U.S. patent application number 16/915608 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-15 for transparent head for a skin treatment device.
The applicant listed for this patent is OMM Imports, Inc.. Invention is credited to Moti Shenfarber.
Application Number | 20200324142 16/915608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004929068 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200324142 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shenfarber; Moti |
October 15, 2020 |
TRANSPARENT HEAD FOR A SKIN TREATMENT DEVICE
Abstract
A transparent cover member for a skin treatment device passes
light and heat to a user's skin. The transparent cover member
presents a comfortable flat surface at its exterior, and includes
features that couple to a heating element that surrounds a
plurality of visible light LEDs. The transparent cover member can
include retaining features to assist in assembling the head
assembly of the skin treatment device.
Inventors: |
Shenfarber; Moti; (Doral,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OMM Imports, Inc. |
Doral |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004929068 |
Appl. No.: |
16/915608 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16822702 |
Mar 18, 2020 |
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16915608 |
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16013068 |
Jun 20, 2018 |
10625093 |
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16822702 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2007/0086 20130101;
A61N 2005/0659 20130101; A61N 2005/0632 20130101; A61N 5/0625
20130101; A61N 2005/0626 20130101; A61F 7/00 20130101; A61B 18/203
20130101; A61F 2007/0071 20130101; A61N 2005/0652 20130101; A61N
2005/0662 20130101; A61F 2007/0088 20130101; A61N 5/0616
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/06 20060101
A61N005/06; A61F 7/00 20060101 A61F007/00 |
Claims
1. A transparent cover member for head assembly of a skin treatment
device, comprising: a top having a front and a back; the front
being flat and configured to face outward from the skin treatment
device; the back being opposite the front and having: a central
portion; an outside wall extending down from the front, around an
entirety of a perimeter of the front; the back of the transparent
cover member having an outside shoulder formed at a bottom of the
outside wall, the outside shoulder extending inward from the bottom
of the outside wall inward to an inner edge of the of the outside
shoulder that meets a standoff wall of a standoff portion; and the
standoff portion extending downward away from the front and
surrounding the central portion; wherein the outside shoulder
surrounds the standoff portion; and wherein the standoff portion
extends downward, with respect to the front, farther than the
outside shoulder.
2. The transparent cover member of claim 1, wherein the transparent
cover member is comprised of sapphire glass.
3. The transparent cover member of claim 1, wherein the transparent
cover member is comprised of silicon.
4. The transparent cover member of claim 1, wherein the transparent
cover member further comprises, on the back, an ultrasonic coupling
feature extending from the back in the central portion.
5. The transparent cover member of claim 1, wherein the transparent
cover member is comprised of material that is selected to be less
transparent for some wavelengths of infrared light while being more
transparent for other wavelengths of infrared light.
6. The transparent cover member of claim 1, wherein a surface of
front of the transparent cover member is frosted.
7. The transparent cover member of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of retention features that protrude outward from the
standoff wall.
8. The transparent cover member of claim 7, wherein the plurality
of retention features are formed in a ramp configuration.
9. A transparent cover member for head assembly of a skin treatment
device that provides light and heat therapy to a user's skin,
comprising: a flat front configured to face outward from the skin
treatment device; a back that is opposite the flat front, and
includes a central portion; an outside wall extending down from the
front around an entirety of a perimeter of the front; and an
outside shoulder formed at a bottom of the outside wall, the
outside shoulder extending inward from the outside wall to an inner
edge of the of the outside shoulder which meets a standoff wall of
a standoff portion, the standoff portion extends downward from the
inner edge of the outside shoulder in a direction away from the
front and the standoff portion surrounds the central portion,
wherein the outside shoulder surrounds the standoff portion; and
wherein the standoff portion extends downward, with respect to the
front, farther than the outside shoulder and the central
portion.
10. The transparent cover member of claim 9, wherein the
transparent cover member is comprised of sapphire glass.
11. The transparent cover member of claim 9, wherein the
transparent cover member is comprised of silicon.
12. The transparent cover member of claim 9, wherein the
transparent cover member is comprised of material that is
selectively transparent for selected wavelengths of infrared
light.
13. The transparent cover member of claim 9, wherein a surface of
the flat front and a surface of the outside wall are frosted.
