Patent Application
20060207013
The present invention relates to a facial skin therapy, and more particularly to a facial cleansing system mounted on a shower wall.
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 showers typically include one or more a multi-function showerheads that have a plurality of spray modes, including various standard sprays and pulsed sprays. These showers will also often include handheld shower sprayers. Although generically effective, known showers and handheld sprayer systems often fail to provide adequate facial care treatments.
Facial care treatments such as makeup removal, moisturizing and the like are still typically performed outside of the shower. One facial cleansing method is based on utilizing cleansing solutions and cleansing creams. In this method, cleansing solution is wiped over the skin to dissolve and remove impurities from the surface thereof. A second deeper cleaning method is exfoliation in which a cleanser containing an abrasive material is rubbed on the surface of the skin to remove cell layers from the surface of the skin. A third still deeper cleaning method is based on the cooperative effect of electric current and an electrically charged cleansing solution to deep clean the skin. Each of these methods may not be effective within a shower and may be relatively harsh on facial skin.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a gentle facial treatment system within a shower which cleanses and conditions facial skin without significant application of cleansing creams and scrubbing.
A facial treatment system according to the present invention is mounted on a shower wall for use while within a shower. The facial treatment system includes a multiple of nozzles which mist water from a multiple of water supplies separate from the shower water supply such that the facial treatment system provides water at a temperature desired for facial cleansing. A second nozzle supplies water at a second temperature different from that provided by the first nozzle to provide a dual temperature spray. A third nozzle provides a mist of steam either simultaneous with, or separate from, water sprayed from the other nozzles. By providing multiple sprays with such thermal variations, cleansing and conditioning of the facial skin is readily facilitated within the shower without the necessity of scrubbing or such like cleaning which may be harmful to the relatively delicate facial skin.
The facial treatment system also provides a lighting system which radiates colored light therapy. A reservoir that contains a skin treatment liquid additive such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, oils, aromatic liquids, moisturizers or lotions provides selective admixing with at least one of the nozzles for further facial treatment.
The present invention therefore provides a handheld sprayer which provides a variety of features and is not limited to conventional mounting and storage locations.
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:
Referring to
Nozzle 16B preferably supplies water at a second temperature different from that provided by the first nozzle 16A to provide a dual temperature spray. Dual temperature sprays are particularly advantageous to provide hydrotherapy which alternates between relatively cool water and relatively hot water. By providing multiple sprays with such a thermal variation from facial treatment system 10, cleansing and conditioning of the facial skin is relatively facilitated within the shower without the necessity of scrubbing or such like cleaning which may be harmful to the relatively delicate facial skin.
Nozzle 16C preferably provides a mist of steam either simultaneous with, or separate from, water sprayed from the nozzles 16A, 16B. Such steam supply has been determined to detoxify facial skin through perspiration and the opening of pores. Such a steam supply is particularly advantageous for facial treatments and care.
A lighting system 18, which provides colored light therapy, is preferably contained within the facial treatment system 10. Colored light therapy is a method of applying pure energy to acupuncture points for therapeutic effects utilizing electromagnetic stimulation of the acupuncture points to re-establish balance within the mind/body. A control 20 is located on the facial treatment system 10 to select a desired light effect and color. It should be understood that various light treatments may be utilized with the facial treatment system 10 including tanning
The facial treatment system 10 preferably includes a reservoir 22 (
The reservoir 22 selectively communicates with at least one of the nozzles 16A, 16B, 16C to intermix the skin treatment liquid additive with the liquid dispensed therefrom. Intermixing of skin treatment liquid additive with a carrier fluid is particularly advantageous in facial and skin care to facilitate exfoliation, hydration, moisturization and the increase of blood circulation.
Referring to
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.
