BODY PUFF BALL WITH AN OSCILLATING AND VIBRATORY ACTION

Abstract

A spherical base member having a plurality of mesh elements extending outwardly therefrom, covering substantially the entire surface of the spherical base member. The spherical base member comprises two hemispheres, one of which has a motor mounted therein with a drive shaft extending therefrom. The drive shaft mates with a receiving element in the other hemisphere. The motor with a microprocessor controller produces an oscillation of the other hemisphere at a selected frequency and amplitude and a vibration of the lower hemisphere at approximately the same frequency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to body puffs, and more specifically to a body puff having an improved cleansing capability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A traditional body puff, sometimes referred to as a puff ball or shower puff, comprises a plurality individual sections of mesh fabric attached or configured together to form a ball, with a loop handle. Traditionally, puff balls are used in the shower with water and cleansing lotion, to provide convenient skin cleansing, by brushing the puff ball over the entire body or a selected portion thereof. While quite popular, in actual use the conventional puff ball has a rather limited cleansing effect, and depends on the diligence and effort of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is a handheld skin cleansing appliance, comprising: a hollow base member having two separate portions; a plurality of mesh fabric elements attached to and extending from an exterior surface of the base member; and a motor mounted in one of said two portions of the base member, the motor having a driveshaft extending therefrom, the other of said two portions of the base member having a receiving element which is connected to and driven by the action of the motor driveshaft, wherein action of the motor driveshaft produces an oscillatory action of the other portion of the base member and movement of the mesh elements extending therefrom and a vibratory action of the one portion of the base member and movement of the mesh elements extending therefrom, to produce in operation a skin cleansing function when used against the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the puff ball assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded/partially cutaway view of the puff ball of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a puff ball assembly attachable to an oscillating action skin care appliance.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the exterior of an improved body puff or puff ball 10 of the present invention. It includes a center element 12 in the form of a hollow sphere. The sphere 12 is approximately 2-3 inches in diameter, although the size can be varied. While a sphere shape is generally preferred, the center element can be other shapes as well, such as elongated, elliptical or square. The sphere 12 has two portions; in the embodiment shown there are two hemispheres 13 and 15, shown more clearly in FIG. 2. The material comprising the sphere could be stiff, such as hard plastic, or it could be flexible, such as rubber or similar material.

Attached to the exterior surface 14 of the sphere are a large plurality of individual mesh elements 16-16. Typically, the mesh elements cover the surface of the sphere, extending outwardly 2-3 inches from the surface thereof so that the puff ball of the present invention has generally the same exterior appearance as a conventional puff ball, as can be seen from FIG. 1, approximately 5-6 inches in diameter. The mesh material is capable of conveniently passing water therethrough. The material is typically nylon, since it is also important that the unit dry rapidly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, partially cutaway view of the sphere 12 showing the interior 18 of the lower hemisphere 13, with an assembly 20 for moving the two hemispheres of sphere 12 in such a way as to also move the mesh elements thereon and improve cleansing. The two hemispheres shown in FIG. 2 are generally equal in size, but the lower one may be larger, as shown, as it contains various elements. Mounted in the lower hemisphere 13 is a motor 22, along with a microprocessor controller 24. The motor is powered by a battery 26 which is rechargeable by a conventional charging assembly with one part 28 in the lower hemisphere 13 and the other part 30 in a charger 32 which is connected to wall power.

Motor 22 may be mounted in the lower hemisphere 13 by any conventional means, including support ridges 36 in the hemispheres and mating extension elements or tabs 38 from the motor casing. Other arrangements, including adhesives or welding can also be used to mount the motor. Extending from motor 22 is a drive shaft 40. The drive shaft 40 extends upward into a receiving element 42 in the upper hemisphere. Elements 44 and 46 are respectively configured to ensure a tight fit between the two hemispheres to prevent the hemisphere from coming apart while permitting movement thereof discussed below. Attached to the outer surface of the lower hemisphere is a conventional hand loop 50.