14. The transparent cover member of claim 9, further comprising a
plurality of retention features that protrude outward from the
standoff wall.
15. The transparent cover member of claim 14, wherein the plurality
of retention features are formed in a ramp configuration.
16. A head assembly for a therapeutic device, comprising: a
transparent cover member having: a front portion having a front
surface that is configured to face outward from the skin treatment
device; a back portion that is opposite the front portion and which
includes a central portion; a standoff wall that extends downward
from the back portion in a direction away from the front portion,
and surrounds the central portion of the back portion, and wherein
the standoff wall has an outside diameter that is smaller than a
diameter of the front portion; at least one retention feature that
protrudes outward from the standoff wall and which is configured to
engage a corresponding retention feature of the therapeutic device
to retain the transparent cover member in the therapeutic device;
and wherein the standoff portion extends downward, with respect to
the front surface, farther than both the outside shoulder and the
central portion; a heat element disposed inside the standoff
portion; and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed behind the
transparent cover within the standoff portion and having a series
of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on the PCB.
17. The monolithic glass head of claim 16, wherein the transparent
cover member consists entirely of sapphire glass or silicon.
18. The monolithic glass head of claim 16, wherein the top of the
transparent cover member is frosted.
19. The monolithic glass head of claim 16, wherein the at least one
retention feature is formed in a ramp configuration.
20. The monolithic glass head of claim 16, wherein the transparent
cover member is comprised of material that is selected to be less
transparent for some wavelengths of infrared light while being more
transparent for other wavelengths of infrared light.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/822,702, titled "Therapeutic Device Providing Heat and Light
and Head Assembly for Same," and filed on Mar. 18, 2020, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/013,068, titled
"Therapeutic Device Providing Heat and Light and Head Assembly for
Same," filed on Jun. 20, 2018, the entireties of each of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to skin treatment
devices that are used to apply heath and light therapy to the skin
of a user, and, more particularly, relates to a transparent head
for a skin treatment device that provides both heat and light for
treatment of a person's skin.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Photo and thermal therapy have long been used to treat skin
disorders, as well as for cosmetic purposes. The use of light and
heat therapy are recognized to promote blood flow, nerve
stimulation, muscle relaxation, and can improve and maintain
complexion to reduce wrinkling caused by environmental and other
stresses experienced by the skin. Furthermore, the use of light and
heat therapy is also recognized to be useful in treating and
preventing certain skin conditions.
[0004] Accordingly, there are a wide variety of devices on the
market that provide heat and/or light that are configured to be
used on a person's skin, particularly on the face. These devices
have varying efficacy, ranging from being essentially ineffective
at all, to potentially unsafe if used improperly. A number of these
devices have been designed for home, private use. Accordingly, it
is important to ensure that such devices operate safely, while
providing the expected benefit. From a manufacturing standpoint, it
is also important to reduce the manufacturing costs associated with
manufacturing these devices.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the
prior art as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides a transparent cover member or head
for a skin treatment device that overcomes the
hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices
and methods of this general type.
[0007] In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive
disclosure, there is provided a transparent cover member for a skin
treatment device that includes a top having a front and a back,
with the front being flat and configured to face outward from the
skin treatment device, and the back being opposite the front.
Further, the back includes a central portion and an outside wall
extending down from the front, around an entirety of a perimeter of
the front. The back of the transparent cover member has an outside
shoulder formed at a bottom of the outside wall. The outside
shoulder extends inward from the bottom of the outside wall inward
to an inner edge of the of the outside shoulder that meets a
standoff wall of a standoff portion. The standoff portion extends
downward away from the front and surrounding the central portion,
and the outside shoulder surrounds the standoff portion. The back
further includes an inner shoulder formed at an inside of the
standoff portion above the bottom of the standoff portion and which
extends inward to an inner edge of the inner shoulder. The inner
edge of the inner shoulder terminates at an inner wall which
extends upwards to an inner surface of the top in the central
portion. The standoff portion surrounds the inner shoulder and
extends downward, with respect to the front, farther than both the
outside shoulder and the inner shoulder, and the inner shoulder is
lower than the inner surface of the front and surrounds the inner
surface of the top.
[0008] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member is comprised of sapphire glass.
[0009] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member is comprised of silicon.
[0010] In accordance with another feature, wherein the transparent
cover member further comprises, on the back, an ultrasonic coupling
feature extending from the back in the central portion.
[0011] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member is comprised of material that is selected to be less
transparent for some wavelengths of infrared light while being more
transparent for other wavelengths of infrared light.
[0012] In accordance with another feature, a surface of front of
the transparent cover member is frosted.
[0013] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member further includes a plurality of retention features that
protrude outward from the standoff wall.
[0014] In accordance with another feature, the plurality of
retention features are formed in a ramp configuration.
[0015] In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive
disclosure, there is provided a transparent cover member for a skin
treatment device that provides light and heat therapy to a user's
skin that includes a flat front configured to face outward from the
skin treatment device. The transparent cover member also includes a
back that is opposite the flat front, and has a central portion.
There is further included an outside wall of the transparent cover
member that extends down from the front around the entire perimeter
of the front. There is further included an outside shoulder formed
at a bottom of the outside wall. The outside shoulder extends
inward from the outside wall to an inner edge of the of the outside
shoulder, which meets a standoff wall of a standoff portion. The
standoff portion extends downward from the inner edge of the
outside shoulder in a direction away from the front. The standoff
portion surrounds the central portion and the outside shoulder
surrounds the standoff portion. There is further included an inner
shoulder formed at an inside of the standoff portion above a bottom
of the standoff portion. The inner shoulder extends inward from the
standoff portion to an inner edge of the inner shoulder. The inner
edge terminates at an inner wall which extends upwards to an inner
surface of the central portion. The standoff portion surrounds the
inner shoulder and extends downward, with respect to the front,
farther than both the outside shoulder and the inner shoulder. The
inner shoulder is lower than the central portion and surrounds the
central portion.
[0016] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member is comprised of sapphire glass.
[0017] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member is comprised of silicon.
[0018] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member is comprised of material that is selectively transparent for
selected wavelengths of infrared light.
[0019] In accordance with another feature, a surface of the flat
front and a surface of the outside wall are frosted.
[0020] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member further includes a plurality of retention features that
protrude outward from the standoff wall.
[0021] In accordance with another feature, the plurality of
retention features are formed in a ramp configuration.
[0022] In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive
disclosure, there is provided a monolithic glass head for a skin
treatment device that includes a flat front portion having a front
surface that is configured to face outward from the skin treatment
device. There is further included a back portion that is opposite
the flat front portion and which includes a central portion, and an
outside wall portion extending down from the flat front portion
around an entirety of a perimeter of the flat front portion. There
is further included an outside shoulder, formed at a bottom of the
outside wall portion, which extends inward from the outside wall to
a standoff wall of a standoff portion, wherein the outside shoulder
surrounds the standoff portion. The standoff portion extends
downward, in a direction away from the flat front portion, and
surrounds the central portion of the back portion. There is further
included a plurality of retention features that protrude outward
from the standoff wall, and an inner shoulder formed at an inside
wall of the standoff portion above a bottom of the standoff
portion, and which extends inward to an inner edge of the inner
shoulder, wherein the inner edge of the inner shoulder terminates
at an inner wall which extends upwards to the central portion of
the back portion, wherein the standoff portion surrounds the inner
shoulder and extends downward, with respect to the front surface,
farther than both the outside shoulder and the inner shoulder.
[0023] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member consists entirely of sapphire glass or silicon.
[0024] In accordance with another feature, the top of the
transparent cover member is frosted.
[0025] In accordance with another feature, the plurality of
retention features are formed in a ramp configuration.
[0026] In accordance with another feature, the transparent cover
member is comprised of material that is selected to be less
transparent for some wavelengths of infrared light while being more
transparent for other wavelengths of infrared light.
[0027] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a transparent cover member for a skin treatment
device, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the
details shown because various modifications and structural changes
may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the
claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments
of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted
so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
[0028] Other features that are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required,
detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;
however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various
forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the
present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed
structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not
intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable
description of the invention. While the specification concludes
with claims defining the features of the invention that are
regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better
understood from a consideration of the following description in
conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference
numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not
drawn to scale.
