WO2011146522A2 - Vibrating skin composition dispenser and applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a vibrating, massaging, and lotion dispensing device. The device has a reservoir for lotion in its handle and squeezing the handle dispenses the lotion to the body-contacting surface of the device by means of a fluid passage. Massaging elements, such as balls, extend above the surface as protuberances to form a massage device. The device has an upper stage housing the motor, batteries, and massaging element. Relative rotation of the upper stage with reference to the handle switches the motor on and off.

Description

VIBRATING SKIN COMPOSITION DISPENSER AND APPLICATOR

Related Applications

This application is based on U.S. provisional patent application serial number 61/345201 , filed 17 May 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the Invention

The field of the invention relates to devices for dispensing and applying a body lotion, especially those having moving body massaging objects, and to vibrating devices for massaging, and to methods for using the same.

Vibrating applicators have been used in devices for applying cosmetics, such as mascara and lipstick, in devices for brushing and polishing teeth and nails, in devices for flossing, and for hair styling. Some such devices, such as those for hair styling and applying mascara, have employed a body contacting object, such as a comb for hair styling or a brush for applying mascara.

Summary of the Invention

This invention provides a vibrating, massaging, and lotion dispensing device. The device has a reservoir for lotion in its handle and squeezing the handle dispenses the lotion to the body-contacting surface of the device by means of a fluid passage. Massaging elements, such as balls, extend above the surface as protuberances to form a massage device. The device has an upper stage housing the motor, batteries, and massaging element. Relative rotation of the upper stage with reference to the handle switches the motor on and off.

In light of the foregoing, this invention provides a hand-held device having a compressible reservoir forming at least part of a handle, the handle rotatably connected to an upper stage having a vibration motor with a battery power supply and housing retaining a plurality of body massaging objects that extend through the housing, and a fluid passage extending from the reservoir through the housing, and preferably where rotation of the upper stage relative to the handle engages a mechanical switch for the motor. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an elevation view an embodiment of the device.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the top portion thereof.

Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the bottom portion thereof.

Fig. 4 is an elevation view of a portion of the base thereof.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the portion shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the portion shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a elevation section taken from line 7A-7A in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8A is an elevation of an embodiment of the lower portion, Fig. 8B is a cross section thereof through line 8B-8B, Fig. 8C is a plan view thereof, Fig. 8D is a cross section through line 8D-8D in Fig. 8C, Fig. 8E is a close-up of portion 8E in Fig. 8D.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lower portion shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 10A is a plan view of an embodiment of the base, Fig. 10B is a cross section thereof through line 10B-10B therein, Fig. 10C is a cross section thereof through line 10C-10C therein, Fig. 10D is a close-up of portion 10D in Fig. 10B, and Fig. 10F is a perspective view of the base shown in Fig. 10A.

Fig. 1 1 A is an auxiliary view of the bottom of an embodiment of the carriage, Fig. 1 1 B is a close-up of portion 1 1 B therein, Fig. 1 1 C is a sectional view through line 1 1 C-1 1 C therein, Fig. 1 1 D is a sectional view through line 1 1 D-1 1 D therein, Fig. 1 1 E is a perspective view of the carriage shown in Fig. 1 1 A, and Fig. 1 1 F is a bottom perspective view thereof.

Fig. 12A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vibration unit, Fig. 12B is a plan view thereof, Fig. 12C is a sectional view through line 12C-12C in Fig. 12B, Figs. 12D and 12 E are, respectively, side and front elevation views of the vibration unit in Fig. 12B, Fig. 12F is an elevation thereof with the cover opened and attached by a living hinge, and Fig. 12G is a plan view of the unit shown in Fig. 12F.

Fig. 13A is an elevation of an embodiment of the housing, Fig. 13B is a sectional view thereof through line 13B-13B, Fig. 13C is a close-up of section 13C in Fig. 13B, Fig. 13D is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 13A, and Fig. 13E is a perspective view thereof.

Fig. 14A is a top plan view of an embodiment of the instant device, and

Fig. 14B is a section thereof through line 14B-14B therein. Description of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to a device for applying a flowable

composition (a "lotion" hereinafter) to skin, preferably glabrous and minimally glabrous skin (for example, not on a scalp unless essentially bald). As seen in Figs. 1 and 6, the device is preferably streamlined and ergonomic to the extent of being easily held and used with one hand. The device can be made as divided into a top portion 101 and a bottom portion 102.

