DE102012009514A1 - Hand-held device for electrically assisted cellulite treatment of skin of user, has energy source pole staying in electrical connection with outer electrodes during operating device, and electrically operated vibrator attached in or at cap - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an outer electrode staying in contact with a hand when the device is held by a user in the hand for use. Another outer electrode (20) is placed on a skin region to be treated. A pole of an electrical energy source e.g. battery, stays in electrical connection with the electrodes during operating the device. An electrically operated vibrator (15) e.g. electric motor, is attached in or at a cap (9), and vibrates the latter electrode on the skin. Current is passed into skin from an external electric circuit via the latter electrode. A socket is designed in another cap.

Description

The invention relates to a hand-held device for electrically assisted skin treatment, comprising:
a first external electrode which is in contact with the hand when the device is held in the hand by the user for use, a second external electrode which can be placed on the skin area to be treated, and an electric power source whose poles are in operation of the device with the electrodes in an electrical connection,

Such a device is in the WO 2005/087308 A1 described. In order to use the device, the user takes it in the hand and puts on an acting as an electrode cap on the skin areas to be treated. With the first electrode, an electrically conductive contact to the hand and with the second electrode, an electrically conductive contact is made to the skin area to be treated. Since the two electrodes are connected to a respective pole of an electrical energy source, an electrical circuit is formed, which encloses the body of the user, wherein, depending on the polarity, a positive or a negative electric current flows from the cap into the skin area to be treated.

This can be used to increase the effect of treatment creams or cleansing creams, since the active ingredients of a treatment cream are transported with the electric current into the skin and contaminants are transported from the skin into a cleansing cream with an opposite polarity.

The device is further provided with a variety of interchangeable caps, whose shape is adapted to the skin surface to be treated. There is a first cap with a relatively smooth surface, a second cap that is comb-shaped, which can be used primarily for the treatment of the scalp, and a third cap with a wavy structure, with which a massage effect is connected. The device achieves good results both in skin cleansing and in the incorporation of active ingredients. But this should be even more effective.

The invention is thus based on the object to further improve the operation of the device.

To solve the problem it is proposed that in or on the device, an electrically operated vibrator is mounted.

Such a vibrator sets the device in an oscillating motion, so that during operation of the device, an enhanced massage effect, whereby the skin pores are widened and an even better transition of contaminants from the skin or the active ingredients is realized in the skin.

The massaging effect is particularly pronounced when the vibrator is mounted near the second outer electrode, because then the area of the device which vibrates strongly at the area of the skin to be treated then vibrates.

Preferably, the invention is used in a device comprising:
a base body which is adapted to be gripped by a hand, wherein the first outer electrode is present on the base body,
a cap for releasable attachment to the broom body, which has the second outer electrode, which can be placed on the area of the skin to be treated,
wherein the electrical energy source is disposed in the base body.

In such a device, the electrically operated vibrator is mounted in or on the cap and thus directly at the second electrode.

In order to keep the structure of the device simple, it is provided that an adjustable by the user of the device switching device is present in the base body, which makes the electrical connections of the power source to the electrodes, and that the vibrator is connected via the switching device to the electrical energy source , There is thus a common energy source for the electrode and the vibrator.

The energy source can be batteries or even batteries that are inserted into a compartment of the base body. As far as batteries should be provided for the device, it is conceivable to provide the device with a charger, with which the batteries can be charged in the device.

But since the power source in the base body, the vibrator and an electrode are arranged in or on the cap, an electrical connection is to be established. The invention provides that between the base body and the cap, a first and a second electrical contact are present, each consisting of a base contact element and a cap contact element, wherein the base contact elements in the base body and the cap contact elements are arranged in the cap such that the Contacts are closed when the cap is placed on the base body, wherein the electrical connection between the power source and the second electrode is made via the first contact and wherein the circuit for energizing the vibrator passes over the first and the second contact.

Since the first contact is used both for the supply of the second electrode and for the connection of the vibrator, only two contacts are required, although a total of three connections (one to the electrode, two for driving the vibrator) are made.

Preferably, the contact elements consist of pins whose end faces come into contact with each other when plugged in, wherein in each case a contact element of a contact is resiliently mounted in the axial direction. The cap is held by means of a releasable catch on the base body.

When placing the cap, the pins press with their end faces on each other, so that an electrical contact is formed. At the same time a spring force is exerted on the cap by the bias of the spring, so that the cap is resiliently pushed away from the base body and easily detached from the base body as soon as the detent, which holds the cap on the base body, is released.

Since the second contact only serves to power the vibrator, the contact element in the cap is to be used in isolation with respect to the second electrode. This is particularly necessary when the cap as a whole or an outer layer of the cap consists of an electrically conductive material, wherein the cap contact element of the first electrical contact with the material in an electrically conductive manner and wherein the cap contact element of the second electrical contact with respect the conductive material is electrically isolated.