[0029] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it
is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the
purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not
intended to be limiting. The terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are
defined as one or more than one. The term "plurality," as used
herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term "another," as
used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms
"including" and/or "having," as used herein, are defined as
comprising (i.e., open language). The term "coupled," as used
herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,
and not necessarily mechanically. The term "providing" is defined
herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical
existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or
something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period
of time.
[0030] "In the description of the embodiments of the present
invention, unless otherwise specified, azimuth or positional
relationships indicated by terms such as "up", "down", "left",
"right", "inside", "outside", "front", "back", "head", "tail" and
so on, are azimuth or positional relationships based on the
drawings, which are only to facilitate description of the
embodiments of the present invention and simplify the description,
but not to indicate or imply that the devices or components must
have a specific azimuth, or be constructed or operated in the
specific azimuth, which thus cannot be understood as a limitation
to the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, terms
such as "first", "second", "third" and so on are only used for
descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or
implying relative importance.
[0031] In the description of the embodiments of the present
invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly
defined and limited, terms such as "installed", "coupled",
"connected" should be broadly interpreted, for example, it may be
fixedly connected, or may be detachably connected, or integrally
connected; it may be mechanically connected, or may be electrically
connected; it may be directly connected, or may be indirectly
connected via an intermediate medium. As used herein, the terms
"about" or "approximately" apply to all numeric values, whether or
not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of
numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to
the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In
many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to
the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term
"longitudinal" should be understood to mean in a direction
corresponding to an elongated direction of the head of the skin
treatment device. Those skilled in the art can understand the
specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the embodiments
of the present invention according to the specific
circumstances
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views and which together with the detailed description
below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve
to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various
principles and advantages all in accordance with the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a head assembly
for a skin treatment device, in accordance with some
embodiments;
[0034] FIG. 2. is a side cut away view of a transparent cover
member for a head assembly of a skin treatment device, in
accordance with some embodiments;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a side cut away view of a transparent cover member
for a head assembly of a skin treatment device, in accordance with
some embodiments;
[0036] FIG. 4. shows a bottom view of a transparent cover member
having lugs for holding the head assembly together in the body of a
skin treatment device, in accordance with some embodiments;
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a side cut away view of a transparent cover
member for a head assembly of a skin treatment device, including an
ultrasonic coupling feature, in accordance with some
embodiments;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a side cut away view of an assembled head
assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a block schematic diagram of some electronic and
electric components of a skin treatment device, in accordance with
some embodiments;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a transparent cover member having
artwork etched into the back side of the transparent cover member,
in accordance with some embodiments;
[0041] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a transparent cover member
from the side and rear, in accordance with some embodiments;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a transparent cover
member as depicted in FIG. 9, in accordance with some
embodiments;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a transparent cover member
as depicted in FIG. 9, in accordance with some embodiments;
[0044] FIG. 12 is a side cut-away view of a transparent cover
member as depicted in FIG. 9, in accordance with some embodiments;
and
[0045] FIG. 13 is a side view of the inside of the top portion of a
housing for an skin treatment device, showing the retention feature
for engaging a corresponding retention feature of a transparent
cover member, in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] While the specification concludes with claims defining the
features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is
believed that the invention will be better understood from a
consideration of the following description in conjunction with the
drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried
forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various
forms.
[0047] Embodiments of the invention solve the problems associated
with the prior art by providing a transparent head or cover member
for a skin treatment device with two sets of LEDs, where the
visible light LEDs are surrounded by thermal infrared LEDs. The
heat output can be controlled using both the infrared LEDs and with
a heat element disposed adjacent the transparent cover member. The
inventive cover member reduces manufacturing costs, as well as
improves the delivery of light and heat to a user's skin under
control of the user.
[0048] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a head assembly
100 for a skin treatment device, in accordance with some
embodiments. The head assembly is assembled into the head 102 of a
skin treatment device. The skin treatment device further includes a
body in which other components of the skin treatment device can be
located, including, for example, batteries, control circuitry,
interface components like buttons, switches, and so on. At the
front of the head 102 is an opening 104 in which the head assembly
100 is assembled. In some embodiments an shoulder 106 can be formed
around the perimeter, or portions of the perimeter, to support the
component of the head assembly 100.
