32 are tilted towards each other.
Angles in the range of 90.degree. to 135.degree. and 100.degree. to
120.degree. have been found useful for convenient and effective
handling. In this side view it can be readily seen, that the
attachment 30 comprises a gear box 60, onto which the brush 32 with
the brush chassis 34 is mounted. The gear box 60 is connected to
the brush chassis 34 via a rotary support element 50, which is only
visible in this view as a ring like structure connection brush
chassis 34 to gear box 60.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a skin treatment device 10 comprising a second
attachment with its essential elements according to the present
invention. The second attachment is an epilation attachment 40. The
epilation attachment 40 comprises an epilation cylinder 42. The
epilation cylinder 42 can be brought in contact with the skin. The
epilation cylinder 42 rotates about his main axis (which in FIG. 3
lies in the horizontal direction). The rotation is induces by the
drive unit 20, which has been described before. The epilation
cylinder 42 is provided with tweezers which can pull and pluck out
hair. For an easier guidance of the device and also for achieving a
certain reduction of a subjective sensation of pain, skin contact
rollers 46 are provided. These rollers can provide an additional
massage function. Hence, the present invention generally also
concerns a skin treatment device 10 comprising a drive unit 20 and
a first attachment 30 and a second attachment 40, the first
attachment comprising 30 a brush or a skin treatment implement
rotation about an axis generally vertical to the skin surface and
the second attachment 40 comprising skin contact rollers 46
rotating about an axis parallel to the skin surface.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a partially cutaway side view of the skin
treatment device 10 comprising the second attachment. In this view
details of the gear box 60 can be easily understood. Power from the
drive unit 20 is transmitted to the (incoming) drive shaft 64. Onto
the drive shaft a sprocket 66 is mounted. For corporation with this
sprocket a crown gear wheel 68 is provided. The crown gear wheel 68
sits on a drive axis 70. This axis is tilted at an angle of about
110.degree. relative to drive shaft 64. Angles in the range of
90.degree. to 135.degree. and 100.degree. to 120.degree. have been
found useful for convenient and effective handling. Overall, hence,
an angular gear is provided which serves as a two stage speed
reduction unit. The gear (or speed) reduction can be by a factor of
1.25 to 10. Values of 1.25 to 5 or 1.25 to 4 or 1.5 to 3 have also
been found useful. It is also apparent that this robust
construction easily fits into the outer shape of the gear box
60.
[0034] The drive axis 70 is parallel (as seen in this side view) to
a central support axis 72. The central support axis 72 is not a
driven axis. Hence the central support axis 72 provides rotary
support for the rotary support element 50. Hence, the rotary
support element 50 has one degree of freedom, which is the freedom
to move about the support axis 72.
[0035] The rotary support element 50 comprises a rotary plate 52
onto which latches 54 are mounted. The latches 54 are spring loaded
by spring elements 56. Further a support plate 58 is mounted onto
rotary plate 52. The support plate 58 provides support to a skin
treatment element (not shown). A rotary oscillation movement can be
provided to the rotary support element 50. This movement is
transmitted by drive axis 70. The drive axis carries an eccentric
74. This eccentric 74 comprises an eccentric wheel 76, which
carries an eccentric pin 78. The pin 78 can then cooperate with a
slot (not shown here) in the rotary plate 52.
[0036] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0037] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0038] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *