EP1991195B1 - Hand-held device for combined facial care - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-held device (1) for combined facial care comprising means for mechanically treating facial skin (2) and means for steaming facial skin (3). According to the invention, operational convenience is greatly improved compared to prior art and the user saves on space and costs due to said combined device (1). Also, cosmetic treatment is simplified as only one device (1) is required to perform several treatment steps.

Description

The present invention relates to a hand-held device for combined facial care.

Recently, various, suitable for home use hand-held devices for the mechanical treatment of facial skin have become known. Furthermore, devices for the separate steaming of facial skin are known.

For example, is from the DE 42 43 876 A1 a device for skin treatment is known, which has a treatment button, through which a suction pressure field can be caused on a skin area, wherein the treatment button is provided with a heating and / or cooling device, through which the treatment button can be heated and / or cooled.

In addition, the describe DE 32 11 767 C2 , the DE 31 07 787 A1 as well as the WO 94/04116 A1 Hand tools for steam treatment and mechanical treatment of facial skin.

As far as devices available in the state of the art are operated via mains current, they have the disadvantage that they are generally unwieldy for the user. If such a device is firmly connected to the power supply in order to ensure a corresponding energy supply, the possibilities of movement of the user during use are considerably limited.

A professional skin cleansing usually includes several steps, namely the removal of cosmetic residues such as make-up; opening the pores, which is usually done by warm steam; the mechanical abrasion of dead cell layers; the disinfection and the application of a nourishing cream.

In order to be able to carry out these steps professionally and within a reasonable amount of time at home, a user requires corresponding electrically operated handsets. The user has to perform several steps with different devices. This has the disadvantage for him that a plurality of devices are to procure. If it has several devices that can be operated advantageously via rechargeable batteries with associated charging stations, there is a risk that a device may be inadvertently placed in a wrong charging station and thereby damaged.

Furthermore, it could be observed that, in particular, devices operated in battery mode for the separate steaming of facial skin have a very high energy consumption and, consequently, an unpleasantly short operating time.

On this basis, the present invention has the object to provide a comparison with the prior art more economical hand-held facial care device.

This object is achieved by a hand-held device for combined facial care with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

The hand-held device according to the invention for combined facial care is characterized in that it comprises means for the mechanical treatment of a facial skin and for the steam treatment of a facial skin. This is compared to the state of Technology achieved a significant improvement in ease of use. In particular, a user saves space and costs through the combined device. At the same time, the cosmetic treatment is facilitated, since he can now perform several treatment steps with one device.

It has proven to be advantageous if the handset has at least one, preferably replaceable, brush or a set of brushes. This has the advantage that a brush can adapt particularly well to the skin structure and, moreover, in the case of mechanical wear of the brush, only this and not the entire device has to be replaced.

For the treatment of facial skin, it is also advantageous if the means for mechanical treatment performs vibrating and / or oscillating movements. Through these movements, a high efficiency of skin treatment at the same time subjectively pleasant feeling of a user is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for mechanical treatment are electrically and / or electromagnetically driven.

It is also advantageous if an electric motor and / or an electromagnet are used to form a rotating or linear movement.

In a preferred embodiment, the vibratory movement takes place at a frequency of 150 to 250 Hz, preferably 180 to 220 Hz, and most preferably 200 Hz. With a vibrating movement of these frequency / frequency ranges cosmetic residues of different composition / origin and possibly dead Cell layers are removed very gently.

It has proven to be advantageous if different brushes are used for different skin types and skin age. It is thus an advantage to use brushes with a more cleansing effect for the care of young skin. Due to the higher cell division rate and the higher water content of younger skin such brushes are particularly advantageous to remove the impurities, both endogenous impurities such. Acne as well as exogenous species contaminants, e.g. Dust particles or other airborne particles. With older skin, cell division rate as well as water content are lower. Here, such brushes are particularly beneficial to maintain the skin and support the renewal, z. B. by a light massage, which stimulates blood circulation. In general, the brushes with more cleansing effect will be harder and rougher than those with more nourishing effect.

The handset has a liquid tank and a unit for atomizing the liquid. To facilitate the operation of the liquid tank can be designed to be removable. This facilitates the filling and emptying of older liquids.

The unit for atomizing the liquid has an electronically controllable piezoelectric element for ultrasonic atomization, which produces steam with a drop size of preferably 5 to 15 .mu.m, preferably 7 to 12 .mu.m, and particularly preferably 10 .mu.m. Steam with such a drop size has proven to be particularly advantageous when it comes to open pores of the skin. It is advantageous if a liquid is supplied by means of steam of 3 to 10 ml / min, preferably 4 to 7 ml / min and more preferably 5 ml / min.

It has also proven to be advantageous if the steam has a temperature of 35 to 55 ° C, preferably 30 to 50 ° C, and particularly preferably 38 ° C. The temperature should be slightly above the natural skin temperature to increase the pore opening, but not too high to avoid skin irritation.

In a preferred embodiment, the unit for atomization is designed such that in each case only a defined area of the facial skin can be acted upon with liquid and / or steam. Advantageously, this defined surface is circular and has a diameter of 2 to 6 mm, preferably 3 to 5 mm, and particularly preferably 4 mm. This embodiment has the advantage that it requires only a relatively small energy supply for the supply of the surface with steam. By gentle circles, it is equally easy to define and comfortably maintain a facial surface of about 30 mm in diameter.

The voltage supply of the means for mechanical treatment and / or the means for steam treatment via a mains supply and / or a battery supply. The handset has at least one rechargeable battery and at least one charging station, with which the battery can be charged.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the heating device is such that heating of the liquid takes place only when the hand-held device is connected to the charging station. Heating the liquid requires a lot of energy. If the handset is designed so that the heating of the liquid takes place only when the handset is connected to the charging station, the operating time in battery operation can be extended considerably.

It is advantageous in this case if the unit for atomizing the liquid is such that the power supply of this unit takes place via battery current and / or mains current. If e.g. the heating element operated only when the handset is connected to the charging station, and operated the unit for atomizing the liquid, even if the handset is not connected to the charging station, so in battery operation, a significant prolonged duration of the steam treatment can be achieved.

It has been shown that it is advantageous to provide a temperature sensor which, upon reaching a - preferably adjustable temperature - switches off the heating element and / or prevents the controllability of the piezoelectric element. If the attainment of this preferably adjustable temperature is communicated to the user by means of an optical or acoustic signal, then he can be sure that he will then find an optimum temperature for the steam treatment.

Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the handset has various control programs, which are preferably adjustable via a display. Thus, e.g. different programs for different skin types or for different cleaning or care programs are created, which can be accessed by the user as needed.

The device according to the invention for combined facial care also facilitates the usual treatment steps of a professional facial care, regardless of a voltage fed via a landline and thus allows a comfortable and contemporary beauty care.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to various embodiments, to which the present invention is not limited, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

ein Handgerät zur kombinierten Gesichtspflege in einer perspektivischen Vorderansicht;

Fig. 2

das Handgerät nach Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Hinteransicht nebst Ladestation; und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufbaus des in Fig. 1 und 2 dargestellten Handgerätes.

In it show schematically:

Fig. 1

a hand device for combined facial care in a front perspective view;

Fig. 2

the handset after Fig. 1 in a perspective rear view together with charging station; and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of the structure of in Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated handset.

In the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

Fig. 1 shows a hand device 1 for combined facial care in a perspective front view. Clearly recognizable, the hand-held device 1 comprises means for the mechanical treatment 2 of a facial skin and means for the steam treatment 3 of a facial skin. The means for the mechanical treatment of the facial skin are characterized by at least one, preferably replaceable, brush 2 or a set of brushes 2a; 2b formed and can perform vibrating and / or oscillating movements. For this purpose, the means for the mechanical treatment 2 of a facial skin by an electric motor and / or an electromagnet 4 can be driven. The vibratory motion is preferably at a frequency of 150 to 250 Hz, preferably 180 to 220 Hz, and most preferably with 200 Hz. Furthermore, it has proven useful to provide different sets of brushes 2a, 2b,... for different skin types and / or skin ages. These can preferably be controlled via different, stored in the handset 1 in an electronic control programs, which are preferably adjustable via a display 12.

As in Fig. 2 can be seen which the handset 1 after Fig. 1 in a perspective rear view together with charging station 11, the means for steam treatment 3 comprise at least one liquid tank 5 and a unit for atomizing the liquid 6. The atomizing unit comprises an electronically controllable piezoelectric element 6, which steam 7, esp. Based on ultrasonic atomization, with a drop size of 5 to 15 microns, preferably 7 to 12 microns, and more preferably produced 10 microns. The liquid supply by means of steam 7 is preferably 3 to 10 ml / min, preferably 4 to 7 ml / min, and particularly preferably 5 ml / min, the steam 7 having a temperature of preferably 35 to 55 ° C, preferably 40 to 50 ° C , and more preferably 38 ° C.

The atomization unit 6 is ideally designed in such a way that only a defined area of the facial skin can be acted upon by liquid and / or vapor 7. In this case, the defined area is in particular circular and has a diameter of 2 to 6 mm, preferably 3 to 5 mm, and particularly preferably 4 mm. For supplying power to the means for mechanical treatment 2 and / or the means for steam treatment 3, a mains supply 9 and / or a battery supply 10 are provided, wherein in the handset 1 at least one rechargeable battery 10 is arranged, which takes place via a charging station 11.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the structure of in Fig. 1 and 2 1, the means for steam treatment 3 furthermore comprise at least one heating device 8. According to the invention, the heating device 8 is preferably such that heating of the liquid takes place only when the hand-held device 1 is charged via the charging station 11. In particular, the unit for atomizing the liquid 6 is so; that their power supply via battery power 10 and / or power 9 takes place. Appropriately, finally, a temperature sensor (not shown) may be provided, which on reaching a - preferably adjustable temperature - the heater 8 turns off and / or the controllability of the piezoelectric element 6 is prevented.

The device 1 according to the invention for combined facial care also facilitates the customary treatment steps of a professional facial care independently of a voltage fed via a landline and thus makes possible a comfortable and contemporary beauty care.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Hand device for combined facial care

2

Means for the mechanical treatment of facial skin; brush

2a, 2b

Set of brushes

3

Means for steaming facial skin

4

Electric motor and / or electromagnet

5

liquid tank

6

Unit for atomizing the liquid; Piezo element, esp. For ultrasonic atomization

7

steam

8th

heater

9

power supply

10

battery supply

11

charging station

12

display

Claims (16)

1. Hand-held device (1) for combined facial care, including means for mechanically treating facial skin (2) and means for steaming facial skin, wherein the means for steaming (3) include at least one liquid tank (5) and a unit for atomising the liquid (6) and a power supply (9) and/or a battery supply (10) are provided for supplying power to the means for mechanically treating (2) and/or means for steaming (3), wherein this hand-held device comprises at least one rechargeable battery (10) and a charging station (11), with which the battery (10) can be charged,
   characterised in that
   the unit for atomising includes an electronically activateable piezoelement (6), especially for ultrasonic atomisation, which produces steam (7) with a droplet size of 5 to 15 µm, preferably 7 to 12 µm, and particularly preferably 10 µm.
2. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for mechanically treating facial skin are formed by at least one, preferably interchangeable, brush (2) or a set or brushes (2a; 2b).
3. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the means for mechanically treating facial skin (2, 2a, 2b) execute vibrating and/or oscillating movements.
4. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the means for mechanically treating the facial skin (2, 2a, 2b) can be powered electrically and/or electromagnetically.
5. Hand-held device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, in order to embody a rotational movement and/or a linear movement of the brush/es (2, 2a, 2b), an electric motor and/or an electromagnet (4) is provided.
6. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that the vibrating movement takes place at a frequency of 150 to 250 Hz, preferably 180 to 220 Hz and very particularly preferably 200 Hz.
7. Hand-held device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that different brushes (2a, 2b, ...) are provided for various skin types and/or skin ages.
8. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that 3 to 10 mL/min, preferably 4 to 7 mL/ min and particularly preferably 5 mL/ min of liquid is supplied using steam (7).
9. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the steam (7) has a temperature of 35 to 55 °C, preferably 40 to 50 °C and particularly preferably 38°C.
10. Hand-held device (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterised in that the unit for atomisation (6) is designed such that only a defined surface of the facial skin can be exposed to liquid and/or steam (7).
11. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the defined surface is circular and has a diameter of 2 to 6 mm, preferably 3 to 5 mm and particularly preferably 4 mm.
12. Hand-held device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the means for steaming (3) further includes at least one heating apparatus (8).
13. Hand-held device (1) according to claim 12, characterised in that the heating apparatus (8) is provided such that the liquid is only heated if the hand-held device (1) is charged by way of the charging station (11).
14. Hand-held device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the unit for atomizing liquid (6) is designed such that its power is supplied by way of battery power (10) and/or mains power (9).
15. Hand-held device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a temperature sensor is provided, which, when a preferably adjustable temperature is reached, switches off the heating apparatus (8) and/or prevents the activation of the piezoelement (6).
16. Hand-held device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that this includes various control programs, which can preferably be adjusted by way of a display (12).

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