Patent Application
20220330983
This invention relates to personal care products, and more particularly those products comprising both skin treatment and/or hair removal.
The present application is related to co-pending application serial numbers (63/177,269, and 63/177,273) filed on the same date and by the same Assignee as the present application, which are not admitted to being prior art with respect to the present invention by its mention in the cross-reference section. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In the prior art there are personal care products for either skin treatment or hair removal. Some known prior art discloses shavers for removing hair having blades with apertures, whereby the apertures have sharp cutting edges. In other prior art, wet shavers have razor blades that cut hairs or electric shavers have cutter systems comprising of shearing blades that move beneath a foil with apertures to cut hairs. Many of the prior art shavers are specifically designed to remove hair and thus generally are not optimized for effective skin treatment purposes.
Those personal care products optimized for, e.g. skin exfoliation or dermaplaning that comprise cutting edges are generally constructed from a metal foil with cutting edges that protrude beyond the surface of the foil.
Often, these products comprise many components that if dropped or succumbed to substantial forces or impact, the components, including the cutting edges, may become dinged, deformed, broken, loosen or disassemble one from the other.
While the above products will break and deform when dropped, this becomes a greater issue when blades are fabricated from a more brittle material than metal, e.g. ceramic or semiconductor. Such materials have not been used for commercially available shavers or other personal care products, because optimal solutions have not yet been found that provide stability and support for such blades.
It is desirable to provide a personal care product that is optimized for both skin treatment and hair removal which also has structures or materials for support and stability.
The present invention is directed to a personal care product 10 which includes a treatment unit 30 having a treatment sheet 40 with a plurality of first apertures 430 and a support structure 35 joined to the treatment sheet 40.
In an embodiment, the support structure 35 is joined to a lower surface 42 of the treatment sheet 40, an upper surface 41 of the treatment sheet, an upper inner perimeter area 451 of the treatment sheet 40, a lower inner perimeter area 452, or any combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the support structure 35 is compliant along at least a portion of the lower surface of the treatment sheet.
In yet another embodiment, each of the plurality of first apertures of the treatment sheet comprise cutting edges 435.
In one aspect, the support structure 35 does not obstruct the plurality of the first apertures 430.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 35 includes at least one of a support sheet 60, a support material 70, a support ring 80, or any combination thereof.
In one aspect, the support sheet 60 includes a solid material which includes a metal, ceramic, thermoplastic, thermoset, or elastomeric polymer. The solid material is provided in the form of a sheet, a mesh, a wire, or a tape.
In other aspects, the support sheet 60 includes a plurality of second apertures 630, each of the plurality of second apertures 630 are aligned with each of the plurality of first apertures 430.
Still further embodiments are such that the support sheet 60 is joined to the treatment sheet 40 by the support material 70.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the support material is an adhesive, a varnish, an ink, or any combination thereof. The support material is applied by spraying, rolling, printing, dipping, taping, or any combination thereof.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the support ring includes a thermoplastic, thermoset, elastomeric polymer, or any combination thereof. Further aspects include that the support ring includes a flattened ring, a solid tube, a hollow tube, or any portions or combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, the support ring 80 is joined to an upper treatment unit portion 38 includes the treatment sheet 40, the support sheet 60, the support material 70, or any combination thereof.
In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the support structure includes a first layer includes a support material joined to a lower surface of the treatment sheet, a second layer includes a support sheet joined to the support material, and a third layer includes a support ring disposed beneath the support sheet.
In a further aspect, the personal care product of the present invention includes a housing 20 having an upper surface having a groove 219.
In yet another aspect, the support structure is disposed within the groove 219, wherein the support structure 35 includes at least one of a support sheet 60, a support material 70, a support ring 80, or any combination thereof.
Yet still, in an embodiment of the present invention, a gap 218 is present between the upper treatment unit portion 38 and an upper surface 211 of the housing.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the present invention, a personal care product comprises a treatment sheet disposed over an opening at the top of a housing located at an upper end of the product whereby the treatment sheet comprises apertures with cutting edges. The treatment sheet of the present invention is a component of a treatment unit wherein the treatment unit also comprises a support structure disposed adjacent to the treatment sheet. The support structure of the present invention can be a support material, a support sheet or a support ring, or any combination thereof.
The housing further comprises a cavity surrounded by side walls whereby the treatment unit generally being disposed above the cavity. A plurality of openings or “windows” may be formed in the side walls of the housing, which provide a multi-directional flow path for rinsing fluid (e.g., water) for removing debris after use of the personal care product. In addition, a frame member retains the treatment sheet in place on an upper surface of the housing of the personal care product. If tabs are present along the outer surface of the frame member, they can assist in securing the treatment unit to the housing by being inserted into notches on upper ledges of the housing windows.
