HEATING AND COOLING SUPPLY FOR FACIAL BRUSH

Abstract

A skin treatment device especially for use for treating skin in terms of cleaning, exfoliating and/or massaging the skin. The device comprising a housing and a skin treatment head releasably attached to the housing. The skin treatment head being rotatable around an axis element associated with the housing, wherein the housing encloses an actuator configured to rotate the skin treatment head, wherein the skin treatment head comprises one or more brushes associated with a support element), wherein the device further comprises a first thermally conductive element configured at a shortest distance to the one or more brushes selected from the range of 0-40 mm, and wherein the device further comprises a thermoelectric element configured to heat in a first mode the first thermally conductive element to provide a hot surface.

Claims

1. A device for treating skin, the device comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end; a skin treatment head coupled to the housing proximal to the first end, wherein the skin treatment head is rotatable relative to the skin treatment head; wherein the housing encloses an actuator configured to rotate the skin treatment head, the skin treatment head comprises one or more brushes attached to a support element; a first thermally conductive element arranged within the skin treatment head and positioned at a distance to the one or more brushes, wherein the distance is selected from a range of 0-40 mm, a second thermally conductive element arranged either (a) at a midpoint between the first end and the second end of the housing or (b) at the second end of the housing furthest away from the skin treatment head; and a thermoelectric element, wherein in a first mode, the thermoelectric element is configured to heat the first thermally conductive element and to cool the second thermally conductive element.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the one or more brushes have a brush height relative to a support plane defined by the support element, the first thermally conductive element has an element height higher than the support plane, the element height is equal to or lower than the brush height, the first thermally conductive element is configured such that when applying the skin treatment head to the skin, the first thermally conductive element is in physical contact with the skin, and the first thermally conductive element is stationary.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: in the first mode, the thermoelectric element is configured to heat the first thermally conductive element to a temperature selected from a range of 34-45° C., and in a second mode, the thermoelectric element is configured to cool the first thermally conductive element to a temperature selected from a range of 5-25° C.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance is selected from a range of 0.5-15 mm.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein in the first mode, the thermoelectric element is configured to cool the second thermally conductive element to a temperature selected from a range of 5-25° C.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second thermally conductive element is positioned at the second end of the housing furthest away from the skin treatment head at an outer surface of the housing.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the skin treatment head is releasably coupled to the housing such that when the skin treatment head is coupled to the housing, the skin treatment head is configured to at least partially shield the second thermally conductive element.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the skin treatment head is releasably coupled to the housing such that when the skin treatment head is coupled to the housing, the housing is configured to at least partially shield the second thermally conductive element.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the skin treatment head comprises a battery configured to provide electrical power to the thermoelectric element.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the skin treatment head is configured to rotate about an axis element wherein the first thermally conductive element is comprised by the axis element or wherein the first thermally conductive element is associated with the axis element.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the skin treatment head is configured to rotate about an axis element and the first thermally conductive element is releasably associated with the axis element, wherein (a) the first thermally conductive element is associated with the skin treatment head and the second thermally conductive element is releasably associated with the skin treatment head, or (b) the second thermally conductive element and the first thermally conductive element are releasably associated with the skin treatment head.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric element comprises a Peltier element comprising two different thermal conductors, wherein a first thermal conductor comprises the first thermally conductive element and wherein a second thermal conductor comprises the second thermally conductive element.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second thermally conductive elements are each provided with a coating at a part of the element that contacts the skin of a user.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first thermally conductive element at least partly circumferentially surrounds the treatment head.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a control system configured to control the actuator and the first thermally conductive element, a user interface functionally coupled to the control system and at least one LED indicator.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric element is used for heating or cooling the first thermally conductive element while rotating the treatment head.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric element is used for heating or cooling the first thermally conductive element while not rotating the treatment head.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the treatment head comprises a receiver coil for wireless charging of a rechargeable battery.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein in the first mode, the thermoelectric element is configured to heat the first thermally conductive element at any one of a plurality of user selectable heating temperatures, and in a second mode, the thermoelectric element is configured to cool the first thermally conductive element at any one of a plurality of user selectable cooling temperatures.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein a heating temperature is controlled as a function of a rotational speed of the treatment head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the device;

[0062] FIG. 2a illustrates an embodiment in which the skin treatment head is configured to rotate about an axis element wherein the first thermally conductive element is comprised by the axis element;

[0063] FIG. 2b illustrates an embodiment in which the second thermally conductive element is accessible to a user;

[0064] FIGS. 2c-2d illustrate cross-sectional views of embodiments in which the second thermally conductive element is accessible to a user;

[0065] FIG. 2e illustrates an embodiment in which the second thermally conductive element is accessible to a user;

[0066] FIG. 2f illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which the treatment head comprises a first thermally conductive element, a second thermally conductive element and a thermoelectric element;

[0067] FIGS. 2g-i illustrate some embodiments of the first thermally conductive element;

[0068] FIG. 3a illustrates an embodiment in which the treatment head is partially releasable;

[0069] FIG. 3b illustrates an embodiment in which a rechargeable battery is configured within the treatment head for powering the thermoelectric element.

[0070] FIG. 3c illustrates an embodiment a portion of the device of FIG. 1 illustrating certain mechanical components including one or more seal interfaces, one or more gears, and a brush-click element;

[0071] FIGS. 3d-1 and 3d-2 illustrate cross-sectional views of different embodiments of the thermoelectric elements and the thermally conductive elements;

[0072] FIG. 3e illustrates an embodiment in which a coating is applied to the thermally conductive element used for heating; and

[0073] FIG. 3f illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which an optional separate power source heats the thermally conductive element at the brush to provide a hot surface.

[0074] The schematic drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0075] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the device, indicated with reference 1, especially for use in exfoliating and/or removal of sebum from the skin. Here, the device, especially for treating the skin, comprises a housing 100 and a skin treatment head 200 rotatably associated with said housing 100. The housing 100 encloses an actuator 110 configured to rotate said skin treatment head 200. Further, the housings includes in this embodiment a rechargeable battery 21. Yet further, the housing 100 may comprise one or more LED indicators 23 and a user interface 24. Further, the housing may include a means 22 for receiving electrical power for charging the battery, such as a socket known in the art. The housing 100 comprises a first end 101 closest to the skin treatment head 200 and a second end 102 farthest away from the skin treatment head 200.

[0076] The skin treatment head 200 comprises one or more brushes 210 associated with a support element 220, wherein the one or more brushes 210, with bristles 211, have a brush height h1 relative to a support plane P defined by the support element 220. Note that in this schematic embodiment by way of example the bristles 211 have different heights.

[0077] Further, the device 1 further comprises a first thermally conductive element 310, in this embodiment having an element height h2 higher than said support plane P. The device 1 also comprises a thermoelectric element 300 configured to heat in a first mode said first thermally conductive element 310. Further, this thermoelectric element 300 may cool a second thermally conductive element 320. The rechargeable battery 21 may provide electrical power to the thermoelectric element 300. The thermoelectric element 300 may especially comprise a Peltier element, having two (semi)conductors of different materials. These (semi)conductors are in contact with a thermally conductive material, often ceramics, respectively, and may be the first and second thermally conductive element 310,320, respectively, or may be thermally coupled therewith. The surface or spot of the first thermally conductive element 310 that may be heated is indicated with reference 311. The device comprises an axis element 500, about which the treatment head rotates, and which in embodiment may comprise or be configured as first thermally conductive element 310. Especially, the (first) thermally conductive element 310 may have a thermal conductivity of at least 5 W/(m K), such as at least 10 W/(m K), especially at least 100 W/(m K). Examples of suitable materials include steel, aluminum, copper, AlN, BN, SiC, etc.

[0078] FIGS. 2a-2d schematically depict embodiments wherein the skin treatment head 200 is configured to rotate about an axis element 500 wherein the first thermally conductive element 310 is comprised by the axis element 500 or wherein the first thermally conductive element 310 is associated with the axis element 500. As can be seen, the element height h2 is equal to or lower than the brush height h1. On top of the first thermally conductive element 310 a coating may optionally be applied, to provide a softer feeling. This coating should especially be thin, or relatively highly thermally conductive. FIG. 2a schematically shows an embodiment wherein a second thermally conductive element is contained within the housing 100 and has no function in relation to skin treatment. In such embodiment, the second thermally conductive element may be configured as heat sink. Note that with reversing polarity, the first thermally conductive element can be cooled.

[0079] Hence, FIG. 2a shows an embodiment of the device 1 for treating skin comprising housing 100 and a skin treatment head 200 rotatably (around an axis element 500) associated with said housing 100, wherein the housing 100 encloses an actuator configured to rotate said skin treatment head 200, wherein the skin treatment head 200 comprises one or more brushes 210 associated with a support element 220, wherein the device 1 further comprises a first thermally conductive element 310, wherein the first thermally conductive element 310 is configured at a shortest distance d1 to the one or more brushes 210 selected from the range of 0-40 mm, and wherein the device 1 comprises a thermoelectric element 300 configured to heat in a first mode said first thermally conductive element 310 to provide a hot surface 311.

[0080] FIGS. 2b-2d schematically depict embodiments with a second thermally conductive element 320, accessible to a user, wherein the thermoelectric element 300 is configured to cool (in the first mode) said second thermally conductive element 320, such as to a temperature selected from the range of 5-25° C. In FIG. 2b, the second thermally conductive element 320 is configured between the first end 101 and the second end 102. In FIGS. 2c and 2d (which can be a cross-section and side view of the same embodiment) the second thermally conductive element 320 is configured between the first end 101 and the second end 102. After treatment with the treatment head, the cool second thermally conductive element 320 can be contacted with the skin. In such embodiment, the second thermally conductive element 320 may be configured as heat sink.

[0081] FIG. 2e schematically depicts an embodiment wherein the first thermally conductive element 310 is configured adjacent to the treatment head 200. The first thermally conductive element 310 may at least partly circumferentially surround the treatment head 200. Further, the second thermally conductive element 320 is configured at the second end 102.

[0082] FIG. 2f schematically depicts an embodiment wherein the first thermally conductive element 310 is comprised by the treatment head 200. The skin treatment head 200 comprises a second thermally conductive element 320. Also the thermoelectric element 300 may be comprised by the treatment head. Electrical powering may be done by a battery in the treatment head (see below) or by e.g., electrical slide contacts. Alternatively or additionally, electrical powering may be done via inductive powering. The thermoelectric element 300 may be configured to cool in the first mode said second thermally conductive element 320. The skin treatment head 200 is especially releasably associated with the housing 100 such that when the skin treatment head 200 is associated with the housing, the housing 100 is configured to at least partially shield the second thermally conductive element 320. By taking off the treatment head 200, the cold side, i.e., the second thermally conductive element 320 can be contacted with the skin to cool the skin.

[0083] FIGS. 2g-2i schematically depict some configurations of the first thermally conductive element. In FIG. 2g the thermally conductive element is configured substantially at the same height as the support plane P. Here, the thermally conductive element 310 is comprised by the treatment head 200. Distance d1 indicates the shortest distance between the first thermally conductive element 310 and the brush(es) 210, i.e., a bristle configured closest to the first thermally conductive element 310. In FIG. 2h the thermally conductive element is configured substantially at the same height as the brush(es). Here, the thermally conductive element 310 is not comprised by the treatment head 200 but configured adjacent to the treatment head. The first thermally conductive element can also be configured lower than the brushes 210, or even lower than the support. An example of a configuration different from the schematically depicted configuration of FIG. 2h is schematically depicted in FIG. 2i.

[0084] FIG. 3a schematically depicts in more detail the embodiment also described in relation to FIG. 2f. However, it might also be possible to disconnect part of the treatment head 200, i.e., removing a releasable first thermally conductive element 310 and a releasable support element 220, by which the second thermally conductive element 320 becomes accessible to the user for cooling the skin.

[0085] FIG. 3b schematically depicts an embodiment wherein a (rechargeable) battery 1330 is configured within the treatment head for powering the thermoelectric element 300.

[0086] FIG. 3c schematically depicts an embodiment of a part of the device 1. Reference 61 indicates a seal interface and reference 62 indicates a seal interface. Reference 63 indicates a gear (more gears may be available). Further, reference 68 indicates a gear box. Reference d1 is the diameter of the thermally conductive element 310. Reference 69 indicates a brush-click on element.

[0087] FIG. 3d schematically depicts two embodiments of the configuration thermoelectric element 300 and thermally conductive elements 310, 320. The thermoelectric element 300 comprises a “hot side” (hot side ceramic) and a “cold side” (cold side ceramic), indicated with references 1310 and 1320, respectively, which are herein indicated as the thermal conductors of the thermoelectric element 300. These may be configured as first and second thermally conductors 310, 320, respectively. Note that in such embodiments the shapes of one or more of the first and second thermally conductors may be different. Hence, in the left embodiment, in FIG. 3d-1, the thermal conductors 1310, 1320 of thermoelectric element 300 are (configured as) the first thermally conductive element 310 and second thermally conductive element 320, respectively. In the right embodiment, the thermal conductors 1310,1320 of the thermoelectric element 300 are in thermal contact with the first thermally conductive element 310 and second thermally conductive element 320 (here in physical contact).

[0088] FIG. 3e schematically depicts an embodiment wherein a coating 312 is applied to the thermally conductive element that is used for heating. This may provide a more flexible and/or softer surface.

[0089] FIG. 3f schematically depicts another configuration wherein an optional separate power source 510 heats the thermally conductive element at the brush, to provide a hot surface 311, and wherein the thermoelectric element 300 is configured in the handle. Now, the handle comprises a first thermally conductive element 310, e.g., for heating the skin when desired, and a second thermally conductive element, e.g., for cooling the skin. With the relative simple construction of a resistance heating, also a hot surface may be provided at the head, either comprised by the head, as schematically depicted in FIG. 3f, or adjacent to the head (see e.g., FIGS. 2e, 2h and 2i). An example of a suitable material for resistance heating is a PTC material that changes electrical resistance as temperature increases. This may also make the heating intrinsically safe. Control of the temperature of the thermally conductive element that is heated may be done via a control unit, optionally together with a temperature sensor. Alternatively or additionally, temperature control may be done by using materials that may intrinsically reduce current, block current, or open current circuits, such as e.g., a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material. Also materials may be used that with increasing temperature may be configured to decouple elements (open current circuits), such a bimetals, or other materials such as nitinol, etc. Other options may include e.g., a smart NFC tag with temperature sensor.

[0090] The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”. The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term “comprising” may in an embodiment refer to “consisting of” but may in another embodiment also refer to “containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.

[0091] The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

[0092] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0093] The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

[0094] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.