[0049] The head assembly includes a circuit board 108 that can be
shaped substantially the same as the opening 104, and on which
there is disposed at least two different, independent series of
light emitting diodes (LEDs). A first series of LEDs, such as LED
110, can be arranged around the perimeter of the circuit board 108,
on the front of the circuit board 108. The first series of LEDs can
all be thermal infrared LEDs. That is, the first series of LEDs are
primarily used to generate heat radiation in the form of infrared
light of a particular infrared wavelength range. The LEDs of the
first series of LEDs may also produce some visible light in some
embodiments. When the head assembly is formed in a circular shape,
the first series of LEDs can form a circle around the periphery of
the front of the circuit board 108. A second series of LEDs can be
disposed on the front of the circuit board 108 in an arrangement
that follows the first series of LEDs, but between the first series
of LEDs and a center portion of the circuit board. In embodiments
where the head assembly 100 is formed in a circular shape, the
second series of LEDs can be arranged on a circle that is
concentric with a circle on which the first series of LEDs is
arranged. The second series of LEDs can be configured to generate
visible light in one or more colors. For example, the second series
of LEDs can be configured to produce red or blue light,
selectively. In some modes the second series of LEDs can produce
red light, and in some modes they can produce blue light.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the second series of LEDs can
include one or more LEDs for producing ultraviolet light, or at
least light that includes light in the ultraviolet portion of the
light spectrum. Accordingly, the second series of LEDs can include
two or more separately controlled LEDs, each for producing
different colors, and which can be selectively enabled to emit
their respective color light based on a mode of operation of the
skin treatment device. The circuit board 108 can further include an
opening 113, through which other portions of the skin treatment
device can pass to engage other components of the head assembly
100.
[0050] Over the circuit board 108, arranged to be over the first
series of LEDs, is a heat element 114. The heat element 114 can be
either an active or a passive element, and generally includes a
metal or metalized outer surface, at least on a top region (i.e.
facing outwards from the device). As a passive device the heat
element 114 acts as a heat spreader, to prevent hot spots at the
face of the head assembly 100 during use. As an active device, the
heat element 114 can include an electrically resistive component
which can be used to generate heat. A tab 116 of the heat element
114 can include leads that can connect to the circuit board 108 so
that an electric current can pass through the resistive component
of the heat element 114 to generate heat, as desired, under control
of skin treatment device.
[0051] A transparent cover member 118 fits over the heat element
114 and circuit board 108, and is comprised of a transparent
material that can be selectively emissive for particular light
wavelengths. For example, the transparent cover member 118 can be
comprised of a material that blocks or attenuates certain infrared
wavelengths. For example, the transparent cover member 118 can be
made of sapphire glass, silicon, chalcogenide glass, or polymeric
materials. The front 119 of the transparent cover member 118 is
generally flat, although it can be made convex as well, as it will
be pressed against a user's skin. The back of the transparent cover
member 118, opposite the front 119, is stepped with concentric
portions having different thicknesses to the front 119, as will be
shown.
[0052] A metal bezel 120 encircle the head assembly 100 and hold it
into the opening 104 of the head 102 of the skin treatment device.
The metal bezel 120 has an opening 122 that constitutes the
majority of the front area of the metal bezel 120, through which
the front 119 of the transparent member 118 can be seen, and
therefore all of the light generated by the LEDs on the circuit
board 108. The bezel 120 includes a rim 126 over the periphery of
the front, around the opening 122, and a side 124 that extends down
from the front, around the perimeter of the front of the bezel 120.
The side 124 goes over an outside portion 128 of the head of the
skin treatment device. The bezel 120 and the transparent member 118
can be mounted on the head 102 of the skin treatment device such
that they can move together, with respect to a direction normal to
the front 119 of the transparent member to allow touch sensing by
the skin treatment device. That is, the transparent member 118
and/or the bezel 120 can be mechanically coupled to a switch which
is closed (or opened) when the user presses the front 119 of the
transparent member against their skin. The switch can be a
mechanical switch that physically opens/closes and electrical
circuit, or it can be a capacitive sensor that detects a change in
capacitance at the metal bezel 120, as occurs when the user presses
the front of the head assembly against their skin.