The cutting edges of the apertures in the treatment sheet are coplanar and do not. protrude or extend beyond an upper or lower surface of the treatment sheet. Durable cutting edges can be produced from materials like ceramic or crystals like silicon, sapphire, or diamond. These materials are not ductile like metal and often are brittle, and thus they cannot be formed into e.g., a domed or convex shape, but rather are planar sheets. This type of planar treatment surface increases the treatment efficiency such as the removal of hair or dermaplaning of skin on extended flat surfaces of skin such as legs, chest and back.
The term “product” as used herein includes an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper and lower ends are either permanently or releasably coupled together. The upper end of the product of the present invention generally includes, but is not limited to, a treatment, a housing, sheet and a frame member.
The term “housing” as used herein may include, but is not limited to, a structure at the upper end of the product. The housing may be permanently affixed to the upper product end or it may be releasable from a lower end of the product. The housing in the present invention carries a treatment unit and preferably comprises a cavity bound by columns or struts and windows. The housing generally has a substantially cylindrical shape though any feasible shape is contemplated by the present invention.
The term “treatment sheet” in the personal care product of the present invention refers to a planar sheet comprising a plurality of apertures. The periphery or perimeter of the apertures comprise cutting edges, used for removing hair and exfoliation or other treatments on skin.
The treatment sheet is desirably flat. A “flat” material generally has planar surfaces without protrusions or indentations. As used herein, “flat” and “planar” can be used interchangeably.
The treatment sheet is also desirably rigid. A “rigid” material signifies that the material is not flexible and cannot be easily bent.
The function of the treatment sheet in the personal care product is to both remove hair and to treat the skin and this is achieved by the structure of the treatment sheet noted above.
The treatment sheet of the present invention is desirably comprised of a solid, non-corroding material. The treatment sheet can be comprised of amorphous materials such as glass, crystalline materials such as silicon, diamond, sapphire, polycrystalline materials such as silicon, ceramic, or metals (e.g., steel), or any combination thereof. These materials can be shaped into rigid planar treatment sheets with apertures. Despite their rigidity, these materials can be fairly brittle. A “brittle” material is a material that generally fractures under load with little elastic or plastic deformation. The treatment sheet comprised of these materials, such as silicon and diamond, could shatter or break into pieces if the personal care product is dropped, if it is contacted with force, or takes the impact of a large force. Accordingly, the present invention increases the stability of the treatment sheet by providing a support structure. The support structure can be comprised of one or more elements. Preferably, the treatment sheet substrate is comprised of a silicon material and the cutting edges are comprised of a diamond material.
A “treatment unit” of the present invention comprises a treatment sheet and at least one other support structure or material. The support structure may itself be comprised of one or more types of structures or materials and serves to support the treatment sheet providing stability, by reducing impact to the treatment sheet if an external force is applied to the treatment sheet or any component of the personal care product and by reducing damage to the treatment sheet and thus preventing injury to the consumer if the personal care product is dropped and fragments of the treatment sheet separate from the treatment unit.
The “support structure” as used herein, signifies a structure disposed either beneath the treatment sheet, (e.g., joined to the lower surface of the treatment sheet, as will be described below), around perimeter portions of the treatment sheet (e.g., in the form of a ring), or both.
The “support structure” may comprise a support material such as a substance or material that is comprised of a fluid and cures or dries or hardens to form a solid material. Such materials can be one or more of the following: adhesive, varnish or ink, many of which are comprised of polymeric materials. These materials can be applied by spraying, printing on, rolling, or dipping, or any combinations thereof. Desirably, the support material is comprised of a material different than the material of the treatment sheet. If the support material is an adhesive, it is preferable that the adhesive solidify and bond to at least a portion of a surface of the treatment sheet. The bonded area is desirably greater than half the surface of the treatment sheet (e.g., lower surface), preferably greater than 90% of the treatment sheet surface. Such an embodiment is shown and described related to
The “support structure” may also be in the form of a solid material, whereby the solid material may be provided but not limited in form of a sheet, a mesh or wires. The solid material may comprise metal, ceramic thermoplastic, thermoset, or elastomeric polymers. If applied to a surface of the treatment sheet, it is desirable that the support structure is conformal or compliant to a portion or substantially all of that surface of the treatment sheet, i.e. the support structures should be in intimate contact with the surface to the treatment sheet and follow the contours of any indentations or protrusions that may be present on the surface of the treatment sheet. Such an embodiment is shown and described related to
If the support sheet is in this form of a “layer” or a “sheet” of material then the treatment unit desirably further comprises a support material, such as an adhesive disposed between a portion of the lower surface of the treatment sheet and the upper surface of the support sheet to join or bond the support sheet to the treatment sheet. The adhesive may be provided as a separate material that is applied to either the lower surface of the treatment sheet or the upper surface of the support sheet or both prior to joining the two together or it may be provided as a layer pre-applied to the upper surface of the support sheet so that the support sheet becomes a “self-adhesive” support sheet. Such self-adhesive materials may include self-adhesive metal tapes or polymer tapes. Such an embodiment is shown and described related to
The treatment unit may comprise a support structure comprised of a third structure and/or material, disposed desirably at a perimeter area of the treatment sheet and/or perimeter areas of any other support structures present in the treatment unit, e.g., at the upper and lower outer perimeter areas of the treatment unit. The third support structure can be in the shape of a ring desirably in the form of an elastomer tube or flat ring. Such a ring maybe joined to an upper surface of the housing or disposed into a groove on the upper surface of the housing. In the fully assembled upper product end including the housing, treatment unit and frame member Such embodiments are shown and described related to
Thus, the treatment unit of the present invention comprises a treatment sheet and at least one support structure of any type. The support structure_disposed in the treatment unit of the present invention can comprise a support material, such as an adhesive or varnish, disposed under a treatment sheet, a layer or a solid support sheet, made e.g. from metal, disposed under a treatment sheet, with or without a support material (e.g., adhesive), and/or a support ring, such as an elastomeric ring, disposed at perimeter areas of a treatment sheet and/or any other support structures in the treatment unit.