Preferably, the switching means is provided with an electronic memory in which are stored the parameters of operating states to be selected which are selectable by the user by means of a key, one of the parameters being related to the polarity of the electrodes and the vibrator being of the type that it works independently of the polarity of the applied voltage.

Since, as explained above, the device provides that the polarity of the electrodes is exchangeable, this also causes the polarity of the power supply of the vibrator to be reversed. Therefore, the vibrator must have an electric drive that is insensitive to reversal of the polarity. In the simplest case, the vibrator is an electric motor, to whose shaft an eccentric is mounted. It would also be conceivable vibration exciters, in which a mass by electromagnets in rapid succession times in one, sometimes pulled in the other direction.

The electric motor, on whose shaft an eccentric is mounted, can be arranged in different orientations in the cap of the device. The cap has at its lower end a Aufsteckbereich which can be plugged onto the base body, and forms at its upper end, the second outer electrode. In order for the electrode to oscillate back and forth on the skin and for the particular cream to be massaged in, it is provided that the axis of the electric motor and the shaft of the electric motor are arranged substantially parallel to an imaginary line between the attachment area and the second outer electrode ,

Alternatively, the axis of the electric motor and the shaft of the electric motor may be arranged substantially transverse to an imaginary line between the slip-on area and the second outer electrode. In this way, an alternating pressure is generated on the skin, whereby the respective cream is pressed into the skin.

In order that the vibration effect is as large as possible, the invention further provides that the cap has, at its end remote from the base body, two laterally projecting tongues whose upper sides form a continuous surface which can be brought into contact with the skin to be treated, wherein the vibrator is in direct mechanical contact with at least one of the tongues. Preferably, the upper surface of the continuous surface is provided with a corrugation, so that the effect on the skin is enhanced.

The caps that are provided for the operation of the device, not all need to be provided with a vibrator. In some applications, it is sufficient to carry out a current treatment alone.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to two exemplary embodiments. To show:

1a , b, c show the views of a device according to the invention, wherein the cap is a rounded structure,

2a , b, c show various cap shapes for use with the device according to the invention,

3 the cross section of a cap shape, which is particularly suitable for operation with a vibrator,

4 a motor with an eccentric

5a , b an arrangement of contact elements for establishing an electrical contact between the base body and the cap,

6 an embodiment of a latching latch,

7 a circuit for operating the device,

8th a further embodiment of the device according to the invention and

9 an alternative vibrator arrangement.

First, on the 1 Referenced. As the three views show, is the device according to the invention 1 about palm-sized and has a rectangular, flat shape. It consists of a base body 2 and a cap attached thereto 3 , At the lower short side of the base body 2 there is a compartment 4 for receiving batteries, in this embodiment as an energy source for operating the device 1 act.

At the opposite upper, short side of the base body 2 which is not as wide as the bottom side is the interchangeable cap 3 attached. On the front of the base body 2 is a button 5 arranged to select a treatment program, wherein the selected treatment program in an overlying display 6 is shown. On the back is a large first electrode 7 and above that a push button 8th to trigger a catch with which the cap 3 on the base body 2 is held.

In the 2 are shown in longitudinal section different cap shapes. The 2a already shows in the 1 illustrated cap 3 , this has a rounded top edge.

The cap 3a according to the 2 B has a comb-like structure and is therefore particularly suitable for the treatment of the scalp. The 2c shows a cap 3b with a wave-shaped edge, whereby the pressure on the skin can be selectively reinforced so that the back and forth of the cap 3b on the skin creates a massage effect.

According to the 3 is another cap in cross-section 9 shown a modification of the cap 3 according to 2a represents. At the top edge of the cap 9 close two tongues 10 . 11 on, which together is one opposite the base 12 the cap 9 slanted platform 13 form. The top of the platform 13 forms a continuous surface that can be placed on the skin and that with ribs 14 is provided.

This form is particularly suitable for connection to a vibrator 15 , This is either preferably at an acute angle between the one tongue 11 and the base 12 the cap 9 attached (dash-dotted) or in the head of the base 12 the cap 9 (solid line). It would also be conceivable to have accommodation in one of the tongues 10 . 11 ,

The vibrator 15 exists in the simplest case according to the 4 from an electric motor 16 , on whose shaft an eccentric 17 is appropriate. The orientation of the shaft in relation to the device is arbitrary. Possible is an alignment parallel to the upper edge of the cap 9 intended.