The top portion shown in Fig. 2 includes a base 103 to which is attached a housing 105. The bottom portion shown in Fig. 3 includes a seat 107 that receives and attaches to the base. The bottom portion functions as an ergonomic handle and has some interior portion 109 functioning as a reservoir for lotion. The bottom portion, or a portion thereof, is thus a plenum, and a corresponding portion of the handle is flexible, transmitting compression by the user's grasp to the reservoir.

Fig. 4 depicts the base having engaged thereon a carriage 1 1 1 , and extending up from the base and through the center of the carriage is a prominence 1 13. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the carriage with the prominence in the center. Mounted on the carriage are a vibration motor 125, a power source 125 (such as a battery), and a pair of mounts and contacts 129a/129b holding the power source and allowing electrical connection with the motor (wiring not shown).

The top portion detail is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The prominence on the base extends from a protuberance having catches 1 14 that act in cooperation with the carriage to direct rotation of the carriage on the base and to control the motor. The carriage has a lip 1 15 on which is supported a platform 1 17; the platform has one or more feet 1 19 extending from the platform and engaging the inner portion of the lip to register the platform with the carriage. Arising from the platform are a plurality of nests 121 in which body massaging objects are nestled. The prominence has a threaded portion adjacent the protuberance and beam portion that extends through a bore in the carriage, through a registering bore in the platform, and up to contact the housing 105, which overlies all of the aforementioned elements. The housing has a dome top section 122 in which are apertures 123 corresponding to and registering with the nests, and sized to retain the body massaging objects and prevent lotion from penetrating into the housing while allowing some portion of the massaging objects to extend through and contact the user's body. For example, Figs. 2 and 7 depict balls 135 in nests with portions of the balls extending through the apertures. Depending from the dome is a side wall 126 having a free end, and a ridge on the inner portion thereof to allow the dome to be snap fit to a corresponding ridge 1 16 on the carriage. Optionally, a cap 131 is provided for storing the device and maintaining the hygiene of the dome portion and exposed massaging objects. The cap is sized to fit as a force-fit sleeve over a step 133 formed in the base.

As shown in Fig. 6, the nests are circular and will accommodate balls that will move (rotate in place) when a protruding portion (as shown in Fig. 14) is moved or rubbed along a user's skin. Alternatively, one or more, or all, of the body massaging objected can be stationary (for example, a hemispherical rather than a spherical or ovoid object), or can have multiple protrusions, to provide different tactile effects when moved along a user's skin. The nest can be of whatever geometry is desirable for retaining a body messaging object of a particular geometry. Alternatively, one or more of the body messaging objects can be attached to the housing at the aperture, provided that the lotion can flow past the object and out the aperture. The body massaging objects can be made of metal, plastic, or a softer (e.g., more highly plasticized) polymeric material or tufting, or a combination thereof, and preferably comprises a non- or hypo-allergenic material.

With reference to Fig. 7, the reservoir outlet is a fluid passage through the base and prominence ending at a the surface of the dome defined by a first orifice 137 defining the reservoir exit and a second orifice 139 defining the exit of what is effectively a nozzle.

In another embodiment shown in Figs. 8A-8F, the bottom portion and base can be made an integrally molded piece 201 having a footing 201 a for attaching the top portion 101 and a handle and container portion 201 b; this portion, if not the entire device, can be referred to as a "tottle," an industry term for a container or bottle that can be toted around by a consumer. The lotion stored in the hollow handle flow through the base orifice 203. This integral bottom is made of a flexible material, such as a flexible polyolefin (for example, high density polyethylene) and may be provided with a protective coating interiorly to avoid any reaction between the lotion and the container. Because the material is sufficiently flexible to allow the handle/container to be squeezed, preferably stiffening ribs 205 are provided bracing the base orifice to the base to avoid flexing when the top portion is rotated. Attached to the footing 201 a is the base 103. Embodiments and views of the base are depicted in Figs. 10A-10F. The base is made of a more rigid material than the integral handle and footing (or tottle), preferably also a polyolefin (such as polypropylene). As depicted in the plan view of Fig. 10A, the base 103 has a prominence 1 13 from which extend a stop 209, a boss 21 1 , and an upright wall 213. In the cross-section shown in Fig. 10B, the prominence has a lower threaded portion 215 connecting with an upper columnar portion 217 and a conduit therethrough.