Finally, the treatment unit may include any number of one or all of the above forms of the support structures in addition to the treatment sheet. Any feasible permutation of at least one support structure (e.g., support material, support sheet, or support ring) is contemplated in the present invention.
If the product is dropped with any of the treatment unit embodiments which contain at least a support ring of the present invention, the treatment sheet is prevented from cracking because the support ring 80 reduces the force acting upon the brittle treatment sheet.
If the product is dropped with any of the treatment unit embodiments which contain a support sheet and/or a support material of the present invention, and the treatment sheet cracks, fractured pieces of the treatment sheet are held together, and the consumer is protected from injury.
The present invention discloses embodiments of a treatment unit of a personal care product. Referring to
The treatment sheet 40 shown in
The support sheet 60 is disposed beneath the treatment sheet 40 and generally has the same shape as the treatment sheet, e.g. hexagonal in the present invention, though any shape is contemplated. The support sheet 60 comprises apertures 630 that generally line up beneath the apertures 430 of the treatment sheet, however unlike those of the treatment sheet, the apertures of the support sheet do not comprise cutting edges. This alignment provides for a flow path into the cavity of the housing for debris removal. Generally, the apertures of the support sheet 60 are larger than the apertures of the treatment sheet 40. When viewing the treatment sheet directly from the top as in
The size and shape of these apertures 630 are shown and described in further detail in
The support material 70 is generally sprayed, brushed, rolled, dipped, or printed on the lower surface of treatment sheet 40.
If the personal care product is accidentally dropped, support sheet 60 and/or support material 70 are protecting the treatment sheet such that any fragments that may break loose from the brittle material of the treatment sheet are held together.
The support ring 80 is shown disposed under the perimeter area of the support sheet 60. The ring is desirably in the form of a flattened ring, a solid tube, a hollow tube, or any portions or combinations made from a thermoplastic, thermoset, or elastomeric polymer. Alternatively, as will be shown below in
If the personal care product is dropped, this support ring 80 protects the treatment sheet 40 by reducing any forces that may act upon the treatment sheet thus reducing damage to the treatment sheet (e.g., reduced fractures, reduced fragments breaking off from the treatment sheet) and preventing injury to the consumer.
In
In
In
In
In
Turning now to
In one embodiment of the present invention, the support sheet 60 is comprised of stainless steel having a thickness of between 0.1 to 1 mm, desirably about 0.30 to 0.5 mm.
The schematic of the upper product end 11 of
The schematic of the upper product end 11 of
In
The present invention contemplates the alignment of the apertures 430 of the treatment sheet 40 with apertures 630 of the support sheet 60 as is clearly depicted in
Referring now to
Schematic cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments of the treatment unit 30 on a housing 20 in
The schematic of the upper product end 11 of
The schematic of the upper product end 11 of
The schematic of the upper product end 11 of
In
The treatment sheet 40 and the support structures (e.g., rings) of
Turning now to
A non-limiting method of making the treatment unit of the present invention including the support structure is shown in the flow diagram of
The illustrations presented herein are not intended to be actual views of any particular substrate, apparatus (e.g., device, system, etc.), or method, but are merely idealized and/or schematic representations that are employed to describe and illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm ” The term “about” as used herein generally signifies approximately or around. As one example, when a range of numerals are given, e.g., if “about 4 to about 40” is or “4 to 40” is disclosed herein, the present invention contemplates the recited value of “4” and “40” and a functionally equivalent range surrounding each of the 4 and the 40, which can generally be plus or minus 10 percent of each number. Thus, for clarity, if a reference is described as being “4 to 40” this signifies it could be a functionally equivalent range of 4 and a functionally equivalent range of 40 or “about 4 to about 40.” The latter signifies the range of “3.6 to 44” as being encompassed by the present invention since the range of 3.6 to 4.4 represents plus and minus 10 percent of 4, respectively and the range of 36 to 44 represents plus and minus 10 percent of 40, respectively.
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover, in the appended claims, all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63177264 | Apr 2021 | US |
