Patent Application
20060208104
The present invention relates to a handheld sprayer, and more particularly to a handheld shower sprayer which incorporates skin conditioning features.
Attaining a fresh-appearing, youthful-looking, wrinkle-free facial skin has been a goal sought throughout recorded history, and many cosmetic treatments, as well as surgical procedures, have been provided in an attempt to attain such a goal. Surveys have consistently determined that consumers desire products that promote wellness, relaxation and youth preservation. More and more, such consumers desire enhanced showers which provide bathing and skin care experiences in the home that have heretofore only been available at a spa.
Oversized luxury showers and tubs are becoming increasing desirable in new construction and bathroom renovations. Such typically include one or more multi-function showerheads. Disadvantageously, conventional handheld sprayers fail to provide features specific to skin care. These showers will also often include handheld shower sprayers. A wide variety of handheld shower sprayer systems are currently available. Conventional handheld sprayers typically provide a plurality of spray modes, including various standard sprays and pulsed sprays.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a handheld sprayer which provides a variety of skin care features.
A handheld sprayer system according to the present invention includes a first spray nozzle which sprays water from a first water supply conduit and a second spray nozzle adjacent the first spray nozzle which communicates a fluid from a second conduit. The second conduit supplies water at a second temperature to provide a dual temperature spray or, alternatively mists steam either simultaneous with, or separate from, water sprayed from the first spray nozzle.
A reservoir stores a skin treatment liquid additive such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, oils, aromatic liquids, moisturizers or lotions which is selectively communicated with the second spray nozzle to intermix the skin treatment liquid with the second fluid. Intermixing of skin treatment liquids with steam is particularly advantageous in facial and skin care to facilitate exfoliation, hydration, moisturization and the increase of blood circulation.
The present invention therefore provides a handheld sprayer which provides a variety of skin care features.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
The second conduit 24 preferably supplies water at a second temperature to provide a dual temperature spray. The separate temperature water supplies are preferably provided from separate water sources integrated into a sink, a shower or tub surround to which the handheld sprayer system 10 is connected. Dual temperature sprays are particularly advantageous in hydrotherapy treatments that alternate between relatively cool water and relatively hot water. By providing multiple sprays with such a thermal variation from a single handheld system, the bathing experience is readily increased. That is, each of a multiple of sprays, each at a different temperature is readily available by, for example, actuation of a particular control trigger (illustrated schematically at 25).
The second conduit 24 may alternatively mist steam either simultaneous with, or separate from, water sprayed from the first spray nozzle 20. Such steam supply has been determined to detoxifies the body and face through perspiration and the opening of pores. Such a steam supply is particularly advantageous for facial treatments and care.
Referring to
The reservoir 26 selectively communicates with the second spray nozzle 22 to intermix the skin treatment liquid with the second fluid. Intermixing of skin treatment liquids with steam is particularly advantageous in facial and skin care to facilitate exfoliation, hydration, moisturization and the increase of blood circulation.
Preferably, the reservoir 26 selectively communicates with the second spray nozzle 22 through a conduit 28 and mix valve 30 which selectively injects the skin treatment liquid in response to activation of the trigger control 25. The admixture of ingredients into the second spray nozzle includes injecting air into the water stream and preferably generally functions in accordance with the venturi principle. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily be able to provide dispensing controls to inject the skin treatment liquid into the second spray in combination with the teachings disclosed herein.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