Comparing Figs. 8A and 10B is seen, with the sloped depending wall 221 , that the base is configured to engage the footing and snap fit to the rib 204 (Fig. 8E) with undercut or channel 223 accommodating the base orifice and an inner wall 225 defining the inner portion of the channel makes a firm seal to the footing. The close up of the tip shown in Fig. 10E reveals that lotion passing through the conduit can exit through one of three gates, 227a/227b/227c, and that the upper most portion of the conduit is sealed by the tip. A sealing with other elements of the top portion is preferably provided, such as the pair of O-rings 229 disposed on the columnar portion just below the gates to prevent flow of lotion back towards the handle. These

"O-rings" can be separate gaskets, or can be unitary with the columnar portion 217 (e.g. , the ring-like protuberances are molded as a outer surface feature of the columnar portion).

Embodiments of the carriage 1 13 that fits over the base are shown in

Figs. 1 1 A-1 1 F, the underside of which is depicted in Figs. 1 1 A and 1 1 F (respectively plan and perspective views). An opening 231 defines a compartment housing the vibration unit, the motor and battery, such as shown in the embodiment depicted in Figs. 5 and 6. A central bore 233 has internal threads 235 that engage threads 215 on the base prominence, allowing relative rotation between the two. The close-up Fig. 1 1 B and cross-section Fig. 1 1 C depict a depending tab 237 that engages the boss 21 1 . More particularly, and with reference also to Fig. 10A, the tab normally resides in a first catch 209a formed in part by stop 209. As the carriage is rotated on the base, the tab, a flexible piece of plastic preferably integrally molded with the carriage, is forced to ride over a first protuberance 209b so the user receives tactile sensation that the carriage has been disengaged from a resting position. As the carriage rotation (that is, manually rotation by the user) continues, the tab engages a second protuberance 21 1 a associated with the boss, again providing tactile position information to the user, and comes to rest in a second catch 21 1 b because further movement is prevented by the boss, thereby halting rotation of the upper stage in the position to be used.

Disposed within the opening 231 in the carriage is a vibration unit 251 , an embodiment of which is depicted in Figs. 12A-12G, that includes one or more batteries 127 and a vibrating motor 125. Depending from the motor unit is a flexible electrical reed 253 which can be made of any metal that is flexible and sufficiently conductive to function as described herein; suitable materials, for example, include copper, beryllium copper, and beryllium brass. The reed is preferably made as a clip having the shape of a "J", the curved portion being inserted into the board 249 retaining the motor and battery, the bottom curved portion being shown in the top plan view of Fig. 12 G. The free end of the reed depends below the board, as shown in Figs. 12C, 12D, and 12E, and extends towards the base. The reed may have a finger 255 that extends away from the free end so that the finger/reed physically engages a contact connected with and completing the motor and battery circuit.

Thus, the circuit printed on the board, or created by wiring, connects one terminal of the battery to the motor and the other terminal to the reed. To prolong battery life between manufacture and use, an electrically insulating plastic sheet or strip 259 is disposed between a pair of contacts completing the circuit with a free end that extends between the elements of the top portion so that it becomes accessible to the end user; the customer merely pulls the plastic tab to enable the circuit to be used. Being disposed on the bottom of the carriage, rotation of the carriage will cause the reed to engage the stop 209, bending the reed (that is, flexing the cantilevered reed to the left in Fig. 12E) so that the finger engages a contact completing the circuit between the motor and the battery. Rotating the carriage in the opposite direction releases the reed and thus opens the circuit. Thus, the end user turns the vibrating motor on and off by rotation of the upper stage, here the carriage. Accordingly, no external switch is required, and the unit will not be turned on accidently. Alternatively, an external switch can be disposed in the lower portion and isolated from the material in the plenum space 109, or in the housing 105. Such an external switch can be used instead of the reed switch, or it can be wired in series to enable/disable the reed switch so the device can be used as a manual, non-vibrating applicator. Embodiments of the housing are depicted in Figs. 13A-13E, where the cross section taken from the elevation in Fig. 13A is shown in Fig. 13B, the center portion of which contains exit chamber 271 . The prominence from the base extends up through the carriage and the platform to the exit chamber. Fig. 14A is a plan view of the device (without the cover), the cross section depicted in Fig. 14B showing the arrangement of the prominence and the exit chamber when in use. In particular, the prominence is disposed slightly below the top wall of the chamber, shown in close-up in Fig. 13C. When the top portion is rotated to shut off the motor, the threaded engagement causes the housing, in which the exit chamber is molded integrally, platform, and carriage to move towards the base, thereby moving a series of dams 275 to abut the gates 227a/b/c from which the lotion flows and thereby stop any flow. In the operating configuration shown in Fig. 14B, lotion will flow through the gates and out the exit orifice 277.