In the 9 is another possible arrangement of the electric motor 16 of the vibrator 15 shown. The base possesses this 12 the cap 9 a cylindrical shape 32 whose axis is towards the platform 13 extends. In this shape is the electric motor 16 coaxial with the axis of the molding 32 arranged, with its shaft with the eccentric 17 into the platform 13 protrudes. In this training, the shaft is with the eccentric 17 perpendicular to the top edge of the cap 9 and thus extends between the lower portion of the cap 9 with which these on the base body 2 is attached, and the top of the cap 9 that the second outer electrode 20 forms.

How to do that 2a to 2c can be found inside the cap 3 . 3a . 3b two metallic pins 18 . 19 , where one pin 18 with the cap 3 , is in electrical connection and the other pin 19 isolated from the cap 3 . 3a . 3b , is. The caps 3 . 3a . 3b , consist of a conductive material or have at least one coating of a conductive material, which is a second electrode 20 forms. The first pen 18 is thus related to this material while the second pen 19 is isolated.

The cap 9 according to the 3 is - which is not shown in detail - provided in the same way with pins.

Again 5 it can be seen are at the top of the base body 2 two spring-mounted metallic counter pins 21 . 22 attached, which are aligned with the pins 18 . 19 in the base body 2 are aligned. The counter-pins 21 . 22 each one of them in a paragraph 25 arranged spring 23 . 24 pressed against a stop, leaving it a little over the top of the heel 25 protrude. Will the cap 3a . 3b . 3c . 9 on the heel 25 of the base body 2 attached, thus creating two closed electrical contacts.

As in 2 represented in the caps 3a . 3b . 3c one slot each 26 for a detent. Accordingly, the cap 9 according to the 3 educated. As the 6 shows, there is such a catch 27 at the end of a lever 28 , of the rotatable on the base body 2 is stored and the other end in conjunction with the push button 8th stands, so the catch 27 out of the slot 26 is pulled out when the push button 8th is pressed.

Like that 5a . 5b it can be seen, are the counter-pins 21 . 22 spring-mounted on the base body so as to apply pressure to the pins 18 . 19 in the cap 3 . 9 exercise. Will the push button 8th pressed, push the counter pins 21 . 22 the cap 3 . 3a . 3b . 9 slightly from the base body 3 away, so that it can be easily removed.

In the 7 schematically a circuit diagram is shown. The drive of the vibrator, so in the embodiment of the electric motor 16 , is between the two pins 18 . 19 in the cap 3 . 9 switched while the first pin 18 only with the second electrode 20 at the cap 3 . 9 connected is.

At the base body 2 are the two counter-pins 21 . 22 , which has a switching device in the form of a changeover switch 29 with a voltage source 30 (Batteries) are connected. The opposite pen 21 that with the isolated pin 18 in the cap 3 . 9 has contact, has a connection to the first electrode 7 on the base body 2 ,

Will now the cap 3 . 9 - like in the 7 indicated - on the base body 2 attached, (a coding prevents a swapping of the contacts), creates a first circuit consisting of the voltage source 30 and the electric motor 16 , which runs over the two pairs of pins, and in operation a second circuit, via the first contact of the second electrode 20 over the user's body to the first electrode 7 and back to the voltage source 30 runs.

The changeover switch is realized in the form of a transistor circuit which is controlled by a control device 31 is controlled. The control device 31 contains an electronic memory in which several operating modes are stored. The operating modes are determined by the parameters: duration of treatment, polarization of the electrodes, connection of the vibrator. The user can press the button 5 select a specific mode of operation in the display 6 is shown.

As a rule, a skin treatment consists of a first step, in which a cleansing cream is first applied and the device is operated in a first polarity, wherein the current flow causes pollutants to pass from the skin into the cleansing cream. This will be caps 3 used, which contain no vibrator, because the cream just should not be incorporated into the skin.

In a second step, after the cleansing cream has been removed, a treatment cream is applied and the device 1 operated in a second polarity, so that the active ingredients can penetrate from the treatment cream into the skin. This procedure will be caps 9 used a vibrator 19 have, so that in addition to the current effect, which transports the active ingredients in the skin, also a Einmassageeffekt is present, with which the active ingredient is massaged into the skin. In addition to the increased effectiveness and a pleasant treatment feeling is generated because a vibrating massage is perceived by the user as pleasant.

The 8th shows in cross section a device 40 , which is particularly suitable for cellulite treatment of large areas of skin.

At the bottom of a flat housing 41 There is a nearly the entire bottom engaging second electrode 20 , which is placed on the skin surface to be treated. On the top there is a display 6 and a button 5 to select a treatment program.

At the outer edge of the top of the case 41 is located circumferentially a first electrode 7 who are in contact with the device 40 holding hand stands. Inside the case 41 There is a voltage source 30 in the form of batteries, as well as a vibrator 15 that's from an electric motor 16 with an eccentric 17 consists. The vibrator 15 is centrally above the second electrode 20 by means of a base not shown on the lower wall of the housing 41 attached and thus sets the wall together with the second electrode 20 in vibration when it is put into operation.