[0053] FIG. 2. is a side cut away view of a transparent cover
member 200 for a head assembly of a skin treatment device, in
accordance with some embodiments. The transparent cover member 200
can be substantially the same as transparent cover member 118 of
FIG. 1, in some embodiments. As shown here, the front 202 is at the
top of the drawing, and a back 204 is opposite the front 202. The
distance through the material directly from the front 202 to the
back 204 is a first thickness 212. The back 204 is sized to
correspond with the visible light LEDs so that light from the
visible LEDs is transmitted through the transparent cover member
200 from the back 204 to the front 202. Around the perimeter of the
main back section 204 is a perimeter shoulder 208 that has a
different thickness 214 to the front 202. The perimeter shoulder
208 is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the
heat element (e.g. 114), which sits between the perimeter shoulder
208 and the infrared LEDs on the circuit board. Around the
perimeter shoulder 208 is a standoff 210 that is thicker than
either the back 204 or perimeter shoulder 208 that is sized and
shaped to sit on the perimeter of the circuit board, or other
support structure, and which meets the side 206 of the transparent
cover member.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a side cut away view of a transparent cover member
300 for a head assembly of a skin treatment device, in accordance
with some embodiments. Similar to transparent cover member 200, the
embodiments represented by transparent cover member 300 include a
front 302 and a back portion 304 that is opposite the front 302.
Visible light from LEDs on the circuit board of the head assembly
passes through the transparent cover member 300 from the back 304
to the front 302, and is emitted from the front. However, in
embodiments consistent with that shown here, the perimeter shoulder
308 is less thick to the front 302 than the back portion 304. In
some embodiments the infrared LEDs may be taller than the visible
light LEDs, thus, and higher clearance of the perimeter shoulder
308 is needed for the heat element and infrared LEDs. The perimeter
shoulder 308 is formed around the perimeter of the back 304, and is
itself surrounded by the standoff 310, which is contiguous with the
side 306 of the transparent cover member 300.
[0055] FIG. 4. shows a bottom view of a transparent cover member
400 having lugs 406 for holding the head assembly together in the
body of a skin treatment device, in accordance with some
embodiments. In this view of the bottom, it can be seen that the
transparent cover member 400 is circular, and has a standoff 402 at
the outermost radius around the transparent cover member 400.
Inside the standoff 402 is a perimeter shoulder 403 in which the
heat element can be disposed. The remainder of transparent cover
member shown is the back 404 through which the visible LEDs shine
to emit visible light. The lugs 406 can be disposed at several
positions around the outside, on the side of the transparent cover
member 400. The lugs 406 can be formed as a protruding portion of
the material of the transparent cover member and are sized and
shaped to engage a corresponding retention feature in the head of
the skin treatment device. So, for example, the transparent cover
member 400 can be placed into the front opening (e.g. 104 of FIG.
1), where channels formed in the inside wall of the housing of the
skin treatment device head receive the lugs, and once the
transparent cover member 400 is fully inserted, it is turned (e.g.
clockwise) such that the lugs 406 engage transverse channels to
retain transparent cover member 400 in place, with the standoff 402
bearing against the circuit board (e.g. 108) to likewise hold it in
place. Then the bezel (e.g. 120) can be placed over the
assembly.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a side cut away view of a transparent cover
member 500 for a head assembly of a skin treatment device,
including an ultrasonic coupling feature, in accordance with some
embodiments. It is contemplated that a sonic or ultrasonic driver
can be coupled to the transparent cover member 500 to impart
vibration into the user's skin when using the skin treatment
device, and thereby promote blood flow in the user's skin. The
front 502 is a major surface the faces outward from the skin
treatment device, and makes contact with the user's skin. Opposite
the front is the back 504, which is surrounded by a perimeter
shoulder 508, which in turn is surrounded by a standoff portion
510. Unlike previously described embodiments of the transparent
cover member, however, the sides 506 are angled inward from front
to back and an angle 512 from vertical (i.e. normal to the plane of
the front surface 502). By angling the sides as such, at an angle
of 15 to 45 degrees, the transparent cover member can be more
effective at emitting infrared light through the front 502 into the
user's skin. Furthermore, an ultrasonic coupling feature can be
formed in the center of the back 504 by an annular ridge 514 the