The device is preferably sold pre-filled with lotion. The end user pulls the protruding plastic strip to enable the motor circuit. To use the device, the user rotates the upper stage, comprising the housing, platform, and carriage, with respect to the base; the user should feel the tab disengage the first catch, briefly engage the upright 213 on the carriage, and engage the second protuberance and catch at the boss, preventing further rotation in that direction. This rotation moves the upper stage away from the base and removes the dams from the gates. At the end of the rotation, the stop engages the reed, causing it to complete the circuit and engage the motor. Thus, when the device is on the gates are opened and the motor is on. The device is shut off and the gates are closed by rotating the upper stage 180^° in the opposite direction.

The device is preferably made not to be refilled; the reservoir and based are preferably sealed together. If desired, the end of the handle opposite the base can be fitted with a valve or closure to allow refilling of the reservoir.

Except for the vibration unit, the entire device can be made of recyclable materials, such as the polyolefins mentioned above.

The "lotion" can be any liquid, preferably safe for body contact, having a viscosity allowing it to remain in the reservoir and be dispensed in a controlled manner by gently squeezing the handle (the tottle); the size of the fluid passage and nozzle, as well as the rheological characteristics of the fluid, will determine whether a particular liquid can be used with the device. Suitable liquids can vary from massage oils to conventional body lotions to exfoliating pastes. The force required of the user to dispense the lotion can be varied depending on the rheological characteristics of the fluid and the size of the flow channel ending at the gates and exit orifice, ranging from a minimal force being required (the fluid almost flows out on its own) to one when affirmative squeezing is required (such as for a paste or thicker cream).

The foregoing description is meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes, modifications, and additions may become apparent to the skilled artisan upon a perusal of this specification, and such are meant to be within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A combination dispenser and applicator device for a lotion, comprising:

a. a bottom portion constituting a handle and having a compressible

reservoir forming at least part of said handle; and

b. a top portion having

i. a base connected to the bottom portion;

ii. an upper stage rotatably mounted to the base, the upper stage housing a vibrating motor and associated battery source, and massaging objects disposed within a housing having apertures through which portions of the massaging objects extend;

iii. a fluid passage connecting the reservoir with the housing; and iv. a mechanical switch for the motor engaged by relative rotation between the upper stage and the base.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the upper stage comprises a carriage in which the motor and associated battery are mounted.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the upper stage further comprises a platform having a plurality of wells in which said massaging objects reside.

4. The device of claim 2, further comprising a reed switch in a circuit connecting the motor with the battery, the reed depending from the carriage and extending towards the base.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the base comprises a stop extending from the base towards the carriage, whereby the stop engages and bends the reed switch upon relative rotation between the carriage and the base to close said circuit.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a prominence including said fluid passage and a gate proximate the free end of the prominence.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises an exit chamber having a flat to dam the gate when the free end of the prominence and the housing are brought into abutting opposition.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the upper stage and the base are connected by helical threads permitting relative rotation.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the carriage comprises a tab depending towards the base and the base comprises a catch for the tab to lock the carriage in place.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the entire handle is compressible.

1 1 . The device of claim 2, wherein the carriage comprises a tab depending towards the base and the bae comprises an upright wall that transiently engages the tab upon relative rotation between the carriage and the base.

12. The device of claim 4, wherein said circuit comprises a set of opposing contacts separated by an insulating material removable by the user to activate the circuit.

13. A combination dispenser and applicator device for a lotion, comprising:

a. a bottom portion constituting a handle and having a compressible

reservoir forming at least part of said handle; and

b. a top portion having

i. a base connected to the bottom portion;

ii. an upper stage rotatably mounted to the base, the upper stage housing a vibrating motor and associated battery source, and massaging objects disposed within a housing having apertures through which portions of the massaging objects extend;

iii. a fluid passage connecting the reservoir with the housing; and iv. a mechanical switch for connecting the motor to the battery

source.