Motor 22 is controlled to drive the upper hemisphere in an oscillatory action. This action is similar to other “sonic” devices, having a frequency in the range of 150-180 Hz, and an amplitude in the range of 6°-12°, although these values can vary depending upon the characteristics of the motor. The oscillating action of the upper hemisphere (moving the extension elements) provides an improved cleansing action for the body puff. In addition, the action of the motor produces a vibration of the lower hemisphere with a similar frequency as that of the oscillation of the upper hemisphere. This action also improves the cleansing effect of the complete puff ball. While in other appliances, vibration of the motor unit in addition to the oscillating action produced by the motor is undesirable and is typically dampened in some way, the motor vibration in the present invention produces an additional cleansing effect by vibrating the lower hemisphere. The oscillating action of the upper hemisphere and the vibrating action of lower hemisphere produces corresponding movement of the mesh elements attached thereto. This produces an improved skin cleansing action over a conventional body puff.

The motor could alternatively be what is referred to as a wobble motor, which provide a shaking or shimmy action, due to slight displacement of the drive shaft, alone or in addition to the oscillating action.

In another arrangement, shown in FIG. 3, a hemisphere or other shape 60 is configured to be removably mountable to a conventional skin brush handle 62 such as the Clarisonic Skin Brush or similar device, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,906, owned by the assignee of the present invention and incorporated by reference herein. The handle 62 includes conventional controls, including an on-off switch 63 and perhaps, various speeds. The hemispheres or other shaped unit includes a plurality of mesh elements 64, like those described above. The conventional drive system (motor and microprocessor controls 64) for the skin brush can provide the desired frequency and amplitude movement for the hemisphere (or other shaped element) described above.

In a variation of this embodiment, a wobble motor 66 can be mounted in the hemisphere 60, providing an independent shimmy action or a shimmy action combined with the oscillation action from the skin brush.

Although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow:

Claims

1. A handheld skin cleansing appliance, comprising: a hollow base member having two separate portions;a plurality of mesh fabric elements attached to and extending from an exterior surface of the base member; anda motor mounted in one of said two portions of the base member, the motor having a driveshaft extending therefrom, the other of said two portions of the base member having a receiving element which is connected to and driven by the action of the motor driveshaft, wherein action of the motor driveshaft produces an oscillatory action of the other portion of the base member and movement of the mesh elements extending therefrom and a vibratory action of the one portion of the base member and movement of the mesh elements extending therefrom, to produce in operation a skin cleansing function when used against the skin.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base member is spherical.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the vibration of the one portion is approximately the same frequency as the oscillation of the other portion.

4. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the one and the other portions of the base member are hemispheres.

5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the motor is battery powered and rechargeable.

6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the base member is a flexible material.

7. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the flexible material is rubber.

8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the base member is a stiff plastic.

9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the base member is 2-3 inches in diameter and wherein the mesh elements are in the range of 2-3 inches in length.

10. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the mesh elements are nylon.

11. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the oscillating action has a frequency of 150-180 Hz and an amplitude of 6°-12°.

12. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the motor is a wobble motor, producing a wobble motion in addition to the oscillating action.

13. A handheld skin brush appliance, comprising: a handle;a motor mounted in the handle providing an oscillating drive action at an output connection;an attachment member removably mounted to the output connection, the attachment member having a plurality of mesh elements attached to and extending from an exterior surface thereof, wherein in operation, the motor's oscillating action is transmitted to the attachment member for corresponding movement thereof, to produce in operation a skin cleansing function when used against the skin.

14. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is hemispherical.

15. The appliance of claim 13, including a wobble motor mounted in the attachment member to produce a wobble or shimmy action alone or in combination with the oscillating action of the handle motor.

16. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the oscillating action has a frequency of 150-180 Hz and an amplitude of 6°-12°.

17. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the mesh elements are in the range of 2-3 inches in length.

18. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is a flexible material.

19. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is a stiff plastic.

20. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the mesh elements are nylon.

21. An attachment member for use with a skin brush appliance with a handle having a motor mounted therein providing an oscillating drive action at an output connection; wherein the attachment member is removably mountable to the output connection, the attachment member having a plurality of mesh elements attached to and extending from an exterior surface thereof, wherein in operation with the appliance, the motor's oscillating action is transmitted to the attachment member for corresponding movement thereof, to produce in operation a skin cleansing function when used against the skin.

22. The attachment member of claim 21, including a wobble motor mounted in the attachment member to produce a wobble or shimmy action alone or in combination with the oscillating action provided by the handle motor.

23. The attachment member of claim 21, wherein the mesh elements are in the range of 2-3 inches in length.

24. The attachment member of claim 21, wherein the attachment member is a stiff plastic.