forms a pocket 516 in which the tip of an acoustic driver can be
positioned to impart vibration and audio or ultrasonic frequencies
into the transparent cover member 500 and thereby to the skin of
the user.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a side cut away view of an assembled head assembly
600, in accordance with some embodiments. This view does not show
the housing of the skin treatment device, just the main components
of the head assembly when put together as they would be when
assembled into the head of the skin treatment device. A transparent
cover member 602 having a front 603 rests on a circuit board 604 at
the standoff 605 of the transparent cover member, which is on the
outermost portion at the back of the transparent cover member 602,
opposite the front 603. The circuit board 604 may include a hole or
aperture 606 in the center of the circuit board 604. On the circuit
board are several visible light LEDs 612 in a first series of LEDs
which produce light that passes through the transparent cover
member 602 from the back 607 to the front 603. Around the outside
region of the circuit board 606 where the visible light LEDs 612
are disposed is a heat element 608 corresponding to a perimeter
shoulder 609 of the transparent cover member 602. The heat element
608 can be provided over the infrared LEDs 610 to emit infrared
light into the heat element. In some embodiments, at least some of
the infrared LEDs 610 can be positioned to emit light through the
back 607 to the front 603 as well. The assembly shown here can
vary, in other embodiments, to accommodate or include the
variations described and shown in any of the preceding drawings as
well.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a block schematic diagram of some electronic and
electric components of a skin treatment device 700, in accordance
with some embodiments. In generally a controller or control circuit
702 controls the electrical operation of the skin treatment device.
The controller 702 can be, for example, a logic circuit or a
microcontroller that operates according to instruction code. The
controller 702, for example, controls the operation of a first
series of LEDs 704 and a second series of LEDs 706, which can be,
for example, a series of visible light LEDs and a series of
infrared LEDs, respectively. To control each series, a control
signal can be provided to a switching transistor to turn the LEDs
on or off, accordingly. A heat element 711 can likewise be enabled
or disable to provide heat, based on a user input 712. The user
input 712 can be, for example, one or more buttons that the user
operates to indicate the desired operation of the skin treatment
device. Several indicator LEDs 714 can be controlled to indicate
the mode of operation selected by the user. Each of the selector
LEDs 714 can be individually turned on or off by the controller
702, according to the selected mode of operation.
[0059] Several safety features can be included, such as a
temperature sensor 708 which indicate a temperature of the
transparent cover member to the controller 702. If the indicated
temperature reaches a maximum threshold, then the controller 702
can turn off the heat element 711 and/or the infrared LEDs 706. A
touch sensor 710 can indicate to the controller 702 when the user
has touched the head to the user's skin. The touch sensor 710 can
be a switch that is closed when the user presses the head of the
skin treatment device to their skin, or a capacitive sensor coupled
to the head assembly (e.g. at the metal bezel), to sense a change
in capacitance, as occurs when the head touches the user's skin.
Accordingly, when the user selects a mode of operation, the
controller can refrain from activating the LEDs 704, 706 and heat
element (if it is an active heat element), according to the
selected mode of operation, until the user touches the head of the
skin treatment device to their skin, or at least until the
controller receives an indication of such from the touch
sensor.
[0060] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a transparent cover member 800
having artwork 802 etched into the back side of the transparent
cover member 800, in accordance with some embodiments. The artwork
802 can be etched on the back 804 of the transparent cover member
800 to create a translucent surface in the artwork, rather than a
transparent surface, on the back 804 of the transparent cover
member 800. Thus the artwork will be visibly distinct from the
surrounding transparent regions, and will be illuminated by the
visible light of the LEDs. The artwork can be, for example, a logo
or wording associated with the maker of the skin treatment
device.
[0061] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a transparent cover member
900 from the side and rear, in accordance with some embodiments.
FIGS. 10-11 also show the transparent cover member from different
angles. FIG. 12 shows a side cutaway view of the transparent cover
member 900. Accordingly, the reference numerals pointing to the
same structure in FIGS. 9-12 are carried forward through all these
drawings.