The connection of the electrodes 7 . 20 , the electric motor 16 and the voltage source 30 corresponds to the one in 7 is shown, however, the pins 18 . 19 ; 21 . 22 replaced by continuous connections. The pens are not needed as the device 40 no replaceable caps in this version 3 . 9 with second electrodes 20 has.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device

2

base body

3

cap

3a

cap

3b

cap

4

subject

5

button

6

display

7

first electrode

8th

push-button

9

cap

10

tongue

11

tongue

12

Base of a cap

13

platform

14

ribs

15

vibrator

16

electric motor

17

eccentric

18

pen

19

pen

20

second electrode

21

to pin

22

to pin

23

feather

24

feather

25

paragraph

26

slot

27

notch

28

lever

29

changeover switch

30

voltage source

31

control device

32

formation

40

device

41

casing

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2005/087308 A1 [0002]

Claims (13)

A hand-held device for electrically assisted skin treatment, comprising: a first outer electrode ( 7 ), which is in contact with the hand when the device is held in the user's hand for use, has a second external electrode ( 20 ), which can be placed on the skin area to be treated, and an electrical energy source, whose poles during operation of the device with the electrodes ( 7 . 20 ) are in an electrical connection, characterized in that in or on the device an electrically operated vibrator ( 15 ) is attached. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibrator ( 15 ) in the vicinity of the second outer electrode ( 20 ) is attached Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises: a base body ( 2 ) which is adapted to be gripped by a hand, wherein on the base body ( 2 ) the first outer electrode ( 7 ), a cap ( 3 . 9 ) for releasable attachment to the base body ( 2 ), the second outer electrode ( 20 ), which can be placed on the skin area to be treated, that the electrical energy source in the base body ( 2 ) and that the electrically operated vibrator ( 15 ) in or on the cap ( 3 . 9 ) is attached. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that an adjustable by the user of the device switching device in the base body ( 2 ), which connects the electrical connections of the energy source to the electrodes ( 7 . 20 ) and that also the vibrator ( 15 ) is connected via the switching device with the electrical energy source. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that between the base body ( 2 ) and the cap ( 3 . 9 ) a first and a second electrical contact are present, each consisting of a base contact element and a cap contact element, wherein the base contact elements in the base body ( 2 ) and the cap contact elements in the cap ( 3 ) are arranged such that the contacts are closed when the cap ( 3 ) on the base body ( 2 ), wherein the electrical connection between the energy source and the second electrode ( 20 ) is made over the first contact and wherein the circuit for powering the vibrator ( 15 ) passes over the first and second contacts. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact elements consist of pins ( 18 . 19 ; 21 . 22 ) whose end faces with plugged cap ( 3 . 9 ) come into contact with each other, wherein in each case a contact element of a contact is resiliently mounted in the axial direction and that the cap ( 3 . 9 ) by means of a releasable catch ( 27 ) on the base body ( 2 ) is held. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cap ( 3 ) as a whole or an outer layer of the cap ( 3 ) consists of an electrically conductive material that the cap contact element of the first electrical contact with the material in an electrically conductive manner in connection and that the cap contact element of the second electrical contact with respect to the conductive material is electrically isolated. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the switching device is provided with an electronic memory in which the parameters of operating states to be selected are stored, which are stored by the user by means of a button ( 5 ), wherein one of the parameters relates to the polarity of the electrodes, and that the vibrator ( 15 ) is such that it operates independently of the polarity of the applied voltage. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vibrator ( 15 ) from an electric motor ( 16 ), on whose shaft an eccentric ( 17 ) is attached. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the cap has at its lower end a Aufsteckbereich which is attachable to the base body, and at its upper end forms the second outer electrode, and that the axis of the electric motor ( 16 ) and the shaft of the electric motor ( 16 ) are arranged substantially parallel to an imaginary line between the Aufsteckbereich and the second outer electrode. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the cap has at its lower end a Aufsteckbereich which is attachable to the base body, and at its upper end forms the second outer electrode, and that the axis of the electric motor ( 16 ) and the shaft of the electric motor ( 16 ) are arranged substantially transversely to an imaginary line between the Aufsteckbereich and the second outer electrode. Device according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the cap ( 3 . 9 ) at its from the base body ( 2 ) distal end two laterally projecting tongues ( 10 . 11 ), the tops of which form a continuous surface that can be brought into contact with the skin to be treated, the vibrator ( 15 ) in direct mechanical contact with at least one of the tongues ( 10 . 11 ) stands. Device according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that a plurality of interchangeable and different caps ( 3 . 3a . 3b . 9 ) are provided, which are designed for treating different skin areas and that at least one of the caps ( 3 . 3a . 3b . 9 ) no vibrator ( 15 ) having.

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