[0062] The transparent cover member 900 is made of a transparent
material, such as sapphire glass, polymer, silicon (e.g. silicon
nitride), or any other suitable transparent material. The
transparent cover member 900 has a top 902, which, in the view of
FIG. 9, the inside surface of the top 902 is seen. Around the
outside of the transparent cover member 900, is an outside wall 904
that extends from the outer perimeter of the upper surface or front
(918) of the top 902, and generally downwards. At the bottom of the
outside wall 904 is an outside shoulder or ledge 906 at a
substantial angle (e.g. 90 degrees) to the outside wall 904. An
inner edge of the outside shoulder 906 meets a standoff wall 910 of
the standoff portion 908 which extends downward. The standoff
portion 908 defines the outside from the inside of the transparent
cover member 900. The standoff portion 908 surrounds the central
portion of the transparent cover member 900, which is inside of the
transparent cover member 900. From the inside of the standoff
portion 908, extending inward at a substantial angle from the inner
wall of the standoff, is an inner shoulder 912. The outside of the
standoff wall 910 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter
of the front face (top 902). The inner shoulder 912 can be adjacent
or in contact with a ring-shaped heating element, as discussed in
FIGS. 1 & 6. The inner shoulder 912 terminates at an inner
edge, at which an inner wall 914 extends to the inside surface of
the top 902. The inner wall 914 defines the region in which the
visible light LEDs are arranged so that their light can pass
through the top 902.
[0063] At two or points at the bottom of the standoff portion 908,
on the outside of the standoff wall 910, there are retention
features 916 which engage corresponding retention features in the
inside of the housing of the skin treatment device to retain the
transparent cover member 900 in the housing of the skin treatment
device. The retention features 916 protrude outward from the
standoff wall 910 and can be ramped or inclined, where one end 922
(along the wall 910) of the protrusions is lower (relative to the
top 902) than the other end 920, forming a ramped top 924 of the
protrusion 916.
[0064] In some embodiments the outer surface 918 of the top, or the
inside surface (or both) of the transparent cover member 900 can be
treated to be translucent, rather than transparent. For example,
the outer surface 918 can be acid treated or sanded/sand blasted to
create a frosted effect. A translucent treatment obscures the
circuitry and LEDs from view while still allowing most of the light
produced by the LEDs to shine out of the transparent cover member
900. This treatment give the surface a frosted appearance, as is
known in the art.
[0065] FIG. 13 is a side view of the inside of the top portion of a
housing 1300 for an skin treatment device, showing the retention
feature for engaging a corresponding retention feature of a
transparent cover member, in accordance with some embodiments. The
view shown here is a slight isometric view to show one alternative
retention feature. The retention feature is intended to engage a
retention feature such as protrusions 916 on the transparent cover
member 900. Accordingly, a vertical channel 1304 is formed in the
inner surface of the housing 1300, starting at a top edge 1302 and
being formed downward from the top edge 1302. The channel 1304 is a
portion where the all of the housing 1300 is thinner than the
surrounding portions of the housing 1300, giving clearance for a
protrusion as the transparent housing member is lowered into the
housing 1300 from the top. At the bottom of the channel 1304 can be
a compliant or slightly compressible material 1306 on a shoulder of
ledge in the housing 1300, and that the bottom of the protrusion
916 will contact. Upon making contact, the higher end (e.g. 920) of
the protrusion 916 will be higher than an interference portion
1312. As the transparent cover member is rotated, the interference
portion 11312 can slide along the ramped top (e.g. 924) and the
protrusion, causing the compressible material 1306 to be compressed
until the higher end passes the interference portion 1312, and the
higher end of the protrusion is then on the inside 1310 of the
interference portion 1312, at which point the compressible material
1306 pushes or urges the transparent cover member slight upwards,
causing the higher end of the protrusion to be captured by the
interference portion 1312, with the protrusion fitting within a
pocket 1308. Thus, the transparent cover member will be retained
until the transparent cover member is again pressed downward,
compressing the compressible material 1306, so that the higher end
of the protrusion can pass under the interference portion 1312,
allowing the transparent cover member to be rotated in the reverse
direction such that the protrusion is then located in the channel
1304, allowing the transparent cover member to be removed from the
housing 1300.
[0066] The inventive embodiments described herein provide an
improved head assembly for a skin treatment device for providing
light and heat therapy to a user's skin. The embodiments provide a
simplified assembly while also providing optimized output
characteristics to control the heat and light output as desired by
each different user. In particular, embodiments provide the benefit
of providing heat and light through a monolithic transparent cover
member that can also include retention features that make
assembly/disassembly simple, reducing manufacturing costs while
also improving the output sensitivity experienced by a user.
* * * * *